North Stars by Elizabeth Hartman Sew along

With Autumn in the air I am getting back in the quilting mood! I was very blessed in to have received this awesome quilting kit to go along with the new Elizabeth Hartman quilt pattern. I adore this pattern so I thought why not host a once a month quilt along so we could all have fun and encourage each other along! Now this pattern is for an intermediate level but I am sure if we take it slow that it will be most fun.  

If you decide to sew along you do not need a kit at all and can use which ever fabric that you like. I plan on doing a second quilt along with the kit since all my children seem to love it so. There is even instructions on how to make a 20" pillow for each block from the pattern. Sweet pea has already begged for an arctic fox pillow. For fabric amounts there is a a nice visual on the inside cover of the pattern. I will tell you that this pattern takes a lot prints/colors. So to start off whether you have a kit or your own fabrics you will need to separate and label for each of the nine blocks. One key to making a nice block is keeping everything labeled and organized. 

Other things that you will need to make your quilt, if you do not have any quilting mat, quilting rulers, or rotter cutter you will need all of these for sure. I have a nice big quilting mat and several verities of rulers. I have some that are long and also one that is a square that has markings for squaring up a half triangle block. This one I use the most. 

Also here are some other products that I like and use as well. Best Press Starch I use on my fabric as I go to help make for crisper fabric, I think it helps keep cutting more on point. This one not only works well but there are many lovely scents. I purchase mine locally but you can order yours as well. 

Next is these awesome marking tool. Each block will have many pieces to be cut and each one will be labeled with a letter to help you keep them straight. I find that this helps me so much.  

 

We will start here in mid September with the Polar block. If you are newer to quilting and are joining along please let me know if you would like me to cover any how to's of any kind or need any help at all. I would be more than happy to help! 

Until next time, 

Sharon 

Fireflies and Sketchbook

This was an outfit that I made early summer for my Prince C. I made him a shirt like this for his second birthday and wanted to make him one more before he grew to old for the print, seeing how he is 6 now. 

I used my most beloved Oliver and S Sketchbook shirt pattern, both top and bottoms are a size 4. I did modify the top and made it into a two piece collar. I am a sucker for this style! It was  way to add a fun print to shirt collar as well. 

I have sewn this pattern so many times that I did not even need to pull out the instructions this round. I had made four shirts this set. I always love to do batch sewing for these shirts. I makes it so much quicker. Plus little guy gets so excited when mama sews for just him. I hope he never out grows this! 

The other three shirts that were made have been placed for back for school this year. I was smart this time around and was able to get ahead of the school clothes sewing. He went back with 6 button up style shirts. They are his favorite style of shirt to wear too. 

I know that I am going to miss these days of him being little so I will sit back and enjoy them while I can. 

Happy Sewing! 

Sharon 

Welcome Back!

Wow! It has been over a year since I have blogged about anything! Well since I was last on I have been sewing (although nothing was posted, ha!) and we had home schooled our youngest, Price C. Now the later took up most of the time I had. The kids are all back to school as of today. Mr. J started High school with the two middle boys in junior High and Sweet pea in 3rd grade. 

AS you can clearly see some of the children were not excited to be starting today. 

However not much has really changed in over a year! ha!  

I have even found a new favorite O+S pattern! I never thought Liesl could out do herself but she did! This is the Button-up Button-down shirt. Even my two middle boys flipped for this one after I had Prince C sewn up and requested a few for each of them. As always with a favorite I did sew up three total with at least three more planned for my youngest and two for for little miss Sweat pea. 

The back is very roomy with a good length for tucking in for dressier days. I will be pairing this pattern with the Art Museum very soon. 

The bottoms are the Sketchbook shorts, a very trusted oldie but a goodie pattern.  

Miss Sweet pea wore her Crochet dress for her first day. I finally tried this pattern out for the first time this summer and fell in love. I made three dresses and one blouse for school. It is really habit forming and such a quick sew. 

Also this past year I made many reading pillows. They are easy to make a huge hit with the kids! 

 I finished a few quilt alongs as well. Both middle boys had to stand on-top of the couch to hold this one up. It is the first quilt I have made and kept for my husband and I. It was made with only the Art Gallery line Sweet As Honey, a favorite of mine. 

Also a smaller quilt which all the kids love. I did try out a new binding tutorial for this one. I am very happy with how easy it was to sew and looks when finished. This one did take me two months and one new sewing machine to finish the quilting on it. This was one of those "I never thought I will finish" projects. 

I also did a bunch of smocking and over came my fears of Bishop dresses. These are preemie baby size but also fit my daughter's dolls.  

I have come to love making these more than any other smocked pattern. I never thought I would say that! 

With that I might go back and make a few posts sharing some of my past sewing projects through the fall but I am for sure goign to be hosting a few fun sew longs. I will be using a few Lislette pattern and a quilt along. I will be posting about those here soon. I think I will be giving away one of the pattern for the up coming quilt along as well. I will share more about that tomorrow! 

Until then, 

happy Sewing! 

Sharon