Mini Quilt Swap With Jules Knoblock

Mini Quilt, by Me
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Treehouse Quilt by Julie Knoblock
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Here, finally, is the unveiling of the little bird quilt that I made for a swap with Julie Knoblock. Many moons ago, Jules wrote a post about being inspired by one of my mini quilts. Since I admired her work, I suggested a swap — Jules enthusiastically agreed. I think that was about seven or eight months ago. Yes, I am the world's slowest swapper.

Jules was far more timely, and quickly sent this treehouse-themed beauty. I love it! The colors and motifs really fit our life: dog, flowers, mushrooms, and that awesome treehouse. Now, if I could just get it framed, I will hang it on this wall of our bedroom.

Julie and I were both inspired by Amy and her wonderful small quilts. A double congratulations to Amy on her book and her baby!

More details of my quilt over at my Fabric & Felt set at Flickr.

Stripe-y Patchwork Cat

Stripe-y Patchwork Cat (front)
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Stripe-y Patchwork Cat (back)
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Well, here it goes, my first pattern — and it's free! It is completely untested and hasn't been edited, so any feedback would be great. I'm thinking of it as a group work-in-progress. There are three pages that you'll need to download because I don't have the software to merge it all into one PDF. Two of the pages are pattern pieces, one is instruction.

Thanks to Lisa for combining my pdfs into one neat download.

Stripe-y Cat Pattern Download

This pattern is copyright and the property of Green Kitchen/Michelle Russell. This pattern and project are for home use only, not for resale.

New Vintage Wardrobe: Crocheted Bodice Top

crochet_top2
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


crochet_top3
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


simplicity-8025
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Close Up
Originally uploaded by becktress.


Day 137
Originally uploaded by becktress.

Some crafting/sewing does still happen over here. This week I worked on this New Vintage Wardrobe shirt project for my sister, as well as a pattern for a stripey patchwork cat, which I will have available for download soon. Man, patterns take a bit of time — a heartfelt thank you to all who have posted free patterns.

About the crocheted bodice shirt:

I fell in love with this shirt that LindaMade. Like her, I used a pattern for the fabric part — mine was vintage Simplicity 8025 from 1968. I only had about a half yard of fabric, so the length was determined by this. I basted together the three pieces (two back, one front) of fabric, expecting to put a zipper in the back. Then, made sure it fit my sis. Since it seems to go over her head without too much wiggling I decided to leave out the zipper and just make it a pullover.

After getting a few tips from a talented park-friend Claire (alas, blogless), I bias tape finished the top edge of the fabric. Claire's tips included: whip stitching around the top of the fabric; picking up crochet stitches along the whip; then, working a single crochet into the back of the first round of stitches. This allows you to work from the bottom up. Then, in order to hide the seam between the fabric and the yarn, work a single crochet into the front of the original foundation chain, this time working down. This makes a little yarn flap that covers the seam. I did a shell stitch, which kept rolling up, so I ended up tacking it down with some hand sewing. My whip stitches were on the inside of the fabric, which made the bias taped edge roll outward, contributing to the rolling up of the shell trim. Both problems were fixed by stitching down the row of shells.

Originally, I tried using Classic Elite Bazic Wool because I have a bag of it, generously given to me by my LYS owner (thanks, Khristine!) after I finished that mixed block crochet baby blanket. I knew the wool wasn't going to work, but tried anyway — it ended up being too bulky and winter-ish — a perfect excuse to shop for more yarn. I ended up using a Rowan cotton. I'm not sure which one, but it might be this. The thinner cotton yarn was just right.

For the bodice design I tried to work in some of the motifs from the Day of the Dead fabric (flora de los muertos by Alexander Henry) that I got from Alison at Starlit Nest. I didn't feel up to trying to make a skull, but spiderwebs and flowers are pretty simple to crochet. I only used a few stitches: chain, single crochet, double crochet, and shell stitch.

I had several fittings with my sister to make sure that the bodice covered all the appropriate parts and to make sure the straps were long enough. Overall, I'm really happy with how it turned out.

To Damian

Father's Day
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I'm glad you are the papa. Happy Father's Day — you are the best.

Week in Review: June 9-16, 2007

Week in Review: June 9-16, 2007
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

So much to do, so little time. I am finding my role as activity director increasing at a rapid rate. Some of the things we did this week were: visit a miniature horse and pony show; dig in the dirt a lot; say good bye to a best friend; go to the Boardwalk with a larger kid to parent ratio; and take a night walk with cousins, aunties and uncles to see the fireworks over the ocean.

Owl Tea Cozy

tea_cozy
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


tea_cozy_detail
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I'm not sure what the definition of patchwork is. I figure, that in a basic sense, it means: sewing together small pieces of fabric to make a bigger piece of fabric. This owl tea cozy might not technically be a patchwork project, which might be a reason it didn't cut the mustard with the editors. Or, maybe, they didn't like it because it kind of looks like Beau Bridges. ;) Truthfully, it was my least favorite of the three projects I submitted.

I do think, however, that this little owl guy has value as inspiration for patchwork technique. I like the way the wings are made with a variety of unhemmed loosely woven fabrics. They are a sewn stack, much like a shingled roof. It's a no-measure, no-fuss, no-straight-lines-necessary kind of patchwork. It was so fun to do, that I think I'll do more — maybe make a stuffed animal or two out of fringe — perhaps with some inspiration from Abby. Her nest series is so damn good.

Does anyone even say stuffed animal anymore?

Peek-a-boo Pillow

Peek-a-boo Pillow
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


pillow_detail
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Well, I'm a little sad this pillow, and a couple other ideas, didn't get accepted as projects for a future patchwork book, but I'm a lot happy that I get to post them on my blog sooner, rather than later. I found it totally frustrating to keep the things I made a secret. The Bitter One, on the other hand, is going to have to keep her two projects under wraps.

The details:
Patchwork panel pillow made of thrifted fabrics in a variety of textures (corduroy, felted-tweed, burlap-esque something or other, denim) cut and stitched together in a free form sort of way to mimic the wood railing that the boys are peeking through. I just happened to have a photo of each of my boys playing peek-a-boo, which drove the design direction. I printed the photos on a store-bought ink jet fabric. I should have used some interfacing on the back of the patchwork strip because the stuffing is already pushing one of the seams out. To add to the wood sub-theme I machine-appliqued some faux wood grain with contrasting thread to the denim strips in the patchwork.

Forgot to mention that this was the original inspiration.

How Do You Hold a Moonbeam in Your Hand?

Minkee1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Minkee2
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Chiweenie
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I think a lot about this line from the Sound of Music, especially as my "Maria" gets closer to school age — a topic for many future blog posts, I'm sure. Right now, I'm working on figuring out ways to help my son relax, to learn how to be calm.

Somewhere in this blog I mentioned that the fabric Minkee helps my little whirling dervish settle down. He's taken to carrying around an unfinished length of it like a blankie. Kristin from Sew, Mama, Sew! remembered this and included some Minkee scraps along with an order that I placed. I thought I would use them to finish the blankie, but I made up these pants and poncho instead.

As you can see, the Minkee trick doesn't always work. When it doesn't, we can always play the "Will You Buy Me?" game — possibly his favorite game of all time. In the bottom photo you can see my latest purchase, a Chiweenie, trying his best to be a good dog. He cost "none." A pretty good deal, I think.