Stitch124

Have you ever felt frozen to start on a new quilt project. I feel that way especially because this is my first quilt project after I've finished my first quilting class. Lots of anxiety because: 1) I'm afraid I'm going to cut the fabric wrong, 2) I won't lay it out correctly so that it looks the best to sew, 3) I can't remember everything I learned in the class even thought I had great fun, 4) most of all -- I don't have a dedicated place to sew in my house. The kitchen table is it and my grandkids will get into everything even if I put it all away...when I get it back out to work on, they are right there wanting to 'help' which breaks my concentration. They live with me so it's not like I can get away by myself. I have a small place, and there's no room to sew anywhere else. My project is the Yellow Brick Road by Atkinson Designs. Already have the fabric, just cutting, piecing, sewing and etc now.

Any advice and encouragement would be appreciated.

Thanks

Toni C

I'm guessing your grandkids are to young for school. Wow I can understand your stressing!You need a place to be able to put away while your working on it that is OFF LIMITS. Perhaps your bedroom and put a lock on it? Does the parent/parents live with you also? If so maybe a trip to a park or school playground while you sew is possible. I'm sure you will do great!As for forgetting what you learned in class...That's pretty much a given with me if I don't take allot of notes and practice right away LOL

kittykatz2001

Just jump in and know that all of us quilters have made tons of mistakes. Take a deep breath and enjoy the process. It's supposed to be fun. When you finish you will be so proud of yourself. The grandies will just have to learn not to bother it. If they're old enough you might give them something to do themselves. You could precut some blocks on muslin and let them draw pictures with crayons and once it's pressed, it's permanent. Use an embroidery hoop to keep it taut. A friend of mine made pot holders out of her grandies' pictures.

Stitch124

Love the idea of picture with crayons made into pot holders. How do you press the muslin without getting melted crayons on the iron soleplate?

Xtgirl

You press it face down onto a paper bag. The wax transfers to the bag and the color remains

x7lillies

I always say to measure four times and cut once...or was that five times? I've had my share of mishaps when cutting pieces for a quilt. I was making a quilt for my sister once, a log cabin full-size quilt. I put it together using strips, and I make all the blocks at once. That means that I cut all the fabric into the right number of strips (and there are two different widths for my log cabin blocks). Well, I ended up cutting one fabric's set of strips too narrow...all of them! When I had a bunch of fabric left over, I realized my mistake. I ended up cutting out more strips to sew to the narrow ones, so that they'd be the right width with the seam allowance, but now all my strips had a seam in the middle of them...

But my sister loved the quilt anyway. Lesson learned: no quilt will be completely free of mistakes and perfect. But more often than not, the only person who cares about those mistakes are you! Did you reverse a seam you pressed while stitching? No one will see...but it does bug me. For me, quilting has been a lesson in letting it go. I'd rather have a quilt from my grandmother with a small mistake that I can find than one that was perfect. That way, I feel like someone (an actual person) made it with love, imperfections and all!

leggz48

all good advice.....especially the part about "enjoy the process". You'll be surprised at what you will subconciously remember from your class. As for the kiddos.......it's important that they learn parameters while they are young. Be stern in letting them know what is off limits...and then follow through with enforcing your expectations that they respect your rules.

bearisgray

Did/Do you wash your fabrics before cutting them? It can be done even without having a washer and dryer in/on the premises. I would soak each color in hot water in a separate kettle or bowl - drain the water out - one could set the fabrics in a colander to drain some more - and then they can be line dried - I would bring the selvages together and hand the fabric by the selvage edge

How old are the grandchildren? Are you their full time caretaker?

As far as 'forgetting' what you learned in class - almost everyone forgets over half of what was taught in a class - repetition is what reinforces what one learned.

Can you get a tote that will slide under your bed? It's a bother to have to put everything away all the time - but it's a bigger bother to have stuff messed up.

dunster

In your situation, it might be best to find a local quilt shop where you can go to sew and let someone else watch the grandkids for a while. Don't stress about getting the fabrics in the perfect place - there is no such thing as the perfect place. Put them in an arrangement that's pleasing to you, and don't stress over it. YBR is a very forgiving pattern, and if you've forgotten something chances are it won't matter, or you'll remember it later.

Crqltr

I have laid blocks out on a flannel sheet then rolled them up they stay pretty good ...might help you to not lose your place every time you pack up.