Post Holiday Motivation
I had an early Christmas with my kids and then on Saturday afternoon turned to my studio for 2 1/2 days of (mostly) uninterrupted quilting time. Hurray for holidays.
It’s been an amazingly productive 2 days and I still have 4-5 more hours to go.
Here’s what I’ve accomplished so far:
- I finished quilting Structures #53. While this was planned for last week a small incident slowed me down a bit. Some guy smashed into the back of my car on the interstate on my way home from work. Car is fine. I’m fine, maybe very mild whiplash, but nothing yoga can’t fix. I went through a bunch of physical therapy 3 years ago when a different guy smashed into the side of my old car and totaled it. And get this, last year another guy smashed into the back of my car in a parking lot. Male drivers - geesh. What is their problem always driving into my car? What do you bet the deer I hit in 2004, which was standing in the middle of the road looking just like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights, was male also. And yes I’m starting to get a paranoid about driving, 4 accidents in 3 years is a bit much.
- I designed, cut and pieced a twin size quilt top for my daughter.
- I designed 2 new pieces - Structures #55 & #56.
- I’m half done sewing together #55 and will have it done this evening and I’m hoping to get it basted and start quilting it.
I had been planning for and looking forward to this long weekend in my studio for a few months. It’s my holiday ritual every 2 years when my kids are at their dad’s house for the santa visit. It’s a wonderful time to work in the studio as I know there won’t be any email to distract me so I don’t bother checking. I went over and played with the kids Christmas morning and went out for a yummy dinner Christmas evening but other than that I’ve been extremely focused.
The quilt top for my daughter (90″ x 65″):
This was a very simple quilt to make. My daughter helped me pick out some handdyed fabrics that she liked (I did not dye these fabrics - I inherited them earlier this year). I then cut them into squares that were a size that was divisible by 2 1/2″ when finished. So I cut out squares that were 15.5″, 10.5″, 8″, 5.5″, and 3″. I didn’t plan anything, just cut what I could from each of the fabrics and laid it out on the floor until I had enough for the entire quilt. I spent a bit of time rearranging and then sewed it together. Total time for the project was less than 4 hours.
My son has picked out fabrics for his quilt and later this week I’ll cut out the squares sew it together. I need to get it done before the kids return on Saturday so he isn’t all paranoid that I like her better because her quilt top was finished first.
But now it’s back to the studio to finish Structures #55.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, restful or productive or whatever you wished for.
Posted by Lisa in: Goals
Gerrie said,
December 26, 2005 @ 10:56 pm
I love the quilt you did for your daughter - the colors and the abstract quality and yet the down home feel of a comfy quilt!! You are so prolific and hold down a job to boot - you amaze me!!
Mary Manahan said,
December 27, 2005 @ 3:52 am
I second what Gerrie said. And cutting squares that are divisible by 2.5″! It makes it all fit together, right? I’m sorry, I am so retarded when it comes to math. I still am amazed that if I have 1.25 yds of 45″ wide fabric, it makes a square. These kind of things make math a beautiful thing.
As a matter of fact, you may have just solved a problem I’m having making a quilt of mine work. Thank you for the formula…. although to you, it’s probably like a recipe for ice cubes….
Samantha said,
December 27, 2005 @ 7:44 am
I am so glad you are okay after the accident. Sheesh, that is a lot of accidents.
Daughter’s quilt looks lovely. Glad you had such prolific quilting time :-) What a great holiday gift.
Vikki said,
December 27, 2005 @ 1:22 pm
Glad you’re okay after your accident. Your daughters quilt is too cute! I really need to make new quilts for my 3 kiddos!
Kids are too funny - we (moms) can’t do for one child, while “neglecting” the other!
Lisa Call said,
December 27, 2005 @ 3:04 pm
Yes Mary - if all the squares are based on the same basic unit in the end it should all fit together nicely. In theory I could have even matched seams when I sewed it together but I can’t be bothered with that any more.
You could do this with any size. So if you want the basic unit to be 3″ you cut squares that are 3.5″, 6.5″, 9.5″, 12.5″ etc so they finish off at 3,6,9,12 etc. You have to play around to get them all to fit together but it will work.
It’s kinda of like a bin packing algorithm, but easier because you know you can fill the bins (ie the rows for each quilt) exactly evening given that the pieces are cut to fit. Yes I know, that was a really geeky answer.
Bin packing is a fairly difficult problem to solve theoretcially for the general case, way harder than making ice cubes. In real life I find it easy as I can look at the big picture and it just makes sense, a right brain activity.
I really liked computer science theory (where I learned these things), cool problems that are hard to solve and fun to think about. I love quilting more though.
Thanks all for the nice comments. I finally caved in and put the Twyla Tharp book on hold at the library and a book my Eric Maisel. I kinda suspect I already do most of what they recommend but we shall see if I learn some new tricks on being more productive.
Sheila Barnes said,
December 27, 2005 @ 7:30 pm
Looking forward to your critique on the books. Caving can be positive experience, really!
allison said,
December 28, 2005 @ 11:45 am
Some of that fabric looks like Judy Robertson dyed it…
This quilt is better than you think it is. It springs from such a depth of experience…the best work to me is like that, spontaneous, unselfconscious, humble, (as in, no “important” agenda) but deeply informed from within.
Beautiful.
Lisa Call said,
December 28, 2005 @ 2:14 pm
Wow Allison - what a wondeful comment. Thank you so much!
I was wondering about some of the fabrics - they are really nice. I also inherited a stack of gorgeous handdyed sateens - those will be for a quilt for MY bed. Hopefully a project I’ll get to also.
Shelia - I’ll let you all know how the books go!
Renmeleon said,
January 10, 2006 @ 12:28 am
Gorgeous colors, so vibrant and warm. Your kids are very blessed to have such a cool mom to make things for them like this that they can pass on someday to their loved ones. Very cool.
Ria :)
Gina Halladay said,
January 11, 2006 @ 5:43 pm
I love your daughters quilt! I am aspiring quilt designer and I am buying a long arm quilting machine in March and opening a studio this Spring. I enjoy your style and comtemporary quilting. You are an inspiration. I blog about quilting at http://www.quiltersbuzz.com if you have a second to check it out.
Gina