Thursday, September 9, 2010

Wash, Iron, Cut, Store. Sew.


So, I've been busy re-ironing some of my already washed and ironed fabrics.  I don't like to cut wrinkled fabric - it never works out well. 


I've started by cutting LOTS of 10 inch squares.  That's a size that I can easily use and store, and having them cut already makes it a lot more likely that I will use them.  The squares in the foreground are 5 inch ones.  This particular batch is destined for a baby boy quilt for a nursery with a jungle theme.  I'll show you how it turned out once I actually get it made.


Then, after cutting 5 inch and 10 inch squares, I cut the rest of the piece of fabric into whatever size strips I can.  I figure I'll be able to use these, as well, when I need them.  I usually use 2 1/2 inch strips for binding my quilts, so it will help to have those already cut.  My storage system is not nearly as pretty as lots of those I see out there, but it is containers I already had.  (Yes, I REALLY like ice cream, but I'm not the only one here who does.  What can I say?  It's hot here.)  These containers are all still out in the cutting room (dining room) because I'm on a cutting roll right now.  I had a pretty good stash of fabric before that bonanza I got from my sister in law.  I don't want it to completely overwhelm me, and I do want to use it.  Hopefully this will help me.


On my sewing machine, patiently waiting for me to get back to it is this groovy little quilt.  The fabric line, coincidentally, is named Psychedelic by Sue Penn for Camelot Cottons.  I've had these and more from the same line for several years now without a project for them.  Now, I think I've got it.  We'll see.  That is one very liberating thing about having so much fabric.  I'm more free to experiment.  It won't be the end of the world if I mess up.

Hope you're having a free and productive day!

Hugs and kisses,

4 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

Ooooh, I love the pretty colors in that psy...psy...I probably can't spell it right...yellow line LOL. Can't wait to see the quilt you make with it!

Millie said...

Elaine, I do not like crinkled fabrics too...give me a washed crinkled quilt, but not crinkled fabric to work with. Is that the doantion fabric you are ironing again? I see a pretty new yellow quilt coming along very nicely.

Margaret said...

So much work goes in to making a quilt, I think only those who make quilts know how much care and love goes in to a quilt. This one will be just bloomingly lovely.

Nanette Merrill said...

You are so organized. Love the yellows in the last picture. I think 5" squares is a great size.