Finished Piano Runner (for me)

   This is a piano runner for my family.  We have a very tall, old, but beautiful piano and I've always had intentions on making a piano runner for it.  The rayon linen squares were upcycled from an outdated dress.  The four frames of my children will go on the four squares and there shouldn't be any uneven seam lines for the frames to sit on.   The fabric strips are from Ty Pennington's Impressions line.  This runner also matches my dining room curtains and table runner.  I have declared June "Just Sew" month for me.  My goal is sew and sew and sew and clean up.  Thus far, I have finished the piano runner, repaired a washcloth, kitchen towel, and adjusted the straps on my daughter's shirt.  We have used up one spool of thread.  Here is a link to my dining room curtains here and table runner here.

Jalie 3023

 I finished this Swimsuit for my oldest.  I used a size Q and it fits just perfectly with a little growing room.  The sizes are cinched up tight.  She says the halter style back stays up.

Beginnings of Table Runner for Table Top Swap

 My partner seems to like pinks, oranges, and reds so I went with a scrappy log cabin style.  I like it with 2 exceptions.  I accidently put two blocks with the pink floral on the outside right next to each other.  Secondly, I put the directional blocks going each direction.  I'm not sure if I like it or not.  We'll see if my partner comments.

Crochet Dishclothes

 I love to read, but I cannot read in a moving vehicle without getting sick.  Thus, I often crochet.  I really like this pattern and it presents a good opportunity to use up little bits of colored cotton without throwing it out.  The free pattern is available at ravelry under doni-speigle.  The pattern is mostly single and double crochet, so it really isn't difficult for someone familar with crocheting.

Swap Received from Fab Little Pincushion Swap

 This is the most adorable pincushion that I received from Beachgirl Sews.  The pincushion is filled with walnut shells and that is new to me.  I love the weight that the shells provide.  She also included all the pretty pins, needles, and the patriotic fabric.  My dad is a veteran so we usually attend our community Memorial Day program; however, this year we went to my niece's graduation and Memorial Day became a traveling day.  When I was in a small fabric shop yesterday, I looked at some patriotic fabric and considered buying it, but decided not to.  So it was an absolute treat to get home and find a package with a beautiful scrappy pincushion with bits of linen and handstitching (my faves) along with the other treats.  Do you see the candy that Beachgirl Sews included?  Nope, it's already gone - my kids were super-surprised they had a treat in the box too.

Jalie 3023

 One year ago, I made a Jalie 3023 with the intent on having the swimming suit last for two years.  Well, it didn't.  The top became short, and the bottoms started to show more then they should.  So here is a new Jalie 3023.  I went up two sizes (size K) and this one is big, but definitely wearable. 
     This is the first time I made the skort version and it is adorable.  I did make the following changes to the pattern.  I added clear elastic in the bodice.  Her first one gaped, especially when wet.  I used clear elastic that was 3/4 of an inch shorter than the bodice contrast.  It's hard to tell if this was effective as the entire top is too wide for her.  Note - this does not run wide.  Her chest measurement is several sizes smaller than the size K that I made.  Last year, I said this was a cute swimsuit to make, just not a quick one.  I agree this year as well.  There are a lot of pieces, but it is well worth it.  The pattern is drafted well.
     Here is the link to the pink swimming suit made one year ago http://dakotasews.blogspot.com/2011/03/jalie.html.

Potholder Pass 10

Yes, another Jane Market Bag!  My partner showed a pillow with houses in her inspiration mosaic.  I decided to run with that idea and used a tutorial from Sew Retro to raw edge applique two different houses onto each center panel.  I really had fun digging through my scraps!!  The linen scraps I used for the actual houses was my favorite and these houses really made maximum use of the scraps.  My partner indicated that she may not use this tote for groceries so I used some duck and canvas in this bag to make it stronger  and also added a pocket inside.  I didn't really have a pattern for the pocket; I just cut some scraps here and there and sewed them together.  Then I decided some straight line quilting was in order and after that I still though it needed something.  I've been wanting to try stamping on fabric and had recently purchased a stamp pad for the that purpose.  I did ruin a few pieces of twill tape working the kinks out and my images are for from perfect, but overall I think it works.  The lining is osnaburg lined with medium weight interfacing.  I also sewed canvas and duck to the insides of the Kona gray.  The binding was leftover from a small throw I made for Christmas, but I thought it added a certain something to the bag, especially the pocket.