A Woman Has To Do What A Woman Has To Do

Do you know what I mean?  I'm sure I'm not alone when I'm trying to squeeze in some time to finish a project and life keeps interrupting my plans.  So what do you do?  This is my solution:

Set your sewing machine up at the kitchen counter...the hub of our house....and squeeze in a few squares when ever I can.  I'm even thinking of how I can set up a system in my van so when I'm at a stop light I can just swivel my seat over and sew a line or two....ok...just kidding there :)

A week ago today, Mrs. Rosemary (Waldo) and I went to a quilt as you go workshop.  The purpose of learning quilt as you go was to get more twin size quilts to donate to charities.

One of our guild members, Carol Hicks, was kind enough to lead the workshop.  Basically we pre-cut large squares of fabric and centered a smaller piece of batting and then began adding strips.  Later we will put together all the squares and the quilting will have been done as part of the piecing process.

 Jenny, QuiltCrazyGalJennaLouise Blog,  was stitching away when I swung by for a photo.  I could not help but love her fabrics all lined up...check them out below....

 AND her wrist pincushion.   I loved her wrist pincushion.....who wouldn't smile with that on their wrist? 

How darn cute is this?  Jenny said she made it a few years ago at Quilt University....that is what she could remember and something about the number three and fiber.  I'm guessing it was the amazing gals at Three Creative Studios that taught the class (I'm not sure but I've sent them an e-mail to find out). 

Waldo and I are working on the same quilt.  We decided we might be more successful in completing our charity project by July's meeting if we work on it together.  I had the center fabric squares and some coordinating fabrics.  We both searched our stashes to find anything that would coordinate and we came up with enough strips to make at least one twin quilt.

The block below is another way to set up the blocks...if you have a print for the center.  I really liked this placement too.  There is a variety of ways to lay them out...I guess you just choose depending on what fabric you are starting with.

My two cents on the quilt as you go method....it does use up quite a bit of thread because you stitch, stop, cut, start, stitch, stop, cut....and all on small strips.  I find it a bit mind numbing at times...but you have to remember it takes some really striking colors and designs to keep me awake in the first place...LOL.  I really enjoyed the workshop and all the gals who were there too....I think that was the best part....it usually always is for me anyway.  I think I'd use the method again....when the opportunity presents itself...for perhaps a small project or I'd make larger blocks....then it would go faster.

That's what I've been up to....what about you? 

Smiles,

Kelly

PS...if you have not visited Three Creative Studios recently....oh geez....go over and check out their blog and their website.  They always have something fun going  on and lots of free tutorials and patterns too!