Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap: Pt 2: Outgoing

I had so much fun with the Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap.  

It was the perfect excuse to sign up for the monthly Cotton + Steel Club over at Pink Castle Fabrics . This club is the best for building a stash of C+S without having to specifically choose what you want.  Which can be hard to do when you want everything!  After a few months, I had everything I needed and more to put together a mini quilt and extras for this swap.

My assigned partner said that she likes minimalist quilts made with paper piecing, loaded with amazing machine quilting.  Huh.  I can definitely rock the paper piecing, and I like minimalist quilts too, so that is no problem.  But I was very nervous about how I should quilt the thing.  My free motion skills are beginner at best.  I have dabbled in stipples and vines with leaves before, but nothing close to "amazing machine quilting."  But, inexperience has never stopped me before.  I am a first believer in just trying.  You never know how you might surprise yourself!

Completed quilt top

I chose a meandering geese pattern I spotted on Pinterest, some Essex linen, and a variety of C+S prints to make the top.  Then I spent the next couple weeks practicing graffiti doodling with pen and paper.  

My first attempt

This way I had some ideas of what kind of motifs worked well together, what filler designs I could use in between larger designs, and a general idea of placement within the quilt.  After making a quilt sandwich with a black backing to show off the quilting, I set to work.

First, I quilted triangle spirals inside the geese.  I decided to use the spool of Glow-in-the-Dark thread I have been hoarding.  Just in case the quilting was terrible, at least I had some special effects to fall back on!  Then I started the graffiti quilting.  My practice doodles definitely helped.  I ended up adding in other things as I went, and tried fancier designs as my confidence grew.  I wouldn't say the quilting is perfect, but I think I gave it a good try and am happy with the results!

Not too bad for my first time!

I designed a quilt label to look like a postcard, complete with a C+S stamp from one of the fabric prints, and bound it with a colourful print from the August line.  I prefer hand binding to machine binding, but up until this quilt, I have never been happy with my corners.  This quilt I really feel like I got those corners perfect!  It was a proud moment for me.

Look at those mitred corners in the binding!

All done and ready to send

After completing the quilt, I made a few extras to send along.  First, using another paper piecing pattern I found on Pinterest, I made a couple mix tape blocks, using C+S selvedge as the label to turn into a zippy pouch.  I think the little Hot Cross buns make the perfect wheels!  I stuffed the pouch with a notebook and pen, and some quilty washi tape.

Front and back of the pouch

I also made a needlebook (my fave quick project!) with mostly coral fabrics, and a pop of mustard inside.  And I finally got some wool felt from Modern Textiles when I was in Fargo last April, so I used some of the good stuff for the pages.  I also made a needleminder from the bunny fabric from the Mochi line.

I always love a needlebook

I rounded out the package with some lotion and lipgloss (always essential), some Canadian contraband treats (Coffee Crisp, Smarties, and the illegal-in-the-US Kinder Egg!), and a Berenstain Bears book called God Bless Our Home, as my partner just recently moved to a new house!

Rolled up for shipping

I had a great time putting together this package, and loved getting to know my partner through her photos.  It's always nice to make a new friend, and what better way than by sending a fun present?!

If you want to see what I received in this swap, see Cotton +Steel Mini Quilt Swap: Pt 1: Incoming

Just keep zipping: another pouch and a free pattern

After loving my last zippy bag, I realized I should probably make one for myself. I need a pouch to keep my knitting/crochet notions in to replace the ziploc bag currently in use. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but isn't it funny how us crafty people make nice things for others, but neglect ourselves?

Nice and big for all my knitting needs

I decided to treat myself. I wanted to feature a Tula Pink raccoon on one side, but I couldn't find a pattern that worked to keep the whole animal intact (who wants to cut off a raccoon's tail?!). So I made one! This was my first attempt to design a foundation paper pieced pattern, and after lots of false starts, and some drawing in the steam on the shower door, I figured out what I wanted to do. 

I love that little face!

Then I chose fabrics that coordinated, and set to work sewing. When I finished, I was so proud that it worked!

It's perfect!

With the front side done, it was time to think about the other side. I was thinking originally to do another postcard, but this bag is larger, so the stamps looked dwarfed on the page. I decided instead to use a print from the Brambleberry Ridge line, paired with a cream solid on which to do some embroidery. I embroidered my name, and appliquéd a little Lizzy House cat. 

It has my name on it.... I guess I get to keep it!

Then: I installed the zipper, but forget to top stitch over the zipper.  I sewed up the outside shell and liner before realizing I had missed a step.  I debated just running with it, but I really think that top stitch is the difference between a professional final product and an amateur final project.  So I had to rip stitches (and fabric-oops!), repair fabric holes, top stitch over zipper, re-sew up outside shell and liner, turn right side out, stitch closed hole, and then... Voila! Done!

This couldn't have come together better

And of course, when in doubt, put a bird on it!

An adorable zipper pull

I've very happy with this bag, and just keep petting it. The little details just make it so special to me. 

Hand embroidered name

Applique cat (my favourite!)

Look at that precision!

If you like the pattern for the raccoon side, good news! I am sharing it with you! Click here for a printable template with dimensions. If you use the pattern, please tag me in a picture on Instagram (@_LT_Smash), comment below, or direct me to your blog! Id love to see what you make with it!

Mini quilt mania!

I have completed my first swap via Instagram, and so far, I have loved the process! I signed up for the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap in November, and was assigned a partner. The whole thing is a secret swap, so your partner doesn't know that you have them, and you don't know who has you. Then, you get to know your partner by reading their signup questionnaire, following them on Instagram, looking at their Pinterest pages, or reading their blog (if applicable). Once you have a feel for their design esthetic, favourite designers/colours, and personality, you make a mini quilt to send to them (and some fun extras as well).  It can be a little stressful at times making something for someone in secret, especially someone you don't actually know, but it is quite a lot of fun. You take a little of them, and a little of you, and hope for the best! 

I decided to make a mini quilt using a couple panels from Alison Glass's Feathers pattern. She said she likes bright colours on dark backgrounds, so I chose a dark charcoal grey for the background and a mix of prints in greens and blues. I used a yellow print for the binding. This was my first time foundation paper piecing, and it was so much fun. You can't argue with that kind of precision! 

The front all finished

I did straight line quilting a quarter inch apart to fill in the spaces between and around the feathers. I didn't quilt over the feathers, because I wanted them to really pop. I am often terrified to quilt. I am scared that the quilting will ruin the quilt, and that all the hard work piecing will be a waste. In this case though, I think it only enhanced the piecing! 

Love the quilting

Detail shot

Close up

The label on the back

With the mini done, I turned my attention to some fun extras. I chose some scrapbooking papers and stickers because she likes to scrapbook, some pencil crayons because the packaging remained me of the quilt, some Himalayan rock salt, because those crazy pink crystals make me grin every time I see them, some cozy socks because cozy socks are great, and some candies from a local company (Morden's of Winnipeg-try their Russian Mints!). 

The whole package

I packaged everything up in a cardboard box and decorated it with a quilt block from Tula Pink's 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. 

The packaging

This I wrapped in brown paper, addressed, and sent it on it's way! My partner received it and had only good things to say, which is so nice! 

I really enjoyed the whole process of this swap. It was exciting meeting so many new people with similar interests through Instagram, and their feeds are constant sources of awe and inspiration. I loved the "stalking" portion of the game, getting to know a person you have never met, and making them something you hope they like, without being able to get their feedback. The whole swap community was so helpful, supportive, and encouraging from start to finish. I can't wait to see what is in the mail for me!!