It really was a good day, considering.....

Do you ever have one of those days where you try really hard to be productive in your sewing room but every time you accomplish one thing you realize that you've created another mess?? I've had one of those days, how about you?

Happy Quilting!

Margaret

A Quick & Easy Baby Quilt

My Niece is expecting in January and today I attended a shower for her.  I was all set last week to go shopping on Friday and find something on her registry when my sister informed me that my niece had said she was hoping I would give her something that I had quilted for the new baby!  It was time for my brain to kick into HIGH gear because there was absolutely no way I had time to piece a quilt together and I what ever I made I wanted it to be completely washable many times over!

Yesterday I stopped at one of my favorite local quilt stores and grabbed 1 1/4 yards of brown Minky and 1 3/4 yards of tan quilters cotton with brown dots!  This morning (5 hours before the shower) I put the Minky on the long arm.  (Note to every long arm quilter out there!  Minky has a stretch and a non stretch direction, it needs to be attached to the leaders so that the non stretch is between the stretcher bars!)  Next layer was of 100% cotton batting and then I topped it with the cotton fabric and quilted it with a pattern called 'Wild Mouse'!

Back

Front

Once I got it quilted I took it to my serger and serged all the edges.  Minky fabric ravels so easily and I wanted it to be really secure and to withstand multiple washes so I figured it wouldn't hurt to serge the edges closed.  

Next came the binding, I bound it in the cotton brown dot fabric and then using decorative stitches from my domestic sewing machine I top stitched the binding down!

So while I didn't manage to get a ton accomplished today I did make the cutest quilt!!

My Niece love it!

I hope you had a great Saturday!!

Happy Quilting!

Margaret

A Small Project Complete!

I know I've been quiet this week but honestly I've been busy!  I've completed quilts but can't show you pictures because they are all presents!  I've been working away at my Downton Abbey Blocks that I will show you on Friday!  There is one project that I've completed that I can show you!!!

This is a FREE pattern from Lecien designed by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studios.  If you click on Lecien you will go to their Free patterns site and if you click on Crabapple Hill Studios you will go to Meg's web site!

I made a few changes to the pattern!  I think it's adorable!  I'm handing out the Free pattern today at my Knoty Girls Stitching group at O'Susannah's Quits & Gifts!

Don't forget to send me your email address so I can put you on the list for the Downton Abby Mystery Quilt!  Email me at missmarker@rochester.rr.com!  On Friday you'll receive the pattern in your email and I'll have a tutorial here on my blog!

Happy Quilting!
Margaret

Get Ready For Downton

Happy Monday Everyone!

It's time to get all your supplies ready for your very first Downton Abbey block!  I'm working on getting mine sewn today and can't wait!

What supplies do you need?  Have you picked out your fabric yet?  Do you have it?  If not that's the number one thing that you need to do to get ready for Friday!  All of the directions will be rotary cut directions so make certain that you have your rotary cutter and mat.  Other than that you will only need your basic quilting tools!

This is how it's going to work!  On Friday mornings you will be receiving an email with the pattern and cutting instructions from me.  If you haven't already given me your email address please email me this week at missmarker@rochester.rr.com.  On Friday mornings I will also be uploading to my blog step by step instruction on how to put your quilt blocks together!

I've officially seen Block 1 & Block 2 and I'm busting at the seams!  They are BEAUTIFUL!!

Happy Quilting!

Margaret

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Mystery Quilt With Downton Abbey Fabric

I have a major announcement that I can FINALLY tell all of you!  Starting this Friday and continuing every Friday until the project is complete I'm going to walk you through each step of making your very own Downton Abbey quilt!

Do you have your fabric?  If you don't have it yet you need to get to your local quilt shop that is caring this line and decide if you will be sewing with the Dowager Dutches, Lady Mary, Lady Edith or Lady Sybil!  If you live in my area I know for a fact that O'Susannah's Quilts & Gifts has it!

Here's a snapshot of each fabric so that you can start trying to make your decision!  It's hard to decide so grab a cup of coffee, tea or a glass of wine and sit back and enjoy these beyond beautiful fabrics!

Hard to pick out a favorite isn't it?  I had a really difficult time deciding if I was going to go with the Dowager Dutches, Lady Mary, Lady Edith or Lady Sybil!  I stood gazing lovingly at the fabric line and struggled to make the decision.  I LOVE the Dowager's line it is beyond beautiful and Lady Mary's is elegant, Lady Edith's is a true reflection of her character and Lady Sybil's is as beautiful as her character!

So in the end, after allowing my hands to gently 'pet' each and every bold in the line it was the Lady Sybil line that is now lovingly laying on my cutting table just waiting for the first block instructions!!!!

Beautiful isn't it?

Part of me doesn't want to cut into it at all and the other part can't wait to see it done in a quilt!

I am so excited about this project!

So if you don't have your fabric yet it's time to go and get it!  If you need the fabric requirements let me know which line you want and I can send you the requirements or stop into your local shop that has the line of fabric and get ready to start sewing!!  

The first block will be revealed one week from today!!

Happy Quilting!

Margaret