1/28/12

Lotsa' Blocks

Today I had in mind to start on Camlyn's doll quilt, but then decided I should first clear my sewing room of a lot of miscellaneous projects I had spread around. 

I've learned that if I'm approaching a project with dread, the longer I put it off . . . well, the longer I put it off.  I'm speaking about the binding on the huge Sunshine on my Shoulders quilt, of course.  I don't mind hand sewing binding to a quilt, and ordinarily, I don't mind machine sewing it either.  But on a quilt this large, it seems I sew and sew and sew for miles and never come to the end of it.  For that reason, I decided to do that first and get it out of the way.


Take that!, dreaded project.  Now it's ready to be hand-sewn, and this quilt will be finished!  It's never as dreadful as I anticipate, but I'm glad to have that part finished, nonetheless.  Gracie was a huge help on this project.  Her job was to keep the quilt from flying off the table as I cut off the excess back and batting.


Then I turned my attention to two of my monthly block projects.  I completed this swap block for my January swap partner in the Block Swap Adventure.  (Wait here a moment while I check to see if she reads my blog.)  Oops!  She does.  Okay, just a sneak peek for now.  This block is for Samantha. 



Once I know she has it in hand, I'll tell you more about it. 

Then, I turned my attention to the next block for the Blogger's BOM. 


This block was designed by Quilt Dad, who wrote a terrific tutorial.

Here are the rest of the blocks I've made for this quilt.  I'm loving all these bright colors!


Aside from those, I've liberated another ten blocks from my Mother Goose baby comforter.



So far, I've separated 15 of the 25 blocks.  They've been in good shape for the most part, but the bottom three in these images all had damage to the black thread (again).


Interestingly, Cheryl from Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting left a comment and said this:

I've read many times that blacks were overdyed and didn't last, both thread and cloth. They have just recently figured out how to make black cloth that lasts like other colors do. This is probably the problem with the black thread in your mother's blocks.

I think Cheryl is probably right about this because it is only the black thread that I'm having trouble with.  Some of it is just fine, but not all of it.  Thanks for the information Cheryl.

That's where I left off for today.  I may or may not get started on Camlyn's little quilt tomorrow.  Kylee's quilt hasn't been quilted yet, and I might decide to finish that one first.  I never know until I get into my sewing room and see what calls out to me in the loudest voice.  Yes, I do hear voices, but I'm used to it by now.  I only worry when I start losing arguments with myself.

I'll be linking this post to:

10 comments:

sunny said...

You got a lot done - it should feel very good. That's interesting to know about the black.

rubyslipperz1052 said...

The boices in your sewing room must be saying, "Whew, girl! YOU got a lot done!" =)

...I'm the same about putting things off. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one...that dances with a "pro"...Crastination.

hugZ,
annie
anniesrubyslipperz.com

Teresa in Music City said...

Wow, you were a busy little bee today! Doesn't it feel good to get all those nagging little projects out of the way so you can concentrate on others? I know binding is not "little" but it always seems so in my mind, and it is something I put off too. I have 2 quilts awaiting binding in my sewing room right now. Other projects always call to me first also!

Gracie is such a wonderful little helper. I wonder if I could train Gypsy to be as accommodating? Somehow I doubt it. She only comes into the sewing room to tell me it's time for her dinner! Sable was the one who loved to keep me company in there, but sadly we lost her this year.

Sue Daurio said...

Holy smokes you got a lot done. And Gracie, what a great helper. She looks so proud :)

Kate said...

A very productive day. I don't mind doing the binding either, but I always put it off for some reason. I think what stops me is the squaring up part. That's the part I do dread.

Mrs.Pickles said...

what a productive day! You are an inspiration...I am still in my jammies...lol

The Thompsons said...

Wow- you've been busy. i'm impressed. Your blogger blocks are looking great together

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I dread sewing on binding, too. I see that you have one of the 'handles' for your ruler. I found one at a thrift store, and I just love it. Mine is supposed to be used on the wall of a bath tub/shower, but, it works great on my ruler, and it was only 99 cents!

@pril said...

Gracie is so very cute!

@pril
KoolBeenz-blog.blogspot.com
For-the-Love-of-Pie.blogspot.com

Sarah said...

I just wanna scoop Gracie up and cuddle! Good for you to make progress on your binding project. I am certainly not the fastest binder-er but I also don't mind doing it so I don't rush either. Yours will be done in due time.