Confessions of a WIPaholic - episode 1

My (often very un-) helper ;-)

As I've previously mentioned, I have a number of Works In Progress stored in various places around the house. In an attempt to reduce the number, or at least limit the number of WIP's cluttering up the house, I've decided to keep myself accountable to you, my imaginary readers, and attempt to be able to classify some of these as FINISHED!!

So then, Project Number 1 - The Chocolat Charm Pack Quilt.

Up until last weekend, this project had been completed to the point of sewing a number of squares together into a rectangle. I'd also bought some extra fabric to sew some borders, and some backing fabric. And at that point it sat, in a bag, for about 18 months.

BUT, progress has been made!! Over the last week, the borders have been cut and sewn on! Which is a good thing, because when I pulled it out, I wasn't sure I liked it anymore, but now the borders are on, I'm feeling more positive towards it. Not LOVING it, mind you, but not DISliking it either. Phew. I think it's another hazard of leaving WIP's in the cupboard for too long, this whimsical falling out of love thing!

Today, I went and bought some batting, quilting cotton and basting pins. So I'm nearly ready for the next step! Except that I don't have a walking foot (for my machine - the feet attached to the end of my legs walk just fine). I seem to have bought an obscure model of sewing machine several years ago (a brother Star 15) and am having difficulty working out which walking foot will fit. Grrr.

So, the to do list:

• Cut backing fabric
• Cut batting
• Baste layers together
• GET A WALKING FOOT
• Quilt the quilt
• Make the binding
• Sew the binding on

And that's it! If I can do those things, this project will officially move from the WIP list to the FINISHED!! list :-) I think I'm about 70% there at the moment, and will hopefully will have added another 10% by next weekend (the deadline factor!).

Wish me luck....!

A miracle followed by a speedy return to earth...

I have always been the sort of crafter that is not very good at completion.

Up until a few months ago, I had at least 7 projects in progress (many for years!?!), several of which were only a few hours work away from completion. But could I find the inclination to do it?? Then a dear friend took matters into her own hands. She gave me a piece of Alexander Henry Juicy Jungle fabric and a deadline. It worked! I finished something!

Most recently, I finished a pair of baby shoes :-) Probably the most difficult sewing project I've done, the pattern came from the wonderful Meet Me at Mikes book. But I did it! It's a miracle!

I think they're very cute, even if they're a bit rough! They've already found their way to their new feet ;-)

So, buoyed by my still rare success, I felt a very strong NEED to sew something else. I decided to pull out a patchwork project started over 18 months ago. Out came my cutting mat, rotary cutter, my fancy (but very short) patchwork ruler (all of which had never been used before(!) and the fabric I'd bought for borders. I took a deep breath and cut my first strip, sewed it on and took it to the ironing board to press my new seam....only to discover that I'd sewed the wrong sides together rather than the right sides. No, no, no, no, NO!!!! Soooo typical.

At this point, I would normally unpick the seam and pack everything away in a huff, not to be pulled out again for some time (months, at least)! But I have fought against it. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have a finished quilt top, ready to be taken to the patchwork shop for instructions on what to do next!

Here's hoping....!