This is really bugging me

I thought it would go away - that feeling - when something is just not right.

See this

It's a Dear Jane block. I made it last weekend - took about 45 minutes and I did paper piecing. When I was finished and pressing it, I noticed it - the problem that's bugging me. See the upper left and bottom right corners - notice anything?

They are supposed to match - they don't. Immediately I thought - just leave it, there's no Dear Jane police. It'll be fine.

It's been on the design wall all week and every time I walk by it I cringe a little.

I'll have to do some un-sewing. Sigh.

Dear Jane...

...sometimes I wonder what you really did. Did you have a house servant to do all the work around the house so all you could do was sit and sew all day? How many people, if any, helped you with this quilt? Did you ever swear in frustration? Miscalculate measurements? Wonder what the heck you were thinking to start this project?

J7

K3

That Second Noise...

I was happily sewing away on my drapes, when suddenly there was a noise, and not a good one. The needle came loose and went down into the bobbin case for at least two stitches until I realized what happened. I swore. Then I took apart everything, found the broken piece of the needle and put everything back together. That's when the second noise started. It's the one that's most worrisome because it sounds like two things are rubbing together in the bobbin case that shouldn't be rubbing. So I took it apart again - didn't solve the problem. Then I got a little worried because as much as I'd like a new machine, I don't want to have to pay for one right now. So, I decided to call Danny, my repair man. There was no answer. Damn. I'm hoping he was just busy so didn't answer the phone - and not that he's on vacation. (After all, I have drapes and Dear Jane blocks to get finished.)

The first panel of drapes is together and hemmed on all edges. I just need to put the pleats in. The second drape is here

with three sides finished.

I went on a shopping trip on Tuesday to Niagara with a friend. It was a beautiful day - 13C - sunny and warm. We stopped at the Bee Modern quilt shop and I picked these up for baby shoes

organic cotton

organic cotton

organic cotton

just cute

The place I wanted to go to for lunch was closed - a minor bummer in the day. All in all, it was a great day.

Here's hoping my machine is fixed quickly. Until then, I'll get some knitting done and do some hand applique for Dear Jane.

Spring Break

It's March break around here - a whole week of no school. I don't know who is more excited - teachers or kids!

For the last 6 years I have gone away on March break - to the southern US - which I've loved. The trip didn't work out for me this year (too many house repairs on the horizon). And I'm actually glad to be staying around because I have things I want to do around the house (and my bum is happy for not having a 20 hour car ride).

On Sat I tried a new knitting shop and picked up these yummies

this is a much better red than it looks in this picture - it will make red and white mitts for me

this will make these slippers for me

this will make light weight mittens for me

On the sewing front, I've been working on my drapes. I really don't like sewing drapes - they are so cumbersome. I'll do them for myself to save money though. The front and lining are together for each panel and one side has the front and back attached

here is one side; a blurry puddle on the sewing machine table

I also need to clean and tidy my sewing room. Here are my before picts

this one is in progress. I got a bunch of these green boxes from ikea, which fit perfectly lengthwise.

Tomorrow I'm going on a shop hop here, with a male friend who doesn't sew or knit or do anything very creative. And he's not always patient. We'll see how it goes.

Mini Sewing Retreat At My House

On Saturday I hosted a mini sewing retreat at my house for myself and three friends. At first I wasn't sure we'd all fit, but it worked out fine.

We were scheduled to start anytime after 10. By the time we all arrived and quit gossiping catching up, it was nearly noon until we got started. Lunch was roasted red pepper soup - great for a chilly day.

K is working on a pillow case.

L had several projects on the go - she got the most done I think - amazing what happens when there aren't two little ones around.

One of L's many projects

C was tracing and cutting a suit for a body building competition

I made these

the top pair go with the low volume quilt (for a baby girl) and the bottom go with the knitted hat below (for a gender unknown) baby

I finished this quilt last week and gifted it to the parents (I work with both the mom and dad to be) on the weekend. They loved it (and the shoes too)

Here's a few close up shots

the quilting looks best on this, but the colour is awful

my helper

the whole idea

some of the back side

I also finished up this little hat this week - it's going to be gifted to the baby getting the elephant shoes. I work with the soon-to-be-first-time-mommy. She and her husband do not know the gender of the baby.

100% merino

The stripes came in this cute colour package

sunset by the lake

It's been a busy time around here. Spring break starts on Friday - I've got to get those drapes finished!