Wednesday, March 13, 2019
March sewing
I have been rather haphazardly sewing this week. Some days upstairs on the sewing machine, some days in front of the TV hand quilting.
The sewing machine endeavors include making signature blocks for the wedding reception quilt that I have planned for Leiya. I think she is planning to have 60 guests... I have made up about 80 blocks for guests to choose from when signing.
I even got Tetsu involved cutting up freezer paper blocks and then ironing the paper onto the backs of the signature blocks which I hope will make it easier for people to sign the blocks... I am actually thinking of combining the signature blocks with some four patch blocks once I get back to Japan with all the signatures but I haven't really thought it all out. I am making progress though!
When I get a bit bored of making the same signature blocks over and over I start in making pinwheel blocks for that Kitty embroidery quilt that has been somewhat shelved. I need 46 pinwheels and I think I have 40 right now. After that I will start in on some rail fence blocks.
The quilting going on downstairs is now in its final stages and if I find time tomorrow I will put some binding on to this baby quilt. My fingers are sore! I haven't done so much steady quilting in ages though I must admit that hand quilting is a very relaxing pastime.
And one more project I've been working on has been to tear apart a kimono that has been in my closet for years. I have a purpose in mind but I'm not really sure the finished project will be successful or not. This will be a "wearable" piece if and when it gets finished.
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The signature quilt will be a nice memory. I made one for my father's 80th birthday, but found that some guests had singed their blocks all the way into the seam allowance. Be aware of this problem.
ReplyDeleteNice job to get Tetsu-san involved in quilting!
Queenie
I love the idea of the signature quilt. I also enjoy reading about your projects.
ReplyDeleteI also got my husband involved in quilting, well sort of. I had made a log-cabin quilt with instructions from Anita Solomon Grossman which involves sewing onto a paper pattern. Once I finished the 120 blocks, I had to take out all the paper, hence my husband's involvment! I was happy with the finished quilt and it used up some of my scraps.
Love the signature blocks, and the Kimono fabric, that is so beautiful.A padded quilted winter throw? Jacket? Poncho with wide sleeves? I am sure it will show the fabric perfectly, no matter which or what it will be.
ReplyDeleteA lovely memory Wedding quilt, made special by both Mum and Dad making it.
ReplyDeleteI love the signature quilt idea. What a treasure that will be.
ReplyDeleteLove the signature blocks! It does also give both of you something to do as you anticipate the wedding. And as you work on it, you can pray blessings into it, like people do as they knit prayer shawls.
ReplyDeleteI have done a number of signature quilts. I just used a clipboard covered in sandpaper for people to write on. What Queenie says is often true, about people writing into the seam allowance. You might mark the sides with a erasable marker, asking they not go beyond the line.
ReplyDeleteI've done signature quilts twice at family reunions. The first time, I had a sample block with the 1/4" seam allowance marked to show where not to sign. I knew from hearing stories at sewing club that this could be a problem. The second time, I made the quilt first so signing beyond the seams wasn't an issue.
ReplyDeleteBoth times, I brought along a spare piece of muslin with freezer paper on the back so people could practice first and get a feel for how the pens wrote on fabric. I think that helped. It also helps to have spare squares because some people "mess up" what they're going to say and ask if they can sign another square instead.
My other piece of advice is to test whatever pens you're going to use. Test first to see if they need to be heat set (Pigma does) and how well they'll hold up to washing. I ended up switching brands because I found some pens that were more permanent than Pigma pens. I think they were "EZ Quilter" brand. The nibs were large enough not to get caught in the fabric weave, too. Pigma pens can be hard to use on fabric if you're not used to working with them.
Good luck with your project! Can't wait to see the finished product. The wedding will be here before you know it!