Slow progress

Now that the house repairs are done putting things back where they belong is slow going. That’s mostly because without sunshine I lose my energy. Since January 1 this year we’ve had only 10 days without rain or snow and of those only 4 were bright cloudless sunny days. Even on bright sun days the orientation of my house doesn’t let in much sunshine. The warehouse in the back shades my house most of the day.

Well anyway, I’ve finally cleared things off the studio table and got out one of my sewing machines. It felt great to have a working space even if it isn’t fully a working studio again yet. 

I started with the quilt designs I had began before the inside repairs interrupted. I like doing both traditional block quilts as well as applique quilts. Sometimes I create a quilt just to use as the base for the stitching designs I want to do. The quilt is the canvas, the needle is the brush, and the thread is the paint. 

Back in late August of last year I had already gotten these patterns enlarged to working size when I received notice the house repairs would start. I had to drop everything and move stuff out of their way. That meant moving stuff into the studio until the repairs were completed.

Now that I have a clear working space I decided to pick up where I left off with these patterns. I trace the pieces onto freezer paper which is used as the piece cutting patterns. I keep the original enlargement just in case I want to re-create that quilt again in the future. 

I didn’t draw this design. My drawings are cartoon style. This is a wall size pattern from a 2012 quilt book called “No Sewing Until You Quilt It” by Ann Holmes. She also has a youtube channel by the same name. It’s an applique pattern I’m going to eventually make using the clothing of my late sister-in-law. I’ll be making several quilts with her clothing for her children and grandchildren.

I still have a lot to do in order to get my house and studio back in working order. Once again, providing there are no more interruptions, I’ll continue with the downsizing of my stuff. I need to get started with garden stuff and also get back to working on the family tree again. I’m working on another quilt blog to show the quilts I make for charity this year. So much to do! I need 48 hour days.