1/8/13

Free Motion Fiasco

Yesterday and today I worked on my quilt for the January doll quilt swap.

 Doll Quilters

The theme for the January swap is "snow".  I had in mind to do one pattern, but as I looked at it more closely, I realized the quilt was going to be too large, and so I moved on to Plan B.  No problem there.  I can't show you the whole quilt.  I don't know if my partner reads my blog or not, so I'm playing it safe and giving you the same peek I'm giving her.  I'm calling this quilt "Sled Ready".  


Enticing, no?  I still need to hand sew the binding, but I should be able to finish that no later than tomorrow, and then put it in the mail to her by Thursday.

I can tell you that I copied a snow motif that my long arm quilter, Erin, used when she quilted the January block of the Home is Where the Heart Is quilt.


I really liked the way she managed to quilt snowflakes while still using a continuous line motif.  I was able to copy her design without too much trouble.


Then I found a mitten motif in this book by Laura Fritz called  250 More Continuous Line Quilting Designs.


I like her designs because they can be quite elaborate, like the ones pictured on the cover; and there are also simpler designs that an artist as terrible as I am can actually draw.  I decided to go for broke and quilted the mittens into the border of my quilt along with more snowflakes.  Well....I was only partially successful making them look like mittens.  A few look like mittens.  Most look something like anatomical drawings of stomachs.  Oh well.  I tried.


Nevertheless, I was congratulating myself for the job I did on the quilting when I flipped the quilt over to look at the back.  Oh my.


How I didn't notice this was happening is a testament to my concentration on trying to make my mittens look like mittens.  I managed to let the quilt back get quilted under in not just one, but three spots.  Crap.  I briefly considered turning my rotary cutter on my own throat, but then I came to my senses when I remembered how many baby items I have to sew for my not-yet-conceived grandchild.  You know.  The one I seriously need.

So that was disappointing.  I ripped it all out and redid it after spending approximately five minutes practicing all the bad words I know.  Yes, all of them.

Speaking of bad words, I just have to share something with you that I've had in my sewing room for a while. Recently, I got it in my head that I wanted a magnetic bulletin board.  It was right after I won the wine cork magnets in a recent giveaway.


I've always had some cork strips on the walls of my sewing room where I pinned little doodads, cards, and other stuff.  When I won these magnets, I started thinking an actual magnetic bulletin board would be nice.  I found this one at the Container Store.  The cut-outs are places where things can be pinned, and then the silver parts are metallic, and therefore, magnetic.  Cool.  Perfect for what I wanted.  


So...all of that to say that as I was taking down the things that were pinned to my cork strips, I came across something I printed from the Straight Stitch Society a while back.  It's the Straight Stitch Society Manifesto.


I hope you can read that.  If not, you can see it right here, and you can print your own copy.  Very cute.  I especially like #7.  It was definitely a potty mouth day for me.

How about you?  Did your sewing lead you to swearing or suicidal thoughts today?




19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed with your beautiful quilting! I've never tried it before but you've inspired me to give it a go :)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Oh, I have had one of those days - more than once. The furries run and hide when Momma gets in one of those moods! Love the little straight stitches card!

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Oh dear, I have violated #7 too!

Dana Gaffney said...

When I read #7 I thought Barbara's a potty mouth, so am I and I think we're in good company.

Michele said...

Well overall you did better than I would have so I'm giving yo ua big Congrats, even with the potty mouth issue. LOL I love the mantra and I'm definitely going to copy that one for myself. Thanks for the link.

Lynette said...

Hee! Yep, I've done that with the edge of the back more than once. and 7 does crack me up.

kc said...

That you even DO your own quilting is such an inspiration to me, so I wouldn't worry about catching the edge under once or twice, even 3 times! Hey - Lionel Ritchie, You're Once, Twice, Three Times a Ladyyyyyyyyyy...remember that? Now I can't get it outta my head! :)

I love rule #6, but I'm no longer permitted alcohol (long story, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to be a little less pained), so I'll stick with #3 instead. I think I just might have to print that puppy out and post it my own bad self!

Quilting Babcia said...

How many quilt back edges have become part of the 'quilting design', oh let me count the ways and times ...
always when there's a deadline ... oh yes,then there's the 'Cling-ons' those itty bitty scraps of fabric you've trimmed but somehow missed the trash basket only to adopt a permanent home on the back of your quilt .. yeah, been there!

Barb Neiwert said...

Oh, I've put those same words to good use upon occasion myself! They do come in handy once in awhile. And I've also stitched the backing into the quilting just like you. In quilting we sure learn from our mistakes, don't we? Love those snowflakes.

Rachel said...

Hey, I used my big girl word (HA!) doing the same thing not too long ago! Guess I was in good company...

Teresa in Music City said...

Hahahaha! Thanks for sharing the Straight Stitch Society Manifesto - hilarious! I thought your mittens looked cute - such a shame to have to take them out and do them again - ugh!!!

SewCalGal said...

Hey, I think your quilts and FMQ look great! Love that mitten motif you found.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

I hate it when I catch my back while quilting. I like the mittens and remember it is all about practice.

Very cute Manifesto! Number 5 brings back fond memories!

I was making another folded triangle project and realized after making two rounds that I had drawn too many guide lines! So, yes, my sewing turned me in to a potty mouth!

Marei said...

"Did your sewing lead you to swearing...?" Well, DUH! I was sewing (aka ripping, poking myself with pins, trimming un-straight lines, running out of fabric) so, of course, it lead to swearing. Somedays it's like breathing to me. And HOW MANY TIMES have I quilted a bit of the backing to the quilt....too many. Have a great day, Barbara!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Love your Winter scence....very pretty. And I have had the same mishap....lol

quiltzyx said...

I really like your snowflake quilting!! But since the mittens were bad & folded the backing up, I won't like them, even if they are cute.

That is the COOLEST board I've seen - too bad I don't have any wall space here....

Now I'm off to get my own copy of the Manifesto!

Denise :) said...

What a fun post! I loved the manifesto ... particularly number one -- life is hard, sewing is easy. Right on! :)

Snoodles said...

I needed this post! I'm glad that I'm not the only one that turns it over and finds that kind of surprise!
Love the stitching "rules" too! Hugs!

Kate said...

The quilting looks great! There should be 4 letter words specifically for sewing mistakes!