4/9/17

A Finish on the Horizon

Yesterday was an all-sewing-all-the-time kind of day. My left wrist was screaming by dinner time, and I ended up immobilizing it overnight to give it a rest. The culprit was nesting the seams for hundreds of two patches yesterday and the day before.

When I went into the sewing room, I had the blocks laid out for the pavers toward the bottom of the Quiltmaker's Garden, and so I started by sewing them together.


And then, I just continued across the bottom of the quilt,


sewing together the next section,


and then laying it beside the one that came before.


Some of them were just partials of the roses I made so many months ago.


They'll be sewed to the sections above to make a complete rose.


Eventually, the whole bottom section was complete.


And then I continued sewing together the pieces for the sections that are above the pavers until I had all the pieces sewn together and I could start sewing the larger sections to one another.


It was tempting to just keep going, but it was late in the day by that time.


The kitties had been completely blasé about the whole thing. I got rid of my design wall some time ago since I rarely used it. The floor really works better for me...and for the kitties.


As I surveyed the day's work, Sadie joined me to have a look.

Oh, Mommy. By all appurrances, we've been failing to do our jobs propurrly. This is way too meowticulous.


Smitty, you need to come down here and join me to purrduce a plan of attack.


Here I come, Sadie! What's the purroblem? How can I purrticipate in this purrcipitation of design meowdification?


Sadie, have you noticed how I've been increasing my furrcabulary words? Catonese is an evolving language, you know. One of these days, I'm hoping to purduce a book of purretry and profurrbs.

I left them at that point. There was dinner to be made and an evening in which to laze around When I went downstairs this morning, the carnage was evident before I could even get into the sewing room.


Wait, Mommy! Don't come in yet. We're not furnished.


Sadie, do you think we've repurrsitioned it enough?


It's hard to believe that something so precious could create so much mayhem, isn't it?


Lest you think that machine stitching is the only stitching I'm doing, just lay those fears to rest. The latest block for the Wine Country quilt is well underway.


Another couple of days, and I'll have this one finished too.

Today I'm determined to get the sections for the Quiltmaker's Garden sewn together. There's still a vine to applique on, although I'm very tempted to leave it off. Here's the picture from the pattern:


You can see it there on the right-middle. I have the bias-cut piece for the vine already, but I'll still need to make the leaves and top-stitch everything down. I'm not sure it really adds anything important to the quilt, and I like it just as it is. On the other hand, there's a part of me that will always know I didn't really finish it, and it might bother me down the road...or not. Who's to say? I'll just finish it up and see how I feel about it when all the pieces are sewn together. 

19 comments:

Dorothy said...

I like it without the vine. In the pattern picture, it looks like it was just "plopped" on with no rhyme or reason---as in, it doesn't look like it's growing from any of the flowers/plants. But your quilt, you know :-). You'll be enjoying a real glass of merlot when this is done I bet :-)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

The vine does balance out the piece, but would be just as nice without it. Your call my dear.

Annette Mandel said...

Such naughty helpers! I miss your posts on bread making. A78mandel at yahoo dotcom

quiltzyx said...

I agree with Dorothy - that vine doesn't seem to be attached to anything already there. Perhaps the wind blew it in? I would be happy without it.
Smitty & Sadie had a field day (night?) with the quilt, didn't they. Oh boy!

The wine block looks great! How many strands are you using on that one? It looks thicker than your other embroideries.

Sally Trude said...

I agree with Smitty and Sadie. I might add a few more lumps to tunnel under, but otherwise their design shows improved dynamism.

Respectfully,

Molly

Cathy Smith said...

LOVED the action shot of the Flying Smitty! Such a good lad! All he wants to do is help his mommy (if you can call that help!).

gpc said...

I know you must be proud that the kitties involve themselves in design decisions. And for sure, their vocatulary is growing by leaps and bounds. I tend to agree with the other comments about the vine, not that I am an expert, but think I would like it more if it appeared to be tucked behind the pillar, as if it did, in fact, have a pot or patch somewhere out of sight. And the merlot -- love the block, and like the wine. Very much.

Lana said...

Wow the garden quilt is coming together beautifully. You have such patience, stamina, and perseverance. And your supurrvisors are so helpful. Lol. Hey Smitty, love the butt shot!😻😸

WoolenSails said...

That is coming along so beautifully and it looks beautiful with what you have together, so far.

Debbie

Sandra W said...

I think it's going to be a beautiful quilt. I like the vine and hope you will add it. I think it adds a valuable design feature because it is asymmetrical and seems to float a bit above the background giving the quilt a bit whimsy.
You could always cut the pieces out and place them on the quilt for the final decision.

Dana Gaffney said...

Mayhem and chaos are part of the fun of having furkids, it keeps life interesting around here :)
I kind of like the vine, it adds a softness to the quilt with it's curves although moving it a touch so it's not just floating there would be good.

Debbie said...

Yes, the kitty mayhem is evident. And I do enjoy their antics. But I am more impressed with how you have persevered and almost gotten this tough one finished! Great job!

Vicki in MN said...

Oh dear I hope they didn't harm any of your hard work. But I enjoyed your storytelling!

piecefulwendy said...

Well, I love the spin that the kitties put on your quilt. However, I think your layout is still better. ;-) I don't know if I'd do the vine either, but I know what you mean about feeling like you'd never finished. Maybe that will pass; it does sometimes for me. It's going to be a lovely quilt, vine or no.

Dar said...

I love the way this is coming together. Hopefully Smitty will agree. Your middle name must be Job. I loved my furr babies when we had them, but I'm not sure I could be so patient to have them rearrange my design floor every time I got it all put back together. It would make me sew faster to get it done, though! lol

heartsease54 said...

I just had to laugh at the carnage in the sewing room, Sadie and Smitty did such a good job!

Kate said...

Sadie and Smitty really did a number on your quilt layout. Hopefully it wasn't too hard to get back into order. You've been moving along with all of your projects. Hope you got it all together today.

Brown Family said...

Sadie and Smitty, you did an excellent job! I am not sure that I would put the vine on it either. It will be beautiful either way!

Lyndsey said...

Carnage in someone else's sewing room is amusing but not sure How I'd feel if Picasso and Scamp did quite such a thorough job but I know I'd forgive them...eventually.