For the past couple of weeks, I have been busy piecing….and I love piecing. It’s quiet, relaxed, and does not require a whole lot of thought or movement (whereas cutting batting and backing and making the quilt ‘sandwich’ require a lot of energy!). So, in my summer-frame of mind, I have been happily piecing. Also, since I have not been feeling very creative lately, piecing keeps me sewing without worrying about my lack of creative ideas right now.
So now I have four, which means my next step requires more activity: bringing the tops to my family room, cutting the batting, cutting the backing, and getting the quilt ready to be long-arm quilted.
And, due to my recent lack of creativity, I bought each of these tops as a ready-made ‘kit’. I loved the colors and designs, and no, these did not come pre-cut, so I had to cut. Each needs to be carefully ironed and have the seams checked, but I am happy with the results.
2 layer cakes and white fabric.
The next one is an older top which I haven’t finished yet, because I could not find the pattern after our floors were installed. So, when I feel ‘creative’ again, I have to take what I have and find a way to finish it. It is a table runner and will go nicely with the new blue sofa we just ordered today! I keep hoping the pattern turns up so at least I can identify the fabric I used!
I have no idea what these fabrics are since I can’t find the pattern or the original fabrics.
The next top is made of Tonga Batiks from Timeless Treasures. There was a lot of cutting involved, and I am not too happy with some seams that don’t match, but I like the overall effect. I love the range of colors in this top.
These are Tonga Batiks from Timeless Treasures. The pattern is called “Tonga Treats”. I bought matching backing and a contrast binding. I like the contemporary look of these batiks.
And finally, I finished the Summer Jewels Lap Quilt top after much trial and error. It occurred to me that I should really use each pattern twice so I can really become familiar with them. Maybe I will put that on my fall to-do list!
I love the contrasting teal and brown.
This is a pattern I bought from Discount Sewing Supply online, and the website for the pattern developer is:
I’ve been thinking about the ways in which I sew. These past few weeks have been about being calm, relaxed, and simply following a pattern. Then there are times when I dye fabric, sew landscapes, and ‘create’ something from an idea or photo I have. Sometimes I am more into the dynamics of creating, and at other times I realize I am craving the predictability of piecing.
I never know how I am going to feel when I sit down to sew.
You choose such pretty, bright colors!