The handy dandy seam ripper

When I first started off sewing, I was instructed to get a seam ripper.  I kept thinking,"I have scissors, why do I need one of these?" Since it was only a few bucks, I picked one up, but thought I would rarely use the thing, since I have scissors.  Well, was I wrong!.  That little device is awesome and handy!!  I never realized how much I would depend upon the seam ripper for all my little mistakes until recently when it seems like I am correcting my seams (still learning on this awesome new machine).

Like everything else, I have found I have my favorite one.  The purple one has the larger handle which is easier to use and manipulate when trying to get the seams than the smaller ones, one of which came with my new machine. (the white one is bent to show it comes in two pieces).

Today, I found another great use for the seam ripper: opening the packages you get which they bundle several things together!  I think I may keep one downstairs with the general scissors...

So in conclusion, get a seam ripper you like!!!

So do you use the seam ripper for anything else?  And what is your favorite kind??.

back again:) the new Janome

Long time, no write.  And what a busy several months it has been with moving into a new home, getting engaged, and then my machine crashing.  But looks like things are starting to finally chill out.  Thank you!  I am ready for a relaxing summer.

My original sewing machine died when the timing device stopped working correctly.  I went to a local shop to have it repaired, but found out it was going to cost $100 to repair a machine that, frankly, has seen better days.  So I took the plunge and purchased a new fancy sewing machine.  I ended up with a Janome Horizon from a great little sewing store around the corner.  I have to say, I feel like I got the cadillac of all machines with this bad boy.  And after sewing on the machine for a week, I have to say I am quickly getting spoiled.

 After purchasing my awesome new little machine, I have managed to finish another one of my favorite rag quilts.  I used smaller squares of regular cotton the front and flannel on the back. I did this quilt for a friend of mine who had a little one last year.  I tried to gear it towards a boy and the parents love for Virginia Tech

  I will admit the squares did not get sewed together evenly. I was quite perplexed why nothing was lining up consistently.  Then it dawned on me.  The straight stitch option I used on my new machine was to offset slightly to the left of center.  DOH.

It was a great learning experience, and I still think the rag quilt is cute.
















The second quilt I started and finished on my new machine. I cannot believe how quickly it came together on this new machine! Granted this is a smaller quilt (again a baby/toddler quilt size), but I have never finished a quilt with such ease!  I chose to go with HST as a chevron pattern.  And look how cute it is!

I also learned how to free motion quilt with this quilt; and I have to say, I am in love with FMQ.  It is like a giant maze in which you try not to overlap any lines.

I am very pleased with how this one turned out. I cannot wait to finish another quilt I have started.

it has been a while

I haven't forgotten to post.  But rather have been a little busy and my time to sew has been limited.   :(  But in the last week, I have been quite busy with the sewing machine working away!!

  I started this HST last weekend, and as of tonight I have the complete top sewed together!  So excited to have this one completed this far in such a short amount of time.  I am loving the mix of yellows and blues. And yes, there are sailboats, and fish all over the blues.  Now to come up with the design for the back.  

 Below the square in which it all extends from.  Again, like my last HST, this square is located in the upper left region, offset from the center, for additional character.

I also have been working on the string quilt gradually.  Sewing all the have sides of the squares of one color and eventually adding the other color has been a tedious process.  I have gotten a little impatient and had to sew some of the pieces together (using my template for guidance) and needless to say, I AM LOVING IT!  All the cutting, and sewing with no idea what it may look like is coming out beautifully!    This helps re-engerize me to finish up sewing the purples with other colors and cut the red and sew it all up.  Hopefully I can find some time this week to finish this.

 all of the pieces I have sewed to another square.  Just pieces of the soon to be finished top.

I love orange and I just think the black helps define the orange and each color! I love scrappy and this is all scrappy.  Definitely one of the coolest designs I have done!.  Thanks Kate for the idea.

It is a work in progress, but hey, aren't we all?  It is only Wednesday,and can't wait to see how it looks come Friday  :)  (linking up to WIP Wednesday)

it has been a busy time

I know have been super busy as the weather is improving, and home improvement season has begun.  But I have made just a little progress (and I mean little) towards my string quilt.

I drew up my layout (which can be seen in the last post) and found I will need 80 center black strips.  So all those have been cut.  Then I just picked a color and started sewing together strips of blue together and attaching to the center black piece.  As I have mentioned, I have made slow progress, but it is a start.  So far I am liking my method, it is similiar to the paper piece, but no paper will be used. (I don't have the patience to cut out 80 squares of paper)

I hope to have a lot more done by Sunday evening, but will have to see.  More painting walls and trim awaits me along with various going away parties for friends.

Happy Wednesday all!

~Lisa

linking up to Work in Progress Wednesday  :)

Finishing HST and start of the string

I have been busy trying to finish up my blue and green HST quilt I started the other weekend.

Unfortunately my original idea for the back of the quilt fell through. I tried over and over again to get things to line up correctly, but just could not think well enough to make it work.  So, I started over and came up with this!

I must say, I really like it.

I worked on quilting it, and my original thought was simple straight lines every 2 inches or so.  Did one direction like that, then decided to mix it up.  Final result was:

Conclusion while sewing this quilt, keep it simple.  Don't think too abstractly when sewing pieces together, it just requires too much brain power.  Also, with quilting, you can pretty much do anything it may turn out cool.  Even with artistic areas of flair  :)

It is also May 1, so that means that Kate and I have decided to start our next quilt project together.  We have decided to complete a string quilt.  I have found my inspiration at favequilts and also through the book Kate got me for Christmas.

So I have drawn out the pattern for my string quilt.  Now time to get cutting.

Happy Wednesday!
-Lisa

Results are in....

Remember this little guy?
I agonized over whether to put this baby quilt into my twins' school auction, & how to value it if I did. (blogged about here.) I ended up submitting it to the auction, & valued it at $60. It ended up selling for $50, & honestly I'm pleased with that. Plus the woman who bought it loved it & though she got a great deal, which made me feel like maybe my work doesn't suck. :)
Our handprint quilt also did well. When I left the auction about 2 hours before it closed, our raffle for the handprints was well over $200, so I'm hoping it made a bit more, but even if it didn't, I feel like our efforts made a decent contribution to the school.
All in all a fairly respectable showing for my first ever venture into any kind of public sale. I don't know that I'm ready to start selling things regularly, but it was a nice ego boost to know that people actually kind of like the things I make. Maybe it will help me shake my novice quilter's insecurity!

what do you do while you sew, besides sew??

So I have always wondered, does anyone use their sewing time for something other than sewing??  Now I am not saying, you claim to sew but really hide in the closet eating a box of chocolates, but double task.  Perhaps you contemplate dinner for that night, mentally shop for the upcoming event or just lose yourself in what you are doing.

I personally have found a great way to continue with my love of reading while sewing by listening to books on CD.  I am really lucky to have a job where I have access to a great library with a ton of books on CD with no limit on the number I can check out.  I have been on a James Patterson kick as of late.  Anyone have any recommendations on other good books to read or listen to??

Lisa

Busy bee quilts and lets get acquainted.