Magpie Quilts

Good sunny Monday morning! I have a huge list of things to get done this week and not sure if I'll actually get anywhere on that list, but blogging seems to be a good way to procrastinate! American Banner from Moda Coasters - For Sale Last week we took the RV out for a few days and I took along my sewing machine and a few projects. I've had so many big quilts that I've been working on, and it was a nice change to work on some smaller items and actually see a few finished. Blue Table Runner - For Sale This denim blue fabric line is great. I am going to find a pattern for a tiered skirt and get a little more of it and actually sew something for myself from it. Blue is still my fav color! Blue Table Runner - For Sale This cute double four patch table runner is an easy pattern to make up and you can make it from fat quarters in your stash or buy some specially just for this. Pattern is here or click on the Tutorial tab above! Denim Blue Mug Rug - For Sale

A week or so ago, I made a baby quilt with a dog applique. As I made the quilt, I thought about the ways that I have done applique before - time consuming needle-turned applique and fused applique with machine stitching around the outside. But I didn't want something that was going to take a lot of time, or that left the baby quilt feeling a little stiff as fusible applique does. Sometimes you don't have to look to far to find a technique that gives the results you want and I took a closer look at an antique butterfly quilt that I have from my sweet husband's grandmother. (I'm saving the picture of her full quilt for another post!) Here's a close up of her applique: My example for this applique method! The hand done buttonhole stitch she did was very fine - these are about 1/8" apart, but you can see underneath the white machine straight stitch she used to tack down her shapes before adding the decorative stitching. I wanted to duplicate her technique and

This week, my design wall was covered with T-shirt logos for a custom T-shirt quilt. I have 2 to make for this customer and this was the first one. And this is a project I'm working on in between other quilts! Every so often, I pull the box of pieces (already cut!) and sew together a few blocks. Before I know it (I hope!) this top will be done and ready for quilting! Yellow and gray continues to be a popular color combo for me - this one in mustard yellow and a charcoal gray for a baby's nursery. I also finished 2 other baby quilts that I had cut the fabric for earlier and one is already sold and on it's way to Missouri!  Finally, this signature quilt made up of signature blocks from a year or so back is finally layered and ready to quilt, so next time I have an hour or so to quilt, this one will get finished. The signature blocks were collected from fellow members of the Quiltsy team - quilters who are also selling their quilts on Etsy!  So, it has been a prod

Can't wait to start on this project! But I have a number of other quilts that are ahead of it on my list, so I'll have to be content with just collecting fabrics for now. The pinks are a range of raspberry pink and the greens are various shades of apple green!  patterns and paint chips The pattern for the quilt is called Star Gazer and it's available here in Lunden Designs Etsy shop . It's a PDF download, so no having to wait for it to come - just purchase and download! Star Gazer Quilt Pattern The pillow cover features 3-D butterflies and the pattern is from Chitter Chatter Designs . All A-Flutter Pillow These should be a lot of fun to make and collecting fabrics will be a great way to pass the time until I can get started! --Ann