Well hello luscious quilt!

I did it! I finished!
Yesterday I finished sewing on the binding to my first quilt, threw it in the washer, and today have my very first 100% complete quilt!
I cannot express how proud of myself I am :)

So, from the beginning. I loved the Hello Luscious line (Moda, Basic Grey) since I first saw it, but had no idea what to do with it. I didn't know how to make a quilt. I googled "Hello Luscious quilt" and one of the first results was "Mommy by day, crafter by night" blog. Apparently, she had a Zig Zag quilt-a-long in July.

Plus, she had sewn an amazing zig-zag quilt from the Hello Luscious line. (Gorgeous)

I'm usually not late, but decided to join in anyways.

The whole tutorial she gave was so helpful, even if she used layer cakes, and I only used a charm pack.
You can find all the steps here.

 I bought some acrylic filling and plain white backing. Since it was my first, I didn't want to try anything fancy. This time.
I really wish I could have found the exact same color for the back, but I guess it's OK, and after all, the beauty in homemade quilts. (The white I used was Bella Solid white)
Quilting was, well... tricky. I had to move my machine over to our kitchen table so I could have more room. The twisting and turning each corner was a bit scary, because I had rolled up each side, and with each turn the rest of the quilt loosened up a bit, and pins started to fall out. Now I know why safety pins are recommended. Towards the end I got the hang of it, but I think it will be a while until I make a bigger quilt.

Binding, the part I was most afraid of, was actually the easiest. I cut out 3" strips, and used Heather Baileys tutorial on binding.
I bought some extra fabric from the Hello Luscious line for the binding. That was hard choosing!
Connecting the ends was a bit tricky, but I got it right. Almost. I was a tad off and had a bit of extra fabric. No problem though, it was easily fixable and unnoticeable.
Sewing on the other side of the binding by hand was far less scary as I thought it would be.
We watched a movie and I finished it up during that time.

I always thought I'd like the free-motion stitches, but maybe because I just couldn't get it, I really do think I like the simple stitches, straight lined.
I like looking at the more complicated, hexagon, star, pinwheel etc. quilts, but I think I'd enjoy making the simpler ones. (You can follow my quilt love on pinterest!) Zig-Zag, triangles, flying geese, those are on my very soon to-do list. I already have more fabric coming my way and cannot wait to start sewing a quilt again!

Letting Go

Today my loving husband told me I'm somewhat of a control freak.
OK, I get it, I like to know what's going on, to plan in advance, not to be surprised. I like it when things go as planed, work smoothly and come out as expected.
I think perfectionist goes right in there as well.
What he told me did not in any way come as a surprise. I guess I expected him to say I was getting better at not trying so hard. I just can't help it.
Pinterest is great for a lot of things. I think that had it not been for that site, I would have just kept drooling over gorgeous quilt patterns and jelly rolls/charm packs/fat quarters. Pinterest got me going, sent me to work, seeing other peoples projects made me believe that- yes I can!
Last weekend I began my very first quilt (beginners pattern- zig-zag). I bought a super pretty charm pack (Hello Luscious, Moda) and a solid pack to go with it. Because no matter how much I try, I cannot for the life of me cut a straight line.
And I have the most awful time deciding which colors go with which. Most of my time wasn't spent on actual sewing (or ironing those damn seams) but figuring out which pattern should go next to what, how the colors should line up, stressing over tips of triangles not quite matching, and being cut off.
Yes, I am a control freak. I get it.
But I take this as a lesson, and a start at letting go. Quilts, patchwork are known for their "mismatch" and I'm told that's what makes them so beautiful.
I'm still obsessing over the solid modern quilts, but for now am going to try to live on the wild side, different patterns and colors. That does NOT mean I'm not going to get a bunch of fat quarters, I'm not quite there yet. I've been eyeing the Oh Deer and Birds and Berries (both Moda) lately, now just to find a pattern.
I finished the top of the quilt today. I'd say I'm half way there. I need to buy some filling and plain white backing, and decide what pattern I want for the binding. Another hard part. What goes best?!

Check out my Quilt Love board on Pinterest , some of those quilts are now officially on my to-do list. And now that I know I can, I just need to find the time :)

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

Late

I feel like time is passing by way too fast.
Seriously, I need about 2 more hours each day. At work. That way I could get home and not stress over all the work I still have to get done.
As a graphic designer (and part time vm) for a large clothing company, I feel as if I live from collection to collection. I simply cannot wait until August 19th. And then after that, it will be a date in September. Then the end of September early October. Squeeze in three weeks of holidays and then another collection. Is it no wonder my time just disappears?
I feel bad for Y, I don't feel like going out on weekends, but enjoy the quiet, sitting on the couch and doing absolutely nothing. He looks at me with his big brown eyes and my heart hurts.
I'm late at getting house related stuff done. Last week I finally baked the brownies I've been planning to bake for over a month :)
July 11th I finished my Driven cardigan. And only now I'm getting to write about it.

I love the collar, might be my favorite part!

I love love love it. The color, the way it looks, how it actually fits. I'm so proud of myself for the last bit. The color change is ever so subtle, so I know I'll love wearing it as well. Cannot wait for cooler weather.
When I first started it, I was still in my old office, sitting alone with the AC cranked up to freezer mode. I had plans of keeping it in my office and cuddling with it.
In the beginning of July, I was moved over to another office with three others, one who does not like the AC at all, so I'm left sweating and swearing, both at the same time.

My Driven will have to wait.

This is my first year participating in the Ravellenic games over at Ravelry. I'm watching quite a lot of the games this year. Gymnastics are my favorite.
Norie and the Dahlia cardigan are on my list, two patterns I've had my eye on for quite some time now. Knitting the Dahlia reminded me of how much I love lace. My next project will be some bad ass lace project. Leaves of Grass maybe? I miss knitting a Jared Flood pattern!

I also have a few new sewing projects on my mind. Quilting has always fascinated me, and I finally ordered some charm packs for a first. I was thinking a simple zig-zag quilt. More on that when the fabric arrives. (I'm so excited!) I'm also looking for a quilt-a-long to help me actually finish it and not abandon it somewhere.

And last, a short list of things I ♥

Dear Creatures anything. Their tumblr is such an inspiration!

Florence and the Machine is so cool. Plus, Bon Iver and Mumford and Sons? Too bad this concert never took place. Love your taste in music though! (Taken from this tumblr)

Gorgeous blog. Reminds me I need to get to Iceland ASAP.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, xoxo