Friday, February 7, 2014

Quilting Olympics!

Seriously -- I feel like I'm in a marathon--a quilting marathon.
I'm happy to say that I have one more Lollypop block appliquéd!  I'm not quite as happy to say that I have no more in the pipeline that are ready to start stitching.

What I do have is a huge mess in my playroom.  I have fabric all over the floor which is actually working better than when I tried to sort by color.  This quilt has 16 lollypop blocks and 32 smaller border blocks.  I have a total of five quilt blocks and two border blocks done.  Completely done!

I have spent the last 2-3 weeks working on laying out the remaining 11 quilt blocks.  It is a slow slow process for me and I have six blocks with fabrics selected and the components cut out and completely prepped.  They are ready to spot glue to the polka-dot fabric.  My goal is to get all 11 quilt blocks (and border blocks) prepped and then have a gluing marathon.  I do think there is some "economy of scale" in the assembly line approach as I remember my "tricks of the trade" and don't have to refresh and re-learn each time I start.
Either way -- it's slow.  The fabrics are beautiful.  It's a little overwhelming.  And it's rewarding to finish one and see the pile get a little smaller (of course, another pile is getting larger at the same time).  I'm beginning to miss it which is a good thing.  But right now, I can barely get to it for fabric all over the place!  You can see here what "fussy cutting" does to a quarter yard cut.  It took me a while to reconcile my need to save fabric with the obvious design requirements for this particular quilt!

I hope you are having a rewarding time creating something wonderful!

Jan

PS -- thanks to all for your comments and spontaneous prayers for the young couple I mentioned in my last post.  As I understand it, Ethiopian adoptions will continue and they remain somewhere on the list to increase their family one of these days.  Very exciting!



17 comments:

Lucy | Charm About You said...

That block is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Pretty! Off to read more of your site, we are just learning quilting.

sophie said...

Those fussy cut circles make your block extra special. What a great quilt this will be.

Lori said...

what fabrics are you using for this quilt? stash? purchases specifically for Lollipops?? its a beautiful quilt and yes assembly line prep will help get it done before you are 90.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I absolutely adore lollipop trees...and hop to do one some day. This year I'm focusing on wool...as I just completed an applique BOM!! :) I enjoy watching your progress...your circles look esp. wonderful!!!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Such a pretty block!

Glenda said...

Hi Jan so wonderful to see another block completed, it has been fun watching these blocks grow, and your fussy cutting sure makes them pop. Happy sewing cheers Glenda Australia.

Angie in SoCal said...

I agree with Sophie. The fussy cutting always makes a block special. Love your lollipops.

Plum Cox said...

What a fab block! Hope your floor doesn't stay covered for too long - and that your progress on the quilt is as fabulous as the blocks you've shown so far!

Karyn said...

Very nice. I am googling that pattern!

Lynette said...

The warmth of this one is so nice! Love the fabrics. :)

M-R Charbonneau said...

Gorgeous block! Great fabric choices! Could you link back to TGIFF! so your readers can find us? Thanks!

Susan@Organized31 said...

This quilt is truly a work of art. So very, very lovely. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.

Emily Thompson said...

you amaze me! I am always so impressed by what you are making!! Thanks so much for linking up to the Create Link Inspire party! I've features this today at the sewing features and spread the word all around my social media. Come check it out! ;o) EMily http://nap-timecreations.com/2014/02/10-sew-fun-features.html

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a beautiful block and fussy cutting the flowers is perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Anonymous said...

Very nice applique! I really like your fabric choices. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

Karyn said...

Wow! My copy of the pattern arrived today. I've read back through your posts for a heads up.