Saturday, June 18, 2011

Getting it done!

Yesterday I had some alone time that I used to sew! 
My DH was out of town all week and scheduled to fly home on the red eye getting in at 5AM today. Due to some computer problems United was experiencing nationwide, he didn't get home until 8:30AM.  My DD2 & DD3 were at work so I had the house to myself from about 4PM.  
And there is a lull in wedding activities...does this mean we are getting close to being done? A perfect opportunity for Friday Night Sew IN!!

I started with my June Birdie Stitches BOM which I had been working on and ever so close to finishing...and now it's done! 


I love all the different fonts! 
There was a lot of stitching in this block but I really like it.  What do you think?

I next moved on to work on my blocks for the Simple Things QAL.  Earlier in the day, Kelly posted the directions for the first blocks.  This was perfect timing for FNSI.  All the pieces were already cut out so I got busy sewing.  


These little blocks are so cute! 
 I'm hopeful that I will be able to keep up once wedding plans speed up again and take precedence over sewing. At least I'm off to a good start! 

I finished all these and it was only 8:30...plenty of time to start another project!

My very dear friend gave me some vintage dresden plate blocks that were from her grandma.  
Long ago, she tried to make them into something
cut up a couple of them and starting making them into pillows. 
She never finished them. She asked if I could do anything with them.
  
They were very soiled from years of being in storage. 
So a couple of weeks ago I started working with them.  
I unstitched the worked she had done removing stuffing that was in each center and point.  I then hand washed them to see if I could remove the stains that had badly soiled the fabrics.  I was pleasantly surprised with the results. 
Some of the fabrics were also faded, {one lost almost all its color} but they are sew pretty.  


There are 4 cut and 9 with the background fabric in tact.


On Thursday, I bought some Kona cotton in green to use as a background 
{in anticipation of FNSI}. 
After some thought, I cut a square of green 22" 
{the dresden's measure 14" across} 
and unpicked 1 dresden from the old background fabric.  
I centered it on the new pretty green fabric and hand stitched it. 
I then needed to make a choice for the center fabric.  I originally intended to used the cutest green polka dot with a vintage look but decided it took away from the dresden points.  
So I cut a circle of Kona snow and hand sewed it onto the center.  The center circles of these dresden's are 6 1/2" across...it needed something...so I found some perle cotton in a soft pink and stitched a row of big stitches.  
The results....




I'm in love!

It was time to call it a night...but I will work on making this into a 20" throw pillow.  

Hop over to Bobbi's at Crafty Vegas Mom to see what everyone else worked on.

And there is still time to enter my giveaway. Just go here.

8 comments:

  1. Love your Birdie Stitches and Quilt Along blocks! I'm working on my blocks too. And really love the dresden plates!~ very cool! Have a happy weekend!

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  2. I love the fabric you are using for the Simple Things quilt, and your blocks look perfect. Also think the dresden plates are a treasure. How nice that you are able to preserve your friend's grandmother's work.

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  3. Your stitchery is lovley and nice colours in your Quilt Along blocks.

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  4. WOW when you do a sew-in - you really get a lot of sewing done!

    Your embroidery is gorgeous - I love the pretty colours and different fonts/designs - just adorable! Your sewalong blocks are beautiful too, as is the dresden plate pillow cover - definitely a labour of love!

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  5. well done you did heaps and lots of lovely blocks

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  6. The work you have done on the Dresden Plates is incrediable. I just never would have thought to take something apart like that. All your projects are great.

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  7. So I'm catching up on your blog while I'm in Africa! :) I need to look at this more often! All of your stuff is so gorgeous!! Those Dresden Plates are INCREDIBLE. I bought a Dresden Plate quilt top this summer at an antique store that was hand-stitched. I've got to get you to look at it and tell me what I should do with it. I didn't even know what that pattern was, but I love it.

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Sweet sentiments