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| A peek at my Kindred Kitchen quilt block... |
Even though I don't typically use an apron — and therefore would never think of sewing one for myself — this quilt block spoke to me.
One of the things that I've been doing more of during our current transition to a different normal is baking and cooking new things; i.e., spending time in the kitchen. It's a bit odd, since I can't say that I really enjoy the process of cooking/baking, but it's hard to argue with finding enjoyment in the results.
Therefore, what better theme for a pandemic mini quilt — for me — than one
that focuses on sewing time and kitchen time? (By the way, does that sound
weird for a 21st century woman to say?)
Here is what the block looks like, completed to spec.
I used the same fabrics as I did for the Sew On & Sew On block, only this time, I didn't have to cover up my spirographing fabric. It worked out kinda well for the apron ruffles.
This was harder to do than the sewing machine block, due to the corner piecing that screams "look at me!" when not perfectly lined up. For a first effort, I'm okay with the result, warts and all.
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I added a couple of things to the apron: some trim in the form of the ribbon around the edge of the pocket, which hides the end of a spoon that's meant to be sticking out of said pocket.
Because I added a couple of strips above and below my sewing machine block, I had to add the same to the sides of this block to make them fit together, back to back.
I didn't do a lot of quilting on this block, just this bit above the bodice of the apron...
... and some free motion squiggles all over the apron itself.
My white background fabric is textured already, so doesn't really need anything done to it. I did add a line of zigzag stitching on both sides, though, and also hand quilted around the perimeter where the eye chart fabric meets the plain white background.
Before clipping the ribbon around the edge, I squared up the two blocks and then zigzag stitched the edges together to reduce the bulk.
Then I hand basted the ribbon around the edge. Ribbon is not like regular binding and behaves better if you baste it before sewing. (For other examples of using ribbon as binding, check out my past posts here.)
I've been a lot more relaxed about hand sewing these days. No reason to rush anything and I can take it with me outside to sit in the sunshine. Even something as unpleasant as ripping out stitches is so much more enjoyable when it can be done outside in nice weather.
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My sewing machine was running on a needle that badly needed to be replaced, so I changed to a new one just before sewing the ribbon binding. Made a world of difference. (Do you sometimes delay too long in changing out a needle? Guilty here.)
I don't know yet if I will put this quilt under glass like I did with my first mini quilt. After binding, this finished out at 13.75" x 16"; not a typical size for which you can find a ready made frame.
For the fact that it's meant to be displayed on both sides, I'll probably just put some clips on it and hang it as is.
This turned out to be a highly satisfying project, one that I'm sure to remember in the coming years as to why I chose it. Quite representative of what I was looking for as a way to mark the pandemic. If you've never quilted before, it's an ideal way to stick your toe in the water and create something meaningful and tangible without going whole hog.
The other blocks are a cake, a tea kettle, a dog, a sundae, a hot air balloon, a bike, a cat, a car carrying a surfboard, a sailboat, and a picnic basket with wine glass. Instructions run from two pages (the sailboat) to seven pages (the kettle and the bike), to give you a rough idea of difficulty.
They have been described as intermediate level blocks, but all of them also have short videos via YouTube, so I wouldn't let that stop you if you've never done this before. If you take your time cutting, labeling and reading, the sewing part isn't that hard.
Oh, one final observation. If you wondered about the name of this quilt, the back features a camera block ("snapshots", right?) that I have also saved to my future projects folder.
'Til next...
Here is what the block looks like, completed to spec.
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| Completed Kindred Kitchen quilt block... |
I used the same fabrics as I did for the Sew On & Sew On block, only this time, I didn't have to cover up my spirographing fabric. It worked out kinda well for the apron ruffles.
This was harder to do than the sewing machine block, due to the corner piecing that screams "look at me!" when not perfectly lined up. For a first effort, I'm okay with the result, warts and all.
I added a couple of things to the apron: some trim in the form of the ribbon around the edge of the pocket, which hides the end of a spoon that's meant to be sticking out of said pocket.
|
| Added some ribbon trim and a mixing spoon... |
Because I added a couple of strips above and below my sewing machine block, I had to add the same to the sides of this block to make them fit together, back to back.
|
| Both completed blocks side by side... |
I didn't do a lot of quilting on this block, just this bit above the bodice of the apron...
|
| Close up of the quilting and hand stitching above the bodice of the apron... |
... and some free motion squiggles all over the apron itself.
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| Close up of the "free motion" quilting on the main body of the apron... |
My white background fabric is textured already, so doesn't really need anything done to it. I did add a line of zigzag stitching on both sides, though, and also hand quilted around the perimeter where the eye chart fabric meets the plain white background.
|
| Grey zig-zag stitching added along both sides... |
Before clipping the ribbon around the edge, I squared up the two blocks and then zigzag stitched the edges together to reduce the bulk.
|
| Wrapped with ribbon as binding... |
Then I hand basted the ribbon around the edge. Ribbon is not like regular binding and behaves better if you baste it before sewing. (For other examples of using ribbon as binding, check out my past posts here.)
|
| Binding temporarily basted on... |
I've been a lot more relaxed about hand sewing these days. No reason to rush anything and I can take it with me outside to sit in the sunshine. Even something as unpleasant as ripping out stitches is so much more enjoyable when it can be done outside in nice weather.
My sewing machine was running on a needle that badly needed to be replaced, so I changed to a new one just before sewing the ribbon binding. Made a world of difference. (Do you sometimes delay too long in changing out a needle? Guilty here.)
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| It's done! (Notice the little flower pin that I put on the waistband?) |
I don't know yet if I will put this quilt under glass like I did with my first mini quilt. After binding, this finished out at 13.75" x 16"; not a typical size for which you can find a ready made frame.
For the fact that it's meant to be displayed on both sides, I'll probably just put some clips on it and hang it as is.
|
| Also done! |
This turned out to be a highly satisfying project, one that I'm sure to remember in the coming years as to why I chose it. Quite representative of what I was looking for as a way to mark the pandemic. If you've never quilted before, it's an ideal way to stick your toe in the water and create something meaningful and tangible without going whole hog.
|
| image courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop Jolly Jabberblog... |
The other blocks are a cake, a tea kettle, a dog, a sundae, a hot air balloon, a bike, a cat, a car carrying a surfboard, a sailboat, and a picnic basket with wine glass. Instructions run from two pages (the sailboat) to seven pages (the kettle and the bike), to give you a rough idea of difficulty.
They have been described as intermediate level blocks, but all of them also have short videos via YouTube, so I wouldn't let that stop you if you've never done this before. If you take your time cutting, labeling and reading, the sewing part isn't that hard.
|
| image courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop Jolly Jabber blog... |
Oh, one final observation. If you wondered about the name of this quilt, the back features a camera block ("snapshots", right?) that I have also saved to my future projects folder.
'Til next...
LOVE your quilt and hearing about the process, progress and creative choices. I have never considered making a quilt, and seriously doubt I ever will. I typically expend my creative energy in the kitchen but with lockdown am feeling like an unappreciated farm wife with hungry mouths rushing in and rushing out, leaving a mess in their wake. I am ready to never wash another dish.
ReplyDeleteKeep creating and sharing the process with us...thanks
I really like your first block, but this one is my favourite - so far. Sitting outside hand sewing sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on both!! You could get a shadow box frame for it. There are some that open from the front, so you can turn your mini around whenever you like.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty about sewing with a dull machine needle. After that monstera leaf placemat project I went back to making face masks. That's when I noticed the needle sounded more like it was slamming into the fabric. Changed the needle and what a difference!
Kathleen - kakingsbury at verizon dot net
WOW, nice work. Love both blocks. Actually I love the whole quilt, and it's for St. Jude's... is there a link to this?
ReplyDeletehttps://blog.fatquartershop.com/snapshots-quilt-along/ found it!
DeleteGlad you found it; St. Jude's is a great cause too, even though this particular campaign has ended.
DeleteThanks for your compliments and for stopping by to leave them.
Well look at you go Rochelle! Very nicely done and a reversible mini quilt too. My late friend would make bed size quilts reversible, so either side could be used. It was her signature trademark. I much prefer making blocks than huge quilts, because the blocks are more fun and satisfying and much faster.
ReplyDelete