12/2/19

Sandwiches for Four

It was a full day yesterday setting up the sawhorse tables and sandwiching four quilts for quilting. This is my least favorite part of the process. Everyone has their own favorite way, I suppose. Mine happens to be setting up sawhorse and plywood tables in our garage, and then spray basting. It took the entire afternoon, but I now have four more quilts for quilting. Starting with the largest first, Semper Fi is ready, and I'll start on that today.


It's a monster quilt...the largest I've ever quilted myself. I'm looking forward to having it finished, but not looking forward to the time between now and then, if that makes any sense. When I flipped it over to smooth out the back, I took this picture. It was really my first opportunity to see the quilt back spread out all the way.


After that, I moved on to the next largest, the Sundress quilt. This one is way down the line for its turn at quilting.


Then Mulligan Stew. I'll take this one along for big stitch hand quilting when we head for warmer climes.


Finally, the newest kid on the block, Hearts A-Plenty. And this one will have a long wait for its turn at quilting too.


It was a full day, and I'm glad to have it done. If I'm going to finish 20 quilts in 2020, I'll need a lot of sandwiches.

It was a pretty morning. I love the layers of mountains. You can see Mt. Adams on the right side of the image. We worry those trees are going to grow up and block our view eventually. We can top some of them, but many are down the hill and not within our control.


Smitty enjoyed the morning, gazing at his handsome reflection in the window.


You might be the king of the pole, Smitty, but I'm still the prettiest princess in the house.


Even though I got an early start to my day, I've spent the last hour or so searching out supplies for a new embroidery project. And then, after having done all that, I decided to bag the whole effort when the total amount ended up being quite a bit more than I wanted to spend. Mary Corbett published her "Snowflakes" eBook yesterday, and I was all over that. The supplies were hard to come by, and I ended up with 6 tabs open with items in various shopping carts before deciding to go in a different direction with mine. And besides...it's not as if I don't already have enough projects on my plate. This one can wait until next winter. Just having the eBook in my Dropbox makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. For now, that's enough.

There's one housekeeping chore on the agenda for today, and then I'll get going on Semper Fi. Right now, even starting feels like a monumental effort. Hopefully, it will feel less intimidating as I get going on it. I'm aiming to have it finished by mid-month. Wish me luck and cross your fingers for no tension headaches.

8 comments:

Lyndsey said...

All four quilts look so good.The Semper Fi looks even more enormous laid out to be sandwiched. Remember to pace yourself and take rests and it should all go smoothly. You don't want to cause tension headaches, back,neck or shoulder pain before your trip. I know it will look amazing when the quilting is all done so good luck. Meanwhile your kitties look so snug and cuddly. Picasso doesn't understand the weather. He asks to go out the back door but is soon back because it's so cold and then he tries the front as it may be warmer. I wish he'd just curl up and sleep.

Julierose said...

Semper Fi is H U G E !! I do wish you luck --it may just go more easily than you think--perhaps just the size is intimidating? You have some lovely quilts in line there.

We lived in the Berkshires when first married and I do miss looking at the mountains every day; now we are at sea level...so different views...but also lovely ...hugs, Julierose

Katie said...

Semper Fi does look daunting, but just like eating an elephant, one bite at a time and you'll be done before you know it. Make sure to take lots of breaks to snuggle the kitties (I hear they are great stress relievers, but mine seem to be better at shredding paper and stealing food *ahem Finn*) so you don't get those stress headaches. And I'm curious to know how the spray basting will hold up to the amount of handling needed for hand-quilting. My experience on smaller pieces has not left me feeling confident, but perhaps my el-cheapo spray is part of the problem? Regardless, that quilt is great and is on my maybe-bucket list!

Brown Family said...

Semper Fi is big. I know you will get tired of quilting it before it is finished

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Semper Fi might be big, but I see potential for some large,easy quilt motifs in those borders. You will do just fine. Now that 20 in 2020 sounds like a good challenge (not that I'm interested, but probably have the 20 and plus).

SJSM said...

You are good at reaching goals as you put a plan together. Semper Fi will just be a series of plans as you process through the quilt. You can even give yourself bonus points as you complete the plans! Bonus points could turn into a massage for those achy shoulders or another pampering session to relieve stress. Jacuzzi? A soaking bat? Or a walk? Whatever makes you say, "Ahhhh"

I’m thinking on your 20 for 2020. Not sure what idea will percolate but it is a clever way to set goals for the new year.

piecefulwendy said...

You are doing really well on your approach to 2020. I truly do hope Semper Fi continues to be a fun quilt project for you, and that the quilting goes smoothly. I need to follow your lead and baste more than one quilt at a time. Such a good idea.

Louise said...

I've had no luck spray basting quilts then holding them for more than a week. What spray do you use? Do you have special way to store them so the stickum doesn't unstick? Maybe I just woman-handled mine too much? I can't blame Angel Kitty because she has no interest in unfinished quilts (I think she might not actually be a cat!)