Dealing with my scraps

I don’t think its uncommon for long-time sewers like myself to have a scrap system, though I know some people would think mine is a little too serious or rigid.

To start with everything gets put in a small basket. Small because once the basket is full it gets cut up into standard sizes and if the basket were too big it would be a marathon effort. As it was I think I spent about 5 hours cutting scraps this weekend.

While it seems tedious its a good activity to do when I am feeling uninspired or not sure what project to tackle next. I cut into 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 inch strips, 5 inch squares, 3 1/2 inch squares and 2 inch squares. The idea being that one day I’ll have enough to make some delightful scrappy quilts. They also come in handy for other crafty purposes such as making bags like this one.

When I bought the pattern I was tossing up between the pattern and a kit which came with a lovely selection of Japanese fabrics. I ended up going with the pattern because I realised hexagons was a great use of some of my 3 1/2 inch squares.

 

Getting things done

My list of works in progress has inspired me a little to get somethings done.

I’ve finished off three baby quilts I had cut out.

Knocked over a knitting project as well. This project started life as a scarf but when I picked it up again I realised the reason I stopped was that the finished product was just too dense and heavy for a scarf, it didn’t drape or flow like it should. So I unpicked and reworked it into a cushion cover.

Been doing a little work around the house as well, putting new putty in my windows and trying not to get frustrated with the slow progress. Someone who lived here before tried to fix the windows with a silicon filler instead of the proper glazing putty so it is taking forever to get the silicon out so I can do the job properly. Got to keep telling myself I’m not in any hurry.

 

Works in progress

I have been feeling very uninspired craft wise for a while now. I’ve been mustering a little energy to do some knitting while watching tv, which is fine, but have pretty much been procrastinating about everything else.

I’m been trying a few things to get my mojo back. Last week was a trip to a craft shop because I really need to make a baby quilt for an imminent new arrival and I didn’t have enough of anyone kind of fabric to do anything other than a scrappy. It really helped and provided some clarity that maybe I’m not in love with some of my fabrics any more.

Yesterday, I had a really good clean out of the closet. Don’t get me wrong I’m not throwing anything out. Even the stuff I don’t love anymore will have it’s place, maybe as backings or bag linings. The purpose yesterday was to figure out what I’ve got and what I’ve got on the go. It was a bit of a work in progress audit. Well works in progress and kits, because I figure a kit might as well be a work in progress because someone else has done all the hard work of assembling the bits I need.

It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I have a total of 73 works in progress in varying stages from bought stuff and stuck it in a bag together all the way to pinned but not yet quilted including finding a couple of quilt tops I had forgotten I had.

It did inspire me a little. I’ve always loved a good list and I have already crossed one of the list. A tiny little wooden cross stitch kit which was given to me by a friend many years ago for Christmas. Now to get on with the rest of it, which I am actually looking forward too because I am of the opinion that it doesn’t have to be finished as I originally intended it. If I only got to a certain size of hand pieced hexagons I don’t have to finish it into a quilt I can make it into a cushion or a journal cover or anything else that takes my fancy. I can see some creativity in this.

 

Trying to get back into the swing of things

I think the last time I posted was almost a month ago and I’d just got back from the Sydney Quilt Show. A couple of days after that I came down with a head cold that stuck around for almost 3 weeks. After so much time feeling sorry for myself I am now trying to get things back on track and struggling, because it’s amazing how ratty your house gets after no cleaning for 3 weeks and don’t get me started on the garden. We got a bit of rain and so the lawn needed mowing and the weeds are going nuts and still need to be dealt with. Of course not much sewing has been getting done. I have been trying to get a bit of knitting done and I did finally finish the bag I was procrastinating about (It’s a Liberty Applique Rice bag kit from Don’t Look Now). It didn’t turn out too badly despite my qualms about my machine quilting/thread drawing skills. Now just need to finish the matching zipper pouch.

Sydney Quilt Show

Feels like the year is getting away from me as it always seems to, but for now I am just enjoying having had a weekend away. I spent the weekend in Sydney for a visit to the Sydney Quilt Show and accompanying Craft Fair.

Had a lovely time and spent way too much money. I won’t overdo the photos and leave you with just one of the venue. If you’d like to see more of the quilts you can at https://quiltnsw.com/quiltshow/

Procrastinating again

I am procrastinating again, and the main cause seems to be this thing.

It is part of a kit for a bag, and the next step requires me to free motion round the flowers and to draw the stems and leaves. Free motion quilting is not one of my strengths and my machine doesn’t do it well, struggling with tension. I know I should just get on with it, but it was quite an expensive kit and very beautiful and I really don’t want to ruin it. Right now however, I am off to plan my dinner.

I can’t believe it’s May already

This year my goal was to try to post every fortnight, but time keeps getting away from me. I can’t believe it is the start of May already. We are already in the fifth month of the year and while I have been getting some things done, I suspect it will be Christmas again before we know it.

In the spirit of time flying, over the last few weeks I have been working on a kit I got at the craft fair. These cute little felt Christmas stockings were quick and fun to make and will look great hanging on a bookshelf or the tree.