Over the Weekend

Last weekend was very productive.  I whipped out this cute little top using DS Quilts Picnics and Fairgrounds fabric from JoAnn's.

When I picked out the fabric, I didn't exactly think thru the directional print.  So the pleats aren't so great to look at.   Below is my solution:  I bought a few crocheted flowers at the Road to California quilt show last month and thought I'd use one on this top.

I think I'll dye the flower red and add a fun white ribbon to the bunch.  This top was inspired by one I've owned for maybe 4+ years.  I only pull it out on special casual occasions.

Here I am wearing it on my 26th birthday with my friend Aubrey.  Sorry my hair is covering the cute flower.  This tank is my all time favorite shirt, and I hardly wear it cause I want it to last forever.  It's made using a collage of stretch/knits fabrics.  I love that it has an above the bust cut.  Since I'm not good with sewing knits, I've been looking for a pattern for a long time to replicate it that didn't require a knit.  Above the bust patterns are really hard to find.  But, finally I found one.  The pattern I used to make my new shirt is Butterick 5217. 

The pattern was super easy to follow.  However, even though I'm no virgin to sewing apparel, I ran into a few hurdles.  For one, the facing was narrower than the drape.  I couldn't figure out what I did wrong, but I fixed it letting out a couple seam allowances.  No biggy.  Anyway,  a also made a few other changes to the pattern to get the look I was going for.  Instead of three pleats on the back I only did one and I made my own biased tape from the left over fabric instead of buying some.  I also shortened the tunic, which I wont do again because it hangs a little stiff.  I think if it was a little longer it wouldn't look so stiff.  Maybe its just the fabric though.  A voile would probably work better.  Maybe I'll order some AMH for my next one. 

On another note...

I also worked my butt off on the side yard weeding, digging, sawing lumber and making this:

Looks like no big fuss, but oh believe me, this was a lot of work.  I got the plans from Better Homes & Garden's how tos.  I'll admit, I did have a little help from my father-in-law screwing it together.  We've always wanted a vegetable garden, and by golly we are gonna have one!  There is still so much to do, but I'm making good headway and I have a great little helper.  Any tips on raised gardening?  Please do share.  I have no green thumb an can use the advice.  We'll get back to this in a couple weeks. 

Hope you have a good week!  I'm off to Oklahoma to visit my big sister. 

xo,

Lindsay

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites, a photo by Modern Amish on Flickr.

Today's Friday Favorites include some country farm love, lady of the lake quilt, feathers, hexagon rainbow and argyle in grey & black.

Have a great weekend!

::Houndstooth Baby::

Well, well, what do we have here?  A Houndstooth Quilt!  Isn't it cute?  I think so.  It turned out way better than I thought it would.  

Especially the quilting.  I'm so glad I chose the diagonal lines with a black thread.  Perfect.  

A little history on the Houndstooth: Originated as a woven wool cloth in the Scottish Lowlands. Earliest fashion recorded appearing in New York's men and women's high end clothing in 1885.  Was popular along with Scotch plaids as part of its 1933 spring men's suiting.  The branding, a black-on-white Houndstooth pattern, is one of the most recognized corporate identities in Australia (AUS).  In 2006, Houndstooth was listed on the AUS government panel as one of the top 10 favorite trade marks.  

Now, timeless.  It's sophisticated look always has a way of catching your eye even when used in small doses.

The finished quilt is 40" x 40" and I made it using Kona Cottons in Ash and Black.  Batting is Warm & Natural and the backing is a P & B Textiles print called Downtown Textiles in Coal.  I loved how it gives a textural look to the backing.  

Simply Mae Shop on Etsy

This quilt would make any modern baby boy or girl a fun play-mat, wall hanging or snuggle quilt.  This quilt is listed in my Etsy shop here. 

Lindsay

Aviary 2, A Finished Quilt

This is a little late. I planned on photographing this quilt a month ago, before giving it to my sister, but I kept on forgetting. Anyways, here it is:

This is by far the largest quilt I've made yet.  We were going for a twin sized, its close to it.    Although I don't know how much smaller it is all washed up...

Since I'm not very savvy with the free motion, I decided to quilt this one using "somewhat" straight lines 2 inches apart.  It was a little tricky wrestling the bulk of the quilt while stitching.  Perhaps, next time I do a large quilt, I'll have it long armed.  The quilting was slow and steady once I had a few marked lines to follow.  I'm quite happy with the way it turned out.   

The 5 & Dime by All Washed Up quilt pattern was my visual inspiration...however my quilt is a little more narrow than their pattern and much shorter since I had directional prints.  My sister really wanted the length, so I added a top & bottom border.  You can purchase the pattern here.  

Finished Quilt size: 64" x 90"

Farbic:  Aviary 2 in Saffron by Joel Dewberry for Westminster Fibers

 

My sister is in heaven...she loves the fabrics and that she has her very own handmade quilt.  It was such a fun project to make her.  Now, what to make my other sister?

Lindsay

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites, a photo by Modern Amish on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
1. White Caps, 2. Colorado Stars, 3. Granny Squares so far... (16), 4. Tumbler, 5. Another Solstice Star, 6. Finished

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

3 Years!

3 years ago today, this precious little man made me a mommy.  I wish he were still this little.

He is my treasure!

MVI_3373 a video by Modern Amish on Flickr.

My Pride & My JOY!

I'm Playing The Name Game!

Hi all,  just wanted to let you know, today Modern Amish is being featured on my quilting friend Cindy's blog, Live a Colorful Life. I'm featured here: Modern Amish.

Check it out!

xo,

Lindsay

My 30th Birthday

Oh man, was I spoiled!  Although I'm fighting the truth of the matter (no longer being in my 20s),  I LOVE to celebrate my birthday.  Birthdays are always special, and this year doubley.  Where do I begin?  Well my husband threw me a family style dinner party with our closest friends.  Catered with rich Italian food.  YUM!  My very close friend, Jenna went all out on the decor and dessert.  She made the yummiest Tiramisu, with delicate little flowers on top and extra chocolate!  Whats a girl's birthday without chocolate?  Wish I had a picture of it.  Jenna also made me the tiarra above.  She made it so personal, it brought tears to my eyes.  You may not be aware, but that is Doris Day as Calamity Jane.  One of my all time favorite classic movies.  As you can see, Jenna added embellishments of buttons and pins.  I love her!

The invite to the party my husband sent, asked each family to bring fabric that represented their family.  I've been making a 9 patch friendship quilt since my 25th birthday.  These are the new additions to my quilt.  DS Quilts!!!  The little Japanese dolls, and of course the motorcross buds.  Some of the guests contributed to my friendship quilt already, and so brought me other little treasures.

This is my new Fat Quarter cubby from my Sister Monika and Grama.  I love love love it!  As you can see I haven't wasted any time setting it up.  I also received $$ for more quilt fabric, I've got something in mind... And last, but not least...my husband got me an iPhone!  I never would have asked for one, but now that I have it.  Well, I'm truly spoiled.  Okay, I'm off to hang with my men for a lovely evening by the fire.  

XO,

Linds

Friday Favorites :: Wearables

Friday Favorites :: Wearables, a photo by Modern Amish on Flickr.

1. New Top, 2. Sewing for ME, 3. size 3 Hopscotch skirt, 4. Christmas Puppet Show Dress for Lucy back, 5. puppet show shorts, 6. vintage quilt idea!

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Quilt Top Complete

This quilt top is ever so adorable.  The moment I saw this pattern I thought, I love it!  And I couldn't believe it hadn't been done before.   Staring at it I tried to see if I could figure out the piecing, but realized those diagnols were too complicated.  Vanessa's pattern of V and Co., however is totally simple.  

The piecing went together very easily.  But I did spend quite a bit of wasted time with the seam ripper.  I have a love/hate relationship with the seam ripper.  On one hand it helps me correct my mistakes, on the other it takes a while to clip the threads and thus emphasizing my silly little mistake.  I had a whole row that I peiced incorrectly, which, had I been paying closer attention would not have done.  Oh well, moving on.

I used Kona Cotton Black, and Ash for the top piecing.

As mentioned in a previous post, I think my 1/4" pressure foot must not be accurate.  Not sure if I will be using it again.  My quilt top measures only 40" square when it's supposed to be 44".  A 4" difference!  Maybe I did some wrong measuring somewhere along the road? 

Hope to sandwich this baby quilt this weekend and begin quilting.  

xo,

Lindsay