Playful Pillows featuring Lovey Dovey

 Disclaimer:  The fabrics used in this project were given to my by Island Batik.

This month's Island Batik Ambassador challenge was "Playful Pillows".  Right away I knew I wanted to feature my Lovey Dovey applique block design for this project. 

I pulled out a colorful assortment of fabrics and a couple of neutrals from my Island Batik stash box.

This would be the perfect project to use fabrics from some of the 5" x W.O.F. rolls.

 My design was created with fusible applique, which makes it fast and fun, but it would be equally beautiful in hand applique.

 I began building my design on my background fabric by placing the larger pieces and the pieces that overlap each other first.  I lightly pressed these pieces in place before adding the details.

 Next I added the leaves, the bird's eye, and the smaller heart.  I made sure the leaves were all spaced to my liking before pressing them into place.  Then I zigzag stitched around all the patches.  I used a variety of threads, but was thrilled to be able to use three of the Aurifil threads that were included with my Island Batik fabrics.  They matched the fabrics perfectly and stitched beautifully.

 Here's my completed Lovey Dovey pillow.  I added a green border with the fabric I used to create the leaves.  I stuffed it with a 16" pillow form and slip stitched the bottom side of the pillow closed.  I probably should have sewn an envelope style pillow for easy cleaning, because it's so pretty.  I'm worried about it getting dirty in my house with all boys and seven cats.  Oh well!  C'est La Vie!

 I used some of the same fabrics from the applique to piece together this fun striped backing.  I like it.

 Now, what to do with it?  It looks happy here in this chair I use when I need some peace and quiet.

 I can sit there and look up into one of the big Oak trees in my yard.  Heavenly.

 It would also be nice on the patio on these fantastic Spring days we've been having this week.

Most likely it will live out it's days on the living room couch.  Beetle likes it already.  Oh, the cat hair.  Oh kitty!  This was a fun project and my favorite so far.  I'm looking forward to June's project, too.  Time to get sewing!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful today.

Jennifer Thomas

Related Posts:
Lovey Dovey Quilt Block
Looking Back ~ Vintage Quilts Inspiring New Creations ~ Free Spirit WifeTry a Technique ~ Quilt it Like a Rock Star

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Aura Hexagon Quilt

 I was editing some older photos last week when I realized I have never written a post about my completed Aura hexagon quilt!  What?  How did that happen?  I wrote lots of in progress posts, but somehow missed out on the big one.  Here it is, Aura, complete and flying freely on the clothesline, enjoying a little sunshine.

 Take a step closer for more detail.  This quilt was created over a period of two and a half years.

 Take a step closer and you can see the swirly quilting.  

The hexagons in this quilt are 3/4" per side.  I challenged myself to only use fabrics from my scrap basket.

 Take a step closer and you can see the pretty thread colors.  I changed thread often, trying to match the hexagon colors as I quilted.

I used this fun dotty fabric for the backing.  I think it is a good complement to the hexagons and the playfulness of the design.

Aura

Quilt Stats:

Quilt Size:  45" x 45"

Hexie Size:  3/4" per side

Fabric:  From my scrap basket

Batting:  80/20 Cotton/Poly Blend

Thread:  Superior King Tut, various colors

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas

Related Posts:

The Rainbow Connection Update ~ Hexie Organization

No More Loose Threads

Are you following the Spring Clean Your Studio Blog Hop?  Visit Jessee's studio today for an amazing transformation and fabulous tips:  Click Here!

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The Rainbow Connection Update ~ Hexie Organization

 Here is my current progress on The Rainbow Connection.  It's getting close to being one big hexagon.  As I've been basting and sorting my hexies I came up with a new organization idea.

I have a lot of these old cross stitch floss boxes in my storage camper. My 3/4" per side hexies fit inside just perfectly!  Now I can sort them into the color sequence that I need and keep them neatly organized, all ready to sew.  I love this idea.  I can see myself with ten or so of these boxes all sorted by color and stacked neatly in a bookcase in my studio. 

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas

Visit Sam Hunter's studio today to see a fab vintage cabinet and lots of yummy color!  Click here:  Hunters Design Studio

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New Fat Quarters in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of May 5, 2018

Lemon Lime Merry and Bright

This beautiful piece of cotton has been individually hand dyed by Island Batik fabric artists in the garden village of Sanur, Bali. Fat quarter cut of 100 percent cotton fabric. Easy care, machine wash cold water, delicate dry cycle, cool iron.

The design on this fabric features green leaves, stars, snowflakes, and dots on a lemon lime background. This fabric is perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Toast Happy Harvest

This beautiful piece of cotton has been individually hand dyed by Island Batik fabric artists in the garden village of Sanur, Bali. Fat quarter cut of 100 percent cotton fabric. Easy care, machine wash cold water, delicate dry cycle, cool iron.

The design on this fabric features beige leaves, stars, snowflakes, and dots on a brown background. This fabric is perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Lilac Parade Beige Stripe
A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Lilac Parade Beige Stripe, by The Buggy Barn, for Henry Glass and Co. Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, yarn dyed, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features beige stripes with a purple zigzag stripe. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Cream Marble Flannels
A beautiful cut of high quality flannel quilting fabric, Cream Marble Flannel, by Moda Fabrics. Fat quarter cut of 100 percent flannel cotton, 18" x 22". Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features a delightful allover cream colored marble pattern. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. (not intended for children's sleepwear). So unique - be creative!

For these fantastic quilting fabrics and more, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop. 

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas

Are you following the Spring Clean Your Studio Blog Hop?  Click here to visit Lisa Chin's Studio today.

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Singer 301A Sewing Machine, Cabinet, and Accessories

 It was Saturday evening.  My family was outside on the patio, grilling some chicken and hot dogs.  On a whim, I looked at the Craigslist free section, something I rarely do.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  Someone was giving away a Singer 301, my favorite machine.  The last thing I need is another sewing machine, but it's a 301!  My husband volunteered to get in his truck and go pick it up.  So, I let him.  

 It came with this cute cabinet.  The giveaway was from the original owner.  She purchased this machine in 1955!  It looks like it has seen minimal use, but unfortunately also minimal care.  It is currently in a frozen state and has some rust issues.

This cool storage seat came with the cabinet.  I've never owned one of these before.  

Here's a peek at the bobbin case.  Oh my!  That is sad.  I wonder if the machine is rusted inside, too?  I'll have to investigate further when I have the time.

Inside the storage seat:  An original 301 manual!  How nice to have.  I've been using a printed one from the Internet.

Boxes of attachments!  These are all in beautiful condition.  They look unused.  

It's a treasure trove of vintage sewing goodness.

The accessories box.  These are all in beautiful condition, too.  It looks like everything is here.  I'm puzzled how the machine has rust issues, but everything else seems to be so well preserved.

A fab needle book for my collection.  The needles are all still inside.

The Singer Sewing Skills Reference book.  

My favorite part!  The Singer Automatic Zigzagger with extra cams!  Now I can zigzag on my 301.  I can't wait to try this out.

Buttonholer.

The stocking darner.  I'll likely never use this, but it's so cool!

The Singer Gripper, also known as the third hand.  So nice to have.

So, any ideas on how the machine acquired all that rust, when everything else is shiny and new?  It's a mystery to me.  Leave a comment below.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas

P.S. Are you following the Spring Clean Your Studio Blog Hop?  Click here to visit Lisa Reber's Dippy Dye Studio.

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Lovey Dovey Quilt Block

Today I'm going to show my Lovey Dovey quilt block.  This Block was designed for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, which is no longer in publication ~ so sad!  

 Lovey Dovey is a fusible applique block.  Here are all my pieces traced onto the fusible web.  I like to use Heat 'N Bond Lite.

 These are some of the fabrics I pulled from my stash to make the Lovey Dovey block.

 Wing piece.

 A few of the patches, ready to be fused to the background block.

 Here is the design, partly fused.

 Here all the patches have been fused in place on the background block.

 Next to zigzag stitch around each patch with matching thread.  I love doing this.

More zigzagging.  So pretty!

This is the completed Lovey Dovey block.  I've been working on a wall hanging featuring four Lovey Dovey blocks, and I'm also going to use this design for my Island Batik Ambassadors project this month, so look for more Lovey Doveys flying your way soon!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas

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