a few stitches in time ..... or at least the last couple of weeks

Sew I have not posted much in the last couple of weeks but here is what I have been up to.
Some stitching for  a little girls birthday ..... for her dollie

the little dress from before with a hat and a tote.
accessories are important for a little girl's dollie

a little something for the beach
(beach towel and tote are made from a washcloth)

Both of these patterns the dress and the bathing suit I found on Craftsy. 

I then made another little item for the beach .......

Flip flops of course
one set glued and on set stitched.
I will wait to see how the test out for play.
and then refine them.

I then thought I would try a pillow case type dress for both the little girl and her dollie

After this stitching I then got busy with the quilt for our family reunion

it was a beautiful day sew I did my FMQ outside

quilting finished that day
and the binding by the end of the week
All ready to cuddle with 

Then I was getting busy with the post card swap that Sheila had organized  for the summer/beach / sun theme. I played with some sun sensitive dye ....more on that in a later post

just a hint of the postcard until it arrives

And lastly for a weeding shower this weekend I made this table runner and a couple of pot holders with the extra blocks

Well that's what the last couple of weeks were like in my sewing world. Next on my list of to do will be a couple of baby quilts and getting another signature quilt ready for this years family reunion.

I sew enjoy getting time with my machine and creating. Big or small I love to try it all. 

Thanks for stopping by and spending a little time with me. I hope you all have a great weekend. Ours looks a little wet right now , but that's okay we need some rain to get the crops growing.

In stitches

Annette

SSC Bra Design Class

Today was full of learning.
It was Bras Design changes day.
We learned the fundamentals in design changes on paper as well as on a 3D model.
There are sew many possibilities in designing a bra to suit your needs or desires. Some of the little changes on paper make huge changes in fabric. Here are a few of the steps we learned from our basic paper pattern

step one your pattern pieces

cut basic pattern out of a sew foam or light weight batting
to form a 3D form to draft on

cut on your drafted lines and then
make a paper pattern and then you
are ready to construct a sample cup

sample of a Diagonal seam cup
with a 3 pieced bottom cup and
a under wire inserted

Well there you have it in a nut shell of what we did today at Saskatchewan Stitches Conference.

There were sew many other great classes on the go today from garment sewing , quilting, spinning and of course bra making and a few more.
Tonight after meet the teacher I was told that the ladies were going to start making Pillow Case dresses to donate  to a case that one of the students came across........ sew on ladies 

That is all for me from the conference I only went to the two classes and wish I had signed up for a few more. This is a great place to get inspired and learn more as well as met new friends with the same passion as you. I am sure I will be back next year. 

If anyone is in the Humboldt area this summer stop in at the museum and check out the display of past projects as well as projects inspired from classes attened.

In Stitches

Annette

Sasskatchewan Stitches Conference 2015

Well it has begun .... that busy time over in Munster Sk at the abbey.
sew many stitchers in one place over May 28 to June 7 this year sewers quilters and knittersand do not forget the spinners and hookers..... rug hookers.
Our first night was to listen to a speaker on colors and knitting. The speaker was Brandon Mably from the London Studio where he works with Kaffe Fassett. Very interesting to listen to and afterwards you wished you had signed up for one of his classes as well...... those who did get in where very pleased with all they learned whether it was the knitting class or the quilt class.
 I took a class with a good friend this year, it was called the Brava Bag with Dianne Jannson. I was not sure that I needed another bag and then looked at my purse a while back and thought it is looking ready to retire so why not make one. And sew we did we both got our bags done and are using them already.
What do you think.

2 color choices and 2 very different looks

showing the back pocket

Today , Sunday is our day off. Sew with that we sewed. Susan finished her bag in the morning and I made this little dress.

a little doll dress

In the afternoon we started on some bras ...... that will be our class on Monday..... Bra Design changes.
This year I have only signed up for the 2 classes and I will surly miss the ladies when I go home after class tomorrow. One of my favorite teachers and a friend as well has headed back already. We did get a chance to chat a little but would have loved to have had the chance to catch up a little more. I will have to write or even give her a call and not wait until next year.
Last night the speaker was Liz from Janome , telling us of some the new machines. Tonight it was Dianne Jannson on quilting and Ron Collins on clothing construction and pattern choices.
It is great to get to met the teachers and find out what they are up to and make choices for next year.
Time to turn in as the alarm clock is set sew that we are not late for class.
Stay in stitches and I will tell more later
                Annette

one quilt starts another

I have my signature quilt done all but the label. Not bad for one that was started back in 2005 , that's when the signatures where captured. And with it at that point I thought about using some of the leftover fabrics from that and starting another. Sew I started cutting 5 inch squares and started to build 9 patch blocks and 30 units later I thought I had enough for a D9P  aka  a disappearing 9 patch block. And with a couple borders I have the top done and ready to pin baste as soon as I piece the backing. I will be using this quilt in our family reunion auction. I went with a scrappy look as I find those are the quilts that one tends to want to cuddle with and just plain use them. To have some consistency I used white on black and black on white as the center squares in the 9 patch.

And now a few days later it is pin basted and ready to quilt. it is about 74 x 92 inches almost a full queen size quilt. I love how it is turning out and I am sure it will be cuddled with by someone in my family. I hope they like it as much as I do.

I am all packed , sewing wise and just have to get my over night bag packed and I am off to the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference in Munster SK hosted by Haus of Stitches.
This year I am taking 2 classes one is called the Brava Bag and the other is a Design class for redesigning your bra pattern. Both completely different but should both be a lot of fun. I am taking them with a friend that had moved to Humboldt a few years back sew this will be a bit of a girls weekend :0)

Last weekend a very dear friend gave me this wonderful box of chocolates......

 but these chocolates have a different filling

who would not like to have
a few extra spools of thread
Thanks my dear friend

Well that's all for now I will try to let you know how the weekend is going .....
                  in stitches
                                     Annette

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to wish you all a Happy Mother's Day.
and a thank you to Mdm Samm for sharing this lovely card.
in stitches
Annette

some stitching that is long past due

Would you think a UFO of 10 years is a little past due. Well last week I took out the package tucked away safe and sound that I put together in 2005 after a family reunion. I had the family sign blocks of fabric and bought some fabrics to complete the quilt with and that is were it stayed. Last Monday I took it out and began to sew and design . I only had a simple block in mind and no real idea of how I was going to lay it out. Sew after a few days of sewing I now have it at the machine for quilting. I should have taken a few pictures along the way .... oh well I could not stop once I got going.

As I sewed along I did notice that there are a few of the names of family that are no longer with us, sew it was kind of  nice just to think of them as I sewed the blocks together.

Here it is .... what do you think sew far.....

at my machine

it is finishing 67 inches square

And a few other finishes  a FMQ challenge that I am way behind in

This is the January Challenge

Pillow back

Pillow front with a feathered heart

and another finished quilt

                                            and ready to go off to Victoria Quilts

 That's been that last week or sew  I almost forgot to link up with The Needle and Thread Network
stop by and see what everyone has been up to.

in stitches

Annette

another class wraps up

The ladies in the Pick a Block Place Mat class did a wonderful job. In 2 nights they got the 4 blocks made and one place mat ready to quilt. I did have one student that even had the chance to get 2 of her place mats quilted and ready to finish the binding by hand. It is always fun to see the different color combinations that arrive in class. I would love to show you but I forgot my camera at home :0(
Sew that class is a wrap, two more to go in May.
Have a great day and stay
  in stitches
      Annette

Quilt Truck in town!!!!

For three days only Monday to Wednesday the Rolling Ray of Sunshine Quilt Truck is  in Watrous
Open from 10 am to 6. located at the end of Main Street by the info booth. There is some parking there sew that you are not on the Highway.
Stop in for your sewing notions thread etc and of course fabrics.
Remember for 3 days only and one is half done already
in stitches

this week in stitches

As the week blows past us ( the wind helps here a lot for sure ) I am managing to get a few projects done or at least near done. Last week I finished the attic window and this week I have just the binding left on the quilt I call rock climbing .

before the quilting

 This one is made with a pattern I came up with that I call Candy Bars it will be going off to Victoria's Quilts when done. I did get one more block of my BOM done 7 to go. And I did a little baking too. ( opps I forgot to hit publish sew I am continuing from last week ;0)    )
And after a busy weekend I am hoping to get a start on this years FMQ challenge. Better late than never.It will be fun trying out new ideas and creating pillows at the same time. I will share the links as I get going on it.

at the show
an old favorite

There was a quilt show in Drake this past weekend hosted by Between Friends Quilt Guild. I have never been apart of a guild but may have to stop in on a meeting sometime to see what it is all about.I have been a guest speaker with the quilts / quilt tops from the McCalls Quilt Star Challenge in 2012.
Any way there were a lot of lovely quilts at the show and a lot of friendly faces ..... a few from back home and some from the area I live in now....... good visiting all around. And a wee bit of shopping with 3 vendors 2 inside and a traveling one in a semi .

a new twist on an old favorite
all straight seams ... squares and triangles

I have been working on some class ideas for the fall and winter, I have come up with 12 different ideas and just have to fine tune them and maybe reduce the numbers a little and get that all to the college.

a few posies to brighten our weekend

Well now it is time to see what I can get done this week
Stay
      in stitches
            Annette

In the Mail today

Well with the Spring Post Card Swap our cards have both arrived one day apart
Here is the one from Raewyn in New Zealand

what a cute little birdie after it's lunch in the spring........
I am sure we'll see this after our first spring rain

I am not sure if you can see all her lovely stitching on the card ..... it is just perfect for spring Thanks again Raewyn and Sheila of course for hosting the swap.

And this is the one I sent to her

Here in Canada we have a special stamp out ... a fabric stamp for the anniversary of the Canadian Flag. It is a $5,  which works well for the overseas postage.

see you at the next swap 

not sure what it will be 

but I am sure it will be another

fun theme

in stitches

Annette

still snowing .... still sewing

With all the snow happening I am glad that I love to sew and I have been teaching some  classes to share that love.
Here are a few samples of the T-shirt blocks that will become quilts.

I have put a few things together in the last couple of days
a couple of tote/shopping bags. Both from the same amount of fabric  just a different shape and handle style.

an idea for another class ...... no Y seams. This one is a perfect size for a baby quilt.

samples for my next class Pick a Block Place Mats..... the first one is ready to machine quilt. I had hand quilted the first samples.

my quick reference cards

I do find that I learn a little more about teaching from my students and try to improve with each class. This is coming from a gal that hates to talk in front of any size of group. But when it comes to sewing I seam to do a little better. I thank my students for their patients as well, sharing their joy of learning and conversation and of course energy ( I am always recharged after teaching a class )

Here is a little something that Hubby and I make ..... portable pressing surfaces, with a handy handle on the backside.
in my last class they all had them....and loved being able to have their work areas all together

I will be linking up with The Needle and Thread Network  . It's been a while since I have linked up This is a great spot to see what ladies around Canada have been up to.
Now to go and enjoy a nice cup of cocoa.
Thanks for stopping by
in stitches
Annette

Happy Easter

Spring is here even though we have a bit of snow hanging around
I want to wish you all  a Happy Easter
enjoy all your blessings

in stitches
Annette

Spring cleaning ..... well sort of

Well this spring I have decided to try and not start too many new projects without getting some past projects finished. I am going to grab what ever project is out and deal with it and then grab the next one.
Sew last weekend I put together the spiderweb blocks from one of the classes I taught. Last night I machine quilted it and it is ready for binding.

Next I grabbed the BOM that I started last year. I had 8 blocks done now I have 12 and only 8 to go. Slowly but surely I will get this quilt done as well.

Today I would like to get a few more blocks made for the T-shirt quilt class. I cuddle up with Tees class started last week, delayed a couple of days due to the weather. The ladies are going to have some great quilts. I have 4 ladies taking the class and every one of the quilts will be so different.
One lady is making a special block for a grad quilt. Another is making a memory type quilt with tees from her daughter's collection from hockey and university. Then there is the one with John Deere tees and fabrics and we have talked about adding some  photos onto the tees to fill some empty spots. And the last one is all Rock concert tees...... what great graphics I think it will be a well loved quilt...... they all will be . I hope to get a few pictures next week to share.

And now for a little touch of spring......

love those bright little posies 

And for new projects I did get 2 aprons made for a friend for her girls


Sew that just about wraps up this past week and looking at the calendar the month of  March  as well. Sew that's the start of my spring cleaning ... project wise any way.
Have a great week and happy stitching
in stitches
Annette