From Nursing Cover to Pillow Cover and...

A friend of mine has three adorable boys, and she has used the same nursing cover for all of them.  Imagine the hours she spent snuggled up with her little ones
under the cover.  She wanted to keep her nursing cover, but she didn't want to
just toss it in a box...never to be looked at again.  She asked me to use the material to make
a pillow cover ... something she could use, see often and still be able
to keep all of those good memories.
The photo above is the pillow cover I made her...I used
the envelope cover design.  Super simple and not a lot of waste.  The backing is
some thinner denim I had in my stash. 
However, I had fabric left over so....

....I made another pillow cover.  This one is the same design, same backing, but with a different front.  I found some cream muslin in my stash, cut 9 squares out of the cover and
sewed down each side of the squares with a 1/4" seam (kinda like a grid).  The edges are raw and will fray nicely the first time she washes it.
I had a small strip of fabric left over after cutting the squares for pillow number two, so....

....I made her a fabric bookmark.  Super simple, not perfect, very scrappy.
I made a yo-yo flower out of a tiny scrap and added an antique button (that I stole) from
my daughter's button collection.
After these three projects, I STILL had fabric left over.

I made an apron out of the cream muslin, left over denim for the ties and
used the cover material for the pockets.  I also made a removable
finger tip towel.

The cover hooked around her neck with a "d" ring, so I attached that to the apron to
hook the towel.  The strap on the towel came from the neck strap on the cover.

I also removed the label from the nursing cover and
hand sewed it on the back of one of the pillows. 



This is all that's left of the nursing cover!
~~~
I always enjoy my sewing jobs, but this one was especially fun.
It was quite the adventure trying to figure out what else I could make from
the fabric scraps that remained each time.

Lime Green, Black and White Chevron Quilt

When I saw this line of fabric, I fell in love with it!
No, it matches absolutely nothing in my house.
No, it's nowhere near my favorite color.
But, oh my, I'm loving this combo!

This is my second zig-zag (or chevron) quilt using this method.
I've always been intimidated by the chevron method using triangles.
I came across this technique using 3" strips (I use 2.5" strips if I'm making a baby
quilt).  Sew a strip of each together and then cut into squares.  Lay them alternating direction and they create a zig-zag pattern.

Click here for a baby-sized
grey and yellow chevron quilt.

Glamping Half Apron

I've got a friend who loves to camp with her family,
and she's got a lot of style.  I came across the Glamping (Glamour + Camping) line of fabric by Moda and knew it was perfect for her!

This half apron goes together so quickly...love that it's edges are
finished with double fold bias tape.

The pattern called for a fabric front yoke but ribbon ties.
I've never been a fan of ribbon ties, so I just bought double the amount of
fabric called for and made fabric ties.

{love} this line...red and turquoise!
~~~
Pattern: Keep Clean and Stay Cool Apron from
"All Sewn Up" by Chloe Owens
Fabric:  Glamping by Moda

Grag Bag

This is a fun one!
Well, up to the very last step, anyway.
The pattern is from my new favorite magazine:
"Make It Yourself" by Better Homes and Garden
This is their second issue and they are released seasonally.  Both issues
to date have been packed with fun projects...sewing, knitting, cross stitch, paper...just a little bit of everything.

What makes this purse difficult is finishing the handles. 
The front and the back are each just one piece, which includes
the handles.  It's a little tricky getting the very last inch or two of the handles
sewn.  The bag, though, is so versatile.

One handle is longer than the other and slips through the loop made by the shorter handle.  It's perfect for hanging and for looping over your wrist.  This one has become the bag I use for church...perfect size for a Bible and hymn book.  Inside, there are three shallow pockets on each side of the lining...perfect for gum, Kleenex packets, cell phone, etc.
~~~
Pattern:  Grab Bags from Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Make It Yourself
Fabric:  Hobby Lobby

Black/White/Yellow Sling Bag

Once upon a time, there was a sling bag...the perfect size, the perfect color,
just the right amount of pockets. 
One day....

...it met a big, red, flower.
And then it was perfect!
~~~
Pattern:  Mail Sack from Pink Chalk Studios (mini 12" x 12")
Fabric:  Comma by Moda

{Fall Quilt Retreat: Friends}

Mom, Joy and me fresh out of the car and
ready to explore!

If my ironing board looked out over this, I think I'd iron something besides seams and interfacing!

Mom's favorite spot

Long-time friends

Marion hard at work at the cutting table

Lisa, Marion, Joy, me, Mom and Christy
(Christy was only able to stay for one night...so this is my only photo of her)

Sweet mother and daughter photo

Frightening mother and daughter photo

Lisa amazes me....she creates beautiful projects so quickly!

Joy made a basket by wrapping fabric scraps around
thin clotheslines and then sewing it together.  It was very cool!

A few more pictures on the back deck just before leaving...

The amazing thing is that we all didn't know each other when we arrived on
Thursday.  By Thursday evening, we felt like we'd always been friends.

{Fall Quilt Retreat: Location}

Maybe you've heard that Disneyland is the most magical place on Earth?
Sorry to all of those mouse lovers....we found a place that's even better!!
Last week, six of us left our families, jobs and responsibilities behind in Idaho, Washington and Oregon and traveled to Prosser, Washington, to enjoy four absolutely wonderful days at
The Sewing Basket and The Quilted Inn.
Yes, we should keep it a secret, but it was such a perfect weekend that we have to share.
{And we're already booked for next year...so we're set!}

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