Pretty Little Pot Holders

Pot Holders are kind of my go-to quick and easy gift. I think I whipped out at least 15 last year for Christmas. The pattern is a little more time consuming, but the I think the details make them so cute (hello, mini ruffle?!).

The hardest part of making these is the binding. I tried something new: using Elmer's Glue to baste. Have you heard of it? I ran upon the idea on Pinterest a few weeks ago and I finally tried it. It's kind of amazing. Look how perfect it turned out! Have you ever tried it?

Elephant March

Simple scrappy patchwork is so satisfying. I love this quilt.

I almost prefer the back to the front.

See?! I've been hoarding that strip of elephants for years.

Simple 1/4" quilting on each side of the squares. If you've never made a quilt before, this would be a good way to start. You don't need to do anything fancy like stippling to get a great look and drape.

More striped binding (I'm thinking I should start to branch out...)

Mailed to my brand new niece that just arrived last week. 

Finicky Piecing-How to Not Lose Your Mind

Here's a little trick I use to keep all my pieces in order for my Farm Girl Friday blocks. Each of the fabric pieces are labeled with letters. She uses alphabitties, but I didn't want to spend that much money for something I thought I could make myself. 

I printed and cut out little circles with each letter on it, laminated them, then hot glued them to flat flower head pins. That way as I'm cutting, I can easily label what I'm working on and pin them to the fabric before they get all mixed up.

It has made piecing so much easier!

Baby Hearts

Another baby quilt given away. I ran across this pattern at Cluck Cluck Sew a few months ago, and I immediately knew I wanted to make this for my little niece, due in August. I tried to be more adventurous with the background, and not be so matchy matchy.

These hearts came together super fast! It really looks more complicated that it is. I also loved this pattern because she uses strips around each block rather than sashing. I kind of hate sashing. 

 I love using blue for girls. 

I tried something new with the binding this time. I used my serger to finish off the edges before machine binding and it worked like a dream! No puckering or pulling. I've started doing it every time. 

My sister in law flipped when she opened the package. I love making quilts for people who appreciate the time that goes into it.

#FarmGirlFridays

#FarmGirlFridays are happening. After making two table runners, I decided to order her new book, and I'm kind of excited about it. I've never made a sampler before, so this seems like a fun way to start. I may regret those words later. 48 six inch blocks are a lot of blocks. But it'll be worth it because I'm keeping it, dang it! 

 Even though I seldom quilt for myself, I love doing it because I don't hesitate to use the cutest scraps I have been hoarding. My goal this year is to be more selfish with my quilts.

 

And see how tiny? They finish at 6". I keep trying to explain the scale of it, but it's hard to get a feel without seeing them in person. I have to iron most of the seams open so there is less bulk in all those tiny intersections.

Mostly all scraps. Eek! Did I mention there's a milk can block?

Perfect for a Little House on a Dairy.

Mischief Managed

Let's talk fabric management. I keep mine in drawers like this. I use homemade card stock inserts to guide my folding. Anything that won't fit on a card goes into color coded scrap bins. But the organization ends there. It's a huge mess.

 I just read this blog post and I am trying a new system. Instead of having overflowing, unfolded and all sized scrap bins, I am going to try to cut them into strips: 1.5", 2.5", 3.5" and 5". That way, they're easy to grab and use when I need them.

I've also started on my Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along. It's so nice to just grab one of those pre-cut strips and go at it. I'm hoping to bust through tons of my scraps. (PS, those six inch blocks are tiny. I don't know how she makes them look so nice)

Star Wars and Stuff

Sometimes I would rather sew than try to shop for a gift. My Star Wars loving nephew just turned six, so I thought I'd make him something. I usually don't go all out for gifts like this, but he's special.

 Paper piecing (on a small scale) is FUN. I loved it. I found the patterns here.

My quilting sister in law sent me the backing. Thanks, Net. 

I always slap a zipper in the middle of the back. My envelope backings always look wonky, and not in a good way.

 The pattern I used calls for drawing eyes on Yoda, but I opted for wonky buttons. Much cuter. 

We don't have a lot of boy stuff in this house. I think it needs a new (less girly) home.