Sunday, February 19, 2012

Quilting...What Was I Thinking???

Quilting is not my favorite way to be creative.  I love quilts and I admire those who make them.  I am just not very engineering or mathematically minded.  So I have always done other sewing and creative endeavors. I certainly have many of the quilting tools as they come in handy for so many crafts.  So this time when my dear friend Donna of Brynwood Needleworks so graciously offered to host a QAL...Quilt Along...I thought long and hard and finally decided to participate.   So I purchased the required book, The Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird.  That was easy enough.
Now for gathering some fabrics.  No, not from my hundreds of choices I already have!  I want something new.  But...what am I making?  A table topper?  No!  If food got on my hard work I would panic.  I couldn't think of anything I needed to make for my home until I remembered the blank kitchen nook wall that has been begging for a painting or ???  So I am now thinking of making a wall hanging for that wall.  How much fabric will I need?  I have no idea.  So off to a fabric store I went while I was in Bakersfield one of my trips.  I fell in love with the bright floral that has a greyish background which will work so well for my beautiful grey wall.  With the help of a very nice sales lady I purchased these fabrics.  In person they are much prettier than this photo I took in my hotel room.  

Here I am in my hotel room with my book and the paper templates I decided to cut out.  The scissors I used are the only ones I had with me.  Tedious for certain but what else did I need to do sitting there on the hotel sofa.  I am in the process of purchasing the template sets that are acrylic which will be much easier to use.
Here are my fabrics all washed and dried and pressed with sizing...not starch...as recommended.  I may use all of these or I may not use some of them and I may acquire others I like.
Another photo of my fabrics.  The large print that coordinates with the floral will be my backing fabric.  This assortment is of greys and yellows which can be found in the floral.  I want this piece to be cheery but understated.
Here is a photo of the floral again with the greens, blues and maroons that work with the floral.  Because I really don't understand the quilting rules of color I will be studying and learning a lot about lights, mediums and darks.
I am grateful for this decision I have made and will continue my path of quilting...at least to see this project through to completion.  I have challenged myself as part of my growth this year.
Thank you Donna for being our knowledgeable and helpful wonderful hostess.
As for our weather...winter is pretty much not here.  The sun is shining and the daffodils are sprouting and life is good.
Now I shall go cut some fabric...one piece at a time.
Have you challenged yourself with a new project?

11 comments:

  1. Well Sherry, I think you are a hero to attempt a quilt!!I'm with you on the "measuring" side of things.I'll be cheering you from the sidelines.

    It's a worry when Winter doesn't come.We had a "drought" for ten years here in Southern Australia. We would watch the skies for rain, but it would blow away.Our cold fronts have slipped further south, so we don't get the colder, wetter weather like we did.

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  2. Good for you! Yes, we'll all be cheering for you! Maybe that's why i don't use patterns and make up as I go! I challenged when it comes to the math 'thing' and my 1/4 inch isn't always a 1/4 inch!!! Best to you!

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  3. Way to go, Sherry! I think when we accept challenges, we grow. And a lot of times, we have fun, too! Wishing you many hours of stitching joy...
    I've started a new challenge-- a "Pebble Adventure" with stitchin fingers. It's fun.

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  4. This will be a good thing, Sherry. If all else fails, just read the instructions. LOL I'm starting my beading so I'll be reading instructions, too.

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  5. Your quilt fabric is fab! I love the one with the strawberry, and other garden items on it. That is gorgeous, and the others look really wonderful too. It is hard to pick out fabric and know how it will look when it is only tiny quilt pieces. The quilt book looks beautiful as well.
    I just made my first quilt top last year, and it was a learning experience for me too. I haven't hand quilted it just yet. I have just purchased a hoop and am going to give it a go. I did love making the top part and I am terrible at math!
    I am excited to see how your quilt comes along! I know it is going to be beautiful because everything you make is!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  6. You have chosen well. I am in love with your floral. The quilt sounds very interesting and having Donna there to help is wonderful. Sounds like fun. I have to finish the ufo quilts in my closet first. ;-)

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  7. Ok Sherry! What a wonderful art form too. I wish I could quilt. I love the fabric selection you picked. I think that would take me about a month to choose. Can't wait to see the creative process. Have fun.
    xxx
    Marlene

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  8. Ah yes, teh big black bottomless pit of quilting - watch out Sherry - you may get hooked!
    I have taught colour classes for years and I think the most important thing to remember is that you don't have to love every fabric you put in to a quilt - it just has to make the ones you do love look better. The willingness to try a fabric that you think is icky will lead to some wonderful surprises and quilts that are beautiful.... have fun.... snip, snip, stitch...

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  9. Your fabric is beautiful, I love the colours you have chosen. I'm looking forward to seeing your first block! Wendy

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  10. I wish you well on your quilting journey. I have been sewing for years but am fairly new to quilting but it has been fun and I have learned so much from other bloggers, including Donna, and from people in the fabric shops. I hope you really enjoy this project.

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  11. Quilting has been something I have wanted to do since before I was married the first time at 19years of age. I do not know how to sew, so that makes it even more difficult. But when I saw the movie Step mom and the beautiful quilt made with pictures I knew that some day I would make one. I am not looking into some sewing classes but unfortunately they are all at night and I am looking for the day time.
    I am sure you will do a great job with your project. All of them come out great.
    Have fun with the small scissors.
    Happy quilting.

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