Half Square Triangles

You use what you have sometimes...

I started on my half square triangles for the Star Light Star Bright Along... then life took over.

When you work for you Mom, in an industry you love, you get a lot of: 'You must sew all the time! And have such a great time in what you do every day.' I am coming to realize I don't start many large projects like this one because many time life and business gets in the way of what I start. I have to be more intentional about not putting it away and losing sight of what I started out to do. Thankfully with this project, I have the rally call of friends to make sure I complete it.

But for now, here's a few pictures of my progress and a few of the job that is taking up my time this week.  I really do love being able to provide a service for another downtown business that makes their exclusive t-shirts all the more special. They'll be ready and on the sales floor at Made; on Friday.

A Good Tool.

Cut & sewn correctly.

Question:
How do you figure out the value a good quilting tool?

Answer:
Mess up your cutting so bad you can't use it!


This is step 2 of the Star Light Star Bright Quilt A Long.
My flying geese took shape part Wing Clipper method, part traditional method, but not by choice. 

And look how pretty.

I have to begin by telling you, I am not known for sewing slowly or methodically. I like to race through things and this time I really paid for it.  I zoomed through my first set of flying geese and they turned out wonderfully. I love the Wing Clipper by Deb Tucker that we carry at the shop. It helps you make 4 perfect flying geese out of 5 squares of fabric.

The assuption is that you have cut the fabrics correctly. And that's where I goofed. I cut all my background squares 1" too small for the second round of flying geese. I noticed that they looked different, but I didn't stop to measure and I kept sewing. I knew it wasn't right when I trimmed them all, then started to press.

When it doesn't look right, it probably isn't.

Emma has been itching to take a walk up on the bridge and up onto the hill above the shop. It was a good time for a break, some fresh air, and refocus on the day.

When we got back, out came the seam ripper and with a little help from Mom, they were all 'unsewn'.

Sewing was slow and steady from that point on since I was now dealing with all bias edges where I needed to sew, I didn't need to be streatching the fabric too.

It took longer than I wanted it to, but they're all done now and ready for the next step. 

A bridge break with Emma can solve almost any problem.

Ready for the next step... finally!

New Energy = Renewed Energy

Briar Rose by Windham... and a couple blenders.

I have been in a funk.
For awhile.

I am grateful that I work in an industry that I love, with my mother and my daughter in a great town with a wonderfully supportive 'family' of small businesses.

I have to confess that some days it is challenging. And sometimes I let those challenges get to me and they bring me down and I lose focus of everything from the customer/friend walking through the door to the beautiful fabrics and new notions that usually bring me such joy.

I use tags to help me keep track of what I need to cut next.

Given all the things that bring me down and distract me,  I decided to (like some of my friends) to pick a word for the year to focus on each day.

I chose energy. Namely I want to focus on my own energy. What I bring to my own day and how that affects me, those around me, and the space around me. It didn't take long for me to sense a difference in my attitude.

My new focus on energy made me be open to a friend who encouraged me to participate in a Quilt A Long.

Cutting... DONE!!

What is a Quilt-A-Long you may ask? The best explanation I can give is that is it's like a mystery quilt, but you get to see what the end product may/will look like. There is a schedule so that you know when you need to have each step done and be ready for the next instruction. Not only does this give me a goal for when I need to complete my next step, it also gives me a community of quilters to keep me on track.

I selected the picnic blanket size and I picked fabrics I have always wanted to use, but needed a project that suited using bright and fun fabrics.

I will be posting my steps along the way and there is still to join in if you'd like. It's already been a lot of fun for me. 

Here's to new & renewed energy in 2014.