Today I sewed and sewed and sewed until I couldn't sew any more. Literally. My wrist started bothering me, and I had to stop. That's okay. I was getting worn out on it anyway. And these "all sewing, all the time" days do not make George happy at all.
He yips and yaps at me to do something for him. What he wants, I'm not sure. Just something other than sewing. If I sit down on the floor and let him sit on my lap for a few minutes, he'll be satisfied for a while. Then he comes back and starts pawing at my leg some more. I know he would love to go outside and go for a walk, but it's just not that warm outside.
So what did I do to ruin George's day? I started by repairing the embroidery on another of the Mother Goose blocks. This one needed her boots and her umbrella handle redone.
I keep looking at her eyes thinking I should do something there, but I can't tell what it is exactly. The threads appear to be intact when I pick at them gently, and I don't see any obvious needle holes that would indicate something is missing. I've kind of decided to leave them alone. I'm not sure how to fix them if indeed they need fixing. I'll probably set these blocks aside for a few days because I need to do the binding on the Checkerboard Flowers quilt.
Today I did the machine sewing so the binding is attached to the quilt and just needs the hand work now.
I foolishly gave away the extra backing fabric I had, and so I had to piece the binding together from some other scraps I had. There was just barely enough. Since this quilt is going to be entered in the International Quilt Festival in Ireland this June, it also needs a hanging sleeve. Fortunately, I was able to cut enough excess from around the edges of the quilt to make the sleeve.
I've submitted my show paperwork now; and so unless I back out, it's a done deal. (I'm not expecting to back out.) They are wanting me to email a picture of the quilt, and so I need to finish the binding before I take a picture of it. It should take me just a few days. This quit is 86 x 86 inches . . . not small, but not so big either.
After that, I turned my attention to the February Free Motion Quilting Challenge, which was feathers this month. I had a little trouble going up the right side of the spine, but it's not too bad.
That's my favorite description of my free motion quilting attempts: "It's not too bad." Once I had filled in my space with as much feathering as I could fit, I just filled in the rest with various echoes. It's very empowering to do these pieces. I find myself saying, "I'm doing it! I'm really doing it!" It isn't beautiful, but I am definitely doing it.
After that I made the two quilt sandwiches for the doll quilts that have been waiting so patiently. I started the quilting on the Pretty Little Ponies quilt for Kylee.
I started out by outlining one of the horses and then filling in the background with pebbling.
I'm thinking I'll probably do the same thing in all four of the horse blocks, then some straight line quilting in the sashing. I'm hoping I can quilt a horseshoe motif in the outer border. My horseshoe practice today didn't go as well as I'd hoped, but I'm still thinking I can pull it off.
And that's where I stopped. I'll do more tomorrow. It was a good day . . . unless you are a cat named George. Then the day sucked.
I'm linking this post to:
So what did I do to ruin George's day? I started by repairing the embroidery on another of the Mother Goose blocks. This one needed her boots and her umbrella handle redone.
I keep looking at her eyes thinking I should do something there, but I can't tell what it is exactly. The threads appear to be intact when I pick at them gently, and I don't see any obvious needle holes that would indicate something is missing. I've kind of decided to leave them alone. I'm not sure how to fix them if indeed they need fixing. I'll probably set these blocks aside for a few days because I need to do the binding on the Checkerboard Flowers quilt.
Today I did the machine sewing so the binding is attached to the quilt and just needs the hand work now.
I foolishly gave away the extra backing fabric I had, and so I had to piece the binding together from some other scraps I had. There was just barely enough. Since this quilt is going to be entered in the International Quilt Festival in Ireland this June, it also needs a hanging sleeve. Fortunately, I was able to cut enough excess from around the edges of the quilt to make the sleeve.
After that, I turned my attention to the February Free Motion Quilting Challenge, which was feathers this month. I had a little trouble going up the right side of the spine, but it's not too bad.
That's my favorite description of my free motion quilting attempts: "It's not too bad." Once I had filled in my space with as much feathering as I could fit, I just filled in the rest with various echoes. It's very empowering to do these pieces. I find myself saying, "I'm doing it! I'm really doing it!" It isn't beautiful, but I am definitely doing it.
After that I made the two quilt sandwiches for the doll quilts that have been waiting so patiently. I started the quilting on the Pretty Little Ponies quilt for Kylee.
I started out by outlining one of the horses and then filling in the background with pebbling.
I'm thinking I'll probably do the same thing in all four of the horse blocks, then some straight line quilting in the sashing. I'm hoping I can quilt a horseshoe motif in the outer border. My horseshoe practice today didn't go as well as I'd hoped, but I'm still thinking I can pull it off.
And that's where I stopped. I'll do more tomorrow. It was a good day . . . unless you are a cat named George. Then the day sucked.
I'm linking this post to:
25 comments:
Your "feather" looks great! awesome work.
JoAnn
Poor George...but the quilts look great. I think the eyes look fine on your MG block. She reminds me of the Morton's Salt girl.
Your feather looks better than mine, I still have trouble with the round teardrop shapes. My kitty also does not like it when I sew all day and he doesn't get enough attention. The pony quilt is looking great!
You did a good job on your feathering I always have trouble with the right side too. Very productive day you should be proud.
Wow, you really did a great job on the feathering...that looks wonderful! Are you using your "regular" machine, and do you drop the feed dogs, or put a 3x5 card over them, or some other option? I've been listening to what other people do, in case I get brave. LOL
My hands would hurt too, with all the sewing you have done, but all beautiful work. I love the quilting you are doing on the horses.
Debbie
Poor, neglected George!! LOL! Your FMQ for this month looks great!! :)
Beautiful feathers! They look really good to me. Like the quilting on the Pretty Little Ponies block too. The embroidery blocks are coming along too. Maybe some cat nip would cheer George up?
As I watch you repair this quilt I am constantly wondering where I could find the pattern and then I realised that the person to ask would be the person writing about the block.
Is there a pattern for these blocks, and if not would you consider releasing the pictures for others to create a similar quilt. If you want to have it as a unique quilt I fully understand.
Beautiful feathers!
Pat in Oregon
Hey, your feathers look great! And funny George. :) You caught that particular look they get just right with that snapshot! I just love cats.
Your feathers look great!! Yeah you did it! That little pony quilt I think is my favorite one of the quilts. The horseshoe quilting would just push that one over the top!
Wow Barbara - I am very impressed with your feathers! Way to go girl!!!
Nice feathering, one of my cats is like George, always rubbing on my legs but only if I am typing at the computer; in my studio he lays on the table quietly.
What lovelinesses you are generating up there near the mountains. George's expression says so much more than miaowing ever could. LOL...
I think your feathers look great. The quilting on the Pretty Little Ponies quilt is really striking. I love the way you outlined the pony.
Poor George. How can you resist a face like that?
wow you have been one busy lady! Great work now you better stop and give George some more love... :)
The feather looks wonderful. Don't you find echoing the hardest part? I do.
Poor George - we do spoil our furkids, don't we?!
The feathers are fantastic. I have yet to get mine to branch off very well.
Those feathers are looking very, very nice. You had a busy day, no wonder your hands/arms are tired and ache. And now what to do about poor sweet George?
I think your feather looks great! It isn't just okay, it's very good, and the echoing is inspired. The eyes on MG look just fine, so you've made the right choice there, too. I like what you're doing with the horses, too. The variegated thread is perfect for the fabric.
Not bad at all, Barbara. I think it looks great. Love the quilting on the pony quilt too.
Your feather is very nice!
Keep going! Those feathers look wonderful!
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