Red and White Churn Dash Blocks

Okay, let's get back to work! But, quilting is never work, right? It's lots of fun!

I am currently working on several projects. One of them is a red and white Churn Dash quilt.

I love red and white quilts! They are just such happy quilts!

This quilt is from allpeoplequilt.com.

The pattern is free!

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/holiday-quilts/christmas/candy-cane-quilt

My sister, Jann and I has a Churn-Dash-Fest a few weeks ago and made 120 of the quilt blocks!

We divided them between us and each took home 60 to use in a quilt someday. 

It was a lot of fun to see them all together. Fun, don't you think?

The pattern that I have been working on is from 

lollyquiltz.blogspot.com. 

Carla is a member of a Modern Quilt Group and likes to work with fun, crazy, modern fabrics. 

I really enjoy looking at what she is doing. It inspires me.

I'm working with fabrics that are more traditional. There are some fun, crazy fabrics in these blocks, too. There are chevrons, stripes, polka dots and even some coke bottles!

Do you see the coke bottle shape?

I have been thinking about how to use the blocks... what layout to use.

These are a few of my ideas.

None of these feel quite right, yet.

Something more needs to be added.

Some twist that would make it extra-special and exciting.

Little Birdie Pincushion

Have you seen the newest cute thing that I've found? A Little Birdie Pincushion!  I got an email this week from The Pine Needle Quilt store in Lake Oswego, OR and they had this picture in their store flyer. I LOVE this little Bird. Of course, I love bird things! I have got to make one. Can you imagine him (her?) made from felt? Or made to look like a ROBIN? Please, send me a picture if you make one. I would love to see your version. I will share mine when I get him made. You can find the pattern here on Sharon Holland's website or on the side bar under free patterns.

The Square Deal Pincushion

I made a Square Deal Pincushion this week. I chose Jo Morton fabric and a oversized black button and used black crochet cotton instead of ribbon. I stuffed it with crushed walnut shells that I bought at a local pet store in the reptile section. Kind of weird, but it feels and works great! I love this pincushion's shape! You should make one for yourself and then one to give away to a friend.



This is Heather Bailey's version. I love her colors and patterns!


This is my version. It is much more boring but I still like the look.
Her pattern is available above in the tan titles or in the Free patterns sidebar. She also has a great blog...Heather Bailey

Sumptuous Sewing Bag

Update: RJR does not have this pattern available anymore. Sad. So, sad! 

Last year when I went to the Houston Quilt Market I received a charm pack and a free pattern for the Sumptuous Sewing Bag from Robyn Pandolph. I have wanted to make the bag ever since I got home but I just haven't had the time. So, this week I decided that I had some free time and I still wanted to make the sewing bag. This is the picture of Robyn Pandolph's version.




This is a picture of my version.




These are some of the steps...


I cut out 5" blocks from 12 different fabrics. I chose Aunt Grace/1930's & 1940's Reproduction fabric because that is what I had out from another current project.


After sewing the blocks together in their strange configuration, I quilted Feathers on the squares with the Longarm.


Fold the edges together and pin to hold, then sew on binding to cover the edges of the sides.


Fold the binding down and pin in place.


Pin the strap holder on at the side binding to hold it in place.


Sew the binding to the top edge. You then tack the binding down just like you would a quilt.


This is the open sewing bag.


Look inside the bag... there are my little scissors, thread and thimble.


This is the completed sewing bag. It's a great pattern!