Wednesday 15 May 2013

WIP Wednesday: Leftover Charms

Things are on a real stop and start around here. Last week in about a day I made a patchwork quilt top (the pictures are coming in just a few paragraphs!). The weekend was jam packed with exploring markets, grocery shopping, cooking, and planning.

Monday started well, with me beginning to cut out the pieces for the Velocity Girl Bag by SewSweetness, and then we went to our first pilates class. I'm still sore. It was good, but too intense for my still-recovering back. So back to google to find a new class to try.

Then yesterday came, and all the go that had been happening over the weekend died. Just died. I was tired and cranky, and there were arguments. I didn't do anything on my to-do list. I did start watching Craftsy classes I bought last Autumn... And got an idea for a new quilt, which I then mocked up in Illustrator instead of making chilli for dinner. Thankfully it was only me for dinner here last night, so I just microwaved some frozen lasagne and kept right on playing with quilt ideas.

Anyway, I don't really have a point. But I feel guilty for not getting more done, for not replying to emails sooner, and for finding settling in here harder on some days than others. I am not blogging or sewing as much as I'd like, but I'm guessing you can't force it and instead I'm trying to go with the flow.

Here is the quilt top in progress. I started with a bundle of mixed charms that have been languishing in a cupboard for over a year. I needed something simple to get my sewing courage up after 3 weeks of no sewing! So it started off super basic:



But then I thought that was kind of boring. So I cut it up,



rearranged the strips, and sewed it back together.



Then, I thought, why not cut it up in the other direction!? So I did!



And I sewed it back together again, and said, done for now.



It is just less than 30" square. I woke up at 5am last Friday with the idea that I could surround it in a mosaic of 2" squares in various shades of white and bind it in a mauve colour. Then my mother suggested that I quilt it as is and use it to make an enormous cushion (I got an enormous cushion as a teenager and it moved all over with me until I came to the States).

I honestly don't know what to do with it, so it's folded up and living in the corner right now. My quilt idea would keep it on the long finger for a while because I don't have a variety of whites on hand, and would need to wait for off-cuts from some upcoming quilts. The cushion would mean looking for an insert the right size or buying foam or something... Do any of you have an idea??

I'm linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced today! And heading off to do some more work on my new handbag - I'll leave you with a picture.



12 comments:

  1. I think it would make a fantastic cushion -- and you could always use batting to stuff it to size if you can't find a standard pillow to fit.

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  2. I love the effect of cutting it up and putting it back together again. It WILL make a great large cushion.

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  3. Don't be too hard on yourself! You have made a huge move and life is so different than what it was (even though it is good) you need to give yourself time to adjust! I love your patchwork piece and all the happy colors! I like your mom's idea to sew it into a big floor cushion.

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  4. I love what you have done. I have a stack of charm squares and I love the idea of sewing them then cutting it up. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  5. Your bag is going to be divine! And I love the quilt top! It's fab!

    I've been back in the midwest for five months now, and I'm still not fully settled. Don't stress about it too much. You'll get there!

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  6. I really like how this looks. I think I would go with the pillow idea, because it will make up quickly and be a satisfying finish.

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  7. I think this would be an awesome oversized cushion - what a great idea. I love what you've done with the charm packs. I have quite a few that I would like to try this with :)

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  8. I love your method, simple but really effective!

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  9. I love it! I am gathering quite the collection of leftover charms. Cutting it up and sewing it back together was a great idea!

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  10. Gorgeous! I'm with everyone else on the cushion idea!
    Great idea to cut it up and rearrange, i'll need to try that!

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  11. Love the finished whimsey! What an impact over the first sewing through! Here's to a renewed energy for you and some settling in sewing to be done! :0)

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  12. I love the patchwork, it would make a lovely, cheerful big cushion! And I know someone making up inserts to any shape or size. As for settling, take your time and be gentle to yourself, sometimes it takes a long while (experience...). At least you are close to your family...

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Thank you so much for commenting! I love hearing your honest thoughts and opinions on whatever I've been harping on about :)

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