...not much to show for it! My friend Teresa and I are going to the Old Green Cupboard Retreat next weekend and I thought I'd finish cutting out an entire quilt. I took a free class for it a couple of weeks ago. Cutting is SO not my favorite thing so I generally cut a little bit and then sew a little bit. I was also inspired by Teresa (another Teresa, one I don't know in real life) and her very organized log cabin project box that she posted about on her blog Fabric Therapy. So this was a bit new for me. And boy, did it take a LONG time! I spent almost all day yesterday cutting fabric. I cut everything but some of the 1.5' sashing and the border. I had so much fun I almost don't want to sew the thing together.
I even separated my pieces by color! One of the good things that came out of this was the recognition that there is a lot more of the green in this jelly roll than I thought. I'll make an effort to use some of it in each block so I won't get stuck with using a lot of green in each block at the end. This quilt uses almost every strip of the jelly roll so there won't isn't a lot left over.
I even drew the lines for the triangles on the backs of 192 squares.
Not. Fun.
Though I'm sure I'll be very happy about it later!
Threw in my pattern, the extra background fabric, and my test blocks and I'm ready to go!
I'm curious, is this how most of you start a quilt? Cutting everything out?
Something I generally do all the time is label my fabric. I know me and my memory. I'll have no clue what I planned later on. I just don't finish quilts fast enough to remember.
I need to add "Border 2" to the red polka dot fabric.
Today was Greg's birthday so I started the day making him breakfast and then making sure he didn't do anything all day. It was hard. Then I went looking for a chart and absolutely tore up my sewing room doing so. It's still in bad shape but I found the chart and 7 out of the 8 monthly BOM packages. I hope I can find the last one. I also started pulling things for retreat and hope to have my quilting, knitting and stitching packed up by Tuesday night.
So a busy weekend with out anything to show for it. But I'm sure I'll be grateful for all the time spent prepping when next weekend comes along. So what did you do this weekend?
Posts
25 comments:
I hate cutting for a quilt!!!! Hate hate! It's like this huge hurdle for me -- always. Love your fabbies though, and your first block too. I think getting the prep work out of the way is a great idea!
Wow! That is a LOT of fabric. Have fun.
Lovely fabric choices. It's been awhile since I've cut out fabric for a quilt. I usually don't cut it all at once. I prefer to cut some and sew some. Much easier on my back.
Wonderful fabrics. Love it how your test block turned out.
I never made a quilt, so I can't answer your question here. I flirt with the idea every now and then, but then don't do it. :(
I love the fabrics you're using, and the pattern looks great. You say you didn't have anything to show at the end of a busy weekend, but you did. You've done the worst part of making a quilt. Just think how fast you'll zip through the blocks next week.
In answer to your question, I'm not going to be much help really cos sometimes I cut everything (usually if I'm not sure I've got enough of something) and sometimes I do it as I go.
I am like you cutting is not among my favorite things to do,much rather see it coming together on the machine. Have a great time at the retreat!. Hugs, Marie
I'm an anomaly it seems. I love cutting fabric. It's such an exciting part of the process because I havent made any mistakes yet! And yes I cut the whole lot at once and then sew like a demon.
Enjoy the quilt retreat.
Cutting makes me nervous so I tend to cut most of what I need at one time while I can concentrate on just that. Love those fabrics and that block. Beautiful! I was just thinking last night how I need to make a quilt for Christmas time. What fabric line is that?
At least you got all that cutting out of the way. And the fabrics are beautiful.
Do you have any trouble getting the seaming exact when some of the edges are pinked?
I love your fabrics! Now that all the cutting is finished you can have some fun with it!
Wow, that was a whole lot of cutting. I have never made a big quilt, only bags so far. So I can't really say if I like the cutting or not. Ask me again when I'm in making my first big quilt, lol.
I'm one of those few people that does like cutting out a quilt - a lot. Call me crazy! LOL But unless it's a BOM, I cut out everything at once most of the time. I tend to get on a roll when I sew (when I have time) and having to stop to cut out more fabric can bring the whole production to a halt.
I do label my fabrics like you do too. One of the quilts that I'm working on is done in sections - that one I'm actually cutting out as I get to the sections. If I didn't have labels on them as to what they were I would be absolutely lost - given that sometimes I start a project and then don't finish it for 6 months later.
Love your fabric you've chosen for the quilt. It's going to be wonderful.
I do cut all my fabrics before piecing. It is the most tedious part!!!!! Not fun!!! But it has to be done......
Love your fabrics!!!! The colors are so beautiful~~~~~
I don't like cutting either but the more you can do up front, makes the sewing go together so much more quickly. You'll have this project done alot quicker since your cutting is done this way. I label my stuff too, especially pieces that are real close to the same size. A little bit of organization just makes everything go easier. I hope you have fun at your retreat!
Vraiment magnifique tout ces tissus !
amitiés
Ooo, I really like the fabric in this one. I'm a green lover alright. :)
That is some beautiful fabric. I am like you I cute things out, then use a post it note and pin it to the different piles so I know what is what. Just makes life so much easier!!
Hi Jackie...this is going to be beautiful, totally love the fabric selection. I'm new to the whole quilting process...but I think it's easier to cut it all out first (because like you I hate cutting) if I don't do it at the beginning I'm fearful that I won't finish it! Can't wait to see your project progress, have fun at retreat!!
Oh, Jackie, I love, love, love your fabrics! I usually do all of my cutting at once, but when it comes to marking, I usually mark and sew, mark and sew. I think next time I will mark all at once. Can't wait to see some progress!
I love your fabrics Jackie. Those colours are so gorgeous.
Your fabric choices are beautiful! Love the tester block.
Enjoy the retreat Jackie :-) I generally try to cut out as little as possible at one time. I like to break it up if I can. Cutting is my least favorite part of quilting and it's not good for my lower back! Your project looks wonderful! Love the fabrics!
I dislike ironing more than cutting. Drawing all the lines to make HST is always tedious. I'm sure you will be happy once you sit down and sew next weekend though. I love the fabrics you chose. I'm sure your finished quilt will be gorgeous.
Ohhhh..two Teresa's in your blog and neither me, tis a pity as I would love to be going on that retreat. Organization is my thing when it comes to making a quilt, I just love the cutting out and sorting and then when putting it together, everything is ready to go. I enjoyed seeing how you organized your project, and especially the idea of labeling your border fabrics - I need to start doing that too. Have fun at your retreat!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! The colors are super. Going to be a beautiful quilt!!
Post a Comment