Sally Said Sew

I was commissioned by a group of ladies from our local American Legion to make a quilt for them to raffle off for their scholarship fund. I decided to go with a red/white/blue theme and settled on a Carpenter's Star pattern. All of the fabrics are good quality quilting fabrics. No cheap stuff here! The batting is an 80/20 blend. Finished size is approximately 80" x 90". Completed Quilt Center of Quilt I did an edge-to-edge design and used Superior Thread's King Tut in a variegated red/white/blue color. Quilting Detail My mother graciously helped by finishing the binding since it is no secret in my house that I do not enjoy hand sewing, although I did sew on the label. The name of the quilt was inspired by the pattern. Carpenters are builders, and this quilt will go towards providing funds for some student's future. Quilt Label Tickets will be $1.00 each (so I hope the ladies sell lots of tickets!!). I know I will be buying some in hopes of w...

I recently tested the Truffle Tote pattern from Clobird Designs . I opted to do a Dresden plate version of the bag because I liked the idea. I found a neat Dresden pattern that I scaled down to fit. While I wasn't totally pleased with my final product, I did like the functionality of it. I even used it on a trip via airplane and car to carry my laptop and a few other goodies with me. It worked out great. Clobird approached me about making another one to display at the upcoming Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City. Why, heck yeah!! Materials were provided and I got to work on it. My bag will be in the Andover fabrics booth. All of the fabrics are from Andover including prints from Di Hall-Ford and Kathy Ford, along with a beautiful caramel chambray.  About the only deviation I made from the pattern was to add a layer of Pellon's Flex Foam to the bag bottom to protect my laptop. This time around, I love the finished product. After the show, ...

I recently had the opportunity to test a bag pattern for Sher's Creative Space. Let me tell you, she has designed a really nice bag and the pattern is easy to follow. I like this bag so much, it has become my every day bag. It is just the right size for me, think Momma Bear Bag, not too big, not too small -- just right! I like the two exterior zippered pockets plus the interior slip pockets are handy. There is also a wristlet pattern to go with Paige but my work schedule kept me from making it. One of these days... The pattern is on sale for the next 48 hours at the two following shops: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ ShersPatternShop http://www.craftsy.com/user/ 470616/pattern-store Check out the other tester bags on Sher's blog >> http://sherscreativespace.blogspot.com/2016/02/paige-bag-pattern-thank-you-to-my.html Paige - Back Paige - Front Paige - Interior

I wanted to make fleece blanket for a friend and found this great tutorial at Pieces by Polly . It requires no sewing and I really liked the braided edge finish rather than tons of knots. There is only one small knot in this method. Most of the time making this double layer blanket is spent cutting it out. I used two yards of 58/60" wide fleece. You cut 2" tabs around the entire edge of the blanket plus 2" cutouts in each corner.  Then using a crochet hook or a paperclip as shown in the tutorial, you "braid" the tabs together. My finished size is approximately 68" x 56". It took me about two hours to complete it. I forgot to take pictures of the first blanket I made that went to a friend. It was made from Arizona Cardinals fleece backed with a solid black backing. I had to disinfect my cutting table afterwards since I am a Seahawks fan, LOL! But I managed to get pictures of the second blanket I made using Seahawks fleece and a coordinating bright ...

Here is what I have been up to since my last post. I was chosen as a pattern tester for Clobird Designs . What a fun experience although I will admit my bag did not turn out as well as I hoped for. There was a revision to the pattern that I missed that made a huge difference in the finished product. Live and learn. It is a great pattern however. I made the Serena version with the thinner strap. Serena Front Serena Back Pocket Serena Interior I quilted a top for my mom. This Florida Gators quilt was a gift to my Uncle Bill. I have also been having a blast with raw edge batik applique work. For the September Doll Quilt swap, our theme was Halloween. This little one is 12" x 12" in size. "CK on a Pumpkin" Quilt Back Here is the quilt I received from Lisa in the exchange. Another black cat! Lisa' Quilt and Goodies My sister and I also make tea towel aprons. Quick and easy! And finally, a new addition to my sewi...

Between job hunting, a long overdue vacation to Colorado Springs and then the recent wildfires in Washington which resulted in us being evacuated, I have been doing some sewing. Here are some of my recent projects. For my Aunt Sally Runaround Bag in Skylines Fabric Doll Quilt Swap Front Doll Quilt Swap Label For my friend, Lori

Have I said how much I love the Rescue Me line of fabrics from Windham? Well, I do! I have a few yards of their cat and dog panels and have been thinking on how to use some of it. The free pattern for a tote online was too large in my opinion. I also did not care for the construction of it. Time to sit and think. Here are the results of my design session. Sling totes! Cat Version Dog Version Each tote is 9" wide by 13" tall by 3.5" deep. The polypro webbing handles are 1" wide by 52" long so you can sling it over your shoulder and go! Each tote is lightly quilted using a thin 80/20 batting. The cat version features a red handle and the red and black paw print fabric for the lining, and the dog version has a black handle and a black and white bones lining material.   These sling totes will sell for $24 each plus shipping.