Pre-spring is unfurling here in western NY after two days of sunny skies and warming temperatures. My thoughts are turning to the summer and the outdoor picnics to come. Although I need to start work on something big — a quilt that I have not yet designed — I’ve been distracting myself with little projects and by relocating my sewing room. I simply could not bear to remain in the room where my darling kitty Bootsie and I spent so many happy hours. So I’ve relocated my sewing room to the basement. Although the light is not as good down here, I find that I have more space and I feel more connected to the flow of the house.
While organizing my fabric stash and scrap baskets post-move, I rediscovered an old advertising premium that I bought for $1 in an antique store last year. It will be perfect for a couch pillow for Memorial day. The fabric is a bit thin, but I think I can stabilize it with some muslin. It’s also a tiny bit discolored, but I think it adds to the charm — after all what is pristine after 43 years??
I trimmed the flag so that the most interesting design elements will be centered for the final product.
I dragged my roommate along to Material Rewards this weekend to find the complimenting fabrics for my pillow design and he helped me pick out these:
I’m trying so hard not to buy fabric this quarter while I improvise and use things that I already own. I’m calling my shopping trip a success because I was using the end of a gift certificate. The solid blue was in my stash, so I only “had” to buy two fat quarters. That doesn’t count as buying fabric, does it? (I know you are shaking your head ‘no’ — thank you for agreeing with me– we quilters have to stick together!).
I was sewing strips together tonight when I realized that, although I pre-washed the flag weeks ago, I have not, in fact, pre-washed the red star fabric. How many times do I need to learn the pre-wash lesson??? Sewing on hold while I wait for the dryer….
Happy pre-spring!
Good Morning! I am a member of the not-pre-washing club, so it wouldn’t have occurred to me at all. These fabrics go so nicely with the flag! I’d say your assistant has a good eye. ~smile~ Roseanne
I never pre wash — but I am a fan of heavy starching- sometimes the starch helps me identify a fabric that might bleed.
Karla — Which starch do you recommend?
Fautless or Magic Sizing — premium or heavy body. I spray outdoors with the fabric on a towel then bring inside to lay the towel in a bathtub. I won’t lie it is a pain in the butt but I really love the results. I use Best Press on my pre-cuts (except fat quarters). The designer cottons are a higher thread count and don’t need as much extra prep work. Good luck and let me know what you think!
Thank you!
Dear sister,
Can I have your scraps from this project? It’s really my sisterly duty to relieve you of extra fabric!
Oh yes you barely bought any fabric and demonstrated incredible restraint 🙂
Sunny skies and warming temperatures – yay that sounds awesome! We still have large berms of snow here but at least it is sunny. Hope your new sewing area works out well and so sorry about the passing of your dear kitty.