Sunday, July 10, 2011

A Need and a Special Treat

As many of you know, my husband converted our spare bedroom to a sewing space for me at the end of 2009. It's a small room, after all we have a small house. The room has been more than sufficient for my needs. The one thing I've really wished I've had is a design wall. I've been having some trouble with a fabric choice for my current Jo's Little Women project. So I hammered in a nail, hung a hanger on it and attached a bit of batting creating a makeshift design wall so I could play around. Wow! I can't believe what I've been missing! I sent a quick email to Karen Dianne over at Living Life at LeehHaven about what fabric she uses for her design wall (she has 3 of them). Flannel is now on it's way and a 6x6" design wall will hopefully be part of my sewing space soon!
My makeshift design wall
I decided to cut out 4 fabrics to audition for the center solid blocks. Having this up on the wall all week has helped! I didn't anticipate it, but I'll probably change the setting triangle fabric too. One day it would be nice to feel confident about fabric choices.

I finished the first bonus block of the Anniversaries of the Heart series yesterday at a stitching gathering. This was a quick block - even for me. I stitched most of the border twice. Ugh! Counting is not an over rated skill!
DSC03868
Our sampler guild, The Azalea Sampler Guild, had a special visitor at our last monthly meeting. This link will take you to our visitor's post about the visit. I'll post a couple of my photos later on in the month. Needless to say, it was a very special treat!

Wishing you all a good week and Happy Stitches!

27 comments:

Barb said...

I don't have a design wall but maybe I should make me one....

FlourishingPalms said...

So glad you had this mini design wall so you could mull over this layout. It's going to be a very cute quilt.

I have a sort of portable design wall. It's just a twin-sized flat flannel sheet that's wrapped around a 4' X 8' sheet of pink insulation (like Owens-Corning or Dow brand) and duct-taped on the back! Works really great and doesn't have to be attached to the wall. Leaning works.

Faye said...

I am glad you will be making a design wall...I dont have one, but if I quilted, I would really want one...It amazed me how you quilters know exactly how to put it all together perfectly!

The bonus pattern of AotH is so pretty....I sure am enjoying these designs as well....Will we finish this project in 2011??? Will have to see!!!

Take care my friend and as always, thanks for visiting me and your kind words....Always, Faye

Margaret said...

That's so cool about the design wall! I don't have one either. So what flannel does she use/did you order? Not that I have anywhere to put a design wall. Sigh.... Love the quilt -- and love the AotH finish too!

Mad about Craft said...

The little quilt is going to be very cute!

How are the blocks attched to the flannel - do they just stay put or do you use pins?

Gabi said...

What a fantastic idea. Love it. Do you attach the blocks with pins?
Lovely stitching too.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on finally getting your design wall. Your AotH sampler looks fabulous.

Pat said...

What a CLEVER design wall!!!

Annie said...

Cool idea for the design wall!

Love the BBD sampler... At this point I always assume every border will be stitched at least twice. Then I'm not disappointed if I get it right the first time!

Deborah said...

Love the BBD square. My Cheryl has a design wall and she loves it.

Littlebit said...

Hey Jackie!
I keep threatening to get some flannel and put up a design wall, too. I just don't have the floor space in my green room to lay out quilts, but I do have a couple of nice walls in here that will do.
Your BBD piece is beautiful..why, oh why don't I just start on mine?? I have been drooling over everyone else's since they first came out.

mdgtjulie said...

It sounds like a fun outing. Glad you enjoyed yourself. Glad you are able to make decisions about your quilt by seeing it up on the wall!!

Carol said...

I never heard of a design wall, but I can see how it would be so helpful for you quilters, Jackie! Glad to hear you're getting your own!!

Lovely stitching finish, too--beautiful colors in this bonus block...

valerie said...

Great finish on the bonus pattern! The next one is a doozy. You're almost caught up to me.

Theresa said...

The design wall is such a great idea!!!! It really helps to lay everything out for a while and contemplate over it.

Nice progress on your Anniversaries piece~~ You are a fast stitcher!!!!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

There are certain occasions where a design wall is a must. I can't get "planning permission" from the DH for a permanent one, so I've made a collapsible one from some plumbing parts and a fitting flannel sheet.

Giovanna said...

Congrats on the new AotH block, so pretty!

Anonymous said...

That hanger is a great idea! I usually just put things out on the ironing board if I want to test out colours (usually linen for a stitching project) but this is something I might have to borrow.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I thumb tacked a baby size-ish piece of cotton batting to a small wall I have between my Daughter's room and the garage. It works for small quilts and helps me decide fabric placement for the bigger quilts. I love it and would really miss it if it was gone.

quiltingnana said...

the mini design wall looks so useful

Ivory Spring said...

Jackie,

So nice of you to visit me. I always love meeting a stitcher that quilts too! :)

Love that little quilt on your design wall. And your stitching is yummy too!

Lois said...

I'm looking forward to seeing your design wall grow! Love that little quilt that is now there. Well done on finishing another block on AoTH.

Sally said...

Can't wait to see your design wall grow.

Love your bonus block! I may have to do that one when I've finished Happy Birthday.

Siobhán said...

You are so clever! I love your quilt WIP! Congratulations on finishing the BBD block!

Michele said...

Lovely stitching Jackie :-)

*karendianne. said...

Ohhh I love your sampler. You have so many talents - that is to say - everything you put forth effort in doing comes out very nice. Impressive. …and golly how nice to see that you are having your design wall. By now you should have it in place, ha? Thanks for the shout-out. :)

Kathleen said...

I'm seldom sure about my fabric choices until I start sewing... then I usually love them!