how about a stitchalong?

So I've been thinking about something fun we can do together in 2013. I've really been enjoying creating new embroidery patterns lately. Then we received a challenge at our last Bring 'n Brag meeting, to do a project each month based on an assigned theme. Bingo! I will create a simple embroidery pattern for each theme to meet the challenge. Then I thought, wait! I could share them on my blog and we could all stitch together. When we're all finished, I'll give you instructions to turn the 12 squares into a wall hanging for your sewing space.

The designs will be simple to do. You will need to know some basic embroidery stitches (backstitch, chain stitch, french knots, running stitch, lazy daisies). If you google these you can find lots of tutorials and videos online. I won't bore you with more here, since so many others have done a great job already. You might want to use the next few days to practice!

Also, you can gather your supplies. You will need:

A 6 inch embroidery hoop

embroidery needles

a needle threader if you're blind as a bat like me!

scissors

3/4 yard of good quality white cotton fabric cut into 12 8 inch squares

1 1/2 yards of pellon shape flex (a woven fusible interfacing)

12 5 inch squares of print fabric. I am using squares from a charm pack of Sew Stitchy if you want your finished project to look just like mine. Otherwise, choose fabrics that you like.

several colors of embroidery floss to coordinate with your fabric (again, if you want to do what I do, my colors are DMC 225, 318, 666, 747, 3806 and 3846)

Iron a 7 inch square of the shape flex to the back of each square of white fabric. This will give you a good base for your embroidery. The shape flex adds stability and helps to hide those wandering knots and threads on the back of your pieces. 

I would suggest getting a gallon zip loc bag to store your stack of fabrics and supplies. You're going to need to find them every month people! DON'T LOSE THEM! (can this happen, you ask? I assure you, it can.)

Ok, now you're ready! So here's the deal. On the first Friday of every month I will provide you with the pattern for the month. Each square will be only 4 inches finished. You can do this! So check back here on Friday, January 4 and we'll get started!

learning to sew... pajama pants

My teenage friends came to sew again yesterday. They have been wanting to make pajama pants, so we decided to do it over Christmas break when we could spend a full day together. It was their first time sewing with a commercial pattern. Learning to measure, pin, cut and follow pattern instructions....

 It was a huge success! Look how happy they are in their new PJs.....

Thanks to moms who provided lunch for us. We had a fun day!

2012 in review.... additional projects

I didn't just make quilts in 2012! Here are a few of the other things I made this year, bags, aprons, mug rugs, stockings, pillows and a dress! I didn't crochet a lot this year, but I did finish up some dishcloths and my fusion blanket. I love variety! It's fun for me to make lots of different things each year.

Christmas 2012

We had a lovely Christmas at the Z house. Doctor Ally received her first real stethoscope (which she promptly tested on the dog! Good news. Lexi has a heartbeat) and Steve was happy with lots of movie posters for his apartment...

I was completely spoiled by Santa and everyone else. Two beautiful necklaces to wear. The first sweet hubby ordered from The Rusted Chain, love their stuff! And the second, the adorable sewing machine, came from Leigh Anne in Arizona...

 There were other goodies too... more charms for my pandora bracelet, gift cards, books to read, calendars. Mom and Dad sent me this beautiful sewing basket that Mom and I found on a shopping adventure in Prescott last month. Dad fixed the little foot on the bottom so it doesn't rock anymore....

 They also sent the scrumptious box of Gutterman threads. Santa filled my stocking with sewing goodies too, so I tucked those into the basket.

I got some quilting/sewing books....

The first two from Santa (I WILL figure out how to free motion quilt this year!) the Liberty book from my sewing/shopping buddy Joellen and the beautiful Australia wildflower calendar and stitching book from blogging buddy Maria.

We had a little Texas surprise in the afternoon as our rain showers turned to snow. A white Christmas! I was glad I didn't need to leave the house, it's pretty from the windows but I have no desire to go out in it.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too!

2012 in review... mini quilts

I made quite a few minis this year. Many were for friends.... the believe quilt for my secret sister at church, several with embroidery for bloggy friends and my quilt guild secret pal. Some were to learn new techniques.... 2 twister minis, a double disappearing nine patch and my london quilt with twilling. I love to make minis because they are quick! I see more mini quilts in my future...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful friends in blogland. God bless you and your families as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

2012 review... large quilts

I think it's safe to say I won't be cranking out any more big quilts in 2012! Here are most of the ones I completed this year. A very productive year if I may say so myself! AND I actually kept some of these for myself, which is rare. 

I learned some new techniques this year (like making crumb blocks in the last quilt on the top row), participated in some fun block swaps (Kaffe 9 patches in the second row, red and cream and lime and gray, in the bottom row), and completed some blocks of the month and challenge quilts (Birdie stitches in the top row and ticker tape blocks on the bottom).

It's always fun to look back at the end of the year and see what I have accomplished!