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!