Under the Needle: April

 I've had quite a few folks ask how I accomplish so much. I guess it's all a matter of perspective because I don't feel like I get much done. All of us are busy in different ways and I think we all juggle our hobbies around the rest of the things that fill our days. 

When we have company, I don't sew a stitch and this month we had 3 different sets, totalling 8 nights. I love having friends and family here and as much as I enjoy sewing, I will always table it in order to enjoy time with them because being present with them is important to me.

I also started the year with a backlog of finished tops. I don't usually quilt my own quilts and I hand them off to my friend Jackie and her daughter so, with the exception of the Smokey the Bear quilt, the finishes so far this year have only needed binding and they haven't been huge quilts. I hand bind and I am VERY slow at that. 

I always have multiple projects going on at once and they are all at various stages. It works well for me. And I make simple quilts. 

This month I cut and mailed 8 yards of fabric for a low volume swap I joined

 I started pulling fabrics for an I Spy quilt for our grandson

And I made a couple of simple aprons for grandbabies when they are cooking up fun in the kitchen

I am currently binding my Love You S'more Camping Quilt in the evenings

I added the last stitch to a Fall Flannel quilt

And  I finished this Smokey the Bear quilt as a raffle quilt for a fundraiser that's coming up in a few days 

I'm squeezing in those stitches whenever I can, but I'm pretty sure we all do that when it comes to making quilts.

Under the Needle - September

September has been a slow month in my sewing room. I haven't made much progress on much of anything. I did finish my big stitch table runner. Well, I finished the stitching on it and I am currently hand stitching the binding down as time allows

 I quilted several sets of yet more pot holders:

 And I pulled out this fabric:

to make an apron

Back in the day, when the kids were growing up, I made a lot of their clothes:

And it was fun:

I loved it:

And they were always SO excited when they got up in the morning and found something new I had made for them.

Our girl will fuss at this next one and surely comment on my fashion choice for her, but I still think she was pretty cute in  those rompers.

                                               

I always had to alter the patterns - adding 3-4" in length to everything. This is why:

.

Both kids were built like colts...all arms and legs.

Now, these paper patterns make me crazy:

But I really wanted an apron from this fabric and I will use it often:

I love the brown gingham bias:

And the straps that cross in the back

I ordered this Clover bias maker

All I can say is, this would have been SO handy back when I was making clothes! I love it and it'll be great for when I'm making all the ties for the drawstring bags I keep making.

My love of quilting has steamrolled my desire to make anything else these days that does not require quilt stitches. On the other hand, I have to admit that a lot of sweet memories came rushing in when I pinned that paper to the fabric.

Somehow, aprons and drawstring bags pale in comparison.