Fair Isle Quilt Top

It's done! It's done!! I can't believe it! (Warning: picture heavy!)

The reindeer row! I love how the snowflakes turned out.

Check out the sparkles!! I chose this fabric specifically because of the sparkly snowflakes. They are very subtle, you can only see them in the right light. I'm in love! :)

I nicknamed this quilt the "$500 Dollar Quilt", any guesses why?? ;) Truly a labor of love and if I sell it (and that's a very big IF) I won't take a penny less than that.

I found this flannel sheet set at the thrift store for $3! I'm going to piece together the back using it. For the batting I'm using Warm and Plush so it's going to be extra warm and snuggly. :)

Once the backing is pieced this baby is off to the long arm quilters to get the sweater treatment (ie a cable quilting pattern!). I can't wait to show you the finished product!

If you are making this quilt here are a few tips that I've learned along the way:

1. Starch is your friend. Seriously. Starch all your fabric before cutting for accuracy and then after piecing the blocks/rows starch the back side and iron. It makes your seams lie really flat. 
2. Get yourself a strip cutting ruler (any size will do). I so wish I had this ruler when I first started but it was a huge life saver for the last few rows. Go get one. Now!
3. Stay stitch the blocks with lots of pieces. Especially on the reindeer. Stitch 1/8" away from the edges to make sure all the seams stay together. Something else I wish I would've done. I ended up hand stitching a handful of seams closed.
4. Sew your blocks into rows as you go. Give yourself one less thing to do by the time you get to sashing. 
5. Definitely check out the sew along for more tips and tricks for each block. You especially want to check out the post on cutting.

Stats:
Pattern: Fair Isle by Freshly Pieced
Fabric: Quilter's Linen in Silver by Robert Kaufman
           Raphael Snow in Pearl by STOF Fabrics

Linked up!

WIP: Fair Isle Reindeers

I'm so close! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I finished my reindeer row last week. Woo! :)

When I first cut my fabric (almost a year ago) I did it according to the pattern and then I had a little *facepalm* moment. With all the math I did just to figure out yardage for two colors, I should have included cutting for non-pixelated reindeer. Oh well, I pushed it out of my mind until after I finished the zig zag rows. Then I sat and stared at all the little 1.5" cut pieces and I made the choice to re-cut the blocks using larger pieces. Let's just say I'm very happy I had extra fabric! I barely made it but I was able to squeeze out what I needed with very careful cutting. And you know what? I'm so happy I did it.

When it came time to piece it all together, I did it a little at a time over the course of several days. First the snowflakes, then the heads, then the bodies, then putting the blocks together and finally putting it into the row. It came together very quickly with those larger pieces.

I'm in the middle of sewing all the sashing onto the rows and then it will be done!! :) I can't wait to share it with you.

Linked up!

WIP: Fair Isle Zig Zag

Wow, I really AM on a roll! :)

I started the zig zag row on Sunday, sewing together all the long pieces and then sub-cutting them. But I lost a bit of steam so I put off sewing all the pieces together until yesterday, when I made myself sit down and finish.

All that's left is the reindeer row and then putting the top together. I'm making it my goal to get the top completed before I start on my Farmer's Wife 1930s quilt. So I only have a couple weeks to get it all done.

Linked up!

WIP: Fair Isle Checkerboard

I feel like I'm on a roll here. I've been so unmotivated the last few months. I think when you have a tedious project hanging over your head it squashes your motivation. At last that's the way it seems with me. But the last week or two I've had the desire to sit and sew or cut fabric. It's a nice change. I hope I don't lose it. :)

On Wednesday I sat down and completed the checkerboard row. Definitely one of the easier rows. And this ruler made it even easier. Seriously, where has this been all this time?? Find yourself a 50% off coupon and buy one for yourself at Joann's. Best. Investment. Ever.

I bought the quarter cut one simply because I thought it would be the most useful to me. But they had two other rulers that did 1/2" increments, if that's more for you.

I also think I figured out why I was having issues on the poinsettias and fir trees. When I ironed my fabric for the checkerboard I lightly starched the grey (quilter's linen) and that seems to have done the trick. I noticed that it has a bit of stretch and I think that is why I ended up having to recut pieces. So moving forward I will be starching the quilter's linen, the cream doesn't seem to need it as it's already pretty stiff.

Next up is the zig zag and then after that the reindeers.

Linked up!

WIP: Fair Isle Fir Trees

I got my burst of motivation last night and finished up the Fair Isle blocks. Just like with the poinsettias, I had to cut a few pieces from scrap because the originals ended up being 1/4" too small. I don't know if it's my fabric choices, piecing or cutting that's causing this issue but I'm glad that I have quite a bit of scraps! :)

Linked up!

WIP: Fair Isle and Mom's quilt

A few works in progress shots of the two quilts I'm working on at the moment.

Fair Isle fir trees

Mom's Snowblossoms

I have my moments where there's absolutely no motivation (actually, there's been a lot of that lately...) but I really want to get both of these quilt tops done by summer. So here's hoping motivation will come back to me, and soon! :)

WIP: Fair Isle Poinsettias

I got my poinsettias done! I had to re-cut the middle strip for one of the blocks since it was 1/4" off but other than that we're good. My piecing is getting better and I'm feeling pretty good about the math I did for this quilt in two colors. I already sewed them into their rows. Next step: fir trees!

Linked up!

Fair Isle Quilt Along: Cutting

I finally finished cutting for my Fair Isle quilt! I broke it up over 3 days so it wouldn't be so bad. Now that the cutting is finished I'm looking forward to piecing.

When I first saw this pattern I fell in love but I thought it would look even better in just two colors. My little vision was reinforced when I saw this fabric:

source: Winter Essentials II by Studio E Fabrics

But that meant sitting down and doing some math, which is not my strong point. I was a little worried but I decided to give it a shot. Well, I'm happy to say my math worked out!

I'm excited to see it come together. Stay tuned! :)

My fabrics:
Quilter's Linen in Silver by Robert Kaufman
Raphael Snow in Pearl by STOF Fabrics

Works in Progress

 The charity quilt for my sister is almost done. The silent auction fell through so this is now a Christmas present. Just need to put it all together.

 I started this in 2012. Every year at Thanksgiving everyone writes what they are thankful for and then I embroider over their words. I've been behind since the start but I'm hoping to get it finished (or at least very close to it) by this Thanksgiving. This is a forever project as I hope to continue it every year.

I'm making another Snow Blossoms quilt, this time for my mom. It's been promised ages ago but I'm just now starting it. I don't think it will be ready in time for Christmas (this one will have photos too) but hopefully soon after. I don't think she will mind. :)

I bought this pattern the day it was released and I can't wait to get started. I already have my background fabric, Robert Kaufman's Quilter's Linen in Silver (buy it now while it's still on sale!). Just looking for a good price on the other fabric and then I can start cutting. I want to have this one done by at least spring. ;)

My little sewing corner is a complete disaster and it's not evidence of me sewing either. ;) But I definitely will have to give it a good tidy up before I start sewing again.