Confessions of a (Thread) Hoarder

Sew I think I last left you in the throws of my precarious binding predicament. Happy to report it all worked out fine and the BHP is officially complete. She will be posted to Baby Honey tomorrow. As Baby Honey is only 7 months old, I am quite pleased with myself.

I have an embarrassing amount of thread. This is for two different reasons: I am incapable of purchasing one spool of thread, even for a darning project. What if I run out? What if it is the exact shade necessary for some future as yet unknown project? It never is however, which leads me to reason #2: None of the thread in my possession is ever a good enough match (for me) to be used in another project. Recently, my obsession was granted a brief window of credibility. When we moved in to our house four years ago, I made throw pillows for our couch. I purchased 2 spools of rust colored thread (250 yd spools... 500 yds of thread, insanity!) for six throw pillows. Four years later, I still have very nearly two spools of rust colored thread. Enter the project for my living room that is using beautiful oranges, rusts, browns, and creams. the pattern is a raw edge applique, so I wanted to use a colored thread. New Project, please meet Thread Obsession. Since it is such a simple design and quilt plan, I am going to use the rust thread to quilt the blanket as well. Having saved the day once with TheObsession, I feel I am fully justified in continuing on with purchasing mass quantities of thread. Awesome pattern, by the way. If you can make it past the cutting, it is super fast from there. And this baby it HUGE for a throw.

Onward, upward and Joan Woodward

Sew, I took Mistress J in for a spa day to get rid of the squeaking. I am hand sewing the binding down on the BHP and plan to ship that out sometime this month. I have two or three UFOs I could work on, but that is no fun at all, especially when I picked up a new magazine at the craft store for a raw edge circle quilt. After I left Mistress J, I spent a nice long time at the fabric shop and left with a lighter wallet. In one weekend of Mistress J being out of the house, I have enough fabric for four new projects: two big people quilts, one little person quilt, and a new farmer’s market tote (which I am proud to say will be constructed entirely from fabric from my stash). Fabric is cut for my living room quilt, now titled “Life Goes On (Oh Bla Di)”, halfway cut for the second grown up one. Mistress J is due home tomorrow. Hope the excitement of new projects lasts long enough to actually sew a little bit.

Fabric for "Life Goes On"

Looks like it is going to be bigger than I expected (remember, I am spatially challenged. Finished dimensions don't mean much to me) given the amount of time it took me to cut 96 10" squares, 32 of those in to circles. But the circle ruler is super fun! Of course, the pattern is supposed to make use of layer cakes, but I already had the fabric for my living room quilt picked out and purchased. And I could not for the life of me find any retailer who sold layer cakes of just solid white squares, so I was stuck reducing 4 3/4 yards of "snow" to 10" squares. So it's raw edge applique, one colored circle appliqued to a white square for the A block and then the remaining "holey" fabric laid over a full white square for the white to show through for B block. Pictures forthcoming when Mistress J returns.

Farmer's Market Bag

I love, love, love these fabrics! I bought the blue flower print years ago, just waiting for the perfect project. The rest of the fabric is from my stash, most of which has been used in other projects. I love the continuity of using scraps from old projects in new ones. Reminds me of the love out there.

Don't Drink and Sew!

Sew… it’s been a while. About three months it looks like. I did give Beautiful Boy away to some very appreciative parents. :o) Took me a while to figure out the telescoping square quilting on the BHP (give me a break… I am spatially challenged and trying to work from a photo), but I finally finished the squares and the flower border. Last thing I made my squeaky machine (sounded like the shower scene in Psycho with every stitch) do was put the binding on. Enter Moral Lesson Of the Day: Don’t drink and sew kids. It never comes to a good end. I like to diagonally piece my bindings because that’s how some magazine told me to. I can’t blame the first misstep on the wine because I initially pieced all the strips stone sober. Instead of piecing each strip one at a time, I sewed two strips at a time, thinking I would save time. I had six strips to piece. After I trimmed seams and started pressing, I realized that the middle seam was backwards. $&#*%$& Ripped the seam out, whacked off the end and tried again. And again. And again. Could not wrap my head around the geometry. Threw the whole mess on the bed and left the room cursing, vowing not to return. Ever. Friday night, after a lovely dinner at home that included a glass of wine, I decided it was a good time to try again. Carried my glass with me to the sewing room and cleared my mind of any preconceived ideas of how this would work. Imagine, if you will, me standing in front of my ironing board taking deep cleansing breaths. Missed on the first try. Seam ripper and a swig from the glass. SUCCESS! The darn thing was finally right side out. HaHA! Plugged in the iron and proceeded to press the binding. Until, that is, I came to the next #($&@*&%^ seam. Yes. Backward. Seriously? How did I manage to do this AGAIN? Sheer stubbornness and wine induced single mindedness spurred me on to rip that seam out another 5 times before I got it right again. So kids, since I can’t be a good example, I will settle for being a horrible warning.

Telescoping Squares


Border... barely visible though the chalk helps

Lest you think I have not been sewing...

OK, you are right. I haven't actually been sewing. I finished the binding on Beautiful Boy. It still wants a label. Maybe this weekend. I failed miserably in my attempt to get the BHP completed in time to deliver during a recent trip to AZ. I did actually get the top pieced and it is darling.

Have not even looked twice at my pile of new fabric for my living room project. The sun is supposed to shine for the first weekend in 5 weeks, so I am not sure I hold out much hope for my sewing projects this weekend. My backyard looks like a primordial jungle and needs some attention before we start losing small children out there. Having a small child, this is actually a valid concern at my house.

New project looming

Sew, I have been sewing, just not posting. Lazy girl. Before I move on to my newest project, an update on the old ones.

Beautiful Boy

After putting my seam ripper to good and frequent use while working out thread tensions on the machine quilting, the quilting is complete and binding sewn. Need to trim the quilt down and sewn the binding on. Mostly happy with the way it came out. It looks fun from the backside because I used variegated thread and the backing is solid navy blue flannel. Will post a finished photo once washed.

The BHP

Stalled out on this one a bit in an effort to finish BB. Went to sew the blocks together the other night, but my camera batteries were dead, so I couldn't check the layout I had planned. (I know.. I am so high tech). Didn't occur to me to pull the blog up and look at that picture. Must not have truly wanted to sew that night. More photos of that when I have something to actually show.

The New and as of yet Unnamed Project
I have an old throw in my living room that my mom gave to me at least 10 years ago, if not longer. It is a woven cotton throw with yellow sunflowers on a blue background. My living room is Tuscan yellow and burnt sienna. Um, yeah. So you see why I need a new throw, yes? I plan to do a Bento Box pattern out of these yummy fabrics. Despite the Bento Box and the bling on the fabric, I don't want to have it look overly Asian, so am already thinking of how to quilt it. Am thinking flowers...

Never Say Never

Between playdates for the young master, regular weekend chores and running out of basting spray, I was certain that I would not get Beautiful Boy basted this weekend. Thanks to the Coven, not only did I get some awesome new basting spray that is so tacky my feet stuck to the fabric, but I also purchased some fabric for a new throw for my living room. Just realized I forgot to take a photo of the fabric though. Maybe next time. Also got a pair of nifty gloves to help with machine quilting. They have rubber fingertips to help with gripping fabric. So much better than the actual red rubber fingertips I used to use.

Beautiful Boy
Not only did I get him basted, I also laid down most of the "in the ditch" quilting. I need to reload with white thread to ditch around the small border, but may switch out the foot instead to do some free motion quilting with the thread I already have loaded. Not bad considering I didn't start sewing until 4 PM yesterday afternoon.


The BHP Update
Since I managed to clear my floor of my basting project, I was able to lay out the blocks for the BHP. As of right now, I am not fond of the pink blocks. Despite the fact that the fabric was part of the original medley, it seems to be fighting with the other blocks. I am trying to decide if this is due to my inherent dislike of the color pink or if it is truly fighting. Opinions are welcome, but may be ignored. In the current view, the top right corner is actually supposed to be the top left corner, but the picture keeps rotating when I import it. I have grown weary of trying to fix it.

New Projects

I do have two current projects. I was only supposed to have one, but on the day of the Great Sewing Meet Up, I did not have batting or backing to baste Beautiful Boy. What I did have was some darling fabric for the Baby Honey Project or BHP (real name: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds) and what can I say... it let itself be cut.

Beautiful Boy

It looks a little wonky because it is hanging off of my ironing board. All other flat surfaces in my sewing room were taken up by the BHP. I've been working on this one since September and can only blame laziness at this point. My favorite part about this quilt so far is that there is some fabric in here that I first used in a quilt 6 years ago. Also used the same fabric in my son's wall hanging. I love carrying a fabric through different quilts for children that are special to me. Anyway, I will enjoy quilting it, once I get that far. Need to convince myself to baste it first. Poor child it is intended for will be 6 months old on March 1. Maybe he can get a quilt for his half birthday.

The Baby Honey Project (BHP) or Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Sew, Beautiful Boy got pushed aside to make room for the BHP. I ordered a pattern intending to make it for someone else (and she will still get one... some day). The photo on the website had a somewhat drab (but still pretty) example of the quilt. When I received the pattern, it had the most darling version of the quilt on the cover in pinks, oranges and greens. I immediately thought of my cousin's new little girl (the first girl great grandbaby in the family after 6 boys!). Lucy (AKA Baby Honey) surely needed a quilt, yes? Small moral dilemma as I have not made quilts for any other cousins, including my own nephews and Lucy's big brother (horrid, I know) but desire to finally make a girl quilt won out. The straw that broke this camel's back was the darling fabric OCQ showed me. I mean, look at it. Doesn't it make you happy just to look at it? I can't wait to lay out the blocks, but am trying to make myself get going on BB instead.

Old projects and my sewing set up

Sew, I've come a long way in 7 years. I worked that little Singer to death making blankets for all kinds of people. I tried to teach myself how to free motion quilt on that thing and nearly killed someone along the way. Somewhere on that journey, I decided I wanted, needed even, a new sewing machine. I decided I would spend the "big bucks" and get a really nice machine. I was prepared to spend around $1500. To me, that's a lot of $$ for a machine that I use to make blankets. One trip to the Sew 'n Vac and my head was spinning. I could get a low end Bernina, but I would have to spend even more than I was planning. YIKES! She showed me a newer Japanese brand that was designed for quilting and was in my price range. She showed me a few of its tricks and I was sold. Mistress Janome (yes, she has a name)came home with me shortly thereafter. She's a not-many-frills commercial grade stitcher (up to 3000 stitches per minute and mama's got a lead foot on that pedal)but she's turned out quilt after quilt of cuddly cuteness. Now, because the Mistress is sew special, she cannot be placed in a standard sewing cabinet. She's just a hair too big for all the pop through openings. My Darling Husband (heretofore referred to as DH) offered to build me one. HA, that's a good one babe, I mocked. About 6 months later, I was eating, er sewing, my words. He customized plans for a fold out sewing table that fits the Mistress's wide hips and can handle the weight (she weighs more than my 4.5 year old son... not a machine to lug to classes. Wait, I've never actually taken a class.). When folded up, it looks like a little cabinet, handy since I share my sewing room with our guest room and office. Opened up, I have about 5 feet of table space with my machine in the middle. It has revolutionized my sewing. Sounds dorky, but is seriously amazing since I used to haul everything in to my dining room and take over for the weekend. Now I can sew whenever! At least that's what I tell myself when I am sitting on the couch watching TV.

I am fairly distraught to discover that I don't have many pictures of my earlier quilts. I suspect that I was just really lazy about taking pictures before they went home, but it makes me feel better to think that perhaps they were saved on the old computer that was stolen last year. Then I am not a dork for not taking photos of my work. the photos I do have are included in this post. I'd take a picture of the one currently on my guest bed, but it is covered by fabric from two of my recent projects.

This is the wall hanging I made for my son when he was born. Features mostly applique, some freehand quilting. Titled: Luc L'Amore 2005

Made this one for a friend's daughter. Replaced scary bears with bugs. Went crazy nuts with the quilting. Sassy Princess 2005

I made this for my dad for Christmas one year. It is a log cabin pattern with large triangle blocks. Quilted with free motion loops. It's name should have been "My Amish Mistake". Can you see why? Instead I named it "Here Comes the Sun" 2007

This was for a friend's son as a new baby gift. It is a Yellow Brick Road pattern and features free motion quilting in the shape of vehicles. Since it was for a baby, I did not give it this name, but in my head referred to it as "Damn, This Traffic Jam". Officially named "Special Delivery" 2007

Same friend, new baby! Reused the log cabin/large triangles pattern and loved it much more in the brighter colors. My favorite part of this quilt was the firefly fabric at the center of each log cabin square. I bought it years ago in a little quilt shop in Seattle and saved it for the perfect quilt. Quilted with free motion loops. 2008

Made this cutie for my cousin's little girl. Same pattern as Sassy Princess above, tamer colors. I got lazy and didn't do mitered borders, though it would have looked smashing with the directional border fabric. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the quilting on this one is probably my favorite. Lots of daisy flowers, etc. All free motion quilting. 2008

About me

Answers.com says the quote is actually, "Sew buttons on ice cream if you think you're fast enough", and cites it as being from Norwood Grove's "Little Green Book." For me, it is a silly phrase a guy I knew years ago used to say in response to my habit of starting sentences with "...So...". I still use the word so, but these days I am more likely to be using a different spelling. I took up quilting about 7 years ago when a good friend had her first daughter. I decided to mark the occasion with a handmade gift. My mom and grandma sewed, it's got to be at least a little genetic, right? Don't bet the farm Mable... I visited the local fabric store and fired up my husband's ancient Singer (yes, you read that right. The first sewing machine in my house actually belonged to my husband.). Downloaded the machine instructions and a basic heart block from the WWW. I figured the rest would just work itself out. I did manage to actually tie the quilt to my carpet several times (seemed like a good idea to lay it out on the living room floor to do the tying, didn't occur to me to put something underneath. Well, live and learn.) but from what I understand, my friend's little girl still uses that quilt. 7 years later, I've learned a few things (not many, but a few), got a better sewing machine, and a nifty sewing area and am still making quilts for people who mean a lot to me. I laugh, I curse, I throw fabric/patterns/whathaveyou and I happen to like to write, so we'll see how the two mix. Maybe writing about my projects in process will light a fire under the sewing pedal...