sewtakeahike

Ringing it in with a grateful heart

Happy Happy New Year!

 

 

I always thought my parents were so fuddy duddy when they would say this, but where has the time gone?  It really does seem to move quicker now than when I was 10. 

 

 

2012 was full of many things; joy, sadness, inspiration, brokenheartedness, and elation.  Just when I was feeling drab, something or someone would inspire me.  When I was feeling down in the dumps, someone would encourage me.  And when I was heartbroken, friends came along side me and cried with me and hugged me. 

Through it all, I am so thankful for 2012.  After all, it brought

• the most wonderful dream of a partnership with Kerry in Sew-Ichigo.
• a renewed sense of where I fit in the quilting world when I was asked to teach at QuiltCon (which is coming up in a few short weeks!)
• reminders of what's really important in life
• time with L-man doing the things we love
• closer bonds of friendship
• Instagram! :)
• a deepening desire to improve and make a difference

 

 

And then, just a few days ago, I received a note from Lisa at the Moda Bakeshop telling me that my Isosceles Picnic quilt was one of the top 10 viewed projects at the Moda Bakeshop in 2012!  Get.out!!!

 

So to each and every one of you that take your precious time to visit sewtakeahike, leave comments and touch my heart, thank you.  Thank you for a wonderful 2012!

And to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ben at Saral Paper and Kimberly and the gang at the Fat Quarter Shop for being long time sponsors. 

Here's to a super 2013!

 

xo,

Penny

modified infinity scarf tutorial {a gift for you}...

 

 

 

The winter weather we're (finally) having is warming my heart and making me want to wear warm things around my neck.  So a week ago I made an infinity scarf, which I love, but wanted to customize it a bit more to the length I prefer and add some flannel to the inside for an extra cozy feel. 

Also, I shortened the length from the other tutorials I found so it wouldn't hang so low.  In doing that, I wanted to give an alternative to putting it on over the head since I usually put my scarves on as I'm walking out the door, after my hair and makeup are done.

 

This scarf is really super simple, and will take you about 30 minutes to make.  I hope you enjoy this little Christmas gift from me to you!

 

What you will need:

• 52" X 11 1/2" outside fabric
• 52" X 11 1/2" lining fabric (I used flannel)
• 3 buttons
• water soluable marker
• three 2 5/8" lengths of 1/8" cording (I used my size 6 clover biased tape maker to make the 1/4" tape then folded it in half and sewed the folded edges together to get the 1/8" cording.  Also, with the size 6 bias tape maker, you start with a 1/2" strip of fabric.  Here's a pic of sewing the folded 1/4" tape in half.  I had to move my needle position to get the feed dogs to feed it through:

 

Note:  All seam allowances are 3/8".

 

Directions:

1. With right sides together, sew the lining and outside pieces together along one of the 52" edges and press the seam open.

2. Sew a gathering stitch along the two shorter ends of the joined lining and outside fabrics.  Do this by lengthening your stitch length as much as you can and sewing 1/8" and then 1/4" from each edge.

3. Pull the threads on one side of your gathering stitches to gather the scarf ends so they are 12".  Make sure the lining and the outside fabrics are evenly gathered, so each one is 6". 

4. Topstitch 1/4" from each edge to tack the gathers down.

5. Fold your three lengths of cording in half and pin them down along the edge of the short edge of outside fabric, lining up the raw edges of the cording with the edge of the fabric with the loops inwards.  Topstitch the loops down so they don't shift.

 

 

6. Fold the scarf in half, right sides together along the first long seam you sewed, and pin the three remaining edges together.  Sew the three edges together, leaving a 3" hole along the long edge for turning.

7. Turn the scarf, press, and either hand sew the opening closed or topstitch it closed with your machine.

8. Evenly mark and sew your buttons onto the gathered edge that doesn't have the loops, about 1 1/2" from the gathered edge.

You are done! 

 

I would love to see the scarves you make from this tutorial!  Please post them to the sewtakeahike flickr group here!

 

xo,

Penny

weekend in photos

 

 

 

 

xo,

Penny

San Juan River Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, L-man and I decided to do something a little different. 

 

We went on a 3 day float trip down the San Juan River in Utah.  It was a bit chilly at night, but nothing a fire didn't cure!

 

 

We took a few side hikes and saw several Anasazi ruins, petroglyphs and pictographs

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we even saw a wild horse!

 

 

and of course, the general scenery was breathtaking and inspiring.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope your weekend was filled with family, friendship and memory making times!

xo,

Penny

 

 

 

 

project proud

It truly blesses my heart when I get the chance to see a project someone has made with a tutorial or pattern I've created.

And recently, I received two emails, one from the lovely Caitlin and the other from lovely Julia.

Caitlin made my green wool + brown plaid handbag.  This pattern is in my waaaaay back files and I have to say, the pattern itself is evident of my early pattern writing skills.  Anytime someone makes this bag, I am always impressed they were able to follow my directions! 

Very nice job Caitlin!  I love that wooly looking plaid you used for the outside and the leather straps give it such a professional touch.  I really heart it a lot!

 

And then there's Julia's Juice and sprouts quilt.

Wow.  So many tiny blocks in this quilt!  It's adorable Julia!  I love the flavor stamping you did under each sprout!

 

Well, I'm off to work on a few projects today.  And heads up, keep a look out for a new Sew-Ichigo pattern release in the next week or so!  This will be a Christmas/holiday pattern set and here is one of the patterns that will be in it, my Christmas dress:

Last but not least, have you seen this?

 

 

FaveQuilts.com compiled this free ebook a few months ago and that's my "a little help from my friends" quilt there in the upper left corner!  The download is fantastic!

 

Happy happy Monday to you!

xo,

Penny