It's a cover-up

In 2015 I purchased a Handi Quilter longarm quilting machine.  I absolutely love it!  I've used a twin-size sheet to cover it when not in use.  Back a couple years ago I came across directions to make a HQ Longarm Dust Cover.  I copied the directions to my laptop and there it has sat.  I thought about it several times and even purchased the 2 yards of each fabric for the top and lining.  Evidently I needed to be challenged to tackle this project.

When I made my UFO list for this past AuSable Quilt Guild year I included this dust cover as one project to get done!  I'm glad to announce - it's done!

Actually a pretty easy process - sandwich two pieces of fabric with batting in-between and quilt as desired.  Cut dimension as instructed in directions.  I did slightly change the back opening that wraps around and is held together with velcro.  

There was still plenty of quilted fabric leftover that I made a dust cover for the bobbin winder that came with my longarm.  Measuring the height, width and length I used the same idea as the longarm cover.  Presto a cover for my Bobbin winder.

There is still some leftover quilted fabric.  Either I'm pretty frugal in cutting these patterns or there was supposed to be quite a bit of extra fabric.  I don't want any extra pieces hanging around - should I throw what's left in the garbage and call it a day.  But it's a nice size and I'd hate to waste it.  I decided it was going to be made into a bag.

This bag measures 9" high by 11 1/2" wide at the top.  The bottom is boxed measuring 6 1/4" by 5 1/2".  It has a double zippered top and on one side a "D" ring with a handle.  Great little bag for carrying supplies.  Smaller rulers can even fit in it.

Living in Northern Michigan is wonderful, but has its challenges when trying to find supplies for my projects.  Our two hardware stores have limited selections.  The next closest stores are half an hour away by expressway, but that is even a limited selection.  The largest city is about an hour away and chances are that you can usually find what you need.  I wanted a "D" ring for this bag - not available at the local hardware stores.  The next closest store didn't have what I needed.  I passed a quilt shop on my way home - she wasn't open.   Could I use something other than a "D" ring, probably, but that wasn't my plan.  I hate ordering online:  First it's a small item, shipping will be more than what I'll pay for it; second most the time it's not what I thought I was ordering; and third who nows how long it will take to get shipped.

Yesterday as I was running into the local grocery store I decided to stop next door to the Dollar Tree store to see if I could figure something out.  Low and behold I found a dog harness with web strapping, plastic closures and several "D" rings.  Bingo and only $1.25.  This project can finally get finished.  Now I even have a stash of "D" rings, plastic closures and webbing from this harness.  In our small town we have five Dollar Stores which makes shopping challenging, but I have been able to find random things that can be repurposed at an affordable price for some of my projects.

So this project is all covered up.  I'm ready to jump onto my next project - that is when the sun is not shining.  

Tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun

The Dog Days of Summer are here and Northern Michigan is having a wonderful summer to splash in the waves.  Of course, there are supplies to tote along - sun screen, sunglasses, beach towel, drinks and a snack or two.  Here is the perfect beach tote.

One of the ladies at quilt guild was making a mesh screen beach tote.  She asked me for help to figure out the directions.  I made that tote ( the pattern is called "Tote It") back some years ago so I was sure I could help.  Reading the directions was confusing, so I went home and grabbed my previously made tote for reference.  She borrowed my tote and the next month brought her newly made tote.  Great job Penny.  It has a screen bottom made of vinyl coated polyester mesh called Screen Play.  It's perfect for use at the beach.  All the sand in the bottom of the tote just slips away through the screen, but the holes are small so your goodies won't fall out.

It doesn't end here.  Today has been a humid, rainy day and a perfect day to sew.  I remembered that I still had a piece of the mesh screening to make another beach tote.   No time is better than the present to use it up.  I pulled out my screen, matched fabrics from my stash and got busy sewing a new screen bottom tote.

In front is my new tote, the back tote I made several years ago.  These totes measure approximately 20" wide by 13" high with a 6" boxed bottom.  I'm ready to follow the sun.

Float like a butterfly

Summer is here, my flowers are in full bloom and the butterflies are busy.  The butterflies inspired me for this next project that Norma, from my guild, shared with me some time ago.

Using a guild challenge "Jewel Colors" I decided to construct a kaleidoscope of butterflies.   I actually made six in different jewel colors in red, green, turquoise and pearl, but they flew away as quick as I finished them.  Friends and guild members adored them, so off they went.  I managed to hang onto two of them for a photo opportunity.

The process is actually origami folded fabric.   Using two contrasting  6" by 4 1/2" fabrics and sewing them right sides together with a 1/4 " seam allowance.  Leave a small opening to turn the fabric right side out - press - and fold into the butterfly shape.  Folding took a little bit of a thought process, but once I figured it out they folded in a snap.

They are not very large, about 4" across.  I'm sure larger or smaller ones could be made easily by adjusting the rectangular fabric size.  Possibly there are other origami patterns that could be used with fabric instead of paper.  I'll keep the thought in mind.

These little guys could be great on a skewer (pick), add a pin or glue or just sew to a surface.  Nice little embellishments.

Speaking of flowers and butterflies - it's a beautiful sunny day.  Time to be outside.