TooGoodToBeThrough

First Finish of 2010

This is quilt No. 7 and the first finish of the new year.  All but one of my previous quilts have been gifts for family or friends, but this one's for me.  The pattern is the ZigZag Quilt (without piecing triangles) by Crazy Mom Quilts. 

My color inspiration for the quilt is a Stickley chair in my living room.  When I had the chair made a few years ago as a birthday gift to myself, I selected the deco-style fabric from a fairly small swatch.  I figured all Stickley fabrics are gorgeous, so I couldn't go wrong.  Well, I was more than a little shocked when the chair was delivered 2 months later and seemed to glow in poison green and peach.  Thankfully, my walls and carpeting are neutral and furnishings just eclectic enough that the chair fits in, but I've always wanted to bring a little more of that poison green color into the living room, and a quilt was the perfect way to do just that.  (Note: the quilt is on the chair for the picture only and rests on the back of a dark green leather chair when not in use.  I know 'clash' when I see it.)

This was a fun pattern to make.  It is easy, very forgiving piecing-wise, and I love its bold design and great texture. It's the first project done with my new Bernina, and I actually quilted it (SID) myself using the walking foot.  It's such a good feeling to make a quilt from start to finish.  

The back of the quilt is the poison green Dimples by Andover Fabrics (I call it poison green, Andover just calls it color G28), with a swatch of the black and metallic gold swirl (Moda) for interest.  I had planned to bind the quilt with the metallic swirl fabric, but didn't have quite enough and my go-to fabric store was out of stock.  I was so disappointed, but now that the quilt is finished, I think the substitute fabric actually makes a more interesting binding than the swirl fabric.

Quilt No. 8 is already in production.  Ms. Bernina has to earn her keep, after all.  Update coming soon.

 

Succumb... in a good way

Among the definitions of succumb is "yield to an overwhelming desire."  And that's just what I did in October. 

Meet my new (as yet unnamed) Bernina.  She's the 440 QE and came with the Bernina Stitch Regulator.  I've only played with the BSR in class and need lots of practice, but I'm looking forward to doing some of my own quilting. 

I made six quilts before buying my new sewing machine -- all of them cut out and sewn at the dining room table.  No more.  I emptied an underused bedroom, painted it from top to bottom, and between Ikea, Craigslist, and The Container Store it has become a full-time sewing room, and I love it!

Here's Ms. Bernina on her new throne:

Two Malm dressing tables from Ikea make a perfect L-shape work station for the sewing machine and my laptop computer.  A couple of inexpensive stacking metal shelves fit under the computer portion of the table to hold my printer, extra paper, and the Bernina accessories box.  In front of the sewing table is an antique table that belonged to my great aunt and uncle and makes a perfect cutting table (it's expandable, too).  A black leather recliner (Craigslist find) at the end of the room is perfect for hand sewing, reading, or watching television.

On the opposite wall is a wonderful old mahogany sideboard (with glass top, even)  I found on Craigslist and painted with linen Milk Paint (love that stuff!).  It provides storage galore and has plenty of room on top for a television, lamp, and tchatzhahs. 

Finally, a sewing machine I love, and no more sewing at the dining room table!  
 

A Look Back at 2009

On this eve of not just a new year, but a new decade, it seems like a good time to look back at my year of quilting.  Celebrating my creative accomplishments was, after all, the whole point of this (poor neglected) blog when I started it in May.

I finished two quilts in March.  The first is a Round Abouts quilt for a friend's new grandson.  It was the second time making this pattern and my first attempt at a mitered corner.  I was very pleased with the results, and the baby's mom and dad loved it.  I especially love the little heart-in-hand quilting pattern.

 

The second quilt was for a childhood friend who was in the hospital recovering from a heart transplant.  I didn't follow a pattern, but fashioned the top after one I had seen on another blog.  Due to one medical setback after another, my friend has been in the hospital almost continuously since receiving his new heart last January, so I haven't yet sent it to him.  But he should be home soon, and I think it will make a wonderful Welcome Home, Happy New Year, and Happy Birthday gift.  

 
 

In June, I made a batik quilt for Aunt A's 70-something birthday.  She requested pink and brown, and after some serious fabric editing, I made with this lap-size quilt.

No sooner had I given Aunt A her birthday gift than it was time to start a quilt for Aunt J's 80-something birthday, and in September I made this lap-size cover in her favorite colors.  

 

So, that was a look back at last year, and what would a new year be with a resolution goal or two?  

1. I treated myself to a new Bernina 440QE this fall and plan to get my money's worth!  That means there's going to be a lot of sewing in my future. 
   
2. I've almost finished converting an under-used bedroom into Sewing Headquarters. 
   
3. Just this afternoon I laid out a newly finished quilt top with the batting and backing and will baste it tomorrow and spend the next few days putting Ms Bernina through her quilting paces.   No fancy feathers, meandering stipples or fancy fill-in stitches this first time out, just some (hopefully) smooth, straight lines that should complement the zigzag pattern nicely.

Here's to a happy, healthy, and creative 2010!