Styling My Bedspread

I have had so much great feedback on my bedspread - flattering to no end. I have bumped into some blog readers when I've been out and about, with a couple making a point to mention how they loved the bedspread. I admit to stopping occasionally in the doorway of that particular bedroom just to look at it - sometimes I can't believe it turned out as nicely as it did, especially when I really had a lot of uncertainty about doing a good job. Here's the link to my bedspread reveal.

Since making the pillow shams, I have made an additional pillow. From some of the trimming of the bedspread, I was left with long strips from which I cut 2.5" squares. I used the remainder of the sham fabric to make more 2.5" squares; then I just began stitching a checkerboard  until I had something big enough to cover a 16" pillow form. I like the layered look that this provides. Then I found a well-loved blue quilt to fold across the bottom of the bed to add another layer of interest.

Perhaps you noted that I have made room for the small round side table and lamp, completing the space for now. Future projects for this room include everything from a fresh coat of paint on the walls to new curtains to refurbishing some dressers. These tasks are not super-high on my to-do list, but when I do get around to them, I will definitely share details here.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sewing Class

Yesterday afternoon, a beginning seamstress/quilter came over for some one-on-one instruction. We made a 16" pillow, that turned out to be an 18" pillow. That happened because yours truly didn't read her directions correctly and cut the squares at 2.5" instead of 2.25". Just goes to show you that even when you think you know what you're doing, sometimes you don't.

How embarrassing.

Claudia, my student, is going to try to return her 16" pillow form and exchange it for an 18" one, so hopefully all will work out. She certainly did a good job on her pillow, and we put the too-small pillow form (plastic wrapper and all!) in, just to see how good it looked. What a festive pillow!

Claudia says she likes patriotic decor, so it comes as no surprise that she would make a pillow using patriotic prints. Just check out how neat her intersections match. She is really learning fast and has the desire to do quality work.

On Saturday she was here for the Three Charms Quilt class. Here is her finished quilt top.

See what I mean about Claudia's flair for happy, festive colors? This little quilt (50" square) will brighten any space it is used or displayed.

We are planning one more sewing date, yet to be determined. She has purchased a Mondo Bag pattern, and wants to make it here with me. I have made one, and have the pattern to make another, so I'm all in!

I still need to get caught up on some of the sewing from Monday. I inadvertently omitted pictures of a cute applique project that Terry was working on, and I have yet to share what I was doing!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Class Is Held

Only two of the three scheduled for class yesterday showed up, but we still had a great time, and the beginners really made quick work of their pillows. What good students!!

Dorothy and Mindy worked hard and fast. They both had picked such gorgeous fabrics.

Dorothy's pillow will go on her family room sofa. That neutral is the exact color of her walls, and this will fit perfectly with her decor.

Mindy  plans to use her pillow on her bed; she was recently gifted a quilt, and chose fabrics that would match. I think she did a pretty darn good job!

 Here's a peek at the quilt, and you can see how good a job she did at selecting fabrics to complement it.

**An aside concerning the quilt: About a year ago, my quilting friend Terry was making this quilt; Mindy's husband Mike had commissioned her to make one as a surprise for Mindy. It was to celebrate something or other -- a milestone anniversary or birthday, possibly. I even took a picture of it, but I couldn't use it for keeping the quilt secret. Anyway, Mindy has had her quilt for a good while now, so no ruined surprises here. Mindy did call Terry to see if she had any of the scraps left from the quilt; that query was unsuccessful, but it was definitely worth the effort. Mindy's eventual choices work beautifully.

Wanna' know what we had for lunch? I served basically the same menu as the first class.

Chicken salad with grapes and pecans on a bed of lettuce; blueberry muffin, and slices of watermelon and pineapple. Do you think I had a craving for fruit? Served on our screened porch with fountains and birds to serenade us. Very pleasant.

So class #2 is in the books, and I still have a list of folks who want to make this project. It may happen; it may not. I do enjoy it.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Annette's Progress

One of my beginning quilting students from last Thursday posted a picture on Facebook yesterday that is worthy of my entire post today. Annette came into our sewing session last week as a confident beginner, so it does not surprise me in the least that she has made a second pillow on her own.

This is a teacher's dream - to see a beginner understand the basic concepts well enough to apply them later with changes to suit her own purposes. I'm sure you see the way she switched the placement of the blocks. Her first pillow is on the left; she created the second pillow completely on her own. Fantastic! Another quilter is born?? Maybe? Click here to read about the class.

Annette says she will return for a second class, and I am considering options for what to teach. My original thought was to do a bag - call it a back-to-school bag, which would appeal to my teacher friends. Alternative suggestions have been a baby quilt and a table runner. Those are both very doable options. Before that, though, I am going to offer the pillow class again because several gals said they wanted to come, but had conflicting plans.

Way to go, Annette!! Don't stop!

 Happy Quilting, Friends!

Fun Class

The beginner's sewing/quilting class I held on Thursday was loads of fun, and in my humble opinion, a huge success. I had only two students, but for the first time around, I think that was about all I could have handled. I learned a few things for next time, and will be able to handle a few more students when I give it another try.

And I will say here that in the technical sense, this was more a beginning piecing class than a quilting class. As we actually did no quilting stitches at all, and did learn the basics of chain piecing, that is a more accurate depiction. We also learned about rotary cutters, rulers, mats, consistent quarter-inch seams, and pressing vs. ironing. What a lot!

Here are the pillows that my inaugural students went home with. First, Annette used these gorgeous sand and blue colors to create a "beachy" feel. After just returning from a vacation in Florida, I think she might still be in beach mode.

 

Sandy's pillow, below, has a romantic and feminine look. We had to do some finagling to get Sandy's together just right, but in the end it turned out beautifully.

As an instructor, I need to remember to find out just how "beginning" everyone is - while some people think they are beginners, in fact, they may be more skilled than they realize. If anything, they are more reluctant or unsure than novice. I hope the girls had a good time, and felt productive. I sure had an awesome day, and wonder why I haven't done this sooner!

I will be planning future classes, for sure. I have sizable list of names of people who wanted to come Thursday, but couldn't schedule it. Doing another makes sense, and after all, practice makes perfect.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Beginning Sewing Class

I have finally worked out the details of the beginning sewing/quilting class I am offering. I admit to having a fair amount of trepidation at doing this, but really I ought not. I am a teacher - this just happens to be a very different subject than the material I covered in my English and composition classes. Besides, I know piano teachers, guitar teachers, voice teachers, art teachers - all these folks offer instruction, so so why wouldn't a quilter? I think this is a skill people want to learn.

So we shall see.

The day-long lesson will be to make a 16-inch pillow like this. I have made 3 of them this week, and I am confident that any beginner will be able to complete it without difficulty. I will take students through cutting, chain-piecing, pressing and ultimate construction of the pillow. While this pillow is done with a closed back (below), the method I will teach is an envelope back which will allow for ease of inserting the pillow form.

Class is scheduled for next Thursday, and I will be sure to report how everything goes.

Happy Quilting, Friends!