Wednesday, September 27, 2006

This is what I've been up to

I've been having a lot of fun. I am working on a rag quilt. I tried my hand at quilting a few years ago, but just as I was getting into it I had a terrible fall, shattering my elbow and breaking my arm in 4 places. It took almost a year before I was able to be crafty again, at which point I returned to knitting as sewing was still too difficult. I never really got the hang of quilting and had only made several very small quilts before the accident. I found that as accurate as I thought I was being, I could never get things to match up quite right and I found that very frustrating. I had a conversation on the weekend with a fellow geocacher who just raved about making rag quilts, so, after a quick hop over the border and a visit to Joann's Fabrics, here's my progress so far.



I still have issues with rotary cutting. It seems for every 6 I cut correctly, I have one or two that just don't turn out square. Any tips?? I've done a bit of surfing and I'm quite sure I'm doing it right. I guess it just takes practice?

I went to Value Village yesterday and purchased 4 pieces of flannel, thinking ahead of course to my next rag quilt and a piece of fabric that I'm imagining will become at least one more bag (as if I need it). I also got a great basket, I love baskets. This one is quite deep and will be a good place for storing fabric (I think).



Special thanks to my cat, Maia, for her "help" during the photo shoot!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an adorable cat! I am sure she enjoys helping. What a terrible ordeal that must have been for you when you shattered your elbow. I guess you are glad all that is behind you! Keep on making great crafts!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...it took me some time to get used to my rotary cutter, and years until I realized what a benefit a good cutting mat is. I used to use a Fiskars, but Olfa mats are SO much better. Just push REALLY hard on your ruler so it doesn't move. Not much more advice I can think of right now.

You model is very sweet.

And I got my stamp in the mail yesterday! Yay - thanks for the inspiration!

Randi said...

Rotary cutting takes some practice because it is easy for the ruler to move while you are pushing down on it. If you are sure that your technique is right, just keep up the practice. I still never think my squares come out perfect!

Your kitty model is so cute!

Rebecca said...

Aww, cutie kitty! They do like to "help" out don't they?
I have no adive on quilting. I haven't tried to tackle that yet. Good luck!
And you're basket has inspired me. I'm going to be on the lookout for some pretty fabric storage

feistyurchin said...

I've never been able to get my head around quilting and I can't cut a decent square to save myself. By the looks of things you're doing great! With cats around to help how could you fail?!

ML said...

I am so sorry about your fall! That's very traumatic!
Rag quilts are fun. I just completed two and working on my third. I about threw my rotary cutter across the room first time I used the confounded instrument :) But I realized that I need to pur pressure on the ruler as well as the cutter at the same time.

ML said...

I am so sorry about your fall! That's very traumatic!
Rag quilts are fun. I just completed two and working on my third. I about threw my rotary cutter across the room first time I used the confounded instrument :) But I realized that I need to pur pressure on the ruler as well as the cutter at the same time.