Outtakes: Interweave Chambray Quilt

Finally getting around to sharing a few pics of my latest quilt here with you all. These are the outtakes from the photos I took to go with my latest post over on imagine gnats. You can read all about my love for this quilt and even a bit about how I do those hand stitched circles over there.

I've been much more productive of late than it would appear here on the blog. This quilt is only one of two that I finished in the last two weeks of June. I also have a hot water bottle cozy to share from earlier in June as well as a rug project that's well on its way to completion that I can't wait to show you. Finding time to sit and write a proper post is getting harder and harder these days. I do tend to post more regularly on Facebook and Instagram if you'd like to follow along there. I'm also a bit of a Pinterest addict as well if you're so inclined.

Tutorial: Quilted tea cozy

I've got a quick and easy quilted tea cozy tutorial up on imagine gnats today (or, actually, I guess it was yesterday - I've been busy, okay?!) It even got picked up on CraftGossip.com as well! Woo hoo! The design was originally concocted for a recent charity auction and I loved it so much I wanted to make another one to keep and thought others might like to make one of their own.

Speaking of sewing for a good cause, have you seen that the Hottie Project 2014 has just kicked off on the Big Little blog? I've been following Lisa's blog since just after last year's project and I was so bummed to miss out the first time around. So excited to start making a few hottie cozies! I'm sure Lisa won't mind me sharing her own words about the project:

It started with a simple idea... and after an incredible response last year from kind and generous crafters around New Zealand (and the world!) we are excited to launch "The Hottie Project 2014"

With your help, we are hoping we can make winter a little cosier and warmer for a bunch of lovely children by creating a BIG stack of lovely warm hottie covers to keep Christchurch children cosy this winter. 

The cozies are due at the end of June so there's plenty of time to get sewing if you'd like to participate, just pop on over to the Big Little blog for all the details or click the button below. They even provide tutorials and templates if you don't know where to begin!

Wiksten tank, I'm in love

Be still my heart. The Wiksten tank pattern is my new favourite pattern. Ever.

Anyhow, this pattern is absolutely lovely. Easy to do. So totally accurate. And it fits beautifully. I think I might make about 50 more! The pattern calls for encased seams so I love that I still get a totally professional looking finish even without a serger. I can see why it's still among the more popular patterns in the blogosphere even though it's been around for a while now.

My only trouble last night was that pesky little pocket. My sewing machine kept eating it. Really. Just "munch, munch, munch..." about eight times. I finally managed to get it sewn by switching to a finer needle and starting well in from the edge of the fabric. I don't like how far in my stitches are, but I was honestly beyond caring last night.

Sorry for the lame photos, but I had a super busy and very long day at work today and didn't get out to take any pics in the nice bright autumn sun like I'd hoped. Sigh.

Anyhow, Selfish Sewing Week is trucking along as planned here at maison Milkybeer. In case you missed it, my first project was the Roza blouse (a pattern by Kate & Rose) that I sewed up and reviewed over on imagine gnats. Tonight I'm either going to work on some t-shirts or another Wiksten pattern - the Tova dress. I have been coveting that pattern for so, so, so long now. Finally biting the bullet and making a nice soft, cozy one for winter!

*****

There's a great giveaway for this year's SSW. Over two dozen indie sewing and knitting patterns are up for grabs. You can enter below:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tutorial: patchwork doorstop

Today I'm sharing a sweet little patchwork doorstop tutorial over on imagine gnats as one of Rachael's new contributors.

I am loving how these turned out and think you should all give the tutorial a try. You'll learn a handy technique for piecing small squares and it's probably the only time you'll get to make a trip to the pet store to finish a sewing project. [Read the tutorial - it will all make sense. Trust me.]

Seriously, aren't those colourful little x's just too cute for words? The monogrammed version I made for Abner is doing its thing holding our lounge door open as I write [and doing a mighty fine job I might add.] The little heart one was made specifically for the wee little girls who live across the road from us. I'm told the younger of the two has taken to sleeping with it each night. Say it with me now....awwww!