A Tale of Two WIPS {maybe three} {maybe more!}
Currently I have at least three solid projects going. All three are quite different and all three give me different satisfaction, requiring different time and resource commitments.
Many of us would say the same thing--all of us would love to be able to make each quilt or project on our bucket list! One wonderful woman on my Facebook page frequently tags herself in the comments below quilts that she would love to make.
Let me, if you would, describe my current WIPS and why I find satisfaction in having them around me!
WIP 1 is my Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, quilt.
You can see that I am wrangling this huge quilt through my Juki. It is as heavy as it is large! I had this fabric, a complete half-yard bundle, in my stash for at least two years before I had any idea at all what to do with it. The only thing I knew I had to do was to showcase the Selfies. I started fussy cutting the faces, then built them into on-point blocks, and I am extremely happy with the end result. Soon I should have pictures of the finished product.
The component that makes this quilt go back and forth in the line-up is that quilt-wrangling is hard work, especially on the shoulders and back. I sew awhile then work on something else! Even getting this monster basted was such a job that I managed to put it off for awhile. This WIP takes patience and and time.
WIP 2 is my new-found love, English Paper Piecing.
I have already blogged about EPP, and this project is coming along nicely. EPP is so portable, so soothing, and so much fun to fabric-match. Several years worth of Tula Pink scraps are going into this project, including the scraps from Elizabeth!
Even though I am prone to take EPP in the car with me, the larger pieces in this project can be a little unwieldy when sewing the entire block together, so it doesn't go everywhere. I've seen EPP boxes where many different pieces were being basted then sorted and pieced later. I do LOVE this handpiecing; however, I have to keep things in order and so I finish one block before starting another. This project requires so little from me except the fun part--matching the fabrics and colors!
This leaves us with WIP 3, the One Block Wonder.
This quilt top requires matching repeats, cutting the strips, stitching the hexagons, and having the nerve to decimate your beautiful fabric into unrecognizable pieces! Once all the hexies are made you have to spend time in sorting and matching, then laying out a beginning design.
"Beginning" design implies that there may be changes. There are. Many changes.
This particular quilting project requires some time to stare down your design, change hexies around, take pictures (you see so much more in a picture than with the naked eye) and then decide if you may want to add little splashes of color to enhance the look. In this case, I decided to add some solid red. The design is rather glued to the wall until I am satisfied, probably for days.
With all this going on, it is somewhat amazing that any projects are finished!
Honestly, I am okay with that. In my effort to learn new techniques, I am slowing down, taking more time with design, and enjoying it all more!
So what kinds of projects do you have going on, and why so many (or so few)?
Share your thoughts on this subject, as we all would love to hear. Thanks for being here today!
Sew fun,
Debbie
Many of us would say the same thing--all of us would love to be able to make each quilt or project on our bucket list! One wonderful woman on my Facebook page frequently tags herself in the comments below quilts that she would love to make.
Let me, if you would, describe my current WIPS and why I find satisfaction in having them around me!
WIP 1 is my Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, quilt.
You can see that I am wrangling this huge quilt through my Juki. It is as heavy as it is large! I had this fabric, a complete half-yard bundle, in my stash for at least two years before I had any idea at all what to do with it. The only thing I knew I had to do was to showcase the Selfies. I started fussy cutting the faces, then built them into on-point blocks, and I am extremely happy with the end result. Soon I should have pictures of the finished product.
The component that makes this quilt go back and forth in the line-up is that quilt-wrangling is hard work, especially on the shoulders and back. I sew awhile then work on something else! Even getting this monster basted was such a job that I managed to put it off for awhile. This WIP takes patience and and time.
WIP 2 is my new-found love, English Paper Piecing.
I have already blogged about EPP, and this project is coming along nicely. EPP is so portable, so soothing, and so much fun to fabric-match. Several years worth of Tula Pink scraps are going into this project, including the scraps from Elizabeth!
Even though I am prone to take EPP in the car with me, the larger pieces in this project can be a little unwieldy when sewing the entire block together, so it doesn't go everywhere. I've seen EPP boxes where many different pieces were being basted then sorted and pieced later. I do LOVE this handpiecing; however, I have to keep things in order and so I finish one block before starting another. This project requires so little from me except the fun part--matching the fabrics and colors!
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| I hope everyone knows their Tula Pink! |
This leaves us with WIP 3, the One Block Wonder.
This quilt top requires matching repeats, cutting the strips, stitching the hexagons, and having the nerve to decimate your beautiful fabric into unrecognizable pieces! Once all the hexies are made you have to spend time in sorting and matching, then laying out a beginning design.
"Beginning" design implies that there may be changes. There are. Many changes.
This particular quilting project requires some time to stare down your design, change hexies around, take pictures (you see so much more in a picture than with the naked eye) and then decide if you may want to add little splashes of color to enhance the look. In this case, I decided to add some solid red. The design is rather glued to the wall until I am satisfied, probably for days.
With all this going on, it is somewhat amazing that any projects are finished!
Honestly, I am okay with that. In my effort to learn new techniques, I am slowing down, taking more time with design, and enjoying it all more!
So what kinds of projects do you have going on, and why so many (or so few)?
Share your thoughts on this subject, as we all would love to hear. Thanks for being here today!
Sew fun,
Debbie
What a diverse group of projects you're working on. I find that I prefer to work on several different projects at the same time. That allows me to have finishes throughout a month. And, I feel great about working through some of my UFOs.
ReplyDeleteThe finishes are wonderful, aren't they? There are several small projects lurking in my sewing room that I may slip in to claim at least one!! Thanks for writing!
DeleteHi Debbie,
DeleteThis sounds like a fun group of WIPs. Most importantly, you are enjoying them! What is the point of doing all this if it is work. Ugg. I have several on-going projects as well. I can only sew so many strip sets together at one time (36 are needed) without out going nuts. So, binding get sewn on and mug rugs made in between the sets. Who needs a new bedsize quilt in July anyway?! Better to receive it in August, when it's so much cooler. HAHA! Roseanne
Hi Roseanne, you are SO right. I worked on the Elizabeth quilt, now need green thread, so it was a good time to switch to my OBW. lol. I may even take a break to design a wall hanging for which the dresden is already finished. So, life is good! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteI am SO IN LOVE with your Queen Elizabeth quilt!!! How on earth did I miss that collection when it was still in print? I'll have you know that I just found an eBay seller offering the FQ precut collection for over $400... like, $20/yd. Craziness!!!! Your EPP is beautiful, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much! You know, I have seen some left on Hawthorne Threads and also QuiltHome. Not sure how much of the collection they have. I am having such a great time with the EPP!
DeleteGreat projects. I always love how the fussy cut hexies with six matching pieces look. The mathematician in me finds them fascinating. The same goes for your EPP. The fabric combinations are fabulous. I give you a whole lot of credit for wrestling Queen Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am almost finished with QEI, so I am very happy about that!
DeleteI like to have a couple of projects going at once, usually quilting or sewing related, but also crafting or stitching. Your projects are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to hand stitch when I've worked all day is such a pleasure! You don't get bored with so many projects to choose from! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe one block wonder quilt is so unique. It will be fun to see what you decide to to to it. I want to make one but recently I got out the 6 yds of fabric I had purchased and decided there were too many colors in it. It's hard because it's not like I can make a sample block. The Elizabeth quilt is very elegant looking.
DeleteHi Robin, thanks so much for your comments. Have you put a pic of your fabric into the One Block Wonder helper website to see what kind of hexies you would get? I am constantly amazed at the fabrics that are being used and how wonderful they look when cut! The link is here : http://oneblockwonder.com/design-helper/
DeleteWould love to see your fabric!
What a fantastic range of beautiful projects. I can't chose which one I love best! Thank you so much for the one block wonder link, it's on my bucket list along with about 30 others....
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I hope you do try the one block wonder, but I understand the bucket list concept all too well!
DeleteLoved seeing your WIPs! I have at least one quilt project that ranks right up there in the time consuming ranks. Like you, I don't mind. I love 'the process'. Throw in a couple of easier designs, and that rounds out my Quilty day!
ReplyDeleteYou understand completely!! Thanks!
DeleteVery interesting turn outs. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate you dropping by!
DeleteYour EPP fussy cutting is exquisite! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI so much appreciate you stopping by!!! Thank you!
Delete