How Mama Got Her Groove Back

I was in a bit of a sewing slump. After over three years of having an Etsy shop with slow but steady sales I was not yet in the place I had hoped to be. I couldn't find my "Mojo", if you will. Through the years I attempted to try new (to me) quilting techniques and patterns, wanting to become an avid and respected quilter. My fabric stash became larger and larger but my sewing output was a bit stagnant. I finally realize some of my issues...I'm lazy and want instant gratification, right NOW! I just do not have the patience for following a quilt pattern with lots of small, precisely measured pieces in which one beautiful block takes a day to complete...ugh! I struggled to figure out a way to create quilts using my ever growing fabric stash that would inspire and excite my creativity. I had found I was more inclined to create random patchwork quilts, as this technique allows the freedom to use various sizes of fabric pieces in every which way, without the need for measuring. It is a wonderful way to use up those precious scraps. It was my go-to method. Then the other day I watched a video in which the instructor was explaining how to line up points in a traditional patchwork: Lay out your squares, sew into strips, iron seams in each row opposite of the next row, pin rows together at the seams by "nesting" or "locking"them together, sew rows together accordingly. Pretty simple...with some practice.



I started out slowly and then things started heating up from there. I began creating quilt tops in a matter of hours.  I wasn't creating the much beloved quilt block (although I do still love piecing together simple quilt blocks). I was just sewing beautiful fabric squares together, kind of a no-brainer. I was pulling out all my fabrics, creating fun combos and whipping them together in a flash. I wasn't worried that my traditional method wouldn't be worthy to be considered a modern application. The thing about Modern Quilting is that it is vast in it's definition:

From the Modern Quilt Guild web page ~

Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. "Modern traditionalism" or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.

I can totally relate to modern traditionalism in that I'm using a traditional design with bold, modern fabrics. Yay me!

So, for now I'm really liking this new/old (modern/traditional) way of using up many of my long neglected fabrics. As I see my stash dwindle and my Etsy shop expand I can feel oh so much better with buying even more bold, modern fabrics. Because that's what it's all about anyway...a reason to buy more fabric without the guilt, right?

You can find these new quilts in the shop!

Esmeralda Quilt

Is this not a bright and happy quilt? I started putting this quilt together a few months ago using Amy Butler's Jade Heirloom fabric from her Lark collection as my inspiration. I created several large sized blocks and then kinda sorta forgot about it. I pulled it back out a few days ago and decided to finish it up and I'm so glad I did. It was such fun gathering all the different colors of fabric, melon, tangerine, jade, red, blue and then randomly arranging them around my inspiration fabric into this snappy quilt.                                                                                                          

I had not decided on a binding until after I finished quilting it. With all of the red and green it  had a Christmas-y tone to it, which was definitely not intended! I tried many different colors of binding (orange, purple, gray) and then once I held up the pink geometric print by Dear Stella the whole quilt POPPED and any suggestion of Christmas was replaced with FUN & SASSY! Yeah!

Most of these fabrics are from my precious scrap collection and are now out of print.  I think my favorite prints have to be the Kaffe Fassett Brokade Floral prints. I have several yards of each the jade and red and use them very sparingly but luckily had some good sized scraps so I did not need to cut into any yardage.

The back is large patchwork using Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet, some Tina Givens and Bella Solid in Aqua. Measures 57" x 43". 

Perfect as a large quilt for the crib, as a coverlet for a twin bed or thrown over the couch for an elegant lap quilt.

It's in the SHOP and ready to ship!

A Quilt for Faith

Another commissioned quilt! This special quilt was completed back in December for my dear friend, Jennifer, to give to her future daughter-in-law, Faith.

Jennifer had ordered two large quilts a few years back for her children (see this post). Jennifer is wonderful and lets me create my own design using various fabrics with her color choices. 

This quilt pretty much represents most of my favorite designers; Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Sandi Henderson, Tina Givens, Heather Bailey, plus a few others thrown in for good measure. 

Sophisticated and romantic it measures aprox. 60" x 75" and as with the previous quilts I embroidered Faith's name and the year as an added touch.

 

Such a warm way to welcome a new member to the family! Thank you, as always, Jennifer.

Amaryllis, Baby Girl Quilt

Finished another quilt! This quilt was inspired by another one of my quilts, the Whirleygig Quilt. I just loved the fabrics in that quilt and wanted to use them to create something saturated with those warm colors. I chose to use a half square triangle technique to create a zig-zag chevron design, contrasting the greys with the warm reds, pinks and golds. It was a lot of piecing and lining up points but I think it turned out very pretty, indeed.

Most of the fabrics are from various lines by Denyse Schmidt but there is also Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Sandi Henderson and Lotta Jansdotter. The most special part of this quilt is the backing! My 90 year old mother-in-law graciously gave me some of her fabric from when she was a seamstress back in the day. I was delighted to find about 5 yards of this soft pale pink and white cotton fabric in the stash she gave me. My husband said it was probably at least 40 years old so I decided to give it a good hot wash and a tumble dry to see how it held up. It was gorgeous, soft and oh so pretty! 

I had originally planned to back it with the usual pink flannel, as soon as I got around to ordering it but then I was presented with a lovely vintage gift and it is perfect! I will be backing many more quilts with this fine fabric, thanks to Noni!

Amaryllis, Baby Girl Quilt. Measures 45" x 35. Perfect for a toddler bed or crib.

In the Mama Roux Shop!

I'm Back in the Saddle

Wow! It feels awesome to get back to sewing, blogging and just all things crafty and creative. I've freshened up the look of my blog and added a few things to my long neglected shop. I'm focusing mainly on Quilts, Knitting Needle Holders and Bags right now but may expand to Home Accents  (Dish Towels, Pillows, Valances, etc...) in the future.

Take a look at a few of my newest creations...quilting, oh how I've missed you!!

Central Park Quilt and Pillow Cover Set

Created with Kate Spain's Central Park as the main fabric and then I tossed in an assortment of designer voile, home dec and quilting cottons in purples, greens, golds and oranges. Backed with cozy Kaufman flannel in lavender.

Pooches & Pickups Quilt and Pillow Cover Set

I love the bold colors in Laurie Wisburn's fabrics and those little dogs are just so cute in the back of the pickups. Once I gathered the assorted fabrics I wanted to include I realized that most of them were from various Denyse Schmidt lines. Her blues were just the perfect shade so it gave this quilt a bit of a vintagy feel. The addition of County Fair canvas adds to the heft of the quilt. Backed with Kaufman sky blue flannel.

Fleur Violet Quilt and Pillow Set

How sweet and precious is this quilt and pillow set?  Perfect for a little princess! I used Paula Prass Botanica as the main fabric then surrounded it with lots of pinks, greens, lavenders and golds. Backed with Kaufman flannel in soft pink.

Cozy Zebra Quilt and Pillow Set

The focus of this quilt is Zebras!  The bright green background really makes those zebras pop! The fabric is from Pink Light Design, Menagerie line. Backed with Kaufman dotted flannel and bound with a wild zebra stripe, of course!

Strawberry Garden Stroller Quilt

October Afternoon, Fly a Kite charm squares, Sandi Henderson Meadowsweet and a few Denyse Schmidt tidbits thrown in create a precious quilt with a down-home county feel. Stroller sized, (39"x31") perfect for on the go, the bassinet or as an accent for the crib. Backed with Kaufman flannel in pale yellow and bound with some sassy Flea Market Fancy.

I hope you will stop by the Mama Roux shop to see even more of my most recent creations.
It's good to be back!

Whirleygig

I recently made a sweet baby girl quilt with my new Flea Market Fancy fabrics! I added an assortment of various fabrics from other lines to mix things up a bit.

I stayed with the grey/red/pink/peach colors and threw in some Anna, Amy, Sandi and more Denyse. Such a sweet quilt without being too sugary.

I used a cool grey and white polka dot for the binding and backed it with one solid piece of LouLouThi flannel, sooo soft and snuggly!

I quilted it in my favorite meandering design. Measures 31" x 41", perfect for the crib or on the go! In the shop!

Another Random Patchwork Quilt, Brandied Pear

I have an infatuation with Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet II fabric line. It shows up in many of my creations. I started a quilt about a year ago (blogged here) and then stashed it away and forgot about it. Thankfully, I organized my studio a few weeks ago and stumbled upon the "disappearing nine patch" blocks. Ok, I was not really wanting to work on a traditional "dnp" quilt (been there, done that) so I decided to create a random patchwork incorporating the existing squares. I LOVE how it turned out.

Brandied Pear

Random Patchwork Quilt

56" x 62"

I was able to use lots of fabric bits from my huge scrap stash. Look closely and you'll see lots of old favorites: Chocolate Lollipop. Midwest Modern, Belle, Lotus, Meadowsweet, Hope Valley, County Fair, Drawing Room, Good Folks, etc... and several new favorites, as well.

I was a bit unsure about what binding to use with this cheeky quilt. I considered a dark solid, a black and white checked, but then I pulled out my yard of Ty Pennington's Papercut in Chartreuse and it just popped against all the pinks. The bright white and bold chartreuse brings out the hint of green in the quilt and adds a bit of elegance. Perfect!

Brandied Pear, large Random Patchwork Quilt. This gorgeous quilt will brighten your day! Created with a wide variety of awesome designer fabrics in a random patchwork design. Backed with Kona Bone and more of the same fabrics. Bound with Ty Pennington's decorator weight Papercut in Chartruese. Batting is Cotton Warm and White. Machine quilted in my "random wave" design. Washed with mild soap and tumbled dry for that crinkly, soft touch. Measures 56" x 62". Perfect for adding a sassy touch to the couch, bedroom or as a twin bed coverlet in a little girls room!

In the Shop!

Forgotton Finds

I completely organized, cleaned and rearranged my studio over the weekend and boy was I surprised at some of the things I found. I came across several piles of quilt blocks I had worked on months and months (and months) ago with much enthusiasm and excitement at the time, only to be tossed in a drawer and forgotten about. Well, my enthusiasm and excitement came rushing back when I found this stack of "disappearing nine patch" blocks.

How gorgeous are these fabrics? I'm so enthused that I have hung a makeshift design board in my hallway to get these blocks arranged for a quilt top!

Back when Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet II came out I fell in love with all of the juicy shades and decided to mix in some Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks, Chocolate Lollipop and a dash of Amy Butler's Midwestern Modern.

I'm thinking I might sash these blocks with a very neutral fabric so the blocks really stand out, ...stay tuned!

The $10 Hip Pouch is Back in Town!

I first created this bargain Hip Pouch last summer and blogged about it here. I needed a quick seller for the street Market I was participating in. They sold very well at the Market and in my Mama Roux Shop, too. I use mine all the time, it's the perfect size to carry just a few necessities so that you're not weighed down. Well, folks, they're back in stock and they're STILL only $10...YIPPEE!!

Head on over to the Mama Roux shop and take a peek!

Sassy Satchels

I'm always coming up with new designs for bags. I create a design, whip up a couple of versions, post them to the shop and usually move on to something else. I should go back and recreate some of my more successful designs. They sold really well and were pretty stylin'. I'm even considering developing a pattern line...that could be very fun! Here are a coupla new satchels. These have two straps as opposed to the Pink Poodle Satchel, which has one. They all have a flat bottom so they stand on their own and are very roomy.

Park Avenue Satchel

Park Avenue Satchel. Medium sized satchel created with Jennifer Paganelli and Paula Prass designer fabrics. Elegant and vibrant, adorned with a vintagy faux diamond button. The exterior has heavy weight interfacing and one large back pocket. Lined with heavy cotton duck. One large interior pocket and a magnetic snap closure. Reinforced straps. Measures 16" x 5" wide at the bottom, 14" across the top with 26" straps. A very elegant handbag for everyday use!

Bijou Jade Satchel

Bijou Jade Satchel. Medium sized satchel created with Jennifer Paganelli, Anna Maria Horner and Sandi Henderson's designer fabrics. Elegant and vibrant, adorned with a vintage jade button. The exterior has heavy weight interfacing and one large back pocket. Lined with heavy cotton duck. One large interior pocket and a magnetic snap closure. Reinforced straps. Measures 16" x 5" wide at the bottom, 14" across the top with 26 " straps. A very sassy handbag for everyday use!

In the shop!