Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Fresh Sewing Day / W.i.P. Wednesday

It's time to re-cap the month of April, and look ahead to new projects as well as reviewing works in progress.  Today I'll be linking up with Fresh Sewing Day @ Lily's Quilts, as well as W.i.P. Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced.

First off, my finishes from this past month:


Needless to say, two of the above aren't actually "finished", as in quilted and bound.  I have a backing fabric purchased for "Fast Forward" and I have my binding strips ready for the "Pure" quilt, so a little progress in the right direction on each one!

Something I'm very excited about and have made some progress on this week is new covers for our living room throw cushions.  They're the ones that came with our couches 13 years ago, and they need a bit of a make-over.  I'm using Sweetwater Reunion and Kona Coal, and have two out of four 'tops' finished.  I am using a different block design for each one, but with the common fabric to unify them.


First time trying a snowball block, using this tutorial - it was easy, though a little bit finicky using 1-1/4" squares for the corners.


Stack 'n Whack Wonky Blocks from Kati's tutorial.  SUPER fun and quick - I started with 9" squares to make these four blocks, which finished at 6-3/4" each, then framed with Kona Coal.  Now to decide what to do for the last 2 cushions!

Check out this awesome Lego sewing machine my son Levi made for me:



The inspiration for this was from Miss Sews-it-all, and my son made mine just by looking at her photos.  He took quite a while to build it, and was soooo pleased with himself and of course I'm pretty pleased as well.  :)  I won't be able to keep it forever because eventually these pieces will be needed, but for now it is sitting next to my sewing machine.

Upcoming/continuing projects:
  • complete living room cushions
  • finally make pillowcases for our bed to match Swoon, using Hometown Preppy Plaid which I found on etsy for a good price
  • finish postage stamp quilt - still haven't chosen a border colour, but just got a flyer from my local fabric store and they are having a sale on solids for $6/meter so I'm going to check it out.  They don't have a huge selection but at least I'll be able to see the colours in person.
  • pull out some fabrics for the Fugly Fabric Party, starting May 8th at Charm About You
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced
Lily's Quilts

26 comments:

Alisa said...

I like what your pillows are going to look like! It's a great way to try something new without going big isn't it?

I also like the lego sewing machine. Great project for a boy to do!

Kate said...

Love the Lego sewing machine! Your son should do a tutorial. ;) The pillow covers are looking great!

Nicole said...

Heather, I'm still loving that wheel pillow! And the ones you are working right now look so great.

Your son knows how much you like to sew. What a lovely gift for a sewing mama to get!

Svetlana said...

Oh, so much goodness! wonderful, I especially like the pillow cases you're working on. They are fantastic!

Katie B said...

I love your new pillow covers! And the sewing machine is awesome! I want one!

amy said...

I still can't get over that lego sewing machine!!

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Looove the lego sewing machine - I'm totally getting my boys to make me one :o)
Great finishes for April, love your pillow tops!

Debbie said...

Really nice pillow covers, Heather! Also love your little sewing machine - ha.

Emily said...

I love your lego sewing machine! It's too cute that your son made it for you! I've had my eye on the one that Erica made... she's in my guild so maybe I could find a way to sneak it from her house to mine? :) hehe. Too cute!

Kristy QP said...

Loving the cushions so far! Great idea to have different designs but the same fabric.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

Your mosaic is beautiful. I especially love the grey/blue flying geese :)

Susan said...

Ha, ha! LOVE the Lego sewing machine! what a clever boy! Your cushions are looking fabulous! Look forward to seeing the next two!

Susan said...

Ha, ha! LOVE the Lego sewing machine! what a clever boy! Your cushions are looking fabulous! Look forward to seeing the next two!

Kelly said...

Love the cushions and that lego sewing machine is so cool!

CityHouseStudio said...

I just LOVE your pillow covers! That snowball is too cute. It makes me want to buy some sweetwater! And I definitely need a lego sewing machine, too - so sweet!

Live a Colorful Life said...

Your pillow covers are awesome. Love your drawstring bags too. A friend made me a Lego sewing machine--aren't they the best??

Jessica Kelly said...

Super cute pillows! Love that they all are different but have a unifying fabric, great job! Adorable lego sewing machine, so sweet!

Linda Beth said...

I'm so on board with the direction for your throw pillows! Great idea, and I'm sure it will be just the thing to spice up the sofa. And yes those corners for the snowballs look SMALL, but I do have to say it's an effective look.

The Thompsons said...

They look fabulous - I'm a fan of Kona Coal. That lego sewing machine is great by the way- I love it!

Andy said...

ooh, love the pillow covers..I need to do mine too!

Jenelle said...

Your cushion covers are coming along nicely! I also can't help but be smitten with those cute little drawstring bags you made last month. :) Great mosaic!

felicity said...

I love that the pillow covers go together but they're not identical. Your littttle lego problem paid off nicely! ;)

Toni said...

Your couch is going to look fabulous with those new cushions!

Katie said...

Your snowball block is great, they look like paper lanterns! I'm going to show my son the lego sewing machine, he's got about $1000000 in lego, he should be able to come up with something for me!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

I love the blocks for your cushions! The Lego sewing machine is awesome!

Leslie said...

that lego sewing machine is the BEST! my son was so much into lego's and would actually love this!
loving your cushions! they are going to look fantastic!!!