Several months ago, we were asked to create a pattern using the Denver Metro Modern Quilt Guild’s logo. We LOVED this idea! It’s a simple, modern and easy pattern, and can be made in any size, quite easily! In fact, we originally sized this pattern up to 60″ wide! We needed it for a quilt back.

Check out how amazing it turned out! Seriously! I recommend searching #dmmqgtwistedsistersquilt on Instagram to see more photos of the stunning quilt. You won’t be disappointed. Every member of the DMMQG contributed a part of the quilt and we’re so excited with how it ended up. Also, we had such a fantastic response and multiple requests to make the pattern smaller, so we did!

We adore this version by Stephanie! The monochromatic mountains and metallics are just delicious!

Dena came up with this version using more traditional fabrics and we can’t keep out eyes off it!

Then Heather blew it out of the park with her version!

Charlie used Alison Glass fabrics in hers and we love the additions she’s added! The colors are so vibrant and lovely!

Anyways, enough pretty pictures and inspirations!  You can download the pattern here! It comes in two sizes, 16″ and 24″ wide but you can easily size up as needed. When we did the 60″ wide version, we had it printed at the local office supply store. Large format black & white is fairly inexpensive and they can generally print up to 24″ or 36″ wide by any length.

We hope you enjoy our new pattern! We’d love to see your creations so please tag them with #sewingwithpinkdoor and #dmmqglogo

THANK YOU!

Hi All!

It’s been a busy first week of the New Year around here! Anyone else agree? I’ve been on this binge to completely purge my house (I do this often – don’t ask!) and I started in my sewing room. My desk…this big heavy metal beast of a desk, well, it needs to go. I have already procured a replacement from a friend of mine. The new desk is a beautiful old wooden desk from the local Holy Cross Abbey. It was one that the monks used fifty years ago. Can we say exciting!? I do need to sand it down a bit and refinish the top as it’s a little rough for fabric, but it’s otherwise in fabulous condition! I also need to disassemble it so I can bring it down to the basement, eventually. 😉 But anyways, in hopes of kicking off my new storage solution and work area, I created some fun little nesting boxes for my desk! You can find the pattern here and it seriously, took me no more than 3-4 hours to do them all! SO SO EASY!

I contacted Jennifer at Monaluna Design for the absolutely GORGEOUS fabric, and in case you’re curious, it’s called Westwood. You can find some for yourself here and I promise, you won’t regret it. It’s a lovely fabric made with Organic Cotton and the drape is amazing. It’s most similar in feel to Art Gallery Fabrics, but a little thicker. Not much! The colors are so very me! I especially LOVE LOVE LOVE the Deerheart print! Stay tuned for a project made with that.
++ Note: We are currently OUT of the Llama Love but will be getting more soon! ++

The pattern includes directions for four (4) different size boxes. There’s a small (3″ x 4″ x 2″), medium (3″ x 8″ x 2″), and large (6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ x 2″) and with their 2″ height, they are PERFECT for inside drawers! The pattern calls for Fast 2 Fuse interfacing, but suggests that Peltex 72F will work too. I only had Peltex 71F, meaning it’s fusible on one side one, so I used Pellon Wonder Under to make the second side fusible. Works like a charm! I do recommend using a heavyweight interfacing for the nesting boxes as they are meant to be sturdy. Pellon DecorBond or similar will make for floppy boxes, and that’s definitely not the look I was going for.

The patterns was well written, and easy to follow. There are some diagrams to illustrate steps as you go and it’s seriously a very fast project! Like I said, I made all four in 3-4 hours with child interruptions (they’re ALWAYS hungry!) and picking up kids from school, etc. The only machine stitching you do, is while the nesting box is flat; there’s a bit of topstitching done. Otherwise, the pattern says to hand stitch the corners, but I rebelled and machine stitched mine. As long as you go slow, and take your time on that part, it can be done. Don’t worry about those pesky wrinkles you see (if you used Peltex 71/72F) as they’ll iron right out. I can’t say if that’s the case with the Fast 2 Fuse, as I didn’t have any to test out.

As you can see here, the boxes all “nest” together, hence the name, Nesting Boxes. They’re really the perfect size for all your notions or threads, or even a pair of scissors and glue pen. You can also separate the boxes and use them individually however you’d like! The possibilities are endless!

I definitely see myself making many more sets of these as gifts for my family and friends. Go get your pattern now and spend a few hours making them! You will not regret it!

Sometimes, we sew for everyone else, and never find time to sew for ourselves. Does that sound familiar to you? I know I’ve been overbooked with swaps, charity items, orders, etc, my daily life of being a mom and spouse. I has definitely been insane over here. I finally got caught up on all orders and commitments so it was long past time to do some Selfish Sewing. I quickly pulled and ordered fabrics, printed, assembled, and cut patterns, and prewashed all my fabric. I chose to jump right in with the Washi Dress from Made by Rae.

I can’t say enough about how easy and quick this pattern was to assemble, cut, and get started with. Seriously. It’s only a few pieces and the dress goes together super quick (which is an added perk since I still have little time to actually sew)! In the short course of three days, I created the dress, using Indelible, and two tunic length Washi dresses/tops with Tula Pink-The Birds and the Bees, and Art Gallery Urban Mod. This is hands-down, my new favorite pattern. I want Washi everything.

I will admit though, I had to modify the pattern a bit. I required a full bust adjustment and Rae has a ton of resources on her website on how to accomplish this, and also, my machine fought me tooth and nail about shirring… So I omitted that and did an elastic casing in the back instead. It worked out fine and I love it!

I also made the Flirting the Issue skirt from Anna Maria Horner’s website. This skirt was seriously such a breeze to make! I had some Field Study Rayon Challis here that was begging to be cut into, so I ordered a Navy Rayon Challis and prewashed those fabrics. I immediately got to cutting and sewing and had this skirt done in three short hours. PS- I LOVE IT! It’s so swishy and soft and like a layer of clouds. [insert lovey face here] I want to make more of these but Rayon Challis is a bit more pricey, so I’ll wait til I find some on sale..

Finally, to round out my Selfish Sewing, I created this Senna Tote [Pattern from Willow + Co] using yarn dyed Essex linen in black, and Joel Dewberry Birch Farm. I LOVE the colors of this line, more than I can possibly admit, and it really is so gorgeous. I am sort of kicking myself for not getting the antlers… Seriously.

This tote is a nice size, about 17″ tall and 17″ wide at the top, and was relatively easy to sew up. However, two things, the straps are too short, for me anyway. I would have added about 4-6″ to each if I had known in advance. Secondly, the exterior pockets are unlined, and that bothers me. So if I were to make it again, I would definitely cut a lining piece (the same size as the exterior pocket piece) and sew it on (right sides together with the exterior piece), flip it over, press and topstitch. Easy! I’m not sure why this step wasn’t included and I really feel it makes or breaks a bag pattern for me. So all in all, loved the pattern, but those two changes will be made next time.

So there ya go! There’s some Selfish Sewing I’ve done! I want to hear about what you’re creating! Leave a comment!