The Bag...

THE BAG

A put-together, piece-as-you-go, month long project that should have taken only a day to complete. No exact pattern, no exact process, no exact plan. Just throw it together a step at a time.

But constant refiguring, and reconsidering that next step took up a whole month to progress in increments.

Finally, I just bit the bullet and made it work. Not perfect, not exactly how I'd like it to have turned out, but it's done!

Thanksgiving Hot Pads

Thanksgiving hot pads just waiting to be used to bake a turkey, pumpkin pie, and a lot more!

Rectangle Crochet Granny Square Blanket

This gift of a crocheted blanket was made with about 5 skeins of Red Heart Ombre variegated yarn.

I figured making a rectangular shape blanket would be challenging, but in fact, it wasn't. It was easier because I didn't have to worry about making a ton of squares and then joining them together.

The instructions I researched said that you chain about 58 stitches to start with, but I increased it to 70 chain stitches. Once you have your center stitch (the chain stitches), you just double crochet all the way around, row after row. Simple! And fun!

Now the blanket measures roughly 56" x 70"

I added a V-stitch edging of 2 rows, with the last row being a combination of a half double crochet, double crochet, and single crochet to give it a slight scalloped look.

It was so simple, I have plans for another one in a different color: maybe a coral, or lavender!

Super Soft Receiving Blanket

Baby Blue Fleece Blanket

Perfect for a little baby boy!

Crocheted scalloped edging, soft and cuddly!

Ready for the next new baby boy in the family!

Bright Yellow Granny Square Blanket

Bright yellow double crochet granny square blanket!

Each square has 10 rows of colored yarn, and edged with two rows of bright yellow yarn.

I joined them all together with a single crochet which leaves a raised seam. My first try at this joining method, and I like it! 

The entire outside is edged with a row of single crochet, and then a row of double crochet.

I like this large granny square idea, so I'm planning another one in a different color pattern!

Rag Quilt

This rag quilt is the first one I've ever made! I used scrap fabric for the hearts and stitched them to squares of old sheets (that were still in good condition...). I added a thin batting, which I had to cut for each square (time consuming!) Then sewing the squares together with the seam edges on the top side, I snipped the edges of all of the hearts AND seam edges (more time consuming!).

Overall, I'm glad I made this quilt for the experience of it. Would I make another one? Well, I think I might need some time before I consider making another one like this. But it'll probably happen... 

Adding a Scalloped Edge to a Quilt

Attaching a scalloped edge to a quilt is quite easy; the trick is to trim the edge to the size scallops you like, and making sure the scallops are the same on each size. I cut this quilt with a slight scallop.

For the binding, I bought 1 yard of a larger polka dot fabric because the store didn't have the smaller polka dot fabric. But it's the same shade of pink as the quilt, so it matches.

I opened up the one yard of fabric, spread it out on the floor, and drew 5 straight lines diagonally, about 1-1/2" wide, making four bias strips. I machine stitched the ends together perpendicularly, so the seam would be at a diagonal, instead of a straight seam. I think it looks better on the quilt.

Then I pinned the bias strips on the top fabric of the quilt, placing the edges together.

After I finished pinning the bias fabric, I machine stitched it to all of the layers along the edge of the quilt but only about 1/4" from the edge. Then it was trimmed to 1/8", and then began the more tedious part of the binding.

Fold the bias strip from the front to the back, turning it under, even the slightest bit. However, takes a ton of pins!

I hand stitched all the way around using the blind stitch, and it only took a few hours! (I was happy about that!)

And, voila! It's done!!!

Fabric Waiting To Be Used

I found these swatches in the drawer. There's gotta be something to make out of this!

The question is, WHAT?

A million thoughts start filling my mind when I start thinking of the possibilities.

In the end, something will be created!

Latest Project!

(not a very good picture)

This is the latest project I've started. Another baby quilt. But this one is a little smaller. I bought one yard of fabric of both the top and backing fabric, intending to square it up. Lining up the selvages of both fabrics together, I cut 3 inches of the selvage off. That squared the one yard fabric!

Then laying it all out, fabric, batting, and lots of pins, I attached it to the quilt frame.

In looking at this fabric and imagining how to stitch it, I imagined quilting between the flowers, almost edging them. But after starting with that idea, I found that after the first few rows of stitching, it looked rather dull on the back; mostly wiggly lines from one side to the other. 

The next few rows, I decided to be more exaggerated and extend the stitching a little more up and down around the flowers. 

It may be hard to see, but the stitches go around the flower and up to another flower, then back down again. I think this'll look good not only on the top, but the design on the back will be a little more pleasing, too.

One thing I like about making a little bit smaller quilt is that it gets done a little faster! As any quilter knows, there's always another idea for the next project lurking in the back of your mind while you're working on the current one.

Red Heart Williamsburg Yarn

It's almost done!!!

I'm so excited! It fits a queen size bed (just the top), and of the four skeins left, I have only one more to go until I can start working on the border. I plan to crochet at least two rows all the way around the blanket, then add a decorative edge - maybe! 

There are 20+ skeins in this work of art, and much like getting close to finishing a quilt, I've put so much time into it, I'm wanting to both hurry and finish it, and also take my time to do it right.

So when I get to that next step, I'll re-evaluate, and post what'll come next!

Tools of My Favorite Trade!

My collection of crochet hooks! I love to crochet, and found a great way to keep all of them organized. Much like a crayon roll for kids on the go, this is the best way I've found to keep all of my hooks at hand! I like to keep a few of each size, but sharing with upcoming crocheting granddaughters slimmed down a few sizes.