Try, try again

I don't think I've mentioned that I signed up for Rachel's Handstitched class. I hemmed and hawed about it, partially because I have so many things to finish (and to start), and I wasn't sure if I "needed" a class like this. I talked to E about it, and he encouraged me to do it.
I realized there are many topics covered in the course that I have little or no experience with, and knew this would be a focused way to acquire those skills.
I knew I would learn these skills SOMEDAY, but Rachel's class will help me learn them NOW.
Signing up has already given me new tools and confidence when approaching a hand sewing project. I'm so glad I joined.
Not to mention, the Modern Medallion quilt. Ooh, such a beauty! Yes, out of all of the projects Rachel shared sneak peeks of, THIS project pushed me over the edge.
Fabrics have been selected for my MM version: I completed my center block this week, but I was not satisfied with my work. With little applique experience, I dove in, completing the block in one evening. Since this will be the centerpiece of the quilt, I decided that I would take the things I learned from the first to make an improved second block.

Block attempt #1

I used too much starch on the edges, my stitches are not very even, my inner corners are messy, there are puckers (I bet partially due to too much starch) and to top it off, I trimmed the block too much.

I'm not this picky about small mistakes typically, but as I said, this will be the centerpiece, and I knew I could make a better block based on the experience. I've already started it, and I'm much happier with it so far. There was not another large piece of that lovely HTF Amy Butler Coriander in the stash, so I'm using an Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party for the replacement.

Don't worry about the fate of this block; I see a pillow or mini in my future!

I plan to share other projects from Rachel's class throughout the summer.

In other quilting news, I'll have a fun finish to share very, very soon!

Thoughts on selecting fabric

Raise your hand if picking fabric (or yarn, for that matter) is your favorite part of the project process.

I'm pretty sure if we were in a room together, there would be lots of raised hands right now. I certainly love other aspects of creating a project, but raw fabric has so much potential. I'm sure this is why stashing can easily get out of hand. When I look at fabric online (or very rarely, in a LQS), I immediately think something along these lines:

"what could I use this for?"
this would be great for x or y."
"ooh, what about using this for binding a quilt?"

This week, I was working on pulling a stack of fabrics for a little quilt-along I'm doing with my good pals Amanda and Nicke.
I'd thought about several different fabric combinations, but Monday night, I started with a single Lecien print, from the Fabulous Blooming collection.

Less than an hour later, I was staring at a lovely little bundle.

This print was not purchased with any specific purpose, and I've had it for months. I purchased it here at Superbuzzy, if you're interested!
So, my first step was to pull prints that matched the various colors in the Lecien print. I went through my stashed grays, black/whites, greens, blues and reds. I held up individual prints next to the Lecien one, to make sure the shades matched well.

It's good to be broad in this search, and you might end up with something unexpected. I chose twenty additional prints. The pattern size I'm making requires seventeen prints, so I then eliminated my least favorites.


I will be using this stack to make Cluck, Cluck, Sew's pow-wow pattern found here. I'm not crazy about the name, so I'm going to call it, "which way?" instead!
Some things to keep in mind when choosing fabrics:

• Keep the pattern piece size(s) and shape(s) in mind as you select fabrics. Most of the prints I chose are small or medium in scale, since larger prints could get lost in this type of piecing. 
• When starting with an inspirational print like I did here, be sure you consider how each print works with the group, as well as that first print. 
• Don't be afraid to try combinations you may not have previously considered.
• Consider value of the prints. In my stack here, I tried to choose prints of similar value, since there are so many colors involved. When you have only a couple of colors involved, it's easier to be free with the values.
• Having a varied stash certainly helps with this sort of exercise. In fact, this is a helpful way to identify missing colors/prints. As you can see, the lime/chartreuse green color is highly represented in my stash!

I'm going to speak to this process again when planning future projects, because I think it's interesting. I hope you do, too! If you have any questions, please let me know!
The girls and I will be starting the quilt soon.
Feel free to join in with us if you like!

Enabler alert

I often joke with crafty friends about my enabling abilities, especially when it comes to buying fabric or starting new projects. I guess that comes with the territory of crafting or any hobby, really. There is a constant influx of new media to excite us, and that is more true in the fabric world than in most communities. I'm sure there is less temptation if you, say, make model airplanes.

With that being said, I have one current fabric crush to share with you, as well as one new swap I've joined.

I'm sure you've seen Tula Pink's Nightshade by now. That cloud print was just too good to be resisted. I bought it in all three colorways, and then had to grab some of the bird lace as well. The flowery print in the background is fun, with little skulls strewn about.

I've bought some other new things as well (although I'm trying to be good!), but this is one of the recent stashings that I'm wanting to cut into first.

I know we all go through the constant desire to start something new, while works-in-progress sit patiently waiting for attention.

I've been steadily progressing on my finishing list. It looks as if I'm about halfway done there! Of course, the glaring missing finish is Swoon. As soon as I get my Improv quilt finished (eta: this weekend!), Swoon is next.

Speaking of improv, Nicke chose improv chevrons for her month of Wonky Bee. Since I enjoyed them so much in March for do.Good Stitches, I jumped the gun, and have already completed them for June.

It's a testament to how fun this block is. Six White Horses came up with such a fun technique! And Nicke's colors are awesome, based on the custom bundle she created for Pink Castle.

And one last enabling effort for today, I've joined a new swap. After a long hiatus from public swaps (for no reason other than trying to get through some lingering projects), I thought the Modernista swap sounded fun. For the first round, we are making something for the sewing room/area. I've been wanting to make a new machine cover, so this seemed like a great opportunity to have one made.

1. Sewing Machine Cover, 2. Sewing Machine Cover, 3. Triangle Mini Finished!, 4. new sewing machine cover, 5. NestingChairs-Sewing-Machine-Cover-003, 6. Sparkle punch potholder ready for binding, 7. Pillow Talk Swap Progress, 8. herringbone, 9. side 2, 10. Scrappy HST Quilt, 11. Sewing spot, 12. Just Swell sewing machine cover

I'm hoping my partner can make something nice and structured for my machine, with bold color and geometric patterning. It should be a fun swap, and there's still a little time to join! The swap closes this Sunday, so don't hesitate if you're interested in joining!

Whew! I'm wordy today. I hope you have a fun weekend! I'll be seeing some friends, and finishing that quilt!