Counting sheep

You are tired, stressed or have difficulties falling asleep.
What about Counting sheep?
Imagine this is a quilt laying on your lap.Have a short nap or sleep the whole night and dream.

This is a simple combination of sheep patterns, number pack pattern and my newest paper pieced pattern The BED.
The Fence paper pieced block is FREE. You could download from CRAFTSY or from my free patterns HERE.
The idea is sewing background of each sheep the same color as the top of the quilt. The sheep are , but you can change the size using included percentage table.
The numbers are 3 inch squares, some of them rotated 45 degrees.

Add two 3" squares, two  4" isosceles triangles and trim to have 6 inch squares and sew easy next to the sheep.
Add 1,5" strips to have 6 inch squares and sew easy next to the sheep.

Collect all the blocks, add batting and backing, bind you preferred way.

Have a sweet dreams :)

Do you think that bell of the third sheep is ringing too loud?
Don't worry . This pattern has two version - with or without bell. It is up to you.

Kids' drawing in a quilt

I have no time to write posts here lately.
I discover amazing world of kids drawing and began thinking how to make something using them - mug rug or even a quilt.
At the beginning I made some blocks with primitive shapes - house, boat, tree.
 

I used a very tiny stripes - 3/4 inches and insert them into a solid fabric.
I like the first result and made sun, beach umbrella,  boy, another tree, swing and collect them in a top.

After some little changes the final look turned out very cute.

Add batting and backing and the day was over.
Wait soon for the quilting results.

Binding with backing - second variant - tutorial

1. Cut the backing 2 inches wider and 2 inches longer than the top. 

Lay the trimmed top with batting on the backing and pin. 

I have quilted top and batting together.

2. Fold the backing to the edge of the top and iron.

 

 3. Cut the corner and fold at 45 degree as shown on the pics.

4.Fold each side once more and pin.

5. Repeat with all corners and began sewing carefully. 

When reach the corner leave the needle down position and pivot.

6. Stitch all perimeter this way.

When finish stitch neatly by hand  the corners of the binding using blind stitching.

The Liberty Pillow Challenge

What does it means Liberty?
A possibility to say what you think, an opportunity to travel where you want, a desire to make what you like.
As a citizen of former East European country I know the situation very well.
When I have seen the Liberty Pillow case challenge on SewMamaSew I thought - this would be great for me to participate.
I have written to Kristin and crossed my fingers. I needed to be chosen.
She answered me and I was so HAPPY.
I have visited the site with Liberty Art Fabrics to get some inspiration and to be ready with idea when the fabrics come.
First my idea is to make a chain as an antipode of Freedom. So was born a new pattern. You can download it for FREE. If you are a CRAFTSY member get from HERE.
But when I got the fabrics I realized it won't works for me.

I have  to design something different.
For me the Liberty is having various ways and possibility.
And the cushion says - Go which way you want.

 
 

Finished pillow size: 16 inches square

You will need:

          four fat eights prints (three for the top and one for the binding)
          some strips from three solids
          6 inches white square

          a fat quarter for the back

additional materials:
         17 inches square  for the background of the pillow front 
         17 inches square batting
         16 inches square pillow form
          threads

A. Making the front panel.

1. Cut  4,5 inches square and  an 1 inch strip  5-6 inch long.

 2. Make a cut no matter which direction.

3. Stitch right sides together one of the pieces and the strip.

4. Iron well towards the piece and trim aligning to one side.

5. Stitch the second piece beginning from the trimmed side, iron towards the piece and trim.

6. Make 15 squares this way - 5 from each print fabric.

Tip - Make the cuts different directions.

7. Cut  6 inches square from white fabric and  three 1 inch strips  7-8 inch long from the three different solids.

8. Make a cut the way you want and insert first strip.

9. Make another cut and insert second strip.

10. Keep in mind that the cut is not perpendicular. Use a pin to fit perfect and check before sew them together.

11. Make another cut and insert third strip.

 12. Trim to 4,5 inches square.

13. Order on a table (design wall) all the squares. Sew them together by rows then by column.

14. Add batting and background and stitch in a ditch using coordinating thread

B. Making the envelope closure.

1. Cut two rechtangles 16,5 x 11 inches and stitch a 0.25" double folded hem on one long edge of each of them.

2. Overlap them and stitch for secure.
Tip - measure before sew them .You will have 16,5 inches square.

C. Finish the pillow case.
1. Place the finished front pannel and finished back WRONG sides together and stitch round perimeter a quarter inch.

This step will help you when attach binding.

2. Cut 1 3/4 inchces strips for binding and stitch together.
Stitch the binding to the front of the  cushion. Fold over, turn under and hand stitch to the cushion back.

Put a 16 Inches insert and you are finished.
Enjoy the freedom!

The broken window

Playing with some scraps I have created this crazy piece.
It has been laying among many orphan blocks till last week.
In my country we have an exhibition  content and I want to create a modern quilt to participate in.
The jury is very famous Fiber artist Caron Ann Waugh   and Madame Samm from Sew we quilt.
As a winner ofthe last contest - mini quilt Eco Patchwork I have to made something real stunning.
A very interesting idea came into my head.
I intend using this crazy piece as a corner or centre and adding more pieces to have an illusion of a broken window.
I love creating buildings and windows. Probably because I like interior design too much.
Piecing, adding, sewing, ironing, wandering and again.
I have use my new design wall. It is great to have one. Don't know why I haven't use till now.
Love the final result too much and took a picture in front of my window.

The quilting turned out easier then I expect.
When quilted previous mini wall hanging I discovered that tiny pieces look better without quilting.
I mean smaller than one inch. Some of them are half inch in fact.

 

And leave the central part as it is.

Round it I stitch straight lines with walking foot and at upper site I have made an arc.

In binding added color stripes accent and here it is.

Waiting for the contest crossing finger!

New year wall hanging

I have started these project in 2012. Then added the number three for 2013.
And forget about it.
Now in hot summer I was asked by some quilters to update my pattern New Year wall hanging.
Is it time for New years preparations already?
In fact it is very easy and fast to update - I have sewn the number 4 only.

Now it is in my ETSY shop.
If you have CRAFTSY account only - visit here
If you have the pattern from last year - add only the missing numbers 4-9  from here.
You would use it till 2019 :)
Happy sewing and preparations.

The navy cushions

The blocks for these pillow covers were made in May.

The cushions were ready in June.
The pictures are here now.

The process from sewing to displaying  took me more time than I expect.
I wish I have more opportunity to show my works faster.