3/15/12

Raining Sideways

Oregon is showing us its worst weather today.  It is raining sideways.


Lovely.  Just eff-ing lovely.  It could be a good day for sewing, but I have to go to the grocery store.  Bummer.  Oh well.  That won't take all day.

I've been working on finishing up the Oregon State quilt I've been making for Erik and Mae.  One thing I've learned about myself is that sewing block after block of the exact same block just isn't my cup of tea.  I much prefer BOM's and samplers where the blocks are all different.  Still, I do like the way the Oregon State quilt is shaping up.  I'm about 3/4 finished with it now, and I hope to have the top finished by the end of the day. . . assuming I survive my outing into the blowing rain.

The Oregon State quilt is 12 rows of ten blocks . . . block after block, just the same.  Here it is when it was halfway finished.


Imagine it half again larger, and you'll know what it looks like as I write this.  It took me a long time to decide on a pattern, and I like the way it's looking.  There are no borders.  It will be bound in black, and I have a great backing fabric for it--black with large orange polka dots.

When I'm working on something like this, I need frequent breaks.  Yesterday, I decided to get a head start on my next stitchery.  I'm almost finished with the Promises & Borders block for March, and I like to have an embroidery project--or some kind of hand-sewing project--to work on in the mornings before I start my day.


I just have that bottom little flower and bird motif to finish up and then the words.  It should be finished by this weekend.  With that in mind, I decided to start on the first block of a new BOM I signed up for.  (Because I really don't have enough projects going on, you know?)  I'll probably hate myself for taking on yet another embroidery project, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.  Courageous of me.  Downright bold, don't you think?


Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines is a block of the month just starting up at Pastimes Online.  I've been looking for something to replace a tired quilt that's been hanging in my sewing room for quite a while.  Vintage sewing machines aren't of particular interest to me, but I enjoy looking at them.  And I liked seeing the variety of blocks on this quilt.

The first block is the Muller 15.  Here's an image of the actual machine.



According to Sewing Machine Collector:

The Muller 15 is one of this manufacturer's prettiest cast iron models. The machine forms a single-thread chain stitch, and was produced in considerable numbers during the first quarter of the 20th Century. 
Here is what the stitchery will look like:


It looks as if it was copied from the photographic image above, doesn't it?  Here's the beginnings of my stitchery.


This is the first time I've tried an iron-on transfer.  I found it quite unsatisfactory.  For one thing, I didn't get the whole design transferred to the fabric.  I tried peeling up the edge to check, but managed to shift the transfer in the process.  That meant that I was finished with it since there was no way I could match it up exactly again.  (Drat.)  What did transfer over was so pale that I wouldn't have been able to see it well enough to stitch it.  I ended up using my light box, which is what I should have done from the beginning.  My theory is that my iron wasn't hot enough, but I have no way of knowing for sure.  I was worried about burning up the paper transfer.  There were no instructions included in the kit about how to do this.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Have you successfully used iron-on transfers before?

In any case, that's my newest NewFO project for March.  I won't start on the stitching until I've finished the Promises block, but I'm ready to go now.

First, I have to survive today's outing into the Oregon weather.  (Sigh.)

12 comments:

Miki Willa said...

I only tried an iron on pattern once, and decided not to do it again. I had the same problems, and I remember having directions. Using the lightbox seems like a much better solution, even thought it will take longer.
Take care in the wind and rain. It is raining and blowing here, but not that bad. Hopefully, your storm will miss us.

Denise :) said...

And all your pretty snow is gone, just that fast! I've found with iron-on transferring, that it's important that your iron is the recommended temp setting for the fabric you're ironing onto, and that it works best if you pre-heat the fabric before laying your transfer paper down. I've done several this way and never had a problem. Of course, it could also be the quality of the brand. Even so, I love the little machines -- what a cute stitchery it will finish up to be! Stay dry when you head out to grocery shop!! :)

Dirt Road Quilter said...

Please, please, please send that rain our way. We are desperate for it! We're in NM so blow hard. :)Your quilt will be wonderful, but I know what you mean about repetitive blocks. Your stitching projects look like the perfect distraction.

Missy Shay said...

I love this quilt, but I'm not a stitcher. My computer says that's not a word, but anyways, Do not use steam, and you want to press, not "move" the iron too much, I think you hold it on each spot for like 5 or 10 seconds? I can't remember. I think I have scorched the paper before (It's been a while), but patience is key.

Rachel said...

Awesome BOM (I think you might be a bad influence, Just saying...LOL!!)I wish they sold just the pattern (do you see a theme here for me?)
We were in OR on and off for a while (my Father In Law had some acerage up there) and when they say it rains like nowhere else, they seriously mean it, so I believe, lol, I think it is headed for us when it leaves you! We could use it.

Diane Wild said...

What happened to all that snow you showed us a few days ago? That new embroidery quilt looks like a challenge. Maybe the iron wasn't hot enough, as you suspect. With such an intricate design, it's hard to know. May the transfer ink was inadequate?

Unknown said...

Everyone's weather is so unpredictable, Just to say hello.
Drive safely! xoxox

Teresa in Music City said...

Trusting you made it home safely from the grocery store! I hate a rainy day when I absolutely have to be out of the house on errands! I don't mind rain as long as I can stay in and be cozy.

LOOK at your totally cute new BOM!!! I started Winter Wonderland for the same reason, because I always finish Promises & Borders before the month end and miss having the hand work. I'll enjoy watching these wonderful antiques come to life in your stitches!

make.share.give said...

We also had sideways rain today. And a 45-minute power outage at school. I read a story by flashlight and they thought it was the coolest thing!

Melissa said...

I love the BOM you are starting. I don't do any hand embroidery, but if I did, I would totally sign up to do this one!

LethargicLass said...

were you not just covered in heaps of snow? where did it go?

I absolutely love those sewing machines... will be watching this one closely :)

Snoodles said...

Yes you are courageous and bold...love that set of vintage machines. That will be lovely. Sure hope you made it home safely in the rain...Moses hates to go out even if it's just wet and the rain has quit. LOL He shakes his paws and glares at me. :)