Here is a picture of my progress to the end of step #3 of the Grand Illusion mystery.It's kind of a boring photo, but it represents hours of cutting and sewing fabric together! Step #1 at the top, step #2 in the middle and step #3 at the bottom. I love to keep all the pieces organized and clipped together in groups of 10 with those little Clover clips. It delights my inner OCD quilter tendencies!
Here are some things I've learned so far in sewing this mystery:
1) I am bored by sewing with yardage. I know it makes a very lovely quilt and I'm sure I'll like it at the end, but I much prefer the variety of sewing blocks from scraps.
2) As soon as a step is finished, I cut the scraps into useable pieces. I can't throw out these little leftovers, and if I don't make them useable right away, they go into storage bags in the endless stash closet, never to be seen in a project again. These are the end pieces from the strip sets in step #3. I cut them into parts for 4 patches, and squares for other projects.
3) I like to drive fast - the sewing machine that is!
My Brother 1500 machine can supposedly sew 1500 stitches per minute, and every once in a while I test that out... like when I was sewing these strip sets. And it was fun. Probably not very accurate sewing, but fun!To see the progress from the other mystery quilters, hop over to the Quiltville link up.
ROFL Very cute post! Love your steps and organization. You like to drive fast? DH bought me an industrial machine he wants to try to convert to a free arm, and it does 5000 stitches per minute. The MIL comment was someone is going to get hurt using that one.
ReplyDeleteI think that is why I love scrap quilts, It is so much fun to see how fabrics play off one another.
ReplyDeleteOh well done with the western. I so want to do this. But I have so many projects to finish up over the summer I cannot start it now. I will do it though. Good on you
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I fear I will get bored with my graduation quilt this year - two fabrics blue and white. We'll see how it goes. You are doing great at keeping up with the mystery.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I too really enjoy the scrappy piecing best. Pedal to the metal!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is going to be gorgeous! I understand about being bored when you are used to scrappy, happy. I'm putting my Brother to the speed test too. Isn't if fun!!!
ReplyDeleteLoving your colors--I am thinking of getting a Brother 1600PQ --does yours have drop in bobbin or a case? thanks, hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the need for speed. It's probably one of the reasons my piecing isn't always 100% accurate ... but every once in a while I need to move it, move it! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI prefer piecing from yardage ... because I prefer a less scrappy quilt. ;-) Your fabrics are gorgeous and I can't wait to see your completed quilt.
You've made great progress on the QAL.
ReplyDeleteYou are making great progress. I prefer using scrap pieces as well.
ReplyDeleteYou are moving right along! I think it is such a great idea to cut those scraps right away. I too find if I leave them they end up hanging around forever and they never get used. I am trying to develop the habit but you know......
ReplyDeleteGot a giggle from this line... "It delights my inner OCD quilter tendencies!"
ReplyDeleteI can relate. : )
Cutting all those pieces from yardage was probably faster, but I agree scrappy is more fun! Congrats on keeping the scrap bins fed :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you posted to show your Mystery Blocks so far. Using yardage for some of this is much easier than going scrappy. After making a few of Bonnie's quilts I'm finding it hard to not use just scraps. I spent all day playing with Clue 3 and my scrap users totes. I NEED to be a little more OCD like you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at doing scraps but I really get bored just sewing the same thing over and over. I am on my way into the studio to cut 2" strips for step 3 (I skipped step 2: will get back to it later this week).
ReplyDeleteYep, I know exactly how you feel! I hardly ever sew with yardage anymore since I fell in love with scrappy!!! And I like to sew FAST too :)
ReplyDeleteI am so not OCD in anything. Witnessed in my sewing room. When I worked my desk always looked like a bomb went off to others but I knew where everything was. I learned a couple years ago in an organizing book that others are like this and they call it "perceptive" organization. But don't move anything! That will through everything off and I won't be able to find anything. LOL My quilting and sewing table are that way too. Merry Christmas. Debbie
ReplyDeleteI fully understand the hours that go into making the mystery quilts. As far as #1 I love variety too and #3 I like to drive fast, be it the sewing machine or car! ;)
ReplyDeleteI think your fabrics are so pretty! Looking good!
ReplyDeleteLovely fabrics...I do understand about loving variety though ... I practice Bonnie's scrap system since '09 and save every crumb!
ReplyDeleteYup! Yup! I am loving the pinks with the browns and blues. I too am enjoying this mystery but my quilt will look very different from yours.
ReplyDeleteI like your colors. They are similar to mine. I went with more subdued also.
ReplyDeletethis is coming along beautifully wonder what it is going to look like such a mystery
ReplyDeleteYou've done a great job of keeping up. I agree, there is certainly a lot of cutting involved.
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