Mini Sewing Retreat At My House

On Saturday I hosted a mini sewing retreat at my house for myself and three friends. At first I wasn't sure we'd all fit, but it worked out fine.

We were scheduled to start anytime after 10. By the time we all arrived and quit gossiping catching up, it was nearly noon until we got started. Lunch was roasted red pepper soup - great for a chilly day.

K is working on a pillow case.

L had several projects on the go - she got the most done I think - amazing what happens when there aren't two little ones around.

One of L's many projects

C was tracing and cutting a suit for a body building competition

I made these

the top pair go with the low volume quilt (for a baby girl) and the bottom go with the knitted hat below (for a gender unknown) baby

I finished this quilt last week and gifted it to the parents (I work with both the mom and dad to be) on the weekend. They loved it (and the shoes too)

Here's a few close up shots

the quilting looks best on this, but the colour is awful

my helper

the whole idea

some of the back side

I also finished up this little hat this week - it's going to be gifted to the baby getting the elephant shoes. I work with the soon-to-be-first-time-mommy. She and her husband do not know the gender of the baby.

100% merino

The stripes came in this cute colour package

sunset by the lake

It's been a busy time around here. Spring break starts on Friday - I've got to get those drapes finished!

What I've Been Up To

I've been busy - it feels that way anyway.

I quilted the top I pieced last weekend. For a while it was called "the quilt of obligation" - now I really like it and I enjoyed making it. The baby shower is this weekend and I hope the parents love it.  I'll get some better shots over the weekend - if I lay it out to get good shots now my cat will roll all over it and I just washed it.

I finished these fingerless mittlets over the weekend. They are cashmere and yummy.  They are light pink - I'll get a better shot of those too - they look orange in this picture.

Finally here is my Dear Jane progress for this month.

All in all, I think I'm doing nicely.

I Pieced A Top Today

I'm pretty pleased with myself.  Here's my progress in pictures:

on the design wall this morning

starting to sew horizontal rows together

my cat wanted to sit in the sewing chair - so did I

horizontal rows in pairs

flower detail with bad lighting

fused down then free motion sewed around twice with a swirly centre

all done - my squares all line up - doesn't look like it here though

Design Wall Monday

It's Monday morning and I'm at home with a whole day to myself - we have Family Day here today so I've got the day off work.

Here's what my design wall looks like right now:

It's a low volume quilt with a few purple flowers - it's for a couple I work with who are expecting their first child together in May.

I need another flower or two I think - I've re-arranged them about 5 times and I'm likely not finished.  I have some small ones but took them out for this photo.

My goal is to finish piecing this quilt today - the shower is March 2 and I want it all finished by then.  I'll post my progress at the end of today.

Check out Patchworktimes to see what everyone else is up to.