Spring Sewing Ideas

I love spring sunshine, and despite this crazy pandemic, I am enjoying myself at home. With windows open and a glass of sweet tea at hand, sewing is right at the top of my daily to do list.

I've finished up several small projects. The first is a dust cover for Rockette, my Singer 500 Rocketeer machine. I found an embroidery sample of sewing notions that I had set aside several years ago. With it as a focal point, I pulled out coordinating fabrics in grape and white, and whipped up a quickie tie-on cover. No pattern, I just used what I had to make it fit the machine.

The flower block on the back is a test block for a quilt currently under construction. I played with several decorative stitches to quilt in purple thread. After adding binding and ties, Rockette is now dust free.

Another day I stitched this wildly colorful Boho style bag called Feelin' Sassy. It's made from a test piece that I used to practice free motion quilting with the Squiggy ruler. 

No pattern, just fold in half, seam up the sides, add a band at the top, and a strap. The hot pink tab is the same fabric as the lining. I can't go anywhere yet to use it; maybe by summer it will be safe to go out! 

Now you see why I named my blog Useful Remnants. I love fabric so much I just can't let any of it go to waste unless it is too tiny to sew.

Festive Pillows

Blazing Star pillow

I have a confession to make. These pillows are made with dies that are Christmas gifts. During Accuquilt's Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales, my sweetheart of a husband suggested that I order dies for my presents. So I did. He's the best Santa.  

When they arrived, I had to check to make sure they cut properly, right? Of course, they worked perfectly so I wrapped them with our other gifts. But then I had test pieces lying around. What to do? Make pillows!

I've wanted Blazing Star (55051) for a while and it sews up beautifully. Red, cream, black and gray for high contrast shows off the design with a holiday flair. I added a border, and what a pretty pillow cover it makes.

The second die is Snowball (55330). I sewed two 6" blocks in red and aqua, then added matching nine-patch blocks made from 2 ½” squares. I'm calling this pillow Vintage Charm.

You'll see more of both these dies in larger projects once I get to open them on Christmas Day.  

Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes...as a child I was sneaky and sometimes peeked at my presents before Santa came.  

Hope everyone has a peaceful, happy holiday.

Sassy Baby

Baby quilts are fun, quick and so cute! When I got my new Accuquilt Winding Ways die for Christmas, I just had to try it right away. To the scrap bin I went for contrasting fabrics to showcase the design.

Sassy Baby features pink, lime and cream prints and solids. These curves would have taken forever to cut out with scissors, but I was done in no time at all. The curved seams match precisely, creating lovely flowers and circles. The backing is a pink herringbone. I outline quilted with bright pink thread. Final size is 32” square.

Sassy Baby

I was quilting another project on the Flynn Frame yesterday afternoon. Turned away for a moment and Callie cat made herself right at home in the middle of my work. Does she think this is a kitty hammock or what?  😼  😸  😻

                    

Sassy Bows

Sassy Bows

Wouldn't this make a great baby quilt? The size is 35” square, just right for snuggling up that little cutie. It could also hang on the wall of a nursery or kid's playroom. The 4” bow tie Accuquilt die made quick work of cutting, especially the small pieces. 

I chose random bright colors from my scrap bins, alternated with a mini-dot of white on light gray. I quilted diagonally with a swirling stitch in white thread. The binding and back is a colorful random stripe on white. Sassy Bows went together quickly...I finished it in two days.

I am having so much fun lately, designing and sewing new projects. My creative energy is off the charts. I'm glad I'm retired, but there still aren't enough hours in the day to sew like I want. That bothersome housework, cooking, and grocery shopping get in the way.

Speaking of housework, I did spend a day doing a little spring cleaning and freshening up. I moved a couple of pieces of furniture, changed a few decorative items, and bought colorful dish towels for the kitchen. I had to pick my daffodils because of last week's crazy snow and freezing temps, and they look lovely in vintage vases. 

Seeing all the spring things gave me even more inspiration, so back to the sewing room I go! Supper's in the crockpot.

Spring is the time

of plans and projects.

~Leo Tolstoy

Bright And Sassy

Bright and Sassy

I needed sunglasses to work on this one! Bright orange and hot pink prints paired with black and white small and mini dots make a striking quilt. The 8” shoo fly blocks went together quickly. 

Larger white and pink dots on black for the backing and long rows of narrow serpentine stitching are a sassy modern take on this vintage block. Bright and Sassy finished out at 32” x 40” size.

 

Although it may seem like I haven't left the sewing room, I did go on a quick bargain hunt last week. These cute pottery plates were only a quarter each at a local thrift store. They remind me of a diner. 

A bit of research found that they were made during the 1930's and 40's in Brazil. I bought four small plates and four shallow salad bowls. The $1 glassware came from Dollar Tree.  These are perfect for a quick meal in our bay window breakfast nook.  

A bargain is something

you don't need

at a price

you can't resist.