Toddler Surprise Jacket and Cupcake Hat

I finished the toddler surprise jacket which is just a toddler size version of the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  The yarn is Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby in Meema’s Blue.  I gave this to a 6 yo niece for Christmas.  The color is not a bright as this photo suggest.

Here is a closer view of the buttons.

Now for the cupcake hat.  It was sent to me by an old friend (she was an OR nurse at Lahey Clinic when I rotated through there during my plastic surgery residency) who made the hat.  She also sent me a copy of the pattern so I can make more.  I gave this one to a 2.5 yo niece for Christmas.

Preemie Garments

I had trouble finding preemie garments at the local stores to give to my niece for her twin girls so I decided to try my hand at making a few.  I found a great source for patterns for preemies here.

They are not perfect as I am not used to machine sewing such small garments.  Also, my I broke my serger several months ago and never replaced it.  The edges of the garments would be much easier to finish with a serger rather than bias tape or hand embroidery blanket stitch.  Anyway, here they are.

These two are made from a soft flannel I happened to have using the preemie serger gown pattern.  I used bias binding to finish the edges and Velcro for closures.

These two are from the same pattern using some fun cotton print fabric.

These two are made from flannel fabric using preemie shirt pattern.  I finished the edges by hand using embroidery thread and a blanket stitch.

Baby Surprise Jacket

I made this BSJ for a grand-niece.  It is the second I've made  (you can see my first one here).  The pattern is Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Baby Surprise Jacket.   This one uses some sock yarn whose label I had lost and Lion Brand LB 1878 fingering in a dark red.

Here is the back view

I used heart buttons

I've started a new jacket in a toddler size for a niece.  I’m using Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby in Meema’s Blue.

Scrappy Wonky Log Cabin Baby Quilt

I made this baby quilt for my friend @gastromom's first grandchild.  Her son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby this coming spring.  I used the scrappy wonky log cabin block, trimming the blocks to 10.5 in square.  The finished quilt measures 33 in X 44 in.  It is machine pieced and quilted.

This next photos show some of the interesting items to be found in the quilt fabrics.  This one shows the Arkansas fabric, flowers, trees, a steamboat, and lots of colors (pink, yellow, green, blue, red).

In this one you can find dogs, trees, strips, plaids, Oklahoma, a blue steer.

This one has more dogs, a cat, signs, and a car.

In this one you can find an owl, another car, stars, flowers, and leaves.

More Knitted Hats

I've completed a few more hats.  These are adolescent or adult size.  These first two I am donating along with these previous ones to my father-in-law’s Church’s homeless ministry.

This one is knit using Marsan Watchcap by Staceyjoy Elkin.  The yarn is Vanna’s Choice.

This one is a slouch hat knit using Intuitive by Julia Zahle.  The yarn is Paton’s Classic wool.

This one is adolescent size.  I may give it to one of my nieces or nephews.  It is knit using Lucky Seven by Robin Melanson.  The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers.

This one is adult size knit using Noro spiral one-skein hat by Manuèle Ducret.  The yarn is Vanna’s Choice.   I may give it to one of my nieces.

Finished!

I have finished this small charm quilt!  It is approximately 42 in X 54 in.  It is machine pieced and quilted.

I thought that since the quilt was only 42 in wide that I wouldn't need to piece the back.  After all most fabric these days are at least 45 in wide.  Mine wasn't quite wide enough by about 1 in, so I sewed a single strip along one side.

I still have to add the label.  I haven't decided what to do with this one.  I may donate it to the Alzheimer's Study Quilt Program  or save it in reserve for when a friend/acquaintance needs one.

Sandy Quilt Blocks

Recently received an email the Quilting Gallery asking for help.  Michelle has organized a Quilt Block Drive matching up those that want to make quilt blocks with those that will assemble the finished quilts for donation. She is asking for scrappy wonky log cabin blocks and has  provided the tutorial too. If you want to lend a hand, you can find the Info and registration here (link removed 3/2017).

I made four blocks and have mailed them to my team leader.

I cut off some of the black strip in this photo but it is as wide on all sides.

More Premie Knitting

I knit two small blankets with matching hats for my niece's twin premies from Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK Prints using Just My Size Basketweave Preemie Baby Blanket by Cathy Waldie.  The hats were knit using the pattern Ali's Premie/Newborn Beanie by Tajie Maxedon

Here is a photo that shows the yarn (white with pastel dots) better.

Here are nine more I have knit using left-over yarn from other projects.

From top left to right, then the second row, then the third row; here are the corresponding projects the yarn came from:
1.  Lacy Leaf Scarf/ Drops Top with Lacy Pattern
2.  Monkey Fingerless Mitts
3.  Sunrise Chevron Socks
4.  re-su yukata Sweater

5.  Brambles Beret
6.  Kernel Scarf
7.  Swirl Jacket
8.  Cross-skull Hat  (hat with this yarn not in photo)
9.  Intuitive Hat

Progress Note -- Charm Quilt

I finally have the charm quilt pieced.  It is basted and I have begun the quilting.  I looked through my copy of Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns but did not find this pattern.  So I still don't know the name of the pattern.

Here is a close up to show some of the quilting

Brambles Beret

This is one I may very well keep.  This beret is knit using  the pattern Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha.  The yarn, Cascade Yarns Eco Duo,  is so soft.  It was a pleasure to knit.

Here is a closer view to show the lovely cables.

Here is the underside

Expedition Hats

These two hats were knit using the pattern Expedition hat by Maude L. Baril.  The two color one uses  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in a color called Little Rock Granite and Lion Brand Hometown USA Tweeds in oatmeal. 

This one is made using only the oatmeal Tweeds.

Both are adult size.  I plan to donate them to my father-in-law for their homeless outreach as winter will be here soon.

Charm Quilt -- WIP

I was inspired by a recent article in the American Quilter magazine (November 2012 issue) -- "Building a Palette by Seeing Fabrics in a Different Way” by Weeks Ringle -- to use sample fabrics I had been saving over the years.  The fabrics were mostly 5 in X 5 in squares.  Seemed perfect for inclusion into a charm quilt (see info in post after pattern info).

The article did not give the pattern names or directions for the quilts featured, so I drafted my own (still don't know the name of the pattern).  Here's my drafted pattern and the photo which inspired me.

The pattern consists of two basic blocks.  One block is simply square A.  The other block consists of the three pieces:  square A, rectangle B, and rectangle C.  The measurements of the pieces:
square A:  2.25 in squares (finished square will be 1.75 in)
rectangle B:  2.25 in X 4.5 in (finished size 1.75 in X 4 in)
rectangle C:  1 in X 8 in (finished size 0.5 in X 7.4 in)

Here is one of the finished composite blocks:

Here are some finished blocks laid out on my design wall.  Notice the layout of the blocks, one upright and the next one rotated 90 degrees.  The single block A will sit in the “hole.”

The fabric packs I am using are two from Benartex, one labeled the Modern Mix by Jennifer Young and the other not further labeled.  Another fabric packets from Merryvale -- the Fine China Blue designed by Bonnie Benn Stratton.  Other fabrics used will be just whatever I have in my stash.

The big difference between a charm quilt and a scrap/scrappy quilt is that each fabric is only used once.   As I am using the white muslin repeatedly, mine is not a “true” charm quilt.

Here are some nice articles on charm quilts:

A Brief History of Charm Quilts by Robin Brisson

Charm Quilt History: The Ultimate Scrap Quilts by  Judy Anne Breneman

The Charming One Patch by Janet Jo Smith