I think I need a bigger design wall..
...I had blocks trailing on the floor for this quilt...
I'd forgotten about these blocks that I started 2 years ago. How bad is that!? I found them at the bottom of my stash cupboard under a mass of fabric. I once described myself as a kangaroo on a pogo stick when it comes to jumping from project to project, I guess this one just got lost in the hops.
I felt so bad about neglecting the blocks I figured the only way to make it up to them was to make them up...
Luckily I'd kept some of the fabrics with them because I decided to make another 40 blocks. A few new fabrics got thrown in too. The finished top is fit for a queen at 90x90 inches. I took these photos late at night so the colours look duller than in real life. One day it'll get a nice outdoorsy, natural light photo shoot.
Usually when I sew my quilts a name will come to me, but I still I haven't thought of a name for this one.
Any suggestions are very welcome!
The reason I was rummaging through the bottom shelf of my stash cupboard was I've been going through and washing my fabrics. I used to prewash when I started quilting but somewhere along the line I stopped. I guess I was impatient, waiting for fabric to wash takes up valuable sewing time. And I know lots of people who don't. So what's changed my mind? I recently read a great blog post about why we should wash before sewing here at Piece of Cake blog.
I'm not so fussed about shrinkage because I quite like the crinkly look, but what I don't like is the idea of all the chemicals used on fabrics, insecticides and sizings. The other reason that persuaded me was that fabric without the smooth sizing and finishes will hold together better when piecing. Interesting...
I should add whether to wash or not is a personal choice, like so many things with quilting, there's lots of ways to do things and it just a matter of picking what suits you.
It's fun bundling up washing loads by colour, as I type a load of purples are dancing in the suds.
It's been a good stock take. Discovering fabrics I'd forgotten about, pairing them up with newer fabrics. Realising I do actually have quite a lot of fabric, ahem... there's always room for more though...
Ironing is the best part, seeing a favourite fabric all fresh, flat, and nicely folded. I've been using the time to catch up on old podcasts of Alex Andersns Quilt Connection and Pat Sloan on American Patchwork and Quilting Radio podcasts.
One more bit of show and tell... This was Valentine's in Daisyland. I gave Gbf a pair of pink flamingos for the garden and he bought us ukeleles so we could play music together. It's hard to tell from the photo but my ukelele is pink and sparkly. It doesn't get much better than that! Rock and Roll!!!
35 Comments
What an amazing UFO to find in your fabric stash! Even more amazing...setting yourself the task of laundering all your fabric. I started out as a pre-wash person too, but due to time constraints, stopped doing it. I'm not sure I could convince myself to wash my entire stash, let alone do the ironing. But I'm certainly applauding your efforts!
ReplyDeletePlaying with fabric is always fun and inspiring. You are brave to wash and iron all that!
ReplyDeleteI am not good at naming my quilts so I don't have a suggestion. I am sure you will come up with a great name for such a pretty quilt!
Oh! It's beautiful....you know green is the IT colour for 2013 according to Pantone? It reminds me of looking through a garden lattice.
ReplyDeleteBTW stop those crazy thoughts and get back to the fun stuff.
What a great UFO! I love scrappy quilts like that and it looks very timeless.:) Your fabric drying on the racks looks yummy. I like to launder mine prior to sewing too and I love getting it all ready to put into my stash--so many possibilities!!
ReplyDeleteHow could you forget those lovely blocks????
ReplyDeleteI used to pre wash and now i don't. I had this same conversation on Thursday and was told that if the fabric is stiff then wash it as it will probably have lots of sizing, chemicals etc, but these days most of the quality fabric is less likely to have much in the way of sizing or chemicals. I suppose it depends on who you talk with or listen to and their point of view.
Love love your flamingoes and ukeleles. Are we going to see a video on You Tube any time soon?
Life is fun in Daisyland, even if it does involving washing and ironing loads of fabric! I think I will go back to pre-washing my fabric! I am working with black and white spotted fabric and just know it would have been easier to press and applique if I had done that! Too late now! As far as the blocks and a name- "Lost and Found", "Long Forgotten"? or put on your newest favourite album and something will come to you! Some of my favourite lyrics in songs are waiting to become quilt names!
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ReplyDeleteSo u r a brilliant quilter AND a musician? Love the ukelele!!! And, the quilt of course and the fabric of course...Nothing comes into my house without going right into the wash!
Some beautiful chrome greens and poison greens in that "lost" quilt - what a nice find!
ReplyDeleteCan't bear the thought of all that washing and ironing! though I admit to washing some reds before use...
Hilda
ROFL, love your pressies to each other!
ReplyDeleteHappy washing, I'm afraid laziness prevents me from joining you ;o)
As for the quilt, erm, Diamonds Are Forever? After all, it's been a while ;o)
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous! Looks like yo hit a jackpot while digging the stash.
And that fresh laundry looks so inviting. I generally don't wash my fabrics but I think I may start washing them. My hands get really dry when I sew and it could be due to those chemicals in the fabrics.
I am looking forward to a music video of your collaboration. Soon?
Oh the name? I thought of a garden trellis as soon as I saw your quilt.
I've always been a pre-washer of fabrics, until another blogger convinced me it wasn't necessary. Then they changed there mind after reading another blog.....so I'm back to washing! LOL
ReplyDeleteHow fickle is that!?! Ha!
I'm loving all those pinks in the pic.....they'd make a gorgeous quilt of just big chunks! Pretty!
I usually can never think of any names for quilts but this one seems to want to be called Camo Kisses .
ReplyDeleteIt seems to have a lot of greens and some browns and the x patterns could be kisses. Looks great no matter what you name it.
Your sewing room BMD must be an Aladdin's cave ;) Id call the quilt Sherwood Forest, could just see Maid Marion and Robin Hood enjoying cheese and crusty bread on a cool afternoon.
ReplyDeleteHow bout naming it, Another Forty Roo's or Kangaroo on Pogo Stick or Jumping Blue Mountain ? Washing and ironing all my fabrics seems like a daunting task ! Ain't happening here....unless I get that gut feeling it NEEDS it. I usually wash after it's made. Y'all's Valentines are Too cute !
ReplyDeleteOrganizing my fabric ALWAYS makes me determined NOT to BUY any more! But...I soon forget. ;/
ReplyDeleteHow about 'Forgotten crossroads' ...
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to iron fabric ;-)
When I get new fabrics I toss them between my regular laundry and when ironing I change between ironing one piece regular laundry :-( and one piece fabric :-))
love this quilt so glad you found it and made it! looks great! read that post too and it made me change my mind about washing.
ReplyDeleteKathie
OMG I love your pink uke! sparkly too? swooon!
ReplyDeletethe flamingos are adorable - you are such a fun couple.
Your quilt looks great, hhhmmm, a name...I know you'll come up with the perfect one as you go. I sometimes don't get it until it is almost done.
You are so good to be washing all that fabric! I love the pink rack :)
Great quilt find and I love the pink Ukele!
ReplyDeleteLove the scrappy lost project!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt!! You are a master at combining fabrics. I love all the large flowers and then the small prints. Your color scheme is gorgeous too. I'm going back to look at it again and again.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Have fun with those ukeleles. How could you not?
ReplyDeleteA wonderful treasure to find in the stash and so lucky wou kept some of the original fabrics with the blocks.
ReplyDeleteThe washing is a show in it self.!!
I like how the forgotten project is turning out. (Do you really forget about them or do you choose to ignore things like me?)
ReplyDeleteIm 6 to one half dozen to another when it comes to washing fabrics. Sometimes I do and sometimes I dont. All of my quilts get a wash after the get finished and before they get used though.
Coolest Valentines presents ever. I think you should upload some video of you playing that Uke of yours!
Nice find! You are a good girl washing all your fabrics. I don't anymore but I love how it means you have organised them by colour. I think its a great process for your future quilts. Were there a few fabrics you had forgotten you had? Love, love, love your pressies! Very cool. You could try some busking on the weekends when the tourists descend or at your quilt show. My son loves strumming his baby guitar and making up songs.
ReplyDeleteI keep changing my mind about washing or not too. I think you're very good going back and doing all that washing and ironing. Love the forgotton quilt, it's an exciting one and would love to see a daylight shot.
ReplyDeleteVery cool valentines gifts, love them both.
Oh gosh! Your fabrics look so beautiful on your drying rack. And your quilt deserves a life outside the drawer! It's beautiful! Just an aside.....I grew up with Alex and just had lunch with her last week. So by association I must be a VIP...lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Lost and Found?
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! You need a bigger design wall or two design walls =P Your quilt is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI never pre-wash my fabrics, unless I'm making something that I don't want to shrink. I really love the crispness of new fabric =D
I'm so jealous of your pink ukelele....not that I even know how to play, but it's pink and sparkly!!! Rock On Girl!!!!
This is going to be a stunning quilt! So pleased you found it again. Good luck with the fabric washing. You are right - it is a great way to check out what is in your stash.
ReplyDeleteLove that quilt top....I now have quilt envy... I read that article about washing as well....still thinking about washing...it would take me a looong time to wash all mine :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post Rachael....now I'm going to go and read as to why we should wash!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the name of your found again quilt blocks quilt Miss Rachael ?
ReplyDeleteI love the lattice style of your nameless quilt - have you come up with a name yet? I like it so much I'd like to make one, would there be a pattern somewhere or did you design it yourself?
ReplyDeleteI have that same quilt - in pieces so far. I have sewn the blocks into 4 and just need to sew it together! Love it! And I always wash my fabric as soon as I bring it home from the store. I just read the Piece of Cake blog and had never heard of Orvus soap before. I may try to find some.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.