something for baby : :

Yes, can you believe it -- after all those pillows I finally have something different to share! And no, this is not for my baby.Sigh. I recently found out that my sister is expecting a baby this June, a little girl in fact, and I am so excited that she has asked me to make many of the little things that will be needed for her first child -- I am honored and totally up for the challenge! Right away I remembered this post I had seen on AMH's blog a little while back for her little luxury receiving blankets. On Sunday I found a little time to make one.

Anyone who has worked with these fabrics will tell you that the quality of Anna Maria's voile and flannels are just beautiful, so to have them paired together for a cozy blanket for baby is complete perfection! When fabric is this gorgeous sometimes it is best just to do the most simple of projects. These little receiving blankets are a perfect example of that sweet simplicity.

Since I am still fairly new to sewing when it comes to many skills and have not yet learned to make bias tape, I knew after working with the fine, slippery voile that my first time shouldn't be with this fabric. I decided to use a pre-made bias tape = bad idea! I am really disappointed with that decision. The color looks great, but the feel of the stiffer cotton trim is too rough when compared to the softness of the flannel and voile. I may even redo it, I'm still deciding since my concerns were confirmed yesterday when I stumbled upon this blog post. I may just forget the trim altogether and do the same technique I used on this blanket, one of my very first sewing projects, yikes!
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Anna Maria sells project packs for these blankets, complete with all the directions and materials you'll need, including voile for the bias tape. I knew right away how these blankets were made, so I didn't think a kit would be necessary but now I am kind of wishing I would have bought one for the bias tape instructions alone.

I am hoping to have something to send my sister each week for the baby and will no doubt be sharing those projects here. Since I, regretfully, wasn't sewing yet when my children were babies I would love to hear some suggestions on what handmade items you would have or will appreciate for your babies? I have a couple more blankets, of course more pillows, bibs, and a few play things on the list, along with hoping to find the courage to do a little garment sewing for this little one, as well. Your input will be so very helpful - thanks!

And, happy March to all! ~ Maureen

Better than flowers : :

Since March when I began to sew, my husband has learned when it comes to gift giving that unless it is something from here, I would much, much rather be receiving fabrics than flowers. So...

Happy Valentine's Day to me!!!

All of these beauties are from Quilt Home, one of my very favorite places to shop fabrics! Since my fabric stash is very lacking in purples, when I spotted Kate Spain's Central Park I put it on my must have list right away -- there is not a print I do not like in the entire collection, so I thought this was a good start. The top fabric is an Amy Butler print that I thought matched up well and would bring in some more of that wonderful shade of blue.

I always try to pick up a little of Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks Voile here and there when I can. I still do not have the complete collection, but will hopefully soon.

The voile is going to be paired with these Folksy Flannels to make one or two baby blankets. It is such a beautiful quality flannel.

And finally, a couple Good Folk prints, too -- right there in the center. This collection I am always re-stocking. I don't want to think of the day when I don't have any!

One of the very best things about shopping at Quilt home is their specials section -- the deals there change daily and always include a fantastic price on a print on my list. It's wonderful, but dangerous too! Thank God for holidays!