Goodbye, My Right Brain

No, I'm not getting a lobotomy (although some day I feel like I've had one). Just lamenting on the fact that with our upcoming adventure in China, I'm probably not going to have much time to exercise the creative side of my brain.

To help those right-sided neurons stay healthy, I'm going to indulge a little on this post in this past year's creative successes. And yes! That includes the quilt post that I've promised for the umpteenth time...

{trumpet and fanfare, please} May I introduce (once again) the first- and only- quilt I've sewn, based on this wonderful tutorial for the block and stripe quilt over at film in the fridge:

I chose this design mostly because there isn't a lot of precise piecing required, and I like the irregularity of the stripes and how I can play with juxtaposing solid and patterns. 

In laying out all the blocks, I made a significant discovery- almost all my patterned fabrics have big expanses of white (or at least whitish space) in it. I guess that's just what I subconsciously gravitate towards. But it became obvious that I need to diversify (or at least be more disciplined when I fabric-shop, easier said than done, ha ha), coz for this quilt, I could barely find enough fabric with colors to, well, give the quilt color.

And to my most (uh hmm, least...) favorite part of quilt-making: the binding.

I've heard that it gets easier with practice, and I know there are professionals out there who will do that for you for a pretty penny. Well, I guess I'm not productive enough to send any work out. And the truth is, to make binding look nice, regardless of the method you use (some of you have kindly shared many a tutorials with me), I guess the bottom line is to exercise patience. Which is something I don't have a vast reserve of. Oh well. From afar you can't really tell how wonky it is, right?

You may have noticed the recurrence of this lovely fabric in this following project: a seating pouf! Based on this super easy tutorial from Living with Punks. And when you have a multi-week/month project like a quilt on hand, it's nice to have a simple project like this that you can bang out over a weekend. Ah, the sweet smell of instant gratification...

Yes, those are Eva's initials, cut out of white felt and stitched on this most adorable ikea fabric (I machined it since I'm lazy, but for a more homemade feel, hand-sewing with embroidery thread will probably give you nicer results):

I've always been intimidated by piping, but this tutorial has convinced me otherwise. Hey, even I-who-hath-no-patience can do it, you should give it a try if you haven't yet! It just helps give your project that more "professional" look. 

Eva trying out her pouf... "Hmm, bouncy" 

Perfect place to sit down and water feed my baby. 

These pictures were taken about 5 months ago. She still loves to sit/ bounce on the pouf. I filled it with a polyfil type fiber, which makes it very lofty- perfect for bouncing- but to provide more practical/ supportive seating, a bean bag or maybe even bamboo fill might fit the bill.

OK, one last project, promise...

I finally broke down and got my first Macbook. About time, I know! Well, I can't let this piece of precious equipment travel naked, can I? I was so psyched to have found this super easy and stylish tutorial on prudent baby:

And that Echino oil cloth... So gorgeous, yet, sooooo sticky... I made the mistake of sewing it like normal fabric. Well, all I can say is, DO NOT make that mistake, or you'll want to gouge your eyeballs out with that seam ripper. 

Actually, scratch that. That's not all I can say. What I could share to spare you hours of misery: READ THIS OILCLOTH SEWING TIP FROM SEW MAMA SEW. I stuck the masking tape on the oil cloth directly (coz I was using a walking foot and sticking tape on the foot will mess up the "grip"). It was slightly messy removing the tape, but hey, it works!

Oh, and one last discovery- while attempting to attach the binding to the case, it didn't occur to me that I can't use pins since the oil cloth is so darn thick until the evening I was determined to finish this project. And I don't have those fancy binding clips... except, I have my daughter's hair clips! Leftover from this project. Voila! 

OK, I won't use that if you need a lot of precision. But in a pinch, these work. 

Whew! That's one marathon post. Kudos to those of you who actually read all the way to the end here. I plan to look back at this post whenever I feel my right brain twitching while in China. Or maybe I'll find a fabric store there and go on a binge. 

Happy creating :)

Comments

[Joan Hitlin]

Oh, yes. Buy lots of fabric in China.
Gorgeous colors, patterns, images.

Meanwhile do you have a frontal baby
carrier that can subst as a kitten carrier?

♡ Joan

[jeanne boyle]

omg, omg, omg !!!!! why do i waste so much time on the internet and not check in with you?? I am crazy excited for your China trip! and that you purchased a Macbook air, and am in love with that cover you made for it (you know i will try and then reach out for help when i can't make one myself), and am even more in love with that little girl, she turns more gorgeous every time i check in and i am so proud of you, being able to leave Bry for that long, you KNOW i could never do it! And lastly, I can not wait to see the photos from China! Good luck to you my friend, I promise to check in more often!