WIP Wednesday: disappearing nine patch

While I've made quilts for friends and family, I have yet to sew a patchwork quilt for my daughter.  I wanted to assemble something with lots of bright, vivid colors, and since I had yet to try a disappearing nine patch, I thought it would be fun to attempt.

At a recent and rare trip to JoAnn's I found these Denyse Schmidt coordinates and mixed them with some others to cut 4" squares.

I like to add a lot of white to all my quilts to give the eyes a rest from all the bright colors and patterns I tend to incorporate, so four of my nine patches were white in all the blocks I sewed together.

I used the navy polka dots for the centers of all my blocks so that I could use the same pattern in my final quilt top design.

Once the nine patch blocks were sewn together and pressed, it was easy to halve, then quarter them.

I used a variety of colors and prints for the four corners to mix it up.  I like that this technique allows one to create a variety of different layouts, depending on the colors and patterns used in the nine patches and how one decides to twist and turn the sewn blocks.

While I'm happy with how it's coming together, it seems I've hit a roadblock, and I'm just not sure where to go with it now.  I've considered adding more of the same blocks or some new ones, but I can't decide.  More red?  Less red?  Sometimes red overpowers all the other colors.

So on the floor it sits, much to the dismay of all who enter our dining room.

I'm hoping this WIP becomes a finish very soon.

sweet swap and my first mini quilt

I wish I had discovered Instagram sooner.  I didn't realize what I was missing all this time.

I am in awe of all the talent...from sewing to quilting to embroidery, DIY, home decor, cooking, photography.  There is endless inspiration.

Aside from that, it is an easy way to network with other crafting folks and to make new connections and friends with people who share a love for the creative lifestyle.

I recently signed up for two different swaps, which seem to be quite common on IG...bag swaps, quilt swaps, fruit- and birthday-themed swaps, even candy exchanges!  

The first was a mini quilt exchange hosted by Heather of The Sewing Loft.  This was my very first swap, as well as my first time making a mini quilt.  

I decided to make one with friendship blocks (or as my husband calls them, ninja throwing stars!), since I was making a new connection, and I attempted to use some of the colors my swap buddy had requested...pinks and greens.

All was going seemingly well until my walking foot busted in the midst of me quilting.  I was determined to carry on, despite the many puckers made from an angry walking foot along the way.

While far from perfect, it's made with so much love.  In the process I learned how to make a new quilting block and a new quilting friend.

I also discovered she loves Hot Tamales, so I decided to add those to her package, along with some other goodies.

I hope she enjoys it as much as I did making it and look forward to next year's swap and another challenge.

  

golden rippy delilah top

When Rachel from Golden Rippy put out a call for ladies to hop on her Delilah blog tour, I jumped at the chance.

This versatile top appealed to me because I'm a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl.  It looked like a cute and comfortable staple for fall that could easily be dressed up or down, depending on the fabric used and accessories added.  Furthermore, I've never sewn with knits and have never made an article of clothing for myself, so it was a welcome challenge.

I ordered a few different fabrics online; however, there was a delay in the shipment. In a panic, I ran to JoAnn Fabric last night with my husband and little one in tow and quickly grabbed 2 yards of a lightweight, gray knit.

Aside from the pattern cutting and taping, it took me about two hours total to snip and sew this top.  It is a great beginner pattern because it has just a few pieces to assemble and the sleeves are built in like a dolman, making it less daunting.  The instructions are easy to follow with illustrations included, and the sizes range from XXS-XL.  It allows for either short or half sleeves, as well as the option to add a flower or bow.  I opted for the shorter sleeves and omitted the embellishments to keep it simple.

I'm happy to say it lived up to the hype.  I'm still nursing my 9-month old and don't fit into many of my pre-pregnancy shirts.  This top is comfortable, forgiving and still allows me to feel put together.  I'm expecting my fabric order early next week, and cannot wait to stitch up a few more of these in different colors!

Want to try making one of your own?  Enter for your chance to win two of Rachel's patterns via the Rafflecopter.  Or you can purchase one in her shop; all patterns are on SALE until the blog tour ends on August 6th.

In the meantime,  check out all the other ladies who are sewing their own Delilahs in an attempt to inspire you some more:

Monday- July 28

A Vision To Remember Fabulous Home Sewn Amanda Rose   

Tuesday- July 29

FriendsStitchedTogether  Cozy Cape Cottage Gracious Threads    

Wednesday- July 30

GYCT Designs The Sewing Geek Sprouting JubeJube    

Thursday- July 31

My Taylor Made Mimi's Mom  Rebel & Malice 

Friday- Aug 1

Stitchwerx Designs Pienkel E-beth Designs   

Saturday- Aug 2

Growing Family Marmalade Forest Ali Cat & Co    

Sunday- Aug 3

Made by Sara  From a Box Crooked Whimsy  

Monday- Aug 4

Daisy Chain Creations Knot Sew Normal Lulu & Celeste   

Tuesday- Aug 5

Mae & K  The Crazy Tailor Blogs Like A Mother   

Wednesday- Aug 6

Bebe Lambs Create3.5 Lady and the Gents 

a picture post

As noted in my previous post, I have spent little time creating these days, hence some smaller, simpler projects.

Tea towels and onesies embellished with scrappy camera appliques...

My first time attempting a string quilt block out of scraps, which turned into four...

Pre-cuts assembled into a simple quilt top...

It's a start, right?