two projects...

Two projects,

Different as can be,

One is more me!!

~~~~~~~~

I have recently been watching more sewing and quilting YouTube videos.

HandyMum Lin has especially caught my interest. 

Many of her projects are produced with the basic needle and thread (and simple hand drawn templates that she gives dimensions so you can make your own.)

Her Applique idea / Hand stitch video had me completely entranced! I'd love to attempt it someday.

At the time I had started watching HandyMum Lin, I was working on the Christmas in July store sample quilt top. I showed you what fabrics I had picked out in my last blog update, Seam ripping and dream job.

The colors stacked look really good...

but once I got some blocks put together and on the design wall I immediately saw that the darkest fabric was much too dark for what I wanted.

I got a lighter blue. It felt better but still not exactly what I was going for.

I wasn't ready to give up on including that darkest fabric.  However, no matter where I put it, it's really too harsh. It takes away the softness of the winter blue. 

 

This is the end result and there are now two kits that will be put out for the Christmas in July event this coming Friday.

It's not a masterpiece, but it's not horrible either.

I have learned something through this whole experience... 

I really stressed over this quilt top because I was trying to guess what others would like.

What I need to do is pick what I like.  Oh, I know my tastes are not for everyone! But maybe it will appeal to one or more (🤞) others. Or maybe it will spark inspiration! 

Quilting is very diverse. My boss has stated many times that she wants variety. She encourages each of us to bring our quilting interests and styles to the store... I really have to trust who I am as a quilter. Perhaps I can be brave enough to bring some of Hita's Whimsy to the store.

⺿⺿⺿⺿

Once the Christmas in July store sample was handed over, I couldn't resist perusing more of HandyMum Lin's YouTube videos. 

I guess I was ready for something new and the Multi Purpose Storage Bag / Hand Stitch seemed to be exactly what I needed.

I used a fusible pellon interfacing (craft weight? but I'll have to double check on that) where she used hard lining fabric. 

The stitching technique is very similar to English Paper Piecing but you don't have to remove the papers. And stitching (instead of basting) the fabric to the interfacing gives a hand quilted look.

I didn't notice that I didn't have the rows arranged exactly like hers...

...and I got it all stitched together...

I even stitched one side of the zipper on, before I noticed that the zipper was supposed to be between two LONG  sides so that the triangle legs can be cinched over the zipper stops.

I also noticed that I should have used the triangle fabrics for the zipper stops and not the lining fabric...
but I continued on anyway. The zipper will end up on a corner instead of the middle, I'm ok with that.

very close to being done!

really it's not bad.

I like it a LOT.

not sure what I'll store in it.

I do want to make another one (maybe with the zipper in the suggested spot? though I do like it on the corner.)
Thank you, Ms. HandyMum Lin for your generosity in sharing your process with us. 
I love your videos. I love needle and thread projects.
I can see myself trying out a few more of your projects. Thank you!!

Seam Ripping and Dream job

Sometimes it's a day for the seam ripper to shine.

Usually, in my sewing room, the seam ripper is merely used as a stylus. Something to keep the fabric edges together and straight as it's fed through the machine...

But more often this week, the seam ripper has been doing it's main job - ripping seams!

Because I'm making silly mistakes, like sewing pieces wrong side to right side.  

lol, that's not something that can be left in to "live with."  There's really no way to say, "Yes! I meant to sew it in that way. It's a design element." 😜

However, not all the seam ripping lately has been due to mistakes.

My Sweetling (she's 18 years old now, am I allowed to keep calling her that?) drafted up an idea she had for a quilt.  She wanted the feel of brownstone buildings.

Using her draft, I've been putting it together in modular fashion. 

One building at a time. 

I really should have redrafted when I added window panes. Now the measurements are no longer 1" per graph square.  After the base buildings, I have had to calculate and adjust measurements to get the following buildings to fit. Continuing this way leaves plenty of room for error which gives reason for seam ripping.

However, part of the seam ripping is intentional because I'm using partial seams when adding the next building.

idk, So far this technique seems to be working for me...
(later, I might try to re-draft and write a pattern, but first to get this one done.)

My Sweetling is pleased with the progress so far.

~᪶~~᪶~~᪶᪶~~᪶~~᪶~~᪶~

I haven't mentioned that as of June 1, I started working in a quilt shop!!

I'm feeling so blessed for this fantastic opportunity!

 

My blog update Quilts of Valor Group in Carrollton is when I first visited the store.  Dianna was the QoV coordinator. When she suddenly had to move 5 hours away, she sent me a message asking if I'd like to work in the shop filling her spot. My answer was a quick and easy, "YES!!"

And now I have the best job ever!! Because I get to sew at work!!

I get to hand turn bindings...

and piece store samples...

 

Last week, I was helping to sew a memory quilt together. I didn't get a picture of it. But the point is that I'm getting paid to do what I love!!

And I get to chose fabric for bigger store samples...

 and take that fabric home to piece....

and when the store is finished displaying the top, It's mine for keeps!

I will be helping with coordinating the Quilt of Valor group!

On June 27th, Carol was putting the binding on the quilt top I was piecing in the blog update I linked.

The quilting really enhanced the piecing. I think the finished top is amazing. I hope the veteran that receives it will feel our love and appreciation for their service and sacrifices!!

This week, I just got to pick out more fabric for another store sample! 

It's Christmas in July!🎄❣

oh my gosh, I can't express it enough! Working at The Old Craft Store is a dream job for me!

I'm feeling limitless, with so many opportunities in my future.