Sparkle

 My friend Jayne (Twiggy and Opal) has released a new quilt pattern today and it's a winner! I was so thankful that she asked me to test it out for her. I had so much fun with it and just love the finished quilt top....

You can (and really should!) purchase a copy of the pattern here. 

I had so much fun with the design I decided to see how small I could go with the blocks. The other day I made this two color block...

which led me to pulling out the pantone colors of the year.... Ultimate Gray and Illuminating...

Stay tuned for this finished mini.

Patchwork Tea Quilt

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky to have the opportunity to test out Jessica's newest pattern, the Patchwork Tea Quilt. I made one block, which was lots of fun! I plan to make more blocks to add to it down the road.

One clever part of this block that I love is the addition of some bits of selvage stitched to each tag. I had a blast digging through my selvages deciding what to use on mine. Then I found this one and it was perfect!

If you're looking for a fun pattern I highly recommend  this one! Jessica is including her Teabag Wallet pattern with each purchase which is a terrific bonus. I plan to make a bunch of those to use as Christmas Gifts next year. Might as well start knocking them out while I'm stuck at home!

Happy sewing friends!

juggling act

My friend Jayne over at Twiggy and Opal introduced a new pattern today, and I must say it's a winner! I was lucky to get to test it out. Here is my version of the baby quilt size, ready to be quilted and bound.....

I used all Kona solids for my quilt, Kona Jade, Pool, Turquoise, Ice Frappe and Chartreuse.  The background is Kona Silver.  Hop on over to Jayne's blog to see lots of different versions, including some great scrappy ones! Then head straight to her shop to purchase the pattern, so you can make a Juggling Act quilt for yourself.

Thanks for letting me test your pattern, Jayne! This is a winner!

Finley Tote by Sotak Handmade

Svetlana Sotak (Sotak Handmade)'s latest pattern released today and I was thrilled to pattern test for her again. I had bought some black vinyl at Quiltcon and thought it would be perfect for this bag. Since I have great confidence in Svetlana's patterns, I decided to splurge on the bag fabric itself. A quick trip to Hobby Lobby led me to this awesome faux suede that has the feel and appearance of embossed leather. Perfect!

The hardest thing about working with both of these fabrics was that I could not iron either of them. I tried pressing a small swatch of the sued with a coolish iron and a pressing cloth, but the finish came off onto the pressing cloth. So, there was lots of finger pressing and I took my time on the exterior of the bag.

As I expected, it went together perfectly! Even the exterior zipper pocket went in beautifully.

This bag has short, tote handles and an adjustable, detachable long strap so it can be worn cross body.

I found this quilters cotton that looked great as the lining. As always, the pattern included great interior pockets. A slip pocket on one side (which I decorated with one of my leather labels) and an interior zipper pocket on the other side.

Add to all of that a top closing zipper keeping all of your belongings nicely contained. This is a top notch tote bag that will get lots of use. Hop on over to Svetlana's blog to see more versions and purchase a pattern for yourself.

Brooklyn Tote Pack

I'm so excited! Svetlana Sotak, at Sotak Handmade introduced her newest pattern today, the Brooklyn Tote Pack.  I was lucky to be chosen to pattern test this bag for her before I left for Quiltcon and I'm so happy with the outcome.

First I must tell you, when I saw the pattern, I decided I needed a plain denim bag and this was the perfect choice for it. If you've followed me for very long you know that "plain" is not usually in my vocabulary. I decided to do it anyways and the result was lovely...

Lovely but BORING! LOL Not Svetlana's fault at all. The pattern itself was perfect. As always, her instructions are clear and the details are awesome. Zipper pockets both outside and inside, tote handles (she used leather, I chose webbing for mine) and removable, adjustable backpack straps as well. 

I did line mine with this adorable cotton & steel lamb print that I had in my stash, which made the inside fun & cheerful.

I know I'll get lots of use out of it. But first I had to fancy it up a bit. So I went a little crazy with embroidery (no pattern, I just kept stitching until I was "done").

And now I think it's perfect! I really love this bag.... Thanks Svetlana for letting me try it out for you!

Amber Clutch

Svetlana Sotak from Sotak Handmade has done it again! Her newest pattern, the Amber Clutch, was released this week and I was lucky to get to pattern test for her again. Testing for Svetlana is such a pleasure, as her patterns are professionally done, easy to follow and produce such great finished products. This one was no exception.

I had some good sized pieces of my fifth Saturday challenge fabric sitting on my cutting table & decided it would make great bags. (don't worry, you'll get to see my actual challenge finish soon! I'm really happy with it). Anyways, back to the bags...

They turned out so cute! I even added my personalized leather tags to the front. As you can see, the pattern comes in two sizes (the small one is just big enough to hold my iPhone 8+).  The larger clutch has a welt pocket to hold extra small items...

opened up it looks like this...

I loved making these so much, I decided to jump in and make one from a piece of my hand woven fabric...

I even put in the welt pocket! Using Svetlana's awesome directions, it went in without a hitch (I MIGHT have held my breath snipping and turning my handwoven fabric but I shouldn't have!)

I will definitely be getting braver with my hand woven pieces after this!

Here's a peek at the cute lining fabric I used (quilting cotton)

Hop on over to Svetlana's blog for more cute clutch pictures and a link to her shop!

Mondrian Blocks

I recently had the opportunity to test Jayne (Twiggy and Opal)'s new pattern for these awesome Mondrian Blocks. I had played with Mondrian style blocks before, nearly three years ago when my friend Chris requested them as bee blocks.  At that time, all I knew to do was to improv piece them (though honestly I didn't  realize then that improv was what I was doing!). Oh, but Jayne has made it so much easier with these paper pieced beauties!

Her pattern includes the two 9 inch blocks that I tested and mini 4 inch blocks too! It includes great photos and diagrams, coloring sheets.... the works!

The pattern is available in her Craftsy shop, here. Hop on over and get one for yourself! you won't be sorry.

Luisa Crossbody Bag

Svetlana (sotak handmade) has done it again! Her newest bag pattern, the Luisa Crossbody Bag is my new favorite bag. (I know, I know, I say that EVERY time, but this time I mean it!

I always feel like I've hit the jackpot when I get to pattern test for Svetlana. Her patterns are so well written and easy to follow. Her bags have awesome details and always finish very professionally. This one is no exception!

I find I always learn something new when I make her bags. This one has an adjustable strap, which I assumed would be tricky to do. I shouldn't have worried! As always, the instructions were clear and simple and my strap worked perfectly the very first time.

You can see the bag has a hidden zipper pocket on the front

And two slip pockets on the back (perfect for cell phone and keys)

Open up the recessed zip top

And you'll find another zip pocket in the lining! So many great details

The pattern is available now in Svetlana's shop. She even has a discount deal today! It's a winner.... hop on over there and get yourself one!

bitsy boxes

This weekend I had some fun pattern testing for my friend Natalie over at Ticklegrass Designs. I added some props to the picture so you can see just how tiny her latest bags are!

The Bitsy Box pattern is now available as a PDF here. Seriously people, you need to make a few of these! They are so much fun, so quick (under an hour to make each one) and adorably cute at 2 1/2 inches cubed.

Wouldn't it be fun to fill one of these with binder clips for a sewing pal? or tiny animal toys for a child? 

Really, the possibilities are endless. I plan to make tons more. You probably should make some too.

2016 finish-along, third quarter finishes

Whew, I did it! When I set my goals for the third quarter I didn't even begin to imagine I'd finish them all, BUT I DID! Yay! Here are links to my finishes.....

My Small World is done! I'm really proud of this one. It was a major project & I enjoyed it so much.

My swap for the Triad meets Mckinney swap is done, delivered & appreciated! This was so much fun to do.

Ally's pillows are happily hanging out on her couch, or wherever college kids keep pillows! ha!

My girls have matching San Francisco Swing Dresses and they both love them. 

The Pow Wow quilt has been delivered to a sweet new baby boy in Ohio and he is enjoying it very much.

So there you have it. Third quarter was a huge success for me! I'm linking up over at A Quilter's Table.

San Francisco Swing Dress

More pattern testing! I recently got to test out Caroline Hulse of Sew Caroline's newest pattern, the San Francisco Swing Top & Dress, available today. 

Ally was the lucky recipient of two dresses. She loves to wear little knit swing dresses & this pattern fit the bill.

The pattern calls for knit with at least 40% stretch. I did see that one tester made the top out of a woven and was happy with the result. My dresses are both knits. This one is a blend, cotton/spandex and the blue one below is cotton interlock. It's a quick make, front, back, neckband and sleeve bands and easy to assemble. The high neck is very cute & easy to do.

I made the dress version. The top also has an option for a split back, which is adorable. 

I'll be making more of these for sure! Had a great time testing it out for Caroline.