We decided to turn her accumulating cat-fabric stash into a quilt (with the help of some pre-cut fabric squares from Lincraft). The girleen was actively engaged and creative with the planning stage (including the rule: "Don't cut the cat fabric any smaller!!"). And she was dead-keen about pressing seam allowances....for a while, at least.
My no-brainer set-up with the seam guide and quarter-inch foot on the machine failed to entice her to sew. I think she guessed how long it would take.She preferred to loll about on wheely swivel chairs and give directions....
And play games on the computer I was supposed to be working on.
Meanwhile, the quilt top was sewn together in an ad-hoc manner. A bit higgledy-piggledy and a riot of colour (with a few - ie. black - bits that don't quite go...), it suits my mis-matched-riot-of-colour, non-conformist, cat-mad kid to a T. Now we just have to finish it.
And NOW.... where is this going? Not sure.
And NOW.... where is this going? Not sure. But I happened to buy Kathreen Ricketson's fab new book* on a whim the other day, and I keep looking through it.... I reckon the pre-cut fabric thing is the hook......
I can't see myself becoming an obsessed quilty type, but am a bit intrigued by the notion of making a quilt that uses some sort of planned cleverness. I can see myself buying a jelly roll or layer cake or two, although I've no idea when I'll find the time to sew it.
*And I finally got around to buying the Perfect Fit, simply as a resource in the (ever-expanding) library.
A complete by-the by....
I've been thinking, that my plan to will my craft book library to the wee girl is a complete waste of a good craft book library. She's a manager, not a grafter. An ideas-girl, not a technician....
I've been thinking, that my plan to will my craft book library to the wee girl is a complete waste of a good craft book library. She's a manager, not a grafter. An ideas-girl, not a technician....
She'll go far in her adult life... and will probably delegate her commuter-crochet to any poor unsuspecting passenger who happens to sit next to her on the train.
19 comments:
delegating is all very well, but she's missing more than half the fun!
Go on strike. Then she'll realise!
Lovin the quilt.
Quickest thing would be a tied or button quilt - as in little or no stitching!? But you know lots of expert quilters and I ain't that!
I'll stick with giant sandwich toasters that you don't put bread in :D
I love the colour combination. I also like the zig-zaggy steppy thing you've got going on there.
Elizabeth Hartman has a really good sandwiching tutorial if you need one.
hehehe... I just love her style! Delegate on little one!
And the quilt top looks great :)
It's just perfect - and I'm excited that you're going to get a jelly roll - beware, it is addictive
You had me smiling and chuckling as I finished reading this post, Nikki. Aw, now, that girleen will go places, no doubt about it. You painted such a lovely image of her though that I had to laugh about "delegate her commuter-crochet to any poor unsuspecting passenger....".
Now, can I start celebrating because I see you making a quilt? Whoop! Whoop! hee hee
Now, if you only lived around the corner, instead of in another corner of the world... I would gladly drop in to help you finish the cat girl's quilt in person.
Looks great Nikki... But it wouldn't be any other way so talented you can do anything.
Her quilt is purrrrfect!
Your wee girl sounds like my not so wee anymore girl. She could and still can organise her brother into doing all her jobs for her without him noticing. She has a great job and is a wonderful person you have all that in front of you. Love the quilt.
A few things...umm, is it bad to agree that your crafty books would be totally wasted on the girl...and then put my hand up as an appreciative recipient ;). But, on the back of that, may I say that I was a bloody good director as a kid, abit of a dabbler but not much staying power but I have grown into my mind, and my grandmas craft books- when I was nearly 30! Craft city for the 11 year old boy here, with the lure of prizes ($1!) at the local show!
Nikki, I LOVE the quilt top! What a marvellous collaboration. As for the craft books - just will them to me. Easy!
I think that your future plan for school holidays might need to be some school holiday program, acceptance that you won't get much "work" done but WILL get the other work of bills, orders, etc etc done, and try to relax into it and have a holiday yourself. I know, it's annoying being preached to, but you need the break too! Just concerned about you my dear! Shall be back in town soon - see you then.
You two make a very good team. One day your daughter will just take over. She just needs to make sure she can do it perfectly before doing it herself. Wait and see, if you don't push, it will just happen and she will be in control of everything!
She is only 5 things it might change. My daughter decided to take charge of my jewellery making tools and with little instructions sits down and makes more earings than she could ever wear in a lifetime. She is now doing a bit of sewing on her own thanks to learning embroidery at school. I think she is better when she is left to her own devises. The quilt looks pretty cool and jelly rolls / layer cakes are the best fun.
The quilt is lovely, maybe a bit too overwhelming for a 5yr old would she be more interested in making small soft toys, pouches instead? Start small and then progress from there? As a girl I loved sewing clothes for my dolls. Or maybe she'll just be happy dishing out orders...
A note about charm squares, layer cakes, jelly rolls etc - I bought my first set about a year ago and I was very disappointed with the randomness of how the patterns were cut, with medium to large scale prints you just end up with a tree stump or a cut off bird... that bugged me.
dxx
Great story - great quilt top - school holiday fun ... I spend my time ferrying to and fro!
Honestly, you haven't got time to be blogging, you've got a quilt to finish! Get to it mum...
your ad-hoc method turned out superbly. love the choice of fabrics and the colour concept is lovely. Nice:)
Love it! (I guess you have to be thankful she didn't want Dora the Explorer all over it!)
Yay for the slide to the dark side...
So super to meet you the other day - great to chat about craft and business and quilting and sewing and kids and all that stuff. The quilt looks great - and you and your daughter are gorgeous!
cheers
Kathreen
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