FO: Plaid Big Log Cabin

You might remember this big log cabin that I finished last year (or maybe you don't. that's okay!). Well, soon after finishing, I wanted to make another version.

I had most of a Kona jelly roll and I just loved how the bright colors paired with this Denyse Schmidt plaid. Of course, said plaid was one of her exclusives at Joann, and was virtually impossible to find.

Luckily, Jenny came to the rescue and sent me some of her precious stash. It was so wonderful of her, especially since I only know her virtually (hi, Jenny!).

I used three favorite prints on the back (I especially love that Nordika print from Jeni!).

I quilted it very densely in a crosshatch and the texture is really amazing. Several times, I questioned my sanity as I was quilting. But I'm so glad I kept going. I bound the quilt in this, and I love that it softly frames the quilt without competing. Finishes at 54" square.

FO: Bird's Eye 2 x 4 (13/52)

I really, really love this quilt.

It all started with the fabric, most of which is Bird's Eye View by Sarah Watson of Cloud 9. Sarah's illustrative artwork has always had my heart, and this is definitely one of my favorite collections ever. After buying (most of) this line, I pulled a few coordinating fabrics from the stash to make this bundle.

Then, after seeing amazing 2X4 quilts from Anna and Holly, I knew I wanted to make my own. The tutorial is here by Film in the Fridge and is a perfect way to highlight a fabric bundle like this. It really doesn't need much help, so no need to complicate things!

After letting the finished top sit for six months, I finally made a back and got it quilted last month.

The binding went quickly, and I am so pleased with the finish! I would definitely make another 2 x 4. The sewing is simple and enjoyable, and I love how the fabrics shine!

Finished size is 60" x 79".

I'm going to let this post serve as my March wrap up, too. here are my March yarn and fabric totals.
Third stash update:

Fabric: -13.625 yards
Yarn: -825 yards

Fabric total 2018: -44.875 yards
Yarn total 2018: -3,952 yards

6/52 (a little late)

I intended to post before I left for another quick trip, but it didn't work out that way. I have more to share, since I waited, though. First off, I finished this scarf last month, but just gifted it this weekend.

Using about 900 yards of fingering weight yarn, held double I knit this lovely marled scarf for a friend.

It is made from leftovers and mini skeins on US 5 needles, and I just love how it turned out. I may make another in different colors someday.

Also, in Portland this weekend, I scored a few new fabrics, including this sweatshirt knit (so soft and squishy!).

It is always hard to show restraint on vacation, but I don't feel too bad about my new stash.

I have been working on my string diamond hand quilting, but it is slow. I am enjoying the process, and I am going to try to work on it a few times a week for the rest of the month.

Additionally, I've started a new project, working strictly from scraps (with the exception of the neutral squares).

They are cog blocks, and I am choosing fabrics for each one individually. This is a traditional block, and I am using the instructions in Make Your Own Medallion.

I'll be back later in the week!

3/52

It's been sort of a weird week, and I've felt scatter-brained as a result. I have been fighting the sinus issues, and we got some snow/ice, which basically shut down the city. Obviously, it's nothing like Northern winters here, but Houston isn't really equipped for any kind of ice or snow. But of course, we will be back in the 60 degree Fahrenheit range by the weekend!

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Jan 16, 2018 at 12:30pm PST

I made my first Linden sweatshirt (pattern by Grainline Studio yesterday. I've made many Lark Tees (pattern also by Grainline) (I've made countless Larks, but have not documented them well!). For some reason, I couldn't imagine myself wearing the Linden, but I love it so much!
I used a Charley Harper knit, and a striped accent (the striped knit was a gift from my friend Brianne).

This is the first garment that I sewed completely on my new serger.

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Jan 16, 2018 at 10:37am PST

I received it last month (a gift from Elliott), and I've been learning the basics. My friend Jenn recommended this craftsy class, and it has been very helpful.

I've also been slowly hand quilting my string diamonds quilt.

Additionally, I've been working on a weaving project that I started last month. Finally, I have added a few sections to a long-term WIP that I never shared here. The last photos I have before today are from October, but I can't recall when I started this.

You know I love a good string project, and it has been fun to work on the past few days. This is a gift, and I'd like to finish it before May. Although I didn't use the pattern, I was definitely inspired by Amanda Jean's cover quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts (I didn't use the exact same colors, but tweaked it for the recipient).

See you next week!

FO: Handcrafted Prism

Maybe knowing that this quilt top was finished in October 2016 will make you feel inspired to finish a lingering project of your own.
This is Prism, from Jeni's Patchwork Essentials book.
I knew the design was a great way to let the Handcrafted fabrics (by Alison Glass) shine.

I just love the colors and the effect of quarter square triangles is always striking!

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Jan 3, 2018 at 10:49am PST

This photo gives you a nice idea of the quilting, which I did in a soft rosy pink.

And I love the asterisk binding, which plays off the quilting.

And the back! I honestly love it as much as the front.

I managed to get a quilt basted late last week, and I'm just about to start quilting.

FO: Sparkling Halloween Cider

Even though I've made Halloween things before, this is my first Halloween quilt! Jeni has used the Sparkling Cider pattern many times, and I always enjoy seeing it. So, I decided that it would make a great Halloween quilt.
I mean, I love stars, and scrappiness, so it felt like a great fit.

Not surprisingly, this could just as well be considered a cat quilt.

I used a variety of stashed prints, including Lizzy House ghosts, Cotton & Steel prints, solids, and a Heidi Kenney Spoonflower print.

I made the "Lap size", which is nice 64" x 80". I backed it with a widescreen and quilted it with random straight lines (in this Sulky color). The binding is this amazing print.

Happy Halloween!

Quilty WIPs update and a favorite FO

I didn't intend to be away for so long, but I can tell you that three of the quilts in that stack from my last post are done (and additionally, another three quilts have been started and finished. Additionally, I went to Maine, experienced Harvey, got a new kitchen, and lots of other fun stuff.
So, today, I want to jump back in and share a very favorite finish.

I shared this project last year, and it was just so fun and scrappy to sew. I used lots of favorite prints and made flying geese and other triangles, and randomly pieced it all together.

A good friend asked me to finish it for a gift she needed, and although I was sad to do so, I am hopeful that the recipient will love it as much as I do.

Dimensions: 53" x 69"

FOs: Hearts and Pink Scrappy Leftovers

So, my original plan was to share this scrappy pillow (14" approx.) that I finished for my friend Amanda Jean. She loves pink, scrappy and tiny piecing, so it felt like a fun choice for her!
I really love the floating pink triangle. Also, binding on a pillow always makes me happy.

However, after trying to find the post about the original project that gave me these leftovers, I came up empty.

So, here you go, Hearts. This finish from last year was made from Cluck Cluck Sew's heart block in a couple of different sizes and lots of different pinks and purples.

And here's the back, scrappy as usual.

I really can't imagine how many other projects I have failed to share here.
Oh well. Baby steps!

FO: Magic Stars 2.0

As soon as I finished my first Magic Stars quilt, I knew I wanted to make another. And honestly, now that the second one is done, I can totally see myself making one in every color!
It is so much fun choosing prints, pressing and cutting them, and then pairing and sewing.
And then, it really is magical as the blocks start to form!
Did you know I love yellow? I do.

Pattern is here from Aneela

We will see how long I can wait before starting Magic Stars #3.

FO: Panache Compass Bag

Panache is Becca Bryan's debut line with Robert Kaufman, and I was asked to make this Compass Bag for her booth at quilt market.
It was my first time making this pattern (this is the small size), and I am already planning one to keep, very soon! I really love the way the hardware looks, especially on the adjustable strap (Anna gives suggestions in her pattern for sources). I really love these prints (Panache will be available in October), but the pocket/strap print is my favorite!

FO: Sew Portable Tote

There are loads of projects that I finish but never photograph.

I'm not sure why this happens (although I am the worst with garments), but I am trying to catch up on sharing some older projects. A few years ago, Elliott and my mother-in-law conspired to buy me a featherweight for my birthday/Christmas gift. It was really fun, as we went together to a little shop that repairs vintage machines.
Soon after, I knew I needed to make Jeni's Sew Portable Tote, since (hello) it is designed to hold the machine.

I would say this bag has been finished for more than a year, and I still love the bright and happy combination of fabrics I chose. The Melody Miller transistor print is a favorite!

I haven't used my featherweight lately, but I think I need to give it a cleaning and use it very soon (and share photos, as well!).

FO: Big Log Cabin

Log cabin blocks are a forever favorite.

Really, I find them so comforting. And when I was asked to make a baby quilt in navy, grays and white, I decided it was a perfect opportunity to make one giant log cabin.

I used 2.5" strips (I had a roll of precut white strips, which jumpstarted the cutting process) in Kona Nightfall and miscellaneous neutral shades (all Kona).

The scrappy back is a mix of navy prints from the stash. The quilt is 43" x 44".

I have already started a new big log cabin this time with a Denyse Schmidt plaid and bright Kona solids.

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Mar 26, 2017 at 3:56pm PDT

Again, I am using 2.5" strips, and seriously, it is a super speedy quilt. And as always, the log cabin block feels limitless!

FOs: Lots of pouches

When a dear friend (who is your sister in sarcasm) gives you some ice-dyed fabric, you must try to do it justice.

I decided to make two Petal Pouches (one for me and one for a birthday gift) using this amazing fabric. This was my second time to make the pattern, and it produces such a nice pouch. The shape is fun, and using a metal zipper just feels fancy.

I also recently made a pile of open wide pouches.

I can't believe this was my first time to make these pouches. Anna's tutorial is nearly five years old, but for some reason, I never got around to it. I used fusible fleece on a second set (I will share those later), which helped them keep their shape.

And most recently, I made two gifty pouches using Jeni's Triplizip pattern. Somehow, I still have a million zippers, so I suspect there will be some more pouches in my immediate future.