Gifted

I don't do a lot of garment sewing, but I have made a few jackets for the grand kids. 

In 2022 I gifted these jackets.

The kids wore them until the cuffs were almost at their elbows! 

Last year they sent me designs which I digitized and embroidered on sweatshirts I purchased: 

The back of each jacket also had their embroidered designs. 

The kids loved seeing their art work on jackets they could wear.

Almost a year ago I bought fleece to make jackets for the kids again.

Procrastination set in...well, we did move, and renovate a house, and...and...

My bff sent me a pattern for this cute cape - and I knew I wanted to make it 

for my granddaughter.

I haven't hemmed it, as I wasn't sure about the length she would prefer,

but she went off to school in it this morning! 

Kellan loved his 'jacket of many colors' (on the floor just behind Lex's feet)

but he had to get back to his Lego project and wouldn't wait for me to take a pic.

I was able to grab a picture when I walked him to school, 

as he wouldn't pose for a picture.

The back of the jacket has a sleeping dragon whose

tail goes over the shoulder to the front of the jacket.

I'm lucky. So far the kids have enjoyed the items I've made for them.

Some day that may not be the case!

 

It Started With a....

... bit of inspiration from embroidery software I purchased last year. I saw the designs and thought that they might be interesting to use.... some day!

Then.... I found the perfect fabric as a background

for the embroidered designs.

It looks kinda like rock.

It's bright.

The designs would "pop" on this.

Then.... I found another fabric.

It reminds me of the red rocks of Sedona,

and Bryce Canyon,

and Santa Fe....

Several of the designs I liked the most required machine embroidery

and applique.

This fabric would be awesome in an appliqué!

(Don't you think?!)

Then I went to a quilt guild sew day and I was introduced to

"Stack and Whack" quilts.

The finished results look somewhat like a kaleidoscope.

I found fabric in great colors for a "western" quilt,

and made some blocks using this technique.

Then I put it all together. 

I found some thread with the perfect colors for quilting,

and I dreamed up some Indian-like designs to quilt,

and I went to work!

Nope, they aren't perfect!

 But, considering that I've only been using the

longarm machine for a few months, 

I'm not dissatisfied!

And, 

finally....

Ta daaaaaa....

I completed the quilt, which I named "Navajo Nation",

(even though some of the designs are Hopi)

and I sent the quilt to my sister.

I sure did have fun on the whacky road to dreaming, designing and completing the quilt!