Learning something new

I really love our monthly "Sit & Sew" at tirane's house. A chance to get with my BFF's and sew and chat and get some sewing done. The last few months I'd been so tired by the time the Saturday would get here, I felt too tired to lug my sewing machine and stuff over that I just took some scraps and my cutting board and cut. (I still have those baggies organized and they are for projects later this summer.)

This past Saturday I conquered another fear. I learned how to bind by hand! I walked in carrying nothing but a couple of books I owed Beth and tirane wondered where my stuff was to work on. I said "Your gonna teach me how to bind". Several months ago I'd taken some ghastly fabric and made it into a charity quilt and she had quilted it and set it aside. We pulled it out and after a quick lesson I started sewing. Here is a picture of my chubby fingers working away...

When I first started the stitches looked awful, but by the time I got to the middle of the second side, you couldn't even see them. She had to show me how to do the first corner (the one in the picture) but after I did the 2nd corner by myself I sat there with a big smile on my face.

My hands were pretty sore and other things called my name the rest of the weekend, but I'll get that binding finished in the next day or 2 and show you the end result.

I'd been paying her to bind my stuff but now I can do it myself! Well, at least the stuff I can fold over and bind. A lesson on sewing on bindings is still to come.

Why was I so afraid of doing this? I think back to when I first started quilting. I was scared to death of paper piecing. It was several years before I was ready to try it and now I'm addicted to it.

I've been afraid of binding, curved piecing, and applique. I'm not going to let it take another couple of years to get over curved piecing cause there's a pattern I really want to try sometime later this year but I'm still not sure about applique. Maybe if the right pattern called to me.

Are there quilting techniques that you've been or are afraid of? What's stopping YOU?

Stash Report, Week 22

I haven't posted in forever. I am finally getting into my new routine at work though and have been doing some sewing and getting some things done.

Here's an updated report...

Fabric Added this Week: 10 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 28.625 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1 yard and a Whole lot of scraps!
Fabric Used Year to Date: 49 yards

The fabric acquired this week was 10 yards of solid black that tirane was able to get at a great bargain. $3 a yard. We thought it was going to be Kona black, but even though it wasn't, it was still a good enough quality that it was a good deal.

The fabric used this week was actually from 2 weeks ago, to put the borders on the quilt I've made for my co-worker. I've already picked up that quilt back from tirane and my boss, Helle, is going to put the binding on it. Separate post coming about it later this week after it's completely finished but here is a sneak peek.

All of the strips used in the blocks were from the 2 boxes of pink and red scraps that my friend Lynn had sent me.I had dumped them all in this bag. Making Leslie's quilt barely made a dent in the heap so I'm on the lookout for another pattern to use up more of them. Maybe a log cabin? Maybe "Boxy Stars" from Quiltville? Try something challenging that I've been wanting to do and make pineapple blocks? What is your favorite pattern for using 2 1/2 inch strips?

We had our monthly "Sit & Sew" at tirane's house on Saturday and were discussing my stash clean up. Swooze asked me if I'd been buying fabric again. I let out at resounding "NO". It feels really good to say that. I haven't stepped foot into JoAnn's or my LQS in well over a month. I realized I never even went to pick up my BOM kits for May and here it is June 1. The LQS will save them up for me and they will be there when I get them. It's not a project I've been keeping up with on anyway.

I haven't used up as much as I would have liked by this point halfway through the year, but I feel that is changing. I've got several projects I'm currently working on now that involve scraps, but hey, the borders and the backings have to come from somewhere right? And I'm getting a lot better at "shopping my stash" even though there are a lot of neat fabrics out there right now that I'd love to get my hands on.

Speaking of stash, I had set a goal to sew over 150 yards this year. I'd better get busy!

Stash Report, Week 18

OK, 17 went by without a post.... but here's a little update...

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 18.625 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1 1/2yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 48 yards

Fabric Given away this week: 35 yards

I traded 2 boxes of fabrics and unwanted books on QATW for books of stamps and I gave 2 friends I was in scavenger hunt swaps with a bunch of extra fabric just because. It's fabric I'm sure they will like and it's out of my house!

The bad thing is that I also got a flat rate box full of pink & red strips, most are 2 1/2 inches, although some are 1 1/2 inch and some are as wide as 4 inches. I have 3 projects these are getting divided into. The same lady is sending me another box of pink & red FQ's and scraps and also a box of novelty scraps as my "I Spy" supply was greatly depleted last year.

I'll have to post some pictures when I get all these goodies.

She Lives!

Yes, I'm still alive. Been crazy busy with the teaching job at work and actually doing a little bit of sewing.

My Co-worker was finally brought out of the drug induced Coma on Sunday after 2 1/2 weeks. My boss went to see her yesterday and she is looking much better. She was trying to talk but since they did a tracheotomy on her last week that was very difficult. They still have her on a breathing machine and hope to get her off that soon too. She is truly a miracle and living proof that prayers are answered. We weren't sure she'd make it. She will still have a very long road to recovery but the worst is over.

I've been doing a little sewing but it's just finishing up some swap blocks I owed. These will be done by the end of the week and then NO MORE SWAPS for me till I get a whole lot of tops done. Don't let me sign up Eileen!

Stash Report Week 16

Last week I bought 5 yards but turned around and gave it to tirane for the backing of "Orange You Glad".

My co-worker is still in ICU and still in a drug induced coma. She is now on 75% Oxygen and her color is getting better but there is still something wrong and they have run more tests to determine just what. They are hoping they can take her out of the coma by Sunday. Prayers are still needed. She will have a very long road to recovery.

Hug your friends and loved ones today. Hug your earth too. It's earth day. I don't know how much they will understand but I'm gonna teach the kids about recycling and saving electricity today.

Thoughts and Prayers Needed

My fabric sale and sewing in general may be put on hold for a week or so. One of our teacher who is NEVER sick is in the hospital ICU with Pnemonia and I am convering not only her hours but some of mine as well so this will be a LONG week.

Please keep my friend and co-worker Leslie in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks.

Overwhelmed/Easter plans

Well last years spring cleaning and this January's clean up didn't solve the problem. I walk into my sewing room and I still feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have. I haven't read it yet, but I'm reminded of Peter Walsh's book "Does ths clutter make my butt look fat?".

I am trading away some block sets on QATW for fabrics I need and am going to have a sale here on my blog starting April 13 of fabrics and books. Those of you that are local to DFW can pay me $ in person and the rest will be by mail or paypal. So please check back Monday morning and maybe there will be something that sparks your interest.

What are your plans for the holiday weekend? Unfortuantely I have to work all day Friday but hope to cut some fabrics when I get home. The only other goal for the weekend is to finally decide on the sashing and borders for the shoofly quilt and get those cut and/or made.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and can do something quilty!