Category Archives: Sewing

A 241 Tote in Canvas

Oh, how I love this pattern! You may recognize it as the 241 Tote by Anna Graham of Noodlehead.

This tote was made for a talented quilter and maker in the birthday swap we participate in on Instagram. Since she knits and embroiders as well, I thought this would be a stylish bag for her to use for her own portable projects.

I used a lightweight denim which I am currently loving and a couple of hoarded Ellen Luckett Baker fabrics in canvas for the exterior and for interior of the tote.

Also, a touch of dark pink thread was used as an accent. I had two sewing machines going for this one so I wouldn’t have to re-thread to use the pink thread. Does that make me lazy or efficient? I am going with efficient on this one. 😉

I will definitely be making more of these!

– Daniela

Ink and Spindle Landscape Quilt

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I have the great pleasure of having Cloud9 Fabrics as a design client of mine (a favorite, in fact). I work on various projects with them throughout the year (books, catalogs, project sheets, patterns, post cards, and the like). I also am lucky to sew up samples for them occasionally using their lovely fabrics…the benefits of being a designer that can quilt, too. 🙂

Ink and Spindle designed a collection for Cloud9 called Landscape. I love the graphic yet organic designs.

Here is a quilt designed by Ink and Spindle that I pieced and quilted using one of the colorways. There are a couple of Cirrus Solids used as well.

photo by Cloud9 Fabrics

After a quilt top is made, I take into consideration its design and feel so I can figure out how to quilt it. I went with horizontal wavy organic lines to compliment the rectangular, graphic nature of the quilt design and to mimic the lines in the darker orange fabric. I also added matchstick quilting in some areas for added texture.

photo by Cloud9 Fabrics

Black White Red and Grey Improv Pillow

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Another improv pillow! This pillow and needle book were gifts for a talented quilter and artist for the birthday swap we participate in on Instagram. She appreciates improv work and loves polka dots, red, black and grey. Linen, too. Metallic, even!

I pulled inspiration by exploring various art pieces such as abstract paintings, collages, and typography posters. I also used graphic design principles to embrace negative space and to incorporate line-work and balance, while maintaining spontaneity and fun.

I gladly dove into my linen stash: grey, white, cream, metallic (all Robert Kaufman except the metallic). I also used some Cloud9 Fabrics Cirrus Solids in Lava and Midnight.

The pillow is matchstick quilted, because sometimes, is there any other way?

I love how the palette made the overall design of the piece feel even more graphic.

– Daniela

Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap

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I recently participated in the Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap held on Instagram. Each participant is matched with a partner and makes a mini quilt using Cotton + Steel fabrics. Other fabrics are allowed as long as the Cotton + Steel fabrics remain the focal point.

For this piece, I referenced my partner’s color and style preferences and I used selections from the Cotton + Steel Basics line. One of the teal fabrics is from the Mochi collection. For the background, I used a beautiful linen. I had to add linen to the mix somehow!

I was not sure if my partner would like an improvisational piece so I paper pieced instead. I used the Fractal Block pattern. I have been paper piecing a few different blocks for my bee-mates this year and have discovered that I really enjoy it. Who knew?

I could not let this mini go out into the world without a little bit of improv so I added a small block on the back and quilted it with angled straight line quilting.