Piecing it Together

A few weeks ago I took a hand piecing class at Cool Cottons.  As I previously mentioned, this class changed my whole attitude about quilting.  Suddenly it all started making sense!  I think I just needed to work on something slowly and methodically to really begin to understand the process.

After learning a nine patch in class, I came home and tried a few different things.  My first attempt was pretty wonky, but I loved working out the small details:

Then I tried something a little more cohesive and traditional. 

After that I felt all jazzed up, so I designed something myself.  This will turn into a little wallhanging for Elinor.  Do you see the big "E" in the middle?

I've made a couple of other little projects, too.  I'll share those when and if the sun ever reappears in Portland.

Making all of these projects completely by hand has made me feel ready for my machine.  I've done plenty of stuff on my machine, but anything beyond simple straight lines has always scared me.  Last week I whipped up a double size Log Cabin quilt top, which I need to find a good backing fabric for (I think I'll use a nice soft flannel).  Then on to the whole finishing process, which is still a bit of a mystery to me.  Good thing for good teachers.

Comments

[chanin]

Oh gosh, your words and pictures keep me going Cait. I am sitting here at school trying to write a paper on political blogs (blah! its been 3 hours of staring at the screen, really) when I realized I haven't read yours today. You saved me with a reminder that my life isn't about political blogs, no, I can go home and hand sew my little sweet little shirt and read wonderful crafting blogs like yours all day, if I want. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Carolyn]

I love your little studio! I love that you're quilting. How cool. I want to love it, but don't know where to start. And I still just want to knit. Isn't that crazy?After so many years I'm still totally in love with yarn and fascinated by knitting.

Cait, I would love to see you. Zack and I ran into Chanin and Corbin at that cute little toy store on Hawthorne the other day. She passed along your phone number and I'll give you a call. okay?

[brooke]

DUDE! I HEART them all!! YAY!