Pumpkin Patch Table Topper

Yesterday in between doing the laundry I decided to try my hand at free motion quilting on my "Party with Patrick" November embroidery project...PUMPKIN PATCH.

   

Of course I didn't follow all my sewing machine manual's instructions for free motion quilting.  

I didn't change the switch plate nor the bobbin case.  

However, I did use the same embroidery thread in the bobbin as the top thread.

  

I was pleased to see that the tension appeared ok on the bottom with my test piece.  

So, I was good to go.  

I quilted a looping vine with a leaf pattern.  

I drew the pattern first in chalk on the fabric and followed it as best as I could for my first time free motion quilting (FMQ). 

I was surprised how quickly the free motion quilting went.  

I was done before I realized it.  

Then was time to finish her up and put on the bias binding.  

This time I wanted to sew the bias binding on the "Patrick Lose way" so I watched his video again which was very helpful.  

And it worked beautiful.  

Pumpkin Patch was done!

This morning I attended my sewing/vac store's monthly Embroidery Club where we learned how to embroider with fleece.

   

It's difficult to tell but there are two layers of stabilizer here (one under and one over this piece of minky fabric).  

December's Embroidery Club's project will be sewing up a Christmas ornament.   

I love anything with Christmas!

I changed out the picture frame of Ms. Skeleton for Mr. Turkey.   

Most of our Halloween decorations are put away. 

I just kept out ones that could also be used for Thanksgiving.  

 It's so cold here today.  

I'm looking forward to warmer weather at Walt Disney World Florida!

Source:  Pinterest

Isn't this adorable.

Now, if I have a kitty....

Crocheting & Sewing

Two of my favorite hobbies!

"Hexie" is coming along nicely.  

Remember I wasn't happy with my joining of the hexagons.  

Well, last night I frogged the single crochet join and started over.  

I more loosely joined the hexagons with a single crochet in the hexes corner spaces with a three chain single crochet three chain join on the sides.

Update:  I named my hexie "Sparkle".  Click here to find more information and link to pattern.

I liked it!

I don't have another skein of the turquoise so this will be the last hexagon round for that color.

I think another round of white, followed by red and a last round of white should do it.

Then I will be able to tell if it is the right size for a lap throw or not.  

On to sewing....my next love.

    

I'm learning how to add lettering - added name of table topper, my name and year. 

I think my eyes crossed from embroidering the satin stitch around all the pumpkins and leaves on my "Party with Patrick" November project, "Pumpkin Patch". 

Everything was double since I appliquéd both sides.

I forced myself to continue with the satin stitch even though with my head so close to the work I could see every little boo-boo.   

This isn't a programmed design where satin stitches turn out beautifully without me doing a thing.  

This is little old me trying to guide the fabric around all those tiny corners.

It ain't so easy.

I know...

Practice makes perfect!!! 

Sorry this one is fuzzy...light is low in our basement.  

I love my background fabrics so much for this project that I couldn't decide which one to use as the top for the appliqués.

Then a light bulb went off in my brain...why couldn't I appliqué both sides?  

So that's what I did. 

The next step is to quilt the top.  

I'm planning on trying "free motion quilting".  

I drafted a vine with leaf pattern to copy for the center of the table topper.

I will practice this before stitching it on the topper.

I may not get to this step until we are back from our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World.  

Our days are busy until we leave next week.   

I can't take my sewing machine with me but my crocheting travels wonderfully!

This is a cute Mickey and Minnie throw from Walt Disney World.

We're going to put this throw up on the front window while we are camped at Ft. Wilderness.  

Hubby asked me to try it out at home before we drag it all the way to Florida.

It works!!!

Laugh of the day: