Since this blog was never intended to be a plug for all my accomplishments, I thought today I would share my most recent faux pas.  

This is the Silver and Gold block, the next block in my Quiltmaker's Journey Sampler Quilt.  This picture is pretty forgiving.  Let me show you some close ups.

The twisting and general mounding of the fabric in the center is pretty awful.  Only with a great deal of pressing did they lay flat, and even then, the fabrics puckered a great deal.  I was pretty fed up by the last block.  The mounding effect did improve as I went along, but it never fully went away.  

Since the point of this sampler has been to teach myself hand stitching and piecing in general, I took this opportunity (not failure) to ask questions and collect tips from other quilters.  As I said before, I did improve, but not to the point where I'm willing to put this into my quilt.  I'm researching other options, like paper piecing, to see if I can't get a more accurate end result.  

Since I'm finalizing the design for the layout of this quilt, it's fine that I've hit this snag.  It came a good time, when I'm need to go back and rethink what I'm doing.  Hopefully, I'll get it figured out soon, and I'll be off and running with the rest of my blocks.

Borders still to go, but it looks so great doesn't it?!

My Quiltmaker's Journey Quilt is undergoing a trasformation.

Have you ever had a semi-good idea, and you knew it would be good, but you just didn't have all the details worked out?  Well, that was me and this quilt.  I knew this quilt was a good idea, but I didn't have the final layout all worked out.  

Then, about 11:30 PM, I went to bed, and my mind started to drift.  And BAM! I got the layout idea for this quilt, completely out of the blue!  I got up and wrote and sketched until 1:00 AM.  Now, I know I've got a great idea, but it means I have to go back and redo most of what I've done.  I'll get sketches up here soon so you can see how the design has changed.  

Perhaps it's not always advisable to change horses midstream, but I think in the case of a new artistic vision, it's important to follow the clear picture instead of the fuzzy unknown.

I just whipped this baby up today.  I cut it all out last night after the kids went to bed.  Then, I sewed it today during some play time.  I have a playroom in my studio for the kids. What do think?

This bag is slightly bigger and wider than my last bag.  There is something about the navy and red combo that makes me happy to have, so I kept that.  It fits all my stuff well.  I'm totally in love with polka dots at the moment.  Fun fun!

I went to a tent sale at my favorite fabric store in New Hampshire yesterday.  I save up for this event every year.  I bought scads of fabric.  Lots of lovely new ideas to explore.  Also some custom order dish drainer quilts to make this coming week.  What are your plans for this week?

Woo hoo! All my rows for the Row-A-Long are done! Here are the last three!

Now comes my absolute favorite part! Laying out all my finished pieces and arranging it in the most pleasing way.  I'm so glad Lori (who ran the Row-A-Long) allowed us to arrange them in whatever way looks best.  Of course, there are also borders to cut and sew and backing and binding.  Still, getting to see them all laid will be such a boost.  

Do you hear the sound of me sliding into the finish line?  Just under the wire?!

Isn't it super duper cute?  I think this fabric was made for the Pastille Dress.  

I did make some alterations.  Outside of my own special body needs, the pattern calls for three pleats at the bottom.  I thought pleats might not look right with this very directional fabric.  So, instead I added the sateen ribbon at the bottom.  I couldn't be happier.

This whole dress makes me happy.  Light and cool, feminine and structured.  Modest and fun.  Gotta love it!

I've gotten my muslin and pattern for the Pastille altered and ready to go.  I've got my fabric ironed, and I'm just waiting for bedtime tonight to get the dress all cut out and ready to sew tomorrow.  I'm so excited! 

I've also got the two rows for my row-a-long to go, so we'll see if I can eek in at the finish line by the end of the month!

It's Farmgirl Friday and I feel like braggin!

Here was my to do list:

1) Custom order dish drainer quilt
2) Curtain alterations
3) Pastille dress muslin sewn
4) Sew last three rows of Row-A-Long

I got all but two rows done on the Row-A-Long! Not bad for a week's worth of sewing.  I also have tonight and Saturday, so we'll see if I get it really all done. 

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I did it! I got over my case of 'I don't wanna' and I got the last three rows of my Row-A-Long all cut out and neatly stacked on my table.  

Of course, plans are always shifting, and I had a few unexpected sewing projects jump to the top of my list.  A custom order dish drainer quilt and some curtain alterations needed my immediate attention.  

My dress muslin and Row-A-Long quilt will still get worked on this week though.  I've really got to buckle down on the dress to get it done.  Luckily, it's been raining a good deal this week, and even though I am still out in my garden, it is very much limited compared to the last couple of weeks.  

Did any of you guys get any major projects knocked off your list last week?