Easy?!

Remember how I said I looked forward to the Irish Chain? I think I'm changing my mind.

I thought there colors would be a more crisp contrast between the two colors,but I didn't realize how much the prints would compete with each other. It wouldn't have looked so bad if one were a solid and the other a big print. Then, I realized I made another mistake.

I meant for the lighter print to be the one forming the chains, but once I put them together I realized I'd cut out the the wrong color of background squares. Grrrrrr. Grrrrrr.

Even though the prints compete with each other,I went ahead and cut out lighter background squares. I'll finish the pattern since I cut out all the pieces and it is easy to put together. I think I will make an interesting backing to the quilt. I was trying some different things with my scraps, and I made a star block with half square triangles. I love the look of stars but am terrified of diamonds with all those bias edges. I'll do them one day, but now's not the time for me.

I used my 2 1/2" squares for this one. I'm not picky about the size (it ended up a bit over 6 inches) since I am trying to use up scraps. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. I haven't decided how I want to set the squares yet. I'm thinking either plain squares in a light print or muslin, or sashings and cornerstones. I think I'm going to get more fabric this weekend even though I'm trying to use up my stash because I want to have a big variety and am running out of different ways to put things together. I feel like that's ok because now I know lots of ways to use scraps, and they won't be wasted.

Happy Quilting!

Arrghhh

I decided I wanted a quick hand piecing project, so I cut out all these cute little squares. Then, I thought "Well hey,I've never done on point settings before". So I tried that out. All was well until I sewed the rows of assembled squares together. I don't know if I marked the squares wrong, or made the triangles the wrong size, but that quilt isn't even almost square. I don't think everything has to necessarily perfect, but this little bugger was just wrong.

So, I'm going to piece a single Irish Chain pattern that I stared a while back but put aside. I'm doing it on the machine, andthe squares and 9 patches are simple but after the mini quilt fiasco, I need simple. Plus, I love the fabric I chose for it so I always feel in a better mood after looking at it.

On the upside, I am recovering from the horrible cold I've had the past week. Yay!!

My current project

I don't have a walking foot for my machine, so I am learning to quilt by hand. Who knew a simple running stitch could be so difficult?! I am telling the voice in my head that says "give up, get a walking foot, you'll never get this " to shut up for now. No one I know in person quilts so I am relying on pictures, helpful suggestions, and dogged determination to do it. I know deep down that the only way I'll get better at quilting is to just do it.

I made a table runner out of some 2 1/2 inch strips to practice on. I was meaning to make another small quilt but ran out of the fabric I wanted. Of course, there isn't any more at the store, but I am also trying to use what I have instead of buying new fabric all the time. I think it's good, it's forcing me to be creative.

The top picture is of the back. I made pioneer braids of 2 1/2 inch by 6 inch strips following the directions at http://www.quiltville.com/pioneerbraidborder.shtml . It was lots fun, I'm definitely going to use braids on future quilts.

The bottom picture is of the front. I wondered how to do the tapered ends since I wanted to continue with the patchy pattern but didn't have any of the gold print left. So, I strip pieced two 9 patch squares of the red and blue. Then I started to wonder what would happen if I cut the squares across the diagonal. I did, rotated them so the short sides were touching an voila! I had tapered ends the perfect size for the main body.

I'm not near finished quilting it. I figured after struggling with some designs I'd doodled on I just needed to do long, straight (well, almost straight) lines. No pictures yet, but so far it's going well and I'm finding my hand quilting rhythm. It's nice to do something by hand rather than be tethered to the machine. If I can push aside my impatient side I'll do some hand piecing.