Sew Bittersweet Designs | Sewing and Designing in my BitterSweet World

Wordless Wednesday – Caption It!

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

I love online quilting bees. I’ve been doing them for the last 3 years now. I just found out on Instagram that the 4×5 Modern Quilt Bee over on Flickr just opened for Spring registration and my friend Ella from Throw a Wench in the Works is running the bee this quarter!

I’ve been collecting blocks for my Yellow, Aqua and Gray quilt for at least 1.5 years now. I am 12 blocks shy so I’m leaping in with Shanna from Fiber of All Sorts and joining the bee. I will get at least 6 blocks closer to my goal!

I need a name for this quilt, help me name it with your caption below!

And because Anne wanted to help me lay out the blocks and just had to have her picture taken too…here’s some cuteness for your day!

Have a wonderful Wednesday and make it a great day!

Posted in Bee Blocks, Wordless Wednesday | 10 Comments

Week 15 Sewing Goals

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

I missed last week but I’m back for Week 15! My goal this week is very simple, make Anne’s Easter Dress. My mom is coming to visit and I want it done before she gets here so I have time to relax and visit with her.

I think I’m a touch crazy for making a tank dress but it is what Anne picked out and I’m pretty sure it is within my sewing skill set. I’ve not used a Butterick pattern before, I’m praying the instructions are clear.

While I was taking the above picture, Anne came in and said she made me a cake and would I take her picture, so here she is, in all her baking glory!

I hope everyone has a great week!!!

Posted in Clothes, Easter, Goals | 8 Comments

Open Wide Zipped Pouch – Swapped

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

Last quarter I participated in a swap on Facebook for Zippered pouches, this is the one that I made my partner. She said that she liked the colors purple and aqua so I raided my stash. Both sides were different and scrappy. I love a good scrappy pouch.

Purple/aqua Tote side 1 - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.com I followed the Open Wide Zippered Pouch tutorial from Noodlehead, for zipper insertion and changed the measurements for the rest of the pouch.

Here’s a shot of the inside, which I stuffed full of scraps before sending off.

Inside Purple/Aqua Pouch - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.com This was my last goal for the Finish-A-Long Q1 with Katy from The Littlest Thistle. You can see my goals here.

Woohoo! I can’t believe I finished all 4 and ON TIME too!!!

Have a happy Thursday everyone!

Posted in Finish-A-Long, Purse/Pouch | 12 Comments

Fluttering In Formation – 52 Twisted Blocks Tutorial

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

I am so excited today to be part of the Persimon Dreams 52 Twisted Quilt Blocks QAL! Below is my block. I found my inspiration in the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Blocks. The inspiration block is called the Beggar’s Block but when I saw it I just saw butterflies!

Supplies:

1 White Square – 4.5″ x 4.5″
32 White Squares – 1.75″ x 1.75″
8 body Sections – 2″ x 4.5″
16 Wing Sections – 1.75″ x 4.5″
Black Pearl Cotton Thread

NOTE: All 1/4″ seams and the block finishes at 12.5″ x 12.5″

Start by drawing a line, corner to corner on each white square. (See Picture)

Next chain piece sew your white squares onto your wing sections, sew along the line you drew. Pay attention to the orientation of the squares:

Trim off the excess fabric to 1/4″ and press towards the white:

Sew your wing sections to your body sections – creating 8 butterflies:

Lay your block out and sew together:

Use my tutorial over on Kim’s blog and embroider the adorable faces on your butterflies.

You will have a beautiful finish!!

There is a fun interview of me over on www.PersimonDreams.com
* If you make the block make sure you upload it to the Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2445539@N20/
* If you are interested in joining this QAL you can learn more information here: http://www.persimondreams.com/quilt-alongs/lapaceks-orchard/52-blocks

Thanks for visiting!!!

Posted in block tutorials, quilt along, tutorial | 8 Comments

April Goals! A Lovely Year of Finishes

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

April Showers bring May Flowers…right? Gosh I hope so since I will be starting to work on my garden this month! I will also be working on the Modern She Made Swap on Flickr that I am in. This time the project has to include hexies, and thanks to the wonderful Shanna, I found out and was accepted into the swap.

These are my EPP templates and my layout – the background is going to be a surprise for now…

My partner likes scrappy and rainbows so these are my fabric pulls.

Shanna already gave me an amazing idea for how to quilt it and I am excited to get started!!! A little bit of handwork ahead but I’m looking forward to see this all done!