Monday, August 12, 2013

Currently



I’ve been quilting this stacked coins quilt off and on this past weekend. It’s going to take me all week because because I am slow and I don't have much free time, but…I am enjoying it! I think this is the first time I have truly enjoyed the actual process of quilting. So often I get a quilt top finished, sandwiched, and then I’m rushing to quilt it to get it done because of a deadline or a general desire for the finished product. But this time is different. This quilt has been sitting around, already sandwiched and pinned for well over a year. I felt so-so about this quilt top, didn’t know how I wanted to quilt it, and was unmotivated to finish it.

Until last week. I needed a break from the scrappy trip along quilt and decided to pull this out and quilt it without thinking too much (ie, straight-line quilting). Two strange things happened: First, I like this quilt again. Second, the straight-line quilting is so cathartic. I’m just enjoying every minute I have at the sewing machine, sewing line after line and watching them slowly take shape over the top.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Look what the mailman brought


Just a little stack of some Briar Rose yumminess today.  I have no idea when I'll be able to cut into this.  I have four other quilts I need to finish before I touch this stack.  I'll not have you believe that I am just disciplined like that.  The truth is I don't have space in my little (cozy?) rowhouse to accommodate another work-in-progress.  Ho hum! 

Friday, August 2, 2013

Swoon

Swoon.  She is mine and I love her.


I fell in love with this quilt pattern by the first time I saw it.  This was also around the same time that Denyse Schmidt released her flea market fancy legacy collection.  Again, love at first (or second release?) sight.


Nevermind that I had such little time to sew with a young baby and another on the way. Perhaps that's why when I finished all the blocks, I decided I didn't want to bother with the sashing; I just wanted this done already!  I actually really like the plus and diamond shapes the white background makes without the sashing.  


I cut all of the fabrics for each block at once and then just sewed one block at a time.  Sew, press, sew, press.  My points aren't perfect, but that's ok.  If I were a perfectionist, I could not be a quilter.  I would drive myself crazy.  Instead, I embrace those mistakes like designer's elements.


I backed it with kona cotton aqua.  I love this color.  It's so light and airy.  For the quilting, I did simple straight-lines about an inch apart.


I started this in the spring 2012, finished quilting it in summer 2012, and finally binded it in winter 2013.  I think this will go on the Bug's big-girl bed when she transitions out of her crib.  Apparently this may be soon as she has been requesting a pink big-girl bed for a few weeks now (and pink car, pink house, pink windows, etc etc). 

Pattern: Swoon Quilt by Thimble Blossoms
Fabrics: Mainly Flea Market Fancy Legacy by Denyse Schmidt, Backing in Kona Cotton Aqua