My family and I just got back from almost a week in the mountains where we had a wonderful time! The cool, crisp air was so invigorating to the senses. And the views....WOW!!! The day after we arrived, I took my camera along as we scouted for good fishing spots and snapped a few interesting, yet unassuming pictures. The Ponderosa Pine tree fronds on the forest floor and the lone aspen leaf amongst the pebbles were just neat images. Later on, back at the cabin, I set up my sewing space. (Yes, you read that right. I took a sewing machine to the mountains.) It was my husband's idea actually. :-) He knows what the clear mountain air and the smell of pine does for my creativity ! :-) Before we left for the cabin, my sweet husband used his Tetris skills and figured out how we could squeeze in my Featherweight machine and my QuiltCut2. (I love the QuiltCut's carrying case because it has interior pockets that I can stuff with fabric and other supplies!) I actually left the QuiltCut in the case, so I could save space and have everything in easy reach while I worked. Here's another view from my chair. Like my ironing station? :-) I had to improvise a bit! I used two thick wash clothes since I forgot my ironing surface! And if that wasn't good enough, look at the view I had while I cut, sewed and pressed! Since I didn't have a plan in mind when I packed my fabric, I just brought along some of my favorite pieces that I have hand-dyed. So what are you to do when you don't have a plan much less a pattern, but want to sew? Improvisational piecing! I began by cutting a fat quarter of olive green into rough 4ths. You'll notice that I'm using the small rotary cutter. Sometimes I think it's easier to use and less bulky for traveling. And yes, I know. I should press my fabric before cutting. Normally I do. In this case, it wasn't necessary since I wasn't trying to be precise. :-) I had some scraps of gray from another project, so I sewed a gray strip to the green. In this picture, I'm about to trim the excess green off, leaving my seam allowance. I pressed the fabric open and then sewed a piece of green fabric on top of the gray. I trimmed the excess fabric and pressed it open. I continued the process, alternating between the green and gray fabrics, making sure that each seam created a sliver of green on the front. (I'm sorry I didn't take more pictures, I kind of got caught up in the process and the sound of the blue jays in the trees and forgot! :-) Any ideas what I'm up to? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Comment below or email me!
1 Comment
Melinda Hawkins
9/13/2014 10:42:53 am
Sounds like fun to me!
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About MeFiber artist, wife to a wonderful husband and mom to 2 awesome, grown kids Archives
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