Inspired...
It is so easy to be inspired by all the creativity at Elegant Stitches, seeing all the amazing projects anywhere from the idea phase to completely finished items. Lately, I've gotten the quilting bug. Quilting is something I never thought I'd want to do. I know my personality, and I like to work hard and fast, get things done quickly, and have instant gratification. I have to admit, quilting requires a lot of time and energy, but it is truly rewarding once the process is complete.
Idea...
A few weeks ago, an employee at the shop, Deborah, shared a jelly roll quilt with her coworkers. I immediately asked her how she made the quilt and thought, "I can do this! This is the answer to my need to work hard and fast and complete a project in a timely manner." I bought the Chantilly jelly roll by Moda that very day, went home, and got started.
Snag...
I began the process the way that I thought was correct. I had only verbal instructions, not a written pattern. As I finished cutting and sewing my jelly roll, I realized that what I had was not what I had seen and wanted to recreate. OOPS!
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| Chantilly Fabric by Moda |
What to do...
With the way that they were now combined, I could not wrap my head around these fabrics blending together nicely in a quilt. I found a pen and paper and started sketching out different designs to see how to salvage what I had started. I decided to make TWO quilts instead of one! I definitely turned a "quick and easy" quilt idea into something a little more complicated and time-consuming. Not only was this my first experience, but I then took on the added challenge of designing my own pattern.
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| Design Idea Number 1 |
Starting again...
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| I added white to break up the colors |
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| Design Idea Number 2 |
Sewing Begins...
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| I love chain stitching! Remember my motto...work hard and fast! |
Getting there...
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| Design 1 from sketch above |
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| Straightening my squares (please be kind...my first piecing job, EVER!) |
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| Not quite right... |
Finishing...
Quilt One
I decided I would give the first quilt I ever pieced (design 1 from sketch) to my mother for her birthday. She is always quilting for her family and now the gift would be returned to her. How fitting for my first quilt to go to the one who taught me to sew! Since this was a gift, I decided to have a friend actually quilt it with her long arm instead of me attempting to quilt it. Notice in the picture below, I did not stick with the design layout in the above photo.
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| First Design, I'll call Diamonds and Feathers |
Quilt Two
The second quilt design would be done for my new granddaughter. I thought that this would be a good one for me to attempt to quilt myself. I have the machine, the feet, the time -- I'm gonna do it! Well, let's just say, I am a "go big or go home" kind of girl... I decided to quilt with my circular attachment! I had it, it would be cute, and the circles would compliment the rectangles and the squares. Okay, I've got this!
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| And a round and round we go! |
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| How many more circles???? |
I will admit, this was not the most brilliant idea for a first time quilting experience. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the finished product, however, stitching in straight lines for a first time quilting experience would be my recommendation for a newbie! This experience taught me how to use the circular attachment, kept me at my sewing machine for days on end, and taught me that patience is definitely a virtue!
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| Can you just picture me turning this quilt in circle after circle to complete it? What a sight! |
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| My grandbaby loved it.... I'll call this Circles Galore! |
"Now," you ask, "will you listen to your own advice?" Probably not! I say pull up a chair and stitch -- in a circle if you want! No project is too daunting and accidental mistakes turn into beautiful finished items. Try it! You just might enjoy it!
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