Not bad for a first try. . . .

So I finally finished my first quilt.  Overall, I'm pleased with the results.  It certainly has it's quirks and is kind of small, though I imagine it's a great baby quilt.

I followed the tutorial posted on Moda Bake Shop for Pure Baby Boy by Teaginny Designs. 

I used thee Fandango by Kate Spain Jelly Roll.  I cannot remember the solids though, but I'm pretty sure they were Bella Solids by Moda.

I followed the directions on the post pretty much to the letter.  I did add the extra solid colored strip on the back, but found I didn't really need it. 

 I always have a few lessons learned after a sewing project and this one is no different.

• Don't be afraid to remove some stitches and do it again.  If you look close at some of the blocks you can see some of the seams don't line up perfectly (which honestly, really bothers me)
• Stick to solid backings for a while.  The backing on this is pieced and when I basted it, it was not straight so the top and bottom pieces are not even.  Ah well, live and learn.
• Spray basting is sticky.  I really wasn't happy/impressed with the spray for basting the quilt.  It was sooooo sticky.  When I was doing the binding, my needle ended up covered at the end.
• The edge of the presser foot is definitely bigger than expected, which made the binding a bit more difficult to complete.
• Quilting is lots of work and I need to find a walking foot for the next project.

I think I'll stick this one in my office at work for days when I get cold, plus it'll add a little bit of color.

Overall, I'm calling it a success and a learning opportunity.  On to the next one (I may have started it already).  All recommendations, suggestions and tips welcomed.

Market Tote Finished!

I have finally finished my Market Tote.  Thanks to the great tutorial by Holly at Bijou Lovely!

I struggled with it at first but in the end I'm happy with the outcome.  The colors look a little bit better together in person.  I learned a few things along the way.

• Don't listen to the lady at the fabric store!  It was my first time in the store alone and I was trying to find the interfacing, so i asked for help.  Even though I specifically told her it said light-weight interfacing, she said, oh, well if it's a tote bag you should use this heavier interfacing.  Needless to say my bag is a little bit stiffer than I anticipate!
• Measure! Measure!  I'm struggling with making measurements/cuts that are correct.  My panels were off by a 1/4" on the outside and so I had to cut down the inner panels to make it work a little bit better.
• Practice sewing straight lines!  I'm sure this will get easier with time.  It's all about keeping things lined up.  It's really not too bad, but there are a few spots that are noticeable.
• Think about the orientation of your pattern before you tell them how much fabric you need.  The stripes threw me off and had me cutting a second time.

So there you have it, my second sewing adventure!  Has anyone else tried this tutorial?  Stay tuned for more in the future!

P.S.  Keep your eyes peeled, I was selected in Sandy's Pay it Forward, so I'll be hosting my own when I get my item from her.

2nd Sewing Project

My first project was the pillow I made while M was here.  I headed out to the store last weekend for some fabric to start another project or 2.  I have all the pieces cut to make the market tote, but I'm struggle (with making things the right size), so I decided to put it on the back burner for a little and try something smaller.

I opted for a book cover for my Kindle.  I'm using the same fabric as the tote, so don't be surprised when you see it down the road.  I followed this tutorial from Handmade Mommy.

 I started with these two fabrics and put the right sides together:

I traced around the edge of the Kindle cover that I have.

I cut about a 1/2" border around my cut lines

I missed taking pictures of the middle pieces, so head over to Handmade Mommy for those.  For instructions: I took the inner piece and cut it in half.  I folded it so that 1/3 of the 'front' was folded over and pinned it.  I then pinned them to the front piece.

I sewed along the lines that I had drawn on the fabric.

I'm a freak, so I ironed it out again.

I clipped the corners to make it easier to slide on and ironed the seams a little as well. After turning it inside out, it looked like this:

I slide it over the existing cover and this is what I got:

For a new project, I'm happy with the way that it turned out.  I did learn a few things in the process:

• When they tell you to stay away from stripes, they're serious.  I couldn't resist, I loved this fabric, but as you can tell it's not exactly straight.  Oh well.
• The fabric is a little see-through on my black cover, so I should have tried some interfacing or a heavier fabric for the top piece.

I can't wait to start go back and work on the tote.  Let me know if you have any other suggestions for a newbie sewer!

* All photos from personal collection.  Tutorial from Handmade Mommy.

Playing Catch-up

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things.  I had a great long weekend.  For now, I'm playing catch-up at work and in my Google Reader.  Just thought I'd jot down a few things.

• M left late yesterday to head back to the West Coast.  :-(  We had a great time while she was here, hanging out, catching up, going out and enjoying the beach.  I am now making it my mission to find her a job on the East Coast.  

• My mom got me a sewing machine for my Birthday!  M gave me a crash course on it and then we made a pillow.  If you have any suggestions for a beginner, I'm all ears!   Any beginner projects you would suggest?  Do you have tutorials or sites that post lots of tutorials?  Any suggestions for where to get fabric?  Anything you couldn't live without for tools, supplies, etc?  Any blogs you'd suggest?

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• I won a giveaway at Linny's Vault to Sunglass Warehouse.  I could definitely use a new pair of sunglasses, I just can't decide which ones to get.  Which ones are your favorite?

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• We're heading to NYC next weekend.  If you have any site-seeing or restaurant suggestions while we're there, let me know.  I have basically nothing planned, which is so not like me at all.
• I have to make 50+ bridal shower invitations to go out early next week.  I have to manually cut each one and I haven't started yet.  Yikes!  
• Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes this weekend!  
• I just found out Lady Antebellum is going to be in town a second time this summer.  I can't wait to get tickets!

I know it's weird to say this on a Wednesday, but I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Hopefully I'll catch up on my blogs soon and leave some comments.  Have a great day, we're halfway to the weekend!

A new hobby

I've been reading a lot of different blogs lately and one thing that seems to appear frequently are beautiful sewing projects that people are making.  I am in love with the quilt and bag seen at bijou lovely and have checked out Presser Foot as well.  My only sewing experience comes from 6th grade Home Ec where we all made tote-bags.

I've checked out some sites for learning how to sew and which sewing machines to purchase.  Do I got with Mechanical or Electronic for my first sewing machine?

The Brother XL-2600i seems to be the most popular Mechanical sewing machine and the Brother CS6000I seems to be the most popular basic Electronic sewing machine

I don't have a sewing machine yet, and that's where my dilemma begins.  If I buy this, will I use it?  I did just join Stampin' Up not less than a year ago and I have been stamping and have a lot of fun.  Not as frequently as I could be but you can only make cards for so many people right.  That's my fear with sewing.  Will I run out of things to make/people to make things for?  I love the idea of being able to make beautiful quilts and bags,

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all of which I know will take me some serious time to learn and become decent at.  I certainly wouldn't take on a project this large for my first one either.  The Mr. is in support of it if I want to get a sewing machine, so that's not a problem.

So do I take the plunge?  If so, Mechanical or Electronic for my first machine?  What should I take on for a first project?  Any recommendations to a newbie?