Block 6 of Christmas Potpourri

Another block for the Christmas Potpourri quilt!  This is block 6 and it went together beautifully.  I'm a happy camper and am off to get the fabrics ready for block 7.

Since the fabrics are mostly cut into rectangles that are 6" by 10", I don't pre-wash.  I pre-rinse in the sink, roll in a towel, dry and then use magic sizing when I press.  The debate about pre-washing continues and I will put in my opinion ---

This project is a perfect example of why I pre-treat my quilt fabric.  There are at least 12 fabrics that have been stacked and cut the same size for each block.  After a nice rinse, they are each a different size and / or shape.  Some shrink in wierd ways, some turn into parallelograms.  I prefer to have this happen before the quilt is constructed.  If you like to steam while piecing that can also cause a shift in the fabric if it has not been pre-treated.

I was once told by someone who had worked in the garment district in NYC that when you see how the fabrics are wound on the bolts it is no wonder that they become stretched and misshaped.  A prewash -- or even a quick spray with water -- helps them bounce back to their original shape.

Christmas Potpourri - Block 5

 
Christmas Potpourri - Complete Block 5

Block 5 was finished today -- this is a super busy quilt.  It's fun to make but it is really pushing me into uncharted territory.  Trying to make the variety of fabrics work together in a balanced way is not exactly working the way I had imagined.   I need to spend more time on this project -- with seven more blocks and borders I can not let it be a true "block of the month".  It needs to be done and off my design wall!!

Stitching Goals Revisited for 2012

The stitch goals that I selected for 2012 still look good but I have removed the felt & sequin ornaments.  That doesn't seem like much .... but ...

Over the past few years I have been buying Bucilla felt kits for ornaments and stockings because I really like the way they look when they are completed!  Unfortunately, I don't really like making them.... I have always been a fan of applique -- as a spectator activity --  the felt kits are applique with bling.

I have been feeling rather guilty about all of those fun kits so last night it was time to work on one in progress and as a result I have decided that it is time to make most of my Bucilla kits go away.  I plan to start listing them on eBay.

Wow -- I fell better already!!

Needlepoint Camel by Melissa Shirley

 

Melissa Shirley Needlepoint Camel Item #227

When a Melissa Shirley canvas is added to eBay, I get a notice via email.  This beauty popped up last week and was delivered on Monday -- thanks, Michele!   Goodness knows when or how this handsome camel will be stitched but he has found a good home.

The canvas doesn't appear on the Melissa Shirley website so it's possible that it's no longer available.  The overall design size is about 21 x 21 and is painted on 13 count mono.  There are some "companion" pieces to the camel including an elephant, moose, peacock....

Pineapple Bellpull by B. Jackson / Fine Lines

I spent the past week working on a project that has been sitting barely started for over 15 years -- hard to believe it has been that long.  This is the Pineapple Bellpull designed by Barbara Jackson for Fine Lines, the project is a four part series.  I'm using 40 count linen with AVAS silks.

The photo shows the first 6 bands from part one.  It is a joy to stitch --  but -- I believe that the instructions are aimed at an intermediate/advanced stitcher.   These are tips that might help:

1.  Band 1 is charted slightly different than the photo.  Be sure to keep the design even and balanced it glares if you make an error... yes, I stitched this band twice <sigh>.  Also, I put in the gold and thought it looked awful and out of place -- I'm ditching the metallic.

2. Band 3 is charted differently on the master graph than as shown in the project notes -- follow the project notes.

3.  Band 5 - I managed to stitch this band three times before I liked the look.  The master chart is different from the project notes AND the placement on the master chart does not match the stitched photo.  I started the band one thread to the right of what is indicated on the master.  The project notes show a high level "how to" -- follow the master chart for number of stitches and be sure to have four fabric threads between the  stitches (not two as shown in the project notes).