I really dragged (drug??) my feet on making my fabric selections for the Good Fortune mystery quilt. It was a perfect excuse to go fabric shopping, but I couldn't justify the expense when I have so much in the stash. But truthfully, it's just not as exciting to sew with old fabric sometimes. So I gave myself a stern talking to and reminded myself that I have loved all of Bonnie Hunter's mysteries and even old fabric can look terrific in her complex quilt designs.
Good Fortune fabrics
This is the fabric that I pulled from the stash. There are scraps, strips, partial hunks, and some fat quarters. The blues on the left are much prettier than they look on the computer screen. They are mostly "Kansas Troubles" scraps I bought a long time ago and haven't used up. Bonnie is using blue, green, red, orange, and neutral. I am substituting gold for orange but don't think I have enough of the gold, so I will get to buy some new pieces to mix in after all!
My regular machine is set up for machine quilting En Provence, so I decided to make the blocks for this quilt on my treasured vintage sewing machines. It's important for these old gals to have regular workouts in order for them to stay in good working order. This project is a good opportunity to give all the machines some attention. Step #1 was sewn on Charity my 1953 black Featherweight. It started off sewing a little bit loud, so I opened up the spool pin cover plate and added some oil to the 6 recommended locations on the top of the machine. It sounded so much better after it had a good drink of oil and was running more smoothly. Step #1 involved a lot of easy strip sewing to make 4 patches. Since I had decided to try to keep up with the mystery posts by sewing half of the units, it was finished in no time.
Here are my blocks pinned together in sets as Bonnie taught me. It's such a great tip to easily keep track of the sewing progress. Hop over to Quiltville to see the first link up for Good Fortune. And PS... I ordered one of Bonnie's newly released books for myself for Christmas!
Your patches are looking good! The gold will look great as a substitute for orange. And it's true, we old gals need regular workouts to get the oil movin' :)
I am tempted to do this quilt - but just have too much and no I would get side tracked and then it would sit and sit and I would loose interest. I have several patterns in my head that won't go away that I keep thinking about and know I will be starting them soon - admire how you work on so many mysteries and they turn out so nice
A couple of years ago I set my featherweight up and left it--only take it down to take with me to retreats. That way she never gets neglected. I usually have a different project going at each machine. But you also have your White one working on something, don't you? Lovely Bonnie Mystery color selection. I like the gold substitution. Gives it an added pizzazz! :)
Lol. I missed the 2nd wave to order her new book. Being in the PNW, the Easterners beat me to order. I waited to order the mini ruler suggested. Glad you got your machine oiled. I forget to do that.
Glad you convinced yourself to use some of what you had on hand. Love your vintage machine. What year is it? Sometimes I think I'ld like to have my Singer Treadle worked on so I could use it...but then I really don't sew often; but somethng about sewing on it would be cool. Sandy's Space
What a great combination of fabrics...I am really looking forward to seeing the grey and yellow play together. A great combination but we don't see it that often.
Your patches are looking good! The gold will look great as a substitute for orange. And it's true, we old gals need regular workouts to get the oil movin' :)
ReplyDeleteLove your colors! I have also just ordered Bonnie's new book. Merry Christmas to me!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking I need to pull out one of my featheweights and give it a workout. One of them is new to me, and I've never used it.
Your four patches look great! I like the way you've changed your color scheme!
ReplyDeleteI am tempted to do this quilt - but just have too much and no I would get side tracked and then it would sit and sit and I would loose interest. I have several patterns in my head that won't go away that I keep thinking about and know I will be starting them soon - admire how you work on so many mysteries and they turn out so nice
ReplyDeleteWell done, getting half the units made. I have only fourteen at the moment, but will be making more, just not today!
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I set my featherweight up and left it--only take it down to take with me to retreats. That way she never gets neglected. I usually have a different project going at each machine. But you also have your White one working on something, don't you?
ReplyDeleteLovely Bonnie Mystery color selection. I like the gold substitution. Gives it an added pizzazz! :)
Lol. I missed the 2nd wave to order her new book. Being in the PNW, the Easterners beat me to order. I waited to order the mini ruler suggested. Glad you got your machine oiled. I forget to do that.
ReplyDeleteMy featherweight needs re-wiring, so I'm using an even older machine for my mystery.
ReplyDeleteLovely 4-patches so far!
Looks like you got a good start on Bonnie's Mystery. It's hard to wait till Friday to see the next clue.
ReplyDeleteJust love how people use older machines for the mystery. I recently gave mine a good clean and oil and it is clicking along nicely.
ReplyDeleteGlad you convinced yourself to use some of what you had on hand. Love your vintage machine. What year is it? Sometimes I think I'ld like to have my Singer Treadle worked on so I could use it...but then I really don't sew often; but somethng about sewing on it would be cool.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
What a great combination of fabrics...I am really looking forward to seeing the grey and yellow play together. A great combination but we don't see it that often.
ReplyDeleteI have printed off the clues but haven't even gotten into the stash yet. There are so many other things on my plate at the moment!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be fun, lots of four patches to sew, tell us all about the new book from Bonnie when you have your copy please.
ReplyDelete