The Tranquility in Stitching a Straight Line
My life is crazy right now and during these times I run to my hiding place - sewing. I can't explain it except to say there is something tranquil and peaceful about stitching straight lines.
Since it has been awhile since I have made a baby blanket I decided I would make one for Project Linus. I also decided that I needed to start making one once a month for Project Linus.
I laid the squares in an arrangement that was suitable to me and stitched each square to form the columns.
I allowed myself about an hour to sew. Once the columns were done I stopped.
I stitched each strip between 2 columns until all columns were stitched together to form 1 piece.
I stopped sewing after about an hour.
Normally I embroider at least 5 squares with some kid friendly embroidery design but that was not my focus on this blanket. Since I knew this was not "kid" fabric I decided to add a design to it that kinda of sort of made you think it was a kid blanket.
I have had this design since I bought my first embroidery machine many many many years ago and am really surprised that I found it (I am a collector of embroidery designs also). I drew a line down the center of my horizontal strips and stitched it out. I stitched 2 of the design on the top and 1 on the bottom.
I had a piece of fabric in my stash that I bought from my local craft store - this was before I knew about buying quality quilt fabric. I decided to use it for the binding. I searched my stash again and found something I could use for the backing. I wasn't totally pleased with the color since it did not match my front as much as I would have like but I used it anyway.
I stopped after about 2 hours.
I was quite impressed with myself on this day because I knew the quilt would get finished. What's even more impressive to me is that I did it in 1 to 2 hour daily increments. I am normally an all nighter cram it in marathon kind of sewer.
I added 100% cotton batting, the top and backing to form my quilt layer and secured the layers with pins. I stitched in the ditch with one of my quilting stitches on the vertical rows and used a different quilting stitch on the horizontal row. I did this not only for decoration but also longevity. After stitching in the ditch I trimmed off the excess batting and backing fabric.
Next I completed the quilt with the binding.
Finished quilt.
Since it has been awhile since I have made a baby blanket I decided I would make one for Project Linus. I also decided that I needed to start making one once a month for Project Linus.
How I Did It
Day 1
I had a Moda "Bee Creative"charm pack (5" x 5" squares) that I got from a class I took and thought it was perfect in the sense that it was pre-cut and the fabrics were already color coordinated. The print and colors are not what I would normally use for a baby blanket. I wasn't going for kid friendly I was going for peace and tranquility. Future ones will be "kid" friendly.
I laid the squares in an arrangement that was suitable to me and stitched each square to form the columns.
I allowed myself about an hour to sew. Once the columns were done I stopped.
Day2
I needed to add some brightness to this quilt so I went to my quilt stash and found a mustard yellow solid. I cut 1 1/2" strips to place between each column.
I stitched each strip between 2 columns until all columns were stitched together to form 1 piece.
I stopped sewing after about an hour.
Day 3
Since I was "winging" it I decide that I needed to add 2 more - 1 1/2" vertical strips and 2 - 3 1/2" horizontal strips to make the blanket more of a rectangle rather than a square.Normally I embroider at least 5 squares with some kid friendly embroidery design but that was not my focus on this blanket. Since I knew this was not "kid" fabric I decided to add a design to it that kinda of sort of made you think it was a kid blanket.
I have had this design since I bought my first embroidery machine many many many years ago and am really surprised that I found it (I am a collector of embroidery designs also). I drew a line down the center of my horizontal strips and stitched it out. I stitched 2 of the design on the top and 1 on the bottom.
I had a piece of fabric in my stash that I bought from my local craft store - this was before I knew about buying quality quilt fabric. I decided to use it for the binding. I searched my stash again and found something I could use for the backing. I wasn't totally pleased with the color since it did not match my front as much as I would have like but I used it anyway.
I stopped after about 2 hours.
 |
| Top |
 |
| Backing Fabric |
Day 4
I was quite impressed with myself on this day because I knew the quilt would get finished. What's even more impressive to me is that I did it in 1 to 2 hour daily increments. I am normally an all nighter cram it in marathon kind of sewer.I added 100% cotton batting, the top and backing to form my quilt layer and secured the layers with pins. I stitched in the ditch with one of my quilting stitches on the vertical rows and used a different quilting stitch on the horizontal row. I did this not only for decoration but also longevity. After stitching in the ditch I trimmed off the excess batting and backing fabric.
Next I completed the quilt with the binding.
Comments
Post a Comment
Enter comments here