March 19, 2013

• Truce

  I already had February's Quilt done and posted when I decided to pull out an UFO  (unfinished object) from my stash and see what I could do.

  I started this quilt back in 1998 or '9 right after I bought my new Bernina 1008 sewing machine.  (I found the pattern for this quilt at the ClothesLine in Dayton, VA at the same time I got the machine.)  Well, I didn't realize that on a Bernina the edge of the presser foot wasn't 1/4" and also this pattern called for cutting strips and sewing them on and cutting them later.

  I chose the fabric, and cut the diamonds to make the stars and followed the instructions, blithely thinking all was well.  Unfortunately, after making all the star points I was devastated to find that they would not lie flat nor were they all the same size!  How awful!  Talk about discouragement.....so I just gathered it all together and stuffed them in a box and thought I'd deal with it later.  I had a new baby to occupy my time anyway.

  Several years later, I got it out, and began the tedious task of seam ripping.  I had decided that the original background fabric was too thin and so cut new diamonds. Then I got tired of it and back it went into the box.

  A couple of years ago, Kendra Lily told me that if I ever finished that quilt that she'd love to have it.  I promised her that if I ever finished it that she could have it but that wasn't a strong enough incentive to get at it again.

  But this time I decided to conquer this thing once and for all.  Remember when I felt so victorious a month ago?  That was the high that pushed me over the edge.  Anyway, I had some determination that I WAS GOING TO DO IT!!!

  Out it came again and I doggedly plunged in.

  I saw that by juggling the pattern a little I would still be able to use the original fabric.  Apparently, I had pulled too hard on the strips so the pieces were too short to work in the order the pattern called for.  So, I eliminated the first color that was to be on it, (burgandy) and started with the blue instead.  By choosing a lighter pink, it all worked out ok.  I did have to piece some of the stripes though.  I couldn't get any more fabric like it and I didn't feel like wasting what I already had done and also figured that it wouldn't hurt it much.  Most of the piecing isn't even noticeable anyway.

  It still didn't want to co-operated but I kept on until I was done.  I think that I am not a conqueror but feel more like we made a truce.  It will not be a masterpiece as it still buckles and bulges but I think quilting it will do wonders for it.  As for me, I am glad the battle is over.  Kendra Lily is more than welcome to it.Log Cabin Multi-fan Star

  Then I pulled out another UFO... An Double Irish Chain that I had started and had to rip out.  I do not remember what was wrong but for some odd reason not all the pieces were with it and I couldn't find any more fabric so I just made it as big as I could and it is now a crib quilt.  I was planning to embroider teddy bears on the center of the empty blocks but unfortunately the timing belt on my embroidery machine didn't get tightened when I had it to be serviced.  I tried to use it and ruined the machine.    So, now I am not sure what I'll do with this quilt.  I think it needs something yet.  But here it is:

  

  Until next time.  I am working on a new quilt top but I am finding that it is very time consuming.  But, "Little by little, inch by inch"  its coming along.  I just hope that I will be done before the month is out.    ~Kim~

  • 11:14 am
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