Sew Together Bags and Random Thoughts

In real time, I'm facing the daunting task of basting my Moda Building Blocks quilt. (I've decided that I'm not going to call it 'Modern' Building Blocks, because in my humble opinion, a Sampler quilt is not really a modern quilt.  Am I the only one getting tired of everything being called 'Modern' just to sell it to us blogging quilters who supposedly will buy anything if we're assured that it is indeed 'Modern'.)

After that little rant, I'm curious.  Do you think the Moda Modern Building Blocks Pattern is modern?  The blocks are varying sizes, and the layout is not traditional, but the piecing methods and the blocks themselves are very traditional.  I have no desire to open a can of worms, I just find it interesting how we can all see the same item, but interpret it so differently.  I think that is one of the best things about being human, the fact that we can all have a different opinion.  I LOVE hearing people's opinions!  And I love to share mine!

So anyways...as I said above, I'm stalling on basting this massive quilt.  It's one of those tasks that I just have to dive in and DO it, or I could find a hundred excuses for the next month why I can't get it done.

Meanwhile, I remembered that I hadn't showed you these SewTogether bags that I made before Christmas.  I'd heard scary things about them.  I mean, there's four zippers and some fairly thick seams here and there.  I was amazed at how well they went together though!  And they're so nifty!  I think they'd make a great gift, although the recipient must be kinda special.  I think these took me about 2 hours each, so I'm not giving them out as door prizes!

Moda Building Blocks Quilt - Almost Done!

This quilt was going to be a long term project.  And it was, for a few months.  But when a large project like this reaches about half way or a bit more, then I usually get excited to see it completed and forge ahead with great gusto.

So now I've got almost all the blocks made, just a few of those crazy 6" blocks with all the tiny triangle pieces.  I'm feeling tempted to forgo the last ones and just fill those spots up with 6" squares of favorite fabrics, but I'm trying to resist.  I want this to be a quilt that doesn't cheat!

And I think I'm going to make it bigger, adding a row of blocks along one side to make it a healthy queen size. 

The true story is that I've been quite enjoying the process on this quilt pattern.  As I'm finishing up the final stretch, I'm actually considering making another one sometime.  Maybe in all my favorite fabrics.  And maybe instead of all those bitty 6" blocks, I'd fill those areas up with scrappy 2" squares.

I think the reason I love making a quilt like this is that I get to pick the fabric out for each block as I go along.  Since the fabric picking is my favorite part, that means I get to spread it out through the whole process. 

I Just Want to Make...and Merry Christmas!

I really do miss spending more time in this space!  I have so many quilting related topics I'd like to ramble on about, but December does not seem to be the month for that, do you agree?  So much other stuff going on... but I can't wait for January!  There will be lots of quilting and talk about quilting I hope!

Just wanted to pop in here though and wish you all a blessed Christmas, and thanks for visiting and leaving comments! 

About the little wall hanging above, I made it as a small thanks to a wonderful blogging friend who sent me some of the fabric originally, which I made a flying geese quilt with. 

I pieced the little leftover strips together to make this little wallhanging, and thought it was done.  But it sat on my shelf for a while obviously because it just knew it wasn't complete, and was waiting for me to catch on!

Then one day I decided to do some thread painting on it, (which is something I really enjoy, I want to explore it some more and maybe talk about how simple and forgiving and fun it is!).  Of course I had to use my fave saying as relating to creativity.  I think I need a similar one for my sewing space to remind me of this thought.  I just want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.  So. So. True.

Birthday Haul

I had never thought of it before this year, but it's kinda nice that my birthday falls on the week before the U.S. Thanksgiving and Black Friday.  This year it meant that I took advantage of a few sales to spend my birthday money!

First off a book, which I haven't had the chance to look through yet, but promises much inspiration. 

And then a couple of fabric bundles and patterns from The Workroom.  Have you ever visited this website?  I've always drooled from afar, but I decided to indulge myself, since I have been wanting those two quilt patterns forever, and then the fabric bundles just made sense because of the sale!  You know what I mean, right?!!

That last fabric bundle is meant to coordinate with the new collection Doe, which is the one fabric item that I put on my Christmas wish list (crossing fingers).

Now if only I could get some quilting done!  Reading back in my blog makes it look deceptively like I've been finding time to quilt, but unfortunately that's not quite so!  I think my itching fingers will have to wait till after Christmas...