Project Simplify - Day 2
March 30, 2011 The pattern in Chapter One calls for precuts. In fact, all the patterns in this book are based on precuts (plus yardage). That's part of what makes these quilts simple.
But if you don't have the specific precuts required - like me - consider making your own. This book gives you all the measurements for standard precut sizes so if you're new to quilting or don't have easy access to them, no problem. For me, a few extra minutes with the rotary cutter and I was good to go!
I laid out all the cut pieces and my 9 yr old helper organized the squares & strips into blocks. We talked about print color, direction, value & scale. This girl loves rules and when you explain why, she follows them to.the.letter. Plus I have this mild O.C.D. thing about my quilts - I don't like it when the same prints or the same colors “touch”.
She took her job very seriously and felt really proud of herself for doing it so well. This mama is super proud too :)
When the blocks were made she helped me with the big layout on the dining room floor. My little foible turned the exercise into more of a puzzle. We had fun finding problems and trying to solve them. (You know, when you switch two blocks to fix one layout problem, only to create another somewhere else. And so on.) That took us a while and in the end, we lost the battle - as I usually do. So I explained to her that despite my silly little rule, sometimes you just gotta roll with it baby!
Next - the dreaded free-motion top-stitching ... gulp. See you Friday!
Reader Comments (13)
Discovered your blog thru Camille's. I too LOVE her book, but the similarities do not stop there. I am also a PINK girl ( your stash looks SEW much like mine). I too have made a VOW not to buy more fabric this year. Our grandson was very ill ( doing much better....Praise God) and I will not buy fabric, but instead use my "stash" money for donations for other sick children.
But there is more. I too have a HUGE stash of the same Susan Branch fabric and hold on to your hat...I worked for Laura Ashley!!!! Is this amazing or what. So I am now going to follow you ( not like in stalker...more like in admirer) and together we will create and complete goals. I SEW appreciate the inspiration. XXX
Wow you two really accomplished a lot! I had the same problem trying to figure out how to place my blocks for my Dream On quilt. I love that line but the one and only striped fabric would always throw me for a loop! I finally gave up on the no touching rule and sewed them all together! I'm looking forward to your post today : )
Lovely blog! I also "discovered" it a few days ago through Camille's page. Your new "Project Simplify" is a wonderful idea! I tend to identify myself as a fabric collector and a virtual quilter (I dream of quilting while admiring quilting blogs.) It looks like you are already making great progress, and it's wonderful that your daughter is involved. I can't wait to hear of your experience with free-motion quilting, it frightens me too:) I look forward to your inspiring updates and wish you the best of joy and happiness in your journey through her book. Thank you for giving us another wonderful, uplifting source for inspiration!
I found your blog via Camille's tweet last week. I'm so glad you're taking on this project! I had similar notions after watching Julie and Julia but I have a hard time making the commitment to just one book. I guess I'm a quilt project hussie. I'm so excited to see what projects you make from your stash - it looks gorgeous!
if I can free motion quilt... you can too! :)
It looks great - have fun with the free motion quilting!
Ok, so I've been admiring your fabric collection for days now. I am trying to resist the urge to purchase more fabrics I don't need and have no room for but your pretty photos are not helping. =) Looking lovely.
Love this. I too have the same rule, and it is very frustrating when you have to break it. Love this quilt. Are you going to donate this one? and have you decided which charity you will donate it too?
I have a Amy Butler LOVE jelly roll that I am wanting to use for one of Camilles quilts. Just do not know which one.
Jazz
I love these posts... I get to live vicariously through you (... I can pretend to be crafty when I can barely thread a needle in real life!).
Ang xx
Wow, wow and wow that looks great and what an excellent assistant you have too!! :)
Vivienne x
So wonderful to have that helper. While you are fullfilling your "quest" you are teaching your daughter your own skills and that creates a strong bond. I love your quilt and look forward to your free motion blog. I have never done this, always stitch in the ditch. Thank you for encouraging all of us.
Good luck with the free motion quilting! Practice practice practice is the key, apparently...I obviously don't practice enough, because the results are never quite what I'm hoping for...but it IS all practice.
Loving your quilt top...it's stunning :)
ok ok i need to get my butt in gear i know!! I received a BIG bundle of fat quarters from Sew Mama Sew last week *yaaay* some Heather Bailey fabrics and then some colour sets of pinks and oranges :D