Another Chenille Blanket

Good morning friends!  I hope you all had a good weekend.  

I went to the new owner classes for my new Bernina this weekend.  

It was all a little overwhelming to be honest. 

 I learned so much and realize I have so much more to work on, LOL.  

I asked my husband to attend the embroidery class too so he would know how to use it.  

He seems really interested in that part of the machine.  

He did come and I think he has a new appreciation for my sewing and for these machines too.  

My knee lifter is not lowering the foot like it should so I left her there for Jay to look at for me.  

I hope it is nothing too serious 

(being brand new I think it should all work, am I right??)

So moving on, I did sew a chenille blanket for a friend that is having a baby. 

Let me tell you what, sewing this on the new machine was AMAZING!!  

I already told you all that though, didn't I?

Supplies:

one yard of a cute printed cotton woven fabric

2 yards each of 2 different colored flannels 

(you will cut into 4 one yard cuts, 2 of one color and 2 of the other color)

Here are some of the steps:

It all begins with sewing the lines.  

I use masking tape to make a diagonal line corner to corner, then stitch down one side as a guide. 

 I then use my walking foot with the guide to continue to sew lines 5/8" apart 

until the whole blanket is covered in lines.  

This next step is quite tedious, 

but you cut down the channel of each line until all the channels are cut apart.  

As you can see, I only cut the top 3 layers of flannel.  

I do NOT cut through the layer of flannel that is next to the back side (the colorful print).  

Leaving this layer intact, makes the blanket more stable.  

Also, I have started using spray baste to baste the layers together.  

I spray all the layers EXCEPT one.  

I do NOT spray between the first and second layer of the flannel as this is where you have to cut.  

I did spray all the layers one time. 

 Yeah, and it made it MUCH more difficult to cut.  

Just learn from my mistake and don't do that!  

So like this:

Print-->baste-->1st flannel-->NO BASTE-->2nd flannel-->baste-->3rd flannel-->baste-->4th flannel.

I hope this makes it clear how to baste and layer. 

 Ask me if you have any questions.  Also, there is a tutorial link in my header.  

The next step is to square up your blanket.  

I fold once width wise and trim, then refold length wise and trim.  

Once it is squared up you need to put the binding on.  

I put it on by machine.  

I don't usually do this for my quilts, but these will see a lot of washing (potentially).  

Additionally, it makes this step go more quickly. 

 I have found using Elmer's washable school glue to put the binding in place

makes the machine stitching so fast!

Now you are ready for the magic!

Toss the blanket into the washer then the dryer and voila!

You now have an amazing fuzzy chenille blanket.

Isn't this so cute??  

It is also so easy!  

These are great shower gifts or easy baby gifts.  

I use the cheap flannel from Joann Fabrics and they work great.  

I have been trying to use up some of the novelty prints I have in my stash and 

make these with what I have.  

I usually end up purchasing some flannel though so watch for that to go on sale.  

I bring the print fabric with me so I can match the flannel colors.  

I like to get 2 yards of 2 colors and alternate.  

I have done lots of different color ways and found I like this one the best.  

I like the way the "chenille" looks, and when I go to cut the 3 layers I can tell 

(because the bottom layer is a different color) 

where to cut and where NOT to cut.  

This little Nemo blanket is ready for me to gift.  

I need to go and buy a gift bag tonight so I can gift it tomorrow.  

I would love to hear from you if you have tried one of these blankets or

 if you are interested in trying the technique.

Have a great Monday!

~XOP~

My Birthday Present

I'm not sure if you remember but my amazing husband got me

the Tula Pink Bernina 770SE for my birthday back in July.  

The machine was not due to be shipped to the shops until September (and later October). 

 Last week Wednesday, he told me we were going out for dinner at a new place near our son's home.  COOL.  

I love to try new places.  

So we stopped at our son's to see if he wanted to join us but he didn't.  

We continued on our way when he pulled into the quilt shop parking lot. 

 I looked at him and finally it dawned on me that we were there to get my new machine!!!!!!!!!! 

 He then told me I had an hour lesson (but sadly no dinner, LOL)

I didn't have time to even unpack it but have since done so and am happily sewing away on it. 

 I have really been enjoying the even feed foot for piecing.  

Really cool machine.  

I can't wait for the classes in 2 weeks to learn all about the sewing machine and 

the embroidery unit too!!!

Just look at all that stuff!!

I have not moved it up to my sewing room yet since I will need to pack it up and bring it to class. 

I was just sewing it on my kitchen table.

The Shooting Stars top if all finished now but this was when I was putting it together still.

 This quilt went together so quickly!  The cutting took awhile.  I think it took me 2 nights to cut it all out but the sewing went so fast.  VERY well written pattern.  

I am really looking forward to making this my all the time machine.

For now she will stay on the table.

GOSH, this guy is a keeper!!

~XOP~

Today Is My Birthday!

Today I celebrate a milestone birthday.  

I turn 60 today. 

 I have a lot of mixed emotions going into my 60's. 

 More than half of my life is lived. 

 I feel blessed to be fairly healthy, to be continuing my weight loss journey and 

to have my healthy husband by my side.  

We are looking forward to my retirement next year.  

I am excited for the traveling we will be doing in the RV. 

 It is scary to think about potentially selling our first and only home to go on the road though.  

My family kept asking me what I wanted for my birthday and there really was nothing.  

I would love to go visit Ireland but not this year. 

(wedding and all upcoming).  

So I was struggling.  

Then, Bernina came out with a special Tula Pink edition 770 sewing machine.  

I was so smitten.  

Until I saw the price tag. 

 Nevertheless, I said "THAT" and sent the link.  

Chuckling the entire time.

On Sunday my husband and 2 of my 3 kids went out for dinner to celebrate my birthday. 

 At the end of dinner he asked me to close my eyes.  

And made me wait and wait, haha. 

 He put this pink pouch in my hand

I opened it up and this card was inside.

He went here and ordered one for me!!!

Ok, so funny story about how I was not totally surprised inserted here.  

I asked and did NOT, in a million years, think this would happen 

(Did I mention they are EXPENSIVE?).  

After I said I wanted the machine he went to the quilt shop and 

texted me that he had found a used 880 for $1300. 

 I was disappointed but actually said that I didn't need a bigger machine and if I was going to upgrade it would only be for the TP machine.  

It was kind of a bratty thing to say though as he was offering me a great price on that machine.  

So after careful consideration I told him I wanted to go to the quilt shop and check it out.  Meanwhile...

I pay the bills at my house, so the week before the first of the month I usually check the credit cards etc to see where we are at and make sure they are ok, no one has charged on them.  

Then on a day or 2 before the 1st, I go back in and pay everything that isn't on autopay. 

 His credit card was one of those I checked and say what???  

His bill had an additional $500 on it that I was not expecting. 

 I saw that it was to the quilt shop.  

So of course I put 2 and 2 together and assumed he bought the 880 for me and 

just gave them a deposit until he could take me there.

Come Tuesday we went to the quilt shop and come to find out 

that price was for the TABLE not the machine. 

 Ohhhhhhh that makes so much more sense, but then what did he spend that money on??  

A gift certificate??  

I started asking about the 880 and the 770 just to gather information.  

Then I asked about the TP machine like, what did it come with and how is it different etc.  

One of the owners kept telling me how much I would like a 770, 

(which I thought was odd, but I am friendly with him and his wife so just thought he was being helpful, since he services my 170).  

Then I asked when they had to be ordered by.  

Oh, last week, more disappointment.  

How much is the deposit and did you order extra.  

Yes they ordered extra and they would have to wait until all pre-orders were filled.  

The deposit was, you guessed it, $500!  

THEN and only then did the lightbulb go on.  

HAHA, it still could have been something else but I didn't think so.  

I dared to hope.

So when he handed me the pouch and I opened it I was not completely surprised.  

I was, however, elated and a little breathless to think that he loves me enough to do that for me. 

He went there and had to tell them all about a machine he had no idea what he was actually talking about and then get them to order it for him.  

He is just the BEST and I am so lucky to have such an amazing partner to go through my life with.

I am feeling extremely blessed, to have a wonderful family, my health and another year (I hope) 

on this Earth.  

(and soon a beautiful new powerhouse on which to create!!)

I realize this is long and wordy, but I wanted a record of this entire day!

Life is GOOD!

~XOP~