June 07, 2009

Catching up

I feel like I've had lots to write all week, but no words to make a decent post. I am happily here with the kiddos, and a few runny noses . . . summer colds are the worst, don't you think?

I posted the music poll after getting a nice comment about how the music player has seemingly caused computer problems. Joe, had warned me that this day would come. . . I will remove it this coming week.

I understand more now after spending some time here, and realizing the time it takes for my blog to load - above all, I know that I want as many people welcome here as possible. And little extras take a good amount of time to load, and I would rather put that time into pictures loading. :)

Instead I will post a list of what is on the player now, and in the future update you with favorite songs or artists. Pandora has been a good source of new, to me, music! Music has always, always been a creative outlet for me, and not having it here will be a bit different - but for the best :)

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Moving on!

I have been sewing, mostly at night, trying to get my blocks in order for the next step in the quilt-along. I made it!

110 squared and ready

Yes - I'm still pressing my seams flat! I pressed the first few to one side and kept getting folds in the fabric, as I am very careful not to tug on the fabric. . . I'm quicker pressing open :)

And see that ruler in the background? 12.5" square, great size! Many of my SewConnected buddies have mentioned using this and smaller squares to get a nice square block in the end. I have only seen them for $30 (at my LQS), and rarely make it to JoAnn's with a 40% off coupon, (40mins, mountain pass) but a local discount store had it for $15! I jumped on it and it was perfect for cutting these squares, lining up the inch lines with my seams to make the blocks square and straight.

Now to get them all into a quilt top! It's going to be huge 100x110"! I have 110 blocks total - I realized as I was sewing the strip sets that I probably do not have enough floor space to baste it . . . I'll let you know what I figure out :)

I feel a bit more caught up with you all now! I hope that you are well and blessed today -
Amy


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33 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Wow, that will be a large quilt. I put mine together last night - it was fun.

Latane Barton said...

Amy, I am like a nosy kitten, wanting to dive into that stack of blocks. Can't wait to see what all is in there!

Allison said...

That is going to be a big quilt!!! Oh well there is always good use for big quilts, its the small medium sized ones I never really know what to do with! I love your colors, they are so pretty together, can't wait to see it done!

Sherry said...

I heard that you can ask your local library if you can use there tables and if there slow you can put together what ever tables you need to pin the quilts. I have not rtied it yet but plan to ask when I need it.

Terriaw said...

What a wonderful feeling to get caught up! I hate that when you feel like you have a lot to say, but can't find the words.

Way to go on your fantastic progress completing your blocks! They look fabulous!! I like your tip about the 12.5 inch ruler. I might use my next coupon for that. Can't wait to see your huge quilt top!

Kaye said...

If the library doesn't have room try a local church hall and take a couple of friends to help. After all, thats what friends are for. The colors are great especially the aqua, it jumps out at you. Good Job. I"ll be looking for the finished job.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Have you checked with your local library to see if they'll let you use one of their "conference" rooms to push tables together and baste your quilt. Or if you have a local quilt shop sometimes they allow you to use their classroom free of charge to baste.

Jaimie said...

What a great find at the bargain store!!

For some reason I had problems loading your page when the music player was on it- it would freeze constantly and I couldn't leave you comments. I think removing it will hopefully make it run a little faster for slower computers like mine :) Thanks for thinking of your readers!! You are a true selfless blogger :)

Unknown said...

Amy, that is going to be a great quilt! I just love them large. It is funny, I rarely do small. With small quilts accuracy really counts. Not that it doesn't with big quilts, you just have more room to "ease" things in if need be. I can't wait to see yours.

CJ said...

WOW Big quilt but it will be so useful!!! I too have difficulty knowing what to do with odd sized/medium quilts. I would rather they fit a bed I guess. I did not think of the basting issue though. I think you've gotten some good advice though! Your choice of fabrics is FAB and I can't wait to see the finished product. I am going to try to get caught up tonight.

CJ said...

and PHOOEY!! I was JUST at JoAnn's yesterday with a 40% off coupon in hand and I couldn't think of anything to use it on. Stinko!! The JoAnn's is about 1.5 hours from here so I don't get there often.

roseylittlethings said...

I am still trying to get caught up since I am following your lead and making a Q size too! I am still sewing strips! Will be sewing in a few minutes!

Jean said...

The colors look pretty, can't wait to see the finished quilt top!

Cathy said...

For basting large quilts, my MIL usies the hall at her church.

amylouwhosews said...

Um, that's a lot of blocks! I just finished sewing and pressing my strip sets tonight. I plan on cutting them up tomorrow. But maybe I will stop by joann's first and get a 12.5 in square ruler. Sounds like a GREAT idea!

I can't wait to see your's put together! It's so fun to see it all emerge,isn't it?

melissa s. said...

Wow, that quilt will be ginormous. Is this the biggest quilt you've ever made? I lost momentum and won't be doing the quilt along, but I am part of the placemat swap. Can't wait to see your finished products!

Anonymous said...

I will miss your music; but oh well; love you, Hon; Mom

jess said...

ITA on the church and library idea... grange halls... or even outside on the sidewalk. (I have done that, haha.)
I press my seams open! I use tinier stitches and I do not run into problems. I hand quilt quite a bit and it's much, much easier to hand quilt over flat seams. :-D

Rebekah said...

I can't wait to get started on this quilt along. I finally caved and ordered fabric for it. I had no idea it was going to turn out so large...maybe I should have bought fabric to match my bedroom :)

Thimbleanna said...

That pile of blocks looks so pretty. That's going to be one huge quilt!

2miracles/Tove said...

How many squares did you get out of a strip using the 12.5 inch square? I was concidering one.

2miracles/Tove said...

How many squares did you get out of a strip using the 12.5 inch square? I was concidering one.

Amanda Jean said...

my goodness, that is going to be one large and beautiful quilt! i'm pressing my seams openon my blocks, too, because i want an easier time quilting it. i doubt i'll always press seams open, but for this project i thought i would give it a shot. :)

Cheryl said...

Do you press your seams from the right side or the wrong side of the fabrics? If you press from the right side you shouldn't get those little folds.

Amber said...

I have one of those rulers too - love it. And yeah - that could be a challenge when you go to baste it...maybe one of your friends has some floor space you can borrow for a little while :-)
Or maybe you'll win the free-quilting Dana is going to give away and then you won't have to!! That's a much better plan!

Anonymous said...

I have that problem of not having enough space to baste, and currently I would just like more wall for my quilt wall. I can't get a good idea of how to finalize my current quilt.

Kelly@CharmingChatter said...

Oh, your blocks look just yummy, Amy! This quilt is going to be gorgeous and GINORMOUS!! Can't wait to see the finished product! Just thinking about the basting gives me back ache (giggle)!

Yuki said...

Wow, that is going to be one big quilt. Love those colors! I usually take my quilts to the LQS store and borrow an empty class room. So far that works pretty well. Of course, there are always people coming by to take a look. It's good adverting for the store, when customers can see a work in progress done by a regular person.

ttfn :) Yuki

randi said...

The blocks look great and I can't wait to see the finished quilt! Happy sewing!

Brenis said...

LOLOL 110 blocks?!? are you INSANE??!! Holy shamoly. I have 42 blocks and think its huge!! bahahaha! Wishing you tons of luck Amy! How are you going to quilt that big boy??

bellsjo said...

That is going to be a fantastic quilt! I have finally given in to temptation and joined as well - I will have to get going to catch up but I plan on making a lap quilt so hopefully will be able to make up some time! I cannot wait to see your quilt top completed!

Tipper said...

Looks like another beautiful quilt!

Kelly O. said...

those quilt squares are awesome but costly!!
you might like this cheaper option from Jodi at Simply this and that

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14805009

I purchased a 10" one for $7 and her smaller sizes start at $3.25