Heather Ross Prints & Noodlehead's Handmade Style

Two lovely new additions to the sewing room books. I'm in absolute love with the Heather Ross Prints and Anna Graham's (Noodlehead Blog) Carry All Pincushion pattern. ♡ I cannot wait to whip some of these goodies up.

Happy Sewing,

Heather

What's in the Bag?

I emptied my old applique bag to show you what I keep on hand for practice blocks and teaching multiple shapes. Nothing was added or removed, this is what I use to teach individual applique lessons if the student has previous handwork experience.

The block pattern was a free one from Sentimental Stitches a long time ago as part of Gay's free midget blocks. Those are now only available for purchase if you did not download during the trial period. For those of you interested in back basting, I learned this technique from Gay's site (link to Sentimental Stitches will take you right there) and never looked back! It's awesome!

The small zip bag next, going clockwise, includes bits of old scraps for the next bloom or the scrap bin. The various threads are next with thimbles galore but I don't usually them, they're optional for newbies. You'll see what I lovingly refer to as the caca scissors (pink handle) for cutting paper/card stock, a couple pair of old small Ginghers, applique pins (also for newbies), my DJ 30s selvage needle case (free tutorial linked), and a coin purse for odds and ends. 

I'll be adding the new needles I've yet to try (Roxanne's) and some of the melons soon before I make more circles (shape 2). Since I have new to quilting/applique/handwork folks in this group, I'm approaching it differently by shape and method. It's fun so far! Feel free to join in any time. 

Please don't judge too harshly, these are quick stitches just to show the method. You'll notice the contrasting dark thread---that's for back basting---a PIN FREE method!! ♡

Please find applique tutorials on the tab just beneath the teal header. 

Happy Applique,

Heather

Essex Yarn Dyed Swatch Collection Card Arrives

Oh wow! I was one of just 13 lucky people who snagged an Essex Yarn Dyed Swatch Collection Card from a favorite online shop as soon as they posted it last week. I am so excited, it's chock full of such goodness! I wish it had arrived before ordering a few but am lucky to get my hands on some as popular as these beautiful fabrics are right now.
Speaking of snagging popular fabrics, I found some Heather Ross froggies in the middle of the night and ordered right away. It's part of the 20th anniversary fabrics but were already sold out when ordering yardage from a few shops. I have 2 fat quarters but I'm trying not to dip into the FQ sets for now...we'll see how long that lasts. I still have a few more from that line arriving this week (I hope). OOOH SO cute!!

In case you were wondering, no, I'm not purchasing these adorable fabrics for kids. They're for me (the big kid) and I cannot wait to put them to use.

Happy Sewing, Quilting, Fabric Collecting, and Crafting, Heather

Pincushion III

The third pincushion called for some Lizzy House pearl bracelet in teal. This particular one is the hubs' favorite so far, though he also said the same about Pincushion II until III was complete. In any case, it's heading off to a new home soon and I hope it makes the receiver smile. :)

Happy Sewing,

Heather

👑 Heather Ross Fabrics are Arriving 👑

The Heather Ross prints are finally arriving. I've been like a kid waiting for Christmas lately, hoping today would be the day...and it was!!

Nearly 14 years ago, I came across some of her most beloved and hard to find prints before I knew what I was looking at. The long out of print (OOP) and very hard to find (VHTF) goldfish and goldfish in bags were at the most adorable quilt shop in Chesterton, IN. I chose the goldfish with the blue background and have no idea where I used it...something for the kids, no doubt. I went to find some more and couldn't track any down. Learning more about the designer, I came across some very early Kokka fabric and sure enough, it was Heather Ross, too from the Rabbits & Race Cars Line. I always loved that fabric but I "don't use much orange" lol. I still have some stashed away in the sewing room. So---some things do change.

I look forward to including several of these amazing prints in a few future projects. They're stacking up quite nicely in the sewing room even though I'm in the midst of "downsizing" lol...everything except my sewing room. Shh. We'll have to keep that between us.