From UFO to...

I've had a creative surge in the last couple of weeks and finished a number of projects, old and new.  At least one will remain anonymous until it is gifted later this month.   But here are the others I can share:  

1) Cozy from a Kantha quilt.  I did modify the pattern from DesignsbyHeidi considerably.  I made the neck opening smaller and simultaneously took inches out of the width of the top. My earlier muslin helped me to create a new, more fitted pattern.   It's still oversized, but doesn't overhwelm me. I modified the pocket shape a bit and made it smaller than the original pattern.   I  also added 8 1/2 inches to the sleeves and took out some of the bullk in the sleeves by grading from about the elbow down an adding buttons at the wrist.  Since I used french seams I ended up with a top that can be worn 4 different ways!  Thanks Heidi for a great design and the tips you've given me along the way.  

This satisfying project makes me want to make another piece of clothing with a Kantha.  I'm currently reviewing design ideas.  

2) Kawandi lap sized quilt.    This is something I started in April after completing a smaller Kawandi piece (blues in my earlier post). It's completely hand sewn and I tried to follow the traditional Kawandi methods. in creating it.   This meant I added pieces from the outside in, sewing with large running stitches.  I added four "Phula" (flowers) on the corners as I finished the first row of fabric pieces.  I used double gauze on the back and some recycled scarves inside.  The quilt has quite a lovely feel to it.  I did find it more and more difficult to stitch as I got further from the outside edges.  

If you want to know more about Kawandi, I have added a link to the article I put together.  The link is on the right of this blog.  

3) One of the most satisfying and unique completions was a political banner I made for outside my studio.  It was adapted from the Kamala Quilt by Modern Quilt Studio.  The original quilt design is larger and has 5 repeats of "Kamala".  Modern Quilt Studio offers it as a free download but asks you to make a $10 to the Harriz/Walz campaign as payment.  Since I don't consider myself to be a quilter, I was challenged by mydecision to make the quilt blocks smaller for the banner, in fact I ended up creating a spreadsheet in order to get the correct dimensions.  For the first time ever I used the scanning feature on my Brother Dream Machine to scan my own handwriting and add the text in embroidery.   

4) Finally a knitting UFO.  I started this project, called Islands in the Stream,  back in May, and I had periods of inactivity with this project that prolonged its completion for months.  Pictured below is the shawl while it is being blocked.  It's still much too warm here in Arizona to wear it yet.  For other knitters, you can find more details of the yarn I used, etc. on my Ravelry page: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/homemadeoriginal/islands-in-the-stream#