So as promised on Instagram here are some of the mistakes in my quilting...
I am having a hard time learning on the quilting side of this art form, of making quilts!! I am self proclaimed, although I think my friend Kellie would readily agree, a bit of a perfectionist where quilting is concerned. Which I think is a plus on the piecing side of the equation, just not so much on the learning side of quilting!!! I see and hate every little missed curve, the stitch in the ditch that isn't quite in the ditch (with gray thread on black fabric), getting into the grove only to forget where exactly I'm going next.....you get the picture. I know it is crazy, I've only free motion quilted one quilt before this one, and I am expecting my body to be able to do what my eyes have only seen, the first time perfectly!! Not like I am putting any pressure on myself, lol!!
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Oh, well I am learning slowly to let go of the expectations and hope that every quilt shows improvement, so I can feel good about the big picture. For now I will try and take my own advice, and "breath and enjoy the ride"!! Because half the fun of an adventure is getting there!!!
(I have to say in the light of a new day.... the mistakes are still there but I don't seem to mind as much!)
This is what I've been up to:
The Craftsy 2012 is sashed!! Just needs borders!! Still trying to decide what look I want?? I'm thinking of making strip sets of all the fabrics and cutting them at about 3" for the sides and a bit larger top and bottom for the border, if that makes sense? Any ideas or if you agree, please leave a comment below!!!! 
The quilt as you go project is coming together nicely!! I ended up with (64) 5.75" blocks. I have to agree with Kelly over at My Quilt Infactuation, who is using her scraps in a new free form project, my scraps seem to be multiplying not decreeing as I sew too!!.jpg)
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Than I found a tutorial on another new friends blog for composition book covers!! Check out the tutorial over at Jacquelynne Steves, The Art of Home
I shared that I was a part of Round 2 Sweet Pouch exchange and my pouch partner sent the cutest little pattern in with my sweets! I got that made this week too!! Ooh and I forgot to mention and take pictures, my sweet pouch is reversible!!
I totally love the Craftsy 2012 quilt- it's beautiful! and that little reversible pouch- the cutest :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for including the composition book cover tutorial in your post- yours came out great!!
Thanks, Jacquelynne!! Making the book covers was fun and a great distraction from my normal activities!! It's the fun part finally seeing the hard work come to life in a quilt!!
DeleteMy idea about this beautiful, beautiful quilt: border like the sashing and use the strip sets for the binding? But I am sure you find your own beautiful border! Lovely, levely top with beautiful colors. Love to see it finished!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maartje, for your thoughts on the BOM 2012 quilt border! I'll take that into consideration!! Im still not sure!! I'll post pictures when I'm done!!
DeleteYour quilting on string of pearls is fantastic. The quilting add so much amazing texture! I am so proud :-) I hope you don't mind if I share one of the pics on my blog. I want to show some more quilting eye candy :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Christa, stopped by your website, so cool when you run across your work on someone else's blog!! Noticed a typo though, my username is lattegirl40!
DeleteI agree with Christa on the great texture in your string of pearls quilt. I haven't braved FMQ yet, so my hat is off to anyone who is taking the leap and doing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica!! That means a lot!!
DeleteToo funny about the FMQ work we are doing. I am feeling the same way for sure!!! You have answered my question about it being easier on a longarm:) I imagined it was a breeze on those things. When I look up close in the magazines they are not perfect either, so I guess we are okay:) Keep up the good work. Your texture does look great and I don't notice any of those things in your all over shot. By the way...the reversible bag is adorable. love it!
ReplyDeleteYa, we just have to keep trying and not give up!! but I like your idea of doing something everyday instead of with gaps in between till the muscle memory thing kicks in!! a little harder on the large frame, but doable!!
DeleteYa I though the pouch Beverly made for me, was pretty cool too!!
Kudos to you for continuing to quilt despite the mistakes. Your work will get better each day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicole!! It is really encouraging to get pep talks and comments from other quilters who have been where I am now!!! Happy quilting!!
DeleteI like your attitude.
ReplyDeleteWith every project I can tell you what is wrong. But when you learn you make mistakes. But we are our own critics. My friends or family do not even look at my mistakes and do not care about it. So when it is not too bad, I think: I learn from stitching not from ripping out! I love the quilts and your quilting!
Thanks, Maartje!! That is so true, we are the hardest on ourselves!! Maybe because we know what we intended to do, but didn't quite achieve. Still, learning isn't a one time deal, it is continuous!!!
DeleteThanks for all the lovely words of encouragement!! Happy learning!!!
I love the quilting on your quilt and all your projects look great!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Thanks Carol!! I'm starting to relax more with the quilting, and give myself a break on mistakes!! Just part of learning!!
DeleteI love all of these projects you've got going! might have to try out those composition book covers! I understand completely about wanting things to be perfect. I just have to tell myself over and over, something doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!
:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Thanks Kelly!! You are so right!!!!
DeleteI think you're doing a great job with your quilting. Better than me :D I just bought a book on free motion quilting, is there one you'd recommend?
ReplyDeleteI love your string quilt! I made one too, and it didn't make a dent in my scraps. I guess I'll just have to make a few more. Since the edges of the blocks are on the bias, I found it helpful to machine stitch around the outside edges before taking the paper off.
P.S. I moved away from Ontario nearly 40 years ago (Ottawa) and I still miss it.
Hey Kim!! Thanks for the encouraging words!! I finished the quilting and am happy with the outcome!! The back doesn't even look as bad as I thought it was going to!! All part of the learning process!!
DeleteMy string blocks are quilt as you go so I didn't run into any bias issues, but I will keep that in mind if I paper piece any!! I just bought a pile of light weight cotton at Len's Mill and Fabricland (super cheap)for foundation piecing the rest of my scraps. I am determined to use them up!! probably going to do the wonky blocks from Craftsy 2012 BOM, they were fun!!
oh, where did you move to?? My brother lived in Ottawa for awhile, beautiful city!!
Your quilting looks great!! I've had a hard time letting mistakes go too, but I've often realized after I get the quilt finished that I don't see them. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda!! I am starting to see that too!! Thanks for the encouragement!!
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