A Little Selfish Sewing

These scrappy patchwork pot holders are just what I needed to make today... and nothing else!

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!

Sweet Baby Jane - A Sewing Machine Review

Today I am participating in the Sewing Machine Review Link-up hosted by Sew Mama Sew. I have been wanting to blog about my sewing machine since I purchased it a while back but never got around to it. This is the perfect chance to gush about my machine!


What Brand and Model do you have?
My machine is a Baby Lock Jane (A-Line Series, Model #BL500A)

How long have you had it?
I purchased my machine in 2012.

How much does that machine cost (Approx.)?
I paid a little over $1000 for my machine.


What types of things do you sew?
I am primarily a quilter, however, I also sew bags and purses, aprons and home accents (pillows, curtains, etc...).

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does your machine get?
I sew a LOT! Sometimes every day all day long, sometimes a few times a week.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Does she have a name?
I absolutely LOVE my machine! Her name is Sweet Baby Jane, of course!

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
I did a LOT of research before buying my machine. My last machine was a Baby Lock Grace that I used constantly for three years but it just could not keep up with the amount of sewing I did. I wanted a very simple, very powerful machine. I did not need decorative stitches but I DID need a wide throat space as I do a lot of quilting. Baby Jane has a 9" arm which makes quilting large quilts a breeze. Another feature that is just as important was the Feed Dog Adjustment knob. There are 4 heights to choose from with just the turn of the knob, so, so easy! This is a straight stitch machine and at 1500 stitches per minute, this baby is FAST! There are many other impressive features (hands-free presser foot, telescoping thread stand, quilting extension table, needle threader, thread cutter button, etc...).

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Surprisingly, no.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Yes! I really do love my machine. It's simple, strong, fast and easy to clean and oil.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Consider what style of sewing is to be done on the machine. I mostly quilt so I needed a fast machine with a wide throat and the ease of lowering the feed dogs. Someone who does a lot of decorative stitching and minimal quilting probably would not appreciate this machine.

Do you have a dream machine? 
Someday I might like to have an industrial Juki.

Do you have a great story about your machine?
While in a rush trying to finish a quilt for a client I sewed right through my finger with the needle breaking off IN MY FINGER. I never found the end of the needle so I am assuming it's still in there!

 I Love my Sweet Baby Jane!

Bug-A-Loo Quilt

Bug-A-Loo Quilt

Kid quilts are just so much fun to make! I love all the bright and happy colors. I created this quilt around the Bugs fabric by Jone Hallmark for Blend Fabrics. 

I like to mix fabrics up and not use just one collection for a quilt. I added various charm squares of Happy Go Lucky and a few fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors collection for a kaleidoscope of bold primary colors and geometrics. 

Backed with Kona White and a strip of matching patchwork. Measures 46" x 35".

A perfect size for the crib or as a take along naptime quilt for a toddler.

In the Shop and ready to ship to that special little one who loves all things "creepy-crawly"!

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!

For the Love of Anna! Jewel Box Quilt.

Jewel Box Quilt

Well, I'm sure it's no secret that I have a HUGE crush on all things Anna Maria Horner. Love, love, love that girl and everything she does!  I created a special quilt just for me a while ago using mostly her flannels and velveteens. So warm and cozy! The amazing thing about her fabrics is they commingle so easily, regardless of color or collection, in beautiful cohesive harmony (kind of how the world should work...).  

I wanted to build the quilt around the Little Folks Square Dance Voile so I fussy cut the small tiles and just began the random patchwork process. Many of these fabrics are from my scrap collection and working with them made me yearn (yes, I said yearn) for her older collections. Oh, what I would do for her Good Folks collection to be re released!!

I tend to prefer to use a solid border so the binding really stands out so I went with Bella Solid in Aqua and then Loulouthi Stockings for the binding.

The really luxurious element is the backing...wide sections of AMH flannel! Oh yes, warm, cozy flannel, mmmmm! I usually save my flannels for the smaller baby quilts but decided that this quilt needed a flannel backing, just because. Measures 40" x 57". A generous size quilt for the crib, a coverlet for a big girl bed or just thrown over the couch for an elegant lap quilt.

In the Mama Roux SHOP!

A Quilt for All Seasons

 

Another quilt finish for me! I created this eclectic quilt from the left over fabric I used to recover our  living room throw pillows. The large floral print was purchased at Joann's and the colors immediately caught my eye. They were so appealing and comforting. With the extra fabric plus lots of scraps from my huge "scrap collection" I pulled quite an assortment of different fabrics that wouldn't normally go together but really worked well when built around the multicolored inspiration fabric. The quilt reminds me of the old, country quilts from long ago. I'm sure all the Denyse Schmidt fabrics helped with the vintage vibe! I made it nice and large (60" x 65"), perfect to use as a quilt for the couch on chilly evenings.

A Scrappy Quilt Finish

I started this scrappy quilt back in March using lots and lots of Denyse Schmidt bits and pieces. I was able to finish the 30 scrappy blocks and that's as far as I got for quite a while until recently when I got everything out again and finished it up. I love the finished quilt and have been draping it over my lap while I do a little crochet in the evenings. The really enjoyed the paper piecing and plan to use this technique to create more quilts in the future. 

How many fabric lines can name? To the best of my knowledge, I believe I included these:

County Fair

Katie Jump Rope

Greenfield Hill

Flea Market Fancy

Hope Valley

Fancy Free

Daisy Mae

Sugar Creek

Winding Road

Picnic 

Fairground

Farm Stand 

But there could be a few I missed!

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.

Scrap-tastic!

What's a girl to do with an ever growing pile of Denyse Schmidt scraps? 

Start a scrappy quilt, that's what!

I love Denyse's Any Way You Slice It quilt and have seen many versions all over the web. I referenced several variations including this one, this one, and this one. Each one of these quilters used the design of the original quilt as an inspiration for their own technique. 

 For me, I decided to use a paper piecing method just to make sure I ended up with crisp lines and a good square block. I simply used plain copy paper and squared it up to 8.5" x 8.5" and used it as my template. Along with my pile of scraps I also cut fresh strips from existing yardage so I would have a good assortment.

I decided to limit my selections to mainly blues, greens and reds so the finished quilt wouldn't be too crazy looking. This quilt will most likely be a keeper but I have so many scraps I could easily make several more lap or baby sized quilts for the shop. 

These blocks go together very fast. I can't wait to put them all together in some random design. This is the kind of quilting I can relate to and I enjoy immensely, almost no measuring, matching points or lining up angles. No exact placement of blocks either, just do what your heart desires. I hope to have a finished quilt by the end of the week, fingers crossed!

Sugar Bean Quilt

I really was on a roll this weekend with my quilt making. I had several Domestic Bliss charm packs in my stash and it was time to get them out and put them to use. I wanted to keep them all together in the same project as they really work so well together, a nice balance of scale and color. I used the last of this vintage fabric for the boarder and the backing, plus a few bits of Kona Cotton. I quilted it in a straight-line grid design following the lines of the existing patchwork. This quilt reminds me of a big bowl of jelly beans, hence the name, Sugar Bean!

In the SHOP!