Monday, December 13, 2010

Sewing - Yes I do remember

Finally, after doing some chores (and skipping a few others) I got to sit at the sewing machine for a bit. Back in August/September, the lovely Bev at 44th Street Fabric Blog sent me two charm packs of Bliss that I won in their giveaway.  On the card in the package was written "Enjoy!" That sounded like a good thing to do.   So Sunday morning I opened the packs and sorted them.  Then Sunday night, while the last load of laundry was drying, I sat at the sewing machine.

I was thrilled to discover that I still know how to sew a 9 patch:

My corners even lined up.  I "cheated" and finger pressed the rows and didn't get up from the machine until the block was finished.  Hey, it worked great.  Then I took that nine patch and whacked it into four pieces.  

Guess what? I even remembered how to do a D9P (disappearing nine patch) 

Even though this is not a Christmas fabric line, with the reds and greens it feels nice and festive for the holiday season.   I usually lay out a D9P this way.  However, there are other ways you can do it.  One I saw did it using the small squares and bars as sashing and cornerstones. It looked great. However I like the way this layout works out. The un-cut squares seem to float in this setting. If you do it a limited selection of fabrics you really see the pattern that develops.  
Here is a picture of one I made a year or more ago so you can see what I mean. 
I did add a piano key border on the sides of it. Don't let that confuse your eyes. 

And if you need a lesson on the D9P here is the one I learned from at Quilts and ATCs

Ahh... My mojo has returned.  I am excited all over again about sewing.  Remember if you "lose your mojo" to just take a few days off then work on something simple. The elegance of simplicity can get you back into your groove! 






10 comments:

luv2quilt2 said...

Your block looks great. I love D9P and have 2 projects underway. I should probably call them UFOs, but I don't want them to be so abandoned.

Anonymous said...

Lovely fabrics, and what you did with them makes me want to try a D9P. I've never done it, and now it's reminding me of Stack and Whack which I enjoyed once. Great advice about stepping back and returning with renewed vigor!

Unknown said...

looks great, I especially love the one you did last year

Pat said...

I haven't been sewing in weeks. I need to make a Mary costume for the pageant at church....and really should get to that TODAY. It's just a simple one, thank goodness. Maybe I'll get to some other sewing after that is done.....by the end of this week. Nice fabrics for your current project.

Royce said...

Gene love your D9P I made two small lap quilts for Christmas using this pattern. Here is a tip from a lazy girl. I have my iron next to my machine on a tiny ironing surface I made from an old cutting board covered with batting then muslin. It's just 12" x 16" and perfect for blocks.

Moosters said...

So glad your mojo is back! Just cut up a Fruitcake layer cake into charms so I can make the same blocks. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Yours is excellent!

Anonymous said...

I love bliss! finally broke down and bought a charm pack, just to have! =) Love that DP9! Great job!

Barb said...

Glad you got your mojo back....and yes, it does look festive!!

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Oh Gene....It is fun to hear you "got yo Mo Jo workin'"....I know that feeling. I liked the D9P...it looks great.

Smiles,
Kelly

Linda C said...

You are right----take a break and don't do anything taxing when you return. Fall in love with it again. I have a pal that keeps some simple string quilt blocks going when she feels like stitching but not thinking about it much. Then eventually those stacks of pieced bands or blocks become a nice utility type quilt.