Haystack, Kettle's On, and Kitchen Window Blocks

Here we go, with some more finished blocks

from the Farm Girl Vintage sew along!

The first one I'm showing today was fun and easy to make:

Haystack.

{I think it's constructed just like the traditional block called Courthouse Steps.}

I chose all my prints with similar values,

but the center block is actually a bit lighter than the others.

I really love those tiny spatulas in that fabric!

The next block in Farm Girl Vintage is called Kettle's On!

I love my tea every morning,

so I looked forward to stitching this pretty block.

It was fun to make a yellow spout and lid,

topped off with a little red knob. I love the aqua kettle, too.

Next up was the block called Kitchen Window.

I've been using navy fabric as a "zinger"

for my blocks, so I used the dark fabric for my window frame.

The fabrics in the "window" glow like it's nighttime.

I'm really having fun blending all my 30's style prints,

to make some fresh new blocks with a vintage vibe.

Be sure to come back soon and often, to see more!

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Farm Girl Vintage - Out of Order!

Are you following the

Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along?

I found it irresistible,

and although I arrived a little late to the party,

I'm all caught up now!

Here's a glimpse of how my blocks are coming along...

This week's featured blocks were just so much fun!

They are both so All-American...

starting with Old Glory.

The book recommends making a scrappy

little yellow star,

using 5 different yellow prints.

Look how cute mine came out!!!

{True confession: my first thought was, "I'm not doin' that."}

I'm so glad I changed my mind,

when I noticed I had plenty of pretty yellow fabrics

right there on my dining room table, where I sew.

This little flag block went together quickly.

In no time, I was finished with that one.

I turned my attention to the Old Red Barn Block.

I have to say...the quarter-square triangle block

was super easy and lots of fun to make.

I think I might make something with a whole bunch

 of those blocks.

They make a cute barn door.

I took my blocks outside for a photo shoot.

Relax. Those aren't real cherries!

And these aren't real cherries either...

Have you found me on Instagram?

Sometimes I put my blocks up over there

as soon as they are finished.

But don't forget to come back here to my blog again,

for details and more photos!

I'll be catching up on some earlier blocks

from Farm Girl Vintage, over the next few weeks,

while I continue with the sew along.

Come back often!

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A Value-able Lesson - Cool Threads

My Farm Girl Vintage book

is really getting a workout these days,

as I try to catch up with the sew along!

I'm learning along the way.

I'm using my pre-pressed technique

for my block corners,

which minimizes distortion from pressing.

Also, I use skinny thread,

(Aurifil 50 wt)

to make my block sizes very close to 

a perfect 6 1/2" square at the end.

Today I'm showing my version of the Cool Threads block.

Now, I have a confession to make...

here are the "spools" I made at first.

When I laid them out for assembly,

I didn't love the way the colors looked together.

They didn't clash, but they didn't excite me.

I really liked that light blue one,

so I whipped up three new spools,

and this time I was satisfied.

I started to think about what made me react

differently to two similar blocks.

The difference was...value!

Here's the first block,

photographed in black and white.

One of the blocks "stands out"

from the others, being too dark.

The others are of similar value.

In the block that I liked,

there are two blocks that are darker,

but they are balanced by placement,

and the four blocks seem to belong together.

I really like those "extra" spools,

especially the navy one, and will save them

for another block to be made someday.

I like the way that teeny stripe looks like twine.

Never mind...in my final block,

I liked the way this spool looks like

variegated thread.

While I've been stitching from this book,

I noticed that a whole lot of blocks need

1 1/2" squares from the background print.

I cut some extra squares, to keep in a pretty bowl.

{I like "pretty" organizing tips, don't you?}

I hope you've enjoyed my value-able tip

and will stop by again soon!

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End of October - Across The Pond Sew Along Rag Wreath

This month's

Across The Pond Sew Along

featured a fun project...

rag wreaths!

My sister Susie  over at Susie's Sunroom

created a sweet wreath from a range of plum fabrics.

She added some button details.

Sigh...adorable!

Amanda The Patchsmith...

our British "sister"...styled her own

autumn wreath with flannel plaid,

accented with golds, oranges and reds.

When I saw those two projects, I made sure

I took the time to make a rag wreath of my own!

I pulled out a stack of homespun wovens

that have been in my stash for...

ahem...a very long time.

I followed the tutorial by Hiphome for my project,

and I cut my strips about 1 1/2" x 5" or so.

I wouldn't have wanted those strips any shorter,

because they would have been difficult to tie.

My mom and I had a wonderful afternoon

of crafting together, and she created her own

wreath to take home.

My finished wreath looks so full and pretty, hung on my front door.

OK...let's be real.

I had to take photos on the front door,

but my wreath will NOT be living there.

The first rainy night or snowy storm

would probably ruin my fluffy wreath.

It's an inside wreath!

I only took the outside photos

so you could see how lovely it is.

It doesn't show up well in my indoor pictures,

but that's where it will really be kept.

{I couldn't get any nice photos of Mom's wreath, but is gorgeous,

hanging in her hallway, against a taupe wall.}

From now through Thanksgiving,

I'll enjoy looking at this lovely textured

autumn palette...I wish you could touch this wreath!

I hope you'll try making one of your own.

If you do, please add it to the 

Flickr page for the Across The Pond Sew Along!

Come back tomorrow for

another October finish...as we finish October!

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April Across The Pond Sew Along

Believe it or not...it's already time for our next theme

in the Across the Pond Sew Along.

It was Susie's turn to choose the project,

and you are going to love her selection...

We're making Journal Covers!

Susie has already whipped up a couple of beautiful

covers, for inspiration.

Not to be outdone,
Amanda the Patchsmith
has already posted her two models as well!

Here is one lovely version...
with butterfies as beautiful as those found in nature...

And this is the second one she created!

{What is that, "peeping" from the corner?  
The latest mug rug in the series of sweetness from The Patchsmith! 
I love it with that spotty mug!}

I've been spending more time in the kitchen

than in the dining room...aka sewing space...

but I've managed to research some great links

for journal cover patterns and tutorials.

First up is a Moda Bake Shop project,

courtesy of the beautiful blog called Bloom.

{Look...two lovely versions, and one uses linen...so zakka!}

Next up is something a bit different...

more like a portfolio

or list maker style,

by Niesz Vintage Home.

{The print selection is just perfect, don't you think?}

Vikki from Sew Useful Designs

shares another method for covering a notebook,

and her instructions for customizing are excellent!

{I like the binding idea, too!}

Here's one from sew grown

that uses a different technique altogether

with linen, a print accent band,

and a lovely velvet ribbon embellishment.

Melanie from The Crafty Cupboard

shares a sweet version

with some pocket details.

It's the most recent one I've found,

and the prints she has chosen are so sweet!

{I feel her pain, with the oops moment she had. ha ha ha}

Now, if you're in the mood to purchase a PDF pattern,

 here's one that looks so super cute!

It's The Notebook Slipcover

PDF Sewing Pattern by Gingercake.

{This is just one of several versions she includes.}

Which one shall I make???

Or will I find even more ideas over at

Susie's Sunroom

and

The Patchsmith???

{Come back soon to see what I come up with...we'd love to have you sew along!}

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