I mentioned in my fall goals post that my making has been in overdrive. And as a side effect, I feel like my creating has been all over the map. A project here, another project there. I have several things in work that are all at different stages of done-ness, which is a bit unusual for me. In the past, I’ve tended to work in more sequential order! But it’s 2020 and I’m rolling with it.
Here’s what’s been happening:
I pieced a backing from some half yards of Alison Glass Handcrafted Indigo. I bought a bundle a couple years ago but hadn’t put it to use, but half yards came together quickly to make a fun backing for an upcoming quilt. I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve EVER made a backing before I made the quilt!! The recent #partyinthequiltback totally gets the credit for that one.
I’m also working on a Christmas tree skirt pattern and sample. I’ve been meaning to write a pattern to complement my Double Aster tree skirt from a couple years ago (which I cannot sell, since I wrote it for Bluprint) and am finally making it happen! It’s a simple design based on one of my barn quilt blocks, and the pattern will be done by the end of October.
I also returned to my Bars quilt from early September! I basted it — using pins instead of spray, which is a change for me. I’ve been Team Spray Baste for years, but my husband really doesn’t like me using the spray in the house (understandable) and I don’t have anywhere else to do it well. I tried on the back patio once and it was a failure.
So I decided to give pin basting another go. I read that you should be able to put your hand down anywhere on the quilt and touch at least 2 pins so I took that advice to heart and pinned a LOT. I used my Kwik Klip and one of these stick-on thimble pads on my thumb, and got the whole thing basted without too much pain on my poor fingers.
I started quilting earlier this week using 12wt Aurifil thread in a slightly off-white color (#6722). There’s no white in the quilt at all, so I didn’t want to use white thread. I’m working my way across the top quilting long vertical lines about 4″ apart. Then I’ll come back with a second pass to fill things in.
And then, finally, I’m still making postcards! The one above was number 148 and yep those are 1/8″ strips — foundation paper pieced to make it easier. My total list stands at 157 so I am nearly done…
…until I inevitably agree to add a few more people.
