Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Lessons Learned While Making a Quilt

Hello, dear ones.
I spent quite a bit of time playing with fabric last weekend. This post contains a sneak peek of the quilt I'm making, and a list of lessons I'm welcoming during the process.
 

Math makes a difference ~ Remember when you asked, “what am I ever gonna’ use this stuff for?” Turns out, math comes in handy when calculating how much fabric is needed to make a quilt.


Resourcefulness ~ It’s always great when you can use what you already have on hand. All of the colorful triangles were cut from fabric scraps I had on hand, and a few of them have a little story attached to them – including one scrap that my mom gave me. J

 
Attention to detail ~ Like, when you calculate how much fabric you need, and then you don’t buy that little extra yardage because you’re pretty proud of your ability to calculate said fabric, but then for whatever reason you don’t follow your own cutting guidelines… Yeah. And…
 
 
Flexibility ~ The ability to not completely freak out when plans change. Know when to just eliminate one row, making the quilt eight inches shorter than originally planned, and move right along. No big. 

 
Perseverance ~ That quilt will never get done if you don’t keep at it. And really, this is not a tedious quilt top design, so it’s not like it will take forever to complete. {I’m hoping two weekends, max.}

 
And last but not least...
 

Let go of perfect.
And we’ll just leave it at that.

18 comments:

Cheri said...

There is no such thing as "perfect" in quilting! Even the best have minor flaws. Once you have the top made, do you do the quilting and binding yourself or send it out? I never got very good at the actual quilting part.

traci said...

i can't wait to see the finished product. it is going to be beautiful.

Rhona said...

My quilts are never perfect but most of the time the only person who sees them is me! I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt top complete :) x

Rhona said...

Should have read *the only person who sees the mistakes is me!

scrappyjacky said...

The few quilts I've made haven't been in the least bit perfect....precision is just not my thing...but that,of course, is what makes them individual and unique.
Yours is coming along beautifully ,Deb.

Sian said...

Ha! Fun to read and a joy to look at: what a nice post. I can't wait to see how it looks finished

Patty Branco said...

Never thought to share this with you, but my sister Marilyn is an avid quilter. When we lost our Mom and went through her clothes to donate, etc. we chose a few of her favorites (including her purple sweats-a clothing item she wanted while in the hospital) and Marilyn made us all a lap quilt. It's one of my most prized possessions. Marilyn cried throughout the project, but it is something not one of us would trade for money.

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

I love the lessons you've shared and can't wait to see the finished quilt! (did I ever mention that my sister is a mad-crazy-obsessed quilter?)

Lou said...

so far it looks so good! I've always wanted to make a quilt and the sheer mass of cutting etc puts me off everytime. Good luck x

Ruth said...

Did you know that the Amish deliberately make a mistake when quilting because only God makes perfect things?
From the photos, I know that the quilt is going to be just fabulous!

Jo said...

The fabrics look delicious and I can't wait to see the finished quilt. I love homemade quilts and I love making them, they don't manufactured because they're not perfect, they're loved :)

PCovi said...

Well you appear to be a pro!!!
I know you won't give this away but will keep it with those sentimental pieces involved :)

Margaret said...

That sounds way too stressful for me. Precision is not my strength.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Those are such happy colors.
And this is one of the many reasons I don't sew.
Rinda

Cathy H. said...

I've learned many lessons from quilting and photography!! I'm visiting from Kat's FYC workshop!! I can see where your creativity goes!! Beautiful work!! I quilt a little, but not near as much as I want to! It's photography or quilting for me and that's a hard choice!

Irene said...

Well sounds like you are off to a good start. You have great color combinations. Lucky the person to receive this one of a kind quilt made with love.

Alison said...

sewing is so NOT my thing...I'm very impressed- by the quilt and the lessons learned!
Alison xx

Anonymous said...

The colours look great. I can't wait to see it finished. I tried quilting once but sewing just isn't for me.

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