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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Color Me Retro Projects

Happy Weekend! Hope you've had an enjoyable week! Are you ready for the good stuff, finally?! I've been teasing you (apologies!), all month with peeks at the projects I made for Quilt Market.  Let's take a look at them at last! Also, get ready for a million photos, some of which were taken in less than desirable light, blurg! Winter is slowly creeping in so I took what I could get! I'm going to try to be throughout without rambling on and on, too many projects for rambling!

Let me preface this by mentioning again that these projects were made in the last month with approx. two fat quarter sized strike-offs of each of the 10 prints from my first line with Art Gallery Fabrics, Color Me Retro!

Framed Color Me Retro Quilt
Framed Color Me Retro Quilt, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
First up, my favorite project.  I knew I wanted a simple, bold quilt to quickly showcase all of the prints.  Keeping in mind I didn't have much fabric, I decided to use squares on point.  The tenth print is used as a scrap in the binding.  I used my favorite Pure Element solid, Lemonade (paired with Snow).  It was quilted by the oh-so-lovely Lindsay of Eileen Quilts! She really pulled through for me, doing beautiful work on a very tight deadline! It's approx. 56"x78".

Check Color Me Retro Quilt
Check Color Me Retro Quilt, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
For the second throw quilt I wanted to show how well the prints played with Art Gallery's blenders: Pure, Oval, Nature, and Floral Elements.  This one was also quilted by Lindsay, with an awesome feathery pattern! It's approx. 56"x78".  White solid is Snow Pure Element.

Two quilts didn't seem like enough, so a baby quilt was definitely in order.  I love how quickly and easily my Side Braid Quilt Pattern stitches up, but I didn't have enough fabric for a proper size.  So, I took the piece sizes from the Mini Braid and the layout of the Big Braid to create a baby size! It's 30"x39".  I quilted this one myself, using different patterns in the solid and print sections to emphasize the pattern. Used Snow and Parisian Blue Pure Element solids.

I thought it would be fun to do a table runner version of the free quilt pattern that will accompany my line.  (It's not available yet, I'll let you know when it is.) It only took a single square from each print, so it was easy to squeeze this one in! I used Lemonade, Snow, and Fresh Water Pure Element solids as well.  It's quilted with wavy lines done using a walking foot.

How could I resist stitching up my friend Christina's newest pattern, the Ornate Mini Quilt, using my fabrics? She shared it with us at Sewing Summit, but you can buy it here.  It was the last project I finished and I'm so happy with how it turned out. 

Color Me Retro Kitchen Set by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Kitchen Set, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
When I was planning my projects I focused on creating "sets" of items that went together.  One that came about very early was a kitchen set.  I made a simple half-apron and a quilted oven mitt! For the oven mitt, I used this pattern.  For the apron, I sort of winged it based on the fabric cuts I had. Used Parisian Blue Pure Element solid.

The Dulcette print is going to really shine as binding so I knew I had to make something simple to showcase that.  My friend Deedrie's napkins sparked this idea! I made small 7" cocktail napkins since fabric was limited.  I bound them up like a quilt, using two layers of Snow Pure Element soild for the napkin body.

Once the major projects were done, I got to start playing with the scraps.  I love making my friend Anna's Open-Wide  Zipper Pouches, so I knew I had to make one with my fabrics.  I made the large patchwork size, which has been great for storing handwork projects! I used Cherry Lipgloss and Burnt Orange Pure Element solids.

Color Me Retro Embroidery by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Embroidery, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
This was one of those last minute (and unfinished) projects! I wanted to have something to display along with the zipper pouch.  I pulled up my Kitchenette print in Illustrator and played around with it to create this fun embroidery pattern.  It's not quite stitched up yet, but the next project will show you why!

A simple sewing kit! These are seriously addicting.  The pattern was designed by Theresia Cookson and it can be found in the lovely book Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale. Used Fresh Water Pure Element solid.

Color Me Retro Frame Purses by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Frame Purses, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Another quick, cute project that didn't take much fabric, frame purses! I tweaked my template and method again from the last ones, this time finishing the edges before gluing them in.  I am really happy with how them both turned out.  I'd love to get some small frames to make tiny ones! I bought my frames from here.

Another last minute project made from scraps.  I pulled out my friend Nova's Nesting Fabric Bowls pattern and made the largest bowl using the instructions for adding the patchwork panel.  I would have loved to make a few more of these, they're super fun! Used Dark Citron Pure Element solid.

Color Me Retro Pillows by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Pillows, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Can't forget to have a few pillows made! The front pillow was inspired by one of Orla Kiely's designs for her Target collection a few years ago. I have a wall hanging made from a tea towel that hangs in my sewing room, so I see it everyday. The pillow features the four Kitchenette prints and uses Cherry Lipgloss and Snow Pure Element solids.

The large pillow was designed around the scraps that resulted from cutting squares on point for the Framed quilt.  I couldn't let them go to waste, so I made sort of a reversed version. Used Lemonade and Snow Pure Element solids.  I free motion quilted both pillows.  

Color Me Retro Tote Bag
Color Me Retro Tote Bag, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
 A simple tote bag to showcase the Florette print! It's not very big since I was constrained by the amount of fabric. I stretched it by using a solid for the back! It uses scraps of Dulcette for the handles and Cherry Lipgloss Pure Element solid.

PS - The color in this photo is super off, just FYI!

Finally! The last two projects! I couldn't go to market without some lined drawstring bags! I made one in the tutorial size (green), and another in the Project size (blue) which can be found in the pattern. Used Lemonade, Light Citron, Dark Citron, and Fresh Water Pure Element solids.

PHEW! That was a lot of information/photos for one post! If you're still here, thanks for sticking with me! I hope you enjoyed seeing all these projects! You can see even more photos of them here. :)

43 comments :

  1. Love them all! You really fitted in a lot of sewing with not much time to spare! Love the colour palette and how they fit with the AGF solids and blenders.

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  2. Wow, I'm impressed with all the quilts and items you made from such limited cuts of your new fabric line! I can't wait to buy some and start sewing! this collection is a winner!!!

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  3. I love them all! Great baby quilt and I love the table runner.

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  4. How superb, so many lovely items, great showcasing of your fabrics -hope you've now got some time to take a breath!

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  5. Great work! You made your fabric go a long way!

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  6. Great Job! Your new collections is beautiful!

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  7. So super cute...I can't wait to get my hands on some! Those cocktail napkins are adorable and I love the pillows, too!

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  8. I can only hope my favorite LQS carries your fabric. Everything you made is wonderful.

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  9. Hi!!! Love the fabric!!! It is wonderful!!! All of your items are very pretty!!! Thank You

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  10. Do I get a prize for making it to the end of the post? This is an impressive list of projects and they all look great in your new fabric line. I think my favorite is the wide mouth pouch. The bright solids really work well with the prints.

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  11. Awesome - amazing what you have sewn with limited fabric - a great variety of ideas for using your fabric (which is lovely and definitely captures the retro vibe)

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  12. everything looks great, I think you covered everything to make from these fabrics!! great job

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  13. Wow, i'm exhausted seeing how much you got made! With a pretty small amt of fabric too, well done! Have just purchase 2 of your quilt patterns, love your patterns!

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  14. They're all wonderful, but my very favorites are the small pillow and the table runner. I'm intrigued about what this pattern will look like large!

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  15. Oh my goodness, Jeni~ I am LOVING all of these projects. Ahh...Taking a trip over to your blog each day is always such a fresh dose of "happy" for my heart! I was wondering if you happen to have a go-to pattern or tutorial that you use for your tote bag? I always want to whip them up, and I never quite know which pattern to turn to. :)

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    1. I wasn't able to use it for this one because of the amount of fabric I had, but my absolute favorite tote pattern is this one - http://posie-rosy-little-things.myshopify.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/jane-market-bag-sewing-pattern

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  16. Your projects are all amazing especially with the small amount of fabric you had to work with. I love this line and I'm sure I'll get my hands on some!
    Congratulations on your first fabric line!

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  17. You've used the small amount of fabric you've been given brilliantly Jeni! A very interesting and inspiring post.

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  18. You are a sewing machine! I love what you've done with such a small amount of fabric every piece has so much thought to it. Congratulations again on the new line : )

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  19. Fabulous fabrics...fabulous projects...you are so talented!

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  20. Wow. I love all your projects. They really show a great variety of items that can be made with your fabrics. Congrats again and I can't wait til they hit the stores.

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  21. Wow! so many wonderful wonderful things from a small amt of fabric! Truly inspiring! I am glad to see what you choose to go with your own fabrics...watching closely, for future reference;)

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  22. Everything is beautiful, and your booth looked fabulous!

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  23. I love 'em all!!! I had to pin "Check Color Me Retro Quilt" for future reference! Thanks for sharing ;-)

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  24. You've been busy! Really love all the projects but especially the first quilt ~ it's so lovely. And, lovely your new line of fabric ~ can't wait to have some of my own!

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  25. These are all super-fun projects! You really know how to inspire us, and I love using small cuts of fabric for quick projects. Thanks for all the great ideas, and I'm looking forward to buying some of this line!

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  26. I am so impressed with how much you got out of so little fabric!! I have no clue how you pulled it off, but everything looks fab!!

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  27. Everything looks great Jeni! Congratulations! Do you happen to have a pattern for the front pillow you made that look like cherry blossoms?

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  28. I love everything! But I especially love that you made my mini pattern with your fabrics. I am so honored. :)

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  29. I love all of your projects! I also like that you use what you have, makes everything unique and definitely more special.

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  30. Love them all, Jeni! I can't wait to get your line... Congrats!!

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  31. Cogratulations, the collection is beautiful! I'm excited to see them in my LQS!

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  32. What a great post! Your line is so pretty and I love to see all the things you came up with using such a limited amount of fabric! It's really inspiring and the projects you made are just amazing! I'm really looking forward to when Color me Retro is in the shops!

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  33. I love all of them! hope to see them in Dublin soon!!!

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  34. Hahaha, how did you make SO MUCH STUFF?!?!?! Out of so little fabric. You amaze me with every post.

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  35. wow, that's incredible jeni!! so many projects out of so little fabric. :)))

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  36. Super impressed with how far your stretched your fabrics! Lots of variety and super cute projects. :)

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  37. Amazing, Jeni, can't wait for this collection to come out.

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  38. I am new to your blog, I just discovered it from Sew Sweetness. I love this fabric line! I wish I could buy it now! I wish there was more of it (not that you haven't demonstrated how versatile it is in the photos). I love all the projects you put together for the quilt show. I am so inspired! Looking forward to Feb so I can buy some!

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  39. Fabulous, cant wait to sew with you and enjoy the color..

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  40. Love all your fantastics projects ~ and your new fabric collection is just gorgeous. Congratulations!

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