Baby quilt #3...

OK, I was finally able to add the binding on the last of the Mountain Baby quilts. This one is a simple nine patch with zig zag quilting through each block.



Backing is again mine thrifty flannel sheet, which I used for a total of three quilts (it was a set twin size, flat and fitted sheet).



I have the address, and everything set up, so these quilts can be on their way to their new homes.


I also added a couple of receiving blankets. This time in girlie tones.


Something I started to work on last night.



The house is clean, laundry is in the wash, I am off to plow in the garden. We have a load of mushroom compost waiting in the trailer.

Enjoy your weekend!

Baby quilt #2...

Thanks to those who replied on ugly fabric use. (If you didn't or don't know what I am talking about, see previous post; any other ideas are more then welcome)
It seems that you mainly pass it on someone else. I just have to say :
Thank you because it thanks to people like you, that I was able to start quilting.

I am considering to post more about the projects that I made from various given, unwanted fabrics. For me it is more like a challenge to find a use for them. Would you be interested?

Well, let's take a look on the baby quilt #2:



Again, this quilt was one of those, made out of the given children fabrics. I don't have any kids, but I really enjoy making baby/ kids crafts. Many were gifts and now with mountain babies, I couldn't resist.
I also call this one a yellow quilt. I am really starting to like yellow lately.



The back is flannel that I bought about two years ago for something else, but decided to use it here.



I like the quilting on this one. You know, I tried and am trying to learn free motion quilting, but I get to a certain point and get very frustrated and need to leave for a while. This was the closest I could get with walking foot. Next time, I would sew the lines closer together.



Baby quilt # 3 is still missing the binding because I miss the correct thread color, but soon it will be fixed.

Baby quilt #1 & what to do with ugly fabrics...

I am going to post about this one again since something happened to the photo earlier, it somehow showed with weird colors.



Here is the exchange quilt all quilted and washed. It is as soft and crinkly as the first one in these colors.



Binding is again the funky star fabric and the backing that so many of you liked so much are again the same thrifty flannel sheets. I had enough for one more backing, so you'll see it again.

Now, how about those ugly fabrics.
I somehow became that person that inherits the fabrics from quilters that either are ready for some new fabrics or from families of pass quilters that don't know what to do with all that "treasure" , so they somehow find me. I am OK with that. Since I am student with limited budget that certainly helps to keep my creating on. It is sad sometimes to see the projects ( I found some real treasures...) that the crafter would hope will stay in the family for many many generations, bagged up in the pile of boxes to get rid off.
Well, so here is where I come in and gratefully take what is given to me and try to make the best out of it. It is the same with the this quilt and some of the quilts that will come. If fabrics are not really my style, and sometimes there is a lot of those I cut them up into strips and use them in scrap quilts.

An example: Well, purple star fabric is one of those I wouldn't normally use. I got that one from my friend Pat, she has been quilting for over 15 years and handed me the box of fabrics that she was tired of looking at. I 've used many many of Pat's fabrics in my quilts already and I still have a lot left.
You already seen it used above on the baby quilt for binding.
Look at the star fabric here, doesn't it add a little magic to the log cabin quilt (one of my WIP)?




I still have about fat quarter left. I am pretty sure it will find it's use.

How do you use fabrics you don't like? Do you throw them out? Do you give them to people like me? :)hehe
Do you have any ideas you would like to share?

PS: I understand that calling a fabric ugly is very subjective, but we all know about some, right?

Mountain Baby Blankets

I am not sure how many of you actually watched Diane Sawyer's Hidden America special on the Children of The Mountains in rural Eastern Kentucky last week. I didn't because we don't have TV (cable, anyway), but I am glad that some of you did. Rachel did watched and decided to help. I would like to join her and ask all who can to join as well.



Rachel contacted the CAP organization, that goes out into the community to care for many teen moms in Appalachian Kentucky. There is a great need for warm blankets there.

Specifically, they have requested:

* Receiving-size blankets
* Blankets for swaddling (flannel, for example)
* Crib size quilts and blankets
* Child/toddler size quilts and blankets
* Twin size quilts and blankets

Please, visit her blog and look for any additional information.

I will be posting some ideas and links for free simple and quick baby quilts. I have som much fabric that was handed down to me by others. For me this is a great way to use it up.
Here are some of the links for now:
Crazy Mom Quilts
Sew Mama Sew
All People Quilt
Quilts for Kids
Charity Quilts Patterns

Procrastinating.....

This is what happens when you need to study for another exam and work on two other projects that are not sewing related.
I picked up several thrifted t-shirts in the morning before work and in the evening I was already a manufacturer of these cute hats. They are super easy and quick to do. I had some problems with my machine, since I don't own serger, but I found out after a while that it all depends on type of jersey. Certain T-shirts are just fine others, well, not so much.


Most of them are done, I have couple more T-shirts in the wash an will finished them tonight.





Oh, and I also did most of the quilting on this one. Yes, last night as well. I am a very good procrastinator, can't you tell?
Have a nice day! I am off to study.

Mama to Mama

I suspect that most of you already heard about Mama to Mama project that Amanda launched yesterday. I was also overwhelmed by all the info that Meg provided in her yesterday's post (and there is more in comments).
I thought that I could share a few ideas how to spread the word or found resources and therefore create mor hats for Haiti babies.

1. Post about this on your blog, you can get the banner here.

2. Talk to your friends at the local quilt shop, your fabric shop.They tend to like participate in hese projects.

3. If you don't have any T-shirts suitable for cutting, there is always Salvation Army.

4. And if you feel overwhemed with all those projects on your list for Christmas and are afraid that you might run out of time (deadline is December 10th), relax and think about how long those tiny hats could actually take to make, probably not to long - one evening?

5. Post about hats you make, it might work as great inspiration for others.

If you have some other ideas to help to spread the word , please go ahead and leave a comment.