Sewing Over Pins

Okay, I write in my tutorials all the time that you shouldn't sew over pins.  When I teach classes I tell my students not to sew over pins.  But I admit it, I sew over pins. Not all the time, but I do it.    I am one of those "do as I say not as a I do" kind of gal when it comes to sewing over pins.  And then this happens.

The pin was so lodged in there so tight I had to get a pair of plyers to get it out.  I am lucky I didn't break anything in my bobbin casing.  So ya, maybe I should do as I say as well ;)

Just thought I would keep it real this morning.  So how about you???  Do you Sew Over Pins???  Any of these type of experiences to share . . . Come on, tell us all, no judging here as obviously, I am the kettle :)

Cleaning Up

I spent a good portion of yesterday afternoon and evening cleaning up my Sewing Room.  Things had gotten a little out of control in there :)  I figured I best take a picture of it looking all nice and organized because I am pretty sure it won't stay this way for to long ;)

Yes, I know I should have shot a before picture, but I "conveniently forgot".

Most of my time was spent rearranging the fabric.  I had to do a lot of refolding and then I switched things around a bit to make it a little more convenient to get to.  I am so happy with how it turned out ;)   (Sorry about the flash reflection, the joys of sewing in the basement with no windows ;)

Now I just want to get in here and start sewing but it will have to wait because today starts Spring Break!!!  It's going to be a bit crazy but I am sure it will be fun ;)

Happy Tax Day

Yes Indeed, for all of us here in the US, today is Tax Day.  We used to do our own taxes but I am happy to say that we now take some stress out of our lives and use a fantastic tax accountant.  And I had to smile this year when we got our taxes back and this is what was listed under Spouses Occupation.

Guess that makes it pretty official :)

Have a Happy Tax/Quilting Day!!!

High School Fun

So remember when I posted about how I was doing a little Quilt show for the local High School sewing class and how I promised to share pictures.  Well, I forgot, sorry, it has been a bit crazy around here.  But I remembered this morning so we are all good now :)

The class was so incredibly fun to teach.  The girls where just blown away when I showed them some examples of more Modern and Modern Traditional quilting. They loved all of the bright new fabrics and fun chic designs.  It really was so incredibly fun to open their eyes to all of the possibilities there are in quilting today ;)

When we got to the breakout design session of the class, the girls really started to get into the fun.  I gave them all a stack of HST's and told them to create ;)

They created some ever popular designs and quite a few of my favorite designs . . .

And created some fun new innovative designs . . .

And in the end, even broke out of the idea of a square and really got the design groove going.  How fun would a quilt of just lines made by bright HST's be.  Totally on my list to make ;)

All in all, it was an absolutely wonderful experience!!   I can't wait to do it again ;)

Back To Basics - Quilt Pattern!!!

So after this quilt won 3rd place in the Modern Quilt Guild Challenge I promised several of you that a pattern would be coming soon.  And yes, that was clear back in February.  Hopefully some of you still count 2 months as "soon".   But Yippee anyways, because today I get to share my 12th pattern, Back to Basics!!!!  It is available at both my Craftsy and Etsy shops and once again, I listed it on sale since it is all kinds of brand new and I am just so happy about it :)

I just love the way the geometric boldness of the design creates an almost random look but that at a closer glance, you see all kinds of secondary patterns start to emerge.  So fun!!

The fabric are basics from the Riley Blake Designs gal.  I love how the basic collections really add to the basic geometric design.  They were the perfect compliment.  

And a bit about the pattern.  It is suitable for beginners and up.  And it includes some of the basic piecing units so you gets lots of practice with that.  Even though it looks a little complex, the blocks are rather simple and go together really fast.

And yes, there are size options!!!!  And I went ahead and sized up the block as the quilt got larger so you wouldn't have to make a million little blocks for the queen size :)   You can make a bitty baby, like I did, or a Lap, Twin, or Queen size.  I so want to make a queen size now for my bed :)

And just a quick note on the quilting.  I did a giant spiral, which is such a fun way to quilt. It just plays so nice with all of that geometric goodness ;)  I did a Quilting Video Tutorial on how to do a Giant Spiral and you can find it here if you are interested ;)  

 I have loved this design from the initial drawing on a napkin and I am so excited to know have it in my pattern line.  I hope you enjoy it as well :)

Alright, I will wrap it up now.  Here is one more link to the pattern.   I have listed them on sale for $5.00.  They will be $5.00 until next weekend (or when I remember to change the listing) and then be listed for the original price of $8.50.   They can be found in my Craftsy Shop as well as my Etsy Shop.


Have a Happy Quilting Weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by :)  You all are the best readers and make what I do so very much fun :)

Linking this finish  to Amanda's and Sarah's and Fort Worth Fabric Studio