I have been making turtle-like progress on one of my top 10 UFO wish list projects - a BOM called
BeAttitudes. These are the first 7 blocks that I have finished on my design wall.
The "Be Honest" block is the one I finished this week. I am really not enjoying this project as much as I thought I would and it seems to be taking me forever. I like piecing the backgrounds and preparing all the pieces with fusible and ironing everything down, but I find the machine applique to be mind-numbingly boring, especially doing the letters. So I seem to procrastinate this task and only work on it when I have nothing else to do (never happens!), or I have company over to visit with while I do the applique.
And there have been issues with the appliqued edges holding down. I don't know if you can see but on this shape the right hand side had come away from the stitching and lifted up. Can you see where I have redone the stitching with a wider applique stitch? It worries me because these blocks have not been handled much and I wonder how this quilt will last over time. It will have to be a wallhanging, not a lap quilt I guess. I am hoping that the wider stitches might hold the appliqued shapes better, even though it doesn't look as nice to me.
If you want to see what other quilters are working on today, go check out the other design wall postings at
Judy's blog.
The "Be Honest" block is the one I finished this week. I am really not enjoying this project as much as I thought I would and it seems to be taking me forever. I like piecing the backgrounds and preparing all the pieces with fusible and ironing everything down, but I find the machine applique to be mind-numbingly boring, especially doing the letters. So I seem to procrastinate this task and only work on it when I have nothing else to do (never happens!), or I have company over to visit with while I do the applique.
Just gorgeous! I love the hand blanket stitching the best...it is great fun to me. I worried about my stitching being stable too, but no problems so far...next time, you prep the blocks and I will stitch them!!
ReplyDeleteI love Nancy Halvorsen's designs, so simple and charming. This is looking wonderful despite your applique problems.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you're not loving this project - it's turning out wonderfully, for all that!
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of popping in an audio book while you're stitching? It will definitely help with the 'mind-numbingly boring' part, plus I find it has the added benefit of distracting me just enough so that I can stitch on autopilot (I make fewer mistakes when I'm not thinking!).
I love Nancy Halvorsen's designs - especially this one; yet I've never made one. Stick with it, Kathy, it'll be finished before you know it. :-) It's really fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThe blocks look beautiful! And maybe it is meant to be a wallhanging - I hope the next blocks will go easier. I could never do this myself, so I admire your patience!
ReplyDeleteI have that pattern too. I dont' have the "paitence yet to sit and cut it out though. Good going on yours. Nice to see you workign on something for yourself. UFO's beware!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to get through a project when you are not enjoying it. I have done several of those and it seems to be a real chore.
ReplyDeleteBUT.......... You are over the half way mark so soldier on.
I'm sorry that you aren't enjoying this quilt but sometimes that just happens. Grit your teethhg and soldier on and it'll soon be finished. Or find someone that enjoys machine applique and get them to do it for you in exchange for you quilting one of their quilts maybe.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs Gina xxx
Oh I love these blocks! :-)
ReplyDelete