Summer Playmat

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

If you’re looking for a quick, quilted, coverlet for your little one,
then
“Help is on the Way”

 that’s the name of this fabric line by
Jennifer Pugh for Wilmington Prints
the play mat pattern is free
and the center piece (with all the roads) is a panel
which makes this one a winner for quick piecing
there are lots of added details for this imaginary little town
it took less than a day for cutting, piecing, and quilting

Vroom! embroidery file for purchase here

the next day, I set to work ‘producing’ little vehicles
via my embroidery machine

the pattern calls this a play mat
but it would serve as a great picnic blanket this summer

and when you’re not using it at the park or the beach or on your little’s bed
just fold it up nicely and keep it within easy reach for all the summer fun!
my play mat is on display at Nuttall’s here in Layton
and if you are in the local area, be sure to sign up for the 
go ahead all you talented, sewists,
make one of these and go play with the littles in your life

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Thanks for stopping by, my sewing friends

Ring Bearer Pillow

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment
“Here Comes the Bride, Here Comes the Bride”
We are in the throes of wedding season, my sewing friends
The instructions for this beauty are in the Summer 2016 issue of Classic Sewing Magazine
For subscribers, designer Sonia Showalter,
also includes the machine embroidery lattice file as a free download
No, there is not a bride in my life,
but
I’m putting together a few decorations for an upcoming
marriage conference hosted at our church
I used two layers of wash away stabilizer and some gold thread that I had on hand
Once the embroidery is stitched out and the stabilizer washed away,
the four lattice panels are ready to be joined together with some ribbon
The outside edges of the lattice overlay are then stitched down to the pillow
and the machine embroidered flowers are stitched on by hand
(yes, the flower design file is also a free download for subscribers)
This is such a quick project with lovely results
I highly recommend it for anybody who is looking for a ring bearer pillow
Can’t you just see that lattice in beautiful colors to match any bride’s wedding?
I also made some cute little treat bags using my paper crafting supplies
I filled these with Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses
They will make the conference that much sweeter!!!

Have a lovely week, sewing friends, and treat that bride in your life to a beautiful,
handmade ring bearer pillow
(or . . . contact me and I will make it for you – you can tell her you made it, it will be our secret)

Kindness Matters

~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment
I must confess, my new fabric shop love is Shabby Fabrics
I’m a big fan of applique
but I’m not a big fan of cutting

Shabby Fabrics offers pre-fused and laser-cut kits:
you just peel the paper backing off those perfectly cut applique shapes,
place them on your background fabric,
give ’em a press with a medium iron
and your on your way to the sewing machine (or hand needle)
before you know it, your project is ready to quilt and bind
I chose to tackle this one completely with the sewing machine
the only hand stitching was to secure the binding on the back,
which is how I always stitch my binding
the pattern included the ‘kindness matters’ lettering to trace and stitch by hand
since this was my no-hand-stitching project,
I used embroidery software for the lettering and added the Bible scripture reference
then took it to my embroidery machine and stitched it out
thank you, Shabby Fabrics, for the great selection of beautiful fabrics, kits, and notions
and, I might add, for the speeeeedy shipping
my package is usually on my doorstep 2-3 days after I place my order
let me just add, hand stitching has a unique charm all it’s own
I’m a big fan of hand-sewn projects
I’ll be sharing some hand sewing in the future
what about you?
hand stitching vs. machine stitching
have an enjoyable last week of April, my friends