Thursday, September 8, 2011

September Swapping

My For the Love of Solids swap package is en route far, far away to my secret partner. This swap piqued my interest because I was anxious to see what people would come up with when they were limited to using only solids. Most people are making wall quilts for their partners, but there are some smokin' totes and a few other very cool items to check out as well. There are some great, original designs appearing in that flickr pool!

We were encouraged in our sign up form to indicate one or two things we'd really love to receive. My partner gave a few ideas, but seemed to really want a machine cover. After making Full Circle, I wasn't quite done with Malka's wonderful design, so I returned to it with another Kona solids charm pack and some navy blue sashing to come up with this:

FTLOSS by Poppyprint

I added some detail to the ties by top-stitching a tiny ricrac down the middle and adding a covered tab on the end. There is fusible fleece batting and a strip of Timtex heavy weight stabilizer across the middle so the cover will have a square shape over the top of the machine. It is quilted with a very-easy-to-use Aurifil variegated rayon. My machine seems to love that stuff and with an Inspiron size 80/12 quilting needle I am totally in business! I lengthened my stitches to 3.5 so there would be more thread than holes along the stitch lines, and once again used my seam guide to sew parallel concentric (semi) circles.

FTLOSS by Poppyprint

FTLOSS by Poppyprint

The swap package had to include one smaller item as well, but this item didn't have to be made with solids. I decided to send one of my thread catchers along. It incorporates my partner's favourite colour (I'm just not going to tell you which one!); I tossed in a hunk of poppy-printed fabric in that colour, too!

FTLOSS by Poppyprint

I try really hard to get to know my partner and make something that they will really like. Nevertheless, there is always a tiny bit of lingering doubt when I send off a package. I think almost everyone goes through this with swaps - it's probably a good thing, and keeps us striving to do our best work for others!

16 comments:

paulette said...

OMGosh..your swap projects just keep getting better and better!! Your partner is going to be THRILLED!!!
P

Kristie said...

These are gorgeous. If they get lost in the mail and end up at my place, I would be fine with that! Especially love the quilting on the machine cover.

Connie said...

Wow! Nice job! A question for you--Do you use a single needle-hole throat plate (I'm not sure what you call it, it's not for zig-zag stitches). Anyway, those are some nice, straight stitches on your quilted cover.
I love the tape measure fabric on the thread catcher-cute.

Amy Friend said...

Your partner will be please for sure, without a doubt. I like the measuring tape twill on the thread catcher...cute. And as I said in Flickr, the quilting is perfection on the sewing machine cover. I love sewing machine covers. Mine doesn't have one because I don't know if I would ever bother to put it on! Pathetic, I know.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Krista, your partner is going to thrilled! I love the quilting, and the Poppy-Pop bin is so cool x

Katie B said...

So much to love! The quilting thread is perfect.

Elaine said...

What a fantastic swap package! Your partner is very lucky that you are so thoughtful!

Leanne said...

What a wonderful package, I am certain your partner will love it!

Dianne said...

Oh so lovely Krista! What a lucky person to get you for a swap partner. I echo the other posts in admiring the stitching on the cover - perfection! Have fun at stitch tomorrow I will be thinking about you all!

verykerryberry said...

Beautiful! I love the arcs in your quilting against the squares- just like with your other quilt, I sorta think of it as your trademark style!

Anja said...

So beautiful, I love it!

Kirsten said...

such a lovely swap package!

Unknown said...

Doubt? You have doubt about this package? Don't even worry one itty bitty bit. She'll (I'm assuming she's a she) LOVE it. And if she doesn't, you can send her my address and tell her to send it right over to me!!!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

I believe you are my favourite swapper, Krista, and I have never been your swap partner, I haven't even done a swap. Lucky those who get partnered up with you!

porn addiction said...

I appreciate you making the point about sewing just a couple of rows together at a time rather than being focused on creating a whole block. This looks like fun.

Anonymous said...

love love love the thread catcher! will be in BC over the weekend, cross fingers for good weather!