My First Quilt: Appliques Attached

I'm so excited about how my first quilt is coming along!  It was quite a long process, but I completed attaching all the appliques using a satin stitch!  I've never used this stitch on my machine before!  Here are a couple of close up views:

I am very happy with the results.  I had no idea my machine, a Janome 4618LE, was capable of a satin stitch!  I guess I should read the owner's manual more often!

When I started this quilt project, I didn't realize  that a quilt top is actually several inches smaller than the chosen batting and backing fabric.  I assumed the top, batting, and backing would be the same size.  My batting size is 34" X 45."  My quilt top is 31" X 41 1/2."  I bought my backing fabric today.  I purchased 1 1/3 yards.  I hope to fold over my backing fabric to use as binding.  In case that doesn't work out for me, I bought a few packages of quilt binding.  No, I'm not being negative about it, just realistic.

My other purchases include a walking foot, quilting needles, transparent thread (and natural colored machine quilting thread), and labels.  I've never used any of these items before!  Wish me luck!  I'm going to start quilting as soon as my backing fabric comes out of the dryer!

Tootles!

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Ye of Little Faith...

I want to give a big shout out to Deb, my sewing guru. I took my top into her today and she confirmed that I HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG! That's right...even lacking the math gene, I did not mess up the measurements for the top or the lace! Deb said that 1 3/8 yards of lace trim is definitely not enough to go around the top of the top. In other words, Butterick messed up when writing the pattern! I feel vindicated. Now, I just need to finish the top. I had made a long ruffle out of the top fabric and sewed that around the top. This ruffle matches the ruffle I made to go around the bottoms of both sleeves. I need to clean up my edges and then finish the top by adding the elastic. Deb shared a cool trick for making the casing for the elastic at the same time making a clean edge...use bias tape! This is such a great idea. I can't wait to finish this top!

I do feel obligated to complete the top as indicated in the pattern, however. I mean if I am going to write a "review" for the pattern, I better actually make the top shown. With this in mind, I purchased more fabric today as well as more (a lot more) lace trim. Once I complete the original top, I will try the pattern again with this new fabric. Sew, stay tuned.

Check out the purse I completed last night. I changed up the Simplicity pattern a little for my bag. The pattern "called for" prequilted fabric, however I used some great home dec fabric. I also made the handles longer. What do you think?

Halter Weather?

Yesterday I wore sandals and a short sleeved shirt out shopping. It was 63 degrees in the sexy city. Today it is below freezing and it continues to snow! You gotta love the Midwest!

I started working on the halter a few days ago. I finished up this morning and, believe it or not, no curse words were spoken during this project! I had some trouble understanding the instructions on how to attach the front to the back at the shoulders, but, with some trial and error (big time), I figured it out and then it made sense. Another first for me, was darts! I've shied away from projects, mostly bags, that have darts. This time, however, I read ( and reread) the section in one of my sewing books (Teach Yourself Visually Sewing) about darts and success: darts where they are supposed to be! Now I just need to figure out how to alter this part of the pattern to make the bosom area a bit bigger. The halter fit, but it was snug in this area...or maybe the darts just need to be lowered a little...the model on the cover of the pattern appears to be a wee bit younger than myself! Ah, gravity!

I've added a few photos of two bags I made using a Simplicity pattern for size and shape, but then added my own spin to them by using bias tape on the pockets. Check them out by clicking on Bias Tape Purses.

Until next time, stay warm! Spring will come, I promise.

Angela