Whoops!

I've been happily working away on the samples for Saturday's Pixelated Quilt Class. 

Got finished my 3rd section of this mushroom block and realized that things weren't lining up right. What in the world had I done? 

It didn't take long to figure out that I hadn't been paying close enough attention to the layout of my pieces as I went along. 

After laughing at myself, grabbed the seam ripper ripped out 3 seams, reoriented Mr. Mushrooms eye in the proper place and we were back in business!
 

Praise the Lord for Seam Rippers! Not sure what we'd do without them.

If you're looking for the patterns go HERE for the details.

Now.....off to tear apart my house in search of a paper that seems to doing 

a great job of hiding from me.

Happy Stitching &
Many Blessings! 

Marcia 

Pixelated Class Prep

Some fun and exciting things are happening here!

I've been asked to teach a class on making a pixelated quilt for the local Modern Quilt Guild. 

Since the quilt that inspired the request was the Super Mario Brother's Quilt that I recently finished, I'm using the same pattern to create the sample blocks. 

Anyone looking for these patterns can visit the Cut To Pieces Blog and do a search for Mario Brother's Quilt to see instructions for pattern.  Her search bar is on the left, toward the bottom.

Go here for the PDF downloadable patterns.

As I've made the preparations for this class, I've found that there are really 4 different ways (though probably more) to go about piecing a pixelated quilt. 

When considering the different options it's really all about finding what works best for you. 

The class is Saturday, and free to all NOVA Modern Quilt Guild members. 

Stop by the Guild facebook page for all the event details. 

For those not in the NOVA area I will share more about the options different options for piecing a pixelated quilt after the class. 

Happy Stitching &
Many Blessings,
Marcia 

Triple Play {3 Christmas Finishes}

Three very special quilts have been finished just in time for Christmas. I wanted to take all the quilts outside in the sunshine and take the pictures in natural lighting. But, even though I was hoping for clear skies and calm breezes for a nice photo shoot, that was not to be. Instead it turned out to be too cloudy and much to windy to take any pictures. Not that I didn't try! I laid out the first quilt, was ready to snap a picture and the wind blew the quilt over. UGH! Straightened it back out and as I'm getting into position the wind moves it again. That was enough for me. I ended up inside....threw every window shade wide open to let in as much light as possible, but even that didn't give me the nice pictures I was hoping for.  What can a woman do!?! At least I was able to get some decent pictures.

First up is the Pixelated Super Mario Brothers Quilt with all 3,888 1" squares. 

Love how this quilt turned out!! Kind of wish I had a reason to make another one of these, so I could try a few of the other characters. I used Michael Miller's Cotton Couture collection for this quilt.

 Next on the list of finished quilts is "Trains All Around."  

The fabric for this quilt is from the collection Choo Choo You. I was a bit surprised that the reds weren't the same shade of red from one design to the other all in the same collection. You can see the glaring difference in the reds between the 9-patch blocks and the other red pieces. I've also discovered that the red in this quilt does not like to be photographed. This one is so much cuter in person.....though really I think all quilts are better in person than in a photo.

The back of the quilt is where Trains line the entire boarder of the quilt and what inspired the name for the quilt.

I saved my favorite of three for last....."Cotton Candy" It just looks so soft and fluffy just like cotton candy. Love, love, love this quilt!! Almost wish I could keep this one for myself!! I'm thinking of making one similar to this for this shop.

This was another quilt that did not like being photographed. The picture makes it seem like an ombre quilt where it changes intensity from the top to the bottom of the quilt, but that is not the case. The second picture below gives a more accurate view of the colors featured here. The fabric for this quilt is a wide variety of pieces from my stash and quilt shops across the nation.

"Cotton Candy"

Now, it's back to the sewing studio to put a new quilt pattern to the test that I've been asked to critique and help edit. I'll show you pictures and the link to purchase the pattern once the testing is finished.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! And to all my family and friends in the Midwest...enjoy the snow (I'm a bit jealous) and stay safe on the roads!! Love you All!! 

Merry Christmas!!

Marcia 

Super Mario Top Finished & New WIP

With some focused attention last week, the Super Mario Quilt Top finally came together.  Finished up the last three blocks and did all the sashing. I've now discovered that I had neglected to order fabric for the backing and binding. 

Super Mario Quilt Top Finished

So, while I'm waiting for that to arrive, I've started an all pink quilt which I'm calling "Cotton Candy".  As I was collecting fabric for this quilt I decided that I would make two.. the first one is a commissioned piece and second will go up in the shop for sale.

Pieces for two Cotton Candy Quilts

Block Layout

 Hope you're all having a fantastic week and enjoying all your Christmas Shopping!! 

Check out the new fabric and all the sales going on this week in the shop.

www.littlepinkrose.com

Blessings,
Marcia

Weekend of Progress {Super Mario Quilt}

After a much too long, but necessary break from the Super Mario Brothers Quilt I've made some good progress this weekend.  I'm participating in the "Super Mario Brother's Quilt Along" on the Cut to Pieces Blog. Angela has a great pattern and her directions are fairly simple. The only change I made was leaving out the sticky stabilizers. I just laid the pieces out and carefully pieced them together in individual strips. It probably takes a bit longer, but I like how it comes out better.

Last time I checked in on this project the Mario and Luigi blocks were finished and the Red Mushroom block was laid out and ready for some machine time. My sweet hubby was away doing his National Guard thing this weekend, leaving me free to spend as much time in my happy place {aka my sewing studio} as I wanted.  And I enjoyed every minute of it!!

The blocks I finished this weekend were: 

Red Mushroom - Finished

Star waiting to be pieced

Finished Star

The Cloud that Follows Mario everywhere about to be pieced

Four  finished only 8 more to go!!

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share my joy of sewing/quilting with you! 

Blessings & Hugs

Marcia 

Super Mario Brothers Quilt {Progress}

Two Finished Blocks

I'm not nearly as far on the Mario Quilt as I wanted to be at this point. So much for my self imposed deadlines. 

Mario and all his wrinkles and shadows

The more I stared at the finished Mario on the design wall, the less I liked it.  The gray thread I had chosen turned out to be too dark and was giving the seams a dark shadow. Then the water soluble grid I had utilized to easily lay out all the tiny pieces, left me with a very wrinkled Mario after washing away the grid. Even after pressing the heck out of Mario he was much too wrinkled for my liking. So I did a new Mario, this time with a lighter gray thread and no grid.  Much happier with the new Mario!!

New Mario -- No Wrinkles and No Shadows

Side by Side Comparison New Mario on the left, Old Mario on the Right

Next up is this cute little Mushroom Block.  For me the absence of the grid/stabilizer is actually speeding up the piecing process. Guess I'm just too picky!

Super Mario Brothers Mushroom

But, this little guy will have to wait until next week to be completely finished as I'm flying off to Houston for Quilt Market and leaving my sweet hubby in charge of the shop. He can cut fabric and I've taught him how to sew the patches on his uniforms, but I just can't say as I'll let him try his hand at this kind of precision sewing just yet. 

Lastly, while I'm away at Market the entire shop is 20% off. 
Visit the shop at: www.littlepinkrose.com

UPDATE: Jenny's question made me realize that I hadn't included the information on the pattern.
I'm doing the Super Mario Brothers Quilt Along with Angela at Cut to Pieces.

Blessings!

Works in Progress

This week I have several works in progress at different stages of completion. I'm having a blast working on every single one of them. And with so many projects going at the same time I'm thankful that none of them are causing any headaches and making me want to avoid them. I've had some projects in the past that weren't any fun and I had to force myself to work on it just to get it done. So glad that is not the case right now.......though I'm sure there's a project lurking somewhere around the corner just waiting to cause me anxiety.  LOL!

This weeks Works in Progress include:

1) A Crepe backed Satin Wedding Gown:
I absolutely LOVE how this is coming together!!! 

 It all started with this pattern from Vogue.  I spent several hours pouring over the pattern and making all the alterations to take this from an above the dress to a full floor length gown. I know you'd think that it wouldn't be that complicated, but adding that much length changes how things align. Which is why, after making the alterations I made it up in muslin before ever even considering cutting into the Satin.

I'm taking the flounce off the front and flipping it over, so that more of the satin side will show. The way it's attached right now more of the duller crepe side shows, which is okay, but I think having more of the satin side showing will elevate the dress even more. Then all that's left to do is take in the side seams a bit, finish the lining, add a zipper and hem it.

I can hardly wait to show you a picture of the bride in the finished gown, she's absolutely beautiful!!!


2) A floral bridesmaid dress.....
This is another one of those dresses that looks just amazing on the young lady it's made for than it does on the hanger!  She's so adorable!!

 This dress needs one last alteration to the shoulder seams, a little tweaking on the zipper, facing on the armholes and hemmed.


3) A floral flowergirl's dress & bloomers

Just got the measurements today and will be diving into this cute little dress in the next day or so.

Still on the design wall waiting for me.....
4) Michael's graduation quilt
5) Super Mario Brother's quilt

  Luigi block laid out and ready to be sewn together.

 A couple of finishes.....

Hand quilted Trains & Roads Quilt

Mario Block waiting patiently for the rest of his companions

If the rest of this week goes as well as I hope it will, I'll be making great strides on all these project and working on the plans/pattern for a pink girls quilt that has been ordered.

Don't forget to sign up for the Grand Opening giveaway here and you could be one of the winners of an Art Gallery Fabrics FQ Bundle. Checkout the fabric shop as well where everything is currently 20% off.

Have a fabulous day!!!
{{{HUGS}}}
Marcia

WIP - {Super Mario Bros Quilt}

I've joined Cut to Pieces Super Mario Brothers Quilt Along. Here's the progress I've made so far.

Mario Block - finished
each little square is only 1" big.

Luigi - Ready to sew together

I'm always amazed at how different the blocks look once all the pieces
are stitched together. 

Now it's off to hem some pants and alter a dress shirt.

{{{HUGS}}}