It's just been one of those weeks. The type of week where I feel like my most prominent thought was; "why me?!" I have even been crying over spilled milk, literally, ask Charlie. I can't think of one thing that made me feel this way, but can think of multiple little things that just seemed to add up and finally put me over the edge. The last straw came when my sewing machine went on the
fritz. That was on Tuesday. I decided to wait it out, hope that it would fix itself. Wednesday I tested it out, but it was still messed up. So I fiddled around a little, bought different thread, re-threaded, adjusted the tension, put the tension back where it was, blew some dust away, flipped the switch back and forth. But alas it was still messed up. I think this was the point where I cried over spilled milk and went to bed at about 7:30. Yesterday the only thing getting me through the day was hoping that my sewing machine would work when I got home. But did it? Nope you guessed it. I thought to myself, "WHY ME!!! I can't even sew, I hate my life!" Luckily, I did what I always do when I feel this way, I called my Mum. Little did I know how much better I would feel, I guess I should have called her back on Tuesday. Not only did she boost my mood she also helped me to fix my sewing machine. Who would have known that one simple sentence; "try turning the needle 180 degrees", would solve my biggest problem. Once the machine was fixed, and we had gossiped about nearly everyone we know, I got back to sewing.
On Sunday, much to the good judgement part of my brain's dismay, I began another quilt. With my machine fixed I was able to finish the top.
I used some fat quarters and also a charm pack that I bought back in September (
ek) and also a twin sized flat sheet. I realized that those are much cheaper to buy than yardage, especially of a solid color. The triangles were really quite simple to make. I used the 2 squares into 4 triangles
trick that Lorelei taught me a few years ago.
I think this is the best job I have ever done of matching points. Ever. However, it is rather small and I am trying to think of border ideas that will still maintain interest in the
triangles, yet add width and height to the size of the top. Any ideas are welcome, and in case it is important I still have a lot of blue sheet left and quite a bit of scraps of the patterned fabric.
And here are the little presents I made for my friends for Valentine's Day. I made them out of scraps and stuffed them with batting and lavender. I hope my friends like them.
Be sure to check out all that other great finishes at the
Sew N' Tell.
Lauren!
P.S . Thanks for all your help Mum. xoxo
I think this is the best job I have ever done of matching points. Ever. However, it is rather small and I am trying to think of border ideas that will still maintain interest in the triangles, yet add width and height to the size of the top. Any ideas are welcome, and in case it is important I still have a lot of blue sheet left and quite a bit of scraps of the patterned fabric.
great quilt top! I'm still intimidated by triangles. I know I'll want to go there eventually though ;) Great valentines gift idea! I'll have to save some lavender from the garden for that next year. Oh, I have to get it to grow first...
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh! I totally know how you feel! We had a day like that on Monday - an ER trip and stitches were involved. I was done by 6.
ReplyDeleteGlad your machine is working. My mom always helps me out too. One time I couldn't get the walking foot she lent me to work right, it was so frustrating. Then she casually asked if I had the 'little arm' attached right. I was like, HUH? WHAT LITTLE ARM!!! Worked like a charm after that!
I would make a scrappy border to highlight the prints - otherwise I think your quilt will look too solid.
Perfect timing. I needed to see finished triangles that weren't all crazy and wrong like the ones I tried a few weeks ago. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration and the instructional link!
ReplyDeletewow...beautiful quilt top...cute valentine hearts...nice idea to use the scraps...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on muddling through. There oughta be an award for making it through weeks like that!!! Beautiful quilt, the blue really makes it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
KT
Glad your machine finally cooperated--love hst, nice fabrics!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous top, love the colours, so pleased your machine behaved eventually, thanks to your Mom! The little hearts are so cute I'm sure your friends will love them.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt top is very pretty! I love that shade of blue with your other fabrics, they just pop don't they?!
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad your sewing machine crisis was resolved so easily..I think we have all been there before!!
I love the half square triangles and the colours in your quilt! Thanks for sharing! Hope your sewing machine woes are over :)
ReplyDeleteYour triangles look great! One thing is that doing this quilt top sure gave a lot of practice in just one project!
ReplyDeleteAmen sister, I have had a few of those types of days myself.
ReplyDeleteYou quilt is looking great. Love the colors. You can never go wrong with blue.
Great work! He stuffed hearts are cute too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was that simple! I've totally been there too! It came out beautiful. I can never get over the fact that solids make the colors just pop! Great finish.
ReplyDeleteI love your little triangles and the blue with them! I hope your week is improving:)
ReplyDeleteI love how my sweet little heart looks amongst all of my dirty lingerie ;) Thanks for the surprise and for the Friday rides! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love the blue and pattern triangles. Very inspiring
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is such a beautiful color combination - VERY refreshing!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to sort out your woes eventually and nice that you have a great relationship with your Mom too. Love your hlf square triangle quilt. How about doing a flying geese border with perhaps a narrow border of blue in between the border and main quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis looks beautiful! You did a great job and the corners look great!
ReplyDeleteI like Catherine's idea, or, if you are tired of triangles how about a border of white (2.5)followed by a strip with random print lengths and then a blue border? That would only work if your prints are still squares :)and I would do random (3,4,5 inch) so you don't compete with the seam lines in the triangles.
Cant wait to see what you come up with !
Such a helpless feeling when your machine does not cooperate! AARRGGHH!! Lovely quilt top, I love the triangles!
ReplyDeleteDon'y sewing machines realise how much an important part of our lives they are? I had a tension problem with my old machine but the only way it could be fixed was a service. I was like you and tried all different things hoping I could fix it. Plus it always happens when you are feeling creative. Those triangle look great and your colours are gorgeous. The blue looks wonderful with the prints.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Both my machines need to be serviced, but I am holding out on one so I at least have something to use before the other one comes back.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the quilt.
isn't it nice when a talk with your mom can make everything better. glad your machine is all better, that is always a bummer. that is such a pretty quilt top...i have yet to try that technique but i think i should bookmark it for trying soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat triangles! Love the colors. I think I would add a narrow blue border, then fabric squares (from the leftovers) alternating with blue squares and then again a narrow blue border-it will make the fabric squares look like they're floating around the triangles.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your story had a happy ending. Mom's are wonderful, aren't they? You did this quilt top quickly. It looks great as do your Valentine gifts for friends. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete