Another Project Finished!

Yesterday, a friend of mine came over and we went to my sewing room. I pulled out an old sewing/quilt project that I took a class for about 5 years ago. I know those of you that do crafts can relate to this.

I took the class about 5 years ago, as I stated. It was at the local fabric shop. I have no problems with the shop. I have a problem with the teacher who taught the class. I was told it would easy and fun to do. I would have it done in no time. Okay - but remember -I don't sew on the machine very well. No problem, I'd go and try it out, it's was supposed to be easy. When I got home that day, I put it in a container in my sewing room and said, "I'll do this later." Now, 5 years later and I finally finish it. Does that tell you something??!

Anyway, I pulled out my container that had the half finished bag in it. I had machine quilted the fabric, put on the pockets, and even had the sides pinned to the front and back. Now, there was no backing, just the fabric and batting.

We sewed the sides onto the front and back panels. Now, so you can get an idea of where we were when we looked at the instructions - here's a sample:

"For 9" pocket place 6" down from top edge of quilted Focus Fabric strip sew as previous pocket, sew (2) pockets."

"For 7" pocket; place 7" down from top edge of quilted Focus Fabric strip sew as previous pocket, sew (2) pockets."

At that point, we were both looking at each other going, "WHAT?!?"

In the instructions, there isn't anything about doing a lining other than to cut the fabric. So, we assumed we would do the same in the lining as we did on the bag.

After 4 hours of working on this bag, my friend went home, leaving me with the above photos. So, today, I thought, "Hey, No Problem, I can finish it in a couple hours." YAH RIGHT!

I sewed the front and back together, no problem. I then pinned and sewed the lining to the bag, right sides together ('cause that's what you do) and left a seam to pull inside out. Went well, till I wanted the bag to have a bottom. Not as easy as it looks. So, after taking it apart 3 times, I was able to get what I wanted. Then checked the lining out. TOO BIG. Okay, I can do this. I cut some off and sewed it back together. Nope still too big, cut of some more and still to big. Cut a bigger piece and ALMOST made it too small. I can live with the size it is now, not exact science, but it worked.

Next I sewed 2 stripes up the handles to get them to be a little sturdier. They look nice. Then I pulled everything inside-out so I could work on the rim of the bag. Don't look, but it's not the best job in the world, but as I said before, I DON'T SEW ON THE SEWING MACHINE. It could have been better, but at this point, the "I don't care" button is pushed.

After getting that done, I was able to put the handles on.

Once that was done, I WAS DONE! I was thrilled it came out as well as it did, but don't ask me how! Those instructions are for the birds! I know this gal, because she's part of our quilt guild, but I would NOT recommend her to teach any class till she learns how to write directions. I figured out why I had 2 extra pockets in the end. They were supposed to go in the inside of the bag. At this point, I DON'T CARE! They didn't make it into the bag, and since it has 6 pockets on the outside, I don't think it matters if I'm a couple pockets short. The colors are a lot prettier then the pictures show.

Other than that, I'm still quilting on the Hawaiian quilt and working on getting my block done for the TAS Retreat. I have 1 more week to go, so I better get moving on it. I will work on it tomorrow at mom's. TAS Myron's Girls are meeting, so I'm hoping to get some stuff done. Then again, mom always has me doing other stuff then quilting stuff. We'll see. If I don't get a few leaves on tomorrow then I'll do it this weekend and get it over with.

I did get the circle done at the last TAS meeting on Thursday last week. I also bought a few tweezers I thought were cute. Plan on giving my daughter the orange one.

I'll try and post at least one more time before going on Retreat to Seabeck, WA. I will have plenty to blog about when I get back.

Till then, Happy Quilting.

OK, time to blog

Guess it's been awhile since I've blogged on here. As you can see, I've been posting letter from the past on my other blog site. I'm really into this genealogy again, and can't seem to keep looking for answers.

Since my last blog, I have been working on my quilts as much as my genealogy. Funny how some information you had 20 years ago, makes more sense now. Guess it's true, the older you get the wiser you get. At least that's what I'm gong to believe!

At one of the meeting we had I started to do the applique work on the block I sewed together a while back. It didn't take long, but the for me it took longer than I wanted since I was doing other stuff. Of course, I haven't done anything else since but at least I'm getting there.

Okay, tell me, what is it about watching a show like "Buried Alive" that makes a person clean, even when they don't really need to. I sat and watched a few of their shows and each time I would get up and go into the computer room or quilt room and pick a few things up, put them away or even throw them out! I needed to anyway, but man, I seem to want to pitch more out then keep them. I don't have things on the floor, but I do go get the vacuum and start vacuuming too. If nothing else, that show gets me to clean!

I pulled out my pattern for the TAS Retreat coming up in two weeks.

Looked it over, tried to get myself to think about working on it, so I cut out some pieces in freezer paper.

Then figured I better think about colors to use for the leaves. After thinking (not very hard, 'cause too many greens boggle the mind).

I sewed three different color sets together. AND guess what I did next??! I put the "stuff" on the table and watched it sit there for over a week. Not bad, huh? Today I finally worked on it. Only have the circle done. Hey! At least I started it.

Since genealogy took up most of my days, I started watching TV and quilting at night. That actually worked out better than I thought. "Problem," you ask, WELL, I didn't get much of anything else done. Go figure.

The closer I got to the center of the echo, the more excited I got. So, I would try and sit and quilt as soon as I could. Hubby on the computer playing slots and me quilting in his chair, while my favorite feline is in my chair. lol You would think she'd let me sit in my own chair!

Each day, I got closer and closer.

Till this "quarter" section was complete! I'm so thrilled with the out come! Now I'm heading over to the next section to work on. The splitted area would go up more into the corner border, so I'm going to bi-pass that area and work on another "quarter section.

Tuesday was a fun day! Woke up to snow. Still got up to walk with the neighbor at 7 am. Here's what we got to see that early in the morning.

Part of our walking area.

After that, guess who was in a hurry to get in the house?!?

Today was our TAS group at Quilter's Junction. We had a great time. With the exception of me forgetting thread, scirrors, and my brain. The wonderful thing about quilters is that they share. So, I was able to borrow (or use) thread and scissors from another quilter. Then I appliqued the circle to the pattern for the Retreat.

I'm also trying to figure out how I can get to OK to see my brother. Having to find cheap tickets in a hurry isn't easy, but I'm hoping it will work out.

Till next posting....Happy quilting. - May actually get another quarter done, let's hope.