Quilted Slippers

A hotel I stayed in last month provided these fantastic bamboo slippers along with some fine toiletries and a few other goodies.  Instantly, I fell in love with the slippers and couldn't wait to return home to dissect them and make a pattern.

I got to work immediately and in short order, I had my own pair of cozy, custom slippers, plus, a pattern to use whenever I need a fresh new pair.

I did some small patchwork and some relatively extensive quilting on these, both a bit time consuming.  I think I'll scale back a bit on the detail in the future and be more conservative with my time.  It took two days for me to pull these together; I estimate about 12 hours of work all together.  A bit much for such a small yield.

Ages ago, I bought this rubberized material at a fabric store, with the intention of one day using it for slipper soles.  It worked beautifully and keeps me feeling secure when walking up and down my hardwood stairs.

Just like when I cook, when I make patchwork, I always make a little extra as I love to have left overs.  I had enough to make several coasters that I think are just right for my Fire King Jadite coffee cups.

I liked this combination of fabrics so much, I made a little more patchwork, just enough to make this summer wristlet.  I added an inch to both the length and width of my Oh Fransson pattern to give me additional room to include my sun glasses.  Fortunately, there is quite a bit of sun today.  I might just have to go out with my new bag.  Too bad a can't wear my matching slippers as well!

Yet Another Pillow

Now that I'm in the pillow mode, I thought I'd pop out just one more. This one will be a gift for my niece as she requested a pillow that will match an orange, green and black quilt that I have recently given to her. I think that this one will do nicely as in addition to this color scheme, she likes kitties as well. 

I like working with isosceles triangles. They are easy to measure, cut and sew together and are surprisingly forgiving when trying to piece accurately. I think that the stretch of the bias cut sides affords just enough wiggle room when it is needed to match points.

My long arm did well on this project however not without an hour or so in advance of tension fidgeting, needle changing, oiling, etc. I have come to the conclusion that long arms are just plain fussy, period. I need to accept that fact and never think that after letting my machine sit idle for few weeks that I'll be able to just turn it on and start sewing. A good bit a TLC will always be needed before quilting, plain and simple.

My mother and I made a couple of companion softies to include with the gift. I'm sure that my niece will like them too. The orange one is named Bubbles and the black and white one is Tuxie!

Selvage Pillows

 I've only been saving the selvages cut from my quilting cottons for about a year or so. I thought it would take much longer than that to amass enough to make anything significant however, I was mistaken.  My selvage pile grew very quickly and much to my surprise, I was able to make these two 24" square pillows for my sewing room without putting much of a dent in it.

This was the perfect project on which to use my black and white scissor and pin fabrics.  I've been saving them for just the right occasion.

My hidden zipper skills are slowly improving.  This time, I only broke one needle and had one do-over.  Maybe next time I'll have it down pat.  I have realized is that it is much easier to install a hidden zipper if the zipper is over-sized, extending beyond the edges of my work.  That way, the zipper can be sewn in place without having to jockey around the pull.  Once sewn, the pull is slid  into place, the ends are bar tacked and the excess is trimmed.  My local store limited me to a 22" white zipper so I didn't have the luxury of using my preferred installation method.

Sewing the selvages into place was quick and easy.  I first sewed them onto muslin foundation strips, overlapping the upper edge, leaving the lower edge of the stitching exposed.  I then sewed the muslin/selvage units together, then added batting, backing and finally, some overall, freehand grid quilting.  Now, when I need a pillow or two in the sewing room, I'm good to go.

The Last of Halloween in April

I'm still working in some blocks for the Super Penguin quilt along.  This week, I focused on the kitchen related items including this cute mixing bowl and whisk.

I also finished the vintage scale, a quick block with lots of impact.

Lastly, my favorite, a milk chocolate bar for baking.  Yum.

Between these, the cafe, chef, waitress and ice cream blocks I have already completed, I think I've got enough to make a table runner and some mug rugs.  As I have plenty of time to get these completed before October, I think I'll put them aside an focus on something a bit more Spring related!

More Sweet Treats for Halloween in April

Outside, there are pink, green and white buds on the trees, yellow daffodils and blue hyacinth in the garden and I continue to enjoy making orange and black Halloween inspired sweet treats from the Super Penguin quilt along.  This week's menu includes a triple scoop sundae (possibly black licorice flavored?) served in a black rimmed, spotted bowl.

How about some jiggly, lime gelatin?  Now that is spooky!  The pumpkins and cats don't seem to mind however.  They continue to dance away like there is no tomorrow.

The skeletons don't seem to mind the soft serve either.  I wouldn't mind having some of that myself.  I think it is orange cream.  Yum!  What will next week bring?

Halloween in April?

Despite it being April and the lovely spring weather we are enjoying today in Pennsylvania, I continue to work on my Trick or Treat blocks using these adorable patterns designed by Ayumi Mills of the Pink Penguin.  Although Ayumi's Cafe series isn't particularly holiday based, I'm having a fun time putting a spooky spin on her collection.  I couldn't resist dressing up the pastry chef as Frankenstein's monster; it was simple to add a small bolt to his neck and to use green fabric for his flesh.

And what would this scene be without the bride of Frankenstein?  It was fairly simple to turn the waitresses cap into a lightning bolt hairdo and to give her some green flesh as well.

Coming soon will be some Halloween treats and some fun baking themed blocks.  After that, I'm not sure what else Ayumi has in store for her collection but I'm sure that it will be equally as cute.

Spring Bee

There has been quite a buzz about the Spring Fling paper pieced blog hop hosted on Whims and Fancies and I am pleased to be representing day #2.  Throughout the month, 20 Spring themed blocks with free patterns will be available for you to download and enjoy.

You can download a free .pdf  pattern of this 10" x 10" Spring Bee block here.

Be sure to check out the hop's Flickr group as well and join in on the fun.  As the month progresses, there will be more and more to see.  If you make any of the Spring Fling blocks, we'd love to see them posted as well!!!