7/23/15

Ready for Class

Yesterday I was able to finish my chatelaine, and now I'm ready for my August 1st class. Won't I be the classiest quilter on the block with my new tool tote and my red chatelaine?


I ended up using a red and white polka dot on the inside of the neck portion to make up for the fabric that was missing in the kit. (Insert curse words here.) The polka dot is fine. 

By the way, that word, "chatelaine" was a new one on me, and so I looked up the definition. Here's what I found:


Hm..."the mistress of an elegant or fashionable household" certainly describes me. It might actually better describe Gracie, looking the picture of contentment on my lap yesterday.


But to get back to the chatelaine, there are four pockets at the bottom ends. One on each end both inside and out. One of the pockets is sectioned for small items, thus:


At about chest length, there is a padded area that can be used as a pincushion. The same area on the other side is reinforced with interfacing. The pattern suggests cutting a buttonhole there and then purchasing a retracting fob where you can attach small scissors. My scissors already have a lanyard, and so I didn't do that. I'm not sure if that portion has a function beyond holding scissors, but if it does, I'll find it.


So I'm happy with the finished chatelaine, but I was sorely unhappy with the crappy pattern I used to make it. It's tempting to go off with a laundry list of all the things the pattern neglected to mention, but I'll just say this: Designers, please test your patterns before placing them on the market. I purchased this pattern two years ago in a different state; otherwise, I'd be asking for a refund. Harrumph! (That's the clean version of what I'd like to say.)

With that finished, I have just two things left on my July to-do list, and I'm feeling pret-ty spunky about that. I still need to make one more block for Lisa's quilt...this one submitted by Elsie and Chris:


Every time I walk into the sewing room, I look at it, trying to decide on the best approach. It's still taking shape in my mind. It will be some version of applique, reverse applique and embroidery. I'm trying to decide which color should be the background piece. The white is tempting because I'm going to have to embroider the word "Hostess". I'll no doubt do the red "pudding pie" in applique. Those letters are large enough to cut from fusible web. The embroidery will be easier to do if there is only one layer of fabric. I'll still have to embroidery the word "chocolate" through at least two layers of fabric...or I could cut away the white backing there. So, yeah...that's where I'm headed. I'm so glad we talked this through together.

And then the only thing left is to get a start on Vintage Tin. This morning I was looking at the pattern and reading what piecing I'll need to do to sew it into a whole.


That's the image from the pattern. Meg Hawkey designed the fabrics for her pattern. I kind of came into the game late. Now, two years later, I'm really late to the party. Nevertheless, when I started the pattern, somehow I happened across a bundle of fabrics for sale on Etsy that claimed to be some of the last of the Meg's fabrics in captivity. It was a large bundle of fat quarters. I think I might have purchased the backing fabric separately. That's the one on the left in the image below.


In the meantime, I picked up a few more fabrics in my travels (not pictured here because they're in the washer). Those have a black design on a tan background. So, all of that to say that I don't have a good dark fabric for the sashings, and there isn't enough of the backing fabric to cut from there either. I've seen this quilt made up at shows, and I did a search online to see how others had done it. I really think that I'm going to need a dark fabric for the sashings to get enough contrast against the stitcheries.

That said, I searched in a vain attempt to see if I could find any of Meg's original "Inky Stars" to use for the sashings. I could find the inky stars on light backgrounds, but none on a dark background. I ended up choosing something from Fabric.com...this one:


It's a little hard to see, but those are black stars on a charcoal background. That was the best I could do, and I think it will be just fine.

So now I'll have to wait a week or so for that to arrive, but that won't stop me from making the 40 zillion flying geese blocks I'll need to finish off the quilt. There are also a few friendship stars, as you can see. I'll have plenty to keep me busy while I wait for that sashing fabric.

Today I need to make a quick trip to the grocery store, but then I'm going to get at the Vintage Tin quilt and start sewing it together. The flying geese are a little daunting, but my excitement about finishing this long-term project should buoy me through the process.

9 comments:

quiltzyx said...

I knew you'd figure out that chatelaine pattern! Right again!! Looks quite lovely, just as it should for the mistress of the castle.

The black on charcoal fabric will be great as your sashing for Vintage Tin, good call. You'll get into the flying geese groove & have them finished in no time. ;)

Dana Gaffney said...

I think I like the darker sashing better, well done. The vest scarfy thing turned out great, I didn't want to go up to find out how to spell it, :)

crazy quilter said...

I wonder if you have ever seen Quilt in a day flying geese rulers or the technique? I learned this one long ago and have made a cazillion flying geese with this ruler and technique . They turn out perfect every time and it makes 4 at a time ! Especially useful when making many. Use your friend Google to find the Tutorial !

crazy quilter said...

Ps I found several YouTube videos on the flying geese ruler tutorial. Her rulers make multiple size geese and come in 3 different sizes.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

The chatelaine looks lovely for all the curse words - well done. I LOVE to make geese blocks and there are so many ways to make them.

Claire said...

I looked up "chatelaine" too and was surprised at the absence of a definition related to the garment, though I can see the extension from holding all the keys to holding all the tools. Those dictionaries had better catch up with the people.

It must feel good to have the embroidery finished and be thinking about the piecing!

Natureluvr57 said...

Love your Vintage Tin embroideries. I started the Crabapple Hill "Over the River" one. I only work on it in the winter and it took me one winter each to complete each of the embroidery panels. I'm making mine in all blue/white instead of the black/brown. I too used Quilt In A Day flying geese for my border units. I made one the pattern way and found which template fit first. I have her individual templates-she recently came out with Calling all Geese (all sizes in one template) but it looks more confusing. They make 4 geese at one time. I made more than I need so I will use the rest on the backing. I love the black stars on dark backround

liniecat said...

Just the other day as I stuck another pin in my tea shirt at breast height, it crossed my mind that I should devise a pin cushion to have at my breast, because I so easily forget the pins and needles are there! I have before now stabbed myself as I have undressed and even slept with a needle in my night dress! How I stayed in one place overnight for it to have staye din place, I will never know! A chatelaine is a very clever idea if only for the pin cushion bit!

Kate said...

Very cool Chatelaine! You've done really well this month with all your quilting goals. Good luck with the fair entries, I'm sure you are going to do well this year.