Monday, January 06, 2020

Well enough to Frolic a little!

Sewing Bonnie's mystery while listening to Bonnie!
It's so wonderful to be feeling well enough to sit at the sewing machine. And another added bonus is that while I enjoyed sewing a few Frolic blocks, I was listening to Bonnie on QuiltCam. Here is my work station. I have a leader-ender Shoo Fly block on the machine bed to put through whenever I am at the end of a section of work.

Did you notice that I have a new mini iron and wool pressing mat?  Can I tell you how much I love these new tools?!?! I resisted getting the wool mat because of the cost, but it is unbelievably amazing! 
The wool grabs the fabric and keeps it steady so there is no slipping or stretching of the blocks as you press. I do miss power pressing long strips of pieced blocks at the regular ironing board, but for pressing small blocks by the sewing machine this little iron and wool mat can't be beat! This mat will eliminate the need for Best Press Spray as everything presses completely flat. It's definitely worth the price, and this one is the perfect size to take to quilt retreat.

Unfortunately due to Christmas activities and getting the Norovirus at New Year's, I fell behind in sewing the Frolic mystery steps (and everything in general... the Christmas tree is still up!) 


Frolic blocks on the design wall
These are a few of the blocks I was sewing today. I really like my constant gold fabric (in place of the green). I have competely finished steps #1 to #3, and also #5 (I excel at making HST blocks!) however steps #4, #6 and #7 all need a lot more sewing time. I do hope to be caught up when step #8 is posted on Friday.
Linking up to Small Quilts Design Wall Monday.

20 comments:

Christine said...

Glad you are feeling a little better, Kathy. No worries about your tree. Mine is still up and I haven’t been sick. It just isn’t a priority yet.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I got one of those wool mats too, love it!!! Hope you are feeling better.

Alison V. said...

These units look great! I need to get some more fabric to finish up Clue #4, but I have been working on Clues #5 and #6 in the meantime.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I just might have to break down and get one of those matts I keep saying they cost so much - my little ironing spot that I used for pressing pieces close to the machine is 13 x 13 I should look
glad you are feeling better - getting sick can sure take a lot out of us

quilt101 said...

Kathy, so glad you are feeling better! Love the gold in your background. I have not started her mystery but saving to do when i can. I have a small wool mat near my machine and love it too! I also have one i keep on top of my ironing board that is a little bigger and use it for bigger blocks and especially for my wool projects! Thanks for sharing!

Gail E. Brown said...

Glad you are feeling a little better Kathy. I also have the wool pressing pad and absolutely love it.

Gail

Needled Mom said...

So happy that you are feeling well enough to do some stitching. Yes, those wool mats are worth the price. I love your sewing setup.

Jenny said...

So pleased that you are starting to feel well enough to see again. These things can knock you about, can't they.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Glad you're feeling better and able to get to your sewing machine.
I have a wool pressing mat on my birthday wish list. I hope hubby pays attention ;-)

Deanna W said...

A little bit of quilting is good medicine...you are feeling better already! Yes you have a few hours of sewing ahead of you to finish all those steps before Friday...no racing needed! Tortoise and the hare you know!

Laundered Cotton said...

Our tree is still up too, but I did tell my husband the yard decor was becoming embarrassing, lol. We'll need a little 'heat wave' to get it done. So glad you are beginning to feel better. Hang in there!

MissPat said...

I got a wool pressing mat for Christmas. Now that they are so popular there are a lot of other companies on Amazon offering them at much lower prices than the ones sold in quilt shops. Glad you are feeling better. I've fallen behind on Frolic clues, but I've prepped the pieces for clues 6 & 7 to take to FL along with two other projects to work on.
Pat

Louise said...

The wool mats are great, aren't they? Maybe someone will make a long, skinny one for pressing strip sets. Glad to see you are on the mend :)

ButterZ said...

Good work. There are sooo many 1/2 square triangles. I have to sew Clue 5 and trim Clue 7.
Glad you are feeling better and are up to sewing again

Sarah said...

I did notice that dinky little iron and mat. And how clear is your work station....or is the mess out of shot lol! Glad you are on the mend. Happy sewing.

Deb A said...

Glad you are feeling better, be careful not to overdo... the relapse is never fun.
I'm seeing lots of those wool mats around on blog land.... I'll have to visit a quilt show sometime and check them out.

Preeti said...

Ooh yes, the wool mat is absolutely fabulous and completely addictive; especially if you like to press your seams open. Keep on frolicking. May you kick that disgusting bug outta your system for good.
I believe the Christmas tree should stay up till Valentine's Day decorations demand otherwise :-)

Janet O. said...

Good to hear that you have joined the living again--and can even frolic!!
I do love my wool mat, too. Does that little iron get nice and hot?
Isn't everyone's Christmas tree still up? :)

Sandra Walker said...

I’ve got that little iron and it’s the BEST! Glad you’re on the mend. Btw looked at your books list. Every. Single. One. Is one of my ‘oh yeah loved that one’ books except for the Neanderthal one so I’m off to look it up as your tastes clearly run similar to mine!

Maureen said...

Hi Kathy! I'm glad to hear you're on the mend, turning the corner so to speak! I enjoy your blog though I'm not one to comment much on any blogs, I would like to ask you (and others) about the wool pressing mats. I've been pondering this for some time. I wouldn't hold anyone to anything but is there a particular brand of this mat that you like? Or would you say they are all pretty much the same? Should I look for certain details on the composition of materials in the mat or just buy one!
Thank you all.
Maureen
mgw070 at rogers dot com
(I don't have a blog)