I managed to get up into the sewing room and sew one block in the Cali & Co sew along Corey Yoder is hosting. This is block 10. I also need to make block 9, but 10 looked easier, so I made that one first. I’m super overwhelmed right now with “stuff”, so I took the easy way out. I felt lucky to spare an hour to sew as it was.
The block came out pretty well, except for one glaring place where the points did not come together, but I decided not to worry about it. Those blocks are so colorful and cheery, they make me happy whenever I work on them.
Today I have house cleaners coming, so I have been tidying the house like a lunatic. I would not want them to think I am a slob, right? Do you do that too? I also believe (due to past experience) that they are not super careful with things, so I am putting up most of my Halloween decorations (and other fragile decor) so surfaces are clear. I will put them back out once the cleaners depart. Most of my holiday decor is replaceable, but I do have some things that are precious to me, and I don’t want to be disappointed as I have been in the past, when the cleaner says “I broke your knicknack”. The irreplaceable antique Italian glass sculpture given to us by a dear friend? “Oh right. I can get another one of those at Hobby Lobby, no worries”. Believe me, I learned that lesson the hard way.
Hope your week is going well!
19 Responses
I am super pleased to report I have now machine bound five charity quilts! These were all just under twin size. The post you wrote and everyone’s comments get all the credit.
The trick for me is cutting the binding just a bit wider (2.5”) and using the iron. No pins, no clips, just a very good pressing does the trick.
Sometimes I make it all the way around, perfectly. Sometimes there are a couple places to fix. I do not take out any stitches, I just pull/sew down the offending area and it disappears, cannot tell.
I am super pleased – charity quilts and baby quilts are now machine bound. My family quilts go to my hand binder (a wonderful lady).
Wow, that is fantastic! I love machine binding now that I have my technique perfected. What a time saver!
Vickie, I always make my binding 2.5″. I just like the way it looks. I ironed before hand sewing it down and thought that really helped me. I didn’t have to use so many Clover clips.
I really like the Cali blocks. I have been saving them for early next year.
Missed points make for character! I think this is my favorite quilt you are making right now. I have a set of fat quarters, but a new start right now is totally unrealistic– that hasn’t stopped me before!
I just want to put everything out of sight and pull out a Christmas project or two. Lol. I am done with Halloween for sure.
DO IT! DO IT! follow your heart….sewing is supposed to be fun.
Love Block 10 and its happy colors!
When points don’t quite match and the fabric colors agree, I sometimes use a fine point color marker to carefully carefully add the appropriate color where it is needed. Don’t tell!
Hugs!
I never thought to do that! I have a feeling once this quilt top is put together and quilted a few missed points are not going to stand out too much. Usually I would fix it because it bugs me, but I just didn’t feel like bothering this time. It was lucky to get done at all!
We’ve had the same cleaning lady for 12-15 years. No matter. We still put things away for the time she’s here & I have a baker’s rack that she has been told to skip completely. I’ve told her that I’ll do it myself to keep her from feeling badly if something breaks. I really like those bright cheery colors in the block!
It is no wonder things have gotten broken. They just arrived with 7 women. I am not kidding. My house is teaming with cleaning ladies. I may have to think this whole thing through. That is really overkill.
7 people?! That’s an invasion……that would be too stressful for me.
I’m not sure what to do at this point. They are in and out in an hour and a half, but seven people is a ridiculous crowd. I don’t even have that many people at one time when we entertain. Not really comfortable with it at all.
I adore my house cleaner but in the past she has dented my microwave, bleached out part of my great grandparents’ photo, broken a piece of very old crystal, etc. I just have to tell myself that these are only ‘things’. They are not vital to my well being. Yes, I do spruce up. My husband laughs at me, but I want Juanita to be able to clean the surfaces easily and not spend time on any clutter.
I didn’t even notice any points that didn’t look perfect! I think this is how it is with any of our quilting. Rarely do others see what we consider mistakes. I just noticed an error on a quilt I made a granddaughter well after it was quilted and gifted. It really doesn’t matter! This mistake I made concerns a piece in a cat’s tail that is turned wrong–one of 12 cats in a very cute quilt. My granddaughter will probably never notice. I didn’t notice while I was sewing it! It’s too late now! And I don’t care…
Well, the crew of cleaners just left and everything looks great. I put up all my fragile decorations and cleared all the surfaces, which is a good preventative measure. My gosh, there were at least seven women trooping in the house with mops and brooms and vacuums. It is a miracle with that crowd nothing got knocked over or broken!
My husband always says why do we clean for the cleaners? I say we just have to pick stuff up and put it away so they can clean efficiently!! I have a husband, wife and another man, they’ve never broke anything, and do an awesome job!! I hope they continue for a long time! The quilt blocks are adorable. I spent a day at church this week and 6 women made 65 pillowcases for the local women’s shelter, the kids put their stuff in them when they leave! Have a great weekend!
The pillowcases are a great donation item. Really a wonderful idea.
That quilt is going to be cheerful….I think you should start a xmas project. Follow your heart!
I’ve had a housecleaning service. They were good but hard on my furniture. I don’t use products like Pledge. They also dinged furniture with the vacuum. It’s such a difficult place to be in. When you need the help you have to just accept some bumps and bruises. I also had ‘don’t touch/bother’ things like Jan. I feel for you.
Every housecleaner I’ve ever had (no matter how good) always dinged up the bottom edges of my furniture and cabinets with the vacuum.