Travelling Companion

One of my goals this year is to learn needle turn applique, both because it's lovely and because it's a handy type of project for when I'm away from my sewing machine. I made this cute little hand sewing kit from a tutorial by Sophie of Blocks & Swaps & Patterns & Tips.


It's got handy felt pages for needles & pins...


A big interior pocket (I thought this Momo Wonderland fabric was perfect for this!)...

And some little pockets.

Made mostly of scraps & stash, including thrifted bias binding and button and a button loop leftover from a Buttercup Bag. It was very quick and easy to sew- if anything, I went too quickly on the binding, which could look better at the corners. Next time- slow down and don't rush to finish a project right before school pickup!

I LOVE these colors! I'll be so inspired to applique, and it will work waaaaay better than a Ziploc bag for holding all my pins and things!

Gadget Love

I finally got a walking foot for my little Singer... I know, I have been quilting for 2 years without one, but I get a little stubborn when there is something I have to do or buy (I suppose that's my inner Groucho coming out!) Sewing is the one area in my life where I'd rather work hard than work smart, since I feel like it's part of the quilting tradition to make do or do without, but no more of that nonsense! My feet are out of the mud, and I am in love with my walking foot!

Quilting is so much faster and easier, and I have so many more options, like using the different stitches on my machine. I've gone from reluctant to finish my stack of quilt tops to feeling like I can't finish enough in a day. I love it when a tool really makes a positive difference in your life!

What other tools jazz your quilting?

I met a dear lady at JoAnn's last weekend who was looking at cutting mats, who was probably my mom's age or older. She has been hand cutting and hand sewing her whole life, but had lost her templates, and had I used a cutting mat? After we talked, she went home with the mat, rotary cutter and ruler! I think her new tools will totally revitalize & revolutionize her passion for quilting too!