A Full Day...

Even so, I didn't get to the quilting part yet. I did finish making the binding; assembling the back; layering the back, batting, and front, and then pinning...and pinning...and pinning. 

By the time that was all done, so was I. Handsome came into the studio and declared it "lights out" for the day. I didn't argue. 

I work early today, but when I get home, I'll be quilting layers together. We'll see where I go from there.

The Top Is Done...

I completed piecing my quilt top Sunday afternoon, but needed Handsome's assistance to get it photographed. Measuring 64" square, I was too short vertically challenged  to hold it up to get a pic. He was more than happy to oblige.

I went into my magic drawer and found just enough of the dark Farmhouse Flannels fabric to accomplish the border. whew!

Once that was done, I found another assortment from the same line, so I decided to piece together enough 4-1/2" squares to create the binding for it. I'm going to cut this into two long 2-1/4" strips, which will give me the length I need. I hope I like the unconventional binding, because I don't think I have enough left of the line for an alternative. 

So when I get home from work today, I'll change from my work clothes into my play clothes and get the top, batting, and back set up to assemble the quilt for sewing. 

Before I call it a day, I'll have the binding attached, leaving just the hand stitching - and adding the label. Yippee!

Pattern Available Now...

Brynwood Buttoned Flannel Scarf

I've written the scarf pattern, saved it to Dropbox, and have made it available to my blog friends for FREE by clicking the link HERE. 

The pattern is also listed in my Etsy shop for a nominal $1 fee. (Etsy won't let me list for free, and they charge me 20¢ (plus selling fees) for every pattern downloaded.) After January 1st, I'll charge more for it on Etsy. I really have to set up my own website, which I'm setting my sights on for the new year.

So, thanks for following my progress on these gifts for family, and get your free pattern. There's still plenty of time to make your own as gifts for others or yourself. Hugs from me to you!

Christmas Scarves...

Christmas 2021 - Buttoned Flannel Scarves

I completed four new buttoned flannel scarves yesterday. I would have done more, but truthfully, the time just got away from me. Tag and Bella are having "gastric distress" issues - cause unknown - and Handsome has been sleeping downstairs to be able to quickly get them outside when they fuss. I've worried about him as much as I have about them. They had him up multiple times through the night and early morning, and it takes its toll on all concerned. 

So, we all got a late start, and when Handsome had to run out to get a few supplies, I held down the fort. We think they're out of the woods now (thank you, Imodium), so when he got back home, I headed to the studio. 

This project began with a trip to Primitive Gatherings for some of their beautiful flannels, and I'm so happy I took the time to do that. Sewing on these fabrics is a real treat. 

I prewashed everything (tossing in a couple of Color Catchers™ just in case, and after washing, tossed them into the dryer. When they came out of the dryer, I did a light fold to carry them upstairs. They held their shape, and stayed true to grain. I didn't even have to pull them back into shape for the edges to line up. That says a lot about the fabric quality. 

I got my scarves sewn, but didn't get a pattern written up before dinner time. I'm going to do that today. I also decided that the pattern will be a gift to my blog readers (FREE) through the end of the month. After that, I'll put it into my online shop to sell.

I'll show you more photos tomorrow to share what's different about this scarf design. You're going to love it! See you then!

Something Fun Coming...

Primitive Gatherings' Flannels

I have something new on the (near) horizon! I made a quick turnaround trip to Primitive Gatherings yesterday, just to pick up an assortment of high quality, beautiful flannel fabrics for special Christmas gifts this year. I'm going to be making them up today, and then creating a detailed pattern that will be available in my online shop so you can make some, too!

This is a project you could complete - start to finish - in about an hour if you're an experienced sewer (why does that always read differently to me? sigh), or two hours if you're a bit slower. It can easily be sewn "production style", so that you'll finish them in a flash! Either way, you could complete this project in time for Christmas giving, and still have time to make cookies!

Please be sure to come back tomorrow. You won't want to miss this fun project!

More Thread Catchers...

Brynwood Needleworks - Thread Catchers

 I was sewing thread catchers again yesterday.These will be gifts, on their way to new homes in today's mail.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Thread Catchers

They're all wool on the exterior, with flannel on the interior. I used vintage buttons to embellish these. There will definitely be more of these in the future, but next up are some Brynwood Nocturne travel bags, Ensemble hobo bags, and a few Bryn wallets. It's so nice to be back in the studio!

 

Because I Love You...

Brynwood Needleworks - Label By Lillalotta on Etsy

I'm so glad I ordered these labels from my friend, Anna Barrow and her Lillalotta shop on Etsy. She's done quite a few labels that I purchased and loved, but I think this one's my new favorite.

Brynwood Needleworks - Brynwood Baby Label

I commissioned these labels about ten years ago. I use them on my baby projects. I'd share the link with you, but alas, I can't remember who created them for me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Flannel Backing Fabric

They're both sewn to the back of this "Ellie" quilt. I've created it for my great-niece, Elizabeth. This is the nickname her parents gave her.

Brynwood Needleworks - Done and Done!

So I thought it would be cute to add a sweet pink elephant, and hand embroidery to the quilt I wanted to make as a gift for her first Birthday. The party is this weekend at a park on the other side of the lake from where we live.

No. We don't live near the lake, but if you look at a map of Wisconsin, you'll see the large lake in the southeast quadrant. That's Lake Winnebago. We live about ten miles east of the eastern shore of the lake, while Ellie's parents and grandparents live on the other side of the lake on the western side. Many Wisconsinites navigate the state referencing Lake Winnebago.

Anyway, I digress...This is for my great niece. It's done. I'm going to toss it through the washer and dryer so it's nice and soft. (I want her to be able to cuddle it from the second she gets it.) Then, I'll wrap it up so I can give it to her.

Bring on the party hats. I'm ready now!

 

Quilt Embroidery Finished...

Brynwood Needleworks - Ellie Quilt Embroidery Detail

Yes. I was called for jury duty yesterday. If you have read my blog long enough to know a few things about me, one thing should be apparent by now. I do not like to sit idly. Ever.

We were informed in our service package that we would be leaving our belongings in an unsecure room if we were selected to a case, so I left my phone, any project, book, or anything that I could use to amuse myself while waiting. I arrived at 8 am on a cloudy, rainy day, but the precip was light, so I didn't even grab my umbrella.

We were welcomed and told that the clerk was going back upstairs (in the courthouse), to pull a random list of those who would be called for the initial "voir dire" (pronounced vwaa deer) - a Latin term for the preliminary examination of a juror or witness. That was a 8 am. We all then cooled our heels for a mind-numbing two and a half hours before the judge appeared in our room.

He explained that, faced with an imminent jury trial, the plaintiff caved and made a deal with the court. We were excused with the thanks. The best news is that I haven't received another letter for service before the end of this month, so I am now exempt from service for four years! So, with a smile on my face, I followed the other people outside.

It was still sprinkling lightly, and our designated parking lot was more than a city block away. As this line of people followed the sidewalk along the river behind the city/county building, we were about halfway on our trek when the sky opened up and it absolutely poured. There was no way to go except forward.

By the time I got to my car, I was soaked to the skin. My shoes were waterlogged, and my hair was dripping in my face and down my neck. On a positive note, I earned a whole $30 for my attendance for the morning. sigh

Brynwood Needleworks - Ready To Layer And Quilt

 

When I got home, I went upstairs, changed my clothes and dried my hair. Then, I pulled the color I wanted from my Anchor™ floss assortments, and stitched my great-niece's name (actually Elizabeth's nickname) onto her Birthday quilt top.

 

Now that I've finished the embroideries, I'll layer and quilt today. I should be sewing on the binding before dinnertime. Ahhhh, to be back to busy hands. Happy me!

 

Making Flannel Blocks...

Brynwood Needleworks - Flannel Quilt Block Components

  I accomplished two things yesterday...
Making block sets for the baby quilt on my agenda, and...  

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse French Bread

 

baking bread for Handsome. One for the bread box, and one for the freezer.

That's all I managed to get done, but I'm happy with my results and quilt progress. I'll work on the quilt again today.

Lucky For Me!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Baby Quilt Flannels

 

When I started cutting the flannels for the baby quilt, I realized that I needed six different fat quarters, not the five I originally shared. Great. I bought them as a fat quarter pack a few years ago, and would need a minor miracle to find something (other than white flannel) that would fit in.

I went into my fully stuffed well-appointed fabric studio and started looking through my flannels. See the floral print at the very top of these two stacks? Yep. I lucked out! It looks like it was meant to be in that pack. In actuality, it's a flannel baby receiving blanket I purchased in a package for a shower years ago. I actually purchased about three packs (neutral, boy and girl), and this one didn't get used. Talk about "serendipity"!

I've cut out the fabrics, but still can't sit in my sewing chair. I think I may end up taking my machine over to the cutting table in my machine studio so I can stand and sew. I'm really tired of being precluded from sewing because I can't sit comfortably. It's really frustrating. I'll ask Handsome to lend me some brawn today to get my Destiny moved. I need to sew!

Fabrics Chosen...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabric Selections For Baby Quilt Project

These are the fabrics I've chosen for the Birthday quilt I'll be making for a certain, little someone. The top row of fabrics are all a soft flannel, and the dots are a smooth, soft quilting cotton. My plan is to make a simple quilt design, possibly a "yellow brick road", or four-patch pattern.

The sweet "Because I love you" label is designed and sold by my friend, Anna Barrow of LillaLotta on Etsy. I frequently use her labels in my projects, and this is one of her latest offerings. I think it will be perfect for this quilt.

I still have a little trouble sitting up straight in my sewing chair, but have no issues while standing, so I'll likely decide which design to use, and then cut out the fabrics today. Perhaps I can sit and sew tomorrow.

I'd like to thank my friend at "Magpie's Mumblings" for her help when I mentioned I was trying to figure out how to be able to reply directly to each of my blog commenters. Her suggestions were spot on, and I now have that capability. So, in the future, if you leave a comment, be sure to either change your settings so you'll get an email with my reply, or stop back to see what I write back to you! Thank you, MM! I really appreciate your help.

Square Dancing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chenille Four-Patch Detail

I started assembling my chenille four-patch quilt over the weekend. I'd hoped to have a finished top to share, but I miscalculated. I went back to my first quilt to see where I went wrong, and apparently, I can't count. lol

Brynwood Needleworks - Chenille Four-Patch In Progress

 

I have over half the quilt assembled, however, I need more four-patch blocks. While I have the more of the fabric, it's all in the darker shades that I didn't use here. Adding only the darkest shades to the balance of my blocks would make the quilt shade from light to dark, which I don't want. 

 

I'm going to wait until next Tuesday, when I go back to Menasha for Sit & Sew to purchase more of the lighter flannel. Then, I'll assemble the rest of the blocks and complete my quilt top. I'm going to set this aside for now, and will share my completed quilt after it's done. I guess I'll be working on the applique' pieces for my Wooly Critters quilt the rest of this week.

 

Pink Flannel And The French General...

I spent yesterday in the studio working on the pink flannel four-patch quilt. All sixty four-patches are now assembled and I have the prettiest fabric for the backing. I had to put this sweet pair of baby shoes into the shot, too. I've had these for a while and am trying to decide whether or not they should become pincusions...and then be separated. What do you think?

I would have probably finished the quilt top today, but I've decided to go ahead and add the sashing per your comments. Because of that, my project came to a temporary halt. Can you even believe that I don't have the appropriate color (in flannel)? Nope...no siree...no way, Jose'...zip... zero...nada. Darn! What to do? What to do?

Road trip!!! But only for one piece of fabric (for the sashing). Nothing more. Well, maybe I should pick up the batting for the pink quilt and the next, too. And, I do need a few spools of thread. Oh, yeah, and I want to check and see if they have more of this fabric in stock...The French General's "Rouenneries" from Moda. You see my French General "1892 Fondee" pincushion, right? I also have a few other pieces in the French General line. What can I say...I'm in love with this beautiful fabric which emulates the French countryside.

But, seriously, that's going to be everything on my shopping listl! I think. I'm not positive. Perhaps, you shouldn't hold me to that, ok?

Pretty Pink Flannel...

I told you I'm in a pink mood this week. I've been working out of my stash, too. So, yesterday I went into the cupboard, looked around and these beautiful precuts of pink flannel just jumped out at me. How did I decide on the design for this quilt? Four colors equals four patches. Simple, right?

I think there will be over sixty four-patches when all is said and done. Should I put sashes between the patches? Or, should I simply join them together for a bit of a wind0w pane effect? I haven't decided yet, so your input would be helpful (and appreciated).

I have yards of pretty pink plaid for the backing, so once I've got all of the front assembled, I'll be able to go right to the quilting. I'm anxious to see this pretty, girly-pink quilt finished. There's just something about the color that's so happy, sweet and comforting. Add the fact that it's flannel and I can't think of a happier hug to brighten a room.