1/2/12

First Sewing of 2012

Since I posted my last sewing of 2011, it only seemed appropriate to mark my first sewing of 2012.  After spending most of the day messing around on the computer, I finally made my way down to the sewing room and did something productive.  I finished the center part of my "Oregon in January" themed doll quilt swap.


I very nearly got stuck on this because when I went to piece the mountain, I realized that my pattern was incomplete!  I have the instructions for the mountain and I have some diagrams about the placement of the various paper-pieced sections, but there was no pattern for putting it together!  Horrors!

Mike and I worked together using Photoshop Elements to turn the diagrams into a paper-piecing pattern that was the appropriate size to fit the three trees that were already pieced and sewn together.  That also meant that I had to figure out on my own what order to piece them.  Having never done that before, I thought I'd reached another obstacle.  It worked out okay, however.  I'm realizing that most paper piecing involves working from the center out.  Once I figured that out, it was fairly easy to see how to do it.

I've already written to the designer to see if they'll send me the missing page, but who knows if I'll hear anything back.  It's finished, and all's well that ends well.  I still want to put a narrow white border on the sides and the top of this, and then finish it off with another border made up from this fabric.


This is what was on the back of my Winter Wonderland quilt, and I think I have enough to use on this doll quilt as well.

And that, as they say, is that for my first sewing day in the new year.  How did you start your year?

8 comments:

Teresa in Music City said...

That's really a cute doll quilt! You did a great job working out the mountains - certainly looks like it was designed that way. Just love that snow and the way you outlined in white to look like snow cover :*D

I haven't been able to sew today. We took down all the Christmas decorations and then I had errands to run. I've done the next best thing and spent some time reading the blogs.

I did get started on pulling fabrics for my January NewFO though! I decided to use the same number Judy pulls for the UFO challenge, so #5 it is. And it is one that I've been excited about starting, so I'm doing the happy dance!!!

Needled Mom said...

You did a great job without instructions. I love the border fabric too.

WoolenSails said...

Beautiful piece, love the design and colors. Love your new shots, lots of artistic settings, fun to play with. I am still at the point and shoot stage on mine, lol.

Debbie

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I like the blue with the white polka dots (and I love your trees)! I used fabric like this for my winter quilt as the border for my green/blue/red disappearing nine-patch so it would take on a more winter than Christmas look so it would mimic snow. I've got the top done but need to do the quilting which will be the first time I quilted anything big myself. I am not certain how to stretch everything so it won't bunch. Your border is going to look really nice.

Becky said...

I love it!I always loved doll quilts.Happy New Year to you!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

How beautiful! You did a wonderful job for not having the instructions.

Aliene said...

Good job! I am not ambitious yet.
Hope inspiration hits soon.

quiltzyx said...

The DQ is wonderful! I like the way you made the pattern your own & figured out how to put it all together. Great job!
I haven't sewn anything yet this year, but I did sign up for the Valentine swap at Generation Q magazine. I think I may work on something tomorrow - either the Valentine or on the batik blocks for MY quilt. ;^)