Electric Amish

Electric Amish, 55″ x 73″

Some days are better than others. The day I finish a big project is always a good day!

I pieced this top in early 2006. Then, in a moment of complete insanity, I decided to hand quilt it.

I’d only been quilting a couple of years and I thought, for reasons I can’t even explain myself, that I needed to hand quilt a project in order to be considered a “real quilter.” Do I believe that now? Absolutely not.

Had I ever hand quilted anything? No, no I had not. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, what kind of thread to use, needles, anything. I just jumped in with both feet and started stitching.

I picked up and packed away this project more times than I care to mention. Dozens of other projects (mostly paper pieced!) were completed while this one waited patiently in its big red bag. To put it in perspective, I lost a pair of glasses for a whole year because I accidentally put them away with this quilt. It’s been on vacation to New Mexico to visit my BFF, sat with me through many movies, lots of sci-fi and true crime shows. It collected cat hair sitting on the arm of my chair.

The pattern came from an old magazine that I still have floating around somewhere. It’s a Storm At Sea pattern, set on point. I had never made a quilt this complicated at the time and had no idea what “on point” really meant. Part of that experience was chopping off half the blocks all the way around. If I remember correctly, I almost had a panic attack when I made the first cut.

I kept all those cut blocks. Earlier this year, I turned them into a small quilt for The Linus Connection, which I dubbed Baby Storm. Finishing that quilt gave me the impetus I needed to get this project out again and get it finished! If you’ve been following for a while, you might remember this was on my UFO Round Up for 2010.

One of the most special things about this quilt for me is what it represents. All bright and batik fabrics were gifts to me from my Bee friends. I pieced this top on my very first quilt retreat with those same ladies. It’s my first hand quilting project and my first big project that made for myself start to finish. 4+ years (really, almost 5!) and it’s done. I could not be happier.

Electric Amish was named by my friend Linda when I first started piecing it. Linda, do you remember?!

Tackett, helping me quilt (obviously!)

The quilting isn’t anywhere near perfect, but as time passed, my stitching did improve.

I take a fabulous close up of one of the blaring errors! Still, I think it’s pretty.

Baby Storm, donated to The Linus Connection, August 2010

Happy crafting!

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Way Back Craft: Snape Dammit Doll

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If you’re not familiar with Dammit Dolls, the idea is this: a basic soft doll with long legs to hold on to, usually accompanied by a poem that goes something like this:

When you want to kick the desk or throw the phone and shout,
Here’s a little dammit doll you cannot do without,
Just grasp it firmly by the legs, and find a place to slam it,
And as you whack it’s stuffing out, yell,
dammit, dammit, dammit!

What? Sometimes a girl has to vent her frustration! Of course, I can’t do that in an ordinary way, it has to have a fandom twist to it.

Print the Free Pattern Here

My original post on Craftster, January 27, 2007:

I’ve been feeling a bit… erm, craftipated, and decided on a simple & fun project that might help me get back on the crafty track.

I’ve seen Snape as a dammit doll before and decided to do one of my own. I’ve left him with a, shall we say “blank” expression? (Read: I suck at faces.)

One of my friends has suggested Voldie, Umbridge & the Malfoys as possible future candidates to be dammit dolled.

Now I need a Snaperific poem to go along with him.

For the pattern, I drew out the shape I wanted then cut the hands, feet & head away from the body, cut those out of muslin and the body out of black adding seam allowance to all the pieces. I then attached hands, feet & head, then sewed front to back. I stuffed it & stitched up the hole I’d left for stuffing. For the hair… I wrapped black yarn around a 6″ ruler, then stitched it down the middle, hand-stitched it to his head then gave it a trim so to achieve those “greasy black curtains” of hair.

I had some issues with the corners (under the arms, neck, etc). I think it was more the fabric than the pattern. The black fabric was a little too loosely woven, so the stitching was pulling out. I think if I used a tighter fabric, I wouldn’t have the same problems.

I’m may make some shoes and a cloak for him, but I haven’t decided yet. I kind of like him just the way he is.

ETA: No cloak or shoes, or anything else for that matter, but Dammit Snape still lives in my sewing room. He still makes me smile, even without a Snapetastic Dammit Doll poem.

Happy crafting!

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TTMT #74 – Ninjas!

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Happy crafting!

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Fabric Friday – Ninjas!

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This fabric Friday comes with a bit of a story. During my Hot Dog Pillowcase kick earlier this year, my darling hubby jokingly commented that’d he’d love a set of ninja pillowcases. Not long after that, Honey Bee got the Ninja Kanji fabric in from Alexander Henry. Fate intercedes? Oh, yes, I do think so!

So, darling hubby gets his set of ninja pillowcases and he loves them. Adores them, is more like… He hasn’t had them a week when he comments how awesome the fabric would be for his favorite kimono. I started making kimonos for The Big Guy way back in 1996. He’s just shy of six and a half feet tall and finding a robe that fit him comfortably was impossible. I had a kimono jacket pattern that I liked and ended up using that basic idea and tailoring it to his height. I’ve probably made one of these every three or four years since.

Soooo….the next time I was at work, I bought the rest of the bolt. It took about 6 1/2 yards of fabric.

Don’t let the serious look on his face fool you. He loves the kimono, he just doesn’t love the idea of being on my blog! And, ignore the mess. I’ve been cleaning out closets and dressers and have a pile donation stuff going in the only (formerly!) clear spot in our bedroom. Can you spot Sunbonnet Sue in the picture? (Hint: she’s not with the junk!)

I did document the kimono making process and I *might* make a tutorial. If you twist my arm and/or bribe me with chocolate. Maybe!

Happy Crafting!

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Wordless Wednesday – A Busy Week

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TTMT #73 – Tell and Show

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Sewhooked for A Little Haunted and Tree Trimming
Hardcopies, buttons and Hats on Etsy
Pants!
Texas Brick Pattern

Happy Crafting!

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Tire for Hire

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Back in July, Katrina sent me the above image and told me she has a car enthusiast in the family.

Between my family, working, teaching, volunteering and designing patterns for my shop, my schedule has gotten pretty crazy. The result of that is that I don’t usually take many requests anymore unless it’s something I think others might be interested in making as well. Highly specialized requests fall under the category of “commission,” but from time to time, I still create freebies (like Contessa’s Canoe).

I mean, seriously, this is a tire! How many quilters out there might need a tire to throw into their auto enthusiasts quilt? At least a few is my thinking, and, Sewhooked started as a free website, and I like to keep the free content coming as much as possible.

I told Katrina about my crazy summer schedule and promised to get back to her. Last night, a glass of wine and I sat and worked it out. Thanks for your patience, Katrina, I hope the pattern works for you…and hopefully for a few of my other readers as well!

free Tire pattern

Happy Crafting!

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What A Hooty Little Haunting!

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Now, that’s what I call fun!

The owls are fussy cut from the What A Hoot line of fabric. ❤ ❤ ❤ I’m probably give the little guy floating in the door a little branch when I quilt it. Flying with your wings down is just too exhausting!

I used the alternative piece and instructions included with A Little Haunted. Pieced in ~ 3 hours. So. Much. Fun!

A Little Haunted, original version

Happy Crafting!

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Fabric Friday

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This fabric reminds me of childhood and summer dresses. I only have a couple of pieces of it, and it’s allotted to be made into a Linus quilt. I hope to have the cutting done for that by the end of the weekend.

Tomorrow, I’ll be at Honey Bee Quilt Store for Linus Work Day. Stop by, bring your machine and make a quilt top! Fabric is provided.

There is still room in my UFPP (Unfinished Paper Piecing) Class, also at Honey Bee, on Sunday, 1:30 – 4:30. UFPP is for anyone that needs a little help with their paper piecing or would just like to stitch with other paper piecing lovers! Please note this is not a beginning class. If you’d like to register, please call 512.257.1269 or drop by the store, just to make sure your’e on the list!

Honey Bee Quilt Store
9308 Anderson Mill Rd #300
Austin, TX 78729

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Patterns for my classes offered at Honey Bee can now be purchased both in-store or through their online store!

Happy Crafting!

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Way Back Craft: Potter Puppet Pals

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You already saw Edward, now see what inspired him!

Original post on craftster, April 2006:

I had “sewing camp” with my kids over the summer and taught them both to use a sewing machine, how to hand stitch and some other basic stuff. After the basic lessons were over, the first thing they wanted to do was to make Potter Puppet Pals! We’re big fans of the videos and they thought it would be awesome to have versions of their own.

We’ve made Harry, Ron & Hermione so far. We’re hoping to make Snape, Dumbledore & Voldemort the next time they have a school holiday.

Made out of felt with recycled polyfil. Small amounts of fabric pain used for the faces. My 12 year old daughter made Hermione and my 9 year old son made Ron. I made Harry. I also painted all their faces.

Hope you like them!