I Just Need to Make Something!

Some times you just need to play with your sewing machine. You need to MAKE something. "Hey, I've got a 'skein' of clothes line, let's see what I can do..."

The inspiration really hails from Leyda Greenwood in my TacMQGuild. We did an orphan block swap and she made a cooler version of this from the block she got. I loved it! I've made fabric bowls before, but they were completely covered in fabric. This has a more modern aesthetic, with the line showing mostly, and bits of color appearing.

I should have used a bigger width cord, as the teeny tiny width that was available at my local Fred Meyer is toooo skinny.  There is no strength in it, and the bowl is super floppy. It will need to just sit somewhere, it's not meant to carry an object from place to place.  There are two more skeins that need to be used - I'll have to figure out a way to use more fabric or somehow shore up the sides and base.

I'm proud of the swirl I added at the very end. It's a nice flourish. I think I'll play with curves and gaps next. Leyda posted a tutorial and it was inspiring.  If i can find it again,  I'll link it here.

Best,

Time Flies...

And somehow, a month has gone by since I last posted. I see why folks set a schedule for themselves regarding posting.  I also see why some of my favorite bloggers don't post regularly. 

I've had some finishes, but I couldn't show them yet. 

I am in a baby bee.  There are 6 of us in my local guild, and we are doing a 2 block swap.  The queen for the month gives us a pattern and fabric range.  Then we go to work.  There have been some great blocks so far, of course I didn't take pictures of all of them.  Now that I have given these two away, I'm sharing.  Her request was blues and greens, not in the local sports teams color way.  I hope she likes them. 

Also, this is teacher appreciation week.  As a high school teacher, it is not much celebrated.  But at the elementary level - it's a big deal.  My son's teacher this year (How did he get to be in 5th grade?!?!?!) has been marvelous.  She is just compulsive enough about germs (everyone uses hand sanitizer!) and structure that my compulsive kiddo is a perfect fit.  She is also a first year teacher, so that is just tough!  I appreciate how my son is blossoming during the year.  So, as a quilter, I made her a gift.  Actually, I try to be careful about that.  It's such a personal taste thing - just because I like it, doesn't mean anyone else will.  And by the time elementary folks have been teaching a while, they have a ton of tchotchkes and a hand made gift is not as welcome as a pack of dry erase markers, or a box of pencils.  We've done flower pots and a plant before, among other things, but I try to avoid the decorative route.  When I asked my son if he wanted to give her a plant he said "Well, you could make one of those..." and motioned the size of a mug rug.  He just asked me to make a quilt for someone!!!!! Why, yes, I can...

So armed with a little information ("Ryan gave her a mug, and she said it was her favorite colors - teal and green") and a visit to the stash, this appeared by 11:30 pm last night.  I hope she likes it!


I hope your spring is going well -- I wish you the weather you need, and hopefully want!

Cheers!