Sewing Machine Covers

I needed a couple of sewing machine covers for a couple of machines I have that were cover less for too long! I had made a few blocks from the Splendid Sampler Blocks that were sewing related applique blocks and so decided these would be perfect one cover. I did a Mystery BOM from Deana's blog, Dreamworthy Quilts in 2014, and thought I should use some blocks from that BOM to make the other machine cover. I actually made these 2 machine covers double sided, so that when I pick them up I can just put them back without having to determine what side it the front. That way they look different once in a while.

Pat Sloan from the Splendid Sampler is having a contest using one block right now, so I am linking my cover there. I did use 2 blocks, so maybe I will be disqualified? I thought I would share them in her linky anyhow. I enjoyed making all these blocks and the sewing machine covers too.

I used 2 blocks from the Splendid Sampler to make this side of the sewing machine cover.

This is the other side of the cover. It is a block from Deana's Quilter's Garden Mystery BOM.

This block was also from Deana's Quilter's Garden Mystery BOM. Dresden rotary cutter.

The other side of this cover is the same Dresden rotary cutter in different colors.

Pin It Now!

Four Splendid Applique Blocks

I made four of the Splendid Blocks while sewing with a friend one day. I chose to make a few of the applique blocks. I enjoy the applique blocks better than the pieced blocks. I think it's because these are 6" finished blocks and some of those pieced blocks have such tiny pieces that I just can't seem to sew them very well to where they look good. Some of the pieced blocks came out looking okay that I made and a couple were so wonky and not square at all, that I decided I would work on the blocks I liked the best from now on. I certainly am not going to make a quilt using all 100+ blocks anyhow. In fact, I am not sure what I will do with the all blocks that I do make. I suppose I will wait and see how many blocks I end up making before deciding what to do with them.

Wouldn't having a pink sewing machine be fun? Why is it that most sewing machines come in white, black and tan instead of fun colors? I know a few of the newer Bernina's have Tula Pink or Ricky Tims designs on them, but I think we should have fun colors like when we buy a new car and get to choose a color we like. Some people are having their old Singer Featherweight machines painted, but they cost several hundred dollars to have them painted. Plus wouldn't that negatively affect the resale value of the Featherweights by painting them? You know what Antique Roadshow appraisers say about cleaning or refinishing furniture and other things: don't! It always makes the value go down when you alter them. 

I am showing how this flower block would look on point here.

This is how the flower block looks not on point. I prefer it on point, but it depends on whether I will use it with the other blocks or not. If I use this one alone, I will add setting triangles so it will be on point.

I like this cute like potted flower. I used rickrack instead of fabric for the stem.

This cute little bunny in his jacket reminds me of Peter Rabbit.

Pin It Now!

Splendid Sampler Quilt Blocks

I am making the Splendid Sampler Blocks and so far I have made the first 4 blocks. The blocks are released every Sunday and Thursday and in the end you will end up with 100 6-inch finished quilt blocks. Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson are the women who have organized this event and have invited a lot of well-known quilters to design the quilt blocks. The downloads are free, so even if you don't want to join in and make the blocks each week, you can still download them to make later. I think they will be creating a book later with all of these blocks in the book, so I am saving them all and that way I have them when I want to make them, in case I cannot keep up with making them all now.

Since these all finish at 6-inches, the pieces are small, but hey if you like the block, you can always enlarge them to suit the size you prefer. Some are all pieced, some all applique and some are a combination of pieced and appliqued. As with the Bloom Sew Along, I am using all scraps from my scrap bags to make these blocks.

Here are the first 4 Splendid Sampler Quilt Blocks that I made:

Block 1

Close-up of block 1 showing the stitch I used to sew the heart applique in place.

Block 2. I saw someone else make this block and use 8 rectangles instead of 16 squares and I really liked how hers looked that way. Plus that's 8 fewer squares I would have to sew together! The antennae are optional, but since I embroidered the antennae, I thought I needed to add the body of the butterflies too. I made the 4 corner butterflies face the center, rather than the way the instructions show the top 2 facing out. 

Block 2 close-up

Block 3

Block 4

Close-up of block 4

Block 4 with buttons. I may sew the buttons on this block after I quilt the quilt or whatever I make using this block. I also thought about sewing some trim or sewing a fancy stitch on the vase too. I may do that later if I feel it needs it.

Block 4 close-up of flowers with the button on top. I think the buttons may be what this simple block needs to jazz it up a bit.

Pin It Now!