Hand Embroidered USA Quilt - Big Reveal

Finally, the hand embroidered USA is finished.

 

AND...has beautifully been turned into a quilt by none other than the Queen of Quilts herself, my mom.

In her very capable hands and her professional long arm quilting machine, she stipple quilted a tight and detailed free motion design...

around the entire United States, into each detailed groove of each detailed state.

When you turn the quilt over, you can appreciate the detail she was able to achieve.

  She even precisely quilted around each of the states.

And, again, I am left in awe that the Queen of Quilts was able to take my hand embroidered USA...

And turn it into another beautiful quilt.

 Yes, another...this is my second USA quilt. 

We shall see if I get inspired to make a 3rd next year.

Both USA Quilts are for sales in the While Wearing Heels Etsy shop, along with other handcrafted items.

Embroidered USA Quilt - Part 1

I've decided to tackle another USA quilt. 

this time, instead of hand appliqueing each state, I want to embroider each state.

Interesting in joining me?

Find a map you like.  I found mine from Mr. Printable.  Import your map into Block Poster.  Block Posters allows you to enlarge an image to poster size and print it out.

Tape the pages together, so it maintains its form.

Lay at least a yard of fabric over the map and pin it into place so it won't move.

Using a water soluable pen, trace the outline of each state and the state's name onto your fabric

And, then start embroidering.

I used a stem stitch for the names of the states and the gray border outlining the outside of each states lines.  For the inside boarder of the states, I used a back stitch.

This is what I'll be doing during my spring break.  What about you?

100 Year Old House - Grace's Room

In our modest sized house, Grace's bedroom is one of the more sizable rooms.

So, her room is a place where she sleeps.

Where she lounges and reads her books, sometimes by the light of her bug flashlight.

Where she cuddles up under her large collection of quilts, made with love by the Queen of Quilts, my mom.

And also where Grace plays.

We spend lots of time preparing meals in Grace's kitchen.  Thank goodness we don't calorie count here because doughnuts and butter are among her favorite things to prepare.

And, of course, should she run out of anything, she can always go to the market,

conveniently located just south of her bed.

And, let's not forget, she also has a new dollhouse to play with {that tour coming very soon}.

Some of my favorite things in Grace's room, besides for her quilts,

a plush crescent moon.  The first thing I bought when I found out I was pregnant. 

And these stain glassed butterflies that my father in-law made.

You'll also find some of the things I've made for her as well {her baby blanket turned monogrammed art, shadow puppets, and a Fiona Dalton bunny}.

Since I like to show how we have added to the history of our 100 year old house, this is what Grace's room looked like when we bought our house.  This room was decorated with street signs and also had one bright yellow accent wall. 

When we bought our house, we didn't have our Grace. As soon as we found out we were having a baby, we painted the room yellow. Added box moldings under a chair railing and painted that section white.

I hope our house is happy with the changes we made because this is one of my favorite rooms in our house.

But maybe that's because of who lives in this room...

The Queen of Quilts

The Queen of Quilts, my mom {a title I have given her}, has done it again.

Not too long ago, my friend's son,

was born. I asked my mom to make, what has become her trademark quilt, a 'name quilt' for him. Graciously, she agreed.

I found the cutest United States fabric, displaying every state and what that state is known for, from Hobby Lobby. This fabric is what inspired and drove the design for the rest of the quilt.

My friend, met and married her husband in Illinois. A few years later, they moved to Indiana where they started their family. Given the meaning these two states have for this family, it seemed fitting they be highlighted within the quilt.

The Queen of Quilts adds a personalized label to the backside of the every quilt she makes. The label she typically adds involves a picture of the parents {or family} along with the sweetest saying:

For this quilt, though, I wanted something different. Since the state fabric was the theme of the quilt, I wrote a saying, I thought summarized the quilt and embraced the sentiment their family has and will live by:

The wonderful thing about these quilts, even though she has made countless, each is unique, thoughtful and personalized. In attempts to personalize them even further, she's even been known to added birth information to a square.

Personally, I think they are the perfect addition to any nursery.

These quilts also make the cutest prop for newborn pictures.

Of all the countless 'name quilts' she has made, I do have a favorite...

You aren't surprised Grace has one, are you?

If you wanted to see more of 'The Queen of Quilts' and her collection, you can pop over to facebook and check them out.

Fat Quarters

I often find myself running out to Jo-Ann Fabrics for my crafting impulse of the week. Of course, while I am there, I look around at the fabric clearance section and whatever else happens to be on sale.

A few weeks ago, Jo-Ann's had a 50% off sale on fabric remnants and fat quarters. The sale seemed worthy enough to stop and search through a few bins.

I am so glad that I did because I happened across these...

My favorite, by far, of the bunch is this one...

I am beyond in love with the color and the design {not so in love with the wrinkles}.

I passed it along to the Queen of Quilting {my mom}. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. Don't worry, I'll be posting pictures of the finished creation.

To sew or not to sew

When did sewing become 'cool'? I wish I would have known that, one day this would be the case, when I took Home Economics in junior high. The thought of sewing something myself, up until recently, conjured up memories from my attempt, in said Home Economics class, to sew a skirt that resulted in a crocked hem and split seams. When I would see something required sewing, panic would creep in, my palms would sweat and I would protest, oh, I can't sew...and then I would ask my mom to do it for me.

My mom has always been able to sew. She made clothes for my Barbies, dresses for my dolls, Halloween costumes and now she is the Queen of Quilting. See for yourself...

My mom is not only adept at sewing but she is also willing to take on my projects so I followed the theory, why should I learn to sew when it is so much easier to just have her sew for me.

When I discovered Fiona Dalton maker of the most adorable soft toys. I felt intrigued by the idea of making something for Grace. Just look at the cover of her book and you can see how her adorable stuffed animals might compel you to make one of your own.

The only problem, learning how to sew. The very first sewing project I attempt, post Home Economics, was felt heart garland from Made By Rae. Even for the novice sewer, this project was so easy and resulted in something so bright and cheery that it boosted my sewing confidence.

That day, I ordered Fiona Dalton's bunny pattern. Her pattern was so detailed and easy to understand, even with my minimal sewing experience, I was able to successfully make my own bunny.

And then...they started multiplying like bunnies.

The hardest part of the process, not the sewing but, figuring out how to re-thread my bobbin. Thankfully the women at Joann Fabric's didn't laugh at me when I asked where to buy pre-wound bobbins.

So my theory about sewing may have to change...just don't let my mom know!