Oh, No! It's Happening Again!

I've got a new addiction. Here's how I know I've been bitten by the quilting bug: I'm beginning to buy quilting books. I can't go into a store without looking at the selection of quilting books. Late last spring, I realized storage space in my sewing room was disappearing, so I sorted through my collection of sewing books and donated lots of them to the public library. I was very proud of myself. Now I'm buying more books. Of course, I knew this would happen. I just didn't think it would be quilting books.

As a beginning quilter, these are the books I've found most helpful.

1. Quilter's Mix & Match Blocks: This book contains instructions for 50 blocks. Some blocks are very easy and some are more challenging. As a beginner, I appreciate the step-by-step block construction directions. I bought this book a few years ago, but never found the motivation to use it. Now, I'm really glad I bought it. It also includes directions for borders, batting and binding.

2. Start Quilting: This was the reference for the quilting class I took last spring. It covers all the basics, including directions for 6 easy blocks. As with the Mix and Match book, it has all the information you need to make a quilt from beginning to end.

3. Machine Quilting: As in garment sewing, there are certain quilting "celebrities" and Alex Anderson is one of them. I think the actual quilting (as opposed to piecing) is going to be the hardest thing for me to learn. I bought this book hoping Alex would make it easier. She didn't. It just takes practice, practice and practice.

4. The Quilting Answer Book: The subtitle of this book is "Solutions for Every Problem You'll Ever Face - Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask" and I really think that's true. Whenever I've had a question, I found it covered in this book. This book 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 and 1 inch thick - small enough to stick in my purse and carry around.

Book buying is not the only sign of my addiction. This week I drove TWICE to Steve's Sew and Vac in King of Prussia, PA – a notorious black hole shopping/traffic area, especially during the holiday season. And, after Steve's didn't have what I wanted, I drove 25 more miles to Hayes Sewing Machine Co. in Wilmington, DE. I had to get just the right fabric!

A few years ago, I got hooked on soap making. After the initial thrill wore off (and I had almost 100 bars of soap), I settled into making soap only when the mood hits me. I think the same thing will happen with quilting. So, I'm not worried that quilting will replace garment sewing as my major obsession. I will always, always be primarily a garment sewer. Quilting just gives me more of a variety of projects to sew.

Finished: Quilt #2

Quilts = Comfort. Using a quilt can certainly bring comfort. What is more comfortable than wrapping up in a quilt with a good book and a cup of something hot? But who would have thought making a quilt would be just as comforting? For a multitude of reasons, Nov. 16 - 20 was one of most stressful, annoying and frustrating work weeks I've experienced in quite a long time. Finishing my quilt over the weekend and immediately wrapping myself in it was so satisfying, it all but pushed the previous week out of my memory.

This is not a prize winning quilt. The piecing is imprecise. The quilting is wobbly. However, the quilt still does what a quilt is supposed to do, as demonstrated below!


I am so pleased with this quilt, in spite of its imperfections! I love the vibrant colors and I love the fact that I made it! And because I'm so sure this quilt will become a priceless collectors' item, I even made a label!


I'm already planning the next quilt.

Finished: BWOF 06-09-136 & BPF FW-09-404C

Familiarity breeds contempt.
- Syrus (Publilius Syrus)

Though familiarity may not breed contempt, it takes off the edge of admiration.
- William Hazlitt

Nothing is wonderful when you get used to it.
- Edgar Watson Howe

Sorry, Messrs. Syrus, Hazlitt and Howe. I respectfully disagree. After a short fling with KwikSew, Vogue and even Burda envelope patterns, I am very happy to be back to my old familiar BWOF. I still think BWOFs are wonderful and I admire the resulting garments.

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Blouse BWOF 06-09-136

Pattern Description:
This blouse has long sleeves gathered into a cuff; mandarin collar and back yoke.

Pattern Sizing:
European plus sizes 44 - 52.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I made a very minor change, but my blouse still looks like the photograph.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I remember how much I used to hate BWOF instructions. Again, familiarity is not breeding contempt. Being familiar with BWOF instructions is definitely an advantage. The instructions gave me no problem.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the way the collar and front band came together. Usually, the front band inserts into the collar. In this case the collar inserted into the front band.

Fabric Used:
100% polyester

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
BWOF necklines are usually lower than I like, so I raised the neckline by 1 1/2 inches. To make the change, I extended the grain line and slid the pattern up. Then I traced the new curve, blending the lines into top. The top of the band was not changed.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would make this blouse again, and I would recommend it to others.

Conclusion:
I really wanted to see how this blouse turned out because I followed my intuition to make the changes to the neckline. I'm happy with the way it turned out.


Pants: BPF FW-09-404C

Pattern Description:
Fly front pants with hip yoke pockets.

Pattern Sizing:
European plus size 44 - 54

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Absolutely.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
While sewing these pants I experienced a "Why didn't I think of that?" moment. Usually, the instructions have us baste the belt loops to the top of the waist, then completely sew on the waistband before attaching the top of the belt loops to the top of the finished waistband. BWOF almost always has a two-piece waistband as opposed to a single waistband piece that is folded over. In these pants, the tops of the belt loops are neatly sewn into the seam that attaches the waistbands. The idea is so elegantly simple, I wonder why I never did it before.

Fabric Used:
Rayon and lycra denim. (By definition, isn't denim supposed to be cotton?)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made no alterations or changes to this pattern. I did not add the inch to the length as I usually do and discovered I really don't need the extra length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Even if I never make these pants again, I'll be using the belt loop technique again.

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I really enjoy working with BWOF patterns. I have a certain mindset and pace that comes from being familiar with the patterns and it felt good to get back to what I know.