Well I have completed my first quilt top today which lets you know just how small and easy it really was, since I did it in a couple hours of time, HOWEVER, it didn't all go as smoothly as I had envisioned. But honestly let's face it, most things don't...at least for me. To start with, I am having a little bit of trouble with my rotary cutter. I thought that after all the rotary cutting my rag quilts required I had that down, but the answer would be, "not really". I made a mistake or two and felt like at times I was using two left hands. They make it look so quick and simple in the tutorials. But maybe that's why they are doing tutorials in the first place, and I am not. ; ) Anyway, I eventually got my pieces cut and then for the life of me I couldn't figure out how the first few even went together. Back to the tutorial I went, where I proceeded to watch that part THREE times in a row before it finally sunk in what I was doing wrong. And it was soo simple it was hard to believe, I couldn't see it before. After that it actually went pretty quickly. I was kind of scared to applique on a star, but it turned out it was the REALLY easy part, haha. I think the next one should go MUCH quicker. After I was done I went to JoAnnes and ended up buying a rotating mat. I think that is one of the problems I have always had. I always seem to want whatever tools or equipment whoever it is that is teaching me (or in this case demonstrating it for me) uses, and the gal who teaches many of the tutorials I am watching has one, and truthfully I think it will make cutting those next pieces MUCH easier. I did have 2 more 50% off coupons, plus an additional 15% as well, so it made it MUCH more affordable. I am excited to give it a whirl (pun intended, haha) tomorrow. I tried to use the other 50% off coupon on a new iron. AGAIN, the gal I am watching has one and I LOVE the way it works. It is an Eliso pro iron and is VERY pricey. Mine is old, doesn't get real hot, and doesn't really even steam anymore. And after today, I can see just how important a HOT, STEAMY iron really is when it comes to quilting. However, after I phoned and got it approved by my hubby, I excitedly took it to the counter only to find out the 50% off coupon doesn't work on irons. (says so right there in the fine print!). So I put it back and figured, hey I have a birthday coming up in Sept., guess maybe I will wait for that. I also want to show you another couple of little things that belonged to my mother that I put to use today, and how helpful they were. So now here are a few pics...
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| EXCITED TO GET STARTED...SEE THE NEW TEMPLATE AND THE STAR PATTERN I DOWNLOADED OFF THE COMPUTER? |
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| THIS LITTLE TABLE TOP IRON WAS MY MOM'S...CAME IN PRETTY HANDY |
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| NIFTY NEW ROTATING MAT |
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| AND THIS HANDY, DANDY, MAGNIFYING MIRROR SWINGS AROUND YOUR NECK WITH THE STRING, AND THEN RESTS ON YOUR CHEST, (OR IN MY CASE, MY AMPLE STOMACH). IT WORKS WONDERFULLY TO RIP SEAMS OUT!! OR THREAD A NEEDLE. I HAVE LOVED IT! |
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| ONE SIDE OF THE RUNNER |
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| BOTH SIDES CONNECTED WITH MIDDLE PIECE |
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| COMPLETED RUNNER. I WAS GOING TO GO STEP BY STEP IN PICTURES, BUT GUESS I MUST HAVE GOT EXCITED, BECAUSE SUDDENLY I WAS DONE. |
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| CLOSE UP ON MY STAR. I DID NOT USE MY GOOD CAMERA, (THESE WERE DONE WITH MY I-PHONE) AND I KNOW THEY ARE NOT REALLY CLEAR, BUT YOU DO GET THE IDEA. |
Guess that is it for now. I am not sure I got enough fabric for as many runners as I was going to make, but we will see. I do have another pattern I am going to try as well. I can see projects lining up for a while. I intend to sew tomorrow, and have a few little cleaning projects planned for this week-end. Hope you all have a GOOD week-end, and are staying cool. Blessings to you all! Debbie
I finished another runner today and am happy to report that this one went alot quicker. Many thanks to Kathy for tips on how to iron the seams. Worked MUCH better Kathy. What I really need is someone to look at this in person up close and critique it....haha
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| CUTE SNOWMAN FABRIC TRIMMED IN A MORE TRADITIONAL RED |
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Debbie, I cannot believe you have been using a rotary blade withOUT a mat!! What were you cutting it out on? Those mats are the best!!!
ReplyDeleteI have had a couple Rowenta Irons, and they are wonderful. Last time though, I hated to spent the money and got something else. I regret it. I want a Rowenta again!
The runner looks great!!!!
xo Kris
Kris I had a mat, but not the rotating one as well, haha. The big one is great for BIG pieces, but for the pieces for the trees and such, this will be great. I will look at a Rowenta iron now...and if you have any other tips or tools that work well, I am soo all ears! : )
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I got a Singer iron at Walmart a couple of years ago -it was very highly rated by Consumer Reports, and I've been very happy with it. It wasn't the cheapest one in the store but it wasn't the most expensive.
ReplyDeleteYour first runner is gorgeous!! I love it!! Glad you were able to get a good bit of sewing done n Thread the Needle day!
With my visits here, I feel like I open a craft magazine every time. What a pretty runner!
ReplyDeleteAre you making these for gifts? Just beautiful. You really could sell your work, but I imagine that would take some of the fun out of it. Always love seeing your work, Debbie. You really have a gift.
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
Very nicely done! That's a cute pattern, too. I do love my magnifier for close work...old, tired eyes don't wok so well. Now you've got me wishing for a rotating mat. Always something we'd like.
ReplyDeleteI fell off the planet for the past near week so I'm just playing catch up. Whew. It's not that easy, I'll tell ya.
ReplyDeleteI love the Christmas project itself, but what I'm really jazzed about are some of the tools. I would love rotary scissors for just everyday sewing. The other kind hurts my fifty-onederful hands. And I'm loving that magnifying glass!!