The Farmhouse Sewing Room "Before"

Believe it or not, this is better than it was a week ago! I'm going to go through all my boxes and totes of fabric and purge some of the scraps and other pieces of fabric that I probably won't ever use. I am resistant to throwing away ANY fabric or ANY scraps. But the time comes when this must be done so that the sewing area will be more efficient and..... well... pretty!

Can't wait to show a picture of the sewing room after it's all organized.

Second Chance NC State Quilt

My handmade Valentine's gift for my hubby, including his favorite candy: Caramel Cremes.



This quilt has been hanging around in my sewing room for 2 or 3 years and I have finally finished it! It originally was planned to be a queen size quilt for my stepson. The quilt never quite looked like I wanted it to and then my stepson ended up going to a different college. So about a month ago I decided to finish it as a "throw size" quilt for my hubby for Valentine's Day.



I wanted it to be a surprise. Do you know how hard it is to make a quilt in the same house with someone without them knowing it? Also, I have a very good husband who is almost always home. I worked on this quilt only when he was out of the house and I was home alone. I didn't quite finish the handwork on the binding on the back of the quilt in time, but finished that last night. I think it turned out well and the free motion machine quilting looks nice.



This quilt will be around a lot longer than any store bought Valentine goody I could have purchased. Don't you just love handmade gifts? I do. One of my most treasured possessions is the purple scarf my daughter crocheted for me last year for my birthday. It was the first thing she made and it was for me. That is priceless!

Little Quilted Bags And Other Sewing Projects

For More Project Ideas, please visit MY COUNTRY HOME for Whatcha Working on Wednesdays.



I have been making these little quilted bags from the tutorial found on the PS I quilt blog HERE. Aren't they cute?

This is the original version which turns out to be 5 inches deep by 7 inches wide.



The larger version is 6 1/2 inches deep by 11 inches wide.



These aren't really quilt related, but when not quilting, I also make clothespin bags, which are for sale in my Etsy Shop.

Here are a few:





And a fabric bag:

MY FIRST QUILT FINISH OF 2010!

"EARLY AUTUMN"


The plans for this quilt were first born in my mind well over a year ago when I posted about my plans for the cozy cabins pattern found in the January, 2009 issue of Quick Quilts in these posts: HERE,HERE and HERE.

The year 2009 for me was a year of learning new quilt making techniques, especially free motion machine quilting. I really love this quilting method and am so happy that I am able to free motion quilt on my vintage Singer sewing machine SHOWN HERE. I hope to improve my machine quilting skills this year and to learn to "draw with thread" other patterns in addition to the meandering style of this quilt.







Now that this quilt is finished, I have many plans and dreams for more quilting in 2010. I plan to continue on with completing the quilts I have in progress as well as starting some new projects. I really would like to make a table runner, which should be a quick project.

I'm Free Motion Quilting a Queen Size Quilt!

I was scared to try it, but its working!!!!!

Free Motion Quilting a large quilt:



The Set Up:



I put the ironing board in front of the sewing machine at the same height as the sewing machine and a tv tray on the left hand side. This is essential to keep the quilt from hanging over the side and back.

I quilted about 1/3 of the quilt this past weekend and hope to finish it in a week or so.

The Quilts in Progress waiting patiently until after Christmas.....

A project in its beginning stages. I have the squares for three rows of the quilt pinned in stacks...



Two quilts ready to be quilted.....



I'm ready to be in my sewing room, happily and contentedly working on my quilts. November and December are too busy for much quilting. But never fear! January, February and March are perfect for "getting lost in the fabric"!

In 2010, I am planning to make some baby quilts to be listed for sale in my Etsy Shop. I also look forward to posting more regularly on this quilting blog in 2010!

Stay tuned!




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A Christmas Throw Quilt

I've used this quilt for many different purposes over the years. One year it hung over the banister overlooking the living room. One year it served as a tree skirt. Other years it hung over the back of a love seat.

This year I thought it went well with the blue recliner and this little "Friends are the Best Presents" pillow.

I think a larger Christmas quilt would be fun to make! But, do I really need to add another Quilt to my "To Do List"?????? One more won't hurt, I supposed.... :o)