The Communique Layout

Popularized by Rhonda Dort, who uses the layout in her classes, the Communique Quilt Layout works for both featuring large fabric and panel pieces, as well as a basis for multiple block designs.

About Me

Welcome to Mouse in My Pocket! I'm Andrea, a web developer living in rural America with her husband and daughter. I'm excited to share my life with you as I explore some of the great things about living in the middle of nowhere.  Be sure to check out the blog below to see a few of the things that are speaking to me right now.

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On the Blog

Singer Quantum 2623 Review

By Andrea | January 21, 2014

I have several sewing machines at my house, and I’ve been sewing for a couple of years now, so I figured it was time I write a review for you of my machines.  The first machine I’ll be reviewing is the one I’ve had the longest, about 3 years.  It’s a Singer Quantum 2623, which…

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A Baby Quilt for Susan

By Andrea | January 20, 2014

My cousin Susan is having a baby! And today I’m super thrilled to share with you the baby quilt I made for her baby girl (coming this spring). I also had enough leftover fabric to make a fun little Dresden plate pillow for decoration. This quilt really started with the fabric.  I fell in love…

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New Year, New Space

By Andrea | January 15, 2014

With the new year, I decided that I needed a new space to sew in. Ok, it had nothing to do with the new year, and everything to do with finding a permanent place to set up my Featherweight. So, I pulled all of the stuff off my shelves, took everything off the tables, and…

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I Finished That Halloween Quilt

By Andrea | January 13, 2014

I finally finished that Halloween quilt that I started in October.  I got the top done before Halloween, but I didn’t take the time to get it it quilted and bound.  So, thanks to this #sew365 resolution, I got caught up on enough other projects, and had no excuse not to finish the quilt. The…

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Sewing 365

By Andrea | January 8, 2014

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed the #sew365 hashtag I’ve been using recently.  I’ve decided that this year, I’m going to make more of an effort to work on my sewing projects every day.  And so far so good.  In the past week, I’ve managed to finish the piecing on…

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Christmas Crazy Patch

By Andrea | January 6, 2014

Yes, it IS January, and yes, I AM writing a post about my Christmas Crazy Quilt project.  Not surprisingly, I got busy and didn’t get the quilt finished before Christmas.  So I took a short break to work on another project (it’s a gift, so you have to wait to see it).  But then I…

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Featherweight Help Needed

By Andrea | December 30, 2013

Thanks to my wonderful husband, and the magic of the internet, we were able to order a new cable to hook to the foot pedal for my Featherweight and get everything installed.  My husband is magic with electricity, and machines of all sorts. However, I still haven’t gotten to do any sewing with my machine.…

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Steampunk Crazy Pillow

By Andrea | December 30, 2013

As you may have noticed, since it’s after Christmas, and I haven’t posted about the Christmas crazy quilt. It isn’t done.  And it made me a little sad.  And what better way to make yourself happy than to have a nice quick finish?  My solution? A pillow case to match my Steampunk crazy quilt. For…

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A Christmas for Sewing

By Andrea | December 26, 2013

My husband gave me the best Christmas present I could think of, and better yet, I wasn’t expecting it.  He bought me a Singer Featherweight sewing machine! There’s a little damage to the cord that Matt wants to fix before he’ll let me use it.  He’s afraid I might burn up the motor with the…

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Corn Casserole

By Andrea | December 16, 2013

This time of year, I’m constantly needing to come up with dishes to bring to potluck dinners and parties.  Thanks to my aunt Julie sharing this recipe with me, I have a super simple and delicious new dish to bring. I really hope you try this recipe for corn casserole.  I think you’ll enjoy it. Printable…

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Matt & I

Here’s to Four More Years

By Andrea | December 12, 2013

Today is Matt and I’s 4th anniversary. He asked last night if that meant he needed to run for re-election.  He always makes me laugh. So I told him if he was running for re-election, he’d better get me a really nice present.  But either way, I think I’ll keep him. (But shhh…. don’t you…

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Happy Mail Day

By Andrea | December 10, 2013

I got a lovely package in the mail today from Quilt Fabric Closeouts. I got some great themed fabric, which I am looking forward to using in an upcoming project: the panel and a half yard of checker print from the Communique line from Wilmington Prints. I also picked up the end of bolt of…

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