First Quilt

The first quilt is finished. All flannel pieces that were cut in different ways and put back together so that I could start seeing how piecing happens. Much has happened during the construction of this quilt and my learning curve seemed to progress each day.




First off, I learned that there is a huge difference between a cheap sewing machine and a top end machine. From the volume of the motor as you sew to the way the material is sewn. I started off with a Kenmore and the sewing shop by my house was having a sale.... The floor model of the Bernina 710 followed me home. Wow. I am in love with this machine. It has a bunch of tips and tricks that I would not have otherwise known I wanted. It certainly is a machine that I can grow into and won't have to replace for a machine that does "more". The throat space is wide enough that I can easily quilt the tops at home, and, thankfully, my local sewing shop has longarm rental time if I find that I want to go that route.

Secondly, having the right accessories plays a big part in ensuring I love the sewing process.  The right feet especially. The dual feed keeping fabric in place has helped immensely with my inability to sew straight lines while keeping the fabric together. I am using the #57 foot and going slow"ish". Trying to not have the pedal to the metal is not always easy as I want to zoom through my sewing. 

This quilt was put together as a "quilt as you go" project. I did this as I wanted to learn the technique but also because I needed to practice free motion quilting.  The difference from block one to the final block was a big improvement. Free motion quilting is quite fun. While my stitches are far from perfect, I am enjoying this challenge and the learning.


Reviving Happily Handcrafted

I keep having great intentions of blogging. I have great intentions of sharing my crafting journey along with whatever else is going on in my world. However, I seem to be failing miserably. Now though, with a new hobby comes a revival of the blog (once again) and perhaps this time I will stick with it.

Knitting has always been my passion. It is what keeps me sane and gives me a sense of accomplishment. Lately however, I haven't been that inspired to knit, or spin, or weave. No real reason why, mostly just because I can't make my mind up regarding what projects I want to work on. 

Then it happened. I was introduced to a new craft. 

Quilting. 

It was time to pull out my brand new sewing machine was in the closet collecting dust for the last four years (never even opened!) and to figure out if I could remember how to sew from those home economics classes I took way too many years ago. My friend had me sign up for a mystery quilt project through Prairie Quilt Militia and Love Shack Quilts. The ladies who are a part of this online group are a hoot and very inspiring. My mojo is back.

So off to the fabric store I went. Purchasing some of the material for the Blindfold Me Baby (BMB) quilt and material for a practice baby quilt to get me started. We won't talk about the other trips since to the fabric stores in town, however I will start sharing the stash I have been accumulating in the last few weeks. 

The biggest thing I had to do though, was to make sure that I had a spot for my new found hobby. My yarn has its own room (or really, multiple) in my house and I wanted the quilting to not feel left out. I had a closet that I wasn't really using so decided to clean it out and organize it. Since quilting isn't that portable I knew that I had to have everything close at hand otherwise I would not stay organized. 

Knitting anywhere

Portable knitting is becoming an obsession again. For awhile, it wasn't a part of my life, rather it broke up with me and we have only recently reunited our passion for each other.

Right now it's Starbucks, sick knitting and a family brunch!

As the heel turns...

I admit it. I forgot how to turn a heel. Sure it's been a few years but forgetting how to do a short row heel is not something I should have forgotten. But I did.

Thankfully, there is this thing called the Internet and YouTube that proved to be very helpful.



Reviving the love of socks

Knitting socks is something I haven't done in a long while. I'm not really sure why. With an online knit-along happening I decided to join in and knit some. Of course first was going through "some" of the stash to find yarn that inspired me. After that it was casting on and go.

I forgot how portable they were. How easy you can just pick up or set aside a basic sock. The ability to multitask while knitting and of course the joy if knitting in the round!!



Catching Up

It always amazes me how quickly time flies. I feel like I was just thinking the other day "I must blog about this" and now it is almost the end of the month. I like to think that I am not THAT busy but perhaps at times I am. Plus, I have been crafting quite a bit.

First Up: Spinning


2 ply of Hello Yarn "Cranb Apple" and KFB

KFB n-ply


FatCatknits

Next Up: Actual Knitting

Yes, actual knitting has occurred this month.

Pattern: Toast by Leslie Friend.
Yarn: FatCatKnits Handspun in Peacock
Needles: US6



I am quite pleased with how these turned out. I still have about half a skein of the handspun left and the bright green is not shown in this project. I will make them again with a thumb hole and maybe in some luscious cashmere. Probably make them longer too!


Perfect Storm

Roving: Spunky Club 2008
Fiber: Wennsleydale
Color: The Perfect Storm


I wasn't crazy about spinning this, I'm not sure if it was the fiber or the fact that it has been in my stash since 2008. I admit that I enjoy roving that wants to be spun up, this batch felt like it didn't want to come apart.
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