Ironing and Squaring UP!

Yesterday I finally started quilting my daughters quilt.

And as I was doing this very hot job (it was really humid yesterday and sitting under lots of bright lights and a King Single quilt made it hotter), I realised just how important it was to really, really iron your blocks. 


I know I do actually iron my blocks, but for this quilt and all the others previous, when I ironed the blocks is was a quick iron with some steam and that was it. And to be honest it never bothered me before, but for some reason after such a long break from quilting and coming back to it, I am finding that being more precise is important. Not only that, I am actually enjoying the process. I am enjoying the cutting, the piecing and sewing it altogether, whereas before it was all about just 'getting it done'. It wasn’t till I did the blocks for the Oh Fransson! quilt-along that I discovered spray starch and the fantastic crisp look you get when you iron, and just how flat you can get your blocks. I was really impressed with the result. I only wish I had used spray starch on my daughters quilt as it would have made quilting it a little easier.


Some of the blocks were slightly off and I didn’t bother with squaring off, (not really knowing that it could be done - for the most part I am a self-taught quilter) thinking I would 'fix' the process as I was sewing the blocks together. I read somewhere on one of the many blogs I read about squaring up blocks as well as your quilt before binding. I also realised had I squared up the blocks for this quilt, the quilting process would have been so much easier. I found on some of the blocks, just a little bit of 'extra' fabric that had to be eased in, and on other blocks there was none. These would be the blocks that I eye-balled where the seam line should be. Needless to say, it has been a very rewarding project.


I don't know if you can tell from the photo but I am listening to my iPod as I am quilting (the white lines running down my back). Another 'new' thing for me is listening to audiobooks while I sew. I need to thank my BFF for this wonderful introduction. I love the feeling of doing two things at once - sewing and 'reading' a book! 


My wonderful son has gotten the sewing bug. In an attempt to keep him busy so I could do some more quilting, I set him up with my el cheapo Janome JR1012 and gave him some fabric scraps and a quilt sandwich so he could sew the fabric on top to made a doll quilt for his sister. This is the result:

He is so proud of himself, that he had to take it to school on Friday and show all this friends and teachers. Needless to say, he has started another 'project' this weekend. He has all these ideas in his head that he wants to get down in fabric. He has also adopted my JR1012 and loves to brag that  'I have my very own sewing machine at home now!'


I love seeing this creative side of my son. 


On a different note, on a trip to Ikea the other day, both the kids went ballistic when they sew these cushions

we just had to buy them. We managed to talk them into getting just enough cushions for our new 'inherited' teal leather lounge, rather than one each! Love the fabric. Have any of you seen the amazing fabrics they have at Ikea? I have to admit I have never looked in there fabric section before, but wow, they have some really cool stuff. I might have to buy some and make something with it.