A Mother's Work Is Never Done

It has been such a long time since I have posted anything! It seems that most of my winter and spring sewing and knitting has been for the creation of gifts, and one-of-a-kinds for my grandson, who is due to arrive very soon. So now that I have all of that under control and most of it gifted, it is time for me to settle in to my summer routine of work a little and play a lot. I just haven't really known where to start writing since school let out, and I am officially a summer retiree--that is until yesterday!

 Yesterday, I had a few minutes before my 4-H friend arrived for a little sewing lesson, so I sat down at the machine and started attaching the binding on a quilt that has been laying around my house for about 3 years. It was my mom's quilt top that I found in her sewing stuff after she passed away. I took it to my long arm quilter and had it quilted in the "Jitter Bug" pattern about a year after Mom died. She loved to dance the Jitter Bug, so that seemed fitting. Since then it has laid in one place or another around my sewing room with the binding neatly wound in a "jelly roll" on top of it. I just never have been able to find the time to finish it.

 Yesterday when I actually found the time, I realized I had not really wanted to finish it for those 3 years. I started sewing, and that feeling I get when I think about my mom and all her work--needle and otherwise--washed over me. Her favorite question was always, "have you got your work done?" My favorite answer was always "I am working on it, MOM." As long as everybody was working on something, she was happy because she was always working. Even her sewing and flower arranging was considered her work. It hit me in those moments that if I finished her quilt, her work would be done! I found that hard to imagine, so I stopped before I got all the way around.

 Last night I told my husband about my work on my mom's quilt, and he responded with "don't finish it!" Even he understood.  I gave it some thought and decided to at least finish attaching the binding. I am not sure when I will get around to sewing it down by hand, but at least I can say, "I am working on it!"

 Glad to be back!
M

Winter Work Update

My, how time flies when you are frozen into a human shaped ice cube!  Now that I am thawing, I have realized that I have not written for several weeks.  Never fear, that does not mean that I haven't been sewing, knitting, and yes even biking.  I have.  

I have a new grandson on the way, so much of what I have been doing is finishing up projects for others and myself, as well as reorganizing my sewing room in preparation for some serious grandma sewing. I cannot wait to get my hands on some great children's prints and create some unique things for him.  I have attended a craft retreat with friends, started some small baby projects--finished a few. I have also been working on my EPP sew- along--slowly.  I have been looking at the Millefiori quilts on Instagram and am somewhat discouraged with my first attempts.  Some of those projects are simply devine!  My work withers by comparison.  However, I will charge on and finish this table topper--I will.

Here is quick look at my winter work and our retreat venue.

Hope you have had a productive winter, and are getting primed for the warmer weather!

M

Sew Along Update

Happy February all!  I am amazed at how quickly January flew by!  Today, I Just wanted to check in and show you how my EPP project is coming along.  I feel like I am really starting to find my comfort zone.  First, I settled on whip stitching the pieces together.  It seems to be my best choice at this point.  I also love the addition of red and am starting to think about a very bright, fussy, and more modern next project.  I love the little baby quilt in the back of my book, The New Hexagon, so I am using that as my inspiration as I finish this project and continue to work on machine pieced creations and my knitting. It's the project in the back of my mind.

Additionally, I have learned something about myself while working on this project.  I guess this is something that I have always known, but I never really admitted it until now.  I am impatient with the process at times.  I do not think that I have ever cut an entire quilt before starting to sew.  I have never made all of my blocks before I start putting the rows together, and it is rare that I buy the entire quilt at one time.  I almost always leave the backing until I have the top finished, or I wait to get the binding after I have seen the top quilted. I guess I just can't wait to see things coming together, or maybe it is that I just love the sewing better than the preparing.  Who knows, but EPP is making me very aware of my own habits and processes.  I am putting things together before I get the larger hexies pieced, and I am designing on the fly.  Typical Mary!

Hope your EPP project is coming along quickly and is giving you much joy!
M

The Caroline and the Judy: EPP Shapes and Stitches Sew Along

Well, it seems that I am behind on my posting.  My humblest apologies.  My only excuse is some extensive dental work, a scan of the sinuses, and a few machine projects that needed some attention. Oh and let's not mention that day job!

Since our last encounter, a couple of good things have happened with my EPP project.  First I figured out a good container for portability that works for me.  I have seen all of these nice little tins with everything neatly packed and ready to go, but found that this is just too small for me.  I like to be able to take everything and find it easily.  So I found a neat food container in the plastics aisle at the closest superstore.  It works great; I love the divider, and the lid makes a great work space in the car.

The second great thing for me is that I decided to add red to my table runner.  I see two color creations all of the time and truly love them.  And, someday, I will make something great in only two colors.  However, this handwork was just begging me to add some color--so red it is!

Third, I decided to add another block from the book.  I started with the Caroline and have now added the Judy.  I love them both.   (Oddly enough, I had two friends in high school named Caroline and Judi.  Judi even has a daughter named Caroline.  Maybe that has something to do with it. We have been out of school longer than I care to reveal, but life's little coincidences make me smile.)

Finally, I have settled on a small table runner this time, but I am working on the next project in my head and really want to make the little quilt in the book, The New Hexagon.  I am thinking of a boyish look for my first grandchild, which is a boy expected to arrive this summer.

Happy piecing
M

P.S.  What is your best advice for the novice English Paper Piecer.  Leave your comment below.  Let's have a discussion.

P.S.S.  I recently finished this little quilt for a very sweet girl with whom I work.  Her adorable little boy has arrived and all is well.  We are all so very happy for Dawn and her hubby.

Success! First Block of my EPP Stitches and Shapes Sew Along

Here it is! This is my very first EPP hexie block.  I think I like it.

"Caroline" from The New Hexagon by Katja Marek.

A couple of things that have worked for me:

1. Pressing is important for me.  Before I attach one piece to the other, I press the prepared pieces.  I just feel that this helps me get my corners crisper and makes aligning the pieces for sewing a little easier.
2. Using glue.  I put a tiny little spot of glue on the paper template and hold it tightly to the fabric before I start folding it down and basting.  This helps me with positioning the fabric and prevents slipping as I baste.  I truly am "All About the Baste," but this little dot of sticky makes all the difference.
3. Cutting Fabric.  I am finding that the more carefully I cut my fabrics, the nicer my backs look.  I know that may not matter to some, but I find it is like embroidery for me--the back should be almost as neat as the front, or I cannot consider myself "good" at it.

Issues that have come up for me:

1. Portability.  Everything I read suggests that one of the perks of being an English paper "piecer" is that it is portable and can go anywhere.  I see the possibilities here, but for some reason I cannot get an organized system together.  My first attempts have just been too "fumbly."
2. Whip Stitch or Ladder Stitch? I am trying to perfect my ladder stitch, but find that I often revert to the whip stitch or something new and unique that is something akin to both.  Not that this is a big issue if the front looks good, but the ideas of process and perfection seem to be important to me.  Can anyone say "vanity?"

Ladder stitch

New Goals

1. Complete block two and play with placement.
2. Try to perfect the ladder stitch.
3. Find a way to contain my accouterments for portability. 

All in all I am pretty proud of my first block. I am interested what you have going on in your EPP project.  Are you setting goals?  Are you experiencing difficulties or successes you can share? Leave me your comments and suggestions.  Come sew along with Meredith and me!

M

EPP Shapes and Stitches Sew Along #1

English Paper Piecing is the process of preparing small shapes by wrapping fabric around the edges of a template in order to sew them together into something wonderful.  Well,that is my definition anyway.

So, I agreed to be part of this sew along with Meredith and promptly decided that hexies are my shape--at least for starters! I think it has something to do with my love of the snowball block and this cold bathroom floor that for the past 25 years I have looked at most mornings with disdain  Whatever it has been, that is where I am going to start--the roundly rugged hexagon!

  On my trek over the river and through the woods back to my house, I realized that I really needed to conduct some research on this English Paper Piecing. I knew my shape, but this is some serious stitching.  So I made a quick trip around the web and found some interesting information, tips, and books.  I bought one for my
Kindle, The New Hexagon by Katja Marek, and quickly began dabbling in the process of preparing my first few hexies.


Here's my plan:
1. Make a table topper from Hexies.
2. Use my Fiskars Hexie Punch to make two inch templates from card stock and/or magazine ad cards.
3. Use black, white, and gray, which is always subject for re-eval.
4.  Use different blocks from my new book until I get the hang of it and can design my own.
5. Complete at least one block a week.

First lesson for me!  "It's all about the baste." (Thanks for the great line, Meredith)

I began my journey down the EPP lane with the process. I started with three different methods of preparing the little shape.  Some people baste only the corner folds, some use glue all the way around, and some just baste.  So I tried all three.  My favorite process is this one.  Cut your paper template, poke a hole in it for easier removal, add a dab of glue to the back, press firmly to the wrong side of the fabric, and begin folding the edges around clockwise.  Then baste that little sucker all the way around. It just works better for me.  I feel more secure, and I like the way my finished little shape looks once I press it!

That is where I am at this point.  I am off to make some snowball blocks for a baby quilt and then work on my hexies.  I will be back really soon with one finished block--I hope.

Until then remember, it's all about the baste, no trouble!
M

EPP Shape and Stitch Sew Along

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Meredith, over at Material Girl Quilt Shop, and I were discussing our developing interests in English Paper Piecing. She knows I love handwork and is always sharing her latest tools and gadgets for lap work with me when I visit.  As a result of our visit, we decided to do a sew along together.  We will both be teaching ourselves, helping each other, and sharing our thoughts, ideas, tips, and designs with you over the next few weeks.  

We would love it if you would join us and share your questions, knowledge, tips, creations. . . . We will be completing a block a week and sharing it here and over at Material Girl's Blog.  I have gathered some supplies, picked a shape, and am ready to get stitching.  How about you?  

Hope to see your EPP creations soon!

M

PS.  I just wanted to share with you two of my favorite Christmas in July creations.  I made these quilts for my sons. Very macho guys but reduced to teary eyes when they opened these "blankies."