Wednesday, September 23, 2009

work in progress



I have come to accept the fact that every quilt has it's challenges during the assembly process. This one has had more than it's fair share. It was going well until I started cutting my fabric. Don't laugh, I'm serious. I had a mathematical miscalculation caused me to trim down 40 blocks. Ugh. Then there was a change in layout. And a tricky pieced back that barely fit. All that to say, I'm so very happy that I'm finally to the quilting part...and so far so good. I'm hoping it continues. (Sorry about the sneak peek. I hate to do it, but I don't really want to spill the beans now, since I'm so close to finishing the quilt.)

Now, to answer a few questions that have been asked a lot recently:

How do I get a copy of the magazine Sew Hip?

They have a website where you can order single issues. The mystery quilt I designed was featured over 5 different issues and they are Issues 5-9. Each issue has steps in making the quilt. You will need all 5 magazines if you are going to make the quilt.

Will you do a little house tutorial?

There is one here. I did my own thing, but the tutorial will get you started on making your own little houses. They are so much fun!


Lastly, I wanted to thank you all for such sweet comments lately. And for stopping by my little space here and reading what I have to say. It means a lot to me. You guys are wonderful. xo

43 comments:

Brenda said...

I am so thankful you take the time to share! I get something from every post!!

carol said...

Ditto to what Brenda said!!! I'm a fan!

Terry said...

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has these issues! I'm sure the finished product will be fabulous! Love the sneak peek! :0)

ktquilts said...

What I can see of it looks lovely so far!!!

Blessings,

KT

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

i have had those moments.. where nothing seems to line up.. i'm glad you got through it!

RosaMarĂ­a said...

I have those moments when i sat very happy a new project and then i make mistakes (and that put me in a bad mood) ... I make a pause of few days... but these things just happen! I love your little houses proyect and the new quilt you're doing, the fabrics are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Audrie said...

Miscalculations happen to the best of us! The little houses quilt is just too cute... I was thinking of little house blocks all day yesterday lol!

beth said...

love the green in that there quilt! glad it's all coming together now! you're a real inspiration!

Kimberly said...

Hey, you're pretty wonderful too! As are the colors in that quilt... yum!

allsewnup said...

Stuff happens and that just offers us a chance to be that much more creative. It will be a beauty I'm sure...pat yourself on the back.

:o)
Carolyn*

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Great tutoral; thank you!
I have been trough some of the same mistakes as you (I call them my "Oh ... quilts"). I feel a little better thinking of them as life's small lessons; it might take a few weeks though.

Dena said...

How frustrating it can be when something doesn't go as it should. But the reward will be the finished quilt, not to mention the lessons learned. At least that's what I tell myself when it happens to me. It seems to help me get through it without too much hair pulling.

Meg said...

Whatever its troubles, it looks lovely from here! Green, blue and white are an absolute favorite color combo of mine--can't wait to see what it turns out to be! :)

Misa said...

I have an evil quilt that never ends going now!! I made the top, no problem..didn't have batting, then another quilt needed to get done first, decided to peice scrap batting together, which went quickly but then I had the hardest time sandqiching. Now I'm almost *crosses fingers* done quilting and I'm doing a pebble look on it, and it takes sooo much thread, and sooo much time...I can't sit for too long on it....Please pray for me, I' should finish the quilting tonight and binding too...*sigh*

I did have to ask, do you baste your quilts, if so, what spray do you like to use? Thanks!

Jessica Christensen said...

I'm feeling your pain. I have a lot of goof ups -- often in the cutting arena. So sorry about the frustration, can't wait to see the finished product.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

hugs!
please come on over for tea. ;-)

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Lovin' the sneak peek and I'm glad I'm not the only one with cutting issues! I know I wasn't but it's good to hear people say it out loud. LOL.

Cheryl said...

Amanda Jean, I would never know that you have issues with the quilting process. Your quilts always look so beautiful when you post them. And you make them so quickly. I wish I could do that. I sew when I have time..I don't make time. Thanks for sharing you are ..every once in a while like us beginners; you make mistakes now and then.

Unknown said...

Looks great at this point :) Happy quilting!!

Unknown said...

AHA! You are so like us all! I knew it, I knew it! Too funny, Amandajean as I have those math issues all the time.
I showed your little houses to my friend and she is doing some. So very cute and so simple too!
Have you ever spray basted? I see you pin, pin and pin, my fingers get so sore.
I love your colour sense. I think that's what makes even the most simple of quilts that you make look sensational!

Lee D said...

I am truly grateful for your blog. If it wasn't for your blog I wouldn't have got back into quilting like I have lately. sure has made a difference in my life...and a good one. Can't wait to see you next finished quilt. I thought I was the only one you 'miscalculates'!!!

Frogdancer said...

It's reassuring to know that you're just like the rest of us!

Just popping in to let you know that the 9 patch quilt I started during the first round is now finished... the top, anyway. I'm a teacher on holidays (a week and a half to go) and I'm hoping to get it basted and quilted before I have to go back to work and face 135 essays from the year 12s. That wasn't an exaggeration, sadly.

It would definitely be finished by then but I have a queen sized string quilt to bind, another single circle quilt to baste, quilt and bind, and more ideas for Christmas present quilts in my head. Still, just letting you know that there are still people plugging away.....

(I love it, by the way. Thanks so much for doing this. It's HUGE! Bigger than I thought, so it'll be the summer quilt on my bed.)

Katherine said...

Mmmm... I'm loving the sneak peek. Can't wait to see the full reveal!

Julia said...

So this quilt was going fine till you started cutting the fabric... Ok I had to giggle cuz that sounds like about when I run into issues :) Can't wait to see it finished!
Oh and on a side note we find out if it's a boy or a girl in a week!

dolores said...

You know...you are driving me crazy....I read your blog and I want to make EVERYTHING!!!:) I need to start concentrating on making a quilt for my two kids(I finally did pick out some fabric) and of course finish the wonky with John and then I want to do your little house quilt (for me!) and now I have to go buy those magazines to do the surprise quilt!!!
That was very kind of you to share your follibles with us because it helps us too....I'll try to remember those words from "This Old House" MEASURE TWICE CUT ONCE!:)
Thanks bunches AJ!!!

Allison said...

What a fun sneak peak, and I'm glad that even you the queen of quilting has miscalculations now and then....seems like I have them way too often still!!!

Cheryl Arkison said...

It looks like you are trying something new with your quilting, or is that just me?

You are awesome, remember that.

Rene' said...

You and your blog are an inspiration!!! Yours was the first quilting blog I happened upon, and I am so glad I did. Love everything about it. Thanks for sharing and motivating.

Donnelly said...

I am currently facing the "too small, pieced back" issue my self. In fact, I am sure it has stolen my mojo! Glad to know that with a little patience, it can work out. Thanks for sharing with us.
Have a great day

Quilts on Bastings said...

I know the feeling, once something starts to go wrong it seems to be one thing after another.. You seem to have it sorted out now though. Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

Renee said...

Great colours, can't wait to see more of it!

Needled Mom said...

We all come back because we love your work and your blog. You inspire us with each one.

I'm glad to read that others have problem quilts as well. Sorry for you, but it helps us.

Wendy said...

Well at least you didn't just toss it in the u.f.o. box! Looks like its going to be a beauty, and can't wait to see it all done. Love that pebble quilting. I need a lesson!

Anonymous said...

Every day I learn more and more with you...even with your "mistakes"...:-)

Cant't wait to see the quilt!

Patricia (from Brazil)

The Daily Reviewer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tara said...

Hmmm...It wasn't intended to be an issue. I apologize in advance and can't wait to see it!!! The above comment is kinda cool, huh?

Aimee said...

sometimes I just want to chuck the whole thing into the garbage, it is so frustrating! Then I have to take a deep breath and remember that this is supposed to be fun! I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

heather said...

i kinda like a sneak peak. i only have one quilt right now that i don't think i've shown any of the squares or anything. i think i'm going to keep it that way. :) sneak peaks are fun! glad is going okay now.

Thimbleanna said...

YOU are the wonderful one Ms. CrazyMom. You're such an inspirations to so many of us. You're personally responsible for our many addictions!

Rebekah said...

Thanks for taking the time to blog, post tutorials and arrange quilt alongs! This place is so inspiring.

Crystal Hendrix said...

I consider you as my sewing teacher since all the sewing tips and how to's I come to your blog and read and follow your instruction! I have started making your first quilt along quilt for my mother (she is very excited) and I read your blog as soon as it is updated!

I would LOVE to come to your retreat in Fort Collins, but unfortunately I can't! I am from that neck of the woods (Greeley, and if anyone tells you, it is the smelly town....okay so there are a lot of cows) But I hope you have fun!

And thanks for all of your help!

Erika said...

Thank you for sharing your projects and congratulations for being published! My grandmother is a huge quilter (in the NY quilter's hall of fame) and my mom quilts too. I'm usually more a handbag designer/creator, but I've been branching out making quilts now too. Thank you for inspiring me to add quilting to my craft.

~Erika
www.bagsfromtheheart.com
www.bagsfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Frieda said...

Thank you Amanda for my favorite read. I love how you inspire us all.