Sunday, June 30, 2013

Just call me a rule breaker.......

Yep...it's official.....I am a breaker of rules......albeit my own.  I usually won't sit down to sew unless the house work has been done.....you know, floors, dishes etc......but today I was keen to get the Surrounded top finished so as soon as I got up (at the crack of 8) I started sewing.....I thought I would finish the top yesterday but it didn't happen and my dining table has looked like this for a few weeks now....and I really wanted it all back in the sewing room so today was the day to finish the top.......(the reason I left it set up on the table was so it would get finished......I think if it was in the sewing room it might have been out of sight - out of mind!)


I got to the pieced border last night and thought I might dispense with it and jut have a plain border - but you know how it is....I thought I would do just one side to see if it a) fitted, and b) looked ok.......it did, so today I made the other three borders and even though I procrastinated, took time out to call a few people, made lunch......and generally faffed about I managed to finish it....and here it is.............
 
Surrounded, a pattern my Margaret McDonald, started in a class at Threadbear in May this year.....I am pretty happy with the way it's turned out and pretty happy it's done! Now to have it quilted........
 
 
One of the things I bought at the Sydney quilt show recently was a set of the Bloc Loc rulers.....made for squaring up half square triangles (and there are also a set of Flying Geese rulers as well)  ...since there were a few HSTs in this border the ruler came in very handy......it was simple to use and made for very accurate HSTs..it locks onto the seam and doesn't shift when you are cutting....very clever!



There is a tutorial on the website if you want more info. 

That's about it for sewing for me...I have been very disciplined and even though I found the amount of machine piecing in this quilt a bit tedious and was very tempted to start another project, I knew if I put it aside it would probably not get done - now I can reward myself with a new project!  Hmmmmm which one to pick! 

I haven't been doing much stitching at night but now that the Tour de France is on I might get some stitching done while I watch that......Wimbledon doesn't hold much interest for me since my favourite (Rafa) went out in the first round so I might leave watching that until the finals.
 
btw - the housework all got done after I finished the top.....I love Sunday nights when the house is clean and tidy and all is organised for the working week.......

'Til next time...........................Lorraine

20 comments:

Terry said...

Your quilt top is beautiful! :0)

Cardygirl said...

It looks fabulous...well worth the effort dear friend! I am super impressed it is finished and you have a clean house too!

Leanne said...

You deserve a pat on the back there are a lot of pieces in your lovely quilt. I wish I was as disciplined a quilt top and cleaning.

loulee said...

What a pretty quilt. It looks wonderful.

Shay said...

Oh My goodness...that quilt is absolutely stunning! I love it.

Im so glad you could get the important stuff done first (ie sewing ) rather than the boring but necessary stuff (ie housework)

Sue SA said...

Ha I sew first and do the housework in the little time left! Love the pattern, very striking in two colours. You are very disciplined for leaving it all set up until it was finished...want to help me with my seven big UFO's!

Susan said...

It's gorgeous Loz.

Anonymous said...

wow Loz your quilt is awesome,well done,it looks very hard and love the idea of Bloc Loc,have a wonderful day.xx

Lynda said...

The quilt top is fantastic. I'm happy you're happy with the Bloc Loc ruler. Mine is still in the quilt show shopping bag - not yet unpacked. I did no housework over the weekend.

Joolz said...

That is a very snazzy quilt top - makes my eyes go funny looking at it! I had a lovely 'home by myself' weekend and did a bit of cooking and blogging and not much else. Bliss!

Sew Surprising said...

Oh wow, I always thought I was the only one who would do the house from top to bottom before I could sew. So congratulations on breaking the rule wish I could hahaha. The quilt is lovely, Im off to look up that nifty ruler :)

River said...

The quilt top is very beautiful. Glad you finally got it done.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

My type of girl...love the quilt...

Fairy Floss Stitches said...

LOVE the quilt Loz! Huge effort...
I am working on a blue and cream HST quilt. I bought the pattern when we were in Houston from Primitive Gatherings. Trouble is ..I keep getting sidetracked and don't get back to it!
I love tour de france too...great excuse to stay up late! Xx

Jen said...

HI! Lorraine, The quilt top is lovely, beautiful pattern and colours. I try to have everything done before I enter the sewing room also. Tomorrow I am NOT going to worry and get more sewing hours in the day. Hopefully!!

Lounging with a Latte said...

That's a lovely quilt, well done.

AnnieO said...

Looks great, Lorraine! Glad you pushed through and completed the whole top. The borders definitely worked wonderfully! I bought a set of those Block Loc tools too--very handy indeed, but I need to watch the video for some extra hints! Enjoy picking out the next project :)

Chookyblue...... said...

gosh I break the rulers all the time.........sneaking off to the chookshed without cleaning the house......oh and the quilt looks great.....

Jo said...

Hi Lorraine,
This quilt is gorgeous! The patterns are so effective and I love the colour.
Hannah :o)

DAWNIE said...

The quilt looks great, also what a top idea with the ruler