Sewing of late

Have I mentioned that I really enjoy sewing? And fabrics? I really like the creative process of putting it all together. I'm learning so many new things just by trial and error.

I finished a changing pad for Adelia last night. Mind you, I didn't start it last night (more like an entire month ago!)

I used Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom fabric, which is the first fabric I ordered online because I liked it that much.

The changing pad turned out a whole lot different than I'd originally wanted it to look like, but I'm happy with it. I had wanted a ruffle around the outside, but after pulling those threads through a tiny strip of fabric to gather the ruffle for an entire 45 minutes, only to feel the threads snap, I was quite done with that idea. Especially since I was only 1/3 of the way through the gathering.

And since I actually wanted to finish this project before Addie is out of diapers, I moved to Plan B, which gave me the opportunity to use my bias tape maker for the first time.

But then it still wasn't quite right. The ruffle added a little something extra, but now with no ruffle I decided to add a flower on the top, inspired by this idea, here, of the talented Erin at house on hill road. (Did you follow that link? How cute is that? She has another one, here.)

Anyway, I attempted to freehand a flower from the main fabric, and my first attempt was shaping up to look something like this:


But that wasn't quite right, either. (The flower petals were so thin that the fabric beneath showed through too much and was just too busy. The flower kind of got lost.)

So I ended up with this:





But I'm sure we can all agree that it doesn't look quite as cute without this particular added feature:


Also, I realized this morning when I was looking through some pictures on my computer that I never posted the quilt I made for Adelia. (This is the first quilt I've done since the doll quilt I made over a year ago.)

I was inspired by Sew, Mama, Sew's quilting month (back in February) to try my hand at a bit more quilting. So I began with some of these:


And it turned into this:




This was the first time I binded a quilt and did mitered corners. I consulted Heather Bailey's Quilt-Binding Directions for that step. For the hand-stitching that was required for the back of the quilt (which happened to be the part I was dreading but it actually ended up being my favorite part!), this video really helped.

Next up, this one:

21 comments:

  1. Stac -- I love, love, love that changing pad!! Addie is the perfect addition to the picture, of course. You are so talented. I'm envious of all the fun things you're making!!! My friend is helping me with a quilt for the baby's room, but..it's taking forever. God has truly given you so much creativity.
    Love you,
    April

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  2. Did you hear me gasp? It was that loud!
    You.are.amazing!
    I don't get how some people can make such beautiful things... and some people can't.
    I was trying to explain to Mike after I saw Adelia's quilt for the first time that my favorite of your abilities is your eye --for seeing what would go together so well.
    I am so impressed with all this crafty-ness, good job. And I am so glad that your readers are able to see how incredible (and diverse) your gifts are.
    It makes me want to have a baby right now so you might make me somethin'!

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  3. I'm so impressed! That changing pad is darling.

    I have high hopes of making Jack a quilt when he grows out of his toddler bed. We'll see how that turns out...

    Thank you kindly for my daily dose of crafty inspiration. :)

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  4. I love the quilt- the colors and pattern are both great. And the changing pad is super too. I don't much like gathering either, but when I do it I sew two basting lines about an 1/8 inch apart, then pull the two threads together- less chance of breakage that way. (If you already know that, forgive me!) Anyway, you're doing great with your sewing- keep it up!
    Someone made us a towel for Raphael that is a regular sized towel with a hood made from a hand towel- it's so nice and big, way better than little thin baby towels. The other kids want one too, of course, so that's going to be my next sewing project.... someday!
    I like seeing what you're working on!
    Blessings!
    Rebeca

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  5. You go girl...I love all your sewing...amazing for a beginner! And making your own bias tape...my head is spinning.

    Love the model on the changing pad...too cute!

    Kimmie
    mama to 6
    one homemade and 5 adopted

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  6. Good for you! I wish I had time to do more sewing! LOVE the changing pad...even more with the cute baby on it!

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  7. Too cute! I am a quilter wanna-be. Maybe if I stop moving so much I could actually start learning.

    I really should be packing boxes.............4 days to go!

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  8. I'm so jealous! I haven't had any sewing time in *quite a while*! Maybe your creations will push me to pull my machine back out. :-)

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  9. Hi Stacy :) What pretty pieces! The flower on the changing pad adds just the right touch. Love, Q

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  10. Dear Stacy--you don't know me yet, but I've been praying with you since Adelia was mentioned here--referred by Quinne's blog...and I have so been enjoying you! Thanks for your wonderful entries. Thanks for the hope and joy you express! How refreshing.

    And THANKS so much for today's! I've played with quilting--have made three crib-sized--and love it, but the one I'm working on now (as I teach my girls to quilt), I'm struggling with the binding! Your post was so timely! How fun! And I'll have to try that changing pad for one of the 5 baby showers I attend this summer!

    Thanks again...mindy

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  11. Great job, Stacy! You are doing terrific work.

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  12. Ok - so when are you opening your store? No, really. I am totally serious. Not that you don't already have enough to do! Stacy, you are such an awesome wife/mom. I wish I had half of your creativity. And I LOVE the changing pad!!

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  13. Gorgeous! I love the colors you chose and the flower you created. Adelia is the cutest of all.

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  14. Wow!! I so love seeing your projects here. The changing pad is SO adorable!! I love it! The flower is just perfect. And it is totally even cuter with the added feature of Addie :-)

    The quilt is beautiful too! I'm impressed! I would love to learn how to quilt some day.

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  15. You simply amaze me, Stacy.

    Will you still be my friend even though I don't have a lick of talent in me??

    Everything you showed is beautiful! Especially that little girl. :)

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  16. Wow! I love your choice of fabrics! Everything is beautiful (including your daughter!)!

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  17. Okay. Wow.

    I will not be jealous of your mad-skillz. I will not. I will not. I will not.

    yeah...the whole chanting thing isn't working for me. I confess. I'm jealous.

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  18. Wow. Wow. Wow.

    I am impressed! I want patterns or tutorials!!!

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  19. Awesome work! Can you teach me how to sew? :)

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  20. Beautiful changing pad and quilt. I'm so jealous! I so want to learn how to do things like that, but I'm the kind that needs one-on-one instruction-maybe one day.

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