Monday, May 10, 2010

Design Wall Monday::Almost Sewing Again


On Saturday I finally got to spend a few hours in my sewing room.  Unfortunately, it was such a mess that I needed to spend quite a while just straightening up.  Under a pile of fabrics I had more or less just dumped on top of some project boxes, I came across these 20 blocks all finished and patiently waiting. I knew that I had bought some yardage for the lattice strips.  It took a few minutes to locate that.  Then I remembered that I had set aside something else for setting triangles.  That took a little more digging. I also found the few extra pink strips that I had designated for the cornerstones.

I printed out the plan for the quilt from EQ and started to calculate what I was going to need to cut.  I was scribbling my calculations on the back of an old envelope when I decided that it would probably be better to just put them in my quilt notebook so I wouldn't have to worry about losing the envelope.  It took a few more minutes to find the notebook.


And when I opened the notebook I found that I had ALREADY done the darn calculations.  Do you use a notebook?  This one is a graph paper composition book which I've been trying to keep for the past few years.  If I find a quilt design I like, I can sketch it out.  I also try to write out the plans for each quilt I'm working on so they'll be all together in a safe place.




Armed with all the measurements I needed, I started cutting.  I'm happy to say that all the lattices and cornerstones are cut.  I wasn't able to get to the setting triangles before I ran out of time, but at least I know what size they're going to be. 

And so....



I was finally able to get this thing laid out on the design wall. 

The pattern is Sister's Choice from Bonnie Hunter at quiltville.com.  As with all Bonnie's patterns, it has a nice efficient way of sewing the parts together.  And it's a great way to use a jelly roll, as all the strips are cut at 2 1/2 inches.  I needed a bit of extra yardage for the some of the background fabrics, but I was able to get 20 blocks made from a single jelly roll. 


Now all I have to do is find some time to get it put together.  No promises there...

You can check out what other bloggers have on their design wall today by clicking through to Judy L.'s Patchwork Times.  I think you'll find that others have been way more productive than I have lately, but hey, any progress is good, right?

15 comments:

Ali Honey said...

Yes, I do use notebooks / journals all the time.( lists! )
My working instruction to myself I do on a pad and then put them to keep in a clear file folder.A very worthwhile idea; I often reuse what I have worked out - measurements etc.

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Oh, it's wonderful, Diana! Someplace I've got a bunch of those blocks that I started as a Leader-Ender project way back last summer. Perhaps this summer I'll get 'em together?

Laura said...

Looks great! I love your idea of using a notebook to keep all the work for each project together.

Quilter Kathy said...

I need to work in a notebook...that's a great idea!
I spend a lot of time looking for things I have hidden on myself :)

Jayne Honnold said...

You have created a beauty, Diana. I am very glad you shared it here! I just tidied up my sewing room last week, and if you are anything like me, you will love the feeling of a clean room! I am so excited to get some great project going! Enjoying your blog! Jayne

Ivani said...

WOW great design wall, love the colors. I have a paper note book , but sometimes my calculations are done on an envelope or other piece of paper. Happy quilting.

QuiltNut Creations said...

beautiful! love the fabrics/colors

PatchworkRose said...

I am naughty I use scraps of paper which get buried too. I need to use a notebook. Love the blocks and fabric choices :-)

Miriam said...

I love those blocks!

I have a couple of notebooks, otherwise I would have scribbled on scraps of paper all over the place!

Ruth said...

That will be an awesome quilt! Using a notebook sounds like a great idea. I need to get more organized.....

dutchcomfort said...

Love how your quilt is coming together Diana!

I can’t live without my notebooks. I even have one next to my bed so when I can’t sleep I can write down some ideas..

Diane said...

I love the pinks/browns in the blocks, very pretty. You accomplished a lot in a few hours.

Debbie J said...

I love the pinks and browns! The last full size (queen) quilt I made was browns and pinks. Just a little yellow/gold. Good Job!

Myra said...

Your blocks/project is coming along nicely! Love it! 8-)

Gari in AL said...

I am so not a pink person but after seeing yours and one other I may have to make one. I don't use a notebook but I do have a system. I copy pictures of either a quilt I see in a magazine or my drawing of a design and put it in a 3 ring notebook. Then as I write up the directions, they go in, too. When the quilt is done it is all moved to a "completed" notebook tha also has what became of the quilt.