sewing craziness and my binding

I've been a bit obsessed lately. In the past week I've bound a quilt, finished a quilt top, made 2 pillow covers, made a "sleeping bag" for a kindle, and started an apron (because I stumbled upon this and couldn't resist the chance at being randomly selected and winning a craft book - really just an excuse to sew). I have lots of other projects I want to work on but a few issues.... my machine is stitching strangely despite cleaning it, oiling it, adjusting settings and rethreading it about eighty times. UGH. Maybe it is tired. I had to stop in the middle of the apron (blueberry theme, btw) yesterday before I threw something. Precious moments while baby sleeping should not be wasted fixing a machine! Anyway... Mom asked me what I was binding, so I'll show you! It's a lap quilt made from Good Folks fabric. Just a basic block quilt because I wanted to be able to stare at the fabrics. They are bright and colorful - nice and summery. The binding was not nearly as awful a process as I had feared. I actually really liked doing the back by hand. It took me a good 4 hours, but whatever. (It is hard to get a good photo of a quilt!)

wonderful mail day!

I was so excited to get the mail yesterday, as I was expecting a little package from my trusty quilt lady, Dianne.  (If anyone is looking for someone to quilt for you in the Northeast, Dianne is wonderful and very affordable.)  You know you've all torn open a package as soon as you get it.  I pick up my mail from the post office, so waiting until I get home is just not an option.  Now, the daunting task of binding the thing.  SIGHHHHHHHH  I am such a slow hand stitcher.  I guess when you don't ever practice, what do you expect?  (I think I've had my mom bind all of my quilts to this point!)  Anyone have any tips to make it less painful?  The sooner I finsih it, the sooner you get to see the finished product.......

lonely quilt top finds a home

I made and quilted this 10.5 years ago and it has sat in my sewing pile ever since! It was originally going to be a twin but it became 2 baby quilts. The other is still in my pile. My friend just had a baby (welcome little Leo!) and I decided to finally give this a home. I had blanket binding in my stash as well, so I pinned, zig-zagged and voila! As you can see in the close-up shots, I was going through a Van Gogh phase at the time I started this quilt. I actually bought the fabric in Florida when I was on my 2nd clinical rotation in PT school. It has made quite a journey..... Now off to Maine it goes!