Wednesday, September 18, 2002
FA
(Fabricholics Anonymous)
Last night, Burgundy and I headed off to a big-ass, cheap thrift
store with the intent of getting some more cords for the cord
quilt (see September 3rd) and looking out for other cool odds
and ends - then onto Mill End Textiles for more quilt fabrics
and perhaps a great upholstery fabric for my beleaguered futon.
I
got 6 pairs of cords for $1.95 each. Should be plenty for
a lap-quilt top, just need to figure out the design from the
basketweave.
Then
we went to Mill End. This store was within walking distance
of the house I grew up in. Previously, I wasn't particularily
interested in calicos. When we walked in I thought, "Holy
calico, Batman!" I think quilting's become more popular since
I was last shopping there a decade ago. Nearly a whole wall
of quilting fabric plus massive remnant tables. Walked out
with another 32 rockin' patterns.
For
those keeping track (ok, maybe just me), I've now got:
56 for Burgundy and Mike's quilt
150 for mine, the blue/green/black/white one
44 total in the general "stash"
Woohoo!
Burgundy
then said, "So, do you still want to want to go to that quilt
store you found online?" Hmmm...tempting, but since I literally
filled the swatch book, I think I better put a moratorium
of more fabric purchases until I finish about 3 quilts. At
least.
posted on 11:21 AM
Monday,
September 16, 2002
Quiltbrain
I'm in Minnesota this week and I warned my sis I was on a fabric
finding mission. I've been here 3.5 days and I've added 25 fabrics
to the 24 I had for (my sister) Burgundy's and (finance) Mike's
wedding quilt. Added 14 fabrics to the 123 (woah.) of my own
blue/green/black/white quilt featured in the last post. Added
11 fabrics to the general stash of future projects.
I
compiled swatches of all my fabrics in a mini binder that
holds 4x6" index cards. I fit four 1.5x3" swatches per index
card on one side. Grouped by color within project I can see
what I have. Helps me from buying redundant stuff, but also
greatly helps in designing my behemoth blue/green/black white
quilt. I can see everything together and can start matching
fabrics to the blocks. When I get home I'll start cutting
and organizing the applique blocks so I can pick up a square
for the train ride and get sewing.
Today
I'll wash and iron the new stuff and update the swatch binder.
posted on 11:39 AM
Thursday,
September 12, 2002
Quiltiriffic!
So, I'm on a quilting kick and I'm finally reacquainting myself
with a quilt I started designing a couple years ago.
Here's the deal. I designed a terriffic but complication quilt
with loads of applique (detail, top). Then I took to collecting
incredible fabrics (above) and amassed about a hundred. So,
now I'm finally adding some patchwork to the design to balance
out all the applique and actually cutting fabrics and getting
underway.
More
to say on the subject, but I've gotta be on an Amtrak train
in 2 and a half hours and still need to pack!
Pillowcase Quilt
Here's a set of 6 pillowcases I recently got on eBay. I was
totally seduced by the stylized pansy on in the upper left.
If I can find a couple broken in bedsheets in this 70's color
palette, I'm going to create an incredibly comfy duvet/quilt
top.
posted on 11:34 AM
Tuesday,
September 03, 2002
Labor Day Labors
More joyful recycling this weekend. I turned two pairs of green
cords (Jim
and I had the same pair of Old Navy pant in the girl and boy
versions) and a pair of retired black cotton pants into the
beginning of a quilt. It's about 3' square at this point.
Very
pleased with the simple pattern. I cut the legs of the green
cords in 2 1/2" strips, the black pants in 1" strips. Sewed
them with a little less than a 1/4" seam - black, green, black.
Ironed them out, then cut them into squares. Then pieced them
together into this basketweave pattern. Between my sewing
machine needing a tune up and general fatigue, I didn't sew
the peices together very precisely. I like it slightly cattywumpus.
I lack the pants to continue. No more cords in the closet,
and denim will be too thick - so I think I'll hunt for cheap
lightweight, thin wale pairs at thrift stores. I think I'd
like to add a 6" border of stripes, maybe 1 1/2" wide. Perhaps
alternating blue and brown cords, same kind of muted colors.
Then I'll see what the quilt calls for next.
In
the end, I'm thinking of a light cotton batting, with a flannel
backing, tied vs. quilted. I'm excited to continue, but I'll
have to put it on the back burner for awhile.
posted on 12:40 PM
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