40 Week Projects

Have you ever been 40 weeks pregnant and STILL waiting for baby to show up? Well, I am. It stinks.

I have been doing projects like crazy to keep my mind off of, well everything. Yes, I hurt and am very uncomfortable, but these are great distractions to keep my mind busy. 

First I made these cute Big Brother and Big Sister t-shirts.

They match baby brothers' new outfit. So cute!

The project was anything but easy, however. I decided to cut the fabric with my Silhouette and I just upgraded my software to the Designer Edition which should let me cut fabric no problem. Well, yes problem. It just wouldn't. So, I had to fudge it anyway. Grr. I ironed them on and hand stitched around them. Cute dinosaurs, check. Then, I bought some heat transfer vinyl which I heard worked great and you could still dry your clothes without it coming off. Well, It was a HUGE pain too! I only had one piece of black and I used almost the whole thing because it kept messing up. It is supposed to cut right on the plastic backing, but it wouldn't stay in place and kept wrinkling and completely missing part of the letters. Like I said, I used almost the entire piece of black just getting those words cut right. I finally ended up putting tiny pieces onto my cutting mat and cutting individual letters out to put together the words. UGH! Then, I had to iron them on. The first one did okay, only a few spots were stubborn to stick down. The second one did not work. In fact the plastic melted and put brown burn marks on the shirt! The white one too. Yea, oh my heck! Well, I tried re-ironing it over and over and it just did not want to stick down. I finally gave up and put some fabric glue under the edges that were still not stuck down. I figure I won't touch them until I get the super cute sibling picture and then they can fall apart in the wash. 

Seriously, I have 4 more sheets of that heat transfer stuff and I don't know if I want to touch it again. What a pain.

 Next up, Crazy Cars Quilt.

(actually it is emergency vehicles, but that just doesn't sound right)

 Remember this project? I thought it would be pretty easy to piece together and quilt. 

 All ready to sew together.

 And Done!

 In reality another huge pain. It sat on my project table for a week or more because I was so frustrated with the problems. I didn't realize that the back blanket was so stretchy. I made it through quilting without too much cursing. Then, I realized that it wasn't long enough to just fold over to bind it. So, I used the very ends of my fabrics to make the back a little longer, but first I cut it off. WHY?!! I don't know. I guess that just happens when you work on stuff with very little sleep. I had to finish the edges because this stuff sheds and frays like crazy. Then, I zig-zagged the cut off pieces back on. I folded over and finished the sides first and then worked on the special top and bottom. Apparently, I didn't make it long enough either. Bleh! So, the two end corners I just zig-zagged closed and called it good. It is a super soft and comfy blanket. Rome has adopted it, like I knew he would. And he doesn't care, so I won't either. Sigh...

 See, special. 

Did I mention that I didn't make any of the seams match? Well, I didn't. I just didn't want to work that hard. Bet you can't tell from far away.

Lastly, Whimzie Quilt Kit.

 Super cute colors and patterns. I bought it to use for other things and discovers that was not really an option. Lucky I know a few ladies having babies who might like a cute baby quilt.

All Done! (quick huh?)

The back.

 The quilting looks so cool on the back!

Okay, for the story. This quilt kit stunk! The first step was to cut off 7 inches from the center panel. Um...what? The finished quilt was supposed to be smaller than the printed panel they gave you. Really. DUMB. So, I had to figure it out on my own. I did make it to look like the picture they give you, but there was no extra for the name. I found that pink fabric out of my stash. I only had enough fabric to make 3 colorful strips, I cut one in half and sewed it to the top and bottom. Which worked out well, because the backing wasn't long enough. I used the ends of the fabric to add an extra 2 inches so it just barely fit. Also, since everything was pre-cut you couldn't pre-wash any of it. I am a little worried that it will shrink funny, but what could I do? I really like what I came up with to quilt it. I sewed around the name panel and the tree and then put a grid on the white background. I think it looks so adorable! I made sure not to have any quilted seams meet, that way there is less that could pucker. It worked out pretty darn good. (No thanks to their stinky directions.)

Well, don't know what I will work on next. Baby is Due today and Nothing is happening. I am scheduled to be induced in 5 days. Oh, that is a long time to be 40 weeks pregnant...

Zig Zag Quilt Along

Remember this?

Well it turned into this...

Thanks to this

Pretty great huh? I had a hard time deciding what fabrics to put next to each other, but I really like how it turned out. I actually brought it up to Utah to show my Grandma (who quilts like mad, and who taught me how to sew). She like it and suggested that I do a vine like border. While I don't exactly know what she meant, I liked the idea. I searched the internets and found this

that does a border just how I want. I will have to figure out my measurements and do it quick! I am definitely feeling ready for this little guy to show up and I don't know how many projects I will be able to finish before my time is consumed with baby and not sleeping. Hopefully this is one of them!

Gifted

I have been thinking about this gift ever since I found out that my Sister-in-law was pregnant and due the same time as me. Of course she is having a girl and I get another little boy. I wanted to try a cheater quilt, but could not find a down (or fake down) throw anywhere. Even online, it is just the wrong season, I guess. I finally found ONE at Tuesday Morning in zebra print. I figured I could add some pink and it would be okay for a little girl. I found a great charm pack in pinks, grays and yellows with gold accents even. Perfect! I don't know if my SIL likes zebra print, but she definitely has attitude and loves bling, so this might work for her. I just hope she doesn't hate it.

 My (fake) down comforter and fabric squares.

 All glued and ready to sew.

 Done! It was that quick. I really like how it turned out too.

 I chose to zig-zag the squares, in bright pink of course.

 Close up of the back. Looks pretty great to me.

I tied it up and added a cute bib and outfit. I also made the tutu to match the cute onesie. Another little talent that doesn't take very much time. I think it makes a great set. I hope my SIL loves it too!

Works In Progress

Okay, I only have a few projects that are actually started. Like 3.  I have a lot more that are bought and sitting around, ready to be figured out. Like 7. And I wonder how I never finish things...

First up are these Quiet Book pages. I participated in a Quiet Book exchange back in, oh, Oct? A long time ago. Anyway, after I got all my pages back, I could not think of how to finish them. The ones I made are on fabric and sewn and the others are on felt and part sewn, part hot glue. You can't sew hot glue. (I tried, don't do it.) I finally figured out what to do with them. I got a bunch of different fabrics in fun patterns. I cut them to the right size, with interfacing, and just top stitched them onto the pages. I also added a pocket on the back for all those extra pieces. I have only finished about 6 pages. So, only 10 or so more to go. I think they are pretty cute though.

My button on flowers. Capri loves this one.

Pretty birds on the back.

Next is my Quilt-along filler project. I originally got this charm pack to use as my zig zag quilt, but it didn't have enough of the colors to make the stripes and I just cannot bring myself to mix the colors. I can't do it. So, I got some other fabric for my zig zag quilt and figured out a different pattern for these beautiful fabrics. They really are so bright and fun! This project is going to keep me busy while waiting for the next steps on the quilt-along. 

I am calling this one my Colorful Windows Quilt. 

I came up with the pattern myself. I really like it.

These are the fabrics I found for the zig zag quilt. Kind of cute baby girl-ish, but I like them. I have a nice cream, plushy blanket to use for the back too.

Not sure what pattern I will use for these, but I really liked this yellow and gray jelly roll. I have so many options with 8 different fabrics to play with and I already have a gray fleece blanket for the back.

These were a bunch of fabric remnants that I picked up while looking for something else. I thought they looked so nice together that I had to do something with them. I don't know what yet, but I won't need any extra sashing fabric because they are all almost a yard, except for the two solid colors. I still need to find something for the back though. I am not quite sure what would fit. Maybe another cream fleece blanket. Hmmm.

This is a left over piece from some pajamas I made. I just zig-zagged the edge and let the kids play with it like a blanket. I figured I could easily add some other fabric and actually make it into a nice blanket.

Maybe with this plushy blanket as backing?

These fabrics I found as remnants also, but I was looking for them. I found this 2 yd piece of fleece fabric at Tuesday Morning for $5 and wanted something to go with it. Not sure how it will turn out yet. Some of them are a yard or more and some are barely 1/4. I will just have to make it work.

I decided to wash all my fabric together and ended up with 4 different colored loads. Lots of fabric just ready to be cut up and made into something gorgeous! Got to keep busy...

Quilt-A-Long

Yea, I am doing a quilt-a-long. Why? Because I am slightly crazy and have not had my fill of quilts just yet. Plus both of the ones they are doing I wanted to try, so why not sew with them, right? Sure...
Here they are.

(hehe, I figured out how to put a button IN my post. I feel smart for a whole second)
I want to do the ruffle quilt, but don't want to spend money on that much fabric. So, I will probably do the zig zag quilt and re-figure it to match something I already have. Yup, that's how I roll.

Quilts on the Brain

Wow, this new blogger style is really messing me up. I can't figure out how to move stuff. Sad because I am really excited about these quilts! They were keeping me up at night, so I had to finish them quick!
Rome's Driving Duvet Quilt

I started with this duvet cover I got for Rome. It was huge. Queen size for his twin bed. I have a queen size comforter I put in it, but it was just too big. So, I decided to cut it down and make it a blanket on its own. I measured, cut, sewed it inside out, turned it and put in the batting.  Turns out Duvet covers are not true to size and have a little lot of extra room for the comforter inside. So, when I went to pin it, it was way bigger on the back than the front. Oops. Oh well now. I flattened it out as best I could, pinned it and proceeded to quilt the edges (in red, green and yellow) and around the roads on the back side.

 You can't really see the edging or the quilting. I thought about doing colors in the middle, but after doing some in white, just stuck with that. It was hard! The roads are mostly straight, but then you have to turn the corners and figure out how to stuff the whole quilt through the machine. I also don't have quilting pins, so I was being stuck the entire time with regular pins. AND I worked on this while the kids where playing outside, so they kept coming in and laying on it while it was on the table. (Rome kept trying to drive his cars on it while I was still sewing. Sooo helpful) I had to keep warning them that it still had pokeys in it, so please don't touch! I got poked a LOT. I was so happy when this was done. It has been sitting on my shelf for months and I was tired of being poked by pins!

You can see the quilting a little better here. This is after Rome played on it for a while.  He thought it was pretty cool to jump and roll on it for about an hour. Hopefully he will still like it when it gets cold enough for a blanket on his bed.

Now I need to think about what to do with the extra piece. It is only 20" wide by 90" long, so not wide enough for a pillow case. Still it is super cute cars and roads. Maybe it will end up in a quilt somewhere else. I think 10" squares would work. Hmm...

Next, Flowery Stripes Quilt.

I started with a fleece blanket I got for Capri. I never liked it and never used it. Not even once. I thought it would be perfect to turn into a quilt. I took it with me to the store and got some fat quarters to match. It was tough, they are kinda weird colors. Then, I tried to decide what pattern to make it. I didn't want squares and I only had 3 colors, not 6 or 10. I ended up liking a kind of stripey pattern. 

All pieced out

Ready to quilt

It is pieced together and a little TON more difficult than I expected. I used the scraps of the sheet I cut out for the Rocket Ship Rainbow quilt below. What I didn't realize is that it is not a cotton sheet. It is a knit. Kint = s t r e t c h. Yikes. I did not see that one. As an added bonus, my fleece is very thin and stretchy too! Oh My Goodness, this was hard to put together! I measured and calculated and contemplated.  Finally, I cut out my strips and started sewing it together only to realize that I was going to run out of white sheet for the strips. (notice how some are missing in the picture) Eek. I stretched out what I had left and came up one strip short.  Then, I laid out the quilt and saw how crooked it was. I didn't take a picture because it was very depressing. The side I was planning on not cutting because it should all line up was at least 3 inches off. Ouch. Anyway, I squared it all up and took the scraps and sewed them together to get my last strip to finish the top. Phew! 

On the back, I took my last three strips of colored fabric and striped them to put an extra piece down one side. I thought it would look nice. When I tried to sew it on however, I realized just how stretchy my fleece was. Greeeeat. I sewed it on and just hoped it was straight enough. I finally got it all together and decided to quilt it in straight lines. I sewed down the middle of each strip too, just to help with the extra stretch. I thought it would help with the shifting if I sewed one way and then the other. So, if you look close you can see the pull of the stitching  from the "ditch" to the middles. So Fun I Tell Ya! (just FYI, sarcasm is part of my vocabulary) I turned the edges and sewed them down and I was done!  I washed it up and it is so soft and cozy!

For all of the trouble this quilt caused me, it actually came together pretty quick. There was a couple days in between for contemplating what I wanted to do, but the actual piecing and quilting only took 2 or 3 nights work. So, 6 hours, maybe? Not bad considering and it turned out pretty cute. 

I actually like this blanket now. Capri does too. I thought about giving it away, but I might keep it around for a while. 

Rocket Ship Rainbow.

This one went a completely different direction than I had planned. I started out wanting to find fabric to put a top on a cream colored fleece blanket I have lying around. What I found was 5 fat quarters in rainbow colors. I liked them so much that I went back to the store to find a back to match! I saw the rockets and it was perfect! As a bonus, Rome saw the rockets and was in love! (For me! Can I play with it? Please!) Awesome, rocket ships for Rome.

I cut out the sheet I was planning on using to the right size and picked out a general pattern. I cut the rectangles to 6x9's and 6x3's. Originally I laid it out like this first pic, and I liked it okay. The rainbow effect was cool, but when I went to put it on, I just didn't fit right. So, I changed it up. I figured out what I wanted, cut it all out and used the extra for the back. 

The back was supposed to be easy. It had other plans. I sewed my stripes very carefully to get the length I needed. I used the very few extras to make my 42" fabric into the 46" I wanted. Then, they didn't match up, either one of them. Arrgh! They were both at least an inch off. Don't freak out Jocie! Just work it out. Okay, so I cut an extra strip for both of them. I put one on both sides of the rainbow colors, and had to add another anyway. bleh. Finally I got them all to 46" and sewed the back together. At this point something in me decided that I needed to wash my fabric. Yes, I did a big "no no" and did not prewash my fabrics. Sorry Grandma! I was taught better I promise. So, I washed it, dried it, sewed the sheet on, turned it inside out, added the batting and saw the damage. Yea, the rainbow stripe is now a bit smaller than the rest of the quilt back. Lucky I spent so much time adding those extra inches huh. I got it as flat as I could, stitched it closed and edged it on all sides. Time to sew on the rest of the rainbow.  I washed the squares I had cut, trimmed the edges that frayed and checked out what I had left. The rectangles weren't quite square anymore and some were quite a bit smaller than they used to be. Special. That is what you get for not following the rules and prewashing your fabric. I put all my pieces on, glue sticked them down and decided to zig zag them on. (no pins, thank you!) I went down one side and came back the other and tried not to notice when it was very not straight, stretched and puckered. I kept reminding myself that this is for a 3 (almost 4) year old and  He Does Not Care. He probably doesn't care if there is a rainbow on the other side of the rockets at all. Or that a few of my large rectangles were already cut smaller and had to be sewed back together.  In the end it turned out okay.  I totally planned it that way you know. 

Awesome Rocket Ship Rainbow Quilt Finished.