Donation Baby Quilts

 Going through my sewing room and got a bunch of baby quilts tagged with a label and ready to be donated.  Gave 4 to my daughter to find a home for, but still have some left.  Not sure yet where the rest of these will go.  

(Cat not included - lol)

Book Marks

 

To make:

Cut 3 - 4 x 4" squares (one for the back, one for the front, and one that will be folded over.

Cut 2 - 4 x 4" square iron on interfacing.  Cut one in half diagonally, you will only need one half.

Iron interfacing onto one 4x4 square and the other diagonal piece on the fabric that will be folded in half.  Fold the diagonal square and iron flat.

Stack pieces as follows:  front square right side up, triangle right side up, back square wrong side up.  Sew together leaving a gap to turn.  Clip corners and turn right side out and press.  Top stitch around edge, sewing gap closed.  

If fussy cutting the triangle piece, make sure you have the correct side showing.  (I made that mistake.)

Kitchen Towel Hanger

 

My step daughter sent me a picture of on of these and asked if I could make it.  So I did :)  It is crocheted around a hair band.  Then just straight stitches until a good length.  Put a button on it and left a gap for the button.  Here is a picture of them on her stove.  She no longer has to pick up the towels off of the floor.

Snack Mats

 

Made a couple of snack mats (aka mug rugs) for the kids this Christmas.  They end up about 7 x 9 inches.  Great for a cup and a little snack.  The kids really like using them.  

Bowl Cozies

 

Made a bunch of bowl cozies for Christmas gifts.  Used my fruit fabric and made the fold shorter so it would hold bigger bowls.  Great for not burning your fingers when taking hot bowls out of the microwave.  Included instructions with them.

BOWL COZY

This bowl cozy is handmade with 100% cotton and is microwave safe. Simply place your bowl of food in the cozy and reheat as usual. Remove bowl with the cozy to avoid burning your fingers. Also great for cold food. Reversible. Washable.

Batik Square Throw

 Made from my batik stash.  Finished size is 56 x 70.  Purple fleece on the back.  A little big for a throw, but will be OK.  Next time I should make  the width around 50.  Going to put the older cuddle quilts in the trailer and use this one instead.   Love the colors on it.

Scrappy Flannel Baby

 

Made from my flannel scraps.  32 x 46 with a fleece backing.  Using up more of my stash - still a long way to go :(  Going to donate this quilt.

Ocean Batik

 

This pattern was purchased as a kit from Duncan, BC.  Bought it while visiting with family on the Island.  Really fell in love with the batiks and pattern.  Finished the top and was wondering what to do with it, when my sister-in-law Becky asked if I would make her another quilt.  She already had a cuddle quilt from me, but was 'quiltless' when she had to wash it.  Perfect timing!  Put a soft smokey blue fleece on the back and quilted diagonally.  Really like the end result.  I know that Becky will also love the quilt.  The nice thing about making a quilt when I know who is getting it, is that I think about that person the whole time I am doing the quilt.

And I think I set a record from the time I bought the fabric/pattern to the time it was gifted ... less than 2 months!!!!!!

Starry, Starry Night

 

A mini quilt.  It took as long to do as a large quilt, because the number of pieces is the same.  Did a wave pattern for the machine quilting.  One of my early quilts, but finally getting the posted.

Hearts

 

This was a fun little wall hanging.  I hand quilted it which I really like.  Turns out much 'softer' than machine quilting.  But it is a lot of work.  Would not want to do a large quilt by hand.  

Pansies

 

This is a small table centerpiece.  I did machine quilting using a pattern I traced onto paper for each of the pansies.  The only regret I have is the color of thread I used for the quilting.  I should have used something that blended in more instead of the green.  Thought it would be nice to be able to see the quilt pattern, but I do prefer it blended in more.

Christmas Wreath

 This wall hanging/table centerpiece turned out so nice.  I actually made two - one for me and one for my mom.  The quilting is done in a gold metallic thread.  Love birds in the corners and tulips in the middle.  Really pleased with how this turned out, but don't think I would use metallic thread again - it kept breaking.

Another QAYG Log Cabin

 

We spent a week on the Island (Crofton) visiting my hubbies sister.  With social distancing, we spent the week on the deck visiting.  So did a lot of quilting while I was there.  You couldn't beat the view!  Weather was perfect for being outside.  This quilt was made for my friend Sue.  She wanted something to put on her couch.  The log cabin is still my favorite quilt pattern.  But alas, the bag of 1 1/2" strips still did not seem to go down much at all.  Looks like I have at least a couple more quilts I can make out of them.  

For joining the blocks, I cut the sashing strips at 1 3/4".  This was better than cutting at 1 1/2" as it gave a little more give to cover the seams.  But then I realized (after I finished the quilt of course!), that it would have worked better if I put the 1 " strips on the top instead of the bottom.  This would make the joining of the blocks on top more accurate.  And then just hand stitch the sashing on the back side.  Will do that with the next QYAG quilt.  Will probably make a couple of little ones to use as seat covers.  

Our wonderful hosts:  Craig and Wendy Slee

Bali Wedding Star

This is what I call my 'challenge quilt'.  Decided I needed to challenge myself to something new and more difficult.  It was a paper pieced pattern.  The fabrics I used were still from the ones I brought back from Bali, except for the backing.  Was actually easier than I thought to do the paper piecing.  Size is 86" square.  Purple batik for the backing.  Love how it turned out.  Lori from the Quilt Studio did the machine quilting and as usual did an awesome job!

This is now the last of the large quilts I have done.  Still have some unfinished projects to get done, but they are much smaller and can quilt them myself.  

Heart Flowers

This quilt was made for my mom a long time ago.  It is one of the first quilts I did.  Had it machine quilted by a lady in Vernon (don't remember who it was).  The quilt was never used :(  Mom put it in the closet as it was too good to use.  I got it back when she passed away last year.

Please use quilts that are gifted to you  They cannot be appreciated and loved when they are in the closet.  

The pattern is a Debbie Mumm.

Jelly Roll Quilt

Another UFO was dragged out of the closet and finished!  This is a queen size quilt made from a jelly roll.  Did the top a number of years ago, but never got it finished.  Lori from the Quilt Studio did the machine quilting again.  She always does a beautiful job on my quilts.  

So now I only have one more large quilt to be quilted, then the rest of the UFO's are small projects.  Now if only I knew what to do with this quilt!  Have been cleaning out the sewing room as we are getting company in a couple of weeks and the sewing room is also the guest room.  I really need to figure out what to do with all the things I have quilted.  We now have a storage locker and have put a lot of the projects in there.  And I have to get brutal with what I have left in the room.  Am I ever going to make it?  What would I do with it when it is finished?  But it is too hard to get rid of fabric :(

Update (2 July 2020) - This quilt has given to my daughter's mother-in-law.  She fell in love with it and I know she will cherish and appreciate the quilt.  

Dish cloth - Knit (2 and 2)

I like this dish cloth.  Easy to make.  Don't need to count or follow a pattern closely.  Going to try it out as I am not a fan of the crochet one for myself.  Everyone else seems to like them though!  I have been making a ton of the crochet ones.  The knit ones take me longer to make, so the yarn will last longer :)  And the main reason I am doing these is to keep my hands busy while I am watching TV.  

Pattern:

Cast on 36 stitches.

Row 1 and 2:  K2 P2

Row 3 and 4:  P2 K2

Repeat 4 rows until desired length.  Cast off knit wise on Row 4.

Dish Cloth - Knit Seed Stitch

Trying out some knit dish cloths.  Going through the crocheted ones too fast!  Takes me about 4 times as long to do a knit one.  And as the purpose of making these is to keep my hands busy, it doesn't matter that it takes longer to make one.

This one is called a seed stitch.  Liked the result but didn't like changing between knit and purl on every stitch.

Size 6.5 needles

Cast on 33 stitches

Row 1 thru 3:  Knit

Row 4:  Knit 3, (Purl1 Knit1) repeat to last 4 stitches, Purl 1, Knit 3

Row 5 thru 44 (or until desired length):  Repeat Row 4  

Row 45 thru 47:  Knit

Row 48:  Bind off

Gnomes

Made this set of placemats and napkins for my good friend Carol.  She is into making gnomes so thought she would enjoy these.  The napkins are my 'paperless' paper towels.  Both the napkins and the placemats are done out of flannel.

It is fun making things for my friends and family.  I think of them while I am doing the sewing and it brings a smile to my face.  Brings lots of good memories while I am sewing.

Log Cabin QAYG

Single bed size quilt (50 x 70) as you go log cabin.  Made from my box of 1 1/2" strips.  The box of strips barely went down!  Guess I have a few more strip quilts in my future.  

I think the next QAYG I make will have different colors on the back, to make more of a reversible quilt.  I used 1" strips for the back binding and 1 1/2" strips for the front binding.  Unfortunately, I did put one block in wrong :(  But didn't notice it until I took the picture of the quilt.  So I guess it stays.

Have really been enjoying doing these quilts.  And is a great way to use up scraps.  But the strips don't really seem to be going down.  Think they are propagating when I am not looking!  lol 

Plaid Quilt

Simple plaid quilt.  Even though the sashing looks blue, it is actually teal.  Daughter-in-law wanted a teal plaid quilt but could not find teal plaid any where.  So had to go with a regular plaid and use teal for the sashing.  Used a grey blanket from Costco for the backing.  Nice and soft.  

So that family has all new quilts from me this year.  The kids got the Hugs and Kisses and Calgary Flames quilts.  Keeping my family warm one quilt at a time :)  I like making quilts when I know who is getting them, rather than just making a quilt and then wondering what to do with it.

Blue Bock of the Month

Another UFO done!  Is nice to take a break from sewing masks for a couple of days.  We are now at around 500 masks done!  

I picked up this package at a garage sale.  Came with all the fabrics (well, except the backing).  Had to add some fabric of my own as I screwed up cutting the setting squares.  

If is now off to be quilted by Lori at the Quilt Studio.  She does all my quilts and does an awesome job.  

Update:  Quilting has been finished.  The pattern is flowers and butterflies.  It really makes those large blue squares look awesome.  Wasn't a fan of the quilt before it got quilted, but now I love it.  Amazing what can be done with the quilting.  I think the pattern she used was called Picnic.  Perfect choice for it.

Now ... what am I going to do with this quilt?  That seems to always be my dilemma.   I love making the quilts, but I have too many to use.

September 5, 2021 - today I gifted the quilt to Kim (Jaye's mom).  She loved it.  She has moved into an apartment in OK Falls and has a new bed, so I thought she needed a new quilt to put on it.

  

Paperless Paper Towels

These have got to be the most useful items I have ever made.  They are made out of flannel and are 10 x 10".   Zigzagged the edging as I don't have a serger (I do, but my daughter is using it).  Zigzag works just as good :)  And cheap to make.  You get 16 out of 1.1 meters of fabric or 28 out of 2 meters. 

They take the place of paper towels (except I don't use them for greasy items).  And in place of plates for such things as apples, treats, sandwiches, etc.   They act as a plate and a napkin all in one and wash up very well.  Great for napkins as well, especially as they are soft and just the right size.  Add a little water and wipe the kids faces and hands.  Or as a wipe for your hands when cooking.  The uses are endless.   Saving the planet a little at a time.

I have separate ones that I use during the Christmas season.  And BBQ themed ones for the summer.  Would be easy to do themes for other times of the year - Halloween, Easter, Canada Day, camping (for the trailer),  Or if you have a favorite team.  The possibilities are endless!!!!

Dresden Plate

Made this quilt for a good friend of ours.  She liked the pattern and as I have not done a Dresden Plate before, had fun learning how to do it.  Easier than I thought.  I decided to do a quilt as you go, but as you can see, the last row did not line up very good :(  Overall though, I really like how it turned out.  Used a sheet for the white background - much cheaper as I got it on sale, and it worked very well.  Was a good quality cotton.  Back of quilt is done is a paisley.  

The quilt label is because this lady loves to hug :)  Thought it very appropriate.  The quilt is being well loved on their bed.  

I love it when quilts I make are used every day.  They are not meant to be put away in a closet.  I made a beautiful quilt for my mom and it spent 20 years in her closet because it was 'too good' to use.  Also did an amazing quilt for my daughter, and it is in her closet as well.  Quilts are meant to be used and enjoyed.

Dish Cloths

I used to crochet these dish cloths a while back as lots of people I knew wanted them.  Then stopped as life changed with cancer and retirement.  Got back into it when hubby was in the hospital as it gave me something to do with my hands while I sat with him.  Left the completed ones with the nurses as they seemed to enjoy them.  But have continued on now that he is home.  Gives me something to do with my hands while I watch TV.  Gave some to my daughter-in-law to bring in to work, and those went over well.  My daughter sent a lady my way and I sold some to her.  Not asking much, just enough to buy more yarn - lol.

Pattern:

Chain 35

Row 1:  SC in second chain from hook, and each chain until end (34 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 1, SC in first stitch, (CH 2 skip SC and SC in next stitch)  Repeat until end of row.

Row 3:  Ch 1, SC in first stitch, (CH 2, SC in CH 2 space) - repeat until end of row.

Row 4+:  Repeat Row 3 until desired length.

Ending row:  CH 1, SC in each SC and CH2 space.  Repeat until end of row.

Break off and weave in ends.

Debbie Mumm's Town

Finally getting a break from sewing masks.  Have sewn over 200 of them!  So dug this project out.  It is not quilted yet, just waiting to hear back from my quilter to get it in.  Decided to have it professionally done instead of attempting it myself.  Lori at the Quilt Studio in West Kelowna does an awesome job.  It is hard for me to do large quilts on my sewing machine.  And for this one, I would like something other than just straight lines.  

I purchased the kit In Grand Forks when I was passing through.  Was so long ago (well, maybe not that long, but the memory doesn't remember, so I am going for a long time ago!).  It was a block of the month project and they had all twelve blocks together and on sale.  I enjoyed sewing it up as the colours appealed to me and so did the designs.  I do like Debbie Mumm patterns and her palette.  Not sure what I am going to do with it when it is completed, but will worry about it then.  It is a lovely quilt.  Would look awesome in a log cabin home.

Now, what project should I dig out and finish next ???????

Rails in Lime

This was a fun little quilt to do.  Lime green is my favorite color!  Put fleece on the back and it is perfect for throwing over my lap when I watch TV.  

The cat thinks it is a pretty cool blanket too for sleeping on in my chair.  It is actually my son's cat, but she has claimed my place as her day time house, and then just goes home to her real house at night.  Seeing as I am a cat lover (NOT a crazy cat lady!!!), it works out well.  

Hugs and Kisses

This one is Olivia's quilt.  When we were there last year, she asked me to make her another quilt.  Wanted blues and pinks.  So I thought hugs and kisses would be great for her.  A plush throw was used for the backing, so definitely warm and soft.  It is something when the grand kids ask me to make them quilts.  So special.  

She also asked me to make one for their dog Cole.  So here is his ...

Fleece paw prints on the back and leftovers from some of the blocks from Olivia's quilt on the front.  (The ones that I cut the wrong size.)  Not sure if he uses it, but now the whole family has quilts from me.  (Apparently though, the cat didn't want one!)  LOL

Completed in 2019.