Our third class was last night. We've had two weeks off to work on our blocks and get ahead with our cutting. Sadly, I slacked off this week and only had one block sewn by the time class rolled around. This week we learned how to draft 8-pointed stars and some related patterns like kalaidescope and spider's web - I really liked these patterns! The mathematics behind them were entertaining, too, and reminded me of why I was really good at geometry in high school.

I learned how to use my new sewing machine on Sunday. I ventured out to Jo-Ann Fabrics and bought six yards of some amazing black-red drapery silk, and then spent Sunday and Monday sewing curtain panels.

For a while at the beginning it looked like the sewing machine was going to beat me. I was *covered* in sewing machine oil, but I finally figured out how to get the thing threaded correctly. Sewing silk is tricky business, I discovered, and I had to fiddle a lot with the tension knob to get it just right.

Now I'm wanting to flex my sewing muscles and try this.

Posted by katybeck at 03:05 PM

The latest quilting class was last night.. I worked feverishly all weekend and Monday night to get my 8-pointed star and a my 4-patch sewn so that I wouldn't be so far behind for yesterday's class. Of course now I have a whole load of additional sewing for next week's class! It never ends. :)

Every week my respect for my instructor gets a little bit stronger, though. She is really a wonderful teacher - always prepared, always patient, and never too pushy about making us all do things exactly the way she does. Despite my realizations that quilting may not be a long-term passion for me, she has really inspired me to work harder on this project. I've also discovered that the the sewing concepts I'm learning translate over into a whole slew of other arenas. So I consider it time well spent!

Posted by katybeck at 10:09 AM

He he. Shoestring was just at the top of the Recently Updated list over at MovableType.org:

Posted by katybeck at 11:20 AM

Our fifth class took place last night, amidst depressing rain and fog. I splurged and stopped by Starbucks beforehand to grab some yummy, chocolate-infused caffeine and sugar for myself and Cris. I'm just so much more prepared to learn and focus when I have caffeine in my system.

Anyways, the class was about applique. Our teacher was very fair in telling us that there were many variations of applique, and that her method was not the only - or the best - method we'll ever come across. Basically we cut shapes out of freezer paper, ironed our fabric on the paper and ironed under all the edges, then stitched it all (freezer paper too) to the base fabric. After the fact you take teensy scissors and cut away at the back of the applique so that you can pull the paper out. She showed us some gorgeous examples of an applique quilt she was working on - after trying it out I have renewed and reverent respect for people who choose to do it!

Now we have a two week break to work on our blocks and get ready for sashing and finishing our quilts. I've got a lot to do.

Posted by katybeck at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)