Birds of a Feather

This Birds of a Feather wall hanging was a satisfying finish this week. I have been wanting to make something from the pattern that I can take with me when I go to guilds to provide trunk shows. You see, I made the table runner version of this design, but it was a gift for my mom.



But I am not 100% happy with this piece. However, I learned a valuable lesson. Always use a fresh copy of the pattern. I used my working copy from back in May. And I have a poor memory, so I forgot about a few things that I learned back then.

So the tail and wing pieces do not line up so well, especially on the Red Winged Black Bird block. But I am happy with the overall look of this sweet wall hanging. And am looking forward to sharing it as part of my shows.

I added a hanging sleeve. One of the few times I actually do any hand sewing, I stitched the top of the sleeve into the binding, and then hand stitched the lower edge of the sleeve.

Just like when I made the Forest Friends 2.0 quilt, all of the fabrics used in this project are from the new Hopscotch collection by Jamie Fingal for RJR Fabrics. And I especially love the Crosshatch My Way print used for the Blue Jay. And how all the prints are "reads like a solid". I've told you before - I do love to use solids - so even though these are prints, they make me feel like I'm cheating to say, "All the fabrics used in this piece are prints." 

The "Birds of a Feather" wall hanging finished at 21" x 34"

and was the 37th use of my 2nd edition of 100 labels

ordered from Ikaprint.

This is the Birds of a Feather table runner that I made for my mother for her birthday this year. Click here to see the post.

You can find the Birds of a Feather pdf pattern here in my shop. 

Linking up to Finish it up Friday with 

Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts

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Let's Bee Social #183

Welcome to the Let's Bee Social!
So glad to have you join us for the Let's Bee Social weekly linky party!

This week I would like to share a cute little quilt made by Jo-Anne. She sent me this photo in an email, as written below....

Hi Lorna. I purchased your pattern in march and finished the quilt. I love it. So much fun to make. This was the first time I made a quilt with precut pieces and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a gift for our friend's baby.     Jo-Anne

I love it when people who have made quilts from my patterns take the time to share their version with me. And when they allow me to share their quilt with you, too! Thank you Jo-Anne for sharing your beautiful finish with us!!!

Here is my original Giraffe Love quilt made back in April of 2015.

And here is the Monkey See Monkey Do quilt to match!

You can find the Giraffe Love and the Monkey See Monkey Do patterns in my shop!

Now... It's your turn for Show and Tell!!!

What have you been working on?

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• Click on at least a few of the others who have linked up.
• In your blog post, please include a link back to my blog.
• Grab the "Let's Bee Social!" button from above and put it on your sidebar. This way others who visit your blog that week can join in the fun!  Share the news of this new linky and Let's Bee Social!
• Following Sew Fresh Quilts is not required. But it sure would BEE nice!

An InLinkz Link-up

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a PURSE for me

Hello! It's me again!


It has been a long time since I have done any selfish sewing. And I have only done selfish sewing once. It was way back in March of 2014 when I made myself this quilted jacket for my birthday - My Birthday Suit. Check it out if you are in the need of a good laugh.

Have you ever wanted to make yourself something - other than a quilt?

A top? A bag? A pair of cool shorts?

For a while now I have been looking into getting a new purse. When my old one wears out, I usually just grab one from the second hand shop. But last time I retired my second hand bag for a new one when I splurged at Pay Less shoe shop when they were having a sale. I liked the new purse a lot, but being made of "fake leather", it did not last long enough. Since then I am back to using my old second hand handbag.

Before my daughter Erin got her driver's license I used to take her shopping in nearby Kitcher at the two malls they have. But I never shop for myself there. However, I did recently mention I needed a new purse and told her I might want to check out a name brand bag from Coach. Erin thought their products were far too expensive and so I never did see what they had to offer.

I shopped around online and seen this really cute bag made by Kristy of Rock Baby Scissors. 

But I really wanted to make my own handbag. I am really a quilter and not much of a sewist. But then again, in making the quilted jacket and also one for my mother, I enjoyed the new experience and finally decided that I was going to make my own new purse.

First the pattern. I purchased the Companion Carpet Bag pdf from Sewing Patterns by Mrs.H on Etsy. Wow! Am I sure I still want to do this?!!! The pattern is 24 pages long!

I told you all year that I am quilting from stash. But this gave me an excuse to purchase something new. So of course, being as I wanted to support my blog sponsors on the sidebar, I clicked and clicked until I found this and this at Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory. And they were both ON SALE! Bonus!

I am not a purple person. But I can't resist the cuteness of these two pieces. And something else for the lining? Woodland Critters in White

.

Next I headed over to Emmaline Bags for the hardware. I purchased the Barrel Hinge and other do-dads I needed, but she did not have any handbag handles in stock. So back to Etsy in search of some genuine leather purse handles which I found at Purse Making Supply.

Okay. Is that it?

No. Looks like I need something sturdier than batting. Ordered up some Flex-Foam by Pelon. And now to wait... And, in the meantime? Read over that pattern - again and again.

Wish me luck! Or call me a fool...
Have any cool patterns for clothing or bags you want to let others know about?

Let me know in the comments if you have some experience in selfish sewing that you would like to share. Or if you are inspired to now plan some selfish sewing this summer. 

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Christmas Wreath

This is the twelfth quilt block for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along!

All the details for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along are on this page.


Please Note: These materials are COPYRIGHTED. This quilt along is free for PERSONAL USE ONLY. All photos and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please DO NOT use or reproduce ANY content from this website without my written permission.

It is NOT necessary to purchase the pattern in order to participate. But if you would prefer the convenience of using a printable pdf pattern, the Have a Jolly Little Christmas Collection includes all 15 designs and is available for purchase in my pattern store here. The individual designs are also available for purchase.

Christmas Wreath is a 12" quilt block.

Made using traditional piecing methods.

Sew Fresh Quilts – Christmas Wreath

Finished size of block is 12” x 12”

Fabric Requirements	Single Block
Green	1/4 yard
White	1/8 yard
Dark Bow	1/8 yard
Light Bow	1/8 yard

Read through entire instructions before beginning.  Press all seams open as you go.

STOP: Stitch, Trim, Open & Press. To perform the STOP method, align a square (A) or rectangle (C) on the corner of the unit (B) with right sides facing together. Draw a diagonal line and sew along this diagonal line. Trim a ¼” seam. Finger press the seam open and then press with a hot iron. Pressing the seams open to reduce bulk is recommended.

		Single Block
White	B	2 @ 1.5” x 2”
	H	1 @ 2” x 3.5”
	J	1 @ 2.5” x 3.5”
	K	1 @ 2.5” x 6.5”
	N	4 @ 3.5” squares
Green	*	2 @ 1” squares
	A	2 @ 1.5” squares
	B	1 @ 1.5” x 2”
	D	1 @ 1.5” x 6.5”
	F	4 @ 2” squares
	E	2 @ 2.5” squares
	L	1 @ 3.5” x 6.5”
	M	2 @ 3.5” x 12.5”
Dark Bow	*	2 @ 1” squares
	A	3 @ 1.5” square
	B	2 @ 1.5” x 2”
	C	2 @ 1.5” x 3”
	F	2 @ 2” squares
	H	2 @ 2” x 3.5”
Light Bow	G	2 @ 2” x 3”

Step 1: Use the STOP method to add the Green (A) square on the Dark Bow (C) rectangle. Use the STOP method to add the Green (*) and Dark Bow (F) squares on the Light Bow (G) rectangle. Sew the units together and use the STOP method to add the Green (F) square. Make two units – one facing left and one facing right. Also sew the Green (B) rectangle to the Dark Bow (A) square. Sew this between the left and right facing units..

Step 2: Use the STOP method to add the Dark Bow (H) rectangles on the ends of the White (H) rectangle, then to add the Green (F) squares to the ends.

Step 3: Use the STOP method to add the Dark Bow (*) squares on the corners of the White (B) rectangles. Use the STOP method to add the Dark Bow (A) squares on the other end. Make two units – one facing left and one facing right. Sew the Dark Bow (B) rectangles on top. Sew the White (J) rectangle between these units.

Step 4: Use the STOP method to add the Green (E) squares on the ends of the White (K) rectangle. 

Step 5: Use the STOP method to add the White (N) squares on the ends of the Green (M) rectangle. Make two units – one facing left and one facing right. 

Step 6: Along with the Green (D) and (L) rectangles, arrange and sew the units together to complete the block. Block should measure 12.5” square.

Here is my Christmas Wreath block.

A quilt along is always more fun than quilting alone.

Want to get in on the fun?

Grab a button and share it on your blog!

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Twice a month, instructions for all of the individual blocks will be shared. A continuous never ending linky party will be available to share your Flickr and Instagram photos or your blog posts on the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along page. You can find it by clicking on the Quilt Alongs page tab found just below the blog header. As each post is published the live links will be added to the schedule.

Share photos of your progress using the hashtags
#haveajollylittlechristmas OR #jollychristmasquilt

It is NOT necessary to purchase the pattern in order to participate. But if you would prefer the convenience of using a printable pdf pattern, the Have a Jolly Little Christmas Collection includes all 15 designs and is available for purchase in my pattern store here. The individual designs are also available for purchase.

COPYRIGHT

© Lorna McMahon at Sew Fresh Quilts

This quilt along blog post is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.

All photos and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please DO NOT use or reproduce ANY content from this website without my written permission.

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