A week of firsts...

Don't know what came over me but all of a sudden I got the urge to try my hand at two things I had never done before. Check out my very first quilt! I call it LOLLIPOP and I'm just so excited about the way it turned out... exactly how I dreamt it up in my head!

lollipop-quilt1

Here's a closer look. I pieced these "lollipop" shapes out of something sorta like a pinwheel shape that I drew up late one night in Illustrator. These crazy ideas often pop into my head in those wee hours of the night, just as I'm about to doze off... then I have to sketch it up real quick before I forget it all. I thought it would take a while to get it to work, but to my utter delight, the first lollipop I sewed up worked like a dream, so then it was just a matter of reducing and enlarging the pattern to get the other two sizes.

lollipop-quilt2

I pieced a quick background out of four 1/2 yard pieces of assorted Clover Dots that were cut at a diagonal, then appliqued the lollipops on top and Voilá! The quilt uses 11 different prints from my Mezzanine collection so it's a pretty good showcase of the line.

I also made my very first piece of women's apparel. I wish I could say this was as easy-peasy as the quilt, but I'd be lying. Those of you who follow me on Twitter already know I almost threw my seam ripper along with this tunic out the window last Sunday. I actually had to set this project aside for a couple of days and then come back to it because I was about to lose my mind!

On top of that, I think I had gotten so used to only sewing children's clothing that I had my sewing area all set up for working with tiny pieces of fabric. Once I started working with much larger pieces (especially for the quilt) I was knocking stuff off my sewing table left & right! I had to reconfigure the whole space to accommodate my new larger projects.

mezzanine-tunic1

Well, I must've just been having "one of those days" because when I came back to it, head cleared and ready to "make it work"... I made it work:

mezzanine-tunic2

Phew! It would've been a shame if this sweet little tunic ended up in the gutter just because of a bad sewing day. I truly adore the way it turned out and am still having a hard time deciding if I should actually wear it to Market or just hang it up on my booth...

mezzanine-tunic3

And speaking of booths... that's another first! Jon and I are currently building our first trade show booth ever. We did have a booth at the Fall Quilt Market last October, but we didn't actually build anything (except for a couple of cheap IKEA furnishings). This time, though, we are building a full display with hard walls, custom-made shelving, columns and a bunch of other super neat surprises that I simply cannot wait to show you! Here's a little sneak peek as it sits in our garage nearly assembled:

booth1

The quilt I showed above is also sitting on one of the booth walls. Stay tuned as I will reveal more & more of the booth as we get it all finished up...

45 comments:

  1. I cannot wait to get some of your new fabric!!! The quilt is adorable and I LOVE the shirt. *swoon*

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  2. You are one creatively busy gal! I can't wait to just get there and take a deep breath. We are packing the booth as I write this, then I'll make some pillows and be done.
    It will be great to see you and Jon again.

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  3. okay thats it Patty!! showoff! hee your first quilt! come on your putting us on aren't you? love it of course!

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  4. Wow! Have you figured out how to squeeze more than 24 hours out of a day or have you secretly cloned yourself to get more work done? Everything is beautiful.
    Can't wait to see more of booth!

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  5. Love your shirt! You should definitely wear it at the show. Your quilt is as cute as can be too!

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  6. Eeeeek! I'm getting giddy just thinking about seeing your booth!! I can't wait!

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  7. Amazing work! all of it, I love your quilt very interesting perspective and works wonderful! I also love the tunic Now that I see an idea usin your new fabric I really love it I want one tunic just like that.
    I cannot wait to see what else you have to show
    Erika

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  8. I can't believe that was your first quilt!! Just gorgeous!! Love the tunic too.. Well done.

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  9. WOW Patty! Everything looks wonderful. I love the tunic and I think you should wear it!
    I am so excited for your new line to hit stores-- the colors are to die for! I'm looking forward to meeting you at quilt market and seeing your fabulous booth!

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  10. This post is simply amazing!! I know that I will come back several times to see the BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL blanket and tunic which you made.

    The choice of your own fabrics for that tunic is perfect and so wonderful. You should definitely wear it, if you want to keep it yourself. Otherwise I'm sure that someone will buy it in no time :0)

    I truely haven't seen any fabric designers as good as you. I'm speechless!

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  11. Wow - the tunic looks fantastic! It's amazing how things that seem all wrong one day can come together so well another. Such a cute quilt too!!

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  12. What beautiful things you have made. Cute quilt and wonderful tunic.

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  13. Isn't a few days of first's the greatest. I always feel so great when I accomplish a first! Congratulations!! Your firsts are beautiful! Will your tunic become a pattern?

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  15. Gosh Patty--that tunic is gorgeous!! As always, your projects have made me swoon! Cheers!

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  16. Annie7:07 AM

    You're killing me here... your gorgeous fabrics made up in these gorgeous projects of yours. Do you ever stop? That fabric is going to be such a hit... it really speaks to me! :)

    Annie

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  17. Thank you all for stopping by... you guys have ME swooning with your lovely comments and compliments. I'm thinking maybe I'll display the tunic in my booth the first couple days of the show and then wear it on the last.

    So glad you guys like the quilt too... it's a little one, like crib size, but not bad IMO for my first! ;)

    xoxoxo
    patty

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  18. Everything looks fantastic Patty! Can't wait to see it all.

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  19. I love all of your stuff, old and new. I wish I was going to quilt market in person. The new quilt is adorable, and the machine quilting on it is to die for!

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  20. Everything is looking great! That quilt is just adorable. Best wishes in getting ready for market!

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  21. DEFINITELY wear the shirt--it's beautiful! Good luck preparing for Market!

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  22. Ae you kidding me? That's your first attempt at a quilt?? Hello, overachiever!!! :) Beautiful!

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  23. I love the tunic Patty! Did you use a pattern that you could share with us or did you make it your own sassy self?

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  24. I love the tunic patty! Did you use a pattern that you could share with us or did you make it your own sassy self?

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  25. For those of you who have asked about the tunic pattern, I used Vogue8249, but the pattern had some problems (at least mine did). The back collar and facing did not fit right into the top and I had to end up ripping the seams and trimming like a 1/2" off each side so it would fit properly. I checked the pattern several times to make sure I had traced the correct size and I had, so I'm not sure how that happened. I also ended up making a few modifications to the overall pattern: shortened the sleeved so they would be 3/4 length instead of full length and shortened the drop a tad too.

    This is what I get for using a commercially-produced pattern... haha! And exactly the reason why I started making my own. I should've just made it up on my own like I do everything else... live & learn! ;)

    The quilt is my very own design and I might put together a small pattern or tutorial or something for it after I get back from Market.

    Thanks again for all the sweet comments, everyone! MWAH!!

    patty

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  26. Okay, first of all, you HAVE to wear the tunic! It's to die for and second--- the lollipop quilt is DELISH!!!

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  27. Love the quilt!  I was wondering how you did the quilting on it.  Is it just a stitch that your sewing machine does or how did you do it? 

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  28. Michelle W., thanks! The stitching on the quilt was done with a long-arm quilting machine.No, I do not own one but someone here in town does. :)

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  29. Patty, both the quilt and the tunic are beautiful! You are incredibly talented. I love your new fabric, and can't wait to get some of it! Make sure you get some great shots of your booth at market, I can't wait to see that either! I had hoped to go to market this spring just to see how things 'work', but I will have to wait! Thanks for taking time to share. ~Lori

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  30. Love your fabric! the quilt is amazing and the name "lollipop" is just right

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  31. This kind of yummieness needs to be shared, I'll give you my address :)!!!!!




    Debbie

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  32. I definitely say WEAR IT!! So wish I was going to be at market again...I bet the booth will be fantastic...can't wait to see the pics!

    take a bow Jenn

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  33. Your quilt is amazing!!! I love it! And you tunic is gorgeous! I just finished a kid-sized tunic! I think I had a "funner" time...hahahaha I really should look into the quilt show....sounds like a blast!

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  34. Wear is baby and wear it proud! I love the tunic, and LOVE the quilt. Did you "quilt" it yourself? The quilted cirle/swirls are delightful, they add such detail to the quilt design. Way to go! Oh, and your booth...can't wait to see the reveal!

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  35. How beautiful! You are so talented!

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  36. The tunic looks fabulous - you should definately wear it - in fact i like it so much i'm off to get that pattern - noting that it might need some modifications. Love the new line - it's going to look so great at market.

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  37. mamaverde11:08 PM

    Oh I can't wait to see pics of the entire booth!

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  38. I like your idea of wearing it on the last day. It's way too darn cute to not be worn! I so wanted to make it to market but guess I'll have to drool over the photos from when everyone gets back. Have fun!

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  39. I wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy Mother's Day!!!!

    Of course, your tunic and quilt are AMAZING!

    xoxo,
    Shannon

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  40. Anonymous11:24 AM

    HEY girlie! Happy Mother's Day everyone! Love it all, I agree with everyone on the quilt, fantastic!! The tunic, love LOVE love it, and what you guys are doing with the booth sounds amazing! It's GREAT to see your blog and how perfect it's all going for you! TTY soon! xoxo

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  41. The quilt is GORGEOUS Patty! How did you do the actual quilting so perfect? Inquiring quilters want to know....

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  42. Thanks to all of you who stopped by on Mother's Day! Hope you all had a great day!!!

    The tunic will be worn on the last day! :)

    Cheryl, I took my quilt top to a long-arm quilter here in town and picked out a quilting design for it. She quilted it for me. I don't have the kind of equipment required for that type of work here at home.

    patty

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  43. Your first quilt? Such a good job with the quilting.
    The new line is gorgeous! I'm in love with the turquoise ones.

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  44. Everything is stunning Patty! You will be so chic in the tunic and that baby quilt is totally fantastic. Keep amazing us....I love seeing it all.
    Love ya,
    Eva

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  45. did you design that tunic yourself? any chance you'll market the pattern?

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