It's getting easier

I whipped out another pillow this weekend. I realized that my brother was going to be at my apartment Tuesday for dinner.
on a side note: (I am looking forward to this. He has been in town visiting for weeks now, and I have only seen him once - at church. I get to make dinner - something with meat. When I had him over used to be the only time I made meat. Now I make it for my man often; so my brother is in for a treat this time.)
The reason this is of note, is that my mom is having me send her a couple things back with my brother. Additionally I am going to surprise her with a jar of jam I bought on vacation in Durango, Colorado (plum, that tastes just like the one her mom used to make) and this pillow.



I realized that giving it my brother would be the easiest and cheapest way to get the pillow to Mom, so I better have it ready by Tuesday. I had only decided on the layout at that point. (Which is an accomplishment in itself really)
I took my jelly rolls strips and make 81 squares; then I turned them into 9 squares, then into 1 square. The next day I quilted and finished the pillow...after a run (well literally walk; I am within walking distance) to Joann's Fabric. Two weeks in a row I got there within minutes of them closing. Good thing the first fabric I found looked like a great color. It was not the same quality of the fabric I have been using: thin and terribly wrinkly and misaligned on the bolt. I made sure I got enough to trim it before I cut it.

I intentionally made the back an inch larger than the front. This pillow form is puffier than the other ones I bought, and it didn't look like the 18 square would fit the 18 inch pillow. It sort of worked. The back is a little loose, but it doesn't look bad. I'm guessing/hoping after it gets washed it will fit well. (I think the back will shrink up more than the front.) I have yet to wash something I have quilted (at $3 a load, I'm sure that is understandable) and wonder how it really will look. I fear my first one will fall apart.



And what is a project without a mistake? I was conservative with the fabric back on my previous pillows, and only doubled up a little bit for the envelope. This one I needed to fold the entire width of the pillow. The strip I put on the end of the flap I measured like I did before... therefore placing it well past the fold. So I decided to keep it as a decorative strip below the flap, and ended up embroidering the edge of the flap. I think it looks nice; you would never know it wasn't intentional.

New Beginning

Let's pretend my blog begins here.
I have a friend from college who is currently a quilter. But more than that; I remember her as a girl with a soft heart who loves God. She was also quite to fun to be around. So she started quilting and starting blogging, and I started following. I was enthralled by these works of art she made. And when I saw her first recipe, and the site it was on, I thought, I have to try this. (By the way, her name is Tracey and traceyjayquilts is her blog) So now I can quilt (not well at this point, but I am learning) and have a blog about it.
What I have learned from Tracey is that Wednesday's are the day to update on what projects one is working on. I have noticed this WIP acronym on other sites too; so to fit in, I am beginning this weekly update habit.
This week I have finished quilting my first quilt. There are more pinches on the back than an elementary school student gets on St Patty's day when he doesn't wear green or cute baby's cheeks get seeing a bunch of old ladies. Okay, so those were cheesy examples but I had try to be creative. Now where was I? Oh yes, I finished the quilting and the only thing I have left to do is begin the binding. (I could really use a cutting mat larger than 12 inches. My next coupon is going toward that.) Next week I am going to be at a conference for work, and I think hand stitching might be what I do with my evenings. The other option is machine binding, which would be faster and stronger, so I am not sure yet. I do plan on keeping this quilt in my living room, so it will get a lot of use.
I also got some fabric in the mail yesterday. Two jelly rolls, both Moda: A Breath of Avignon and Freebird, and a Half Moon by Moda fat quarter stack. I got a few coordinating fabrics, but wish I got more. A fat quarter pack of the neutral Bella Solids would have been a great addition to my order from Burgundy Buttons.



Now, I am telling myself that I won't start something new until I finish my first project. But looking at my fabric doesn't hurt.... I wove together some strips for a pillow (my next project). I like that simple design and with the exception of possible (no, likely) fabric swaps, I am going with that idea. I will likely make multiple pillows next. They are smaller and more manageable than a blanket. I have already promised one friend, and I might surprise my mom with what is left of the jelly roll… the wheels are spinning. But guess I will leave those ideas for when they come up another day.

(I will add pictures later. The bf was using the computer last night to finish up his last paper for the semester so I couldn't kick him off.)