Wednesday 1 May 2013

Pincushion


A pincushion of the human variety rather was what I was today. I spent the best part of my child free hours out in the garden, mowing our grass, our neighbours grass (they're nice and I was in the mood for a random act of kindness) and then I got down to the pruning. The only bit of gardening that I have any ability in really. But those thorns. I could have done without them.


I don't have a natural affinity for gardening. I don't find it relaxing like some people do. But I do like sunshine, and one thing I have learned living in the UK - when the sun shines get outside, because who knows when it might happen again.

I did eventually return indoors though, full of vitamin D. And I got to working out how to do my backing for my Siblings quilt. The Ikea number fabric wasn't wide enough by a smidgeon. I contemplated getting complicated and then thought, 'Nah!' So I sewed a strip of charcoal solid down one side. I do have an idea in mind with the quilting to make this look like a great design solution rather than a cop out though.

It would have helped if I took my brain into the sewing space though. First I sewed the charcoal onto the wrong side of the backing fabric, which was a lovely 80" seam to unpick! Next I sewed the charcoal the wrong way round with the seam on the outside. Thankfully I realised that before I sewed over it so I could stop, unpick the seam and resew it correctly before continuing.


Eventually I got it right and proceeded to pin my backing to the floor. This quilt is too big to get the basting wrong. Got the wadding and quilt top on and started the process of pinning.


And that is where I am at now. In the middle of basting. The parenting responsibilities interrupted the process. I will finish it this evening and then the quilting can commence. Woohoo!

Susan


26 comments:

  1. Oh how I hate basting, I don't have a floor big enough! I'm tempted by Emily Strawberry Patch's service I must admit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you insinuating with that photo that you actually completely filled that garden waste bin today? Or has it been full since the autumn?

    Big Bro
    (the cheeky one)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Can't wait to see this finished and you're so right you do have to get outside when the sun shines as it's too good an opportunity to miss.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm with big bro there, no way that was empty this morning ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh the cutting sarcasm of an older brother - love it ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I may just frame the lawnmower picture, as a reminder of what one looks like, it's going to be a looooong time before ours is pulled out. Boat and paddles on the other hand, eminent :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. As an elder sibling I'm with big bro. *g*

    I hate basting, too. But at least I have a big wooden living room floor to do it on. And I should be outside right now tidying my garden. But I've a belly full of meatballs and a cat on my knee so not bloody likely. I can butcher in the rain tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I remember how when you first blogged you were often in the garden or showing pictures of it through rainy windows! Happy basting - horrible process!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are such a nice neighbor. My garden looks like a mess but I am not a gardener. You pin it to the carpet? great!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ah, right, one of THOSE days, back off slowly everyone, away from the tired, hormonal woman!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ah gardening I have no ability in that department. It's so nice to see the sun though.

    ReplyDelete
  12. While in the mood for a random act of kindness, can you come and mow my lawn, too? ;-) I don't mind any other gardening jobs, I don't even mind pin-basting or thread-basting, but the grass....

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, you've had a busy day of it!
    So glad to hear you've made the most of a sunny day. I've been tempted to do the same, but since we still have a smidgen of snow (hello snowy April!)... I'm staying inside to quilt today. ;o)

    Good luck with basting!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That thorn looks deadly ... do you intentionally pin to the floor? or did I misunderstand?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh dear...well hopefully it improves from here on in. In reality though, who has never sewn a piece the wrong way?

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hate basting and I have two quilts I need to baste this weekend. Well done on your random act of kindess-thankfully I have a neighbour just like you

    ReplyDelete
  17. Basting can be a bear. Love your solution of pinning the back to the floor.

    Glad you got to enjoy some sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How exciting! Look at what amazing things Vit D can do for you :) May the sun shine tomorrow and your quilting be amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh man how I hate pinning quilts! How many more freckles did you get today! Tee hee! Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'd rather baste than garden!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'd rather be gardening than basting. I need a basting slave. I wish Emily lived closer.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hate basting! Often puts me of finishing a quilt!

    Should be out in the garden too - for more than just walking round with the pup!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sounds like a productive day despite the sewing mishap! It's good to hear that even the most talented quilters (that's you) get it wrong sometimes!! Looking forward to seeing this quilt :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'd rather baste with pins than garden, and I never use pins! (That's your Stitch Tease quilt not Siblings isn't it?) x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Not a fan of crawling on the floor basting. I hope that sun is shining in July.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I read them all and I love them all. I do my utmost to reply to comments as often as possible. If you comment and never receive a reply from me there is the possibility that you are a no-reply commenter.