Purls and Pugs

Secret Christmas Sewing Revealed

I mentioned a couple times that I had some secret sewing project that I was working on as a gift. Well, now that I've given out my gifts for this Christmas (well, most of them), I can reveal was I was making. It's my first quilt! I decided to make my sister a quilt with pictures of Lillie, her dog on it. I really am happy about how it turned out. I went simple for the first time with design and quilting, but I will have to try something a little more complicated soon!

Since it was my first time, I wasn't sure about how the size would turn out. So, it ended up being about a crib size, but I'm ok with quality over quantity.

At first I sort of dreaded making it, but as I got going and it started taking form, it wasn't that bad of an endeavor. I still hate cutting out the fabric, but who really likes that?!

It's here! It's here!

I just received my new Amy Butler's Little Stitches book! It's so damn cute!!! If they weren't such a commitment, I'd consider having a kiddie just to be able to make some of this stuff. Kind of like that Volkswagen commercial with Brooke Shields about people having babies to get minivans. But, I will settle for sewing stuff for other people's babies instead. I'm having too much fun right now to just go and have a kid.

This is the Cheeky Monkey Laundry Bag from the book. Doesn't it just make you sick how cute it is? I think a lot of the appeal of these things, though, is Amy's fabric. It's so versatile and classy, but modern at the same time.

I also picked up a quilting book while I was at it because I just couldn't find an online source that really broke it down for me. I decided on Machine Quilting Made Easy after reading all the reviews of some books on Amazon. I think I've read about 5 pages and have learned more in those 5 pages than all the online reading I've done! So far, I highly recommend it!

Winter brings out the sewing machine

I mentioned a couple days ago that I am working on a secret sewing project. Well, you don't get to know about that, but I've also gotten excited about some new Amy Butler Patterns I've purchased. I picked up the Birdie Sling, Sophia Carryall, the Anna Tunic, and the Lotus Tunic patterns from Fabric.com. I have the fabric for my first Birdie Sling all ready to go. I just need to get the interfacing and stuff. I blame Monica for all the cute ones she's been sewing up!

I also want to get Amy's new book Amy Butler's Little Stitches. I have some friends who are pregnant, and these gifts look cute and useful! Love it!

Shh...don't tell Santa

I made Yoda's Christmas quilt in about a morning. I used this tutorial from Wendy's site, and it was super easy. I don't think it really can get any easier than squares!

I think Yoda likes it, but she can't have it just yet...see, I need to give it to Santa Clause so he can wrap it and bring it for Christmas. But let's not tell him that Yoda's seen it, and let's definitely not tell him she tried it out! Oh my, what would he say?!

This blanket was made with all dog themed flannel fabric. I had no idea there were so many, to be honest. I just kept finding them as I wandered the fabric store. And who could forget the pink? A princess without her pink would just be crazy!

34 Days 'till Christmas!

Holy smokes! I better get going on some Christmas gifts! I am not really going to be making that many, just a few that have been added to the list recently. My grandmother mentioned that she bought a scarf from her craft show last year and it is scratchy. So, my mom so graciously told her that I would knit her one that is not scratchy. I have the yarn, I just need to figure out what pattern I am going to do.

I am going to make Yoda and maybe Lillie new blankies. Wendy has a pattern on her site on how to make a rag quilt, and I think it's a great idea. Here is the first round of fabric. I need one more solid or stripe or dot or something, and then I can get going cutting and sewing away. Though I must finish my other quilt first. Ahhhh! Too much to get done!  ;-)

And I can't leave you without a picture of Yoda. I was steam cleaning the carpets (one of the things on my to do vacation list), and she disappeared. I found her on the couch in the spare bedroom on her bed that had been picked up so I could get to the floor. How cute!

Happy 4th Birthday, Yoda!

Yes, today Yoda is 4! She is such a big girl compared to when I got her. She was 4 pounds when I brought her home! I can't believe she has grown so much and is already getting a grey beard...

We are going to be celebrating this weekend with a doggie birthday cake and gifts. I know she is excited.

She has several friends in her gallery, but I think she is getting greedy and wants more. She knows there are more pets or pet parents that read this blog...

In other news, I have been working on the sleeve of Gucci and the pattern. That should be done shortly. I  also have been working on a 'practice' quilt. I found this kit at Jo Ann Fabrics and loved the fabric so decided to try it. I am a little unsure of the acutal quilting and binding process, so this gives me step by step directions.

Only 2 more days of work this week! Can't you tell I'm excited?

Riiip...

I had great intentions of working on the second sleeve of Gucci. I really did. But then I got so excited about how I am going to do my sorority t-shirt quilt that I started ripping that apart.  I have some of the backs of the bazillion shirts already freed from the original design. Yoda was a little tired when I was taking pictures this morning....can't you tell she just wants to lay on the quilt?

I also made a swatch from the Andean Silk I bought from Knit Picks. I washed it and am sending it to my friend so she can wear it against her skin and see how scratchy it feels. She has very sensitive skin, so I figured this would be the best way to see if it is ok or if we need to go back to the drawing board. As a side note, I have never had a problem with yarn color running, but this Cranberry really turned the water red. Just wanted to throw that out there for anyone who might want to know.

Class tonight, so probably not much to report tomorrow....and I start vacation in 8 days!!! Yippee!!!

Done!

Here it is, the completed Cabo Halter. It was really easy once I sat down and decided to sew it. I think the worst part is cutting out all the pieces. By the time I get them *perfect*, I don't want to do any more with it. But the directions were clear, just like all Amy Butler patterns, and well written. It really outlined everything you need to do. The only difficult part was the zipper, which I used a tutorial to help me understand it better. And 8 times later, I had it.

Pattern: Cabo Halter by Amy Butler
Fabric:  Mod Paisley by Amy Butler
Size: Medium
Notes: Follow the directions and it's a snap!

I figured that I would give you a picture of me in it. That way you would believe that it actually fit! All too often with commercial patterns, things don't come out quite on par. This was a great fit!

It only took 8 times...

Here you see my first invisible zipper ever. Sure it looks good now, but it only took 8 tries. For some reason, I was having a problem with the whole mechanics of how to put in the second side and still have it all work. I'm sure I probably had it at like try 4, but I didn't realize it.

I think it looks pretty darn good for a first time. I still have some hand finishing to do and then hem the bottom of the shirt. Amazingly, the temperature has dropped in the last few days and I will probably be unable to wear it this year...Unless I am wearing something to cover my shoulders. At least it will be done...then onto a Built by Wendy pattern....new jacket anyone?

It only took the whole summer...

...to get my butt in gear and sew the Cabo Halter! I cut the pieces out way back in the March time frame, but did not get to sewing it all together until now...only 6 months later. This is the halter minus the zipper and finishing. I have the whole thing put together and pinned in the back on the mannequin. I think I am going to attempt the zipper tonight.

This week marks the end of summer for me...I begin class again. I am taking a Corportate Responsibility class, and because time got away from me, I had to drive to DeKalb to go buy my books. Ususally, I order the books online, but I was afraid I wouldn't get them in time. And while I was there, I picked up a nifty new sweatshirt. Don't you just love all the pink on pink? Go Huskies!

This morning I was telling a co-worker that lives in DeKalb about the sweatshirt and he immediately asked if I got the pink one...am I that transparent?!