Tuesday, October 16, 2012

QAYG In Progress : :

I looked around my newly cleaned sewing room the other day and I noticed I was surrounded by several qayg projects in progress. I snapped a few pics of each and thought I'd share these "in-between" photos today.

As I mentioned yesterday, this quilt is going to take just a little longer than I had planned and hoped for. If you just said to yourself, "Of course it is, Maureen" or something similar, it's o.k. I forgive you and completely agree. My ability to begin a new sewing project far exceeds my ability to finish one. No one is more aware of that than me, and I apologize!

qayg quilt progress

But wait, I do have excuses too! When I cut into the LillyBelle Garden Rocket print, months ago, I made sure to cut my squares so each one had one of those sweet little bees. I planned from the beginning to alternate blocks with the Lillybelle print and improv Sweet Summer Dream blocks without it. Well, I just noticed late last week that I had made many more blocks with those little bees, than without, so now more improv blocks without are needed for my quilt to turn out just the way I want it to. And it's never a good idea to rush, right? So...more blocks are being made. Which is still progress!

Below is my improv chevron block, all quilted, with the Pure Element Emerald and Empire Yellow fabrics I chose for the pillow backing. It's actually all finished now and is just waiting to be photographed and then packed away for the new house!

qayg improv chevron pillow

Do you remember that pieced house-air-balloon block from a couple of weeks ago? Well, it's been quilted as well! I had planned to make this into another floor pillow for the kids, but now I am thinking of making it into a throw size qayg quilt for my daughter? What do you think???  I love the way Art Gallery fabrics feel quilted and this looks kind of dreamy to me. Much like the plan I have for her bedroom.

qayg improv house project

And finally, here are some photos of  my new qayg tote bag tutorial wip! I am really loving all that black & white! I wished right away that I had some text fabrics to add in there, but I haven't ever stashed any, can you believe it? I need to change that soon!

qayg black + white tote wip

I added just a little color by using one of my beloved Melody Miller Typewriters as a simple applique to the center of my log cabin block.

qayg adding applique

I had planned on doing the same for the other side of my bag, but then I stumbled upon this amazing image yesterday and was immediately inspired to combine a bunch of the ideas floating around me! I used some of those built-in stitches that I shared yesterday, with this embroidered typography image and my typerwriter applique as inspration to make my own text fabric! I programmed in a few quotes and saying that are special to me. and I am really thrilled with the end result!

stitched typography

I love when "making progress" takes a little detour like that and you end up with something better than you ever expected. That is certainly one of the many reasons I love sewing and just making in general!

Of course, there is still nothing better than seeing a project done...here's hoping that happens at least once today! Maureen

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33 comments:

  1. Maureen, I love the text you included in your project! I can't wait to see it finished. You are such a clever girl.
    What weight thread did you use? The stitches look a bit heavier (just perfect) and I am wondering as my machine does lettering too but I have never made much use of it. You have quite inspired me again! :)

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  2. I love your projects. The hot air balloon project is spectacular quilted. I wish I could put my hands on it. The text is beautiful. I can't wait to see that project done. I to am great at getting things started and finishing, not so much unless there is a particular deadline. Sometimes I need to get something started while it is in my mind and I have finally decided on a color and design because I have such a hard time picking that, that once that is designed, I jump on it before I change my mind. That is because there are so many wonderful fabrics out there and more come everyday:) which is not a bad thing.

    Have a great day.

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  3. As usual, you inspire me. Thanks! Gayle

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  4. I'd like to know how you did the lettering too. I have a Janome (though a model down) and I like the look of this better than what I get. What thread, etc?

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    1. I actually used a fine size Polyester thread by Sulky for this. It comes in 1,100 yd spools at Joann, and is supposed to be used as a bobbin thread. Since I was embroidering on linen with a weave for my last Janome project, I wanted to use something light and I loved the result. For this text I chose the block style lettering and the largest spacing option in-between each word. You should definitely try it!!

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  5. Now that is super clever - making your own, personalised text fabric. Well done!

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  6. very nice - I like your colors and I like the simple look of straight line quilting. It goes with the pattern so much better than that all over swirly stuff would. I am a hand quilter but occasionally try to machine quilt and only do straight lines when I do.

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  7. gorgeous projects, Maureen. Love that typography, it looks amazing!!!

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  8. All such lovely projects! I find sometimes when I am "interrupted" from what I am working on, the nicest things just happen to get made--looks like it did for you!

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  9. Everything looks amazing, Maureen!! =D

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  10. Wow, such great works in progress! Thanks for sharing- I love to see what you've been working on. I'm in the middle of quilting a zig-zag baby quilt for my BFF. I love it so much already, I want to keep it for myself. I can't wait to share! :)

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  11. That text is so fun! It all looks great.

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  12. WOw,, I want to make my tote, I ordered the fabric today, I want some text fabric too.. will you make me a MC tag for my first MC Tutorial?? I got on Etsy this week looking for Text fabric, I think we all think of words this time of year because the holidays and big events like buying a house makes us sentimental I am on the Groove with a bunch of WIPS, but all of them are taking turns as you explained and thats what makes us artist in real life. Have a good week, I hear my OCD husband with a hammer, makes me nervous, he is on Vac this week and he is slowing me down in a good way, someone has to clean around here..

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  13. Lovely lot of projects. I'n looking forward to seeing more of those pillows - it's a very pretty colour combo.

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  14. Sometimes, it's better to have a stack of projects on the go because it's sooooo satisfying when you hit maximum load, stop all new projects from starting and have a blitzkrieg of finishing. Done. Done. Done! Love that feeling. :-) You've got lots of nuggets of wonderful there…

    And you're right about rushing. In fact, I almost feel "rush" and "assume", could have the same things said about them but "rush" doesn't have the clever word play...

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  15. Everything looks wonderful! I always vote for a quilt, but you could make a nice floor pillow for her as well--something fun for her to curl up on/with while reading, etc. LOVE that Lilly Belle!

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    1. I know, I can't decide! I moved that project to the last on my list for now! :)

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  16. I love everything you've done, they are beautiful. Hope we get plenty of pics after you move of all the things you're doing.

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  17. All of the pictures you have just posted are BEAUTIFUL!! They are so clean and lovely. Very inspiring. Your quilting is so straight too - I need to work on that!

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  18. Adding to your quilt is a good thing! I'd rather have a bigger quilt than to wish it was bigger! You've got lots of fun things brewing!

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  19. oh, and those words!! Awesome.

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  20. Such fun projects! Sometimes it can be good getting distracted! I love how quilting looks over different shades and prints of fabric =D

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  21. Now we have Audrey Hepburn with a Novel OMG I just might die with this approach. lol I'm so stealing this idea. :D You know I'm doing it with great love, right?!?

    Huggers, Ruby Lynn

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    1. Steal away, although it wouldn't really be stealing, just sharing! :) It was the brilliance of that pin, the luck of me getting to have this Janome to sew with, and the odd fact that I have never bought a single text print -- that lead to the happiness that is this stitched typography! I already have another special project planned for more!!

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  22. LOve your qayg projects! That black embroidered lettering looks so cool!!!

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  23. I'm always in awe of people who can work on multiple projects. I've always made myself finish one before starting another. Maybe I should try it...I might get more done than I think!
    The embroidered type is so cool. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  24. Wow! Love it all! I've used the text feature on my Viking a few times, but it never occurred to me to use it to make my own text fabric. Great idea!

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  25. It's always good to have things come out even :o)

    Love all the textiness, now you have me itching to try this when I get home (let's hope I actually remember in 2 1/2 weeks time...)

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  26. Wow - I have a Janome with those same alpha stitches. I know how much time it takes to do that. Amazing! And what lovely words.

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