Monday, June 17, 2013

Piddling Away at all the Prep Work

If I had to decide what to write based on what I thought people would mostly likely want to read about, I'd be a dead duck.  I just piddle away at way too many projects, playing with my oldish fabrics and thinking it's a way cool hobby. Look at this basket handle fabric for instance.
Choosing a background and the handle fabric for my Scrap Basket.
It's hideous.  Really.  I pulled it out of the totes on a whim thinking that maybe I could better understand what my basket handle needed to look like if I tried using fabric instead of flat looking paper for the auditioning process.  The reason I chose this fabric particularly? It was one I've almost thrown away so many times I've lost count.  I mean, look at it! It's an early 90's calico that never should have made it's way home with me.  So if I waste a big chunk of it just playing the what if game, who cares?  Nothing to lose.
Playing with some applique ideas....
Except wow.  I'm so impressed with what it does here! How exactly does this happen? I am super thrilled at finding the perfect basket handle and it was a complete and total accident. Needless to say, I did not take that tack with the flowers.  I refuse to validate that mistake by duplicating it in any way.*wink
And a little bias for stems.
So much prep work before the fun begins.  I found a green fabric that seemed to work well for bias stems.  I don't usually do anything fancy for bias.  Easy peasy is my motto: Cut lengths on the 45. Sew long ends together. Fold in half and sew as close to the edge as you can get away with (I move my needle over to the right a couple clicks.) Next I fuss with the bias until the seam is directly in the middle but on the bottom side of where I want to iron.  Finally I iron it all perfectly flat.  The end.  Like I said, it's nothing fancy, but it does the job and I don't have to try to force an metal bias bar anywhere it doesn't really want to go. hehe
Necessary prep work for the hand pieced Bow-tie blocks.
I'm also slowly chipping away at some more prep work for the hand pieced bow-tie blocks.  It's not difficult, but it all needs to be properly done and put into my handwork bag for random piecing moments.
My least favorite part.
My oldest son is coming home from college this weekend for his four month internship and I want some hand work ready for the trip over to the airport in Spokane. We haven't seen him since January so I'm sure we'll leave extra early in all our excitement!

12 comments:

  1. You must use every spare moment you have, what with your work, the housework, caring for the family, cooking etc, etc, I am amazed by how much you have prepped, quilt tops finished and hand quilting done to finish off your quilt tops. You should hire yourself out as an organiser or speaker on how to use one's time effectively!
    Having said that maybe if I shut down the computer, I too could have some prep work done. LOL
    PS. Your basket handles look great!

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  2. It's always fun to see what you're piddling around with. Don't you love it when an ugly fabric turns into a swan. Good for you prepping all those projects, perfect for passing time.

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  3. Tons of fun going on at your place! I would be very excited about seeing my son too - it is amazing how much you miss them.

    I have so many ugly duckling fabrics and I love them all - there truly is beauty everywhere if you just give it a chance.

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  4. A scrap quilter after my own heart! I can't bear to throw anything away, but sometimes finding the right project can be a bit tricky! (By the way, I have found using a bias tape maker my preferred stem-making method. Just cut a bias strip, push it through the gismo and iron what comes out. Perfect!)

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  5. A scrap quilter after my own heart! I can't bear to throw anything away, but sometimes finding the right project can be a bit tricky! (By the way, I have found using a bias tape maker my preferred stem-making method. Just cut a bias strip, push it through the gismo and iron what comes out. Perfect!)

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  6. Interesting basket design. At first picture glance, I thought you must have used once piece of fabric for the basket that had all those different prints on it but looking back on your blog, I see that you cut and pieced all that. And very well. I enjoyed reading your post today.

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  7. Enjoyed your post today. It reminds us to lighten up and have fun! Thanks.

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  8. Glad you found something to your liking! It looks fab, love this basket.

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  9. You're always so busy creating ...I really wish I had your motivation!

    I think the basket handle looks wonderful. Well done.

    So much excitement with your son coming home. Enjoy!

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  10. You're always so busy creating ...I really wish I had your motivation!

    I think the basket handle looks wonderful. Well done.

    So much excitement with your son coming home. Enjoy!

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  11. This post is the exact reason us quilters should NEVER throw any fabric away! Awesome basket block! Keep inspiring us!!

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  12. Hello! I just inherited LOTS of half made hand pieced bow tie squares. Do you happen to have a pattern to finish these blocks?

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