Exciting weekend

I'm so excited, my sweetie bought me a table for cutting for my new sewing area. He is amazing! The table has telescopic legs so we could adjust it to the perfect height for me. Always thinking ahead to make life easier. This morning while he was out picking up the table, my son and I moved one of the couches out of the basement to his room. There was tons of space for it, he has the bonus living room (which we converted to a bedroom so we could have enough space for all the kids) a huge 19 x 16 room over the garage. The desk from my childhood bedroom set is being put to use for my sewing machine. Chris plans on refinishing it for me once the weather is nice again. Didn't I mention he is amazing!?!

We have bought a few of the storage organizer cubes over the past few years and love them. We had an extra that was still in the box, measured it and it's a perfect fit to slide under my cutting table.  I open it up to start building and it's missing the bag of hardware - bummer!! I sent an email to the company but if we don't hear back from them in a reasonable time, again my husband to the rescue said he'd go and buy all the screws and dowels I need.

I keep calling my husband over to check out my space. It's not finished and not much going on in comparison to what our plans are but I LOVE IT!

Yes, my old ironing board has been artfully decorated again. Moment of honesty, my cover is over 20 years old and even though it's clean it has seen better days. The padding is gone in some areas and the metal frame can be felt if you run your hand/iron over it and there are marks that just will never go away. It is on the list to be replaced, until that day arrives I will be artfully covering it.

This  weekend didn't get much done, I had cleaned up my makeshift sewing area (otherwise known as the kitchen table) before starting the work/school week. There it sat until Saturday afternoon. Running around Saturday morning buying paint for our oldest daughters room (after pushing her to pick a color for over a year) and stopping at the fabric and hobby shop. Finally all set back up, finished off the Arizona and started on the Pin Wheels block.

I don't know why I just didn't love constructing this block and it shows in my sewing. I didn't take out the seam and try lining it up when the seams didn't line up which I've done on all the others multiple times. I did love the fabric I used though and it deserved better attention than I gave it.

I'm not sure which pattern I'm going to work on next. I was going to follow the tutorial completing the blocks in order that they were posted but I want to do more than half square triangles which is the next 4 blocks. Actually, the problem is I want to try applique. I have something special in mind I want to do and it involves applique and embroidery. That's all I'm saying for now as it is a surprise. So there it is - my next block will be appliqued circles. I did play with making some small things last night with hit and miss results (more misses than hits). I did the cheater turn, and tried ironing and sewing on the seam, next raw applique. They make it look so easy in the tutorials.

Lots of work ahead of me this week - daughters bedroom walls need to be prepped, painted then wallpaper applied to create a focus wall. We happened to find a mis-mix paint and primer for $5. It's in the same color line as the wallpaper and will be a perfect way to prep the wall before hanging. But the good news is my sewing area will be ready and waiting for me

I'll be honest and admit I was scared to try and fail at making a block. Nothing wrong with failing except when it leads to giving up.  There were many times I was happy I had stocked up on thread and kept my seam ripper close.

Saturday morning full steam ahead. I started making my first block - a log cabin. Following the instructions on website I'd found just wasn't clicking. I had also bought a log cabin ruler last week which came with instructions. Pulling out my practice Walmart fabric I started. I did some running around in the afternoon with the kids which led me to the local quilting store and buying some beautiful batik's - jelly roll and a pack of 40 10x10 squares.

My first log cabin - I admit it - it's a bit wonky, not in love with the fabric used but I was incredibly proud of myself and how it turned out.

I found a suede pillow is a great backboard for my blocks. The material sticks to it like a felt board.

Log Cabin

While working on the log cabin - my husband got jumpy watching me cut with the rotary - one little slip and there goes a finger tip, he went out and came home with a suction handle for my ruler. What a difference this made!! My cuts are much better.

Energized with the new fabric and a sense of accomplishment I moved onto Block 2 - 9 patch

This was more difficult, while for the first block I used the practice fabric this time I had an entire jelly roll of color and combinations to choose from. Color choices took hours and even had my daughters helping out.

Fabric from jelly roll

This one turned out beautifully. Is it perfect? No but I love the colors (which is funny because I'm not a pink person)

9 Patch

Block 3 Churn Dash

Again, so much choice of color it took hours to decide. I had to break into the 10 x 10 fabric to make the squares. I was trying to conserve those 10 inches squares, but I broke them in.

I'm the first to admit that not all my seams perfectly line up (in all of my blocks) but it's not for lack of trying. I have been pressing my seams open but I'm sitll working on that perfect seam match up.

Churn Dash

After completing this one I went back to the log cabin, followed the directions as specified on the site, armed with my jelly roll and the results I think is beautiful! Much less wonky than my first attempt

I'll be honest when first looking at the different blocks this wasn't one of my favorite blocks, but after doing it I can see why people love it. It can be so simple, yet the possibilities are endless - each block can be different or you can have all the blocks build to one grand design. To make a block (cutting and sewing together) doesn't take that long and gives you a sense accomplishment. I found I could just do it.

Notice I didn't mention choosing the color scheme in the mix, this seems to be one of the hardest things for me to do, even after starting I'm constantly waffling over this or that fabric for the next piece even though it's already laid out. Maybe I need to learn to commit to the colors and just go with it.

Log Cabin - take 2

 Block 4 Pin Wheels

While using the same concept of the Churn dash (3x3) squares, this one made me hesitate. I agonized over the contrasting colors because I was really limited.

Note to self, while the darker richer fabrics are beautiful, lighter colors have their place and are just as important to pick up.

Pin Wheels

Block 5 Arizona

Another block I was worried to start. I don't know why, it's using the same principle as the Churn and Pin Wheels, maybe it's the lack of contrasting fabric. I had to dip into my practice fabric to have enough material for the light contrast.

I have gotten the top and bottom rows complete, middle row needs to be sewn together than all three connected.

Arizona

Next up Block 6 Bow Ties

Before I can move along I'll need more fabric to make the proper sized squares if I'm following the instructions exactly. The quilt shop has a bargain basement - I haven't checked it out but heard the shop keeper telling another customer when I was on my way out of the store.

I have played around using 2.5 squares and understand how it's done, if I don't get a chance to get to the store by the time I'm ready to move forward, I may play around and see what I can do with smaller blocks.

Feb 12th

Busy night last night preparing so I can jump right in when my machine arrives on Wed.

The Walmart finds have been washed, ironed and 3 quarters have been cut into 2’ squares (with the ¼’ seam allowance) It was my first time using a rotary cutter/mat and it is more work than I expected. I love that you can measure and cut directly on the mat, but I’ll be honest the rotary cut needs more pressure applied than I expected.  I did make some wonky cuts. I was sure I measured each cut and checked twice so not sure how I deviated from ¼’ to an eighth of an inch on a few squares, I think the fabric moved slightly when I was pushing down on the ruler. Granted I was working at a disadvantage the table is only a few feet high so I was sitting on my knees or on the couch making these cuts. So step one work on making exact cuts.

Next trip to the local quilt shop I'm going to pick up:

Pinking shears

More rulers

Rotary blades

Ruler grip
Compass rotary cutter

Quilting Gloves

New Iron (I think mine took too many tumbles over the years and is leaking water)

More thread (cotton for quilt tops, & embroidery)

A proper height cutting table & work space (my sweetie is working on a solution)

Wish list:

New Iron cover

GO Accuquilt cutting system

Update!! My Machine just arrived a day early!!!

I updated some of the template design on my blog - it will be a work in progress.  Decided I'm taking the plunge and publishing my posts

Which reminds me my food blog is sorely neglected. I'm going to have to pull out the old recipe book and camera and work on that.

Feb 11th

I’m still on the hunt to understand all things quilting. I have looked at many BOM projects that are free online but seeing I haven’t done one stitch yet it is silly for me to assume I can do any of it. There are some gorgeous projects out there that I’m drooling over though. One day!!

I have settled on a sampler skill builder blocks that ran in the summer of 2012. 36 blocks all in different styles and processes. Inset seams, paper piecing, raw edge applique, curves, improv piecing to name a few.

Over the weekend I bought some fat quarters – some bought through eBay and others at Walmart on impulse when grabbing some cleaning supplies. The eBay quarters are beautiful Batiks – I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of money on these. I love the look of the material. The ones from Walmart are simple cotton and aren’t colors or patterns that normally appeal to me I was simply looking for dark/light contrasts but they are slowly growing on me. I find that when you overlay the light with the dark – the ones I wasn’t really keen on took on a whole new look. Note to self – don’t be a fabric snob.  Experiment, take chances and expect the unexpected!

Feb 4th

Today after much deliberation I bought a computerized sewing & embroidery machine. I did tons of research on which machine would be the best for my budget. I ended up buying a machine that is a few years old and not available in Canada. For a comparable machine here I would have doubled the price.

I didn't use the express shipping option (it would have doubled the $91. shipping cost). I won't lie and say that getting my machine in 2 days wasn't tempting. I'm itching to get my hands on this machine & get my skills back to where they once were. It's been 20 years since I last did more than sew on a button & last quilted when I was in grade 7 (so close to 30 years ago).

My goals is to learn the embroidery function of the machine, and make simple quilt squares as practice of the different styles and making clean straight lines. I'm going to start with basics simple brick, on to pin wheels, and continue working with different styles until I'm comfortable. Simple traditional and glass patterns are the quilts that interest me the most.

I have a very busy life. No matter how I attempt to organize my life, with teens it can turn to chaos in a blink of an eye. I like clean lines and strive for balance. When it comes to art I'm a minimalist.  This became apparent when I started scrap booking. My pages in comparison to friends pages looked embarrassingly bare. Not that there wasn't a lot going on - I just liked the background to show through and act as an enhancement to the pieces. I will force myself out of that comfort zone, as I've seen a few incredible in your face quilts that go against my natural grain.

I have looked over other blogs & have seen that many use a photo editing software to plan their patterns. What a fabulous idea!!

Here is a picture of the machine

Feb 7th

Received my shipping notice yesterday. My new sewing/embroidery machine will be arriving on Feb 13th. Not only is it the day before Valentines but it's also the anniversary of me and my honey's first date. Wow 14 years!

I've been reading tons of blogs on different quilting subjects. Many blogs link to other blog listings. What an incredible community of quilters.

I rarely get to a current page in most blogs from the initial links usually they link to an older page. I have to say the majority are really great. There are few that I've book marked - not ready to be a follower or release my blog yet (not sure if I ever will post it)

The unfortunate thing is, I'll be working my way to current in a blog and all of a sudden they have a new site. I click on the new site and it morphed from a fun blog to non stop posts of praising the products they are given by sponsors. Not all sites have done this, a simple I tried this thread or fabric supplied by xxx company and it was really great to work with. I loved the colours and the texture, take a look at the swatches and what I did with them. But instead every second sentence is plug to the company or line. I have a feeling they don't even realize they are doing this and how it has compromised their writing/blogging or the fact that their original style was why people originally followed them. Getting off my overly advertised soap box.

So the more I read the more I realize - my first finished quilt is a good while away. The plan hasn't changed, I'll work on sample blocks until I feel comfortable and then work on free motion quilting. I could use the quilting feature on machine to do a basic stippling but after seeing how quilts pop with with MacTavishing and FMQ that is where I want to go.

My to do list before next Wed.

Clean out an area to put a sewing table up.
Clean out junk filled filing cabinet - The lower drawer will remain for tax receipts and kid related (report cards, special pictures)
Wash my rarely used ironing board cover and locate my iron.
Get a ruler, shears, pins, bobbins, thread and some on sale fabric.
Finish my shredding of old bills and receipts.