My Dilemma

Eeekkkk step 5 in Bonnie”s Mystery Quilt has been posted and I still haven’t started.  I have been slightly side tracked by another project.

I woke up the other morning – at 1.30 am as I sometimes do…groan…and lay there thinking for a while just what would I wear for my 40th Birthday Party which is happening in a couple of weeks.  You know what it’s like – you mentally look at and discard all the clothes in your wardrobe that seemed perfectly fine when you were looking for something to wear two days ago – but now that the big “4   0″ is upon me they just aren’t ok any more.

Suddenly it hit me – and no it wasn’t Ashley swinging his arms around in his sleep – I could make myself a quilted vest.  I saw an episode of Simply Quilts way back at the beginning of last year where they made the most stunning quilted vest I have seen in a very long time and I have been itching to make one – much to the horror of my family I might add.  I think they have visions of me wearing it down the street – I haven’t said that I wouldn’t….lol.

So there was no help for it – I had to get up (by now it’s 2 am) and start pulling out fabric and a pattern.  For a start off I couldn’t find the vest pattern I had – I think it got thrown out in a mad clean up one day working on the theory I would never use it…..hah!!!  What do I know?  I found a loose jacket/shirt type pattern that I have made before and could alter easily.

Then for the fabric.  Only those that made my heart sing would be used.  Lovely bright colours.  Cheerful Colours.  Colours that said – Catherine is 40 and proud of it!!!  Well ok the fabric might say that – Catherine still isn’t sure if she is ready to be 40 but I guess I don’t have a  lot of choice in the matter.

By midnight the next night the back had been completed…..

No it isn’t perfect – yes there are mistakes – I call them “humility blocks” but I love it.  Nice and bright and using all my favorite colours.

By lunch time the next day one front side was made….

I love those stars.  So simple to make and easy to iron – Ask James he was helping by that stage.

The other side was done by that evening.  I had a charm pack of all sewing themed square which I just had to use as well.

Each block in each section is pieced individually then sewn down to the muslin backing piece – for stability.  Now considering that it could be 40 degrees or over (read that is very, very, hot) I’m not putting batting in this.  It actually doesn’t need it as there is enough fabric to give the quilting stitches definition.

The Edmar threads I had ordered before Christmas arrived just in time and I’m using them as the quilting threads.  They have that lovely sheen that I adore, plus they will add that bit of bling that I want without being over the top.