Category Archives: patterns

New Purse Pattern

Posted on January 24, 2010 by ginabean • 2 Comments
If you haven’t seen them, Pat Bravo has come out with some new purse patterns. I ordered one a couple of weeks ago and this weekend I got to put one together. This is the Verona pattern. I think her patterns are great. They were easy to follow, and she really spells every step out, so it is a perfect pattern for beginners.

I haven’t made any progress in getting the 9-patch I made at the first of the year and the Love quilt quilted. I did get the borders put on the Love quilt, but I was lazy about getting a picture of it. Finally, today I got my husband to hold it up for me. The lighting in the basement doesn’t do much for the quilt.(It’s been raining all day here, so I couldn’t take my usual outside pictures.) I’m not loving the border fabric I choose, but it is what it is, I guess. I wish I had used fabric with more of the aqua color in it instead. That’s what happens when you don’t take your quilt with you to the fabric store to pick out borders. Maybe this week I will get at least one of these quilts done. (Not making any promises, though. I’ve been kind of lazy lately.) I have several projects on my “to do” list besides the 2 quilts. I would like to make a couple of gumdrop pillows for the living room. I also got fabric in December to make some pajamas and I would like to get those done, too. I am always thinking about the next quilt to start, of course. I have a couple that were started last year and never finished. I should be a good girl and get those finished before I start another. (In a perfect world.) My great, great Aunt called yesterday. She received the quilt I made her in the mail and she was so excited. I could tell how much she appreciated it and that made my day! It makes you feel good when you can tell someone really enjoys getting a “handmade gift”. (Not everyone does.) Let’s see, what else… Oh, I have really been working hard on my applique quilt. It has only taken a solid year +, but I finally got the main part put together. Yes, I said year. Don’t judge. Now I have to work on the border, which in theory sound simple. Like, “yeah, I just have the border left and I’m finished.” But not THIS border. I’m pretty sure it will take me another year just to do the appliqued border. Ahhh… applique. What was I thinking? I let a friend borrow it, so as soon as I get it back, I’ll post some pictures of it so you can all be amazed at my awesomeness. (hee, hee)
And finally, I just have one thing left to say, “Brett” .
Filed Under: fabric, patterns, purses, quilts, sewing

A Little Weekend Sewing

Posted on January 16, 2010 by ginabean • 6 Comments

Remember all those 2.5″ strips of Love I cut up last week? Well, I got them sewn together today. Yeah!! I also picked up the border fabric today, soooo… maybe tomorrow I can get them put on. I am using the same pattern I used to make this quilt. Three borders, yikes. My hubbers says it is a “crazy” looking quilt, but I’m kinda crushin’ on it. All the bright colors make me happy. This is totally random, but I am watching a movie as I’m posting this with John Cusack in it. Why is John Cusack just so darn cute? Love him.
Filed Under: fabric, patterns, quilts, sewing

Love, Baby Girls and Super Boys

Posted on January 8, 2010 by ginabean • 5 Comments
Love, as in Amy Butler’s new fabric line. I picked some up at Karen Gray Design and I’m ready to get started making something with it.
I got it all cut out.

And now all of my 2.5″ strips are sitting there, waiting for me to make them into something.
Super boys, as in my super boy! He has really done so good this week sleeping in his bed all by himself. The first couple of days were rough, but he is doing great now. He gets to go to a friend’s birthday party on Sunday. I never know what to get kids, even though I have one. I stand in the aisle at the toy store and just stare. I decided that I was just going to make something, so I made his friend a superhero cape using this pattern and a matching t-shirt.
As a bonus, Fletcher got one too.

And these are my baby girls, Remmy and Skeet. Such cuties!

Filed Under: fabric, family, patterns, sewing

2010

Posted on January 3, 2010 by ginabean • 4 Comments
A new year always means many things. For me it is a time to review the year that is over and think about the things I want to do and achieve in the new year. I have already made big plans for this year and my only hope is that this year doesn’t go by as fast as last year seemed to.
With Christmas over and the decorations taken down, I was able to fit in a little quilting time. Last night the final stitches were made on my first quilt top of 2010. I used the new Hope Valley fabric and this pattern from the Moda Bake Shop. I can’t wait to get it on the quilting frame. I have lots of new projects planned, but I want to also concentrate on getting many of the things I started in 09 completed. I mean, it is seriously sad the amount of things I have started and not completed. (I choose to blame it on what I feel is the nature of creative people to suffer from a crafting form of A.D.D.) I hope everyone has a great year and many happy days of sewing.
Filed Under: fabric, patterns, quilts

I Heart Handmade

Posted on December 23, 2009 by ginabean • 2 Comments
It’s gifting time and I love making handmade gifts. I have two special friends that got these.
A cover for their featherweights…

and labels.
The pattern for the sewing machine cover came from a new book, I Heart Patchwork. It is worth every penny. It has some beautiful projects in it. Mine is full of pages marked with post-its of things I want to make.

And I have a cute little niece that is going to get a little puppy made from Heather Bailey’s new Nicey Jane fabric. I know a cute little boy that wants one now, too.

Filed Under: patterns, sewing

I’m Over It

Posted on September 23, 2009 by ginabean • 3 Comments
So yesterday was bananas and I had a little micro meltdown, but today I’m over it and back on track. I have accomplished a lot of sewing in the last week or two, but I have not had time to post about it. This is a “mini Marlo” I made for my friends little neighbor. Isn’t it cute! It’s the Marlo Bloom pattern reduced about 20% and it is the perfect size for a little girl. I have also completed the Wonky Star quilt that I was making for Fletcher and as soon as I take photos of it, I’ll get it posted for you all to see. Also, I haven’t forgotten about the sewing caddy tutorial, but I have not had time to put one together. As soon as I get a chance, I will. I put some notes together about it, but heck if I can find what I did with them. (It might just be later than sooner.)
Filed Under: patterns, purses, sewing

A Little Weekend Sewing

Posted on July 19, 2009 by ginabean • 1 Comment
This weekend was busy as usual. I finished an order from a customer for these hats. She and her two sisters are going to the beach and she wanted these hats made for the three of them. I made them using Amy Butler’s Big Sky Hat pattern. They turned out really cute. I might have to make one for myself.

Filed Under: patterns, sewing

The Pinwheel Quilt is Done!

Posted on July 10, 2009 by ginabean • 5 Comments
I got the last stitch put on the binding last night and I got it all washed and dried before I went to bed. I am so please with how this quilt turned out. I used Heather Bailey’s Freshcut fabrics and the pattern, Tessellation from Sandy Klop’s Quilts for All Seasons book. The book is very good. Her patterns are easy to follow and it has several good quilts in it. I have an American Jane Recess jelly roll and I think I am going to make my next quilt using that. I made one out of her Wee Play jelly roll and it is my favorite. I just need to decide which kind of quilt to make. Decisions, decisions. What I really should do is work on my spiderweb quilt and get some blocks done on that before I start another quilt. And work on the Dresden quilt before I start another one. It is just so fun to start a quilt. My friend is making this quilt and I want to make it too. (Focus Gina, Focus.) It is amazing to me that I get any quilts done at all. Everyone around me continually inspires me with their quilts and I want to make them ALL. I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys a little sewing time.
Filed Under: fabric, patterns, quilts, sewing

Bow Tuck Tote

Posted on June 26, 2009 by ginabean • 2 Comments

This week I taught a class on making the Bow Tuck Tote designed by Penny Sturges. It is a really great purse with lots of pockets. The ladies in the class did such a good job and all of their totes turned out perfect. I know they are happy with them. I wish that I had taken my camera to get shots of them all to show you. They all picked very different fabrics and each one turned out great. If it was a little bigger, this pattern would make a perfect diaper bag.

I got the Baxter Quilt quilted yesterday and put the binding on today. Quilting on my new machine went really well. By the way, some of you asked what kind I got, it is a Handi Quilter 16. I have to hand tack the binding down this weekend and then it will be finished. Ready to go to my sister-in-law who comes to visit this week for the Fourth. I’ll post pictures of the finished quilt on Monday. I’m ready to get the next quilt on the frame and try it again. I have a lap size Daisy Chain that I am going to do next for a friend of mine. Hopefully, I’ll get the pinwheel completely pieced soon and can get that quilted. Keep cool and have a great weekend! – Gina
Filed Under: patterns, purses, sewing

Is it Wednesday Already?

Posted on June 10, 2009 by ginabean • 2 Comments

Is it me, or do the days just seem to fly by? Well, it seems a little late in the week to talk about my weekend, but me and the fellas did get to spend Sunday on the lake. It was great, the weather was perfect and we had good company,as well. Some friends joined us for the day and we really enjoyed having them along. They were able to rest and so did Fletcher and I. We all took nice naps while out rocking away on the water. How relaxing! I was going to take some applique to work on while cruising on the boat, but at the last minute I decided to leave it at home. I have been sewing so much lately, I really need to devote the day to my family and friends and that is exactly what I did. I forgot to take my camera, but I wish I could show you how cute Fletcher looked watching all the boats pass by us. He loves being on the water. We had our local guild meeting on Monday. It was great. Every one’s table looked so nice and all of the food was delicious. A friend in my applique class brought the most fabulous Italian Cream Cake. Somehow we managed to bribe her into making another one to bring to our applique class next Monday. It was sooo good. I love when two of my favorite things are combined, quilting and eating dessert! What could be better. I finally got to try out the new pattern from Anna Maria Horner. I made the Mutli-Tasker Tote bag. I also was able to try out the clutch pattern. They both came out cute. The tote is really big. It came out a lot bigger than I expected.
I am desperate to start quilting something. I have not had any time to lately with everything else going on, but I did start a little baby quilt for my sister-in-law. She is due at the end of July with a little girl. I need to get that one done so I can have it to her before the baby comes. I am going to try to piece it all on my little featherweight. It will be the first thing I have done on it since I got it in April. I think I’ll work on it tonight. Have a good hump day!

Filed Under: life, patterns, purses, sewing