Some of my cut fabric! Photo by me.
I was so excited to get back to my Independent Learning Project this week and spend two hours of time on my quilt and maybe start sewing! This week our blog assignment was to share what we have done, what we are thinking, how our project is going and our plans.
Let me bring you up to speed. Last week, I finished pressing and organizing my fabrics and my plan was to start cutting and sewing the fabrics this week. I started cutting my fabric and I’m still cutting after two hours! I really thought that I would have been finished with the cutting portion of my pattern, but I am not. In all honestly, I thought I would have a small block finished by now to post on my blog. But, I need to take a step back and remember that there are lots of pieces to this quilt, 86- 4″ squares from just the fat quarters . In addition, I need to remember that I want this assignment and project to be as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. So I don’t want to rush through and make a mistake, like cut something wrong, which I have already done! Thank heavens for extra fabric! 🙂
This brings up some of the questions that have come up during my research of this pattern and process. For one, the pattern requires sewing flying geese blocks. In the picture of the quilt pattern, this looks like triangles with nice crisp points. I have not sewed a block like this, so I decided to dig a little deeper and read how to do this correctly. In the pattern, it states that I can do this by drawing a diagonal line from corner to corner and then sew on the line and then trim the seam allowance and press towards the darker fabric. Sounds simple enough, rather than cutting out the triangle and the square and trying to piece it together. I am excited to try this way of making the flying geese blocks. I think I will make a practice block of geese before I use my quilt fabric until I get the hang of it. I think I will find a YouTube video tutorial of the block to see exactly how its sewn together. Hopefully, next week I will be able to share my experience and have a block to show you all.
As far as my plans for my project, I am going to keep on cutting my fabric! I have at least 60 more 4 inch blocks and 25 – 4 x 10 strips to cut and then I will finally be able to start sewing. The first block is the flying geese pattern so I want to practice the block with strap fabric before I sew with my quilt fabric. It might be an additional step, but this is a learning project too, and I want to learn how to do it correctly. So, I’ll keep on cutting and smiling! I’m just loving this project!
JaimeBurkink 
Hi Jaime!
I love checking in on your blog and seeing how your ILP is going. It looks like you are making good progress! Also I must compliment your colors. They go together so well! I remember my least favorite part in making a quilt was all of the pressing you had to do! I hope you enjoy it more than I did! I am glad you are enjoying your project. Making a quilt is a very rewarding process. I still use the quilt I made to this day!
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Thank you for your nice comments to my blog post. I am glad that you like my color combination, it took me some time to find the right fabrics, but I think they turned out okay. That is awesome that you have also made a quilt and found it to be a rewarding experience and still use your quilt today! Quilts last forever and a great to snuggle up with on a cold day! 🙂
Jaime
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Your project sounds awesome!! My grandma sews and she tells me all about how long it takes her and how many different pieces there are. I would agree with you and think cutting would be the shortest and easiest. The problem is, the pieces have to be perfect and cut a certain length and all that fun stuff! I will be so excited to see how your quilt turns out!! How fun!!
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Thanks for your nice comments to my post. The cutting portion is taking some time, but it will be worth it in the end! I am excited to see everyone’s projects and share their experiences from ILPs.
Jaime
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I’m glad you’re enjoying your ILP and making so much progress. Cutting fabric can be a very tedious task so I think you’ve got one of the hardest parts done!
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Thanks Christa for your comments to my project! The cutting was the hardest and longest part but I think it will be worth cutting all of my pieces before I start sewing that way I can just sew and stop and start! Jaime
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