Off The Rails Baby Quilt

This is my second time making a baby quilt based on the Off The Rails pattern by Charlotte Jeffery Abt. This one is done with a jelly roll called Woodland Secrets by Shannon Gillman Orr for Moda Fabrics. Making it with a jelly roll cuts down substantially on the cutting and assures that the fabrics all have similar color ways. Both times I've made it with 6 squares across and 7 squares down, a nice size for putting on the floor for tummy time.

One of the hardest parts in all this for me, is not the sewing, but trying to decide on placement of the squares. I lay them down on a table and rearrange over and over again until I'm happy with the result. I find that taking pictures is very helpful and making choices from the pictures. Somehow taking that step back and looking at it in a photo helps with the perspective. 

Once assembled, I quilted it with a walking foot, doing straight lines, about 1/2 inch apart. I like the contemporary look of straight lines. I know it's not for everyone. I also like my binding to have a graphic feel to it, either dots or stripes, if possible. Fun project. I made a similar one for my grandson and it washed and dried well, many times over.  

If you are looking for guidance on quilting with a walking foot, there is a wonderful book by Jacquie Gering, called Walk, Master Machine Quilting with Your Walking Foot. I highly recommend it.

Liberty Shirt - Tried and True Pattern

I have made the Liberty Shirt from Sewing Workshop at least four times and I have never been disappointed. The finished product is, I think, much nicer than one would guess from the pattern picture. It is a beautifully drafted pattern with lots of teaching moments and lots of hints (such as having card stock cut in certain widths to use when ironing up hems). The precision of the sewing is important here and adds to the look of the finished piece. But you are well guided with the instructions so that the precision is easy to nail.

An example is here, where instructions are given for an uneven miter. If you do all your pressing and measuring just right, you are rewarded, below.

 

I made this shirt/jacket in a linen cross dye from Quilted Threads in Henniker, NH. I interfaced the collar and the front and back facings. Once finished, I thought the collar and back facing buckled just a little and I wish I had used something much lighter, maybe even organza rather than the iron on that I did use. 

I haven't done buttonholes and buttons yet since, in these Covid times, I am not shopping and I will have to search on line for just the right button. But, honestly, I may go without and just use the front as a place to highlight a special pin. 

 

I love the asymmetry, the details, and the easy fit. I didn't grab a picture of the sleeve, but it is bracelet length and has a vented opening.

Haven't gotten tired of it yet, and I've actually had to retire a couple of my previous versions since they were made so long ago and were worn so often that they just wore out! So, this will probably be made again. I did notice that I had to tape my pattern instructions where the folds were, which is a good indicator of a much loved pattern!