The girls headed back to school on Wednesday. It feels SO good to have a little breathing room all to myself. Whenever this change over occurs I have a sense of renewal, a feeling that I can accomplish more, achieve great things. I have a nice big list of specific tasks. It actually seems to be working. Make a list and then just start doing them. Who knew? Oh yeah, all of you, I’ve been reading about lists a lot lately, thanks.
I finished hand piecing my sampler quilt. Since it’s all been done by hand it seemed the perfect project to teach myself hand quilting on. That Perfect Stitch by Roxanne McElroy is my professor.
I read where some women are sad and feel at a loss. I think it makes you a better parent by getting some space and time alone. Doesn’t mean you love them any less. You get a change of pace and when they get home from school you’re ready to be ‘Mom’ again….
Enjoy it…
Melanie
You HAND-PIECED the entire top? I’m in awe. Amazing. I’m guessing the quilting won’t be as time consuming as the piecing. I just talked to a friend’s visiting mom last week who hand-quilted. She liked it because it was portable, much like knitting. She also fondly remembered the callous she had on her hand from pushing the needle so much – she didn’t need a thimble. Whew – it seems like a lot of work, but the finished product will be so rewarding, and from your hands, beautiful as well.
Enjoy that privet time !!!!!! Clarice
oh my, that quilt is going to be amazing!
Fabulous job Kathy! Looks perfectly cute and bright! I have that book and it’s a good one. Make sure to get something to help you pull the needle through too as well as a good thimble.
May I ask what pen you are marking with? the blue one? I have been so scared to mark with those and I want one that really does wash out. I have nightmares of marking and NOT begin able to wash out the blue marks. Mind sharing the brand name of the blue marker?
To respond to Judy’s question about the pen:
I’ve never used the blue either! Definitely a little scary. This quilt is for myself to hang on the wall and the whole thing is one big learning project so I decided to try the pen and see how it works. I’m using the Dritz Fine Point Mark-B-Gone Pen. I don’t really have much white fabric so it’s not terrifying me like my other quilt did.
I did read something on these blue markers that made sense to me. Some people say that their marks don’t come out in the wash. I read a very good Q&A saying that you should not use detergent when you wash out the marks. It should be just a water rinse. Certain detergents have chemical agents that will actually set the dye into your fabric.
I continue to be happy with my Clover White Marking Pen which comes out with a water spray or steam iron. I couldn’t see that Clover had the same product in a darker color.
I ordered some marking pencils from That Perfect Stitch website (along with fitting instructions for their thimbles). I’m going to do some testing and see how they work. My rubber thimble is not appropriate for Roxanne’s technique so I’m using a leather one until I can find a metal one that has dimples on the side. I also want to try size 9 betweens instead of the 11’s I’m using, pulling the needle through can be a challenge.
Beautiful!! such fun colours LOVE it!
Michelle
This looks gorgeous!! CAn wait to see the finished results! That book sounds helpful tto, but probaly not for a mediocre quilter like me, you have that talent!
Lists are so good, as is fresh starts, that is why I like it when autumn comes, or spring or summer – it’s a different time and different creative things will be done (or thought about).
Beautiful quilt, Kathy! I love, love, love the fanned block–stunning! And the combo of fabrics…I could gaze at it all day. I use the blue pen all the time and have never had a problem with it, but you do have to rinse only. Have you tried kid’s washable markers?? I got that tip from Colorful Stitchery and it works great. And no wimpy blue mark that you have to squint to see. Although I nearly had a heart attack the first time I used a black marker to draw on my fabric–so scary. But I soak it in some water for a few minutes and rinse again and even black comes out beautifully.
That looks gorgeous, Kathy. I think you need to flash your stash of fabric (or have you done that already?) You have such variety in there, yet it all looks so great together. You’ve got the gift, baby.
wow! so fantastic. would you mind sharing where you buy your fabric? In the fanned block the first one on the top and the fourth one down look vintage…??? Reproduction? Love how you have put the colors and patterns together, thanks for sharing.