Christmas project

For Christmas I wanted to do a project for a great family. I didn't cost much at all I just bought scarves at the dollar store and I am going to applique names on them.

Here is what I'm starting with and being as I've never done this on scarves or this kind of material before we'll see how it turns out.

Snowman

I wanted to try my hand at making a snowman out of muslin. I think he turned out okay but he still needs eyes, nose, buttons and hat then we will see.

I made this table runner around the end of October but refrained from posting it because I made my mother in law one just like it and wanted it to be a surprise.

I also made my sister in law one but for some strange reason didn't take a picture of it. I have a few more to take pictures of but will post them later. There's a lot of catching up to do on the main "out in the country" blog.

Thanksgiving/autumn table runner

I forgot to post a picture of the Thanksgivng table runner I made along with a smaller one.

It's pretty simple but I love the material. Next I'll be making my Christmas ones.

Halloween table runner done

This table runner was done rather quickly.

This is the top before the backing was sewn on.

Sewing it together inside out.

and there you have the finished product.

Now on to my thanksgiving table runner.

An end to one and beginning of another

The table runner for all intents and purposes is finished and I have started on one for Halloween.

An early morning shot of it.

This is the start of my new Halloween table runner.

Today's progress on the table runner

Just a quick picture of the table runner as it looks now.










Once this is finished I will be starting on a Halloween themed table runner.

Adding more to the table runner

My table runner project is coming along quite nicely. The style fits with the table I have and also this house. I did forget to detail how I did it so I will do that tomorrow when I put the next piece together.

This is how it looks now.

I used the tea dyed muslin for the backing.

Making Halloween bean bags

This is something I have never done before last week but since trick or treat up here in the valley is kind of few and far in between a friend of mine decided to do a Halloween carnival at the church. I am making a bean bag toss from scratch and it isn't really that hard.

Start by cutting out material in squares.

Then face the print side of the material together.

Sew together but leave an opening. I usually double stitch (sew the sides twice) to give the bag strength because it's going to be thrown several times.

Use the opening to turn the material right side out.

Use a pair of scissors to push the corners out.

Then sew around the outside edges. This gives it added strength and makes it look nicer.

Get out your beans.

You can use your hand or a trusty funnel to fill the bag.

Then fold the edges of the opening inward and sew the bag closed. If you can get it just right and it is very hard to do this you can make it look like there is just one long outside stitch and no one will be able to tell where the opening was by looking at it.

And that's it. You can make as many as you want.

This kind of sounds like a for dummies version but I wanted to make it easy so that even someone who is younger could understand it.

Adding to the table runner

This type table runner is a little out of season but I've always wanted to do one and it looks good on my table. I finished the center and am adding runners to the sides and lengthwise. I don't think it will take too much longer to finish.

This is the center that I will add on to.

Backing of the center.

This is my progress for today. I am making a cross type table runner and finished the sides now I just have to work on the top and bottom parts.

Table runner

This will be the center part of the table runner. I used my cardboard template to trace a star out of fabric.

This is after I sewed part of it.

Ironing the muslin before I cut it into squares.

Bean bags

I volunteered to make a bean bag toss for an upcoming Halloween carnival.

All I did was cut out squares of fabric, sew them together and fill them with beans. Pretty easy.

For my table runner project I am putting a star in the center of it. To get my star all I did was find a template online, print it out and then trace it on to some cardboard.

Will post further progress as it happens.

Tea dyed/stained muslin

I have never done this before but I am trying my hand at dying muslin cloth with tea. It gives it that old look.

First I put tea bags in a pot on the stove

Then I get my (well washed) mop bucket out and the piece of muslin cloth.

I got so anxious to see the end result that I forgot to take pictures. I filled the mop bucket with the tea water (tea bags excluded) and stuffed the material in submerging it completely then let it sit for an hour.

This is the end result.

Closeup.

Table Runner

I started yesterday cutting fabric for a table runner that I want to do. I am using some material that I had for making a patriotic type quilt and if it goes well I'll make some more. Since I can't get into the project room I took a couple of pictures standing at the doorway.

This is the red material I am using cut up into rectangular pieces and I have some blue material that is similar to it.

Here you can see the muslin and the star material on the ironing board.

I probably won't be picking up on this too much until it starts to get too cold to be outside.

Quilting and Summer

I have officially decided that quilting and summer don't go hand in hand for me. There is simply too much to do outside in the summer but winter is perfect because I get cooped up in the house. So starting in winter you should see my latest project, I already have it started.

Done with the front

I still say this is one of the fastest quilts I have ever done, I amazed even myself. I finished the front just the other day.

It's coming along

I amazed myself with how quickly I managed to put this second (twin) quilt together but it's also a little easier when there is a pattern to go by. The front part of the quilt will be done by the end of the week and then I can put batting and back on.

This is the new quilt laid on top of the old quilt.

This is a closeup to show how well the old and new match each other.

I'll take pictures of both quilts side by side when they are finished.

Twin Quilts

I am under commission to make a replica of the moose and elk quilt that I had completed around Christmas then both will be sold. I just started today and managed to get ten squares done.

On Hold (for now)

You are probably wondering why I haven't been posting much here. I'm not done with quilting, not by a long shot. It's just that the room where I have my sewing machine and all my sewing supplies is the one that is currently under renovation. I unfortunately don't have time to quilt right now but will pick up again in a few months. I am thinking about making one for my own bed (it's long overdue for one). In the meantime this is the finished baby quilt from my last post and I even made a carrying bag for it.

Done! (almost)

With the exception of being tied, the baby quilt is done and is going up for sale on Etsy.

Here is the finished product.

Baby Quilts

This is why so many baby quilts are made. They are easy and quick.

This is my progress as of today, the entire front is done.

As with everything else I make, this quilt will be for sale on Etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LibertyKane02

I'll post more tomorrow.

More sewing and quilting

I am literally going on a quilting frenzy here. I did get material and batting to finish the baby quilt but I also started another couple of projects.

This is a pillow I am making out of some suede material that I had. I am actually making two and then I thought I would like to make a pair for myself.

I was just messing around with some old fabric squares I found but I like how this one turned out.

Everything I am making here is for sale in my shop at Etsy.com. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LibertyKane02

New project #2

I found some old baby material squares and decided to start a baby quilt.

I did this in less than two hours

This is some Winnie the pooh felt material that I had. I will use it for the back.

Start of a new project

Finally! I got a start on my new quilt and I'll be working on it some more today.

These are block sewn ( 10 squares) which I hate doing because I suck at it but we'll see how it turns out.