Failure

 My poor blog is still taking a back seat lately. (This post was started over a week ago & have been adding to at here and there.)

I haven't had much progress on my doggie quilt since I last posted.

I did make a bunch of practice quilt sandwiches shortly after my last post and used my fmq foot for the very first time. Wow! I'm not very fast and not very flowy. I have found there is a 'sweet' speed where it seems to go better.

I used a multicolored thread and had constant problems. Bunching threads, needle unthreading, bobbin issues, etc. I will make more sandwiches and use a solid thread. Play a bit with my tension and see if that helps. Funny enough I found writing was the easiest thing I tried and was pretty pleased with the way it turned out. 

 I still haven't decided on how I'm going to quilt my doggie, maybe after I play some more with my fmq I will find something that will seem right.

.I spent the long weekend in the garden or at gardening stores. Chris spent a good portion in the garage or in the driveway trying to get the old cabriolet ready for summer driving fun

Daisy

Calla Lily

Our backyard is a typical suburb postage stamp size and we often long for the 1+ acres we had at our previous home. We didn't enjoy it though like we do now. For us our backyard has become our zen area. Very few mosquitoes that are easily deterred using a single citronella candle, tons of solar lights and flowers to create a tranquil area where we can push all the stress of the day away with a hot cup of coffee or a raspberry lemonade. I still have some planting to do but it's coming along nicely thanks to my sweetie pitching in yesterday afternoon and helping me clean up the back garden.

Clematis early blooms

Since the long weekend (the week before US Memorial Day) not much more progress has been made in the garden but what is planted is thriving.

Looking over this I can't believe it's June!! I started my doggie quilt over a month ago.

Yesterday, I decided to stiple my doggie quilt. I changed the thread I'd been using and did a few quick sample blocks of FMQ - what a difference. I don't have to rethread my needle every 100 stitches and it's not bunching in the back.

So feeling energized I rolled my quilt so the middle was under the needle and began. Arrg, stuffing half the quilt (it's only a baby sized quilt) into that small space didn't leave any motion to do much of anything. 10 minutes of struggling playing I found I didn't have much left to right motion going on. 2 hours of stitch ripping I decided to do a wavy line. I drew a base wavy line. Well darn, one or two waves bust mostly it was straight. Stitch ripper out again, decided to do straight lines. LOL I should have just told myself I was doing waves. The lines aren't very straight. I am not loving the way this is turning out but am so far in there is no way I'm ripping the stitches again I have 1/3 done. I have to take breaks every second line or so. My right wrist gets tired from trying to stuff that bulky quilt roll through that tiny opening. I have found a rhythm though and seems to be less work on my wrist. I can't believe how hard work this is!! And the end results are far from what I anticipated how it was going to turn out.

Lessons learned:
When quilting lines leave more than 1/4 inch between the lines (looks and feels like corduroy)
Always wear your grippy quilting gloves
Evaluate your work constantly so you can remove stitches without having hours of work with your ripper.
Using the auto function instead of the foot pedal creates consistent stitches when attempting to quilt long lines.

I'm going to check out my old singer sewing machine and see if there is more space for quilting. For future quilts I think my best option though is to learn how to link quilted blocks so I can quilt each section individually. I know I've seen some videos on how to do this previously. I wish I had done this method with this quilt but if I hadn't figured out this on this first quilt I would have been where I am with another quilt.

My ugly lines

This feels like a huge failure for me. If I don't like it now how am I going to feel after it's done? What do you do with a quilt you hate? Yes, I could give it to the dogs as originally planned or hide it a back closet but no matter what I do this quilt - my very first will be a big fat failure in my mind. I have to say up to this point I really loved the way it looked and was incredibly proud of myself. Are there things I'd change? Absolutely, I wish I had used the black paw fabric instead of the brown around the blocks but that's just a learning lesson in trying different combinations more instead of barreling ahead.

Hmmmm, maybe I need to take a step back and set this quilt aside before I get any further in. If I sit with it each evening during the week I probably could get all these stitches out before next weekend. In the meantime I could make some fun blocks and think about it. Or clean my house. I do my best thinking & planning while cleaning. Off to tackle a bathroom or two.

Flying by

It's been too long since my last post. Life is flying by at an alarming rate and I can't believe we are at the end of April already! I found a great site http://www.quilterscache.com has tons of traditional & Original patterns for personal use for free.

(I've been working on this post for well over a month so I apologize if the past/present text is off)

It's been just over 2 months since I received my sewing machine and started on this quilting experiment. I think back to the quilts I dreamed of making when I first started, and while they are still in the back of my mind I've found myself wanting to make more traditional blocks. I was neutral about flying geese and stars, 9 patches and my fabric choices were heavy on batiks. I have to say I love starry patterns and am loving all sorts of different fabrics.

24 " Carpenter Star http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CarpentersWheelBlock.html

 A few weeks ago I made my Carpenter wheel. 24 inches of pure joy. I loved it so much I started making 12' blocks with the same fabric. I had a plan for a large quilt which meant I needed to go back to the fabric store and pick up more fabric of the two colors. They didn't have the blue. I was so disappointed and Chris could see my excitement drop by the second.

Morning Star http://www.quilterscache.com/M/MorningStarQuilt.html

He knew I needed to actually complete something usable other than continue with orphan blocks. Always thinking he picked up dog prints he'd seen while helping me search and said why not make a dog quilt. We picked out the fabric and I picked up some baby quilt sized batting. Spent a few hours choosing a design with my honey's help. We settled on Morning Star

Close up

Wow, after making only single blocks cutting all those pieces for making those little stars was much more work than I anticipated. I was cutting them a few blocks at a time but I finally just counted out the number I needed and cut them all in one shot. After I had a few rows put together I put the blocks on my design wall with the batting to get a sense of the borders. Originally it was going to be 5 blocks across and 7 down. This didin't leave any extra batting on the sides or for finishing off the border stars so I adjusted it. Now the rows are 6 across and 4 down. It is now wider than longer. Lessons learned for the next one.

Back

The black border material is the main fabric I'm
 using on the the back. Now that it's almost done I think it's more suited for the couch than the dog bed. It will be my very first quilt so at this point I'm not quite willing to give it to the dogs (but that may change once I actually quilt it together).

Adding it all up I've been working on my dog quilt for a month. I'm obviously not very quick and decided to border the back in flying geese which has been the past 2 weekends. I have a hard time shutting down for the night and the next morning I pay for it, so I've been limiting my quilting to weekends.

 I did not give up on my Carpenter's Wheel - Chris and I went shopping a few weekends ago and on the way home we went to the clearance center of store where I picked up the fabric. We spent just over a hundred and saved more than that amount. I found my the fabric I was looking for and so much more. While shopping Chris kept going back to the faux fur. It was about 75% of the regular price so we bought 2 meters. I cut a quick strip and threw it in the washer to see how it stood up. It washed like a dream - no fraying/shrinkage or loss of fur. I'm going to cut some pieces and back it and put a few sections around the house for the dogs. I didn't see a point in making something for the dogs that couldn't be washed. I draped the fabric over the chair by my sewing area and they love it!



I also bought material for my neighbors baby quilt which I'll start as soon as the dog quilt is done. The main fabric is the same yellow that I spoke about in one of my last posts (I got it for $6/m) for that price I had to scoop it up. I have already washed all the fabric (I still need a purple though) and it's waiting for me to start. I've been waffling between stars and pinwheels with an applique. The applique I want to do on the front and mirrored on the back probably a simple 9 patch would look the best. Good thing I have some time to decided. The back will be giraffe like print and appliques are going to be done in dark chocolate dot minky (which I got for less than half price as well). I'm toying with the idea of using some of the minky on the front as a border or to bind. I would love the front to have some of the same softness as the back.

Not so great pics this time, my daughter borrowed my Nikon and was returned with the memory card  missing. Something to put on the shopping list. Meanwhile my blackberry camera will have to do.

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Some progress

I have started writing this post about 5 times in the past few weeks. Each time I've been pulled away from the laptop for some reason or another (work, making dinner,giving the laptop to my darling daughter to do her Science homework)  and the post gets closed without saving.

So here we go again:

I've made many trips to the fabric store and LQS. I've got some incredible finds at some great prices (this weekend was 50% off member sale at the fabric store). FMQ quilting foot has been ordered along with 100 bobbins. Mini Iron can be scratched off my wish list, my sweetie bought it for me when we were at the LQS a few weeks ago. I also picked up some quilt batting so I can start playing as soon as my FMQ foot comes in

Dresden Plate

Along with the mini iron Chris also bought me a Dresden plate ruler. It seems there are days that I have no fear, so with my new ruler I jumped in feet first right down the rabbit hole. Didn't think about how I was going to attach it to the back ground and I just cut and sewed until I had the made a plate. I see many ways how I could have made this better. I'll be honest this is my least favorite block I've made of them all.

I could probably go on for an hour about all the things I did wrong with this but my biggest issues are it doesn't lay flat & the yoyo in the middle which looked interesting until I appliqued it on.... I've decided this block will be the first I attempt to FMQ on. When I ruin it further  make my mistakes I won't mind as much.. Funny enough the youngest was looking at my blocks last night and said it was her favorite.

Flying geese

 With my confidence bruised I went back to the original skill builder tutorials and made flying geese. I didn't follow the instructions completely and resulted in cut off geese. I didn't want to cut into my larger fabric and I'm sorry I didn't just take the plunge. I really like the look the of this block.

 Learning my lesson I made a few other blocks I've found on the web cutting the fabric to the measurements specified. I think they turned out pretty nicely. I've noticed I'm drawn to stars lately and have my eye on the Carpenters Wheel as my next block

 This weekend I worked on Twister blocks Tutorial here - they are really fun and if you cut it right the first time not a lot of waste which I love. I think I'm going to continue making these little blocks with all my fabric as I make other blocks until I have enough to make an actual quilt (maybe a lap quilt).

 Yesterday I bought a simple rod and sheet to make a design wall. Moved the furniture around so I had a decent sized free wall. Washed the sheet and sewed up the top. After Chris got home from work he mounted the brackets for me. I didn't think it all through on how I was going to hang the sheet. I made a pocket (d'oh) and once put the rod through I realized the error in my thinking. One of these days I'm going to have to take it back down make some loops so it hangs properly. I did find these incredible little hangers at JYSK for under $3/ pkg of 25 which work even better than I originally thought they would. I'm going to just chalk my brain fart error on the how to hang the sheet as over excitement of having an actual design wall.

Just a quick side note, at the fabric store this weekend I saw a woman holding a really bold yellow print with splashes of color. This is a fabric I skipped over without a second thought. She was pulling bolts and looking at coordinating colors. I struck up a conversation (which I don't normally do, I'm pretty quiet shopper while my husband is the one who loves to chat to everyone) She wasn't sure what she was going to make but was leaning towards a log cabin with this block being a larger feature center of each block. She decided on warm orange, blue, pink and green polka dot fabrics which would blend but not over power or compete with the yellow. I wanted to give this lady my email address and ask her to send me pictures because I just know this is going to be one incredibly fun and cheery quilt! I hope one day I have the ability to see potential of fabric like that. I'm still kicking myself for not giving her my email.

More time sewing

 This week having my sewing space setup and waiting for me was so nice!

I played more with Applique. It started off rough but as I was putting the last pieces on I noticed my stitches getting more accurate. I didn't use a coordinating thread. I wanted to see my mistakes and see my successes. I'm really happy - it's not perfect but with each piece I'm learning and improving. At first I found it a bit fussy and my burnt finger tip which really brings home the fact why a mini iron is worth buying but once I got going & the hang of it I started to enjoy the process. I can't believe how fast time flies when you are having fun!

One thing I discovered - I don't like my work area messy! Closetmaid has shipped the hardware I need to build my 9 cube organizer (excellent customer service - fast and friendly) I can't wait to organize my fabric. Next weekend I'll need to plan for a quick stop at the dollar store for cheap plastic containers to store cut fabric.

Friday night, instead of sewing I started reading through the weeks blogs & I saw a lot of octagon quilts. Looks interesting so I googled and googled looking at different techniques and saw one tutorial where you make half's for easier sewing an no need for English paper piecing. So armed with my rotary cutter I started cutting right down the rabbit hole. The tutorial I was looking at was to cut half hexies not the octagons I originally wanted.

What to do, what to do? I started playing around moving the pieces and ended up doing my first inset 'y' seam. Turned out not bad so I made another with my already pre-cut fabric and joined them. From there I decided to try to make one using a square instead of triangles. Then made a few more to make sure I got it and to work on the technique. These are all concepts I'll need to use to join octagon's so while this wasn't what I what I intended, I was still moving forward. They turned out not bad, so I decided to make a block out of them. Fabric choices are a bit funky, I used the colors that weren't my favorite because it was never intended as a block but as test.

I signed up and got a free octagon pattern from craftsy.com and played around with that. After joining a short to a long angle I decided to set it aside & go back to basics. I think this pattern like the Grandmothers garden, would be best hand stitched (or the way I was piecing it anyway). Something to think about. I decided to give myself a quick sense of accomplishment and begun cutting for a basic 9 patch. I found there wasn't enough contrast in the colors I originally picked so I set some of the squares aside and filled in the gaps..I really like the look of this block. I worked really hard to get the seams to line up properly on the first try and I'm very happy with the way it turned out.
 

I still haven't tried the embroidery on my machine. I know to get the full effect of any design I need to get more bobbins and more different colored thread.

Last night I started a larger project of an Irish chain. It's going well. I'm thinking this may end up as a pillowcase.

Tip found in blogging today: When you aren't sure what quilt design to use, print out pictures of your quilt top and doodle on the picture to get an idea how it will look.

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.