Showing posts with label Operation Homefront. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Operation Homefront. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Stitching Up Baby!

A "Stitch Me Up" Baby Bib !
for the
 
Stitch Me Up Blog Hop
 
 When I signed up for this hop and the Stitch Me Up Packet arrived in my email, I was overwhelmed by the possibilities.  The many free patterns are all so beautiful!  I am sure you will be seeing much more intricate projects for this hop. There are flowers and gardens and houses and adorable wee tots.   I chose one of the simpler patterns.  The geometric shapes in this pattern by Bee Tree Designs appealed to me.  
When it came time to chose a project, I decided that the simple pattern was very "primary" and that it would  be wonderful for a baby or toddler. 
 
  What to make???
A Baby Bib!
I drew up a pattern ...

I wanted to keep the same lines as the Elements design so I used these to decide on my shape for the bib.  I drew this directly onto the paper side of piece of freezer paper, so I would be able to iron the pattern right to the fabric.  I used my ruler for the straight lines and drew around the bottom of an empty thread spool for the curves. At one point I realized my initial pattern had to neck opening too small, so I recut the opening larger.  These photos were taken before I realized this design flaw and recut.

pattern details
cut
front
This is when I realized the neck opening was cut too small.
batting
It is snowing here again!
back
with enlarged neck opening
pin and machine stitch

This is an experiment and my own method.

I pinned the copy of the pattern design right to my top
with the batting only underneath. 
Katniss helps thread and set up and check my machine
Katniss checks my machine settings
These are my standard settings.
After experimenting, I reset the stitch smaller to 2.0
to make it easier to remove the paper. 

Katniss helps me matching the thread colors.
  I started with my thin white piecing thread then I switched to red top thread as I knew I was planning to embroider with red perle cotton.  
remove paper ... use tweezers if needed to get tiny bits
easy stem stitch right over the machine stitches
This hand stitching over machine stitching was an experiment and I will definitely do it again. I used larger stitches on my machine like basting at first. Then I set it to a smaller stitch. The smaller stitch covers easier and also makes it easiest to remove the paper. I also tried both white and red thread since my top color was red. The red was easier to cover, but one color would not work for embroidery with multiple colors. Next time I will match my machine color thread to the background fabric and set it to a small stitch length.
front and back
sandwich with right sides together
detail of the back of my hand stitching shows on the batting
machine stitch through all layers around the edge
Note:  Remember to leave a 2-3 inch opening on one side to turn your bib right side out
crimp edges 1/4" away from seam
turn right sides out
I use a bone tool with rounded edges to smooth out the seams. 
hand stitch opening closed
 
press bib and top-stitch 1/4 inch around the edge
 
machine stitch the velcro closure
Here is the finished Baby Bib!
This Baby Bib is destined to be included in a package that
I will be donating to the next ...
I first learned of this drive from a blog hopper, KaHolly,
and I feel this is a very worthy cause. 
Just thinking about the young mothers of our service families who may be far away from home and getting ready to have a baby, sends me to my sewing machine. 
I hope you will consider contributing in some way to this effort.
Giveaway Time!
Make Your Own Baby Bib Kit Giveaway! 

[This Giveaway is now Closed ]
Cat not included ... again ... ;)
Pattern, back, batting, front ... when my model gets off of the red fabric, I will cut this piece, too.  I will also enclose the velcro closure and a twist of red perle cotton to complete your own baby bib.
For a chance to win, please leave my quilty kitties and I one comment. We love comments!
You do not need to be a follower to win.

I will send this Baby Bib Kit anywhere in the world.

Winner will be chosen at random.

Please be sure that I have a way to contact you by email to tell you that you have won and to get your mailing address. If you are a no reply blogger, I will pick another random winner.


For a 2nd chance to win be a follower and leave me a second comment telling me you are.

This giveaway will close at Midnight EDT on March 29th.

A winner will be announced and emailed on March 30th.

Best of luck!
 
Please visit all the other lovely bloggers posting today ...
WEDNESDAY March 20th

Life in the Scrapatch (you are here!)

Selina Quilts 

So you do not miss a single post on any day ...
FULL BLOG HOP SCHEDULE HERE 
  
Thanks to
and
for organizing this wonderful blog hop
and
to all participants for their
amazing creations and inspirations!


Thank You for visiting!
<3

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Quilter's Christmas Party and Operation Homefront Drive


Hello and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,  my friends!
 
 
My favorite part of Christmas is having my family and friends around me. My favorite Christmas tradition is our annual Christmas Tree Gathering ... getting together as a family and finding our tree, bringing it home and decorating together. 

Today I am gathering online with other quilters and sharing the fun at the Quilter's Christmas Party that is happening over at Sew Cal Gal's Blog.  There are some great prizes to be had from the generous sponsors of this quilty holiday happening. 

There is also a drive to benefit a great cause. Find this button ...



... on Sew Cal Gal's Blog.  Learn more about this cause to pause and consider as to why we should donating by reading this post about the  Operation Homefront Drive.

To donate click on the Operation Homefront button on the right of her blog page and  remember to add "Sew Cal Gal" in the comments.

I hope you will open your hearts to gift the families our servicemen and women this holiday season and let them know that ...


Over the years I have made many blocks for several Quilts of Valor initiatives and every block I have stitched with thanks and gratitude for the sacrifices made everyday by our military families.

Q&N Quilt of Valor

On my quilty home away from home on the web, The Quilt and Needle,
 we have a special section where
in the Q&N Quilts of Valor Initiative threads.  
Above is a photo of our most recent quilt.  For more photos, including one of the recipient and his family read through the thread. In keeping with the QOV Foundation's mission "to cover all service members and veterans touched by war with quilts," the members of of the Q&N have quietly been making blocks and quilts since 2009. Members may nominate any friend or family member to receive a quilt. Many of these quilts have been made by uni-block drives and others have been designed specifically for the recipient.  New members to the Q&N are always welcome.

Throughout the day today I will be posting more and welcome you to my

Quilty Christmas Open House
 
and I will be visiting other participant's blogs.
 
Come join the party!
 
:-)