The baby shower I attended and made a cake for last week – I also made a quilt for the new baby.
Last Day. July 16, 2009
Today is the last day of our Retreat. I am so happy with all that I got completeled these last few days.
I completed the center of my 9 patch quilt. This was a block exchange I did with my sewing group back home. We had to make two hundred 3 inch 9 patch blocks. 20 different fabrics, 10 – 9 patch blocks of each fabric. Then we had to make our own hour glass blocks. So, today I had to make five 9 patches and a bunch of hour glass blocks. I thought I was done with this quilt a month or so ago and then when cleaning my studio I found a baggie of 9 patches. I just had to add them. (Believe me, I thought of leaving them out) And now, it just needs the border. I might even do the “A” word. (Applique)
My second project of the day didn’t get as far as I had hoped. The general consensus was to have colored setting triangles instead of white. I only brought the white, so it will have to wait till I get back and find some fabric (which shouldn’t be a problem!) to get sewn together.
We had a great time getting to know each other. Way too much sugar was consumed and we stayed up much too late. I wouldn’t have had it any other way!
Day Two July 15, 2009
Here is what I got done today. I made a few more blocks for this quilt and got them all put together. I don’t have enough fabric to add the borders. Of course, it’s at home. So this will have to do for now.
I have two more quilts I’d really like to get put together tomorrow. Not sure which one I will start with or if I will get both done. But if it is anything like today with all the laughter and fun, I’ll be happy.
High Ho. High Ho. It’s off to retreat I go. July 14, 2009
I left for retreat Sunday afternoon. A quilt retreat. And yes, all we are going to be doing is sewing. The whole time. It’s fabulous!
Six of us caravaned 3 hours north or so to a city outside of Waco, Texas. We got here, set up and started sewing.
We brought UFOs (Un-finished Objects) to work on. Not sure how much we will accomplish, but we have been laughing and having lots of fun.
Here is what I finished yesterday. I put the green border on.
Each month, I received in the mail fabric for one block. I didn’t know what the block would look like. I kept up with the blocks as I got them, which made finishing the quilt a little easier. I am so happy with my first Mystery Block of the Month, I signed up for this years quilt.
Today, I wasn’t as productive. We stayed up late last night. Like, 3am late. Got a slow start to the day and have been having fun doing other things. Tomorrow I am hoping to get more done.
Here is a block I did today for the new Mystery Block of the Month.
Tomorrow I hope to post a photo of the Pretzel Quilt blocks all sewn together.
My First Quilt July 11, 2009
It’s a Parade of quilts. Camille at Simplify and Carrie at La Vie en Rosie are hosting a challenge and posting photos of their first quilt and their most recent quilt or other project. And of course, I’m up to the challenge. Anything in the name of a hobby.
I have only been quilting two years. It is something I fought tooth and nail about getting into as a hobby. Why would anyone in their right mind buy fabric, cut it up, and sew it all back together? Such time. Such little pieces. Such craziness!
Wedding planning was over and I was just about ready to graduate college, (Finally! But that will be for another post.) and I was bit by the bug. The quilting bug. My poor husband. He didn’t even know what was coming.
When I expressed interest to my avid quilting mother, she couldn’t contain herself. She stopped everything. She quickly handed over a sewing machine, fabric (that we had picked out years before), a rotary cutter, mat and any other supplies I might need. She didn’t want me to lose interest before I had been completely sucked in. She too is a Hobbyist Hobbyholic.
Here is my first quilt.
I was lucky enough to have many seasoned quilters by my side for this quilt. If I hadn’t, I may not be a quilter today. It was a challenge to say the least.
And here is the most recently completed quilt.
This quilt was fun to make and went together easily. Pattern is Second Hand Clothes by Paula Barnes.
Things I have learned from the first quilt to this one…
- If it doesn’t bother you, don’t feel the need to do it again.
- All points and seams don’t have to match perfectly. Majority of people looking at it won’t know the difference.
- The more exact your cutting is in the beginning, the easier the pieces come together at the end.
- Not all people can fully appreciate what goes into making a quilt from start to finish.
- When you gift a quilt, you have to let go.
- If you start to despise your current project, set it aside and come back to it later.
- Being the youngest in a quilting group is okay, they seem to like youth.
- Be open to new ideas.
- Never say never.
The Hobbyholic 