Winding Ways

I have been planning a Winding Ways quilt for months, but I kept putting it on the back burner because I'm a big chicken. It looked hard. It would probably take time and care. I might get frustrated.

This magazine cover is the inspiration, and great instructions can be found inside.  I may have read the directions a zillion times prior to cutting any fabric... again, I am a chicken! 

Wow, I let myself get bogged down in negativity. But I decided that in order to succeed, I would at least need to try. I'm so glad that I tried. Yes, it's hard. Yes, I need to work slowly and carefully. The blocks aren't perfect, but they are lovely and so darn satisfying!


I'm using my Accuquilt Go! Cutter and Aurifil thread. Before cutting, I sprayed my fabric with Best Press.  I have big plans and great tools, but the key to this project is definitely my newly found positive attitude.  I CAN make this quilt.

A big finish.

Borders are on and backing fabric is in the wash. On Monday, I'll ship this off to Jan the Quilter so she can make it snuggly.

Time to get started on my next quilt top. I'm going to work in blue and white. And curves. Wish me luck!

Progress!

I have half of the top of my current quilt assembled. I have to say, it's a well designed pattern, so the pieces fall together nicely.

I found perfect border fabrics. The momentum builds!! I'll have this ready to send to Jan the Quilter this weekend.

Inspiration

I have a Facebook friend who is incredibly encouraging.  His art is bright and engaging.  I'd like to encourage others to check it out.  Stucky Art is worth a look!  

And in the spirit of encouraging others, I'm challenging readers to leave positive comments on blogs or Facebook pages.  Kind words can mean so much to a creative spirit.

And in Stucky's honor, I am working with very colorful fabrics tonight.  They are a little more intense than my more traditional piecing, which usually has a white or cream background.  I think it's important (and fun!!) to shake up my style every now and then.

Ok, now that I see a photo of these blocks, I know that I want to add some more intense colors.  So I am headed to the closet for more reds, purples and blacks.


Happy sewing!  

Tedium

I love completing quilt tops. But I don't love the tedium of assembling blocks in to rows and pinning rows together. I adore rotary cutting and all of the possibilities of a new project. I'm so proud when I finish binding a quilt. But today, I'm doing the part that makes me whine.

What's your favorite part of the process?

A good start

I love how this quilt is coming together. But now that I have laid it out, I know I want it to be bigger.

This is something that happens a lot in my sewing room. If I like it, you know I'm going to expand it!

Sam's IU quilt

Sam asked for a quilt for his dorm at Indiana University.  I am so glad he asked long before he goes in August.  I am a quick piecer, but binding is another story!  I asked him to look for a pattern that he liked and he chose "Number 18" from Kim Brackett's book Scrap Basket Beauties.  I love this book so much, just like I love her previous scrap basket books.  Great patterns and clear directions - every pattern I have tried has been a winner.

If you want to try these books, I would suggest "The Angler" for making the small triangles.  It's so easy to use and makes all of those tiny little points happen.













I have enough blocks to lay out the quilt, but I think I'll make some more for an extra long quilt - the boy is tall.  He bought me some yardage of Kona cardinal at Christmastime.  I plan to use it for the backing.  I hope to post progress pictures soon!

New Orleans

Not much sewing lately, because we had the chance to go to New Orleans.  Oh, the food, the art, the music and the sunshine!!  I have returned feeling satisfied and inspired.

And when I returned I found little quilt seeds strewn all over the sewing room counter.  I left a mess in there! I'm making two scrap quilts inspired by Sunday Morning Quilts.  I'm pulling strings and scraps from my closet, and realizing just how little fabric is needed for a quilt.  So, back to my regularly scheduled obsessive quilt making!