Here is my Disappearing 9 patch for Joey. I am very happy with how it came out, and most of all Joey seems to really like it! He will be taking it with him this fall as he heads off to college at Indiana State University.

My Disappearing 9 Patch

The goal this summer has been to make some fun projects and use up some of the fabric in my stash. After all I need to make room for the new stuff I want to buy! So I saw this great pattern called A Disappearing 9 Patch. There are many wonderful sites that talk about this pattern. Here you will find a wonderful story and history of this block. There is a great tutorial here. There are lots of other great sites that have info on this block as well. Lots of great color combinations also. I did use a very boring group here but I really wanted to see the pattern form and it was fabric I had.

So the cool part is you start with a simple nine patch.


Then you do some clever cutting and sew the block back together and you get this!


Then you sew them together. Which I will be busy sewing my 20 blocks together today. Her is a sample of how it will look.

I also finally fixed this great quilted backpack. It is made from Fons and Porters Groovy Backpack pattern. I made it like the pattern with pre-quilted fabric and the handles just were to thick and stiff. At first the store was out of the brown fabric I used them time just passed, but finally I have my backpack just in time to take to the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville in just a couple of weeks.

Today has been a busy sewing day. I worked more on the quilting of Savannah's quilt. I am now all the way across in one direction. Remind me NOT to do a decorative stitch across a quilt. It takes forever!! I really like how it looks but the time. UGH

Ok, I finally got this bag finished along with it's matching pieces. I really love the wallet It came out especially nice. Now back to the quilting. I am really excited about some of the things I have in the works.

Check out these cute chalkboard wall hangings these girls made. We had so much fun. Yes that is fabric that can be written on with chalk.

Children's Summer Sewing

This summer I have had a wonderful group of girls that I have taught sewing. It has been so much fun. They made these great bags to go with the pillowcases they made. Won't they be cute at their next sleepover!