When it comes to quilting projects, sometimes I feel like a fickle, first grader... sending silly love notes like: I like you. Do you like me? Check yes or no. Some days I check "yes", swooning over colors, fabric choices, and patterns. Other days, I check "no" and ask myself "what was I thinking? why did I pick that? and when will I ever get this frazzlin' thing done?!? I assume that I am not the only on who experiences the very Jekyll and Hyde-like mood swings that come with working on a long term quilting project.
While I am not about to spout sonnets of adoration for my Swell quilt, I am rediscovering a new found fondness that I had somehow lost along the very long way... especially since it's under the machine now! Since I opted for a pieced back, it once again added more time to the end being in sight, but as I am beginning to discover about myself, it would seem that I cannot do it any other way.
By the time I got this quilt basted and under the machine, it was a good reminder of just how massive it has grown to be! Since I am straight line quilting, and my experience with erasable quilting markers has not been favorable, I decided to use painters tape. I notice a slight difference in the tape that I found here as opposed to what I know from being in the US, but it appears to be working quite nicely so far.
Are you a fickle, fall in love quickly with a quilt that you are working on type, only to find out that you fall out of love just as quickly if the project goes on for too long?
Linking up this week to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social.
I think it's commendable that you have given so much of your time for this quilt, AND pieced the back as well. It's going to mean so much to you after that final stitch of quilting.
ReplyDeleteI try and get my quilts pieced before the inspiration runs out. Once it runs out, it is hard to get back, and I end up with a UFO. Your quit is coming along nicely!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be such a beauty when it's finished! I have never seen masking tape used like that - does it not leave any tackiness on the fabric?
ReplyDeleteCut & Alter, I am very pleased with this method, but I did buy the special painter's tape, even though I'm not sure if there is much of a difference between regular masking tape or painter's tape. I have not noticed any residue on the fabric, and even in places where I might have sewn over it come off easy. It sure makes marking long straight lines a whiz!
ReplyDeleteHey Allison,
ReplyDeleteI think it looks fabulous! For me, I tend to fall in love with a quilt at any point in the process, really. Usually it's after I've purchased the fabric, but before I've started piecing. The "fondling phase", haha. As the project gets closer to being finished, I fall that much more in love with it. When it's finally done, it's hard for me to gift it (which is what I've done with just about everything I've made so far), and after the recipient gets it I kind of feel like a foster mom after their foster kids have left the nest or moved on. Since all my quilts have had a recipient, I don't have much of a UFO pile, but I do love finishing projects I started years ago.
Just keep truckin' along, you'll get it done in no time! :)
The painters tape idea appears genius. Have to try it one day.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes to the changing mood type - I have to fall back in love again - otherwise it will probably stay unfinished and annoying. But mostly it is because of the stones on the road and so far I have always had kind motivational helpers :)
Every big project I've done has gone through a 'what he heck was I THINKING' stage. Sometimes I switch gears and change what I was thinking, and sometimes I plow ahead. Whichever way I've chosen has always been right, I think. I think you're going to LOVE IT when you are finally done :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy jamming your quilt through your machine ;-)
Tracy
Well, I'm totally in love with this quilt! It's super pretty. Masking/painter's tape? That has to be one of the best ideas EVER. I'll remember that one when I get to quilting. As for the love/non-love relationships with my quilts - I'm terrible; I like it when I buy - worry about it while I'm making it - finish and hate it. I usually have to put it away for a couple months in the closet and then when I bring it out, I love it again.
ReplyDeleteAloha! I am visiting from Freshly Pieced's link up. How funny, I was posting along something of those lines too. I tend to get really unmotivated when projects sit for a while... but after a while something will inspire me to finish them. I like using washi tape myself, and I only get a small bit, and then move it as I sew if I am doing straight line quilting. Your project looks beautiful! I'm glad it is in its final stages. =)
ReplyDeleteI came over from WIP Wednesday. Love your quilt - bright colors on white is my favorite! :) I totally have to get a project finished before I get tired or frustrated with it!
ReplyDeleteYour swoon quilt colors are awesome. And I have found blue painter's tape works very well. At least here in the US it comes in different tackiness levels and I have found the low tack to be just the right amount of stick and leaves no residue.
ReplyDeleteStarting a project is always the best part, the basting is horrible, the first 30 minutes of quilting is fun, hand sewing the binding down is just the nicest feeling in knowing that it is nearly done. From start to finish can take a good 12-18 months as my enthusiasm for a project waxes and wanes.
ReplyDeleteYour "Swell" quilt is going to be so worth the effort.
Mmmm! All that Amy Butler! How could you possibly fall out of love with this??? It is gorgeous! The only quilt I've really ever fallen out of love with is, ironically enough, what I call my anniversary quilt! I love it but found the fabrics boring early on...all hand pieced and quilted...so yeah, it was old before it was ever finished....but finishing it after 24! Years helped put some sparkle back in the relationship :)
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