After...

I put together a quilt top today.  This is the double hourglass quilt from Cathy.  Back in December of 2010, she had sent blocks she had made along with fabric to make more blocks to finish the quilt.  She also sent fabric for the backing. 

Actually, I had it pretty much put together 2 months ago (click here)...16 half rows that I labelled, so all I had to do was put the half rows together.

It needs a good pressing and then will be put with the others waiting to be basted and quilted.

After sewing all those napkins and aprons, it was much different sewing rows of a quilt together!  Ya know?

Do you have your first project of the new year all lined up and ready to go?  In addition to the one I'll be cutting tomorrow, I need to make me Mum's quilt.  Those are the only 2 quilts I have on my agenda until after I move (in the spring).

I have been keeping my knitting projects going...need to sew several of them together and will then show you.  


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Seeing Double...

I spent a little bit of time yesterday afternoon working on my Double Hourglass quilt.  I have a difficult time with random...I may have mentioned this before.  However, I recently read a post on Amanda Jean's blog about how she does random which gave me some hope.  Read it here.  Thank you, Amanda Jean!

I had 64 blocks to use for this quilt...a lap quilt with 8 rows of 8.  I paired up two blocks that I deliberately chose...blocks I liked together.  Next, I put together two pairs of blocks...again choosing pairs I liked together.  I then had 16 strips of 4 blocks.  I laid them out on my bed...somewhat randomly at first.  I say somewhat, because this fabric collection, 'Fig and Plum', has 3 fabrics with dots...I needed to pay attention to where those blocks were.
 
Here's my first layout:

 

(Click on the image to see the individual blocks better.)  I must say that I am almost happy with this layout.  There is one place where two blocks of the same color and the same print are diagonal from each other.  However, since they are smack dab in the center of the quilt, I just may leave them where they are.  There are two other places that I may address...we shall see.   Because you know how it goes once you start moving pieces around...move one and then you need to move another...and another...and on and on.  

It will be at least a few days before I get back to this.  In the meantime, I have some knitting and sewing to do.

Have a great day!

  

   

    

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Best Laid Plans and All of That...

This past week was the one where I was going to start - in earnest - working on making some doll clothes.  Yet, here it is, Saturday evening...and I have not made a single step in that direction.  Well, I guess that is not exactly correct.  I found a lovely pattern that I am excited about using.   I am in the process of tracing the pattern pieces onto pattern paper, and will start cutting and sewing as soon as I finish that process.  

(Pattern paper...the paper that patterns are printed on.  You know, like the patterns you buy at the store...Simplicity, Vogue, McCall's, Butterick, etc.  Only this is white paper and comes on a roll.  I had some years ago when I had another business and also used it when I had my rug hooking hobby/business.  I thought I had some left, but couldn't find it, so bought a roll a month ago.  What's nice about it is this...when a pattern comes in several sizes, I can trace the pieces I want in the size(s) I want and don't have to worry about cutting off a size I may need later.  OR, now that there are so many patterns available by instant download, it's nicer to have the pieces on pattern paper rather than on copy paper.  That's probably more information than you wanted to know, but there it is.)   

I procrastinate.  Big Time!  However, this week was more about laying low because I was bothered with headaches.  Not migraines, thankfully, but bad headaches nonetheless.  Every day this past week.  ugh.  First time since my retirement.  Not sure what is/was going on, but I didn't have one today, so perhaps the cycle is broken.

So, needing to do something, but not wanting to work on something new (ya know, where I'd have to think), I finished putting together some double hourglass blocks.  

I have a total of 76 of these blocks...they are so easy to put together.  The fabric collection is Fig & Plum by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda.  I received the fabric from Cathy a few years ago (you know, that supply of fabric from her that will never run out).  She had started this quilt...and I am finishing it.  It will make a very nice lap quilt for someone.  I just need to decide how to arrange the blocks and I will get the top put together.  But, oh dear, who knows when I will get around to quilting it!!?!!  

And, from the leftover pieces, I cut some 2" blocks.  Here's a sneak peek at the little quilt top I put together.  I think it's going to be the perfect size for someone's doll...

    
Those 2 quilt tops were easy for me to work on...as in, they required no (well, almost no) thought.  

Besides working on the doll clothes in earnest, I have a list of side projects to complete within the next month:
*1 Kleenex cozy done
*2 Halloween trick or treat bags for five month old babies (one boy and one girl...wait til you see what I am going to do with them!) done
*2 skirt linings
*1 custom carrycot
*strawberries (I just joined a strawberry pincushion swap that Erin started...go here if you'd like to join in)

It's nice to have side projects.  As long as they do not become distractions/diversions.     

And, in addition to all of this sewing stuff going on, I am editing 3 volumes of poems for a friend.   I am almost done and hope to get everything sent off this week.   

I have yet to think about Christmas...and I absolutely refuse to think about it for another month or so.  I may be sorry, but I need to set some priorities.

So.  If all works out, I should have some fun things to show you by next weekend.  

In the meantime, have a great Sunday and a great week!




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11