Working with Bias Tape and Quilting

It's been nice to have sewing room time, but with several projects on my to-do list - two with deadlines - I find it difficult to know which project to work on next! My medical procedure, to have my left femoral artery ballooned and another stent inserted, is next Friday, October 17. I've got to manage my sewing time wisely since I won't be able to use my sewing machine for several days following the procedure.

So, primarily, I've been working on the MQG's bias tape challenge.

In my last post, I showed a couple pictures of how it's progressing, and I will do the same again so you can see how it's changing. It's very telling about how I create that I cannot stick with a plan... or rather, I should say, I don't have a plan at all!

After settling on the squares-on-point and rings design, I decided the colors were a bit boring - only yellows, oranges, and aquas. I added a little hot pink, and like the pop that this color gives.  

But then I changed it again (above, see the whole square of pink that's now a partial bit of pink), and am still not done adding that color.

Most of the bias tape is appliquéd now, using Aurifil in the same color as the fabric. And I have also very carefully cut away the excess fabric on the back, so the quilt top won't be too heavy or stiff.

Teaching quilting classes has also taken time, as I finished up Beyond First Time Quiltmaking last week. On Wednesday I led an all-day Free Motion Quilting workshop for 16 quilters.

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I'm always happy to hear students make positive comments at the end of their first quilting experience, even if during the process their frustrations are verbal! I completely understand how awkward it is to learn to manipulate fabric under a moving needle. As I tell them, learning free motion quilting is all about attitude and determination. You can do it, if you're willing to put some effort into it. I suggest practicing at least ten minutes a day.

Our nine month-old grandson, LJ - doll that he is - has been spending much of his time trying to keep up with big brother, Austin. Though LJ has been standing for several weeks, this week he graduated to pushing a walker. We're predicting he's going to be taking off on his own very soon.

Linda