quilt, quilt and quilt some more!

my sewing machine will cost at least $100 to repair, maybe more. He will “open it up” tomorrow, then call me with a firm quote. Gah.

Things to finish up:

• batik quilt – just add hanging sleeve and bind
• pinwheel quilt – just three more rows, then can be sent out for quilting
• green quilt – just two more rows, press whole thing, send out for quilting
• checkerboard wall hanging: fix last row; quilt.

• red, gold & green quilt: need to draft out an applique design for borders

• landscape: take off borders, and make mitred corners; quilt

FOR ALL: photograph and document quilts, and add labels

Sort of a scrappy colourwash, done in batiks. It’s already off being machine quilted, but I’ll include a photo when I get it back.

Yesterday, I made a mini-quilt, which I really should have paper-pieced, because I swear I sew as though I were drunk, sometimes. And it really shows on a mini if you don’t keep your sewing lines straight. However, have seam ripper: may attempt to fix it. Next time, paper-piecing all the way.

I signed up for a colour class – supposed to learn about colour and how to use it effectively in quilts. That’s in a couple of Saturdays. I’m really looking forward to it, because I don’t think choosing colours is my strong point.

Next weekend, I’m going on a four day quilting retreat! I’m hoping to work on Mouse’s cat quilt (must prewash my fabric!!)

Spent most of yesterday at a quilting bee, handquilting a quilt that will be auctioned for charity. It’s harder than it looks to get consistent, even stitches! Enjoyed the camaraderie with the other women. Might actually be inspired to get my own quilt frame set up!

Last week, was invited to friend R’s to quilt for the morning. It was a lovely visit – she lives out on a farm about 40 mins away, and just driving through the countryside was nice. Plus, being with her in her spectacular sewing room (she converted the formal front room into a huge, sunny sewing room) has really gotten me back in the mood to sew.

• I have made great progress on my red, gold and green wallhanging (I’d say 40% done now);
• I finished the Storm at Sea blocks I was supposed to make for a charity project;
• I pieced together my appliqued spools to make a door-hanging for my sewing room door (now, just have to decide how to finish it off).
• I’ve sorted out a couple of other projects, ready to tackle when I’ve got the above all complete!

Yay me! Sew, sew, sew!

in our town this weekend. I’m volunteering today with set-up, and at the show tomorrow and Saturday.

Seeing all the beautiful quilts the other women have made really makes me want to get back to my sewing machine.