All Framed Up, An Unplanned Finish

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

Last week I finished up another version of my All Framed Up pattern.  This one is destined to go to a friend who is pregnant. Although, now that I have finished my class with Katie from Sew Katie Did, I’m wondering whether or not there is enough value difference. (More about my class on Thursday.) Oh well, it is what it is and I will apply the things I learned from the class to my future quilts!

All Framed Up Purple & Gray - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI love this quilt, especially the birdie and butterfly focus prints. They just make me so happy. My favorite thing about this pattern is all the negative space, it gives you so much room to practice your FMQ in. I did an all over swirl design in the gray and in the purple I did a border design from Angela Walters’ book.

I even learned that for the last 2 years I have been threading my machine incorrectly. Turns out you should always thread your machine with the foot up. I don’t always do that and when I don’t do it I have MAJOR tension problems. Thank goodness for the user manual! So there is my unplanned finish for February.

What are you up to?

signature

Posted in All Framed Up | 6 Comments

Week 7 Goals

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

Last week was kind of a whirl wind for me. Everyone in my house was sick, I ended up in the ER (I’m fine now), and the wonderful Shanna from Fiber of All Sorts came over Saturday night for a sewing date and we went to a quilting class together on Sunday. The class was super amazing, not only was it my first ever in person quilting class, but it was with my awesome local chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild – South Sound MQG, but it was taught by the fantastic Katie of Sew Katie Did. I will have more about the class tomorrow!

I did manage to accomplish my goals from last week, I will be posting pictures some time this week, but today is all about the goals for right now! My goal for week 7 is to piece the adorable I Spy blocks into 2 NICU quilts. The blocks were made by the fantastic ladies of the Trust Circle from Do. Good Stitches. I’m excited to piece these and get them quilted!

I Spy Blocks - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comWhat are you working on this week? Have you started your February Goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes yet?

signature

Posted in Do.Good Stitches, Fiber of All Sorts | 8 Comments

Meet Elvira!

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

I’d like to take a few minutes to introduce you to Elvira.

Singer 99k - Elvira - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comSewing runs deep in my veins, the above sewing machine, a Singer 99K dating to 1924, belonged to my Great Grandma, Elvira.  She was my grandpa’s mother and she was a tailor by trade. This is the sewing machine that she earned her living on raising my grandfather and Great Uncle Nick. My mom gave her to me over Christmas and she came home from the spa yesterday. The amazing news is that she still works! There is a short in her light, but that is no big deal, I can get a snazzy little desk lamp instead of using the light that came with her.

Singer 99k Medalion - Elvira - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comYou can see her serial number and in this picture. Considering her age, I think she is in fantastic shape. Probably not worth much to a vintage sewing machine collector but to me she is absolutely priceless!

The cool thing is that she has a knee control rather than a foot pedal, something I haven’t encountered before. This is also one of the models that is used on the popular tv show Downton Abbey.  Pretty cool!  I’m very excited to thread her and start sewing on her, I feel like I will be sewing on a huge slice of my family’s history.

signature

Posted in Sewing Sanctuary | 15 Comments

January 2014 Winners – A Lovely Year of Finishes

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

ALYoF 2014 LGWe did it! We finished the first month of 2014 with 172 finishes!!! Everyone give yourselves a big round of applause and a good pat on the back! Shanna and I knew you had it in you!

We have some amazing sponsors this year that keep making this fun.

Mr. Random (upon verification) chose these as our winners.

January Prizes Include:

 1, 2. TWO winners each getting to choose one pdf pattern
from Sew BitterSweet Designs ($10 value)

3. Quilting Patterns designed by Quilting Lodge

 Jess from One English Teacher 

4. Persimon Dreams – Project Quilting Mystery Bundle

 

 KatieQ from Katie’s Salt Marsh Path 

5. Thread Prize from Aurifil

Deb from asimplelife Quilts

6. Green Fairy Quilts – 3 pdf patterns

Beth from Hello Quilt Lady

7, 8. Honey, Bunny and Doll – 2 Patterns

Honey, Bunny, and Doll

 Jo from Ramblin’ Rows
and
Deborah from Sunshine Through The Rain

9. Sew Sweetness – 1 pdf Pattern

Sew Sweetness

 Heather from Heather’s Creative Blessings

 How fun to share all these prizes.

Please go and say hello to the winners and show the love to our sponsors!

~~~

And remember the last day for your ONE February goal setting is TODAY.

 It really will be a lovely year of finishes!

signature

Posted in A Lovely Year of Finishes, Fiber of All Sorts | 9 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – Caption It!

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Melissa Dunworth

I have to say last week was so much fun having everyone capture my picture. I was literally laughing so hard at some points I was crying! I have another good one for you. When I brought today’s item to my machine repair shop the ladies laughed at me and told me I should keep it and frame it. I am officially on my third bobbin case in 3 months…

View one bobbin holder - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comAnother view for your enjoyment:

View two bobbin holder - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comCaption it!!!

signature

Posted in Wordless Wednesday | 33 Comments