Tag 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

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.

I added sashing to the sides using the measurements here. This mini measures about 20 inches square.

-Daniela

Improv Landscape Mini Quilt

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I was very excited to be in the third round of the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap. My partner has great taste as she indicated that she likes linen, bright colors and solids (yes!).

I improv-pieced this mini quilt with three types of Robert Kaufman linen, a drop or two of Kona solids and a beautiful range of Cloud9 Fabrics Cirrus Solids.

Based on abstract art influences, I used color, balance, and scale to make small improvisational blocks. I also used scissors and a design as you go method to appreciate the process and the journey of creating this piece.

I would like to make something similar for myself in the same palette. The beauty of making another is that it will never be the same, but that is what I love about the nature of improvisation and of handmade.