Elm Creek Quilts – Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler

I recently received a book  called ‘Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts’ by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Many of you have probably heard about the Elm Creek Quilts Novels, I’m not sure how I missed these, but there was a wedding sampler quilt made for Sylvia’s wedding to her beloved Andrew.  I was so intrigued about this quilt, and had read about it in a few places, so I decided to get the quilt book. (I know I never buy books!) hehe!

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

I think that this quilt is just beautiful!  It is made up of 140 blocks, 6″ each.  I decided that I am going to make this quilt, and I thought that it would be fun if others wanted to make it as well!  Here is a little information about the book (this really is not a book review!):

Index of Blocks #1

Index of Blocks #1

Here is a peek at the blocks, and another one here:

#2

#2

And here is a sneak peak at the directions for the blocks, which are listed in alphabetical order, and numbered by placement in the quilt by row and column:

Block Directions

Block Directions

Another Peek at the Directions

Another Peek at the Directions

The blocks are made with templates, paper pieced and appliqued.  I think that this would be a great way to learn some new techniques!

Patterns and Templates

Patterns and Templates

And here is a sample of some of the quilts that have been made in the past from the blocks in this book:

Gallery

Gallery 2

This is the original - I'm doing this one!

This is the original - I'm doing this one!

Assembly

Assembly

And here is the assembly directions and diagram. The book looks like it is easy to follow along.

I thought that this would be a fun project to make over a period of time (a long period of time!)  Just a few blocks a month. You don’t have to make the entire quilt, there are several in the book that are made of just a few different blocks, lots of color combinations, and varying quilt sizes.  It’s up to you!

If anyone would like to join in, let me know.  What I plan on doing is posting the blocks in my sidebar, or perhaps set up a page, showing my progress. If others would like to participate or join in, I can set up a flickr group so that everyone can show off their blocks, and add a list of blogs (or if you don’t have a blog or website, just your name) in my sidebar of everyone participating.

I hope you’ll join me, it’s always more fun to sew something like this as a group!

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your day!

Disappointments and New Beginnings

Well, I have to say that I am disappointed.

The pinwheel baby quilt that I have been working on for the baby shower at work just isn’t working out.  I have been having too many problems quilting it.  I guess that there are too many ‘firsts’ on this one for me.  (I started the list here, but thank goodness for you there is a delete button!)

Just being who I am, I can’t give someone a gift that I am not happy with.  I believe that the future is going to include removing stitches, and a lot of re-sewing! And the quilt will remain in the family (hehe!)

So life goes on!

Peter Rabbit!

Peter Rabbit!

I have this Peter Rabbit fabric that I have been waiting for the right moment to use, and some red gingham, and red ric rac and white eyelet.  I think that this has baby written all over it!  I have already started……

This is Where I’ve Been……

Pinwheels

It is huge!!!  And the baby shower is on Thursday!  Yikes!!

You know where I’ll be!

A Wonderful Giveaway to Share!

I want to share a special giveaway with you.  Debra, over at Wagonwife Designs is having her 1 year, 100th post blogiversary! I met Debra through the Sew Mama Sew fat quarter swap.  She was one of the wonderful people that I swapped with! She has been a frequent visitor here, and such a supportive and inspiring friend.

If you haven’t been over to Debra’s blog, you’re missing out.  She  does some beautiful handwork, (I think I drool every time I visit!).  She has been featured in Somerset Haute Handbags, and Somerset Weddings.  She also has a slideshow where you can view some of the wonderful projects that she has done.

Debra has made a special piece for her giveaway that I am sure you won’t want to miss! She will be drawing a winner on Tuesday, July 14.  So go over and congratulate Debra on her 100th post, and 1 year giveaway, and check out her artwork!

Thanks for your inspiration Debra!

Pinwheels!!

I absolutely love the pinwheels! I thought that I would share my progress.

Pinwheels

As you can see, someone else loves the pinwheels too!  Lots of help!

These have been so fun to make!  I’m addicted!  There are twenty blocks for this baby quilt.  Next, I will be adding white sashing between the blocks.  I’m thinking that at each corner I may add a square of the colored fabrics used in the pinwheels.

Pinwheels 2

Here’s a look at the fabrics from another angle. I’m thinking that there will be more of these in my future…..

Sew and So…..

I didn’t complete any of my WIP’s but I did make some progress.  I also got a couple of other things done.

Quilting the Sofa Throw

Quilting the Sofa Throw

I did the quilting on the Sofa Throw.  I  decided to do channel quilting because I thought that the plain lines would emphasis the rectangular blocks the best.  The blocks are so busy,  I didn’t want to make it look more so.  I also have the fabric cut for the binding.

And then I made this….

Feather Pillow

It’s plain and fairly simple, but it’s wonderful!!  The textured fabric is what makes it.  There wasn’t a need for any further decoration on it.  I have had this panel of textured fabric in my stash for many, many years.  I had been waiting for the right project to make.  Here’s a closer look at the fabric:

Texture on pillow

It is soft, and has a little stretch, but not much.  And it is a heavier weight than any knit would be.  I’m not sure what it is.  Anyhow, all I had to do was fold over the edge of one of the ends and sew it, and then overlap the back.  I had a feather/down pillow that I decided to remake for an insert in a sofa pillow, so I used that.  I added a couple of hidden snaps on the back to keep it closed, and there you have it!  It is so soft and plush.  Simple, but perfect for the den!  I love it (and so does my daughter, she’s trying to get me to make her one now!).

And next, I got started on the quilt for the baby shower at work.  The date was moved to July 16, so I should be able to get it completed by then.

1st six blocks

I have six blocks done.  They will measure 12″ square after the quilt is assembled.

Pinwheel fabrics

And I have all of the fabrics for the block cut.  I had drawn lines from corner to corner, down the back yesterday. When I went to sew them today, I realized that the lines had disappeared!  Apparently I used the disappearing marking pen!  So now I am just  marking a couple of them as I sew them.  The sashing is going to be white bleached muslin.  I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to hearing about your sewing adventures!

Thanks for stopping by!