I keep taking pictures with the intention of posting but then never seem to get around to actually doing it... My schedule has been crazy busy since life has started retuning to normal. Between Zoom commitments and traveling I barely have time to sew!
I inadvertently learned new things about my Statler when quilting Take It Easy. I had been wanting to try the orange peel pattern and the first row stitched out beautifully and super fast (mostly thanks to the simple piecing). I thought I was going to have the quilt finished in no time and might even load another one that weekend. I was SO wrong! I started the second row and the design was way off - the points were misaligned by 1/4" or more. I caught it quickly, ripped out the stitching, and tried relocating the design to force the pattern to align. Obviously that wasn't the answer! I ripped again, tried and failed again, ripped stitches a third time, and then turned to Facebook for help. Turns out you have to redraw boundaries and adjust the pattern for each row to align geometrics. I watched a quick video tutorial and was able to successfully complete the quilting. It was a frustrating process but I am happy to have learned something new!
I've been plugging along on my Square Deal blocks. I think I have three sets left after the current one is finished. I would really like to get this top completed during my next retreat.
I have attended a couple of virtual events recently. One, the Penn Dry Goods Market, I will talk about in a separate post as it was the inspiration for a new rug I started last week. The other was the Vermont Virtual Quilt Festival. I took three classes, one of which was the Flowering Snowball workshop taught by Irene Blanck. It was a great workshop although my hotel sewing setup wasn't ideal for piecing curves.
I finished three blocks during class. I was working with a little mini-iron so these are still in need of a good pressing. They were so fun to make! I want to get back to this project once I finish up Square Deal. Fingers crossed I am really productive on my next retreat!
