I’ve spent quite some time this last week getting ready for a class this weekend with the talented Irene Blank at Somerset Patchwork. Wanting to be a good student, I cut out the background pieces as per the requirements list, then started on the other pieces Irene suggested making before class.
From these…
…I cut bias and made 1,000 inches of 1/4 inch bias…
…but I wasn’t happy with it; it was the wrong size – it should have been 3/8 inch but there isn’t a bias maker that size, and it was poorly made – some of the fabrics didn’t t behave well, despite starch spray, and some I’d cut too narrow, which made for uneven bias.
But at 3.38 on Wednesday morning I woke to the realisation that I had bias bars!! Unable to settle back to sleep, I got up and proceeded to cut these…
(much more variety), and using the correct size bias bar, made 1,000 inches of 3/8 inch bias….
…and it’s so much better! Happy girl now! (And I have a load of 1/4 inch bias for something else!)
I also started making this…
…which, while it doesn’t have to be 1,000 inches worth, is nevertheless not enough I’d think, but it’s a start. (I’m all biased out!)
Cutting all that bias left me with lots of scrap, and after some sage advice from Kathie I’ve purchased this…
- in my favourite green, of course, and it will now sit under my cutting table, ready to receive scraps which, hopefully, will be turned into little quilts, or big scrappy quilts!
With a chunk of fabric packed into a box…
…along with my background cut and labelled, and all the other requirements from Irene’s list packed in a bag, I’m ready to go!! I’m so excited!!
Oh, what class you ask? Ah, no time to explain now, you’ll have to wait and see! I’m off to class – can’t be late!
Happy stitching
Meredithe
I KNOW it is going to be an awesome class! Your fabric is fabulous!
I am very envious of you. I would so love to do the Aunty Green workshop! I had thought of flying down for it but the date didn’t work for me. Do you know if Irene sells the pattern? Enjoy the weekend I’ ll follow your progress with envy !!!! Maybe there will be another workshop some time.
oh thats going to be that “special” quilt my favorite in the book of Fabric of Societyisn’t it????
had to laugh about the bias stems, yup I would have done the same thing
very jealous of your green basket guess I should go buy a red one
mine was empty to 2 days ago, I was so proud of myself for cutting up the basket….
oh well!
can’t wait to see your first block !!!!
Hey M I know where to go for some bias!!!!! Good to see you at the class today – Irene is soo lovely and I luuuved her show and tell!!!!
So impressed!! Looooove the bobbins the bias is on !!!
Enjoy!gxx
I’m looking forward to seeing what you make with all that bias! That really is dedication to get up that early. I’m really enjoying making my strippy scrappy squares – they are really quick and easy and a good ways to use up scraps!
Can’t wait to see your progress on Aunty Green – are some of those fabrics leftovers from Billings?! Hope you enjoyed class.
Oh my . I thought that you were going to be a good girl this year. Starting yet another project !!! I am being lazy at the moment . Lost me Mojo xx
Had a wonderful weekend with a lovely group of new friends – and some not so new!!!! Can’t wait to see our progress! Straight home to stitch again, but had to check your blog
Mmmmmmmmm what workshop can I do with Irene next?!?!?!
Very interested to watch your progress. Like the colours as well, keep up the good work!