Christmas Chaos Quilt Top Compete

 
The Christmas Chaos aka Christmas Potpourri Quilt top is done!!  We were amazed how the borders calmed it down.  I have no idea how it will be quilted … or when.  For now, I am happy that the top is complete and I can take it off the design wall and cross it off of my 2012 stitching goal list.

Chaos Continues with block 10 and Seasons Winter XS

Block 10 - Christmas Potpourri

Over the weekend I completed another block in the Christmas Chaos quilt.  The fabrics are waiting to be starched and pressed for blocks 11 and 12.

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During the week, I spent my stitching time with SK Seasons Winter.  This is a pretty slow go.... much threading and re-threading with the constant color changes.  I don't do well with cross country stitching but it might be a faster technique.   It sounds like I'm whining but not so -- I am enjoying the project.

Another Xmas Quilt Block

I just finished block number seven of the Christmas Potpourri BOM!  The fabric for block 8 is drying and I hope to have it ready to go today.

The block would have been done sooner if I hadn't be sidetracked by my HAED project SK Seasons Winter.  It was stitch-a-long week and I got about 500 or so stitches in.  At this rate it will be finished ... yikes ... I don't want to think about it!

SK Seasons Winter at about 10%

I have been working on an order for a new floor stand and scroll frame set from Needle Needs in the UK.  I promised myself that I would place the order as soon as I finished block 7 --- off I went and the item I want went out of stock.  How sad is that??  I hope they have it available again soon.

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 BOM - Block One

This is the first block for the Christmas BOM Quilt -- the finished size for each block is 18" - the block is currently at 16".  The block construction is rather interesting, the inner border of half-square triangles is actually designed as part of each of the 10 outer blocks.   I made the first set of  hs triangles but have decided to wait until all the blocks are complete to decide how the position the colors.