Look, Ma, Whirligigs! (Project #2 Completed)

I started this project on 5/17/2011. I imagine four months is a long time to make a 36 block quilt. And I took my time. But, look! It's done!

If you were to go over this little throw (table topper?) with a fine-toothed comb you'd find errors. You might even be able to find the errors from this very picture. This was a learning process. The first thing I wanted to learn was to know if capital-q Quilting was something I wanted to pursue. The whole process. Looking and buying fabric and building a stash? That's the easy part. But I also found out that I liked the methodical process of cutting things out, then sewing things together, and finally building the rows. And ultimately creating things like this little throw.

Let me tell you a little bit about this part of the process: I fixed the little blip of gathered fabric from my previous post. I re-sewed that little bit. Next, I made the binding using Clover's Bias Tape Makers. (This is a miracle tool! Really, if you don't have one, get one.) After I finished machine sewing the binding, I noticed a few mistakes. I ripped some seams out and resewed it. Showing it to Dave, he noticed another section that needed to be re-sewn. Easy to fix. That's where the not-so-perfect comes in: binding cute, just less than perfect.

Somewhere along the way this summer someone asked me, almost with derision in her voice, "Why would you want to quilt?" Okay, there was derision in her voice. I've been thinking about that question and I can answer that:

I want to quilt because I've found I can express myself the most creatively with fabric. I'm not great. I won't write books about it, but I like it. Using a sewing machine inspires me to make more things. And make them pretty.

Here's a picture of the whirligig quilt's back. I find this fabric absolutely yummy.

I'm already thinking about my new project.... fabric I've collected from this shop hop I've been doing. Hopefully it won't take four months to complete -- I'm going small again.

I've been devouring quilt blogs for almost a year now and every blog entry on most blogs has the Folded Quilt Shot ... who am I to stop the tradition?

Advice, por favor.

Last night I quilted my first quilt. I used invisline thread (or some such thread) and had just one little oops.
See that pucker? It's the only glaring visible issue. So, what do I do? Do I rip out the seam and start again? Or is it "good enough"... an imperfection to prove it's homemade?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Whiriligig Quilt Top

A month later (or so) ...




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

130 Mini Quilt Blocks by Susan Briscoe

I found this book at the library this week. It's wonderful.  130 Mini Quilt Blocks : a Collection of Exquisite Patchwork Blocks Using Ready-made Fabric Bundles by Susan Briscoe.  

It's pretty much what the title says it is.  Blocks are organized into sections ( Almost Amish, English Traditions, Thrift Thirties, Retro Revival and others).  Each block has been leveled (from 1 to 3 pins) and indicates if the block is patchwork or appliqued.

Here is the block I'm currently working on: (I wish I could get Blogger to change the direction of these pics.  My file has it the correct way, Blogger switched it up on me.)

You'll note that this block has a skill level of 2 pins. Had I seen this book, I might have looked for an easier project. (Probably not.)

I think this is a wonderful reference book to have on hand. I will be purchasing a copy for myself.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Project #3: Gathered Table Runner

Project #2 is coming along swimmingly. I have my squares completed. The next step has to do with blocks. I have some reading to do. Also, in late July I will be taking a machine quilting class... and I need to learn that to finish this project. So, to keep the momentum going: a table runner.

I saw this tutorial a while ago and haven't forgotten it. Gathering? I can do that. I'll keep you updated.


I picked out this gorgeous combination of blues, greens, and ivory from Hydrangeas by Sue Zipkim. This was our color scheme for our wedding, so I'm partial to it.

Figuring It Out

I'm not so good at math. When I took the GRE for library school, I excelled at the logic portion, but math and spatial reasoning? I'm strictly remedial.

The whirligig pattern calls for cutting the 3x3.5 rectangle at an angle. You might be surprised how long it took me to figure out how to cut 1.5" from the right to 2.5 to the left (I'm writing this without the pattern in front of me.).

My solution? Painters tape on my cutting board with pen marking the spots to place my ruler.


It might not be perfect, but it worked. If you have tips, I would love to read them.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Today's Lesson Learned

It matters when the seams match up. You can see the square on the right has all four sections lined up -- I paid attention to the seams as I was sewing the two sides together.

My First Completed Square

One down, 35 to go.

Thinking for Myself

I started project #2 last night. After practicing the instructions on a piece of paper, I started cutting my layer cake blocks based on what was written on the blog. After cutting about nine blocks, I started thinking that maybe I was cutting too much fabric.

I emailed the creator of my new fancy blogs. It was true, I was cutting way too much fabric. Instead of 3-3 inch strips, she wanted 1-3 inch strip. Now I have to decide if my quilt will have two or three whirligigs of the same fabric, or restart and have different whirligigs.

One of things I've discovered about quilting is that you can do what you want.... it doesn't matter. I haven't met the quilting police, but I've read they exist. I do think that if I set up these blocks in a pattern, it will be okay that the fabric is repeated.

Don't look now, but I think I learned something.

Project #2: Whirligig Baby Quilt

I've decided on my next quilt. The criteria for this quilt is that I have to follow directions.  My first quilting experience was to learn and explore.  Now that I know this is something I like and would like to get better at, my next step, in my opinion, is to follow directions.  There seems to be way too much math involved in this art form for me to wing it.

So.  I've been reading quilting blogs and looked at countless books on the modern quilting movement.  I like the look of the "modern" quilt, although the definition of modern quilting is never completely defined.  I know what I like though.

Fabric.  Why is fabric always the easiest part?  Except that I want to start more than one project at a time.  This, I think, is a common problem.  So, the fabric I'm going to use in project #2 is the Bliss line of Moda products.  It comes in a layer cake and I love it.  I purchased said layer cake along with some coordinating fabrics before I knew what I wanted... except to say that I knew that I wanted the Bliss line of Moda fabrics.  So, I think I did this backwards.  But, see, I learned something.

While looking at blogs I somehow found myself on the When Eight Create blog.  They recently posted the Whirligig Quilt and it looked like the perfect "first" quilt.  It's made with a layer cake: check.  It's smaller so manageable, check.  I just needed some white fabric.  Easy.

So, I've made the decision. In the process, I've bookmarked about six other quilts I think are my style.  And I found another pattern I liked at the fabric store and some stunning fabric I must -- no really -- must have.

Breathe.  And follow directions.  That's it for now.

Oh, I also ran across a pledge to Blog the Process.  Easy.  It's sort of what I've been doing.  But I Took the Process Pledge.