It could be a little warmer since it's spring but the season has given me a boot up the backside to get going on a few things.
I finally finished border number 2 for the Stars and Sprigs quilt and I'm raring to go on the next one.
After that, I whipped up this hand pieced block. The fabrics and the quilt are on the wild side for me but I like to do something new, stretch the repertoire a bit, get out of the comfort zone. It's the block of the month from Amitie. I'm not an experienced hand piecer so Crispy's new blog Hand Piecing With Crispy has been a big help. If you look on her sidebar, there are lots of tutorials to check out.
Since Friday has rolled around again, that means it's free motion Friday at my place. The only sewing I did was some more on the cushion top that I started at the Don't Look Now workshop. I'm still not able to stitch this one the way I envisage, it's tough going and as a result, I find myself spending time on doing something I don't love. We all know how to solve that problem. I may just have to accept that this particular filler pattern is not my thing and move onto something else that I find easier.
I've been trying out this Supreme slider, a teflon sheet that sits on the bed of the machine when free motion quilting. It's lived up to the claims and I really like it a lot. It helps the quilt sandwhich move under the needle and it's very noticeable when I don't use it. It pays to tape the sheet to the bed of the machine so it doesn't accidentally get flipped when manoevering a big quilt under it.
Spring can make us do rash things and I think I acted a bit hastily when I decided it was time to destash and reorganise the main fabric cupboard.
Now I can hardly move around in the sewing room and I've only emptied the bottom two shelves. It really needs to get done. Hopefully I can make the stash work better for me. I'm not even going to go into the bins or drawers, that'd be scary because I think I must have twice as much stuff hidden away.
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58 comments:
Your work is just most beautiful, Janet. Thank you for sharing.
Hi! From U.S.A.
Happy Quilting!
http://quiltingcanbefun.blogspot.com
Maybe the "filler pattern" is not your thing, but it sure is pretty!
I love hand-piecing, and while I do it a little differently than Crispy, it works for me, and is so portable!
If you discover an Organization Fairy lurking in your cupboard, could you please send her my way after she's done tidying for you? : )
~ Ronda
Glad you like the slider too. My stash never stays organized. With every project I'm digging through it for just the right shade. I love your cushion.
Border #2 is so gorgeous, along with your other projects. I have that Supreme slider and love it. I had a little accident, it moved and I sewed right into it. Be sure to wipe down the bottom side with a wet cloth. It collects dust easily and that's why it slid on me. I recently organized my shelves also and refolded all the fabrics. It looks all neat and tidy again. It doesn't take long for it to become disheveled does it?
I've been thinking of trying out some teflon sheet when quilting on my machine - you are now pushing me on with that - it's a pity I don't have a machine extension table or a proper table to sink the machine into - maybe some day ;-)
Looks like you might be winning the most fabric contest there. If we are really honest how many of us have fabric stashed away that we have forgotten about or are in denial over. May the stash fairy soon have it tidied. The border looks fabulous and as you know I love hand piecing so would love the new project. Hope Spring soon warms up. We are moving into Autumn here in England and last night was a chilly one.
Love Shirley.x
in awe!!!! its just beautiful
love that circle , very fun. thats going to be a great quilt.
kathie
Happy Spring Janet. The border looks lovely. I bet you are happy that you are halfway! Your machine quilting is perfect to me (I can't machine quilt!). It's going to be one gorgeous cushion cover - Hugs Nat
I'm amazed by your beautiful work and even tho' you're not happy with the filler design on the quilting, I just love it all.
Oh that border is absolutely stunning!!! And I love your circle block!! My kind of fabrics! Thanks for the review of the slider. I've wondered about the Teflon bobbin pads. Anything to help with quilting! I'm forever trying to organise my stash cupboard. Good luck with your tidy up! Hope you find lots of lovely surprises you'd forgotten about.
OOh look at that stash cupboard, I could live in there quite happily :D
I really love that little birdie on the tree, your work is so fresh and pretty Janet.
Janet, everytime I read your blog I just want to applique. Your work is so refreshing.
Your border is awesome!! Thanks for your opinion on the slider. I've been thinking of changing my set up and making it more quilting friendly :)
I heart circles and polka dots so I really love your hand pieced circle block. Your border is just amazing and so is your filler machine quilting. I've never heard of the slider. Thanks for the info.
Pity your not enjoying your free motion..it doesn't look like you have much to do to finish it..it is looking Great from here...am lovin that new Circle..could use up lots of scraps & look Fab...no Spring here yet & we're much further north...have a Good Weekend..I think we're in for Rain.
cheers
The border is fantastic, Janet! Just gorgeous! As always, you are an inspiration. Now, about that machine quilting -- it looks WONDERFUL. Don't let it get to you because we can over-analyze each stitch and curve. In the end, the overall effect is what you're after. Forge ahead, carry on!!! Thanks for the link to Crispy's blog -- the new Amitie packet arrived recently and I was sooooooo tickled!
Beautiful work as always. I love the hand piecing. Always wanted to try it. I love the cabinet with fabric. It's like Christmas when you find something you forgot you had.
Janet
Oh my goodness....I'm looking at your stash cabinet and suddenly I feel better about my stash cabinet! :o)
I think your quilting is beautiful and wish I could do it half as good, but I do understand about feeling like it's not your thing.
LOVE the S&S's border, just love it.
I first learned hand piecing 23 years ago and I still like it, but don't do it often because of the time limitations.
I love the Stars and Sprigs growing in your garden...I emailed Glorious Color, wanting the pattern, and they said it might be available at the end of the month.
I can't believe that you don't think that quilting filler is not your thing...I think it looks fantastic! Don't give up on it!
Sometimes I think our stash maintenance is most important not because it makes things look nice and organized, but mostly because it makes me remember what is actually IN my stash! I always find something that I completely forgot that I had! LOL
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
Janet your border is amazing, as is the entire quilt! Such an inspiration!! And I love the Circle Game block!!! I have those moments too where I decide to empty out shelves of stash in hopes of organizing. It helps some, but organized chaos seems to be the trend in my sewing room! :o)
That is my favorite filler pattern for machine quilting and thanks for the tip on the Supreme Slider.
That circle is very cool but I love your applique - constantly in awe of your talent. :-)
Beautiful applique, and I love the circle.
I've always wondered if the Supream Slider really works. Thanks for sharing. And I love the pic of your cupboard. (makes me feel better). I've been in the process of organizing my fabric stash also.
Have fun with the block of the month. Good luck with the stash organizing thing. Mine no longer fits in my quilting room and I try not to think of it
I smile reading this post Janet!
Love the fabric cupboard. I freak out too when I go to the fabric store room downstairs. Kim McL
Your border is scrumptious, and so is your hand piecing project! I recently reorganized my fabric too. Its so fun to go through the old fabrics I forgot I had!
I love your blog. I am really waiting for someone to sell the star and sprigs pattern to make it myself. I organize my stash by wrapping the fabric around a 6" wide ruler and store by color or fabric line. It stays uniform and reduce the ironing time also. I do it with the fabric I buy. With the one on your stash I recommend you take one shelf at a time and fold and store. Or decide to do if for half an hour a day. It will go fast :-) Thanks.
It's sad that I live so far from you, I would love to come help you organize, just for the joy of petting all your fantastic fabric. The new border is wonderful and the circle is beautiful. I'm happy that my tutorial was some help for you :0)
Crispy
Congratulations on finishing border number 2 - it looks fantastic. I love that block from Amitie! I bet it was a challenge to piece it though, must go and have a look at the blog you recommended as I have just started working on some handpiecing. Good luck with cleaning up the sewing room.
Beautiful work, as always. And your stash is awesome!
Any idea when the Stars & Sprigs pattern will be released? I'm anxious to start one of my own.
Your border is fabulous and thanks for the tip about the Supreme Slider. I too have an extremely large stash which is starting to find its way into any available corner in the Studio but, hey, there are worse addictions so as yet I don't feel any guilt.
I love that appliqued border. The colors are magnificent, as are those in the hand-pieced circle. Your machine quilting looks great too. Kellie makes such beautiful shapes, and I'm sure that in a class with her - I am SO envious! - she makes it look easy. And your cabinet stash colors are just as magnificent as your projects! Odd isn't it that they look similar? LOL
Fabulous border.
I wondered if the slider worked and I am glad to hear it does.
Border number 2 looks beautiful!! You are on the home stretch now.
:0) Your filler pattern looks wonderful - what a beautiful cushion that will be.
I've just recently seen adverts for the slider, so good to see your opinion of it. I can sympathise with your reorganisation - I have ever-increasing piles of things on the floor, as I have run out of shelf and cupboard space!
Love your border! Love your quilting too! I'm going to have to get one of those Supreme Slider things! I think my whole stash would fit in your cupboard! LOL
Your applique is absolutely amazing Janet...that border is breathtaking!
Oh your border is gorgeous! Love your quilting too, thanks for the tip about the slider, I may have to look for one. Have a great weekend!
Janet your free motion quilting looks fabulous even if you don't enjoy it. I've been thinking of getting a slider so I was interested to see that you think it is worthwhile.
I really love your border and the block of the month. They are both stunning.
Oh and your stash makes me feel virtuous - lol. You've obviously been collecting a lot longer than I have. :)
As always, I love your border. You are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is a beauty. Now...I have to ask..is that a before or after picture of your stash? I have to say it is more accessible than mine is either way. Good luck with the de-stashing.
You are AMAZING! I made a circle block at camp last weekend. I should post a pic.
I just love your border. I have been going through the Glorious Applique blog and am really thinking about one of the Kim McLean patterns for a project to start the new year. Your filler is very pretty. Although, like you, I don't think I would enjoy doing it. You did a great job. Love your blog and beautiful quilts.
Your second border looks amazing! It seems like it went pretty fast?
I LOVE your Amitie block. It looks like a fun quilt!
Your machine quilting looks fantastic to me!
I need to reorganize some stash too. It no longer fits on my shelves. I'm just no good at getting rid of things because I think I'll need it later?
The borders for the Stars and Twigs quilt are so beautiful. Make my eyes happy!
And thanks for the tip about the Teflon slider. I do very little quilting, but it will be very, very helpful when I do - especially given the antique, vintage machine I have!
Another sit, stare and drool post.
Simply beautiful work, Janet. You are my hero...and that's the truth.
Hi Janet,
Your quilts are so beautiful. I can only dream to quilt like you. Wow, your stash is just as beautiful. I don't have anything close to that. Good luck organizing it!
~Karen~
Hi! I certainly respect anyone's feeling about their own work but I'll simply say that this free motion work is amazing to me over coffee this morning. It really is. I'd be overjoyed with it however I can't attain anything even close to this so... I mean... consider the SOURCE I reckon. You had to know I was gong to jump all over Stars and Sprigs because it's got my heart beat but then you have to go and do this entire circle thing. Oh my holy cow!!! That would definitely send me over the moon and dropping it ALL to play. Thanks for sharing this one!
I want to come play in your stash.
Janet, looking at all your wonderful projects, those "wild" fabrics are starting to grow on me! If you are really moving on from that cushion, I'll take it off your hands. :)
Oh Janet -- I always love seeing your gorgeous applique. I love, LOVE those borders. Looks like you've been busy. And your fabric cupboard looks kind of like mine!
What an absolutely fantastic post. Inspirational with oodles of tips. Brilliant quilt.
Thanks for sharing insights on the Slider. I've been wanting to check it out.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Janet, you do the most amazing work!!!! And the speed with which you work too. What an inspiration you are to me.
The one thing I like about your blog is that you stay true to yourself, you don't bounce all over the place. Your work is absoutely wonderful!
Ack! I love border number 2, it is phenomenal. You blow me out of the water with your applique. I aspire to do what you do, but there is only one problem, I need to start to applique to really do what you do... LOL!
I hope by now you've gotten your stash more organized. If I was closer I'd come and help:)
Woo-Hoo on getting another border appliqued. That is so stunning! Half way there!!!
Janet....what can I saw? Your work is stunning! The border is just beautiful and soon you're going to have a finished quilt! I love the Circle block and is it my imagination or do you have almost every single piece of fabric on the pattern cover!! I think your Don't Look Now cushion top is quite nice - your quilting is beautiful. I agree that we sometimes are too hard on ourselves and once the project is completed, you will love it and forget that you didn't enjoy the process all that much.
I love that quilting design! Beautiful! Great blog also.
well, if you have any leftovers from your spring clean i know of at LEAST one haPpY recipient :))
great inspirational photo ! :))
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