Wednesday, November 11, 2009

{More} progress

I've been hard at work on my Advent Calendar (tutorial on Sew Mama Sew from Oh, Fransson!). It's definitely coming along! I had to get some new accessories for my sewing machine (a walking foot and a darning foot) to finish it up. Love the walking foot.

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It's not perfect...but I'm pretty pleased! Just promise not to come after it with a protractor.

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Love that polka-dot fabric. I'm using that for my binding too.

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I taught myself how to machine applique. I need some more practice for sure, but I think I did an okay job. It got easier as I went along (8 = not easy).

Up next, I'm going to free-motion quilt the white sashing. (EEK!) I've never done this before. I'm hoping I'm naturally gifted... :) I've read lots of tutorials...so nervous. Off to practice!

Next time I show you this, it will be finished. Promise.

In the meantime, do you have suggestions of little gifts to put in the pockets? Small and 2-year-old appropriate? I've thought of candy and Matchbox cars...that's about it.

10 comments:

Kris said...

It's looking great!! I love the dots too. Something that I find helps on curves for applique is to make sure to stop on the outer edge of a curve instead of the inside, where the gaps tend to show. Looks like you did really well though! Good luck with the quilting

Leah said...

WOW! That looks great! Would tiny stuffed animals fit in there? Or maybe a coupon for a phone call to Leah.

Robin said...

looking good, Katie. At first I thought it was still the picture of the tutorial.

Kaye Prince said...

Gorgeous Katie - I love it! Hmmm, what to put in the pockets? What about a couple of Christmas ornaments that can be his "special ornaments" to put on the tree, or little toys made of felt like an airplane or frog?

The Bakers said...

Beautiful! I am so impressed. For the pockets, maybe a small bottle of bubbles? A little container of Play-Doh? A few PipSqueaks washable markers? (Perhaps I should stop watching so much children's television.)

Natalie said...

I like the ornament idea... this whole post seems as though it's written in a different language. Machine applique... free motion quilt...darning foot... all sounds complicated. But, it looks awesome.

Leah said...

I meant to ask you how big are the pockets?

Katie B said...

The pockets are about 4.5 square inches.

Anonymous said...

Okay, Katie, some of the girls here at work got together and these are some of their ideas: little writing tablets, individual snacks, silver dollars or other coins for his piggy bank, crayons, gift card to McDonald's, tiny flashlight or laser pointer, small electric toothbrush, small books, fruit snacks or fruit roll-ups. Hope this helps! And you did a really great job on the Advent calendar. Our kids used to really LOVE those calendars!

Love,
Nana B.

Unknown said...

Katie - you continue to stun me with your talent. That is just positively adorable. I think your mom must get a little tear in her eye every time she looks at this stuff....