Sewing machine pattern

Yesterday I was looking through my Craftsy page and found that my sewing machine pattern has been downloaded 255 times. There must be quite a few folks out there who must have used my pattern to make a cover for their beloved machine. I would love to see your version of the pattern. I also created a flickr group if you would like to upload any pictures of the same. I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have had during the making of the cover. Any feedback on the instructions/tutorial are also welcome.

Quilt back

This weekend I completed the backing for my disappearing 9 patch quilt. The last few quilts I have made, deciding on the backing has been a challenge. Partially because I'd rather not buy more fabric for the back. Additional yardage of Sea Garden Summer from the Salt Air collection would have made a great quilt back but instead I chose to dig into my stash. 

I thought this quilt needed a pop of color. The muted tones of the quilt top did not lend itself to pairing with other patterned fabric I had in my stash. Some pieces were complimentary but I did not have enough to make an entire quilt back. So got my stash of Kona yardage and played around with the idea of making an improv style backing. However the front was too structured and the back just looked shabby in comparison. 

Finally cut up large square blocks from the fabric and pieced them together. The backing now has more structure and color and provides the punch that the quilt needed.

I wonder if everyone else buys additional yardage for quilt backs? I have done it in the past when I followed a pattern. I guess if you were making a commission quilt you might need to.

While I was at it I thought of basting the quilt too. But soon realized I have two quilts that are laying around basted and un-quilted so don't have enough pins to baste this one. Hmm...now that's motivation enough to finish the UFOs or just go out and buy more pins ;)


Linking up to: Handmade Harbour & Plum & June

April 13

There is no significance to the date April 13th but yesterday I looked into my lovely Martingale calendar and realized I have had only one quilt finish for the year. 

I was planning to go to the CNJMQG sewing retreat and put in a dent in some of my unfinished projects which too did not materialize. Sigh!

Anyway I had been chipping away at my nine patch quilt which was supposed to be an easy finish till I decided to add thin 1/2" sashing between the blocks inspired by this quilt pattern. It added a lot of complexity to the piecing. I had to be super accurate to ensure the blocks lined up correctly in the center. Joining the long strips to make the final quilt top required a lot of pinning but it all came together.

The color distribution was a lot harder to manage as I was joining the blocks together. I had them arranged well initially but as I picked each block and walked over to my machine the orientation of the blocks started to get a bit mixed up. After a while I stopped stressing about it too much. Anyway hope to get this quilt finished soon.

More about this quilt: here & here

Lucky Stars BOM - April Block

Block 4 of my Lucky Stars BOM hosted by Elizabeth Dackson of Don't Call me Betsy. This was the most cumbersome block by far and I was so eager to finish it that I only noticed the blunder while I was taking a picture for this post......aaaahhhh. I spent the entire day on this block, don't have the energy to redo it. Maybe some other time.