Friday, January 11, 2013

1st two January finishes...and a goal

 
I think the donkey horse is a good likeness of me, don't you think?  I usually most of the time, like to be talked into doing things (even if it's something I *should* do), rather than be *told* to do it. 
 
Ok...so I was thinking that I could "talk" myself into getting more quilts done if I set a goal to keep Ida "dressed" all the time.  I'm thinkin....that YOU"RE thinkin...that statement is about as clear as MUD!
 
Well first of all, Ida is my long-arm quilting machine.  And, by keeping her "dressed", my goal is to have a quilt to be quilted on her at all times.  The thought process is that a "naked" Ida doesn't motivate me to quilt...but, a "dressed" one does.  I'll have to see if this thought process is still working in a few months.  My (self diagnosed) attention deficit can sabotage things!  Do you ever play mind games to talk yourself into doing things?
 

I just dressed Ida, this afternoon, in a Christmas fabric that I found in my stash a few weeks ago.  There is a dark red swirl/on red...flannel back.  I think I'm gonna do a green binding.  I know, it's not a "real" quilt.  There's no piecing.  But, it has some cute graphics that are fun to look at.  And, I didn't want to cut it up.   
 
 
 
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Below are two MIZ-tahke twister quilts that are finishes for January 2013.  The definition for MIZ-tahke is a mistake that you didn't throw out.  You made it work or just made it do.  These are gonna be car and/or lawn/picnic quilts.  I used them to try out or practice a few things. 
 
 
This quilt, I used scrap batting too.  I actually used "Heat n Bond" that comes on a 1" roll to fuse two long pieces of batting together.  It didn't seem to affect the quilting at all.  And, you can't see or feel it in the quilt after it was finished.
 
 
I also machine stitched both sides of the binding on both quilts.  I have to say this is not my favorite way to do binding.  I think because I can't get it to look as nice as the ones that I hand finish the binding on the back.  But, it was good enough for these MIZ-tahkee quilts. 
 
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So, have you ever had MIZ-tahkee quilts?  What did you do with them?  Do you like to do machine binding? If so, what methods do you use to get a good finish?  =)
 
 
Okay...SEW whudda ya think?....can I get a Whoop-Whoop? 
 
I'm linked up to Sarah's blog,  Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Click on the link above and see all the other linkys that are deserving of a Whoop-Whoop!
 

11 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I like the idea of keeping a quilt on Ida as motivation. I don't think I could cut up that cute panel either. I call 'mistakes' - designer's choice! I prefer hand sewing down bindings, but for utility and charity quilts I machine sew them for durability - they will get more washing and wear, so need the extra stitching. I do a long running stitch around the edge of the quilt to hold everything, trim and then I sew the binding to the back and turn to the front, then machine stitch.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Great job! I love the idea of quilting the panel and not cutting it up~ too cute to cut! ;) I haven't done machine binding, but I do plan to give it a try this year. Have a happy weekend!

Chiska said...

I've never had a machine sewn binding look nice for me. So I usually just hand bing. I haven't ever had Miz-tahkee quilt, but I make mistakes that I end up liking better. I'm working (slowly) on a quilt right now for my little boy. I'm doing attic windows around some fat quarters of knight fabric. I had it all worked out which fabrics were going to go where and then I sewed them on differently. I love how it turned out. I don't blame you for not cutting up that super cute print. SO fun!

Granny Annie said...

I cannot sew even one square on a quilt but oh how I admire those who can. You are among my favorite quilters and your quilting machine should never be undressed. Did you ever see the quilt made by a friend for me that is made out of my mother's dresses? Wrapping it around me is a source of strength and comfort.

Kathy S. said...

You get a whoop whoop from me. I love your Mistake quilts! I really love the fact that you decided to keep Ida dressed. I am getting a long arm machine delivered on Wednesday, 1/16. I am soooooo excited! I love the idea of keeping it "dressed". I have tons of quilt tops to keep it busy for quite a while. I'll be looking to you for inspiration. Keep up the quilting!

Shay said...

What an amazing idea! I am going to have to keep Frank (my mid-arm) dressed as much as possible this year - you're right - what lovely motivation! (And gives me an excuse to piece more?)

Shay

Olga said...

Whoop-whoop!! As a newbie quilter, I am so impressed. Also, if you run out of tops to dress Ida in...

doodlebugmom said...

your quilts are so pretty! I have only made 3 quilts so far, they had plenty of mistakes. I chalked it up to the charm of handmade and gave them away anyway ;)

suemac said...

Great start to the new year. I have one quilt finished, binding half done on another and another quilted and ready to bind. Hopefully I will get the last two finished this weekend.

Chatty Crone said...

Okay now I see what a long arm is and I bet they are expensive. WOW ANNIE! You make quilts all the time. Do you know how valuable they are? goodness me I wish I could do them - and I don't even have a sewing machine - yet - but I will!!!

Sarah Craig said...

Personally I call mistakes "design features" and make it work - and some of my favorite quilts have been made that way! Appliques over sewing or cutting mistakes, wonky blocks instead of straight ones - you name it, we've probably tried it! Good luck with Ida and your new year's goals. Can't wait to see how many quilts you do this year! Whoop whoop!!