This is the fantasy I had envisioned.
Our prompt for SAHRR Round Five is a two-color whatever: block, decoration, embellishment, anything quilty. And I wanted words.
I’ll explain the words when I present the quilt on its final QuiltFinish post, but suffice it to say they have meaning for me at this point in my life. Lots of words, it looks like, and how to get them there? I didn’t want to cut them all out and appliqué them, so I decided to take the Lori Holt approach, that I made in one of her quilt designs:
I checked all my notes, and cut the bias. I’m using the Dritz Bias Tape Makers, but first I do a test:
The one on the right is a 12. The one on the left is a 9. I’m pretty sure the Bee Happy is like a 7, which is why the curves are so smooth, and not bumpy like these. Obstacle #1, and in the spirit of the 2026 Italian Winter Olympics, can she get around it while slaloming downhill, looking at a deadline in 4 days? I did notice that the Linky party had NO entries until this afternoon, so maybe others are also swamped?
Obstacle #2: the printer. Why is it always the printers? It kept printing on both sides, even though I clicked the little box. I soon learned I had to click to Single in the Output, then the Tile Option, then race back and click the little box. Let’s just say we replenished our stack of scratch paper. Then I had to line them all up, by that I mean figure out where the center line was, the top line, the baseline, the x-height, yadda yadda…here ya’ go:
Yes, some are in black and white. Don’t ask.
No, I won’t be mimicking the typeface. I’m just using it for a general guideline.
Let’s just say I have a lot of work ahead of me as I have a lot of curvy letters. Do I use the monofilament-machine-zig-zag method of appliqué? Do I hand appliqué these? Do I switch to a narrower bias strip? Do I forget it all and just make some nine-patch blocks?
Do you ever get discouraged? Couple that with one of those weeks of too-many doctor appointments (or, as my sister calls them: tune-ups), planned events, and Other Complicating Factors, so that whatever time I did have is now greatly diminished, and I wondering whatever possessed me to think I could make a quilt from scratch (albeit with prompts) in six weeks? Is this state of crazy also part of the Stay at Home Round Robin?
Well, I’m linking up to the Linky Party, but my quilt and I are in states of duress, and I’m wondering if I’ll make it over the finish line in one piece, like the wonderful downhill run of Mikaela Schiffrin. Or the glorious freeskate of Alysa Liu in Women’s Figure Skating? I can only watch…hope…and sew.
The SAHRR schedule:
*January 14: Center Blocks, led by Gail and shared by each co-leader
*January 21: 1st Round: Brenda @ Songbird Designs
*January 28: 2nd Round: Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
*February 4: 3rd Round: Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
*February 11: 4th Round: Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
*February 18: 5th Round: Gail @ Quilting Gail
February 25: 6th Round: Anja @ Anja Quilts
[An asterisk* means that prompt has been posted.]
Final Quilt is to be revealed March 25 (if I get there in one piece, that is).
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I think you can do this and I cannot wait to learn more about that quote
So much patience! It’s going to be wonderful. I’ve been dealing with a new WiFi setup and my brain is so taxed trying to reset everything in the house. I can’t begin to imagine adding that project to my list.
Hoping all the doctor appointments ( “tune ups” ) have satisfactory outcomes. We do a lot of those, too. I do enjoy following what you work on, and hearing your thinking through it process. As always, I find your use of color to be very inspiring.
Whatever you end up making, it will be lovely! Maybe you could ‘stay home’ more!😂😂😂 Seriously ( I hope you know I am joking about the staying home!) I hope you continue with the wording because it will look fantastic! And you can always do something simpler for week 5 while you catch your breath. I hope the doctors visits were smooth sailing.
I love the way your letters look so far! I don’t think I would be up to the task of that many letters with that technique. I try not to give unsolicited advice, but since you had questions about the whole thing, I will chime in. Are you familiar with the book “Quilt Talk” from Sam Hunter? Her paper pieced letters come together surprisingly quickly. My approach would be to scale them to the size you want and paper piece them. Of course I am a huge fan of paper piecing.
Your work always amazes me, so I know that whatever you decide will turn out beautifully.
Welcome to my world, Elizabeth! Alas, ‘this state of crazy’ sound very familiar. But you know you will do this and it will look amazing. If you are still testing, I think it’s worth trying a narrower binding or maybe a thinner fabric like poplin. And, if you decide to hand applique (which I know will be a very long job), you can join in your base fabric and carry on after the next round or even after you’ve quilted by appliqueing to the top layer (which is how I made my wall letters). I expect, whatever you decide, you will be back with it all done in no time 🙂
Good luck with your tune ups 🙂
Oh, goodness, what a lot of bother! Maybe you could print on the printable fabric? Or hand letter on fabric? Or I’ve seen quilts where stamps have been used and there are alphabet stamps available…I’m into finding an easier way! However, I like your quilt so far and think the lettering is a good idea, if perhaps a bit difficult to execute.
Love the words. When I made the mountain quilt, I printed all the words out first to audition the size/font.
You got this! I’m cheering you on from here, as I sip my morning coffee and envision you “nose to the needle” stitching away! I look forward to hearing the story behind this border as well. Go Elizabeth!
I love the letters, love the words, love the hymn. I also love hand stitched applique, but whatever you decide will be lovely, I’m sure.
Well don’t mind us, we will be quiet over here in the corner just watching you stitch (and head scratch) away. I love when an idea takes us and we have to follow…wherever you end up will be wonderful I’m sure. I’ve never made bias binding words but I have been admiring more and more the applique quilts with bias stems for their flowers, so I think that may be in my future at some point (says this person who has done almost no applique…who am I?). Will she change her mind? Will she make the deadline? We can’t wait to see what’s next….
I hope you don’t feel too stressed about the SAHRR!! There will be a nice gap between the next prompt that comes out and the final linkup, and you only need a pieced quilt top (not a full finish) for that final linkup. I’m very impressed with the work you have already accomplished on this round! I, personally, just finished my Project Quilting quilt for this week and need to write my blog post and do about 15 other things this weekend which means I probably won’t get started on my round until Monday afternoon at best. It is what it is, which might mean I don’t link up to the SAHRR this week.
Ahh Elizabeth . . . you never seem to take the easy way and I admire that about you. You somehow find ways to make things work even when they present you with a real challenge. The words are wonderful and hope you find a method that works for you. Good luck.
Wow! Stunning quilt. I love everything you have done and the lettering/words is great. I plan on adding some lettering too next time along with whatever the prompt may be, but I will do fusible appliqué and blanket stitching on mine. I think using bias tape looks great, but would drive me crazy to even attempt it. We have to do what works best for us and it seems to be working well for you doing it with the bias tape.
Elizabeth, I am old. As part of this life journey, I’ve learned that for me the greatest joy hasn’t come from the finishes, but from the journey itself.. Sometimes the finishes I have planned get waylaid, and then I’m figuring out a new path.
Whether you finish your project as initially planned, or if you find a new path to follow, your quilt is going to be very special. Hoping to visit you later to see where your journey takes you
Lynn
I think you’re very clever, using words as your 2 colour round!! Just one more round to go and you’ll be done. You can do it! Thanks for linking to Prompt #5 of SAHRR!
The words will be a nice addition to this quilt. I would guess that hand stitching them would be easier than machine stitching. Considering how often you would have to keep turning it under the machine needle to get around all those curves. Maybe stitching by free motion on machine if you have a good eye and steady hand? Just suggestions. You probably have the top row stitched by the time I wrote this!
It’s looking beautiful Elizabeth! Keep going, even if you don’t make the deadline: You’ve got a wonderful thing going! I’d think hand stitching it down would be easiest: the presser foot on the machine will want to push the letters around. I use glue basting and I can carry it around with me while I wait in the Doctors office.
Such a lovely addition! I love your quote and I am anxious to hear your story about it too. I can soooo relate to your state of crazy! Yes, I believe it is true – to think we can make a quilt from scratch, in 6 weeks, not knowing what the end result will be. Just committing to this SAHRR is a special kind of crazy! But I am so glad to be here.
Really have enjoyed watching this SAHRR progress. So much work.
You’ve got this, and it will be glorious !
Wow! Elizabeth, this is just glorious and I love the words and can very much relate to their meaning. Letters can be a PITA but in the end they are so worth it. I’ve not seen Lori Holt’s method but it’s pretty cool. I have Sam Hunter’s book of letters which are paper-pieced. I’ve used them on a few quilts and projects, just great. I love your neighbourhood!
PS – Congrats on your quilts in Road to CA! You do wonderful work.