Fancier Foxes

This post is looong overdue! 

A few months ago, I made a Fancy Fox quilt for my newest nephew. My kids fell in love with the foxes. So much so, that: 1) they didn't want me to give the quilt away. 2) they wanted to make their own fox quilts. I've been posting pics here and there of their progress. Although - it's been a few months since they finished their tops. Summer came along, and like all other projects, we (I) took a break on the quilts. I finally got them quilted in August, and even took pictures a few weeks ago. I'm a bit behind with showing them off. I'm still trying to find a happy medium with how to spend my time while the kids are at school. Lately, I've been sewing up their Halloween costumes. Which, I'm happy to say, are nearly finished, and should have pictures to show y'all in a week or two. 

Making these quilts with them has been such a great experience for all of us. The kids really took to concentrating on their stitches, and even challenged themselves to go at a faster pace. They sort of made a game out of timing themselves to see how long it would take to sew 5 squares, or how many they could get done in 2 minutes. 

They were very particular about what they wanted, putting their personalities into their quilts. They picked everything, from fabrics, placement, accessories, backing and quilting. Which has been funstrating (fun+frustrating)! I think it's a good trait they have, but can also be frustrating when what they want isn't really available. My girl was much more giving in her decisions. If it was the right color, that's all that mattered. 

My boy on the other hand, was a little more picky. He wanted each fox be different - not just in color, but also in print. He has always known what he wants, and always figures out a way to get it. I had to pull out every single bin of fabric I have, with a lot of rejections, before he found a fabric for each fox. In the end, he decided it was okay if the patterns were similar (but still not the same), especially when it came to dots. Even thought it's just a quilt, I'm glad to see him not waver from his determination. I know he felt very accomplished when he was able to find 42 different fabrics. He could have given up after the first bin and just settled on what he had, but he wouldn't have been happy.  

Trying to decide on a background was nearly as daunting for him. After many mind changes, a couple quick lessons on color theory and contrasting, a trip (or 2) to the Riley Blake warehouse, he found the right color of grey he could be happy with.

So how did we make these foxes fancier? Of course the glasses were a must. My girl didn't like the glasses that Elizabeth Hartman made to go along with her pattern. She thought they looked too boyish. So I came up with some other, more girly glasses. Paisley also wanted to add bows. Which I love! 

This is my favorite of her foxes.

My boy also wanted to add glasses. And mustaches.

I came up with a few mustaches for variety. He only wanted the short, nearly straight mustache.

I think it makes the fox look quite sly.

It didn't just stop at glasses and mustaches. He also wanted a hat, which then led to a monocle.

This is my favorite of his foxes. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!

This might really be my favorite of all the foxes. He looks so dignified!

Paisley wanted a simple wave quilted across hers. She picked a very pale purple thread by Sulky. It has a been of a glimmer to it, just like her :)

She couldn't decide which Michael Miller Basics purple dots she liked better, so I pieced them in a gradient (I should have made some of the strips wider).

Argyle wanted his to be quilted in flames. He found a red/yellow/orange variegated thread in my box that was perfect for the flames.

He also pulled about 13 different fabrics for his backing. I did my best to incorporate all that he had, but when it came down to it, had to leave a few out. The pieces just weren't big enough. I made the back up as I went a long. I don't usually do improv piecing. I had a lot of fun with it, and am seriously considering making a top in the same fashion. 

I don't know who's more proud of their first quilts (and tremendous accomplishment), me or them. The quilts are shown to just about everyone who comes by our house, have been on their beds since the moment they were finished, traveled with them in the car, been to movie nights, a hospital appointment, talent night and shown off to their school classes. 

I am amazed at their tenacity during the whole process. 

I'm glad to be able to share my love of quilting with my kids. 

I'm happy I could teach them.

I am extremely proud of them. 

September Newsletter

Wow! Can you believe it is September already! School started last week for my oldest and then again this week for my youngest. The rest of the week has been trying to get into a schedule while the kids are gone. I've had big plans for a cleaner house, gym time and finishing up my huge stack of quilts. However, trying to budget time for each in a 2.5hr slot is seeming near impossible. Especially trying to do any work after the gym :)    But you didn't come here to listen to my scheduling problems.  I bet you just want to see pretty fabric, eh!    There's been a few new arrivals to the store over the past couple of weeks.

 

First up is the the newest of the additions:

Cheddar & Indigo from Penny Rose Studios. 

How gorgeous are these blues and golds! 

 

I'm thinking I need a vintage-y style quilt made out these delicious fabrics!

 

 

Next is Modern Paper Background by Zen Chic.

I should have gotten my act together and joined in the low-volume plus block swap hosted by my friend Lindsay of  Craft Buds, but one thing I lacked was low-volume prints. This is a perfect collection to have for any low-volume quilt. Modern Paper Background is available in all pre cuts.

 

 

Lastly, the lastest Sample Spree from Moda arrived a couple of weeks ago.

 

You'll find yummy collections from Simply Colorful II by Vanessa Christensen in blue, yellow and purple colorways:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prairie by Corey Yoder:

 

 

 

Gooseberry by Lella Boutique:

 

 

 

Canyon by Kate Spain:

 

 

And...

Tucker Prairie by One Canoe Two:

 

 

With all these beautiful collections, the gym and housework may just have to wait ;)

Sample Spree includes fat quarters, layer cakes, charms and jellies. You can check them all out here.

Summer Dress

Back in March, or April, I can't remember which. I thought I would make another dress for my little girl. I got as far as cutting it out. I glanced at the instructions and noticed some shirring on the back bodice. I think that's where my interest was lost. I have never done shirring. I know, everyone says it's really easy, and there are some fantastic tutorials out there. At that moment, I was not feeling like getting out of my comfort zone. So Its sat. Birthdays came, and parties to plan, swimming lessons, hikes, gardening and so forth all took over. I decided I might not get this dress sewn before Summer was even over. So I called in the cavalry! My Mom.

My Mom has always been an incredible seamstress. She used to make me dresses when I was little. Big. Frilly. Dresses. Although I try to sew clothing, I am not that good, and the instructions more often than not, confuse me quite easily. My Mom was kind enough to sew the dress for me. She did a fantastic job! She seriously had this done in an afternoon. I'm pretty sure it would have taken me at 5 times longer!

It's the perfect summer dress, and my little girl simply loves it. Best part, it has twirlability!

Fabric for this dress is Enchant Floral in Navy by Natalie Lymer.

October Newsletter

New Fabrics In Store! With over 50 bolts added to the store, October has been a busy month! 3 of the newest collections from Riley Blake Designs are available in yardage.   First up, and just in time for Halloween, is Emily Taylor's newest line, Zombie Apocolypse.       Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches joins the Riley Blake team with Enchant.     And, back by popular demand is Andrea Victoria by My Mind's Eye. These fabrics are gorgeous! (The computer images have been highly saturated and do not properly reflect the true colors.)       New from the RBD designers is Think Pink, a tribute to Breast Cancer research and survivors. (available in fat quarters)   Also new in stock and available by the yard, are these POP basics by the RBD designers.

 

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New Patterns!

 

I am incredibly pleased and excited to announce my first printed pattern, Supernova. This pattern is pre cut friendly, using 5" and 10" squares. Pattern also includes large and small scale blocks with 7 quilt sizes! Quick and easy to sew, great for any sewing level.

 

 

Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts will be debuting her 3 newest patterns at Quilt Market this week. All 3 should be arriving the shop later this week as well. Patterns use Julie's Hex N More and Sidekick rulers. Templates also included in pattern.

  

 

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Stroller Quilt Tutorial

I recently had the opportunity to work with Shannon Fabrics Cuddle to create this Stroller Quilt with Ties.

This is perfect for the cooler Fall nights and upcoming Winter. The ties create a pocket for little toes to be kept warm and easily ties to the side of the stroller to prevent it from falling down and getting run over. For the full tutorial, visit the Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Corner.

Hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween!

Thank you for your continued support!

Sarah