October 2018 in Review/Lusk Mini Quilt #1 (Monochromatic)

Carolyn Friedlander is the reason I can make paper pieced quilts. I took a class from her at QuiltCon 2015 and her way of explaining the technique was super helpful. When she announced her Mini Quilt Along this summer, I knew I wanted to participate, even if the heat and my pregnancy sapped me of energy. I only managed to make one mini quilt, based on the first prompt, which was “monochromatic.”  I pulled a bunch of purple scraps and made a few mini Sessom blocks from Carolyn’s Lusk mini quilt pattern. It was my only finished in October, but it was a satisfying finish. The finished mini quilt is about 12” by 12” and I love it. 

September 2018 in Review/Graduated Bars Quilt

In July and August, I was heavily pregnant and very uncomfortable. I machine sewed the binding on my Graduated Bars quilt on July 1, but didn’t finish hand sewing it on until September, after my baby was born. This quilt was made as a gift, and even though it’s very simple, it took several years from inspiration to completion. The middle panel is made out of several strips from a Kona Jelly Roll, along with strips of Kona Silver, if my memory is correct. I based the design of the quilt off of a sculpture I saw on Instagram. Sadly, I lost the inspiration photo when my phone failed, and I don’t remember the name of the sculptor. I’m really happy with the finished quilt, and hope the recipient is too.

June 2018 in Review

June was yet another good month for practical sewing. I made three In Color Order Lined Drawstring Bags, two pairs of Seamwork Kaye shorts, and an Odacier Runaway Bag. 

When I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I made a Lined Drawstring Bag to carry around all of my blood sugar testing equipment in. I used a narwhal fabric from my stash, as it made me happy. For Father’s Day gift wrapping, I made two Lined Drawstring Bags out of the Cotton + Steel Cleats Blue fabric by Melody Miller from her Kicks line. 

The Seamwork Kaye Shorts pattern uses very little fabric, so I pulled out my knit scraps and whipped up two more, one with my hacked maternity panel and one without. I wore them all summer long under maternity dresses. The one with the maternity panel was more comfortable, but the normal one worked well enough and I can still wear it postpartum.  

I saw the Runaway Bag pattern on Instagram and made one to hold my knitting in. The gusset construction is very clever and I want to make more to use as gift wrapping.