Today we also saw some hail!!!!!!!!! A brief shower of the stuff.
This summer a friend from golf decided that she will no longer sew and quilt. She gave me a few large bags of fabric. Some will go to an Ele's Place quilt, some went to Louise to use for charity quilts, and some will go back to Betty in the form of a quilt.
There was a cloth bag of matching fabric - some already in strips. It looked like she was going to make a quilt. I started sewing the pre-cut strips together and this is what the top looks like.
The top is done - I did add a floral border on the sides, too. There is a LOT of the floral print - more than enough for the backing, too. I sure hope Betty likes it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was also a grouping of french looking fabric that I will use to make a tote bag for Betty.
I know now why I do not like strips of fabric cut across the grain. They are not nice to sew. This must be what "jelly rolls" are like. The edges are not all straight, some fraying, and some not always cut the exact 2 1/2 inch. These have been in this bag for some time - and were not folded well.
Still this is what most stores and books tell beginning quilters to use - lengths cut across the fabric - selvage to selvage. How frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have always cut fabric on the grain - any length of fabric cut that way. There is no "give" as in what I worked on today. I guess I say thanks to my first teacher - Maria Lopez. I may have to purchase a little more fabric, but my quilts are always flat.
P.S. Wednesday - I have completed a top for Ele's Place and cut squares for a small quilt for a critically ill child (a guild project). Backing for these is ready, too.
The remainder of the fabric will go to a scrap bin at quilt guild - I've seen enuf of it!!!!
I have started to machine quilt this little gem.
The fabric is from Material Mart - expensive Japanese fabric.
I purchased a half yard of this fabric - cut and pieced back together. I have 2 of these!!!
Today was the calm before the storm - I didn't even go outside!!! It was good to spend most of the day in my sewing room.
I have something every day for the next 2 weeks.........
For all my cat loving friends, see the newest on my sidebar. She purrs......
2 comments:
I, too, almost always cut my fabric on the lengthwise straight of grain --- maybe because of the years of dressmaking. It also means less waste, when fabric is rolled slightly off grain on the bolt (RJR is particularly bad about this). Always a good day, when you can spend it in your sewing room.
I usually cut my prewashed, ironed and straightened fabric in strips going across the grain since I tend to buy fat quarters or half yard pieces. If you ignore the fabric fold, after washing, and let the fabric drape straight before cutting, you shouldn't have problems. I try to use cuts with the lengthwise grain if I am making an outside border and I have enough fabric. It also depends on the quality of the fabric (tighly woven vs. loosely woven) and the skill of the piecer.
I seem to be spending more time quilting since the weather turned cold. My kitties like to keep me company while I sew.
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