Clover & Violet

Announcing – A Season by Hand {Summer Series}

May 20, 2013 by Jennie 17 Comments

Of course, I’ve talked about moving a bit already, but the days are really starting to count down! Since we don’t know when exactly we’ll be getting a house, I may not have access to my sewing machine for quite a while {gasp!}, but, it got me thinking that this may be the perfect opportunity to do some handwork.

So, I’ve gathered some blogging friends to help with the inspiration, they’ll each be showcasing a hand work project {or something with a hand worked element} here on the blog.

Starting June 3rd, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we’ll have a post by a different designer or blogger with an inspirational post, and some will be sharing tutorials too {check !

And, if you’re interested in making something by hand, there are some great prizes in it for you too! I’m working on gathering some fabulous sponsors, and there will be a linky starting July 26th to show off the things you’ve made by hand during the months of June and July, and qualify for a chance to win some fun prizes {further details to come}!

Here are some of our sponsors, I’m still working on gathering some more, so if you own a fabric shop or design patterns, and are interested in sponsoring, please contact us for more details!

I hope you’re as excited as I am to make something by hand this summer! Check back June 3rd for full details!

Filed Under: A Season by Hand

Blogger’s Quilt Festival {Spring 2013}

May 17, 2013 by Clara 20 Comments

If you’re visiting from the Blogger’s Quilt Festival, welcome! We’re excited to be a part of this fun link up all over the quilting blogs. We’d love for you to take a look around and stay if you’d like.

This is my first time submitting a quilt! I am excited for two reasons, first having a quilt to submit and secondly having another quilt all finished. This quilt has been a long time in the coming, I started this quilt when Fresh Cottons was just out from Fig Tree Quilts. It remains one of my favorite lines of theirs. The quilt pattern is from a magazine and is a picnic quilt. Just in time for some Summer picnics.

The colors are so soft and the floral prints, I love them!

Of course, the cherries are a favorite too! They have a new quilt pattern with cherries, it is called Cherry Pie, I have been eying it for another quilt! Maybe when I have a few more finished I can start another one.

I used the green backing, now I think that if I was choosing I may go with the other green color. It’s funny how my favorites shift over time. Love the polka dot and roses for the binding.

Thank you for visiting us and we sure do appreciate all your kind comments and for reading our blog, even when it sits still for a few days!!

Quilt Stats:

Finished quilt measures : 55″ x 59″

Fabrics : Fresh Cottons by Fig Tree Quilts

Quilted by : Me!

Category : Throw Quilts

Filed Under: Finishes, Quilts, Quilty Stuff

The Ups and Downs {and a discount!}

May 16, 2013 by Jennie 14 Comments

As everyone heads off to quilt market {not us this year, maybe someday we won’t be moving or having babies and actually get to go!}, I was going to post about some of the bags we’re sending in our place. Then, yesterday we got a bit of a disappointing e-mail.

Last July we were asked to contribute an embroidery quilt to a book for babies and toddlers. The quilt was due March 1st. We designed a quilt, submitted it, and it was received warmly. Sadly, the e-mail we received yesterday said the book was being cancelled. Now, we’re trying to decide what exactly we’re going to do with this quilt. Publish it in the company’s magazine next February, sell it as a pattern, or offer it as a block of the month program that people could purchase a subscription to.

So, if you’re tempted to think everything is always working out perfectly, it isn’t. But that’s okay, we’ll grow because of it, right?

Now, let’s get on to the good stuff, here are the lovely bags we’re sending to the Anna Griffin/Blend Fabrics booth this spring!

First, this is the Lizzy bag made out of Anna Griffin’s Eleanor fabric. We used Fusible Fleece on the outer to give is a nice shape, and couldn’t be happier. This pattern is great for someone with a little sewing knowledge who is just starting to make bags, and it is stash friendly, requiring only one yard of fabric to complete!

This is the Lousia bag, made with Amanda Murphy’s Bonjour Mon Ami. The Louisa bag is a great size for everyday use, especially with the side ties which allow one to adjust size as needed. I’ve been carrying mine for almost a year and am sad to say it is coffee stained from so much use!

Finally, our most popular pattern, the Anne handbag out of Josephine Kimberling’s Field Day. I think this is my favorite of the three, I really love the colors, and Josephine Kimberling is fast becoming a favorite designer. I really like her perspective and color combinations.

Not at quilt market either? Maybe make a bag instead, our coupon notatmarketspring13 is good for 30% off PDF patterns all weekend!

Even though there are bumps in the road, we genuinely appreciate each of you and your encouragement and support!

Filed Under: Anna Griffin, Bags, Blend Fabrics, Everything Else, Patterns

Maternity Skirt with Knit Waistband

May 12, 2013 by Jennie 11 Comments

First, the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway winner has been announced on the original post!

I’ve been wanting to make myself some fun skirts for quite a while {I’ve been hoarding saving this Echo by Lotta Jansdotter for quite a while with a skirt in mind! Oh, and as an aside, I have sparingly used this stationery since it was released in 2004…so thrilled she has fabric now!}.

So, here is my first skirt, I used the waistband from a knit skirt that I had around, but was just too short to wear comfortably.

I used the same measurements as the skirt I put on my Rebecca dress, but ended up hemming this one a little shorter, as it is worn lower on the hips. Josiah actually helped me measure the hem so it was shorter in the front, as maternity clothes tend to sit lower in the front {at least the way I wear them!}.

Even though I’m not very big yet…I find this skirt incredibly comfortable, and I think I’ll be making a few more. I want to experiment with some knit that is not already in a waistband, but I thought getting the fullness right first was a good start.

I did not line this skirt, but plan to wear it with a slip. I worried that two layers of cotton would be too heavy, and I didn’t want to find something else to line it with {though, suggestions would be appreciated!}.

And here’s a peek inside the waistband. I added a label so I won’t wear it backwards, since the front and back are different lengths. I finished the sides with french seams, but serged the top.

I have some Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile that I plan to make a second skirt out of, but I think I will order some voile solid for a lining, as that is much more sheer than cotton.

Have you made anything with voile before, particularly clothes {though, any experience you may have is more than I do!}? I would love some tips before I cut into it!

Filed Under: Clothes

The Stella Diaper Bag Pattern Release

May 9, 2013 by Jennie 16 Comments

We’re excited to finally release the Stella diaper bag pattern!

Styled like a classic diaper bag, the Stella bag is large enough to carry everything you need for baby {or yourself!}, but still looks stylish enough to be used by anyone, not just moms. It has six large outside pockets as well as several inside pockets, to help keep things organized and at your fingertips. The side ties add a sweet touch as well as give the bag versatility, you can let it out for more room or cinch it up to take up less space!

We worked with a few great pattern testers, and have three lovely finished bags to show you!

First, Stephanie of Sewing by Stephanie made this lovely bag out of Rock n Romance by Pat Bravo and Kona Charcoal, she used 2 1/2″ squares for her bag, so it would match other things she’s made. She has a bunch of photos in her Flickr photostream, and here are a couple:

And then Sandie of Crazy ‘Bout Quilts made this great bag, she used batting and then quilted it with a loop pattern, which adds a lot of fun personality! I love how the rich colors give it such a comfortable look!

Our last tester was Lindsay of PA Country Crafts, and she made her bag out of Vintage Modern…swoon! Of course, you know I love Bonnie & Camille fabrics, and it is so fun to see one of our patterns using them! And Lindsay did a lovely job too!

Even though this pattern has been a year in the making {yikes…I hope that doesn’t happen again…but it probably will!}, we’re very excited to release it! If you make one please e-mail us or add a photo to our Flickr group!

Filed Under: Bags, Blend Fabrics, Patterns, Shop

New Shop and Pellon Projects

May 8, 2013 by Jennie 11 Comments

It seems like everything is happening at once these days {and my finding time to blog is sparce}, so I want to share a couple new things with you today! First, we’re so excited to announce that our shop is now live on our site! Our main reason for moving to WordPress last year was [...]

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Filed Under: Free Patterns, Patterns, Pellon Projects, Shop, Travels

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day and Quilt Story

May 6, 2013 by Jennie

Giveaway is now closed, winner is #212, ritainalaska! Congratulations, you’ll be receiving an e-mail later today {or you can e-mail us your info if you see this first!}! It’s Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day, hooray! We love to participate in all of the lovely giveaways that happen all over the quilting and crafting blogs! If [...]

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Filed Under: Giveaway, Quilts, Quilty Stuff, Scrappy

Covert Robin Prize Winners

May 4, 2013 by Clara 1 Comment

The Covert Robin is almost all wrappyed up, but today we’re sharing the prize winners the covert robin! It was so fun to see what everyone made and sent each other! From the participants who linked up their posts, the lucky winners are… winner of a vintage sheet fat quarter pack from Cassie (elegantitus) is: Shannon [...]

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Filed Under: Swaps

Bizzy Kid Twin Quilt – May Goal {A Lovely Year of Finishes}

May 2, 2013 by Jennie 11 Comments

I tried to finish a project for the Lovely Year of Finishes in January…and failed, a couple months have passed {where did they go?}, and I’m at it again. This time I’m planning to finish Silas’s quilt. I started this quilt so long ago, and it just turned into a pile of unfinished blocks {I [...]

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Filed Under: Little Boy, Quilts, Quilty Stuff

Lone Quilt Block Pillow {Tutorial}

May 1, 2013 by Jennie 15 Comments

Have you ever wondered what to do with those lone quilt blocks that seem to find their way into your sewing room? I know I have a few, so when Amanda asked if I’d be willing to share a pillow tutorial for her Throw Pillow Throwdown, my scrappy string star came to mind! This is [...]

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Filed Under: Accessories, Quilt Block, Scrappy, Tutorial