Dear Craft Diary,
I did it! I spent the afternoon with The Master, My Momma! She shared her quilting tips with me and I made a mini quilt!
She suggested that one of the main things to secure a quilt and not shift is not by just pinning, but by hand sewing it loosely to secure it. She taught me how to properly fold the corners on the double bias tape. So excited!
Love, Me
Dear Craft Diary,
Well, I haven't attempted quilting on my own, again. I continue with the full size rag quilt. Still cutting and x sewing them together. I have spent all day cleaning out and organizing my sewing area. I love the non-mess!
But, two things have happened.
#1 I found someone who is loving my jacked up baby quilt. My Little Man, my shih tzu! It covers his bed and he has slept on it for the past week. :)
#2. I broke down and called the Master...my Mom. I am scheduled to spend the whole day with her tomorrow...learning quilting and sewing tips.
Wish me Luck!
Dear Craft Diary
Well, I still haven't called the master, my mother, I am insisting on learning on how to quilt on my own.
I decided to purchase 1/2" wide double fold bias tape. I was happily sewing it on my first quilt. Upon finishing, I realized I STILL didn't do it right! I didn't catch all of the trim!
So, I did some research...and most blogs and reviews suggest I start with a rag quilt. So, now I am making a flannel rag quilt. No batting required. First, I figured out what size quilt I want to make. I do not know any babies that have a crib, but, I know plenty of children who have a full size bed. I decided on a full size bed quilt. 82"x89". I decided on 12" squares, that is 9 rows of 8 squares....72 squares! I cut two flannel materials back to back and sewed an "X" for stabilization and reinforcement. I have alot of cutting and "X"ing to do. I will update you when I finally start sewing it together!
Wish me luck!
Love, Me
Dear Craft Diary,
I have had such a busy crafting weekend...well, busy for a beginner.
First, I went by Hobby Lobby and with my 40% off coupon in hand I bought crib size batting. It's alot thicker than I would like...but the good stuff was too expensive for my first quilt project.
Then, my crafty sewing spidey senses told me to check out Hancock Fabrics...plus, I had just read an email from them stating that I can get $5 off. So, I said "Go, go, Crafty Senses" and off I went. As I was walking in, I saw an ad stating that if I text HANCOCK1 to 46208, I will get 10% of my total purchase. So, I told myself, "Self, if you see that you are purchasing more than $50, make sure to send that text". And boy, did I spend more than $50! EVERYTHING was on sale! Cotton Fabric regularly $5.99 was 40% off! I bought all the unisex polkadots I could find...for my next quilt. Simplicity patterns regularly about $15 were $1.99!! I went through and found simple patterns. Batting was 40% off...so I got a full bed size. Some fabric was on super clearance....I like coupons and sales...but, I LOVE clearances. I bought some Halloween and Christmas fabric for $0.59 a yard!! And thankfully, I had a super amazing sales lady helping me out with my million questions. Can't remember her name..but, she was super cool.
So, I then rushed home to try to finish my quilt and start on a baby bib...cuz I got a pattern for it. I was ready!
Blah! I need help with the trim of the quilt..I don't know what to do. I will need to call the master, my mother. But, asking a favor of her always comes with strings attached. But, I will sacrifice it, for knowledge of what to do next. Also, I had a heck of a time with that "simple" baby bib. My binding technique didn't work..as you can see...I didn't even sew it right.
I embroidered "Liam" on the bib. That would have been the name of my son, if I ever had one. My daughter's name is Lauren. Lauren and Liam. Cute right?! Oh, whatever. I like it :) But, no dice. Lauren is my one and only. :)
Maybe I will try my other projects, and then gather all of my issues and make THE CALL to my mother.
I am going to try the doggie clothes, next.
Wish me luck!
Love, Me
Dear Craft Diary,
I LOVE QUILTS! And I don't care who knows it!
I appreciate and adore quilts. I just bought my daughter a beautiful Day of the Dead quilt. She is in college and loves it.
I only have quilts in my home. They are perfect for everything.
So, I am shopping at an art festival this past weekend with my sister, who shares my love for quilts, too. She said "Sister, you can do so many things, I think you could definitely make a quilt. Start with the simple square ones". Her faith in my creativity inspired me.
So, I am starting out with a crib size quilt. My mom had some extra fabric, and donated it to my trial quilt.
So far, this is as far as I have gotten. I have cut 6" squares with a rotary blade and sewed them together. I need to get batting to finish it.
Hobby Lobby here I come! Wish me luck! Next post will be the finished product.
Love, Me
Dear Craft Diary,
I had the pleasure of being trusted with a family portrait session. It was taken outdoors and was a really beautiful day.
I used my Sony a57 DLSR. Attached are photos of the set up I used along with the photo results. I had my camera setting on the soft blur function. The subjects were a little shiny and sweaty...so, it helped with that.
Talk to you soon!
PhotosandSweets.com
