In the Mail

Wrapping up the week by ticking things off the to-do is always a good feeling.

We are gearing up for a busy next couple of weeks-- a birthday, a vacation, girls camp, and hopefully a visit from some out-of-towners are all on the horizon.

In an effort to be organized, I finished up this little beauty for my friend and her new baby, Rosie.

I love that the vintage pillowcase I had has roses on it! So appropriate.

After washing it up and fluffing it in the dryer, I love how cozy it turned out.

The vintage pillowcases and linen are so soft.

 Now, to just get this postage stamp quilt off in the mail and I can move on to the next project!

Postage Stamp Pillowcase Quilt

Ever since I read Oh, Fransson's! tutorial on postage stamp quilting, I wanted to give it a try.

I have also been collecting vintage pillowcases for awhile and wanted to use them in a worthy project.  My sweet friend just had her second baby girl and the thought of a feminine-postage stamp-vintagey quilt seemed truly appropriate.

Even though it's not completely finished, here's my progress so far.  The top is mostly made, just needs a border.  The squares ended up being 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" finished.

For my first try at Oh Fransson's! method, I really liked it.  Perfectly lined up corners and seams with out much effort is really gratifying!  There are some things I will do differently next time-- and I'm already planning a next time... thinking my Moda Punctuation jelly roll would look especially nice.

One thing I would do differently is to make a slightly larger seam allowance (a little more than 1/4").  That way it will be easier to make the seams lay flat.  There is a lot of bulk to press open.

Second thing would be to lay out the squares on the interfacing on a solid color surface.  It was hard to see the interfacing's pre-printed grid lines on my ironing board.

I've been having trouble with my iron.  The pesky thing!  Even though I use distilled water, it has been bleeding discolored water on my fabric.  I can't seem to find an iron that really works well.  I'll have to do some serious stain treatments to get all the spots out of this mostly white quilt before I gift it.

Any suggestions?

I'm excited to get this finished and on its way!

Baby Elephants Blanket

Another precious grand daughter is on her way! Due April 4.

With mama on modified bed rest, I have been helping with the toddlers at in the family and caring for my daughter in law. This has cut into my sewing time and as a result I was up past 2 a.m. finishing this quilt for the baby shower this morning!

The nursery colors will be pink and grey. I fell in love with these elephants when Becca and I were shopping in the fashion district in L.A. last month. D.S quilting fabrics make up most of the rest of it.

It is backed with white flannel and the batting is a thin cotton/soy blend. I am still new to quilting so don't look too close!!