Thursday, May 13, 2010

Sew & Tell Friday: Nicey Jane Baskets and Last Minute Mother's Day

Brian told me he wanted to buy something from my shop for his Mom for Mother's Day on the Wednesday before Mother's Day.  There are definitely a few things that would work, but I wanted it to be something for her.  Knowing what her dining room and kitchen look like made it easier to choose fabric and since she's got an oval dining table, I decided to make a runner instead of a square:


Appliqueing dots in the middle of the flower means that Brian won't lose his mind when he looks at it.  (He's always telling me to finish the circle on both sides.) I used three blocks instead of four and I added a two-inch sash.


I couldn't help adding a teacup to the photo shoot.  This is one from my Grandma's collection.


I'm all about doing a back that would work on it's own these days.  Does that pattern remind anyone else of my bedroom in Oakley.  ("My bedroom."  AHAHAHAHAHA!  I had my own room for one month of my entire life.  It was during college and I still kept all my clothes in half of the closet and only put stuff in one dresser.  The room I'm talking about is one I shared with two other sisters.)

My other project is still under construction, but since it's mostly done I'm going to sew and tell it.  I used Quiltsmart's "Baskets Around" interfacing to make baskets (brilliant!) with some leftover Heather Bailey fabric.  I didn't have the directions, so I made a few things up.  For example, I was supposed to have a straight edge in the piece under the arc instead of a triangle so that it looks more like a basket.  I used ric rac instead of making a bias strip for the handle (who is making bias strips?!  dummies) and I will do that again. :)


You can see I'm not quit finished with the quilting and I haven't done a binding yet, but I like it so far.  Nicey Jane is such a feminine fabric...


Next time I'm putting the handles on first so that the edge can be tucked under the basket instead of being folded under itself or just frayed and crazy.  Der.


I'm entering a couple of my quilts to be judged in a very small quilt show at the end of this month.  Eeeeee!  Maybe it will be like the state fair and if I win a ribbon someone will give me $4.50 in change in a Zip-lock baggie.  Fingers crossed!  Check out Amy's blog for more inspiring finishes.  (Or "some" inspiring finishes if mine didn't do it for you this week.)

22 comments:

Mr and Mrs C said...

That one!!! I one want of that one!!! The baskets are soooo cute...I've never seen anything like that before. Very nice! How much??? :)

Day before Michelle said...

Love them both!! The runner is gorgeous...and The little baskets are so sweet with their ric rac handles :)

Paulette said...

If the fact that I cannot stop staring at either one is any indication, I totally love both of them!!! How in the world did you attach your ric-rac? I can't see a single stitch!

Fresh Poppy Design said...

They both look great! LOVE that runner, and the colors, mmmmm...

Dee said...

Both projects make me smile! And feel happy inside!

Beautiful!

ktquilts said...

Love them both!!!

KT

Sarcastic Quilter said...

The baskets are quite pretty but I have to say I'm in love with that runner. Just beautiful!

Miri said...

Lovely runner and the baskets are so adorable! I love the ric rac-brilliant!

Kristen said...

Beautiful! I agree about that Nicey Jane, very feminine. I like that rick rack!

allyn said...

wow! both adorable, of course. the baskets are very fun.

Catherine said...

I came over to look at your Nicey Jane baskets but love that table runner you've done for your MIL. I particularly like the shot with the old tea cup. I do like your Nicey Jane quilt though. The stripes work well as the sashing and yes it is pretty and feminine isn't it. I have some Nicey Jane on its way to me soon! Can't wait! Nice work and great photos too!

Carla said...

Another great finish Nicole! I always love your table runners. The baskets quilt is looking really awesome!

Michelle said...

The tablerunner for Brian's mom is so cheerful. I love both the pattern and colors.

The little baskets are just too cute. The ric rac really adds pizazz, better than plain old bias, imo.

QuiltyBee said...

I still love this pumpkin seed pattern--where could I get it? and the ric rac for handles is inspired. Nice projects.

beth said...

the table runner and the quilt are so sweet! Brian's Mom love the gift, I'm sure!

Dayna said...

This post was a double treat: a feast for the eyes, and comic relief! I cracked up when I read "Dummies." :-)

Nicey Jane is a fantastic fabric! Your projects are lovely, and I appreciate your sense of humor.

Sarah Craig said...

Love the table runner - such rich colors and a great design!! And the quilt is darling - I just used rickrack on my Sew and Tell quilt and it is very useful for curves!! (Don't you just love learning lessons the hard way?) Great finish and near-finish!!

Sara said...

Beautiful runner!

Angie said...

You're so good at the homey stuff - the yard and the sewing - it's all very pretty.

Rene' said...

Nicole, that is a wonderful table runner!!! Love the "buttons" in the centers. Great baskets on your other project too. Thanks for sharing!

amylouwhosews said...

Are you feeling the love?? awesome! love Nicey Jane too. I hve an upcoming project. . .

Anonymous said...

I'm a little late commenting on my Mothers day table runner but still want to say thank you so much, its beautiful. I love the pattern and colors and couldn't ask for a nicer gift. Denise