Kindergarten Quilt Finish

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Melissa Dunworth

Finishing a quilt is always exciting! Last Thursday I finished the Kindergarten Quilt for Anne’s teacher. This week I am hoping to take it to school and get a photo of her class holding the quilt to frame for her teacher.  That way she will always have the faces to go with the blocks. Anne loves the quilt.

Kindergarten Quilt - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comYou can read more about the inspiration for this quilt on this post. A lot of thought and effort went into making it, and many hours volunteering in Anne’s classroom. I know this will sound crazy, especially since I just bought a long arm, but I quilted this on my domestic machine. I wanted to quilt in the sashing and borders only. I wanted the blocks to be exactly as the children drew them and have no embellishment.

I did make a new purchase for my Long Arm. Vicki from Orchid Owl Quilts talked me into order Red Snappers, they are supposed to make loading and unloading quilts a breeze. I ordered them from the St. Sandy, Utah Innova Dealer. I can’t wait for them to arrive.  I have a charity quilt that will be going on next for some practice and then I’m hoping to get Anne to finish her quilt on the long arm. She’s been begging for a chance to quilt on it again!

Have a happy Monday!

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Posted in 2016 Finishes | 4 Comments

Feeling Loved

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Melissa Dunworth

This week was the three year anniversary of the first meeting of the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild. When I started this guild 3 years ago, I have to say, I wasn’t quite sure what would happen, would anyone show up or would I be at the quilt shop with Anne for company. Little did I know that we would have a huge turn out and I would quickly find myself as president of a quilting guild for the next 2.5 years. I love this guild, and I have been so grateful for all of the wonderful women who are part of it. They are all so wonderful, caring, giving and loving.  At the end of our meeting this week, I was called up to the front of the room, now that I’m not president anymore I tend to hide in the back, and was presented with a stunning quilt made with love from the most wonderful ladies.

SSMQG Quilt - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comThese ladies know me so well. There are so many blocks that I truly adore in this quilt. I’ve been having a rough week and yesterday I truly felt as though I had been wrapped up with love. People do not understand what it means to be a quilter until they gift a quilt and see the joy in the recipients face or they receive a quilt and feel all the love that is stitched into the quilt.

Thank you South Sound Modern Quilt Guild. This gift has truly deeply touched my heart and soul.

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Posted in SSMQG | 2 Comments

End of Year Sewing

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Melissa Dunworth

What’s that? End of Year?!? How can that be? I mean the end of the school year of course! This year I am making a very special quilt for Anne’s kindergarten teacher. In my life before Anne I was actually a substitute teacher working on my Master’s in Teaching, so teachers hold a special place in my heart. For the quilt for Anne’s teacher I had each of her students draw a quilt block with Crayola Crayons showing something they learned or did in Kindergarten. Each block I heat set with my iron and a Teflon pressing cloth. I even had the teacher make one!  I am going to sew the blocks together so that the quilt can hang in the classroom and the teacher can use it as a teaching tool for her future classes. Kindergartners telling kindergartners all the things they will learn. I have the banner made for it and today I am hoping to get the sashing in before I go volunteer at the school.

Kindergarten Quilt - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI hope everyone has a happy Wednesday! Now that my secret sewing has finished for awhile I will be able to post more regularly again!

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Posted in quilt, quilting, teacher gifts | 5 Comments

Secret Sewing

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Melissa Dunworth

It’s that time of year! The time of year when some sewing projects become secret until Quilt Market! I am so happy to be working with Camelot Fabrics again and to be sewing some beautiful children’s clothing. I have to say, I am in love with the fabrics they sent my way, but I can’t share anything until Spring Quilt Market launches next month. So this is me right now…

Have a great day!!!

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Posted in Camelot Fabrics, Secret Sewing | 4 Comments

Pattern Release!

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Melissa Dunworth

I am so excited to release a new pattern today! Well it isn’t really new, it actually appeared in Issue 7 of Make Modern Magazine back in September of 2015.  Allow me to introduce you to Through The Prism.

Through The Prism - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comThis pattern was originally designed for a friend in my birthday club but I fell in love with the design and decided I needed one for myself, then I ended up making a third for another swap! The pattern is fast and easy requiring small scraps for each rainbow section.

I provide a link to a basic paper piecing tutorial as well as instructions for my favorite paper piecing method that doesn’t involve sewing through the templates.

Pattern Stats:

Through The Prism

Octagon – Each side measures 7.5”

Original Quilt Design by Melissa Dunworth

Check out how beautiful it looks on my wall!

Through the prism - https://www.sewbittersweetdesigns.comI may or may not have a thing for rainbows!

If you are obsessed with fast and easy mini quilts, then this is the pattern for you!

Also included are instructions to turn it into a square wall hanging if you so choose!

Head on over to my Craftsy shop to pick up your copy today for $7.00!

signaturePS. If you haven’t already subscribed to Make Modern Magazine, go do it now! I have a pattern coming out in the May 2016 Issue!

Posted in 2015 Finishes, Craftsy, Make Modern Magazine, Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns | 5 Comments