1/20/15

Another Design Opportunity

Creativity abounds in my sewing room these days since I seem determined to keep effing up in ways that are irretrievable...almost. It's probably time for someone to come and remove all the sharp objects from my sewing room.

So here's what happened:

Remember when I did this? Well, probably not because it's finished now. Anyway, a couple of days ago, I traced out this little embroidery motif for Jenny of Elefantz's latest free BOM The Vintage Kitchen. As I said at the time, it's tiny, and so I was able to finish it in just about an hour's time or so.


Cute, huh? I'm a fan of redwork, truth be told.

Well. As long as I had all my crap out, and as long as I knew that one was going to go fast, I decided to make up the next Vintage Tin block while I was at it. Recall that I'm using Sticky Fabri-Solvy to transfer the designs for this project. And I'll just say right here that I'm only using this product on this one project. The embroidery motifs are large and complicated, and I dreaded trying to trace them. I would use this product again in a similar project, but I still think the dreaded tracing with a marker is the best method for transferring embroidery designs. Believe me, I've tried everything I can think of, and I've come to the conclusion for now that tracing is really the best way to go. It's always personal preference, of course. Nevertheless, for a large and complicated motif, this is very convenient.

But to get on with things, I copied the design onto the Sticky Fabri-Solvy, and then stuck it down to my fabric, thus:


I was thinking it was kind of funny that she cut the design off at the little trailer there on the left, but I'm not the artist. What do I know?

Nothing, as it turns out. When I went to put the pattern away, I discovered it continued onto a second sheet. Doh!


I'd say no harm done, except that I'd already marked the little bits of the motif that wouldn't fit on one sheet of Sticky-Fabri-Solvy. Permanent, of course.


"WHAT AN INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CREATIVE!" I shouted enthusiastically, scaring all cats from the room.

Actually, that's not what I said. What I said shouldn't be written down where tender eyes might read it. 

Next, I wondered if the rest of the design would fit on the fabric I had left. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!


Fortunately, the Sticky-Fabri-Solvy could be picked up wholesale and moved to the right, which allowed me to fit the rest of the design onto the left side of the fabric.


But what about those marks?


No problem. I just cleverly (cough) extended the cloud formations a little bit. No harm done.


Unless you count my confidence and my ego. Then, definitely. Harm done. But I am not undone. Onward, I say. I hooped it where the three pieces of Sticky Fabri-Solvy come together, and I'll stitch there first. It tends to shift a little, so stitching is best done sooner, rather than later.


Just to press my luck even further, I decided to go ahead and sandwich Sunrise, Sunset for quilting today. (Did that song get stuck in your head all night last night?)


I'm using a pretty red on the back. I'll stitch all around that black "leading" which will make a pretty design on the back.


When the shouting stopped, Smitty came back to the sewing room and found himself a nice soft bed of fabric. He looks as if he's ready for a nap.


I'm tackling Mt. Laundry today, but otherwise, I'm going to get busy on my quilting. Time's a wastin'.

14 comments:

Marei said...

I heard a lot of shouting and bad words....didn't realize it was coming from you! Never fear -- I'm on my way with a bucket to quickly remove all sharp objects from your living space. I think I'll start in the kitchen as I can't wait to get my hands on your knives. Come to me you beauties!!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think a little 'lively' conversation is necessary some days. That's a lot of stitchin' there my dear. Oh, love the sun piece - wonderful. Have fun playing with it.

Brown Family said...

Good recovery! I saw something on face book about removing permeate marker from all kinds of things, including fabric. I will have to find it and send it to you!

quiltzyx said...

As I posted on FB today - just yell "PLOT TWIST" & move on! LOL Or in this case "DESIGN CHOICE!" I'm glad you forged on & looks like it all worked out to me. About all I did today was get the 20 lbs of chicken legs I bought yesterday packaged into smaller bags & just barely fit them all into the freezer. Oh, and I even got dressed. Sometimes I amaze myself.

Kate said...

Looks like your design choice is going to work out well. Sunrise, Sunset is gorgeous. Looks like you are moving right along on.

Dana Gaffney said...

Nice save! I think your mind is looking for mistakes to make so the creativity will come out, you need to have a little talk with yourself, I'd love to hear that one :)

Diane Wild said...

I've always said, There are no mistakes in quilting, only design opportunities. But, I can relate to your frustration. I thought when you started the post it was going to be about getting the fabric solvy stuck in the printer. Now, wouldn't that be a story? Sew on.

Celtic Thistle said...

You are never phased by these design opportunities Barbara, the mark of a true artist!

Tami C said...

So glad that it worked out for you! Clouds sure have a way of floating around anyway!

Junebug613 said...

I'm glad you were able to "fix" the issue and that it worked out. We've been busy with work and our new "healthy" routine (joined a gym), that I haven't had much time for quilting. I'm planning on rectifying that this weekend. I did take a fun t-shirt quilt class. You're an inspiration in all that you get accomplished!!!

Mrs.Pickles said...

At least you were clever enough to take a second look and found the rest of the design! Looking forward to seeing it done

Michele said...

I'm glad the method worked and can't wait to see it finished.

Vivian said...

Thanks for sharing about the Jenny Elefanz BOM, I hadn't heard about that one. Another thing to add to the Craftsy account! Glad to see that in the battle of Solvy v.s. pattern you won! This will be a great one when finished.

Judy1522 said...

I know your intention is not to give me a good laugh for the day but I laughed out loud while reading your post. Not because I think your mistakes are funny because I know from my own experiences that they are not. You have such a humorous way of writing about it that I can't help but laugh. I am glad you were able to fix the problem and look forward to seeing your finished quilt.