New Challenges...With Fun Fabrics

If you have been following my blog or IG account (@upstairshobbyroom)  for any length of time you know I love a new challenge!!

I love trying new projects, love pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, 

and love love love fabric!!!

So when Rita from

one of my awesome blog sponsors

contacted me, I knew I was in for some great fun!!

...and when this bundle of loveliness showed up.......what's a girl to do......... but sew.......

First up Mary Fons'  India Prints  from the Small Wonders Collection

I loved the cute little elephant and camel print and knew I had to pair it with the yellow print and just for fun the Ditsy Purple print, which I have been calling pink...oops! It was the pop of colour I needed for the inside of my Classmate Tote.

I just love how this tote turned out! I have to say sewing with vinyl has its challenges, but the pattern gives you some ideas on how to deal with it. I will be making more of these with my own spin and modifications...so look for a post on that coming soon! 

Look for another project coming using these remaining FQ from the collection!!

Next is this Wide Back fabric also part of the Small Wonders line

I normally use solids with a pieced strip for my backings, but it is so nice sometimes just to be able to have fabric large enough to get your quilt top finished without all the extra work of piecing. It is also great to find wide back fabric that is the same quilt shop weight and quality as the fabric I piece with,  because I have run into some backing fabrics that are too thin for my liking.

This lovely Signature Red print is now up on the long arm waiting for me to finish this post and quilt a long over due quilt top,  I made back in 2013, ....don't judge me, 😳!

It's going to be perfect for the back of my Virtual Quilting Bee quilt top !!

and a little Soak Flatter later, the mailing folds and 3 years of waiting folds vanish.....and we are ready to quilt.

The last fabric in my awesome package is this home decor weight called Bee Croft. We live just around a country corner from a BeeKeeper and buy all our honey directly from his store! So this is such a fun print...and I'm still deciding what I want to make with it, but thought I'd give you a little teaser peak....how cute!

and last but certainly not the least.....
some great news for you...

Rita is offering you a discount code




"WORLDPIECE" 
save 15% off any of the Small Wonders/World Piece line
from now until July 22, 2016.

Have fun shopping everyone....I can't wait to see what you make with your choices!!

#85 Exciting News..... "Twists & Churns"

Remember all the hints of what I was secretly sewing.....Well, I'm so excited to finally be able to share...... I designed a cute mini quilt, Twists & Churns and it's being published in the next issue of The Art of Home free eMagazine by Jacquelynne Steves.
I hope you will all pop over and sign up, and let me know what you think!! If  you decide to make a Twists & Churns mini I hope you will tag it with #twistsandchurns on social media (especially Instagram)  so I can see what you come up with!!
If my pattern isn't enough to grab you, Jacquelynne also has an interview with Pat Sloan in this issue!!

What I've Been Up To:

I finished my Elephant Parade Quilt pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts. I used Lorna's scrappy bits border technique and it looks so cute.

Used my new label (don't forget, upstairshobbyroom,  is the coupon code to save you 5% if you are looking for labels, link is in the sidebar)

 I put a 5" square folded in half in the top corner for a hanging hook and maybe an extra label (if I am blessed to someday give this beauty to a grandbaby, just say'n)

I still need to add the embroidery details....working up to it...it's been awhile and I'm rusty.

I tested the Geometric Butterfly for Kristy at Quiet Play. Oh my goodness it turned out so fantastic. I love rainbows, and wanting spring to come sooner, I am playing with lots of colour right now!!! It just makes me smile.....happy colours......

Which turned into making an Easter Basket, pattern by Amy Smart

Which turned into a rainbow table runner......which I love.......smiling big this week, even with the freezing weather we are having......

I thought I would share the pattern/ measurements I made for my runner, incase anyone else is inspired to create their own rainbow.

Rainbow Table Runner Quilt as You Go

Measure your table to get the size you want for width and length. I will give you my measurement, but you insert your own in its place.

I made my table runner approximately 14" wide by 94" long. You will need to add about a 1/2 " to an 1" to your width for trimming later.

You will need a piece of backing fabric and batting a couple of inches bigger than your finished runners length and width.

Cut: (40) 2.5" strips 14.5" long in various colours (I chose 27 colours from Kona jelly roll strips) 

        (39) 1" strips 14.5" long in Kona White

Binding strips: (6) 2.25" X WOF strips Kona White

I spray basted the backing and batting together and starting in the center with a coloured strip right side up and a white strip wrong side up and right side to the coloured strip 14.5" raw edges lined up stitch a 1/4" seam through all layers. Press the white fabric back and add the next coloured strip. Continue sewing on alternating white and coloured strips until you cover to the end. Tip: Sew the white strips top to bottom and the coloured strips bottom to top to even out the pull on the fabric, or your will have a very misshaped runner. Then repeat for the other side.

*If you are unfamiliar with quilt as you go check out this tutorial I did or another one here

When you're done, trim up the sides and ends and bind your runner!!

Good luck and happy sewing!!!!

Oh I Just Couldn't Help Myself.....

Quick little post...a confession

I vowed I would do no new sewing projects, except for a few commitments until my WIP list was completed......Right ......I got sucked in by its cuteness....and in my defensive it is a Sew Along so it's not a year long commitment....that makes a difference, right?
I may have to quit social media if I truly want to stop new sewing projects, because there are just so many good options out there. I keep stopping myself from signing up for a mini swap, and I am not even looking at any BOM, because they are my weakness....lol....but I am committed to this. Fabric is cut, pattern is printed....and what is the cuteness I couldn't resist you maybe asking......

The "Elephant Parade" over at Sew Fresh Quilts

Can you understand how I couldn't resist this!!!

Head over  to Sew Fresh Quilts and check it out,  and if you can't resist either, grab the widget for your blog's sidebar and all the fabric requirements and cutting instructions. Lets all have fun making this adorable quilt.

On the plus side, I am using 100% of my stash so far for the top and sashing!! So I am doing great for my other commitment to Sew My Stash 2015!!!

And I finished my #SewMyStashChallenge1 Hearts