This past week has been one of lots of sewing, and lots of ripping. I managed to finish the Starburst top and get it ironed. It is neatly folded and waiting for its turn on the long arm. I received the ordered backing for it too. I had it relaxing on the frame for its pinning on, but had to refold it due to a different quilt that needed quilting asap.

After finishing the Starburst top I really needed a palette cleanser, something with right angles and straight seams. I remembered I had one more Peter rabbit panel that I had bought to finish up all the scraps from the other PR quilts I finished last year. The panel arrived with a slit cut into the side of it. I couldn’t return it or complain because I couldn’t remember who I bought it from, or exactly when. I figured I had to cut it anyway and I could add another border. After carefully measuring and centering the panel I added two off white strips and started sewing the rest of the quilt top together. The blocks are 5 inch squares, and four carrots and six radishes. The veggie blocks were made using the folded corner technique and used solid colored scraps. Flash back to Awesome Ocean quilts. Those blocks took a few hours to make, especially the radish tops. The squares went together easily enough. It came time to put everything together and it didn’t work. My additional borders were too small. After much ripping and remeasuring I adjusted them and found that they were too large. More ripping and resewing ensued, for a total of four times – exasperating. This was supposed to be my easy no brainer project, I actually had to put it down and leave the room for a few hours. I did finish it the next day.

Once again I found I was in need of something simple to make. While sorting through my solids scraps and pieces (for the veggies) I realized I had enough colors to make a Postcards from Sweden quilt. I printed out the pattern and the colors needed and made up some stick on labels. I found each color, or its equivalent, cut the squares and labeled them. There are 36 colors of squares and I have them all ready to go. Also I neatened up my solid stash a bit, it now all fits in the bin. Then the squirrels popped up.

I started thinking about the up coming baby shower I will be attending soon. It’s for my nephew and his wife, their first baby and my first grand nephew. I thought I could give them the newly completed Thomas the Tank Engine scrappy quilt. I foolishly went to see their gift registry to see if I could get a feel for the colors/theme of the nursery. It is a Winnie the Pooh theme. I remembered that I had seen a cute baby quilt kit for the newish Riley Blake WtP fabric line. I found one and ordered it, along with a second panel, a 5″square pack and a few yards of coordinating fabric. I figured I could use the pattern to make another quilt for the shop while I was at it. The fabric arrived on Tuesday (a day early) and I had it all cut and ready to sew for the next day. This top went together with very little trouble, I had it loaded on the frame and quilting by dinner time. I’m going to finish it today, so it’ll be ready for Saturday.

My stitching on the mermaid tail is continuing, I have been stitching in the day a bit more. Possibly to alleviate the stress of the quilt top sewing. The shape of the tail is really starting to look like something and it is getting easier to add too. I use a disappearing marker to highlight stitch symbols to help with the confetti areas.

Be Kind.