Sunday, April 26, 2009

Quilting is a Labour of Love

I can't believe that the photo I'm about to post represents about five hours of work. I'm not sure if I'm just slow or if this is really how long it takes to cut and measure pieces for a quilt that has a pattern. Insane.

So my strippy baby quilt will be 20 2.5 inch rows, abot 50 inches long (minus seam allowances, so actually a fair bit smaller than that). I'm pretty happy with how I've laid it out, but I'm not going to show the top until it's done. So for now, all you get is a pic of what looks like very messy pinned fabric.

The class only had two students, and the woman teaching it seems really experienced and supportive. I learned some useful tips about measuring and cutting, and we had time to cut enough strips for six rows, lay them out, and label them. Homework was to finish up with this step, and if time allowed, square off all the ends of the pieces as well. The teacher felt bad asking me to do this, once I told her I had two children under three at home, but I will get a gold star for effort as I finished up last night. Late, but before bed, and before I put together the baked french toast for today's brunch we hosted.

Next week we'll sew the pieces together . . 2 hours of uninterrupted sewing time. Can't wait!

Hope you're all having a good weekend. It was 27C here yesterday which felt odd. Only 10C today, and expected to shoot back up to 30C tomorrow before dropping back down. All of these ups and downs are hard to handle!

- Donna

5 comments:

Helen said...

You are a model student! Completing your homework despite all your other activities and responsibilities.

I know you are having fun...otherwise you wouldn't be working so hard to get everything all ready for your next class.

I'm eager to see your finished top when the time comes.

Hugs

Zonnah said...

Can't wait to see the top!

Christina Lane | The Sometimes Crafter said...

Such a lovely blog. I've enjoyed reading it this morning. I wanted to respond to Donna's comments on my blog, but don't have a reply email. :) In reference to your question about the "monthly block party" it's a sampler quilt I've put together for my girlfriends and I to make. We meet every month to sew our next block and I post the how-to on my blog in the next day or so. If you click on "Sampler Quilt 2009" in my labels you'll see all the posts.

Amy said...

I think it's like everything else - practice practice practice. You were just learning and probably taking extra care (never a bad idea). It's not a speedy craft but I do think you'll get faster as you gain confidence.

Happy to have discovered your lovely blog. I'll be back!

Sara said...

Looking good, Donna! What a tease not being able to see until it's finished!!