Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sew Stressed


I am so thankful last week is over. It was another stressful week. I had a deadline of Friday morning at 11:00 for the what I called the Cottage quilt. I showed you the fabrics and sketch last week. It was 58"x58"  finished and a little big for the space constrictions in my RV small cottage.  Now don't get me wrong...I loved every minute of the design, cutting, piecing and pulling it all together process, because as you know... I love to sew.
Well, I made my deadline and the nice man who picked it up for his wife not only paid me, (I actually got paid for doing what I love to do) but he also loaded a big box of freshly packed oranges and red potatoes into my car.
I don't remember if I told you last week, but the quilt is for the doctor of a little girl who is sick and in the hospital at UCLA. Her Mom stays down there with her and her Dad and siblings were on their way to visit for the weekend on Friday.
The quilt colors are so soft, you can barely make out the pattern, and I can't get far enough away to photo the whole thing in my RV small cottage.
Here it is folded across the end of my bed.
Please remember to click on the pictures to enlarge. That may help.
Here you can see the chenille on the back. I lined it with flannel and chose not to bind it, but sewed it right sides together and after turning it right side out, top stitched around the edge. 
The client suggested tying it and not quilting it, so I  did this stitch where all the corners meet.
I am really happy with the way it turned out.
My machine has a stitch to do this. It locks the thread, then stitches back and forth and locks the thread on the other side.
Not that I will admit to the corners not all meeting perfectly...but if they didn't this kinda hides it.
The last picture I wanted to show you is the label I put on the back. My client had this scripture written on the sketch she gave me.
I haven't been using the embroidery module on my machine lately because I have had some problems with it, but decided it was worth a try. I was  so proud of my baby embroidery machine as it stitched away. The spacing of the first two rows is off but the rest was perfect.

As I am being thankful I got through last week, I am also thankful for having the right tools that enable me to accomplish these projects that provide me a little needed income. I love my Bernina. Hand tying this quilt would have taken me a lot longer.  My Bernina's embroidery module made it possible to personalize the quilt with the scripture.  One other tool, I haven't mentioned is my Bernina serger.  If I haven' t told you before, let me tell you now, how much I love her. I really love the way I can finish off the inside seams of the clothing I make, but this week, she saved me much anguish. have you ever thrown fabric in the washer to prewash and pull it out a tangled mess?  Well, I serged all the raw edges first and I hardly had to press the fabric when it came out of the dryer. It was especially helpful with the chenille for the backing.
This isn't a paid advertisement for Berninas.  I'm just telling you my story...and I'm sticking to it. LOL
I used to sell Berninas for Strawberry Patches and learned so much about sewing machines. I loved teaching ladies how to use their new machines and encouraging them to try new things.

Well, what started out to be a short post with few pictures turned into a book. What can I say...I love to talk write, so hope you at least looked at the pictures. I'll stop talking writing for now.



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Last week was stressful for me too with a three month cancer check and Bill's surgery. I'm glad to have it behind me too. Your quilt is lovely and I know it will provide warmth and comfort to the little girl and her family. What a blessing to be able to share your talent in such a loving way.

I know what you mean about your machines. Sewing is so much more fun when you have the right tools. Acustomer who recently purchased a serger thanked me for selling it to her. She said her blanket ruffles are so much more professional looking now. She just couldn't believe the difference!

Hope this week is better.

Lady Jane said...

Just beautiful. How fast you are. Oh my... And another hint on sergers. Cheers, LJ

Linda said...

That turned out so pretty...of course I had no doubt it would! I have been thinking of wishing for a surger...I think it would come in handy! Have a great day!!

My Vintage Studio said...

Your quilt turned out beautiful!
Sometimes when sewing for a "deadline" can
take the fun out of sewing.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
hugs, Sharon