Stitching

I was never very domestic when I was younger.

I avoided Home Ec, I didn't sew or cook and,

to tell the truth, I still struggle with measurements

when having to increase a recipe.  I typically give

up and just measure twice if I have to double it.

The reason this blog exists is that I realized I missed a lot

so I selected some skills that I would learn, enough to get by

but by no means being an expert.

I think I succeeded!  I am by no means an expert!

But I try.

I found this cute quilt along on Facebook.

I love cats and I love bees so this was perfect.

It also helped me with embroidery and applique

 which will end up as a quilt with a bee theme.

  You can find it on Moda.com Bee-Utiful Quilt a Long

hosted by Pamela Morgan of  Sweet Little Stitches.

I have been able to experiment with fabric crayons

(disregard any blue lines, this is a marking pen that

will wash out easily)

Different embroidery stitches.

I also found a nice quilted interfacing that 

you steam onto the back of your fabric.  It 

keeps it nice and stiff plus fluffy!

More cute artwork to stitch.

I changed up the tractor color

to Ford 8N colors.

This was In-Progress.

I had to applique the top hat and learned

a good lesson.  Wash black fabric first.

It didn't fade when I dipped it in water,

a good sign, but it did run ever so slightly

so I'm looking for a color remover.

I am on the cupcake now.

Notice that each square has a bee somewhere.

See the Moda link for instructions

There is also a Row by Row quilt experience across 

not only Missouri or the US but Canada too.

You visit a quilt shop and get either a free pattern

or a kit which you make and combine to make 

a quilt. There are prizes but I don't enter those

contests.  Good thing too because I really messed

up and made a dumb mistake.

Remember the cooking and measuring.

Well, it's no different in quilting.

Why do I read 18 1/2 and cut at 18?

I pieced it together but will probably go back

and re-do it or applique something over my mistake.

This is the Arch in St Louis of course and my

first real attempt at machine applique other 

than an earlier six inch block where I didn't have

to be as careful.  It was fun and I have several 

more to make.  There is a Facebook group too

under Missouri so I can see some of the local quilts.

So, between pickling, sewing and gardening plus work

I have been very busy! 

If you are interested in the bee or row by row group, 

follow the links.