Harvest Cross Stitch Runner

 

I found it! It was mixed in with some old linens--mostly tea towels. Since my daughter, son-in-law and two adult grandkids will be here for Thanksgiving, I wanted to get it out and use it.

It's a printed panel bought to keep my hands busy when we were traveling. Cross stitch is not at the top of my hand work favs. It probably took me forever to finish and then I seldom get it out.



This next quilt was not made by me. However, I was the winner at the guild's mini quilt auction. Beautiful machine embroidery, applique and quilting.

May you have a bountiful Thanksgiving.

Marcy

Organized Sewing Machine Needles

 

A week ago on Quilting Arts, a guest showed how she organizes her machine needles. Perfect! I ran to my computer and designed an eight section sheet and labeled it with the needles I use most often on  my machine. If you are like me, we travel from one project to another with a need to change needles.

  

 

 

In MS Word I made a table--columns and rows. The lady on Quilting Arts had about this same chart, but hers was hand written. At the top of each column there's a number describing the needle size I use most often. You can customize this for your self. Perhaps machine embroiderers use a different type or size. It's printed on 8.5" x 11" fabric.

 

Then from Schmetz needle chart I cut out felt the color corresponding to the needle. I secured the swatches on the sewing machine--just across the top. See top photo.

 

Next I sandwiched with batting and backing then stitched in half going each way. The reason for the stitching is to make it easier to fold in half. See photos below.

 

Marcy

 

New Easy-to-Make Tea Cozy

Call it stash busting or whatever you want, but I call it divine. There's something about tea cozies besides their function. Needless to say, there are many in my closet. This one was so quick and easy that I'll probably make some for gifts.

It's a pattern from Connecting Threads one of my favorite places for fabric lately. Their patterns are well written with lots of pictures. You can't go wrong. If you need help, just email them with a question. The best part about this pattern is it was free.

It doesn't take much fabric. If you have a few fat quarters that work well together you are ready to go. It requires Insul Brite or batting. Nothing else--other than thread and your imagination.

Marcy

 

Chocolate Cupcake

Finished!

 

This was sew much fun. It's the Cupcake PP - block #1 in Sew Sweet QAL over at ShapeMoth's blog. There are four very sweet PP blocks and also PP lettering saying "Sew Sweet." I should have stayed with the designer's colors. But being a quilter, it needed to be chocolate. Maybe better browns would smooth it out. I just might make another--with pink frosting. I did machine trapunto and some heavy stippling around the cupcake to give it some depth.

You can better see the size when I set my mug next to it. That's the mug that holds the Hershey's chocolate kisses or M&Ms. Gotta have it.

It's time for me to print out her ice cream cones and get started on them. This time I'll follow her colors and be more please with my results.

Marcy