A good read

I remember as a child looking forward to being a grow-up because I figured that meant I would be able to “figure it out” and know what was going on and how the world worked.

Now that I know better than that I enjoy reading books about other people who like me, are still trying to figure things out. The main character in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce is one such character. One review pointed out that “Harold Fry is infuriating, hilarious and completely out of his depth”.

I really enjoyed this book.  It gives insights into the characters and sets us to wondering about their lives and the decisions they’ve made that have gotten them to where they are now.

 

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On my wall

 

I was busy quilting most of last week, so by the weekend I felt in need of some piecing time.  I’ve always admired the Seattle Streets quilt pattern.  I wondered how it would work as in a small size.

What I learned was that it would be MUCH quicker to make this following the directions.  Laurie’s instructions guide one through strip piecing fairly large blocks and making a large quilt.  But I wanted to use some small scrappy bits, and even my black fabrics were from the scraps – small chunks and odd strips of various sizes. 

I made nine blocks that finish 10”.  These still need the black strips between them, of course. A small border will make it up to the right size for a preemie quilt for our regional hospital. 

I’m sure those are the last bits of a few of the fabrics that have been lurking in the stash for years (or decades?) – remember when we had collections of celestial fabrics?  and how about those happy faces and the rainbow stripes, and the dinosaurs!   Surely no one will notice that I’ve used about six different black fabrics (so far).

Technorati Tags: scrappy,preemie quilt,Seattle Streets

Scraps too small to use

 

I know everyone’s idea of how small is “too small” is different. 

One of my favourite tools in the sewing room is the waste basket – when the snippets of fabric are really too small to use, that’s where they end up.  I feel real progress in using up fabric when I watch the mound of scrap grow in the waste basket.   What gets tossed varies with the type of fabric, the style of fabric and probably the phase of the moon – some days I am able to drop a fairly big piece in there, and on other days I can’t part with anything wider than about 3/4 of an inch.

Yes, I know some people could use those thread ends and tiny bits to stuff pillows or to make pet beds, but in my house, this is THE END.

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Hexagon quilt

When my friend brought me an old quilt top and asked me to machine quilt it with an all-over design my first reaction was horror.  Phrases like “vintage quilt”, “preservation”, “treasure”, “hand-quilting” came to mind.

We examined the top carefully.  The hexagons are fairly large, about 2” on a side.  The fabrics obviously come from a scrap bag.  The centre flower is made from fabric that looks like Grandma’s Sunday best.  One of the outer rows might be Grandpa’s pyjamas.  The solids are very finely woven broadcloth.  There are pieces in the outer corners that seem to be from feedsacks.  The entire top is hand stitched neatly with sturdy white thread. This top was probably intended to become a utility quilt that would have been seen good use in the home. 

The top has sat uncompleted for more than 50 years.  Grandma did not find time to complete it, and neither did her daughter.  Now the grand-daughter is looking to complete her own quilting projects and does not have the time or inclination to take on those started by someone else.  If we did not finish this now, it would have gone back into the cupboard to be dealt with (or discarded) by the next generations. 

So it has been quilted with a panto called “Feathered Hearts” by  Beany Girl Designs. At last the quilt maker’s hard work will be displayed and enjoyed by a member of her family. 

As I worked on this quilt I tried to imagine how I would feel if this is what became of one of my own projects. Though I am making an effort to complete the things that I have started, it is entirely possible that my UFOs could turn up somewhere many years from now.  I think I would be delighted if some were resurrected and put to use.

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Baby quilt

A special baby will arrive in our family early this year.  It is my privilege as a great aunt to make a quilt.

In consultation with the baby’s mother I chose a Quilt Maker pattern, one of the Patch Pals series. The mommy liked the penguins best, and because we have been told the baby is a girl I was able to indulge in using a bit of pink in the quilt, which was great fun.

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One advantage of having a “mature stash” is that I was able to find a bit of special family fabric to include in the quilt.

The print with the tree and the picket fence is not really appropriate for a wintry penguin quilt. But this fabric was from my mother’s collection and including it here gives the new baby a link to her great-grandmother.

 

 

The quilt is finished except for the label, and that awaits the baby’s name.

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December stitching

 

I did make some progress on the last UFO for 2012, but it is not finished – still stalled at the “shall I add another border, or not” stage.  I’m sure one day it will speak to me and let me know what size it needs to be.

Other things were happening in the sewing room as well.

I made a baby quilt for a precious little boy named Isaac.  (And I was pleased when Isaac’s mother told me that she still has the baby quilt I made when she was born!)

Isaac’s quilt was built around the black print with the cars on it that was used in the sashing.

I also spent some time just playing with bits of fabric and orphan blocks.  Didn’t “use up” much, but I had a lot of fun and produced an array of little mug rugs some scrappier than others.

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A UFO for November

 

This was not the one on my list, but it’s finished and I think that counts!

I missed the opportunity for photos when my tall quilt-holder son was home the other weekend, so had to wait until I visited a friend who had a space large enough to hang this up.

This is a Very Scrappy Braid.  Size 60” x 80”, and destined to be donated to a good cause. 

The quilt was made with 2 1/2” strips and squares and used some fabrics which had been sitting in the scrap drawer for a very long time. ( Is the drawer empty now? By no means.)  This was made as a class sample along with a planned version (French Braid) which still needs to be completed, so photos of that will follow at a later date. 

Just one quilt left on the 2012 UFO Challenge list.  Perhaps that one will be completed by month’s end! 

Technorati Tags: UFO challenge,scrappy,French Braid