WOW: A Pink Baby WIP

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well this is a WIP I'll definitely have to finish in time! One of the women in my beginner's sewing circle is expecting a baby girl. Now they're suddenly interested in quilting for the first time and I'm delighted as it gives me an excuse to introduce them to this art I love so much. Also, I have a huge stash and I love knowing that it's about to be put to use. I've donated my pinks for group use and I think we'll make a quilt, a sleeping bag and some cute accessories like bibs and short little over dresses and a few pram throws too. There's nothing secret about this cot quilt, we're all in it together and I'll show you our progress as the weeks go on.

This beginners sewing circle has been really good for my stash busting aspirations. Instead of shopping at their local Spotlight, these ladies have been shopping via my shelf. They can't believe how much fabric I have amassed. I can't believe it either.

It's hard to let good fabric go so cheaply, but I reason that it will be thrown out when I die and it's better to sell it now and use the proceeds on new project specific fabric that I can actually use in a quilt. It seems that I have so much beautiful fabric and so little of it is ever suitable for what I'm currently doing. In the last few years I've decided that building a stash is a bad idea, I need to free myself of the stash mentality and only buy what I need for what I am currently creating. A tough discipline but one I am determined to master. Eventually.

It's been decided that an apple core pattern is the way to go with this baby quilt and these women have decided that a new baby is the perfect reason to explore quilting. That makes sense. Interestingly, my first ever quilted project was a table runner.

Do you remember your first ever quilting project?

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined: An Update

 I love this quilt. Today I unpacked my Love Entwined centre to take a good look at it. I haven't had it in my eyesight for a few weeks since I went looking for a border fabric to take me into the next stage. I still haven't found the right fabric but I'm not worried, I know it will show up when I'm not looking for it. This morning I pinned it up on the wall to remind myself just how far I've come with my own heirloom version of this quilt (because I forget) and how lucky I am to be able to enjoy seeing the hundreds of LE's floating around out there (because it's time to pause and take stock). Love Entwined is an extraordinary quilt and I am more in love with it today than I was when I first started this project.

I've been meaning to post an update on this quilt in response to queries and emails I keep receiving (and which I love receiving, thank you), so here it is:

• I have completed my centre and will aim to complete it when I find the right fabric
• I'm almost finished on my Love Entwined 2 (variation pattern) and that one is in red and white
• I have decided that I will release a Love Entwined Coffee Table Book (because this quilt wants to be seen) and it will be published for members on a not for profit basis. I will put all the details up here on my blog as well as over in my group and will create a submission process whereby you can contribute your own quilt images once you're ready. With a quilt this epic, I think I'll wait another 12-18 months before launching this, although it depends on the finish rate. I might open submissions soon and allow quilters to add their entries as and when they finish. I've been shocked by how quickly quilters are actually getting it made, so I will likely get onto it this year
• Yes, I agree that a LE Exhibition would be a wonderful idea, but I haven't given it much more thought other than that at the moment. I think it is something we would do to coincide with the release of our book. And I envision it happening in the UK (or not? who knows?) and possibly the Netherlands as there are so many LE's there. This is something I will throw open over in the group for discussion when the time arises.
• Love Entwined was released and available for free, for over 18 months. It will not be released again. I'm sorry to disappoint but I don't re-release BOMs. 
• I have no update regarding the original coverlet. I attempted to contact the owners to ask them to share images of the original with us all and they have declined to respond. This is disappointing for everyone, but I respect their right to do what they like. I have always felt that the original coverlet was an article of historical importance, and wanted it investigated and preserved as an important piece of history. This has not happened and there's really nothing more I can do about it. I did what I could by reviving this pattern and that is my part in this story. Every quilter who has gone on to make LE or a project based on LE becomes a part of this story themselves in their own special way. And I'm proud that we all joined forces to give this pattern a life beyond the pages of a book where it was long forgotten. We did what we could. Who knows what tomorrow brings?
• Love Entwined touched my heart, that's why I released my own homage as a pattern to the wonderful and mysterious original; but I could have never foreseen the friendship, generosity and community of women who have come together to share their work over in my Yahoo BOM Group. When I look over the photo albums, I am struck by just how generous and friendly our group is. And so talented too. It really brings me joy to see LE made in so many different ways and in so many styles. I really love them all. I think this has been the best thing about the whole experience -connecting with other quilters. 

Thank you for making that possible. 

We still have so much LE joy ahead of us and I personally can't wait to get there with you.

WOW: Esther's Alterations

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Thanks everyone, I loved your replies to last weeks post, its good to know that I'm not the only one with the means (sewing machine, tools and time) to do home sewing but completely lacking the motivation to do so. Well, last Wednesday was a turning point for me, I decided to get down and do ALL the alterations: cushion zip replacements, loose curtain hem re-stitching, woolen jumper loose thread fixing, pill ball shaving and even button replacing. Oh yes, I had a whole heap of buttons to replace. I have a habit where I like to stitch new buttons on store bought clothes because store bought clothes often have rather ugly buttons on them. All in all it was a production line. I decided that in order to get stuck into my quilting (and goodness, there's so much I'm planning before this year is out) that I knew I had to get my house in order first. Just so I could have some peace during quilting time. Otherwise I'm always being reminded about the things that need doing.

With the domestic WIP pile sewing mostly done, I have reclaimed the chair beneath and the end is in sight. Today is the last of my domestic front. I'm doing to my last few things that need fixing.

This top is the main thing. I bought it because I fell in love with the fabric, but the neckline was always terrible. In the fitting room I reasoned that I would fix it to suit me. Like a lot of tops these days, it was gaping at the neck line and completely unwearable. So here I am trying to create a whole new collar neckline fix. With this stretchy fabric, it's really hit and miss. I hope I can save this top, today will tell. I have a clothes collection in my street tomorrow so I'm bagging up and letting go of any clothes I no longer need. I'm going to feel so much better with everything altered, ironed and my sewing room dedicated once again to quilting.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Chores are WIPs Too

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

So many machines, so few alterations getting done in this household! Just the other day I stood in front of an alteration shop and actually considered having a long neglected skirt hem quickly blind stitched for $24 - madness! Outsourcing basic tasks so I can devote every spare minute to quilting sounds good ...but is really taking my domestic laziness too far. So today I'm taking care of my 'chore' sewing.

This is a new top from Sara that I like wearing when I'm stenciling because its easy to throw into the wash as soon as I'm done and I can go out and run errands in it without getting changed if I have to pop out during the day (quilting time is precious time). Normally I wear cotton and linen floral shirts but I rarely work in them as I detest getting paint on them. But here's a common problem with store purchased items in plus sizes; the neckline.

What is going on with necklines? When you grade a pattern into a larger size there are increments where you increase measure for each inch increase, but the neck is not one of them. For reasons I still don't understand, manufacturers don't seem to know this. How they don't know confuses me. And this means that tops 'grow' all over and this means enlarged necklines that billow open for no reason other than shoddy pattern re-sizing. Where are all the pattern makers I wonder as I fix endless necklines...are they all at lunch? Are they frightened of necklines? Or do they think that enlarging everything on a pattern is a safe and easy alternative to actually doing their job? Who knows..

People always ask me what brand of jeans I wear. I have no idea why they ask me this as it seems like such an odd question to ask someone. I wear TS Jeans. Taking Shape is an Australian Brand. They're excellent, probably the best I've ever owned. This pair has always had a sticky zip, and I should have just exchanged it but couldn't be bothered because they didn't have my size left in the style I wanted so I'm finally getting around to replacing it myself- it's only taken me 2 years. At least that means I'll have a 'new' pair of jeans by the end of the day as I've never worn this particular pair.

What's Your WOW ?

An InLinkz Link-up