My Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

                                                       I am so excited to share the beginning stages
                                                       of my "Farmer's Wife" Sampler Quilt.                       
                                                       I've had the book for quite awhile...
                                                       But I had been struggling to decide what type
                                                       of colors and fabrics I wanted to use.
                                                     

 I finally decided to use the reproduction 30's-on                     Feed-sack inspired prints.                                                               (there may be others included if they fit)

Because I am having issues with my computer
right now, I drafted my own patterns on graph-paper.

The first block is called Attic Windows
So I thought of what one might see out the window,
                                                 With curtains and the walls...
                                                 However - I seem to have had some serious problems
                                                      with the first block.
                                                      Problems with accuracy.

I spent some time embroidering cute little
designs -a blue bird, and some flowers...
but the block was so off that I decided
I really had to start over again.
This time I just used what I hoped would look like
A flower garden.
I'm thinking I'll use the really bad
really inaccurate blocks for something else
where the size doesn't matter.
Maybe pockets in a tote bag or something.
The second set (the bottom of the four)
turned out much better.
The bottom picture is the second block...
Called Autumn Tints
So I selected what I hoped would give
an Autumn feel.

I'm liking what I see so far.
                                                      But I'm wondering if I made the right choice
                                                      for the color/fabrics.
                                                      I may decide to do a third quilt with another
                                                      fabric/color choice. Just to see what happens.
                                                      I mean "why not?
                                                      I'm not in a hurry to get the quilt done...
                                                      I'm doing one block at a time...
                                                      It's an exercise in improving my quilting abilities
                                                      and accuracy...
                                                     
meanwhile, I have a lot of other things on the cutting board to work on... More things to Up-cycle, more things to sew, a couple of other quilts to make... My travel applique quilt I've been working on. (I really like having multiple things going on at the same time -I think I really must have a bit of Attention Deficit Disorder.
Because I don't do so well at working on one thing from start to finish without a dead-line. Ha Ha Ha. I will post as things get done. 

Up-cycling among other things...

Last Blog had information about Chemo Caps,
I had finished some more
so I thought I'd share them...
I had been playing with different stripes.
the blue and orange are the colors
of our local College football team.
(BSU Bronco's -they're very popular here)


There has been a lot of stuff going around
on Facebook and Pinterest about Up-cycling...
It's something I've done all my life...
Taking an item no longer in style or use,
and turning it into something else you will use.
So I thought I'd share something...
This is a toddler dress I picked up at
a local thrift shop. I paid 3$ for it.
It was a size 4T.
It had a few problems,
and would probably not be purchased by someone
to actually use on a toddler.
I took some paper a bit bigger than the dress
and sketched a simple outline of the skirt
and waist area that I wanted to include in the bag;
Making a pattern for the lining.
my motto is the KISS plan...
Meaning,
Keep It Simple Stupid.
no reason to make anything harder
than it needs to be.
and besides,
I probably wouldn't finish it if it were.

I used my rotary cutter and a straight edge
to cut the top of the little dress
away from the bottom.
Leaving enough to fold over
and attaching the lining to.

Then I scrounged through my fabric
scraps and other pieces
looking for a piece the right size
that I liked with the denim skirt.

Found a lime green with white polka dots.

Used the long sleeves to cut
for the shoulder straps.
Again I used the rotary cutter
and the straight edge ruler.
I cut them 4" wide to form a tube...
I didn't think they were quite long enough,
so I added a piece from the back of the top.

I liked the little pockets on the front
of the top, so decided to use them for a
pocket on the inside of the bag.

I cut the top front into a rectangular shape,
not really measuring for a size...
but rather, to fit the pockets into it.
I used another piece of the lining fabric
to line the pocket.
Because the front had an opening,
I could sew around the entire piece
and still be able to turn it right side out.

Then I centered it on one side of the lining,
and stitched the pocket down.
I decided to top stitch down one side
of the center front, forming 2 pockets.
With the little pockets, there are now 4
to use for different items.
I believe my cell phone fits in one of the
smaller original pockets.

after sewing the lining together,
and sewing it inside the skirt.
I stitched the bottom of the skirt
along the existing hemline,
leaving the little ruffle free.
Added the shoulder strap.
And Wah Lah, I have a cute new bag.
Up-Cycling.
I have some more projects I've
picked up at the thrift store.
A striped Linen Shirt, another toddler skirt,
some vintage linens and table cloths... I will try to take photo's of before
and after to share here in the blog.
Also, I am starting the Farmer's Wife Quilt this week...
Yeah!!!
Finally!!!
So there are things to look forward to.