Queen Sized Disaster (almost)

A few weeks ago I got a new bed. I am so happy about this bed. It's everything that I wanted--it's aqua, it's metal, and it looks like it could be in a country farmhouse. I became very enthusiastic about making a quilt for it because our current bedding is awful. My husband doesn't like duvet covers because they get all bunched up, so we were using a "naked" duvet.  Not to mention, we have a random assortment of other blankets because we still have kids who like to crawl into the bed with us in the middle of the night and steal all the covers.




So finally, I was going to make my bed look pretty. I wasn't too worried about making a queen size because I recently just made two twin sized quilts, and they turned out okay, but I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I made 56 - 12" blocks from Camille Roskelley's "Retro" pattern from her book. Piecing it was easy, but I was so excited to see a finished project that it felt like it was never going to end. Eventually, though, the top was together and all I had to do was baste and quilt it.

I'm not a great baster, but I moved all the furniture out of the living room, and after a couple of hours it was done and I thought I did okay--it looked flat!!! That was last Saturday.





I started quilting it immediately, and decided to do a large stipple design. I didn't want it too heavily quilted since we would be sleeping under it, and I wanted something I could finish fast. Big mistake. I got about 1/4 of the way done, and didn't like my stippling AT ALL! Maybe I was going a little crazy, but I started seeing too many strange designs in the shapes (like when you look at clouds)--dinosaurs, dragons, turtles and ducks. I started to get mad at myself for choosing to do a stipple, but there was no way that I was ripping out quilting on a queen size that was 1/4 of the way finished.

By Tuesday it was 1/2 finished and was starting to really lose it. There's only about 6 inches of throat space on my sewing machine, and even rolled up the quilt was way too big to be trying free-motion. It wasn't as flat as I hoped, the backing was bunching up in some places, and I started to see even more crazy images in the design. At that point I decided I WAS going to rip out all the quilting and do something completely different. So, like mad-woman, I just started doing swirls, didn't like it, and then I started making dogwoods -- which I loved the most--and decided to finish it in dogwoods. Later, I would rip out all the other stitching I didn't like. I went to bed after a couple of rows and was feeling half-way content.



But I woke up on Wednesday morning, realized what I'd done, and started crying. I cried most of the day at work (when no one was looking) and by the time I started to get over it, I got home and took one look at it, and the tears started again. There was no way I was going to be able to take out all the stippling, and I loved the dogwoods, and I was just so angry that I hadn't thought about that first. Blinded my own tears, I started stippling again...I had no plan, but I just wanted to finish it and get it out of my life. Maybe someone could cut it up into rags and use it to wash their car or something. And just as I was being the most negative, I started quilting over a bulky seam, so I shoved the quilt to get it over the seam. Then, my index finger went under the needle, and the needle went straight through my nail and came out the other side of my finger!!!! My husband was in the shower and the only person around was my 4-year old, and I didn't want to freak him out so I just gritted my teeth and turned the knob-thing that raises the needle, until my finger was free again. I knew I had to stop sewing and get it together.

I put a band-aid over my finger, sat down at the computer and googled "quilting disasters". I came across Leah Day's story of her "Duchess Quilt". The poor girl had scorched and stained her award winning quilt that she had spent 300 hours making, and watched as it eventually disintegrated on her walls. Although it was the most awful story, it made me realize that I really didn't have it that bad. It could've been way worse, and the quilt was just going to go on my bed--not in a museum.



So the next day, I finished the stippling, left the dogwoods, and even added a few more dogwoods randomly on the quilt. After I put on the binding, I can say I'm mostly happy...it's not perfect but I think I'm okay with it now.

So the moral of the story is--take your time, know your limits, keep your fingers away from the needle of the sewing machine, and stay calm because it could be way worse.

Sorry about the long post, so thank you for reading. The the rest of the weekend I'll be making some new pillowcases, and I hope you are getting time to make something too:)

Picture Perfect

This is the worst time of year for me to try to take quilt photos. It's dark when I leave for work in the morning, and dark when I get home. Usually I take all of my pictures on the weekend...that is, if it's not rainy, wet, dreary, or cloudy. But I had to take these pics today, because I needed to get this quilt into the mail for a charity raffle and I had only just finished it last night!!! So I grabbed the quilt on my way to work, ran around base on my lunch-break looking like a crazy quilt lady, and with the help of a few friends I was able to get some almost great photos:)

Today was a rare sunny day, so I thought everything was going to work out perfectly.

First I had my friend, Merv, help me out. He's a tall, crazy, opinionated "older" man and had no idea how to hold a quilt. I couldn't stop laughing because he kept holding the quilt every way but the right way. First, he just grabbed it on two random points and yelled "take a picture!". 

"I can't take a picture like that! You have to hold it where I can see the front!" I yelled back.

He started wrestling with the quilt (and cursing under his breath), flipping it sideways, upside-down, and every-which-way possible, and by the time he got the top of the quilt up-and-forward I was almost rolling on the ground with laughter.

I was finally able to get an almost-decent picture (above) when Merv stood on a bench (so the quilt wouldn't touch the  wet ground). I realized, though, that the quilt was just a backdrop and a perfect frame for the shadow of the basketball court fence that stood between the sun and us.

We then tried to lay the quilt across the bench, but, again, we couldn't let it touch the ground (the ground is ALWAYS wet here), so Merv held one end of the quilt while it was draped over the back of the bench. You can see Merv's end was much higher than the bench, and I thought the poor guy had probably had enough, so I didn't gripe about it, and graciously took the picture.

I got back to my job, and asked my friend Jasmine if she could help me try again and then she became the victim. She's tall for a female so she could almost just hold it up high enough, but the wind was whipping the quilt around like crazy and most of the time it looked like she was wearing a quilt suit. 

She has scrawny little arms and I was afraid she was going to tire out too fast to get a good photo.  I was no help, because I had broken out in hysterical laughter again watching her struggle with the quilt and fighting the wind. It is so funny the sounds people make when they're trying to hold a quilt. 

Fortunately, she is very good-natured, was laughing too, and didn't seem to mind that I was almost in tears.

We were able to get this action shot (above) that almost looks good except you can see the far-end is blurry.

Finally, in between gusts of wind, I was able to get the photo above--probably the best of them all, but really it's my least favorite. Sometimes the best pictures don't tell the best stories. The other pictures I took today mean more to me than most of the other ones I have taken of quilts. They weren't the prettiest, or most artistic, but they will always remind me that I'm really lucky to have friends who are willing to go through some trouble to help me out. 

Thanks Merv and Jasmine!!

(that hump in the picture below is where Jasmine had thrown the quilt over her head when she finally gave up :)

This quilt was made from the Cherry Pie quilt kit from Fig Tree and Co. and was quilted by the ever-amazing Asta.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish-it-up Friday and

My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday.

Christmas Quilt

It's only a few days until Christmas, and I wanted to share with you my Christmas quilt (that I just finished a few days ago) and a poem written by By Dessie Nichols titled "A Week After Christmas".

'Twas the week after Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even her spouse

The quilting frame had replaced the tree by the stair,

In hopes she'd not be disturbed, as she quilted there.

Outside the flurries of snow from the sky,

Made not a sound as they floated by.

The needle also made not a sound

As through the quilt it slid up and down.

When out from the kitchen there arose such a clatter;

She flew out of her chair to see what was the matter.

There in his longjohns, stood a sleepy-eyed spouse,

Grumbling, "Why can't I find something to eat in this house?

A knock on the door gave them both a fright

Who'd be calling at this time of night

They opened the door, and what a surprise!

A very weary-looking Santa stood before their eyes.

"I know it's past Christmas, and you think I'm out of my mind,

But I'd like one of your quilts, if you'd be so kind.

"You see I'm ashamed," he said with a pause,

"But I forgot a present for Mrs. Santa Claus."

"Sir, please help me 'cause you must know how I feel,

A woman can make a man feel like a number one heel."

The lady smiled, and turned with a grin,

Returned with a quilt, and handed it cheerfully to him.

"Here, Dear Santa, is my latest creation."

And she gave it to him without hesitation.

"the Quilting is good, and the colors quite nice,

""I want her to enjoy it; there will be no price."

"Thank you and God Bless. I knew quilters were great!"

"now I must hurry, as the time is quite late"

And they heard him exclaim, as he turned to depart,

"Only a quilter would have such a big heart."  --

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!


Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday
and
Confessions of  a Fabric Addict

Summer Beach Quilt Tutorial - Part IV - Sailboat Block

This is my tutorial for my sailboat block from my Summer Beach Quilt (instructions to complete the row is at the bottom). This block finishes at 16"w  x 16.5"h . To make the sails I used half-rectangle triangles and used a tutorial from the Modern Quilt Guild to figure out how to make them. In this tutorial I will be using their recommended techniques to make the sails. 

PLEASE READ: Just like with half-square triangles, when you make half-rectangle triangles you will render 2 completed units for each one you make. I hope that makes sense. For example, to make my quilt I made 3 different sets of sails, and had 3 sets left over when everything was done. But that just means I can make some coordinating cushions or something:) 

To make one block you will need the following fabric pieces:

Note: To make a scrappy/striped sail like mine, just sew (5) 2.5" x 8" strips together on the long edge:)

When we make our sails we need to mark our fabric 1/2" inside the corners. To make this easier, use a small piece of cardstock and trace around your ruler on the corner at the 1/2" mark. 

Now, lay out your two 12.5" x 8" rectangles side by side with the short edge on the bottom. Make sure your white fabric is on the port side (left) and your print fabric is on the starboard side (right). 

Using your cardstock, mark a 1/2" dot inside the lower left corner. 

Mark an additional dot in each of the corners indicated by the arrows.

Now, using your ruler, draw a line across your white fabric using the dots as a guide. You are essentially "connecting the dots" but you want your lines to extend to the edge of the fabric.

Now, take your white piece of fabric and rotate it clockwise and match up the dots on the white fabric with the dots on your print fabric. The dots will still be on the outside, you are just placing them on "top" of each other. The top of the white fabric is now on the lower right. 

Lift up the fabric and make sure the dots are on lined up on the top AND bottom. 

Now pin your fabric into place (but not near the drawn line). 

Sew 1/4" from both sides of drawn line.

Cut your pieces along the line to separate.

And open them up and press. 

I pressed towards the white fabric because I didn't want to fight the scrappy sails, but it's up to you which way you press:) 

Now we are going to make our left sail(s). Lay out your 9" x 13.5" pieces of fabric with the print on the left and the white on the right (a reverse of the last). Mark your dots 1/4" from the corners indicated by the arrows. Using the dots as a guide (and your ruler) draw a line to "connect" the dots on the white piece of fabric. 

Doing the same thing as we did before except this time you will place your white fabric on top of the print fabric with the dot on the top of the white fabric aligned withe the dot on top of the print fabric. Make sure the upper and lower dots are aligned. 

Next, pin the fabric, sew a line 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line...

Separate, open them up and press! Your sails are all done. 

You now have enough sails to make 2 boats, but for this tutorial we are only completing 1 boat. 

Next you will need your (2) 1" x 7.5", 1.25" x 16", 1" x 13.5" strips. 

Sew your 1" x 7.5" strips to the top and bottom of the right sail. Then sew the two sails to the 1" x 13.25" center.

Next, sew the 1.25" x 16" strip to the bottom of the sails.

Then you will need your 3" x 16" color fabric for the boat, and your 3" x 3" white squares. Draw a diagonal line through the center of the white squares and place them on your boat as pictured. Sew a line through the drawn line on your squares.  

Now, trim the corner of the square leaving a 1/4" seam allowance from the line you sewed. 

Press the squares towards the white, and sew your "boat" to your sail unit. 

Square your boat to 16" wide and 16.5" high. And you're done! 

If you are making your the Summer Beach Quilt, make 3 completed sailboats and sew a 2.25in x 16in sashing between the sailboats. Please refer to the layout diagram for quilt layout and assembly. 

And now it's on to the little houses row:) 

Summer Beach Quilt Tutorial - Part 3 - Water Row

This is part III of my Summer Beach Quilt tutorials--the Water row. 

Here's what you'll need:

2 - 5.5in x 3in white rectangles

33 - 3in x 3in white squares

1 - 8in x 3in rectangle

16 - 5.5in x 3in aqua rectangles (I used Michael Miller Cotton Couture aqua) 

The first step is to make the 16 flying geese. If you've never made flying geese before it's really fun and easy. 

First, draw a diagonal line on the back of 32 of the 3" x 3" squares.

Place the square on your aqua rectangle as pictured in the diagram making sure it is flush with the outside edge.

Sew along the drawn line. 

Trim off excess fabric on the outside of the line leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

Press towards the white fabric. 

Place a second square on the opposite side as pictured. 

By the way, I just notice my cutting mat needs a serious wipe-down!

Anyway, sew along the drawn line on the second square.

Trim leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

And press towards corner and square to 5.5" x 3". 

Note: Squaring up IS SO IMPORTANT. I cannot stress this enough. Whenever I get lazy and I don't square up the blocks I always regret it later because of the amount of frustration it can cause:) 

Now just make 15 more flying geese. 

Lay out 10 flying geese and sew together. Press seams open.

Lay the second row of water out in the following order:

3" x 3" white square, 1 flying geese block, 5.5" x 3" white rectangle, 3 flying geese, 5.5" x 3" white rectangle, 2 flying geese, 8" x 3" white rectangle

Sew the second row of water together and press seams open.

and now sew the two rows together. This should measure 50.5" in length. 

In the next tutorial, we will be making the sailboats:) Please refer to the layout diagram for sashing/assembly instructions.