Finally, a Swoon big finish!

My Peacock Lane Swoon quilt is finally done and I could not be happier!  I now truly understand the term a "labor of love."  This is the biggest, prettiest thing I have ever made.  Everytime I look at it I scream with joy on the inside.  It feels good. 

I quilted it in a crosshatch pattern, which I think compliments the pattern.  I did think about getting it longarmed, but I'm glad I did it myself.  Even the simple straight line quilting was a workout because of the size of the quilt.  I have never worked with that much fabric.

For the back I used two of my favorite fabrics from the collection bordering a scrappy rainbow strip.  I wanted it to be as pretty as the front, and I love how totally different it is from the front too.  I went with turquoise for the binding and I handsewed it on while Grandma was in town attending to the boys. 

I feel like a weight has been lifted.  I can finally start something else and not have that nagging feeling of having a massive unfinished project staring at you.

The fabrics are the Peacock Lane collection by Violet Craft
Pattern is Swoon from Thimble Blossoms by Camille Roskelley.

I may try linking up to some places if I can figure out how to do all that.

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

Melissa

marking the beast & plugging away

Just a quick update.  It was a nice, relaxing, productive Sunday.  Wrangling this monster sized quilt through the machine isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I got into a nice groove and went to town with the straight line quilting.

Lots of tape.

I used 1 inch wide tape, placed 2 inches apart. I've been quilting 1/4 inch away from the tape on both sides, which leaves me with lines 1 1/2 inches apart. I plan on doing a crosshatch pattern. Tedious work but I think it will be worth it.

I still have a long ways to go...

Almost done

Last week the grandparents came to visit from WV.  I let grandma have all the time she wanted with the boys while I got to sew.  It was so nice and much needed.  According to the definitions I have found on the web, I have a colicky baby.  It has been a bit rough to say the least.  I was thankful to get some time to myself while someone else tended to the little ones.  Another bonus of getting to sew was working on this!

I had bought a refurbished project Runway Brother off of ebay.  Never again!  It lasted a few months and then crapped out on me.  It could not be fixed so I had a great excuse to get this lovely.  I love it!  It comes with an extension table and lots of accessories.  It's nice and heavy too, not light and cheapo feeling.  I'm very happy with it so far.

So here are my last blocks finished up.

I was going to do 12 blocks but this thing is big enough!  Next up is sashing, and I just ordered batting, backing, and binding fabric today.  I am going to attempt to quilt it myself but I am not sure of the design yet.  I would really like to try the baptist fan design from this tutorial at Don't Call Me Betsy, but we'll see.

Here is the layout I have settled on.

It would have been nice to have more fussy cut centers, but working with a FQ bundle left no room for picky cutting.

Man, do I love this collection!

Peacock Lane Swoon Block #5 and a cool pincushion

I knew I was on the burnout end of sewing for a bit so I took a break.  I also thought I was going into labor Saturday, Sunday, and Monday but all the activity has calmed down and nothing has happened.  I'm thinking it will be any day now, has to be because I don't know how much longer I can make it. 
Monday night I got warmed up again and made this simple pin cushion found here.  Like I said when I pinned it on Pinterest, so simple it's genius!

I finished this block up today.  Probably my worst seams yet, but who is really looking that closely.

Only 7 more to go.

Peacock Swoon Teams and Block #1

All of my prints are matched up ready to go with their coordinating partner.  I plan on making this a 12 block quilt which will be huge but I want to use every single print.

  I have all my white background fabric cut up and organized too.  I decided to go with Kona White, as to not have any other color competing with the main prints.  This is my second go around with this pattern and I learned a few things. 
My 1/4 inch seams suck even with the guide foot.  I try but my HST's usually end up off a bit.  I am starching all of my prints and I think it helps big time against my HST distortion.  I am starching the cut white pieces as I go.  When I press them, I'm pressing them in half too so that way I don't have to mark the lines or use pins.  With this block I haven't had to trim much at all which is great.  Also, I get really impatient with pressing and sewing and pressing and sewing again so I rush through, not ironing properly.  It really helps to press all the seams open and its worth the time & effort.

Peacock Swoon Block #1

Recent Works

I have managed to do some sewing here and there.  With the baby coming I feel rushed, like I'm on a deadline to get certain things done.  Most importantly, his quilt.  I have it quilted, all I am waiting on is the binding fabric in the mail.  It's been lost by the USPS in Detroit somewhere for over a week.  Very frustrating.  Here is a peek:

I pieced the back from FQ's in the collection that I didn't use.  I love it so far and really want to get it finished.  Hopefully my fabric arrives before the baby does.

I made a flannel bunting for the baby too.  Sabra from Sew A Straight Line inspired me to figure out the free pattern from this Japanese blog to make one.  It wasn't too bad to figure out from the photos on the other pages.  I just hope it fits.

And last, I made some more awesome Baprons from the free pattern at Craftiness Is Not Optional.  These girly themed ones are gifts for my niece and one of my BF's daughter.  Once you get in the groove, they come together pretty fast.  My favorite is the green polka dot with rainbow trim.  That bias tape reminds me of candy!

I've joined the Swoon Along set up by Katy of I'm A Ginger Monkey.  Here is the link to the Flickr group.  I had been saving my Peacock Lane bundle especially for this pattern.  Everytime I imagine what the quilt will look like I get so excited!  I guess this is a sign that I should get started.  There is a lot of sewing ahead of me though.  I am going to start with ironing and starching, and then I will cut!