Getting Back to It

Woohoo, I got to unpack my studio.  Here's how it sort of started.

I found fabric I'd forgotten I had and cleaned out things I really don't need.  Though the actual studio isn't quite finished, it's finished enough that I can get back to doing what I really love. 




During the move and reconstruction, I made several tops just to keep my fingers in fabric.  Now I start the process of getting my longarm skills up to speed.  Ok, they were never really "professional", but they were starting to get there.

Today I was practicing curves....straight lines are waiting for another day...week... when I get brave.  I'm rediscovering things I forgot, like don't watch the needle, look slightly ahead to where you want to go and your hands will generally follow, blink, and most importantly breathe.  This is what came out from under the needle.  By the time I got to the end, I was feeling better about things.  I still have a long way to go.

Delectable Mountains

I just found out I'm going to be a a great aunt again, but this time not to brand new babies.  My niece and nephew are in the process of adopting a pair of sisters just beyond the toddler stage.  Which means new quilts from Auntie M and not the baby kind either, but a big girl kind.  So no pastel colors this time, whew what a relief because I prefer brights.

Also little sister likes and does whatever the bigger sister does so they need to be similar, but with enough of a difference so each sister knows which one is theirs.

So, this is what I started with,








and this is where I'm going...


Pink for one sister and purple for the other sister.  I'm still in the process of piecing always hoping I have enough fabric to do what I want (probably should have bought more). Keep in mind one half mountain will be the complete opposite of the other half mountain.  It can be a bit confusing, don't ask how many I cut wrong.

I started out with 10 inch squares of both the purple (or pink for little sister) and the print sewn together and cut to make the half square triangles.   I squared them up to 9 1/2 inch squares. Turn one half of the new squares one quarter turn, so they look like the picture on the left (a rather smooth mountain).  Are you there?  Good.  Now to cut the HST into strips.  Though I modified the delectable mountain pattern to make only 2 cuts of 3 1/8 inches (yes, the last strip will be a wee bit bigger than the others) instead of three.

I did this mainly because I didn't think I'd have enough fabric to make the size I wanted.  Note to self:  ALWAYS buy one yard of fabric more than you think you will need. Starting in the "center" of the smooth mountain, cut two strips 3 1/8 inches, leaving that wee bit larger strip.




Once the strips are cut, rearrange them by moving the inside strip to the outside, forming the "mountains", well actually half of the mountain.  Right now your half mountains should look a bit backwards.  Switch the entire half mountain block to the other side...now the mountain actually has a peak instead of a valley.  Sew the strips together to get the full mountain.  Once you have a full mountain, sew another mountain upside down on the bottom to make the "block" that you see in the uppermost picture.




Oh, the hubs is nearing the finish line on the studio.  That means I'll be able to spread out, set up my long (or mid I can't tell the difference) arm, and quilt some of the tops I've been finishing.  I can't wait...