Monday, June 11, 2018

Weekend Stitching: Empty Nests

It's amazing how quiet the house was after the Scientist in Training left for college.  I know that's the new norm and we'll only see less and less of her from here on out.  Even though we knew it was coming, it's still going to take a while to get used to it.  Thankfully I had plenty to do in the sewing room to keep me busy the rest of the weekend.  

June will be half over by the end of this week, which means the year will soon be half over.  It's been pretty productive year, there has been progress on all the projects on my list.  But there's only been one finish so far this year, the SIT's Geek Chic quilt. I was hoping for at least 8 finishes for 2018.  Obviously a change in strategy is needed if I want more finishes. So this week the focus has been on doing what's needed move a few more quilts closer to finished.  The binding for En Provence is pieced, pressed and ready to be sewn on.  



The label is finished, but needs the framing strips before it's ready to go onto the back.  That should happen this week.  En Provence should be a finish before the end of the month. 

The Magnolia Mystery quilt has been finished since February, but needed to be prepped for quilting.  That's my least favorite step in the whole quilt making process, so no surprise that it's the one easiest to put off.  But I bit the bullet, cleared off cutting table and spread out the flimsy for it's final pressing and de-threading. 


  Magnolia Mystery by Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs


Three hours with the iron, lint brush and the small scissors yielded a back that was clear of any dark green and purple threads that might show through after quilting. 


Now both the flimsy and backing are ready to be boxed for mailing to Trudy for quilting. 




Not the most exciting design wall subjects, but necessary steps in order to move projects along.  I should get at least En Provence finished this month.  The Magnolia Mystery quilt probably won't get finished till July.  That's OK, the goal was for the end of the year.  

Next up?  I'm not sure. Both Vintage Dresses and Christmas Angels need the final borders added and backs pieced.  Since Christmas Angels is still up on the design wall and has pieced borders that are already laid out, it will probably be next on my "get it finished" list. 

You can find more exciting design walls below. 
Monday Making
Design Wall Monday
Main Crush Monday

10 comments:

Kate said...

Happy stitching this week. Stay cool!

Barbara said...

You’re so good about picking away the extra threads. I need to be more meticulous in my own work because I’m sometimes taking the tiniest crochet hook to pull some little bit from between the weave of my fabric. It’s scary too. I know what you mean about the empty nest. Matthew moved into his new place this week, and it’s been pretty quiet here without him.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Kate,
I am so glad you have something to distract you from that quiet house! And worthwhile project they are - especially that trimming of Magnolia. I'm 100% sure that Trudy will appreciate all the care you took with your flimsy before sending it on to her! Happy Monday! ~smile~ Roseanne

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

You are making progress--one step at a time and one quilt at a time!!
I have 5 finishes so far this year--as for monthly goals in hand quilting and bindings and one month was some small quilt pieces finished-but his month I kinda took off from the actual hand quilting to finish the appliquing of the hexie flowers to a large background piece--but July should be back to handquilting and finishing quilts--we will see--I think as long as we are steadily working on some kind of sewing we are working on goals and finishes--so keep doing what you are doing--
enjoy, di

Marti said...

I hate that step too. When you are snipping threads, do you ever tell yourself you will clip threads as you go next time, and then you don't? lol I do! The quiet house. It's like it was before kids, but not the same either.

dq said...

It looks crisply pressed and ready for quilting. My least favorite part of our hobby is pressing huge fronts and backs of quilts. I also get a little bored with machine quilting if I do it for too long without a break. I could piece for many hours straight.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I'm so impressed at how much time you spend getting your quilts ready for quilting! I bet it shows in the finished quilt, too. Sewing and keeping busy is definitely the best antidote for the empty nest!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Go go go!! You sound so organized! I bet all those finishes will just come pretty quick with all the prep work. And Hugs - Its hard to watch them go ( again) sigh

The Joyful Quilter said...

Moving right along. Keep up the good work!!

Jennifer said...

I am so impressed with your final prepping of the top! Can’t believe how many threads come off of it.