Dear Friends! It was such an honor to be invited by Jera Brandvig to participate in the blog tour showcasing her most amazing new fabric collection, La Conner. I think as a "Maker", there was no better compliment to me. And to be a part of this line up of talented designers and sewists... it's beyond words!
For those of my readers that aren't familiar with this sort of blog tour, it works like this: the fabric was mailed to me by the manufacturer, Lecien Fabrics, (to drool over!) and I was given the liberty to make whatever I wanted from it! I had plenty of time to think, re-think, second guess, worry about, stew over and then finally trust my instinct and jump in and sew! I'd like to say that I've sewn with a lot of gorgeous fabrics but some of them grow on me more than others. This is how I felt about La Conner. The more I sewed with it, the more I didn't want to stop! There is a vintage feel to this fabric that makes me love it. And now, honestly, after poring my heart into my projects I feel very attached to it.
From the very beginning when I looked at this beautiful line, I thought of a picnic! And I've learned that when fabric speaks to me I better listen!
Of course I had my little granddaughters in mind because seriously, is there anything sweeter than a summer picnic with a beautiful quilt and little barefoot farm girls?
I knew I would be making a picnic quilt and I actually drew up my own design for one. But then suddenly I thought of the quilt in Jera's Quilt As-You-Go Made Modern book and it just seemed like it would be completely perfect for this fabric as well as for this picnic sized quilt. And it was!!! I absolutely loved making this quilt!! It was so easy and so fast.
When I finished it and was ready to make the binding, I just kept thinking it needed a little something to give it a dramatic finish. And Prairie Points was it! Oh how I love this little quilt. I wish it was huge!
Since by now I was totally hooked on this fabric (smile!), I made a liner for my daughter's Longaberger picnic basket. I didn't have a pattern for this, so it was a bit of a process taking it one step at a time with a lot of drawing, calculating and measuring in between. I just adore how it tuned out. The La Conner fabric couldn't be sweeter for this basket.
Can I admit that my heart sort of gave a little pitter patter when we set up our picnic? I think my vision for this fabric came out exactly as I hoped. It didn't hurt that my little grand-girls kept saying, "Oh Gram. It's so beautiful!" (They are my biggest fans!)
I really enjoy a picnic with a hot lunch made in little cast iron skillets. And at the last minute I pulled together my tiny scraps and made these little covers to wrap the skillets in to keep them hot. See what I mean about La Conner fabric having a vintage feel? It was just screaming for my vintage buttons!
I also made simple little quilted napkin rings with a vintage button closure. Sometimes I am amazed at how a tiny little thing can make all the difference and these little napkin rings were just the cherry on top for me! And they were so simple to make.
Sewing with this fabric brought me such joy and made my heart so happy.
Thank you so much for visiting with me in my little blog. If you are new here, I hope you will look around and get to know me!
Please visit the other stops on the blog tour (linked list below) and see what all these talented designers and sewists have made using La Conner fabric.
And thank you Jera and Lecien Fabrics for including me in this lineup of incredible talent; it was such an honor.
La Conner Blog Tour
Monday 9/18: Ange @alittlepatchwork https://alittlepatchwork.wordpress.com
Thursday 9/21: Tiffany @tiffanyluann http://fannyludesigns.com
Monday 9/25: Dori @redfeedsack http://theredfeedsack.blogspot.com
Thursday 9/28: Kristin @kristin_esser http://www.kristinesser.com
Monday 10/02: Michelle @coleandtaffy http://coleandtaffy.com
Thursday 10/05: Katrina @katrinahodgson1969
Monday 10/09: Clara @claralovestosew
Thursday 10/12: Samantha @aqua_paisley https://www.aquapaisleystudio.com
Monday 10/16: Natasha @ellieshm https://www.ellieshandmade.com
Thursday 10/19: Sarah @sarahedgarprettyfabrics https://www.prettyfabricsandtrims.co.uk
Monday 10/23: Andrea @willowcottagequiltco http://willowcottagequiltco.com
Thursday 10/26: Faith @faithessenburg https://saranaave.wordpress.com
Monday 10/30: Mariana @sewmariana
Just gorgeous, Dori! You make it sound so easy, but there is a lot involved in creating such lovely treasures. I hope that your grand babies are learning to sew. It is such a valuable skill. Enjoy your masterpieces!
ReplyDeleteYes! My grand-girls are sewing! And they are loving it!
DeleteThis is so beautiful! You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteDori what beautiful makes!! I absolutely love the quilt, that pattern is the best and your addition of the points is the perfect finish. That basket is my favorite!! The fabrics you chose are so pretty! Well done!! I knew you would do a beautiful job😘
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and granddaughters. The fabric, quilting, napkin rings, liner for the basket and everything was perfect. Thanks for sharing. Chris
ReplyDeleteWell count this as another home run for Jera Brandvig and her ability to create such beautiful fabric and a grand slam for you Dori as you took such a beautiful fabric and took it to a whole new level with such sweet, whimsical picnic essentials that EVERYONE is going to want!!! I'm thinkin' you better start working on that basket pattern soon!!😂😂. Those Grandgirls of yours are just so precious and perfect for these pictures!! 👏🏻💞👏🏻💞👏🏻💞👏🏻💞
ReplyDeleteI love this fabric and I love your sewing! The little quilted skillet covers were genius. What a beautiful way to keep those warm :)
ReplyDeleteOh Dori! This is such of a beautiful post! You've really outdone yourself. the love you put into your projects really shine through, and seeing how happy you were sewing with the fabrics...I couldn't ask for more as a fabric designer. My heart went litter patter too! Thank you!!! Also, your grand daughters are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever and talented Dori!! I felt like you drew me into your little scene and made me feel at home. So beautiful! xAli
ReplyDeleteI love that fabric and I love that quilt. I am hoping to begin quilting this winter when time allows. Your grands are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteOh that picnic quilt! Gorgeous! Your grandgirlies are adorable, too.
ReplyDeleteOh.My.Word Dori....you are seriously the most talented person EVER. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Dori,
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous! I love it too!!! Your little extras make it super special! All of your photos are perfect. What a wonderful picnic I know you had with your grand girls!!!! I'm jealous! 😍
Hi Dori
ReplyDeleteLoving your cheerful...sunny colors. I made a picnic cloth yrs ago and our small grandchildren still use it for picnics n BBQ. Handmades always look so homely. I love sewing n knitting for our 7 littlies. 😇