My plan is to get some sewing done this Golden Week while Tetsu is working and I wanted to add another New York Beauty block to the design wall. This project is my own Block of the Month goal this year but for an awful lot of work I realized that at the end of the year I'm only going to have four squares completed.
I am getting these patterns from Ula Lenz's website and just checking them off one at a time. I thought I was up to the challenge of these but let me tell you, I'm having a bit of trouble sewing the curves on the sewing machine. Especially the tighter curves. My last block, the one at the upper left-hand corner was going along fine until I came to the layers of curves and then it has become slightly warped. I thought I was going to be better at this than I really am... Either my sewing technique will improve the more blocks I make or the blocks will become more warped as I venture into some of the more complicated patterns...
I also want to start quilting Colin's quilt which I finally got basted last week. I have made this quilt before and liked the quilting I'd done then so I went back and looked at the photos of the previous quilt and I think I can do something similar. Of course all those points are going to be stitched-in-the-ditch, but I am also planning to put some feathers in the white spaces.
I have seen how some quilters will plan their quilting patterns using computer programs or apps on their iPads, but I can't figure out how to do that. I have a feeling I'd need to go buy a stylus for whatever app that may be... but anyway, I have figured out how to audition different quilting patterns the old fashioned way... Using a piece of glass and an erasable white board pen!
My piece of glass is from an old cupboard that we threw out but I had the presence of mind to save one of the glass panels. I lay the panel over the quilt and then trace over the stitch-in-the-ditch lines and then draw in the feathers starting with the spine part first and then adding feathers to one side, going back along the spine and then adding feathers on the other side.
It is easier to do with pen and a glass panel, that's for sure! What with turning the quilt and getting from side to side on the sewing machine, this is going to be a challenge but anyway... this is my plan! I have the variegated green thread that I want to use and I am ready to start! Today at least I will attempt stitching-in-the ditch!
The quilting for Colin's quilt is perfect. I like how you use the glass to preview the pattern. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great plan and I'm sure you can pull it off.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt pattern preview process is a great idea. No electronics required and you know exactly how it will look on the actual quilt.
ReplyDeleteThose feathers look lovely, what a good way to design them. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to know how your mother is, too.
ReplyDeleteThe glass is a great idea! However, I would feel a lot better for you if you would cover the edges of the glass with some duct tape or masking tape. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat plan, Tanya, to audition your quilting on glass; it looks very nice, made for that space! Good luck executing that plan... the green variegated thread will be amazing. I, too, love New York Beauty blocks but so far I haven't been as courageous as you, I love yours.
ReplyDeleteI just made a quilt that had gathered centers in each square, so I think your unintentionally gathered NY Beauty block is wonderful! It adds a 3-D "starburst" design to the block and a nice texture. I would make more that way on purpose, if you can remember how you did it. Maybe start with a wider triangle and gather it in first before adding it to the arc? Really - this does not have to be a mistake. This could be a unique new design element!
ReplyDeleteI like your quilting plans for the quilt. I think it will add wonderful texture while not be too 'girly' Colin. Great guy quilt.
ReplyDeleteI think the glass and marker idea is brilliant! For me it would be more help with the scale than doing it on a computer or tablet.
ReplyDeleteSandy in the UK
On your New York Beauty, you can always applique the circle to the outer piece.
ReplyDeleteYour New York Beauty blocks look terrific. I am planning on adding one to the circle quilt. The last time I did circles for that quilt, I let the gathers form intentionally - it is part of the plan, so not a problem. I love the idea of using the glass for seeing the quilting. And drawing the design gives your hand some practice before having to do it by machine.
ReplyDeleteI am not certain this will work but trying giving your New York Beauty block pieces a stiff starching prior to sewing them together. Lots of starch! lol See how that turns out. Your block is lovely! Feathers on Collin's quilt will be a terrific touch.
ReplyDeleteAs far as your iPhone goes. Don't fret over "how" things work or get where they do.......just learn how to get the "outcome" you want and everything will be easier. Because to learn how things works is waayyyyy overthinking the whole thing. I did read your question on one of your posts that you wonder why you have to sign in all over again on each device that you are using. That is because as you go from one device to another for security reasons each device much ask you to authenticate your sign in. I hope that helps a little. In a few short months you will be a wiz at using your iPhone and wonder why you every fussed about it. ;) Good luck!
Even when you sew things by hand, they do not always lie quietly. I'd say, "forget it", fabric is forgiving and in the end, it will all work out.
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