Journey Two???

Months ago, on impulse, I signed up for something more treacherous than a BOM -- it is a project of the month -- a POM, as it were.  It is called the "Prairie Women's Sewing Circle -- Journey Two."  I don't know where I was when these women made their initial journey, and I don't know if journey two is reversing their steps and heading back where they came from or whether they are pressing on (pun intended) for even greener pastures.  Doesn't really matter.

All too soon the monthly packages began accumulating -- they are from the Fat Quarter Shop, and as always, the fabrics are gorgeous and ample, and the directions seem to be clear.  I don't know for sure.  Because I'm not too far along.  Yet.

I decided to begin with this project, "Remember Me," which can be used as a signature quilt.  I chose this one to start with because one of my goals for this summer is to attempt freezer paper applique and the instructions for how to do it are detailed and have tiny drawings.

Piecing the block centers was fun and all too soon it was time to attempt the dreaded "A" word.  I put it off as long as I could, but now that Hospice Man is completed, I need something for in-front-of-the-TV handwork.

Today I borrowed a paintbrush from the camp at school and dabbed spray starch around the quarter-inch margin and then pressed.  One burnt thumb later, two are pinned in place and eight more are ready to have their paper removed and then be pinned.

We'll see how it goes with the hand-stitching.  I'm going to try to prep ten more tomorrow and the final ten on Thursday.

I did mention, didn't I, that this is a series thing?  These are the other projects that have come or will come and are still in their bags downstairs.

And me, the one who has "no use for little tiny quilts" is on schedule to have plenty of them.

Fortunately, Caroline has dollies and Sam has bears that need to be covered up.

'Nough said for now.  Gotta go ice the thumb.

Stay tuned.

Comments

*karendianne. said…
aww this is fun! I like the way you share the whole thing. Happy! Inspirational! What a delighting post. :)
Amy said…
Oh, I didn't realize that these were all doll quilts. I saw it in several web stores, but didn't make that connection. It was very tempting, but Bonnie's bow ties are going to win out for me. And you're doing both! More power to you!
Janet O. said…
No, no, Nancy. If you go over to the dark side and start liking applique, I will be all alone in my little patchwork-only world! : )
These are awfully fun looking--can't say as I blame you for signing up.
Pat said…
You certainly do get yourelf into some interesting adventures. I find that ice crfeam works well for a burnt thumb, as do frozen maragritas.
QuiltingFitzy said…
Slap a used dryer sheet on the right side of your circle, and sew a scant 1/4. Slit the dryer sheet and turn that bad boy inside out; press well. Then do your applique. No more burnt fingers and you'll be caught up in no time.

Man, I'm really loving these little things. I'll adore from afar, thank you very much.
Dawn said…
Warning - small quilts can be addicting...I too was recently bitten after swearing off them a few years back..Great fun!
LizA. said…
Methinks you give to temptation as easily as I do. Thus far I have resisted small quilts....she says as she's knocking on wood......
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
I'm impressed! This pattern is terrific and jumping straight into the waters of applique with circles is very brave... you are doing a marvelous job, too; they're GREAT!
Bobbi said…
The facing idea works really well. I'll bring a piece on Sat and you can try that. I think you will like it. Do you have a mini iron? I'll bring my Clover on Sat And you can try that too. With appliqué you need to figure out the method you like best, there are so many ways to do it. Or not.
Lori said…
Hahaha adorable projects and once you start making little projects it is hard to stop!!
OT Quilter said…
Since you are appliqueing circles, try either Karen Kay Buckley's method (baste around the edge, leaving a thread tail, gather around a templar cirle, then starch and press;) or Sharon Schamber's piecelique, which is a lot easier than it looks. Good luck!
Teresa said…
You sure did a nice job on those blocks.
Juliann said…
Oh I love, love, love circles! When I am using freezer paper, I turn the circle so the shiny side is out and then iron the edge to the freezer paper. It is one less step than the starch.