Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Using Little Bits of Time

This time I'm hand turning the applique leaves before attaching them. I haven't used this technique in years but it's going faster than I recalled.  As they are turned, more "space" opened up so I cut more leaves until the fabric ran out. This is it. Must work it out somehow.

Adding leaves to
Chinese Coins VIII: Strewing Roses

The photos were shot after dark making the fabrics darker than reality. But I like the way the leaves are backlit and/or they fill in the lightest area of the quilt.

Recovering my full energy has taken a long time. I'm not there yet but am better every day. In the meanwhile, I was inspired by Cathy's post last month detailing 20 minute work segments. While I can't work on as many projects as she does {How do you keep them all straight, Cathy?} this seemed a good way to push some older projects forward. As I learned from my Thirty-Year Sampler, consistent work is the only way to complete it. And besides, 20 minutes is about all the strength I have these days.

The Bars 4 quilt needs to be finished for a future gift. Again I'm using very simple straight lines with the  walking foot. Twenty minutes uses part of a spool and keeps it moving along.

Machine quilting Bars 4

After a nap I switch to these old paper-pieced sawtooth borders planned for the New York Beauty. The papers were drafted and strips were cut. It's been languishing under my sewing table for a couple three years and the blocks are even older than that. How time flies and styles change. I'd like to finish it before I'm completely disenchanted. BTW, I chose an alternate (and older) name for this quilt: Rocky Mountain Road.

Paper-pieced sawtooth borders
for Rocky Mountain Road

Several triangles can be added before I have to change the bobbin. And then it's time for another nap.

Enjoy the day, Ann

24 comments:

patty a. said...

I hope you feel better soon and your energy returns. In the meantime, you seem to be making good headway with your 20 minutes sessions.

Linda said...

I love the way your Roses appliqué is coming along. The added leaves are a super idea and will finish the look of the quilt beautifully. Like you, I don't know how Cathy keeps her head around all the projects she works on during those 20 minutes merry go rounds! But it certainly is affective so I hope you do well with this method. Get well soon.

Julierose said...

Feel up to par soon, Ann;))) You have some lovely projects to finish up. 20 minutes is my time frame, too; stopping for tea, doing a wash, folding clothes (gosh will that never end??? aaargh) anyhoo--works for me and haven't had any back or arm issues...especially good for cutting time and ironing too...hugs, Julierose

Pamela Arbour said...

I like your applique quilt. I think it looks good as it is. It might be a good thing you ran out of fabric! I also like the quilting on your bars quilt. Just remember, slow and steady wins the race!

LA Paylor said...

you're getting a lot done for someone who isn't at full energy! LOVE the bar/ flower piece. The pieced background mixes garden colors while keeping the short rectangle lines of the flowers. Really enjoyable to view

Pamela said...

This is fabulous!

Mel Beach said...

I am always amazed at how much can be accomplished in short bursts of time. 20 minutes a day is certainly better than not starting at all! Hopefully you will regain your full energy soon!

Ann said...

I am slowly improving but have to be careful not to overdo it. These sessions are a good way to keep me moving ahead and still resting lots.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I'm amazed at the change in the Rose quilt with the addition of leaves. It inspires me to use applique more.
The 20 minute sessions help me move ahead slowly and still get lots of rest but I don't think I could ever work on as many as Cathy does.

Ann said...

You're so right. My shoulder feel much better. And no, the clothes never end. Must remember to make tea for my next break; it will be even more relaxing.Thanks, Julierose.

Ann said...

I think you're right, Pamela. I'd have added even more leaves if there was more fabric.
That quilting is so simple but seems perfect for most Coin and Bar quilts. And yes, more seems to be getting done. Odd, isn't it?

Ann said...

Not really, although things are moving forward. Lots of these were basically at that stage. I've sewed 10-15 lines on the quilt, 10-15 triangles on the piecing and cut all the leaves. That's made the biggest difference. I'm inspired to try more applique in future. I'm glad you like it, too, LeeAnna.

Ann said...

Thanks, Pamela.

Ann said...

You and Cathy are the champs for accomplishments, Mel. You all have convinced me to try it and I'm pleased how well it's working. I can start walking outside again next week. Yay!

Janie said...

Great progress on your projects, Ann.
And you're getting better too!
Your New York Beauty is just that, a beauty and
I love the colors.

Cathy said...

Oh my goodness...still no energy? I'm so sorry to hear that. Hope you get well soon. Glad you are trying the 20 minutes. It has worked best for me for mind and body. And who says I keep everything straight? ;-)

Anyway...love the roses. They look like someone just picked them and dropped them on the quilt. And the background makes them glow. I can almost smell the roses. (If you want to make them look real like mine look now you need to add a bunch of Japanese beetles! Yuck)

Take care, Ann!

Robin said...

So lovely Ann. I really like more and more leaves. So sorry your strength is slow to return. There is nothing more frustrating than having the enthusiasm for a project and not be unable to work on it. I decided to work on one of those quilts on my UFO list (my last post)that just needs a quick fix. Here it is 3 days later and it's still not done because I haven't been able to stay with it - too many interruptions. At least you have something really pretty to work on when you're able.

Mystic Quilter said...

Sound like the 20 minute idea is working for you. Chinese Coins VIII is a delight, such a good idea to add the winding stems and leaves, hope you can find more fabric. I am sorry to hear you are struggling to regain your strength, hope each day will bring you a little more energy.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love how your 'Chinese Coins VIII: Strewing Roses' is progressing. Those roses steal the show in this quilt! Hope you feel better n' better each day!

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie. Exhaustion hits pretty quickly and my doctor recommends several naps a day. She wasn't kidding.

Ann said...

Don't they just? I had no idea what this quilt would look like when I started. It was going to be part of another quilt then seemed a perfect background. I'm glad I laid the stems out several ways because my first ideas were horrible.
No beetles here. Ha.

Ann said...

You're so right, Robin. I'm frustrated how long this recovery is taking. I can hardly stay awake.
I read your next post so I know you finally got your UFO finished. That's always a good thing. I hate having lots of projects lying around. I forget to finish them and they take up so much space.

Ann said...

It does for a while but I run out of energy so quickly. You'e gone through this so you know but this is the first time I haven't bounced back. So strange. I guess it's the new normal.
The rose quilt interests me very much now that the leaves are basted. What a difference. No wonder people like applique if it changes things this dramatically.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. Adding the leaves made such a difference. No wonder people like applique.
I am better but simply have very little energy.