Chicopee | Factotum of Arts

You know how you meet people and instantaneously you have that connection. You know they are a best-ie (translation: best friend) immediately. I was so surprised to have the same experiences in the Social Media world. Ashley @ Wasn’t Quilt in a Day, is one such connection.

She has a love…obsession (??) for Denyse Schmidt’s Chicopee line and she works so hard in her teaching job that over the winter break I decided I wanted to do something special for her. Low and behold, she mentioned how much she had loved my Sea Spray pillow. Done, that will be what I make using her favorite Chicopee.

I have been posting progress on a pillow on IG (Instagram) for a while now, without her knowing, to see how she responds to the various choices. Here is the final product – which I think turned out great!

A close-up of the quilting, which is just straight line quilting at ~1/8 inch about on the low volume prints.

I decided to use a new technique, to me, for the zipper. I typically use an invisible zipper but I do not have the right foot yet for my new machine. As such I used a standard zipper but I wanted to still have it hidden. I found this fantastic tutorial by S.O.T.A.K handmade for making such a closure.

So the details…
Fabric: Denyse Schmidt Chicopee + Essex Linen Med. Aqua
Size: 20″ x 20″
Design: Crystallized from the book Pillow Pop

Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.

A couple of months ago I mentioned I was going to start using instagram. Verdict in….I love it. Why do I love it??

The instant feedback you get from the community
Takes way less time than blogging as a photo and short comment is all that is needed.
I love the fact you share more of your lives with people – it’s not all quilty things (the community accepts it on instagram more than in a blog). It seems more liberating to me, at least.
I love how you can actually see how your blocks may look in a repetitive pattern (once people like your photo – that small image repeats…I love that look).
Fabric destash (yes, you can purchase fabric on instgram…I had been missing out on that opportunity)
My favorite thing though, is joining in Friday Night Sew Along (thank you Miss Sarah!! for starting that trend) #Fridaynightsewalong

This is what I shared this week and most of it was through #fridaynightsewalong.

Scrap-bee-licious April Blocks all pieced and ready for sewing
Aerial Quilt top finish from yesterday’s post. #fridaynightsewalong
Tapa Star Striped Pillow top complete (finally…almost done). #fridaynightsewalong
Also, I finally made progress on the DS Chicopee Pillow – all pieces in each rows are sewn. #fridaynightsewalong