Thursday, April 20, 2017

Changing Up My Game


If you were visiting my sewing space and sewing along with me right now, you'd probably think I'm crazy.  I'm tackling my projects much like I clean house, by getting distracted and not finishing something before I start working on something else.  Unlike, cleaning house, I do feel like I am making progress, but my game keeps changing.

I am still quilting away on our pattern release quilts.  Above is a little teaser shot of my baby quilt.  That was the first time I've used a hook swirl and I'm 100% sure it will not be my last.  To give myself variety and my poor wrist a break, I am working on my QAL projects in between quilting sessions.

The Children's Library Blocks

So far I am update on The Children's Library BOM by Pat Sloan, and Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilt's Jolly Christmas Quilt.  I am also up to date on Sandra's Free Fall QAL, but we will talk about that one more on Monday.  I also just got caught up on Cindy at Stitchin At Home's Medallion QAL.  Since finishing the center medallion (although I need to add the bottom border), I fell behind making the first two 12" blocks.

  
First up was the Friendship Star Variation Block, 


followed by the Rosebud Block.  Both blocks sewed up super quick.


Here they are hanging out with the center block on my small portable design wall.

Next let's talk about Pat Sloan's Solstice challenge.  I am actually several blocks behind on this one, but don't fret, I have a plan.  This quilt will be a beast (as far as QAL's go) when it is finished; 86ish inches I do believe.  I decided very early on that I would make the asymmetrical quilt layout, which looks like this...


I realized that I am at a point where sections of the quilt are actually starting to come together.  My new plan is to work on sections as they can be completed.  That way I'm not stuck piecing all those blocks together when the last block's instructions come out.  Also, since I'm going stash scrappy, maybe I can make it look a bit more put together.  


So looking at the chart, I already had two of the three blocks in section C completed.  All I needed to do was make one block and add strips to either side of the heart block and BAM in about 20 to 30 minutes I had one completed section.


So I took that momentum and charged forward to section B, which is going to be a bit more work.


This section will live beside section C and will require one more block, border around the large bottom block and my first checkerboard filler.  I decided on a floral and a blue print for the Spring Fever block, a maroon/ red border for the large block (it is actually in the gray print fabric) and...


black and gray for the checkerboard filler block.


As of now, I'm still in the middle of piecing all of this together, but this is a sneak peak of my plans moving forward.  As sections and rows of things can be pieced together, I'm going to go ahead and do it to save myself time later.  This will actually apply to all my current WIP QAL's.  The last thing I want is for WIP QAL's to become UFO's, OMG that's a lot of letters!!! :)

When I end up with a ton of completed blocks that need sewed together, I can feel weighted down by them and that is what I'm trying to avoid.  Do you ever feel that way or maybe have a better plan for tackling such things?  Or do you just wait till the end of the project and sew them all together?  I'd love to know your thoughts.  Until next time, I will be still sewing my way out of my hole.  I still have the Aurifil block to make, one stitch at a time, one stitch at a time.


Today I'm linking up with TGIFF, Let's Bee Social and Weight Loss Wednesday.  

18 comments:

Lorna McMahon said...

I can't wait to see more of your quilt design.... The quilting looks so pretty! And so do all your blocks. But let's have no more talk of housework, okay?

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Some really awesome projects there Tish! Can't wait to see a finish, especially with your pattern quilts. That baby quilt looks sweet--great teaser! It makes me want to see more! Ah well. I'll just have to be patient--something I struggle with. Thanks so much for linking up! We'll help you get focused and done!

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl said...

I am in awe of all the QALs you are participating in and how up to date you are staying! The swirl hook quilting looks great. Are you quilting it on the long arm or your sit down?

Bernie Kringel said...

You have so much in progress!! I would get so mixed up. Love your swirl hook quilting. It looks fantastic.

Susan said...

You have a ton of projects in the works! I'd feel more weighted down with all of those than having a bunch of blocks to sew together. The latter is a signal that I'm nearing the end of the project and can get a glimpse of the final piece.

Vicki in MN said...

You are not alone in the many projects on the burner at the same time!! Sometimes I wish I would stop that, but I can't, LOL Your hook swirl is awesome, yes indeed that is a fun one to use over and over.

Ruth said...

I really like your approach to the sampler and it looks fun. Love the hook and swirl!

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

You may not be enamoured with the hook, but it sure looks good. I don't know how you keep up with all your QAL's but it sefinetly beats housework.

Lori said...

you have some wonderful projects going. I usually wait until all the blocks for one project are done than piece them together. This way I can get a last look at how I want them to go together. have fun. look forward to seeing the finished ones

Lisa J. said...

Wow Tish: You have a lot going on here. I think I have too much going on but not as much as you! It will be fun seeing this all come together whenever that happens. I'm a work on the blocks and then put them all together girl.

Stitchin At Home said...

Love your swirl hook, going to have to give it a try. Sneak peaks are making me want to see more of your quilt pattern... Your medallion quilt colours are gorgeous.

Paige said...

Tish, your blocks are beautiful and so is that quilting! You definitely won't get board...you could pick a different project to work on everyday! Lovely progress!

JanineMarie said...

It's always fun to come to your site because you have such a variety going on with all of your projects. I'm sure that even though your style of doing housework and quilt projects is the same, the quilting is a WHOLE lot more fun!! I like to be able to sew quilt tops together as I go when I can. I've never really enjoyed sewing whole rows of blocks together. But it kind of depends on the project.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

I can't imagine joining in all the QAL's like you do....I'm impressed you are keeping up with them! That swirl hook design is so fun, definitely going to have to try that. I agree that putting the blocks together as they are finished keeps me from getting bored and helps me to feel like I'm making progress. Sometimes sewing 20-30 blocks together can be a bit overwhelming! Hang in there! You make SO much progress, it totally amazes me. You're a quilting guru!! :)

Preeti said...

I don't think, I am convinced that you are crazy. Crazy good, crazy creative and crazy productive. Hope you stay that way.
Big Hugs

Cheryl said...

Such great blocks, all of them! They are going to turn into some beautiful quilts! (and your hook and swirl quilting is amazing!)

KaHolly said...

I was already overwhelmed, and then I visited this post! Now, I'm just dizzy. Some days it's better not to jump on the internet first thing in the morning! I'm certainly looking forward to seeing your new quilt! You nailed that hook and swirl motif! XO

Sandra Walker said...

I do NOT know how you do all this, work full-time, put out teenager fires, look after the fur kids, look after your man, and keep up with all these QALs! All the projects are looking terrific, but I just am in LOVE with the swirl hook you did! Angela-worthy. :-)

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