Good morning, my friends. It was good to get back to my sewing yesterday, even if I was determined to do most everything wrong. The only thing I was able to do right yesterday was to stitch my way across the “[L]ove" portion of my embroidery piece.
From there, I had to decide whether I wanted to move to the left or else down. I opted for down since I can continue stitching the border all the way around. It hardly matters, but it made more sense in the moment to continue around clockwise rather than back and forth.
Next, I was ready to square up and sew the binding on Ruth’s Legacy. When I cut binding strips, I probably do it like most people. First I figure out the total distance around the perimeter of the quilt, and then I add 20 inches for good measure. I’ve never had a binding come up short until yesterday. What? How is that possible?
Okay, well I suppose there’s a first time for everything. There was plenty of that same fabric to cut another strip and sew it on. So, I did that, and then headed back to the sewing machine where I noticed this as I sat down. Doh!
Oh well…I just continued on with the strip in my hand. I put the strip from the floor back with the remaining yardage. I’ll use it another time. Now the binding is ready for hand-sewing.
From there, I turned my attention to the project I’m calling “Butterfly Garden.” As I’ve mentioned, I’m working from a photograph I found somewhere at some point in time. As it so happens, this is the
"Arcade" pattern from Fabric Cafe. I'll be doing mine differently from theirs. My blocks will be larger, and I'll be doing five blocks across and six down. Here’s the photo I’m working from.
Some time ago, I figured out measurements for the various pieces in the blocks. Now, I needed to be certain I had enough of all the fabrics I’d selected.
Sadie helped me figure this out.
As it turns out, I have plenty of fabric, except for the black. Since I keep black on hand all the time, ordering more was an easy decision. As for the rest, I’ll probably have enough to make another quilt at some point in time.
Well, you might know all that thinking and adding and measuring nearly broke our brains. Sadie was so ‘zhausted, she curled up for a nap when we were finished with that part.
From there, it made sense to try making at least one of each of the two blocks in the quilt. This first “
+” was pretty easy. It ended up at the 9-1/2 inches I was expecting.
Then, I moved on to the second block, only…somehow I had my thinking all wrong on this. I probably added the middle section to the strips on the left side and came up with the 9-1/2 inch measurement. But that completely ignores the strips on the right side. Duh. So, the block actually ends up at 13 inches (unfinished).
And, ya’ know? That ain’t workin’.
It was easy enough to refigure it and bring the block on the left up to size.
I’m just sorry I cut those pieces too small and generated an orphan block. I suppose I’ll use it at some point in time…maybe on the quilt back somehow. For now, it’ll just go into the project box and I’ll be able to figure a way to put it to work.
Okay, so those are the two blocks I’ll be making for this quilt. There will be 15 of each. I’ve decided to make two of the block on the left and one of the block on the right to finish up the first row. And that’s probably how I’ll fit this project into my workflow…one row per go-round until I have six rows. I’ll finish it off with a couple of borders when it gets that far.
Today is a floor-mopping day, and the floor really needs it. It’s kind of a sticky mess after the canning I did over the weekend. Also, I have in mind to do a baking project. It was one summoned up to use all the frozen egg whites I was hoarding. I ran out of egg whites before I ran out of ways to use them, but I still want to try this recipe for “Granola Cups.” If they’re good, I’ll link to the recipe in tomorrow’s post.
As for sewing, I’ll get to work had-sewing the binding for Ruth’s Legacy. In the sewing room, I’ll finish the first row of blocks for the Butterfly Garden. If there’s still time left in the day, I’ll make another row of blocks for the Jawbreakers project.
That’s an ambitious day I’ve laid out for myself. Let’s just see if I can fit it all in. What’s keeping you busy today?
2 comments:
I was binding yesterday too. I had three to do, one small and two a bit larger in the same color. I do the math similar to you, add up the total sides and then I divide it by 40 to get the number of wof strips. There is always a bit left, but not much. I started with the small one and for the second time ever I had exactly enough. The second two went well enough and I ended with one and a half strips extra for the scrap bin. I have had fabric "misplacement" issues just like your lost binding piece. Sometimes it falls behind the ironing board or under my chair, I think I need a feline sewing room inspector.
I like the colors of the new quilt. Math can be hard! When you posted the photo a few days ago, I thought “Those large-print squares look like they’re the same size in both blocks. Maybe they’re charm square size.”
My day will be fun - I’m going to the monthly neighborhood knitting group this afternoon. That always recharges my mental batteries. My house is too quiet these days. Dot in NC
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