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My First Quilt: Appliques Attached I'm so excited about how my first quilt is coming along!  It was quite a long process, but I completed attaching all the appliques using a satin stitch!  I've never used this stitch on my machine before!  Here are a couple of close up views: I am very happy with the results.  I had no idea my machine, a Janome 4618LE, was capable of a satin stitch!  I guess I should read the owner's manual more often! When I started this quilt project, I didn't realize  that a quilt top is actually several inches smaller than the chosen batting and backing fabric.  I assumed the top, batting, and backing would be the same size.  My batting size is 34" X 45."  My quilt top is 31" X 41 1/2."  I bought my backing fabric today.  I purchased 1 1/3 yards.  I hope to fold over my backing fabric to use as binding.  In case that doesn't work out for me, I bought a few packages of quilt binding.  No, I'm not being negative about it, just realistic. My other purchases include a walking foot, quilting needles, transparent thread (and natural colored machine quilting thread), and labels.  I've never used any of these items before!  Wish me luck!  I'm going to start quilting as soon as my backing fabric comes out of the dryer! Posted by Angela at 3:32 PM 6 comments: Links to this post Labels: applique, bias tape, binding, Janome, quilt, quilting, sewing machine, sewing techniques


My First Quilt: Cut and Ready This past week, I began work on my first quilt!  After much searching for the right first quilt, I decided the bird and bunting quilt I found at Helping Little Hands was perfect!  Polly's quilt is larger than mine, but I've followed her free template for the triangle banner as well as the bird template she provides on her blog.  She also provides a well written tutorial for the quilt.  I cut 28 triangles out of various fabrics.  Choosing the fabrics was by far the hardest part of this process so far.  In the end, I decided on blue, red, and yellow. Since I'm partial to them, I made mine a blue bird! I think the background fabric is perfect!  I'm going to start attaching my triangles as soon as I'm happy with placement.  Then, I'll attach the bias binding and then the bird.  Then the hard part right?  Actually putting it all together and quilting!

Have a great Sunday everyone and a fabulous week! Posted by Angela at 11:49 AM 7 comments: Links to this post Labels: bird, quilt, quilting, sewing, templates, tutorial


Where To Begin?

For the past few days I've been wondering how to begin this post.  It has been so hard to start since I haven't written a post since before Christmas.  I haven't stayed current on anyone's blogs either.  My reasons?  Chaos of the the Holidays?  The physical demands of total knee replacement recovery?  The challenge of returning to work at the same time?  I'm not sure.  Probably a combination of all these, including a little bit of a funk I've gotten myself into.  Luckily, with respect to my knee, I'm starting to see a little flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. I've been going to physical therapy four hours every day of the week!  I have a way to go, but I'm getting stronger with every hour!

My physical recovery has been frustratingly slow.  It's also been very tiring.  I haven't sewn or started any other art project since Christmas.  I guess that's another reason for my lack of blogger posts.  Forgive me?  I've got big plans to start and finish my first quilt before February 13.  Stick with me and hold me to this goal!  I will begin this week!  In the meantime, here are a few of the projects I completed for Christmas presents:

In all seriousness, I am truly sorry for being so blogger neglectful.  Thanks for sticking with me and I promise to get my sewing act together! 
P.S.  If you are interested in a super giveaway, head over to Georgie's blog!  She's celebrating her mom's birthday!
Posted by Angela at 4:05 PM 14 comments: Links to this post Labels: giveaway, knitting, sewing