My helpers the sewing machine, the iron, and the cutting board were my companions today. Later I visited my tiller and hoe. Lunch, plain chicken and a large apple, was called sustenance because that best described it. I did not have to cook, just warm the cooked chicken and slice the apple. The other me, the one from the past, does nice things such as precooking staples like fresh chicken and storing the food in the fridge. 😉
Quilt
Did you know that, on some quilts, sewing on the quilt border could be the most difficult part of making the quilt? Hours I have spent on the first border and that first little strip of fabric is not yet good enough. No, I will remove stitches and reposition the fabric as often as it takes. The first border must be as good as it can possibly be. The remaining borders will not be so tedious.
This image shows my problem with the border. First, the border must have straight edges. The border is cut with straight edges, but as shown in the image, the edge curves inward slightly. The inward curve is in the body of the quilt. The angular strips are being pulled in by the other parts of the quilt.
The other parts have been blocked and steamed. Now I must remove border seam stitches and reposition the edge of the quilt. The border will keep its 1/4 inch seam allowance, and the quilt edge where the dip is will have a variable seam allowance, no less than 1/8 inch. This image shows how the seam looks after it has been sewn again.
The border fabric line-up is changed. I decided to use only one strip of the accent fabric and two of the red. This image shows the choices. Unless I change my mind, the fabric sequence will be: black, red, blue, accent strip, blue, red, and finish with black binding.
Garden
“Feed me, Seymour!”
This one is for you, Sheri and Melanie.
I had a surprise today. One of the red zinnias is orange.
How pretty they are!! Three of the mystery bird feed sunflowers are opening! Isn’t this exciting?!
Earlier I indicated that I tilled my garden. This image shows the garden. Most of the plants have grown quite a bit. It’s rained 3 or 4 times in the past couple of weeks and the ground is getting closer to normal.
Speaking of rain, here is my husband mowing with his new mower (acquired May 17, 2007) for the second time in our yard. A few grass blades had grown recently.
That is all! Tomorrow I will be away most of the day. It is girl’s day out with my daughter, mother, and sister.
I hope you have a lovely day!
Donna Young
Sheri says
Donna vs. The Quilt. My money is definitely on you. Whip that thing into submission! 🙂
The mystery sunflower is looking great (and no longer hungry)! 😆
Tanya says
I agree. This quilt….whether your having fun or not…will be gorgeous!!!
I am so glad that the other you fixed lunch.
Elaine says
Not knowing anything about quilting except that I love them greatly. 🙂 I know your’s will be wonderful and that your son will treasure it always when he is able to take it home. BTW, is it a decorative quilt – meant for hanging and/or display only – or is it the kind of quilt that will be lovingly used and cuddled under?
Garden – well it does look a bit parched in places, mine would as well w/the dry spell we’ve been having. I love your flowers and that sunflower is wonderful.
Mower – my husband and son would love to have one like that. You need to get hubby out washing his truck and your car to help it rain. Tell him to not forget the wax on both vehicls – that should help bring in the rain. Mmmm, maybe I need to do this here as well….
Melanie says
You look a little tense in that quilt picture, Donna! 😆
Your garden is coming along nicely. I love your orange zinnia. It is a happy color. And the sunflower is much prettier than the bud would suggest. 😀
Have a great time with the girls!
“‘Cause if you feed me, Seymour, I will grow up BIG! and strooooooong.”
(I’ve been singing that song for two days now!)
Tressa says
The quilt is going to be so pretty. You will get it just right, I am sure, and it will be beautiful.
I am excited that the mystery sunflower is unfurling. Yeah!
Donna Young says
Theresa that is a good question. I’ll have to get back to you on that.