My Feather Bed Quilt

   

Last August I had the pleasure of taking a class with Anna Maria Horner. In her class, we learned to piece together the beautiful feather block she designed for the Feather Bed Quilt pattern.

It has taken me 8 months to complete my quilt but it has been worth the slow pace! I chose to make a twin-size quilt with 38 feathers. Anna was helpful in the color selection for the background of the feathers. Instead of choosing one color, there are three different colors: blue, gray, and silver. The feathers are mostly made using Anna's fabric line Field Study.

Once all 38 feathers were made, then I had the difficult task of deciding how to lay them out! Oh, that was hard and took me many days to come to a decision. I tried many variations and then finally decided to pair up the feathers by background color in a repetitive order: 2 by 2 by 2, row by row from top to bottom. The feathers that are pointing down are the ones with a solid print on one side.

The layout on the bottom left was the winner.

BACK OF THE QUILT: I didn't think much about the design for the back of the feather quilt until I completed the front. I knew I would have to be inspired. Once I got to this step, it also took lots of thinking, dreaming, and looking at fabrics. I intended to use Anna's Field Study fabric but one day I came across Canyon Stripe in New Day from the Hope Valley fabric collection by Denyse Schmidt and I knew it was meant for my feather quilt!

I paired it up with a navy blue Kona cotton but I felt they needed something more. I added a long strip of pieced scraps from the feather blocks to separate the Canyon Stripe fabric from the navy blue Kona. This gave me the opportunity to use up lots of scraps and also play with create-as-you-go piecing.

QUILTING: I thought about the quilting design throughout the whole process of making this quilt. The idea that kept popping into my brain was that whatever design I chose it would have to be straight lines, not curves. I thought I would use a long arm machine and I even took a basic class to learn how to use one. That idea didn't last long because I wouldn't be able to quilt straight lines. I almost settled on hand quilting but once I realized it might take me days or weeks to complete, I didn't do it. Finally, I decided on "arrows" because I felt that it was manageable on my home machine. The arrows basically are angled lines that meet in the center of the quilt and point towards the top. I am thrilled with the design and the final look!

(Look closely to see the quilt lines.)

BINDING: The binding is a dark gray Kona. I chose this color to add some definition and frame the quilt.

And, here it is. . . my finished Feather Bed Quilt!
I love it!

(Believe it or not, this was the weather on May 1, 2013!)

So, how will I use this quilt or who will I give it to? Initially, this quilt was one of two I would be making for my boys. Well, this one took me so long that I didn't think I would try making a second quilt. However, now that it has been placed on one twin bed and I was given a great big THANK YOU by my son, I think I will make a second quilt after all! Thankfully the other boy sleeps in a toddler bed. I have some time. . .

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This is Fun! (Me-Made-May '13)

Day 1: Infinity Scarf              Day 2: A-line Skirt

      

Yesterday I wrote about Me-Made-May '13--a handmade garment/wardrobe challenge. Wow! What a change in perspective in just 2 days (both in my opinion of MMM13 and the handmade clothes I have made)! Initially, my thoughts about MMM13 were that I would be making clothes all month long; that seemed stressful and overwhelming. In reality, it's about wearing handmade clothes all month long--anything you've made in the past or made this month. I'm excited to dig into my closet and find those pieces that I made long ago but have been forgotten.

I'm also getting started on sewing a blouse for week one. One step at a time is my motto!

I will be posting pictures of my own MMM13 journey on my Flickr if you want to see what I've made and what I'm wearing. Stop by!

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My Pledge for Me-Made-May '13

I learned about the Me-Made-May '13 from sweet Caitlin of Sparrows & Spools. MMM'13 is a challenge to those who make their own garments to actually wear what they make! You pledge to wear something you have handmade every day of May. You can change up the pledge if needed but the point is to focus on wearing the things that you make (sew, knit, crochet, repurpose, etc).

Without a goal, it's hard to set a challenge. So, my goal is to add some pretty garments to my wardrobe because I think I have too many casual and comfortable garments. I would like to make some blouses and dresses for myself. The MMM'13 challenge will be a good start.

My pledge:
I, Claudia of Dia's Days, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a handmade garment or accessory 2 to 3 times a week and sew one garment each week of May 2013!

Are you in? What is your pledge?

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Painted Portrait Dresses (x2), my review

I have made two Painted Portrait Dresses and I really like them!

I made one last October for my trip to New York City.
(Fabric: Free Spirit Fabric, by Jay McCarroll, Center City in Downtown)

And I made one last month (March).

(Fabric: Art Gallery Fabrics, by Pat Bravo, Carnaby Street - Ladylike Black Tea)

Pattern: Painted Portrait Blouse & Dress by Anna Maria Horner
Fabric: info is listed with my photos above (Note: I think this dress looks best with lightweight cotton, voile, or rayon. The drape is nicer with lighter weight fabrics, in my opinion.)
Level: Intermediate
Skill(s): straight stitching, lined yoke/bodice, gathering, simple bias tape-making and attaching, bias tape hem, hand sewing
Fit: XS-XL. I would say it runs true to size, but check out the finished garment dimensions on the pattern cover to make sure. 

This pattern gives you a few choices: make a dress or a blouse, make it with sleeves or without, with pockets or not. As you can see, I chose sleeveless dresses without pockets. I like the sleeveless version because I can wear it in warm weather. If it gets chilly, I can add a cardigan. It's comfortable to wear and I like the fitted bodice with an empire waistline.

I enjoyed figuring out how this dress comes together. The instructions are well-written and make sense. If your sewing skills are "beginner", give this dress a try but take your time. Read through the pattern cover because it has helpful information and definitions. As with all of my pattern reviews, I have a + and - section where I talk about what was good for me with sewing a pattern and also what was not so good. Find +/- at the end of this post.

Each of these dresses has a hem that is slightly different than what is instructed.
The hem on the October dress is done with store bought bias tape that shows on the outside of the dress. (The instructions suggest you wrap the bias tape to the inside so it isn't visible.) I wraped it to the outside because I wanted to define the bottom edge of the busy Jay McCarroll print.

The hem on the March dress is done following the instructions of the pattern except with a fun twist. I didn't make bias tape for the hem because I didn't purchase enough fabric for it. Lesson learned here, read the fabric requirements thoroughly when you're buying fabric!!! So, rather than have this dress become an unfinished project, I used the scraps from the dress pieces. The selvage scraps, that is. I could have used pre-made bias tape from my stash but I liked the selvage idea better. It's not bias cut but it still works and now I'll always know which fabric I used.

+/-
Good:
+I like the design of this dress--yoke and side panels.
+I enjoyed constructing the yoke.
+Bias tape is a great way to finish a hem and armholes.
+The short length of gathers in the front and back are sweet.

Not so good:

-I did have some difficulty in lining up the side panel to the yoke. The top of the side panel folds over if you match the notches as instructed. This happened with both of the dresses. My "fix" was to lower the side panel until it fit nicely inside the yoke. These pictures show you the difference.

Here's a shot of what the Painted Portrait Dress looks like on.

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The Great British Sewing Bee!

Wow! The Great British Sewing Bee! Have you seen this show? It is sew much fun!

I was so intrigued by the buzz about this show a couple of weeks ago and couldn't wait to watch it. It is a BBC programme which means we can't watch in here in the USA, but you can find it on YouTube!!! Only two episodes have aired so far (out of 4) which means you still have time to get all caught up. Go find it!

I'm really into it probably because I would love to participate in a sewing bee just like this one! What I like best about it is that it is a competition among home sewers. The challenges are realistic and run at a good pace (at least compared to the pace of American TV shows). There is a pattern challenge, a quick 60 minute alteration, and construction of a garment fitted to a real live person. There are also tips and tricks explained throughout the show with great visuals. There is a quick how-to for the home segment so that you can try your hand at sewing too!

All of the sewers are fun and they all have their own special approach and uniqueness to the projects they make.

The judges are May Martin and Patrick Grant and the host is Claudia Winkleman (great name, yes!).

(source)

A book that accompanies the TV show has been published and is available as well! Here's part of the book description: "Includes a number of designs from the TV series, technical know-how and insider sewing tips from the judges, this book will help the beginner achieve professional results." Isn't that what we're all looking for when we sew! I wonder if it's available in the USA or what the cost will be to get it shipped here?

Oh, I almost forgot to talk abou the sewing machines used on GBSB! They are the same machines that we use at Fancy Tiger for sewing instruction! These sewing machines are made by Janome and are hardworking, easy to use, and durable. The model is the Sewist 500 (the older model has gray accents, the newer green). If you are looking for a "good" machine, I highly recommend this one. It isn't computerized but it does make quality stitches, has a metal bobbin hook, and offers a nice variety of stitch options at a reasonable price. If you want to learn more about sewing machines, read my blog post entitled "Let's Start with Sewing Machines".

I encourage you to go watch The Great British Sewing Bee if sewing interests you (newbie or not) or if you just like to watch creative and skillful minds at work. AND, if you're interested in getting together to sew (and live in Denver), just let me know! We can start a sewing circle*!

*I was part of a sewing circle with friends for a couple of years but we haven't met for a while. I think it's time to get started again!

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Favorite Things: NAKED GOAT FARM

Here is one of my favorite skin product businesses. . . Naked Goat Farm!

Naked Goat Farm is a family business based in Colorado. They grow and make what they sell right on their farm!

I came across Naked Goat Farm at Holiday Handmade where I bought the Whipped Body Butter (in Spa Blend and Chamomile/Calendula) and the Grapeseed Extract Face & Eye Cream.

I really like the whipped body butter because it's moisturizing without being too greasy and the scent is just right--not too strong and overpowering. It keeps my hands moisturized without the need to continually reapply. The facial cream is wonderful especially in the dry Colorado climate! It's also very moisturizing without being too oily so it doesn't make your face shiny. With my last order, I received a sample of the Antiseptic Tea Tree & Eucalyptus Soap and I love it! Typically, I'm hesitant to use a bar of soap for cleansing my face but this soap is wonderful. It cleans my face without stripping it of moisture; in fact, I think it adds moisture. It's also great for "problem" skin.

I think you'll like Naked Goat Farm products as much as I do! I hope you give them a try and take advantage of their special discount offered to friends of Dia's Days (see below and on the sidebar)! I'm looking forward to trying more of their bath products as well as their jellies and jams!

Some information about Naked Goat Farm:
LOCATION: Their products are made on their farm in Elbert, Colorado (a town south of Denver). You can purchase their products ONLINE or at upcoming farmers markets.
-Cherry Creek Farmers Market on Saturdays from May through October
-Parker Farmers Market on Sunday's 8-1 from May through October

BUSINESS NAME: Are you curious about the name? I sure was so I asked the owner about it and here is the story: "A lady asked me a few years ago to maker her a goat milk soap with no smell or anything else added. I called it naked goat soap. We had a different, less catchy name at the time and I thought it would be a great idea to change our name to Naked Goat Farm. It really describes what we do because everything we make is "naked"--no synthetic preservatives, additives, colors, or GMO's."

PRODUCTS:
Jam & Jelly
Soap
Lotions, Salves, Balms
Facial Care
Hair Care
Men's Shaving
Salts & Scrubs
Accessories
Baby

SPECIAL DIA'S DAYS DEAL: 10% off your total purchase when you use the code "nakedgoatfarm" at checkout.

This deal is valid through September 1, 2013!

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Super Spring Sale at Craftsy!

You can't miss this Super Spring Sale! 

ALL Craftsy classes are priced between $9.99 and $24.99. 

That's up to 75% off original prices! This deal is only good today so go 

sign up for a class before the day is over and the sale is gone!

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