My Blog is Lonely

Seems like this blog is becoming my sad and forgotten stepchild. By the time I design, make, and photograph a project I’m already starting to be tired of it. Then I set about writing up the pattern, posting it on Etsy.com. To promote it a bit, I also posting the pattern on Ravelry.com (for yarn based projects) and Twitter and update Facebook about the new link so folks can find it. By then I’m really bored with the whole process and can’t begin to find anything interesting to say about it. I think the solution may be to blog about projects in progress – things I’ve started or maybe just imagined. So here goes…

Today I finally have the time to get back to sewing projects – seems like I’ve been crocheting my fingers off for weeks. I’ve picked up this quilt which was pieced last fall, but never finished.

I was really stuck for how to quilt it. Do you see those even little black stitches? Those aren’t mine. They are printed onto the fabric. I couldn’t quite figure out how to quilt that big center panel, which is all one piece of fabric, without competing with the printed “stitches”.

Here’s what I’ve decided to try…

I remember that the neighbor lady (we called her Grandma Burles) made hand tied quilts like this after her eyes started to go and her hands shook so she couldn’t manage all those neat little stitches of traditional quilting. After tying a half dozen knots, I have come to some conclusions. First I need to use what is called a surgeon’s knot, to be sure it will not come undone in the wash, and I also think I want to use a heavier thread. I started with three strands of a standard 6 strand embroidery thread and I think this looks a bit wimpy. Some old fashioned folk quilts are actually tied with yarn, but I think that might overwhelm the design. Besides, I don’t have any yarn that coordinates. Always a good reason to try something else!

Since today is a rainy overcast day, I think I may plunk myself on the couch and stitch away. I’ll post another picture when the whole thing is finished. Oh and by the way, do you remember the quilt I made for my nephew Owen? 

The quilt I’m working on today is made from the leftovers. I’m not sure what I will do with it. Maybe donate it to charity, or maybe just keep it here for the days a friend shows up with a baby and needs something to spread over the dog hair so the little one can play on the floor!