Friday, November 20, 2015

Quilting in the Family

As I alluded in my last blog post, today I'm happily handing over my blog to someone who's very special in my life. She came into our family in 2005 when she married our only son, Brent. If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you've already "met" Lyn. I shared her first sewing experience here, right after I'd given her a new-to-her Bernina Artista sewing machine. My investment has proved fruitful as she's already made several items.

Do you remember the fun of learning to sewing? Well, Lyn's enthusiasm is infectious, so be prepared to give in to the urge to head to your sewing machine right after reading this! Linda


I wasn’t quite sure how to start this blog post.  Then I thought, “I’ll just start typing what I am thinking and see what happens!” So there you go. I am Lyn Hungerford (not to be confused with Linda Hungerford, my quilting benefactor, mentor, friend, Mom2, and pretty much the best mother-in-law I could ever ask for in my life) and I am new to all of this. This is my first blog post, my first quilt block, and nearly my first sewing experience. Just this May, after 10 years of being daughter-in-law to the best quilter I know, I sat in front of a sewing machine for the first time ever. I was quite nervous pressing that pedal, but wow, I am addicted. If I only I could find more time to sew (not something that having a five year-old, a highly opinionated two year-old, and an old diabetic dog always allows).  

I agreed to be a guest blogger and create a quilt block for the first time ever, but I was a bit nervous that it would take me weeks to get done! Just goes to show my inexperience, because from the time I chose a block from You Can Quilt! (a gift included in my sewing set up from my mother-in-law), it took me only one two year-old’s afternoon nap time to complete! This post is part of a week-long blog hop hosted by Leila Gardunier and Marlene Oddie the authors of You Can Quilt!

My post is the last in series so feel free to read up on the others if you haven’t already!
Nov. 16th - Lee (freshlypieced.com)
Nov. 17th - AnneMarie (genxquilters.com)
Nov. 18th - Leanne  (shecanquilt.ca)
Nov. 19th - Julie  (thatssojulie.blogspot.com)
Nov. 20th - Lyn (guest blogger at flourishingpalms.blogspot.com) You are here!

As a newbie to the world of quilting, I highly recommend this book for other beginning sewists. The instructions and tutorials on the basics of quilting/sewing were really helpful. I found myself thinking of a question and then looking for the answer in the book – sure enough, my question was answered every time. I now think I can quilt. I really can do this! I’m not trying to be cheeky by saying that, as I was really concerned I wouldn’t be able to pick this skill up very well (really wanting to not disappoint my mother in law ).

Once I chose the Wonky Nine Patch block, I then went to my fabric stash. While still small, my stash is mighty and I was overwhelmed with options. After much deliberation, I finally settled on my four fabrics. I need a wall hanging for my guest bathroom so the colors are meant to complement my motif in there. I narrowed it down to these. In the end, I left out the yellow even though I love it.  


Time to start cutting! I get lots of anxiety at the cutting phase because that is the one thing I’ve learned that cannot be reversed. I learned it the hard way on a previous placemat project. Now I have one placemat not like the others. That’s normal for us beginners, right? I always take my time with cutting now and am sure to get all of the creases out of the fabric first.

I kept my instructions handy the whole time, reading and re-reading them to ensure I wouldn’t miss a step. They were so easy to follow that it really took me no time at all to get in a groove. After cutting out my four blocks, I went on with more cutting. Yikes! But it really was very easy and with wonky blocks, I felt so much less pressure to be perfect. Love that! I think “wonky” is my favorite!!


Now the fun part for me – sewing!! I have been so lucky to have the best machine for being such a beginner. And I have a foot designed to keep me at ¼” seams (Bernina #57), precisely what the instructions called for in the book. I will say I still need some practice in pressing my seams. The book has a great tutorial on that as well and I really understand how very important it is when putting all of these small pieces together.

Another thing I’ve gotten very good at it seam ripping. Unfortunately, that is something I wish I wasn’t good at, but you can see in the picture above the pile of evidence of stitches gone wrong. Usually I’m not paying enough attention and sew a square on the wrong way. Oops. And ugh! I hate, hate, hate wasting good thread, and fabric too for that matter. It's one of the things that really gets my goat as a beginner and I really wish I could save myself from myself sometimes! 

In the end, I finished quickly. Following the directions – sew, press, sew, press. And I am quite pleased with the outcome! After talking with my quilting mentor about binding, I’m thinking a hot pink to finish this off would be awesome! Something I had never considered, but I am so very excited about now!!

(I insisted Lyn include a photo of herself in this post. I promised to post it small.  :-) Linda)
And since I finished so quickly, I decided to just keep trying other blocks from You Can Quilt! I will soon have all quilt tops and no finished quilts. But that’s pretty normal too, right?!

I decided to get a jump on some Christmas decorations and followed the Wonky Log Cabin tutorial to make some really fun 12-1/2" X 12-1/2" (unfinished) blocks with leftover Christmas fabric. 

Before I discovered this block, I was so sad when I had only scraps left of my favorite fabrics. Now – I have a true calling. I love this scrappy, wonky block and had a wonderfully therapeutic time making it. No more remorse from only having scraps!  I just kept sewing and cutting and then sewing and pressing. So much fun!!

The giveaway associated this this post is closed.  Happy sewing! That's what I plan to do more of! Lyn

24 comments:

  1. Great post, Lyn, and nice to "meet" you! I love your blocks, and your boys are so adorable. I've been following your "Mom2" for quite some time and enjoy seeing them grow.

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    1. Thank you! The boys are growing so fast. It's nice to have Mom2's blog that has captured so many moments over the years. I feel so blessed in so many ways!

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  2. Your Christmas block gave me an idea of what to do with some labels I just received. Thank you and good luck in the blogging world.

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  3. Hello Lyn! And welcome to this obsession we call quilting. You couldn't have a better teacher than Linda, she is so talented and has a wonderful sense of color and design. i look forward to seeing the finished project!

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    1. Thank you! I agree that I have the best teacher in the world! I wish I had taken up this hobby years ago. Hopefully I will be able to finish these blocks over the long holiday weekend. ☺️

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  4. HI, love your Block! Thanks for sharing+giving!
    Neat Giveaway! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  5. Lyn, this is the best post ever! I love your blocks! Wonky log cabins are my favorite too - the low stress sewing is really relaxing. Thanks so much!

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  6. It's a great post, Lyn, and you are right -- your enthusiasm is contagious. Your blocks look great and don't be too hard on yourself about unsewing -- we all still do it. Congrats on your start into the wonderful world of quilting. You've got a wonderful "Linda" bonus as well.

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  7. Great to see your DIL join the club! Cheaper than therapy tell her. And she's a natural by the look of it!

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  8. This is a great post Lyn and I love both of your projects. Welcome to the quilting fold. Would love to see a photo of your wall hanging when you have finished it. You are blessed to have Mom2 both as MIL and mentor.

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  9. Lyn--you can do it!! :-) and you did a great job on those blocks. They look fantastic. Thanks for being a part of this journey with us. Happy Sewing!

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  10. Lyn, this is the best post ever! I love your blocks! Wonky log cabins are my favorite too - the low stress sewing is really relaxing. Thanks so much!

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  11. What fun! Lyn wrote a delightful post and I love her blocks. Welcome! You're going to have more fun than you can imagine!

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  12. Welcome Lyn to the world of quilting and blogging. I'm not sure if I'm talking to Linda or Lyn here, but I guess you will both be reading this.
    I am home now Linda from my trip and seeing your quilt in Houston was a real treat!
    Does that mean we wont hear from you anymore Linda? Lyn, your MIL and I have been "blogging friends" for some years now - never having actually met in person! :-)

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  13. Sorry, I meant to say well done on your blocks Lyn, they are lovely, and I can see you have definitely have been 'bitten by the bug'.

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  14. Great job Lyn. Love the wonky Christmas block. And pink will really set off those wonky 9 patches. All of the items you mentioned as beginner issues are still being made by seasoned quilters. You are doing just great and your mentor is truly inspirational.

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  15. Great blocks, love them! And they also gave me an idea what to do with all the scraps that seems to multiply just by themselves!

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  16. Okay, I'm not a fan of nine patch but WONKY nine patch I love! Looks like so much fun!

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  17. We all have to start at the beginning and it's nice to be reminded how far we've come or hope were coming Lol. Love the look of wonky squares haven't done one yet but after reading your blog I think I'll make one. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. I know just how you feel when you have only scraps left of favorite fabrics. I like to use up every scrappy scrap! I left a comment on Leila's blog and alos am a new IG follower of hers!

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  19. must make you so happy that Lyn is getting into quilting and I love that she's taken to scrap quilting so quickly - she must be inspired by all of your awesome scrap quilts !!

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  20. Welcome to our very addictive world Lyn. I can already tell you have an eye for good design.

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  21. Better late than never! I was traveling and am just catching up on everything I missed. Bravo, Lyn, and welcome to our world! It helps having a wonderful teacher! Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations.

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  22. I am finally catching up on some blog reading and I really enjoyed reading your story. It is a real pleasure to read how much you are enjoying learning to quilt, and to see your results. The pure pleasure of seeing a block unfold is something a long time quilter needs to be reminded of. You are now well on your way to great things!

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