Sunday, October 1, 2017

DrEAMi! Monthly Link Up/Jinx, A Patchwork Blankie

I wasn't planning on writing a separate post for Sandra/MMM! Quilt's September's DrEAMi! Link Up.  I thought it was going to be quick and simple, just link up to my recent post which included the Halloween coverlet I made for my granddaughter Micah (you can read about it here).  But soon after I posted this past Friday and about ready to mail the quilt in a USPS Priority Mail Box, Medium Size, I noticed how much room was still left in the box and thought I should just make another coverlet which I told my Hubby doesn't take much time at all and we can mail the box on Saturday.  It is now Sunday evening, and the above coverlet was finished several hours, just in time before the sun went down.  Sorry for the dusky photo but I needed something to show for this post.

My bright idea was jinxed as soon as I said this would take no time to make it.
  • First of all, I was just starting to sew the six baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry and since I still had time left to finish them, I put the project aside and pulled out the six fat quarters of gray and citron yellow prints I had just found and put aside for a future quilt for Micah.  I have a favorite pattern I like to use to make baby quilts with six fat quarters, (you can read about it here) and wouldn't you know it, I cut one of the fat quarters wrong and had to come up with a new pattern.  This meant I had to find another fabric with citron yellow and not just yellow and also some other gray prints. By the time I found the additional fabrics and came up with a different pattern, I could have completed the top or maybe two of them.
  • Of course, there were the inevitable re-sewing some of the patches because I'm still having problems with the 1/4" seam when I sew on Hazel, my new sewing machine, and the one row which was sewn upside down.
  • I was planning on backing the top with a piece of IKEA gray-striped fleece which I assumed would work but I read the Care Label which stated, Wash in Warm Water, Do Not Tumble Dry or Iron which, to me, meant that it should not be near a heat source and seeing that this was for Micah it would be too risky to use. Too bad I didn't read this before the fleece was already laid and clamped down on the basting table.  Fortunately I have a stash of Gray Minky Dot to replace it.
  • There was a slight problem where the seam line of the binding matched perfectly with the corner of the quilt and even though I adjusted it, it still happened and I just didn't want to have to rip out and resew the binding--it worked out fine, just annoying.
The one good thing that came out of all the reflecting I did during this jinx-filled sewing experience was that I called these Coverlets because I did not put batting in between the top and the Minky which to me still makes a nice, snuggly covering.  I'm now going to be calling them Patchwork Blankies when I'm making them for babies/young children.  I already call them Patchwork Throws when I've made them bigger for adults.
And the lesson learned from my bright idea of wanting to fill up the box in order to get my moneys worth--next time find a smaller box.  The Blankies, once wrapped in plastic, will be mailed tomorrow. There's still room left for the Binky which Micah left behind and not much else.

In order for your project to be considered a DrEAMi!, it's supposed to be something you see on Pinterest, a blog, publication, etc. and you drop whatever you're doing in order to make it.  I've included in my guidelines, and I just made this comment to another Blogger, anything for my Granddaughter takes precedent over other projects, so making a Patchwork Blankie for her comes first, regardless if a box is involved. 

BTW, it's good that I did write a post today being that one year ago today I started my blog and wrote just this one paragraph with no photographs:

"Thanks to the encouragement of Susan Snooks, PatchworknPlay, I finally decided to start a blog so I can share my latest patchwork and quilting creations and the explanation that is sometimes needed.  This blogspot is still under construction but I'm seeing this as a way to keep track of my activity so bear with me my two followers."

After writing a few more paragraphs, including photos and having a few more followers, I'm happy to say my first year of blogging has been a wonderful experience. I do love being a part of Blogland.  I am thankful for the many friends I have made and for the new blogs, linky parties and inspiration I have found.  I appreciate everyone who read and/or follow my blog and appreciate all of the nice comments that have been made.  I am looking forward to sharing my quilts, thoughts, ideas and maybe some of my craziness  and to continue being inspired by my fellow bloggers.

Thanks again!

Linking up with:  mmm! Quilts

25 comments :

  1. Happy 1st Blogiversary, Rose!!! That's a funny story--so typical of what any of us crazy quilters would do! Glad they're finished, wrapped and ready to go to the PO, and on to your loved one. Plus, now you have the proper "name" nailed down!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. It's seems lately that whatever I say just doesn't happen. It felt good finally mailing the box of patchwork blankies to Micah. And I do like this name better than coverlet, I just have to make sure autocorrect doesn't change it to blanks when I type it.

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  2. Congrats on one year! I enjoy looking at your quilts.

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    1. Thanks Shannon. It's been fun seeing your quilts on the linky parties too.

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  3. Happy Blogiversary, Problem Sister. I love the purple mink with that binding, it looks so cuddly!!

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    1. Thanks Problem Sister, it's been fun getting in trouble with you. Just amazed we didn't bring down Blogland.

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  4. Happy Blogiversary, Rose! Well, you get an A for effort at wanting to get the quilt done so you could mail it the next day. Sometimes things don't always go according to plan, but your quilt turned out really nice, and I'm sure that box of goodies will be well received! --Shopping Sister

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    1. Thanks Shopping Sister! After making so many of those quilts, I assumed that it would be quick but I guess quilt karma said not so fast. My daughter-in-law promised to send me photos of Micah with her new blankies.

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  5. I love the phrase "Patchwork Blankie!" I've made a few of those myself, no batting, and didn't want to call them quilts. The grey and yellow together make such a pretty blankie :)

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    1. Thanks Louise, glad you love the name like I do--sounds so much honest now and it gives credit to the work involved, fast as it may be.

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  6. WOW... that year went quickly, didn't it? Congratulations on a very successful Year One! Love the Patchwork Blankie! Sounds perfect for your sweet granddaughter Micah!

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    1. And thank you my Blog Mentor and Fabric Coach for always being an inspiration and for the encouragement.

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  7. I am very familiar with those projects that "won't take much time" - haha!! And the hurrier I go, the behinder I get!!!

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    1. Thanks Mary! Sometimes I need to watch what I say or write when it comes to quilting. The last one was that I wrote that I didn't like making pieced backings and then the following day I had to make three of them.

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  8. I'm so glad you did decide to blog; otherwise we'd never have met...and I just know we will be meeting IRL very soon. All the jinxes...best laid plans, right? Still, in the end you did fill the box LOL. The quilt is lovely! Bet she just loves the Minky backing.

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    1. Thanks Sandra! And before I became a blogger, your blog was one of the first ones I pinned on my Pinterest Board. And hopefully next year, we can finally meet--it will be fun.

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  9. Congratulations on your blogiversary! You definitely are not the only one who decides to "whip something up" and then it doesn't quite work as expected! I like your coverlet idea!

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    1. Thanks Diann! I'm glad that there are others who've experienced the joys and pains of quilting.

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  10. Your patchwork blanket came out great! Things always take longer than we think!!

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    1. Thanks! Sometimes you shouldn't assume things, especially when it comes to quilting.

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  11. Love the jinx story, and I do hate when that binding seam gets in the corner! Congratulations on your blog-anniversary! It is a nice way to meet your long lost sisters!

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    1. Thanks Kathleen, aka Snob Sister. It's definitely a blog benefit to find sisters to share the joys and pains of our quilting adventures.

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I appreciate your comments but due to traveling and my ineptitude with typing on either my iPhone or iPad, my response may be somewhat delayed. Thank You for your understanding.