Favorites & Your Color Me Retro Projects

Friday, March 8, 2013

Favorites by Jeni Baker
Favorites, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
1. WIP String Quilt, 2. Swap mini for Ali, 3. Miss Banana's finished quilt, 4. Strip Quilt, 5. New Wall Hanging, 6. Divided Easter Basket, 7. "Geese in the Forest" Quilt, 8. ImagePlay - February, 9. vanilla ice cream quilt

Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!

This week I also pulled together Color Me Retro Projects from the In Color Order Flickr Group, Color Me Retro Flickr Group, and Art Gallery Fabrics Flickr Group! It's so exciting seeing your projects pop up! :)

Color Me Retro Projects by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Projects, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
1. Color Me Retro Blanket Done!, 2. Gwen's dress, 3. Penelope's dress, 4. Colour Me Retro Plus Quilt, 5. Art Gallery Fabric Color Me Retro Quilt, 6. Working up a tutorial for @artgalleryfab. Using my real camera and everything!, 7. color me retro pillow, 8. Divided Basket in Color Me Retro, 9. washi tunic

Happy Friday!

Color Me Retro Kitchen Makeover

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Color Me Retro Kitchen
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Over the past month or so I've been working on various projects to dress up our kitchen.  The way our apartment is laid out, it's one of the first things you see when you open the front door.  Since Color Me Retro was inspired by vintage kitchenware, and is so bright and cheerful, it seemed the perfect place to start in redecorating.  It also happens to match all my appliances, score!

The first project was made for my Quilt Market booth but happened to fit in this little space above the counter.  It's a mini quilt using my friend Christina's Ornate Mini Quilt Pattern.

Color Me Retro Kitchen by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
The next project I tackled was a pair of potholders for above the sink.  There are already handy little hooks just waiting for something to be hung!  You can see more about the potholders in this post.

Color Me Retro Kitchen
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I reorganized the bunny wall of honor to include the mini quilt that my friend Jacey made for me! You can read more about it here.  I made the two square mini quilts using a stamp I carved of George.  You can read more about them both here.  Last summer I made the other mini quilt from fabrics by Katherine Codega.  You can read about it here.  The embroidered tea towel was made by my grandma! The yellow bunny tea towel is by Margot Myers given to me by my friend C!

Color Me Retro Kitchen
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I made the quilted grocery bag holder last week! I may do a quick tutorial if you guys are interested! I used half-square triangles leftover from another project.

Color Me Retro Kitchen
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Last week when Megan and I went to Ikea I picked up this rug to finish off the room! I had a tan rug in here before but it really wasn't our style.  Only reason we had it was because I got it for free, someone had set it out for the trash in perfectly good condition.  This rug is so bright, I love it!

I also made a new curtain for the room this week.  It was hard to get a good photo with the light coming in, it's very sunny today!

Color Me Retro Kitchen by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Last month I shared some in progress photos of the new tea towels I stitched up.  I used the same methods as shown in my Embellished Dish Towels Tutorial.  I picked up my plain tea towels at a discount store in Ohio a few years ago.

Color Me Retro Kitchen by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I hung the garland I made last month to add a little more whimsy! I used the scalloped garland tutorial by Sew, Mama, Sew!

Color Me Retro Kitchen by Jeni Baker
Color Me Retro Kitchen, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I've made a few more projects that will get plenty of use in the kitchen! The apron and potholders I made, you can find patterns for both in Issue 3 of Sew-it... Today.  I also made a few simple napkins and an oven mitt using this tutorial.

So, there we go! My kitchen is all ready for Spring! It got a pretty deep cleaning before I took these photos too! :)

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Happy Wednesday! How about that pillow tutorial I promised last week?  This simple and sweet modern quilted pillow was featuring in the Color Me Retro video! It was made in a week of crazed sewing in January, so I don't have photos of the steps, just diagrams.  Regardless, I still wanted to share it with you!  I'll be sharing a tutorial for the triangle pillow from the video next week!

This pillow showcases the Dulcette prints from Color Me Retro!  It finishes at 18"! Let's dive in!

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Sewing Level: Intermediate


Materials:
- 3 print fat quarters
- 3 solid fat quarters
- 22"x22" square of batting
- 5/8 yard of interior backing fabric
- 1/2 yard of pillow backing fabric
- 1/4 yard of binding fabric
- 18" or 20" pillow form

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Cutting:
From dark blue print:
- Cut (3) 2.5"x22" strips
- Subcut 1 strip into (3) 2.5" squares and (3) 4.5"x2.5" rectangles
- Subcut 1 strip into (3) 4.5"x2.5" rectangles and (1) 6.5"x2.5" rectangle
- Subcut remaining strip into (2) 6.5"x2.5" rectangles

From light blue print:
- Cut (2) 2.5"x22" strips
- Subcut 1 strip into (2) 2.5" squares and (3) 4.5"x2.5" rectangles.
- Subcut remaining strip into (1) 4.5"x2.5" rectangle and (2) 6.5"x2.5" rectangles

From red print:
- Cut (4) 2.5"x22" strips
- Subcut 1 strip into (4) 2.5" squares and (2) 4.5"x2.5" rectangles
- Subcut 1 strip into (4) 4.5"x2.5" rectangles
- Subcut 1 strip into (3) 6.5"x2.5" rectangles
- Subcut remaining strip into (1) 6.5"x2.5" rectangles and (2) 4.5"x2.5" rectangles

From dark blue solid:
- Cut (3) 2.5" squares

From light blue solid:
- Cut (2) 2.5" squares

From red solid:
- Cut (4) 2.5" squares

From interior backing fabric:
- Cut (1) 22"x22" square

From pillow backing fabric:
- Cut (1) 13.5"xWOF strip
- Subcut into (2) 13.5"x18.5" rectangles

From binding fabric:
- Cut (2) 2.5"xWOF strips

Instructions:
Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
*Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.*

1.  Sew a 2.5" dark blue print square to the right side of a 2.5" dark blue solid square.  Press seam open.

2. Sew a 2.5"x4.5" dark blue print piece to the bottom of the pieced unit.  Press seam open.

3. Sew a 2.5"x4.5" dark blue print piece to the left side of the pieced unit.  Press seam open.

4. Sew a 2.5"x6.5" dark blue print piece to the top of the pieced unit.  Press seam open.

You've completed one block! Trim to 6.5" square. Repeat steps 1-4 to create three dark blue blocks, four red blocks, and two light blue blocks.

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
5. Arrange the blocks as shown in the diagram above, three rows of three blocks each.  Piece together the blocks in each row.  Press seams in one direction, alternating directions every other row.


Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
6. Sew rows together, press seams open.

7.  Baste and quilt pillow top as desired. Trim quilted pillow top to 18.5" square.

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
8. Create envelope backing using the two 13.5"x18.5" rectangles.  Take one rectangle and turn the long edge down 1/2" towards the wrong side, press.  Turn down again 1/2", press.  Topstitch closed. Repeat with remaining rectangle.

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
9. Pin one backing piece wrong sides together with the back of the pillow, lining up the raw edges with the sides and bottom of the pillow.  Pin the remaining piece to the top of the pillow, overlapping the first.

10. Stitch around the pillow top, securing the backing in place.

11. Apply binding to the pillow using your preferred method.  I like to attach it by machine to both sides! You can find my binding tutorial here.

Be Squared Quilted Pillow Tutorial - In Color Order
Be Squared Pillow Tutorial, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Voila! You're done!

Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! 

Fabric Dyeing, New Projects, and Classes

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Okay, so I'm breaking my own rules today, posting twice! I just can't wait to share a few things with you! Plus I wrote this morning's post last night so it doesn't feel like it counts!

I spent last week hanging out with Megan in her new digs up in Minnesota!  We sewed, dyed fabric, shopped, and made a trip up to Minneapolis to visit Mall of America and Ikea.  We went into one shop at the mall, the Sanrio store (Hello Kitty!)! It's only the 3rd or 4th time I've been in one.  I really wanted the giant Chococat plush behind me, but sadly it wasn't for sale.  I managed to escape with only a few things!

Last week's fabric dyeing by Jeni Baker
Last week's fabric dyeing, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Megan had been wanting to try dyeing fabrics, so we played around with white-on-white fabrics.  We used Jacquard Procion MX dyes and the dyeing method outlined in Malka Dubrawsky's Color Your Cloth

Hand-Dyed Fabrics Update by Jeni Baker
Hand-Dyed Fabrics Update, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
It seemed like a good time to take an update photo of my entire hand-dyed stash.  I'm up to 80 fat quarters! May need to actually make something soon!  I love dyeing, it's such a different way to be a part of the process.  I am looking forward to experimenting with some natural dyes this summer!

For more on my dyeing adventures see my fabric dyeing flickr set.

Marcelle Medallion by Jeni Baker
Marcelle Medallion, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I managed to start a new project this week! I couldn't resist joining in on the informal quilt along for Alexia Abegg's Marcelle Medallion quilt (seen on the cover of Love Quilting & Patchwork) happening on instagram (I'm @jenib320 on there!).  Follow hashtags #medallionalong and #marcellemedallion!  This is my fabric pull for the quilt!

Marcelle Medallion by Jeni Baker
Marcelle Medallion, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I pieced together the center star this afternoon.  My y-seams are a little iffy up close, but they don't look too bad in this photo!  I'm rolling with it.  This is a for fun, stress free project, so what's the fun in being too fussy?  I'm excited to add the first border!

You can find the quilt pattern in the new issue of Love Patchwork & Quilting and in Alexia's book, Liberty Love.

Stitched up March's blocks for the Shining Stars Block of the Month Club today! We're using Color Me Retro and Art Gallery Blenders for this quilt. There is still time to sign up at Pink Castle Fabrics here!

Zipper Pouch Class by Jeni Baker
Zipper Pouch Class, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
Lined Drawstring Bag Class by Jeni Baker
Lined Drawstring Bag Class, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
I'm teaching two new classes at The Sewcial Lounge this month!  The first is a Zipper Pouch class.  We'll be making two pouches, a simple lined pouch and a boxed pouch using oilcloth.  The class is Wednesday, March 13th from 6-8:30pm.  The second class is a Lined Drawstring Bag class! We'll be making the Everything Bag from my pattern!  The class is Tuesday, March 19th from 6-8pm.

See here for more information and to sign up.

George by Jeni Baker
George, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.
In other important news, George got a new bed! It's now been covered with his blue towel too, so it's even softer.  Spoiled bun. As you can see, he loves it!

Today I love the..
Smell of: Winter
Sound of: Harry Potter 3 Audiobook
Taste of: Culvers burger!
Sight of: George sleeping
Feel of: Warm quilt

Good Things about Today:
- Pretty snow!
- Sewed today!
- Finally tried Culvers for the first time!
- George bunny slept in his bed all day!