Thursday, July 13, 2006

Country Wife - a challenge


















Little Boy loves the "roads" on this top - I had to work fast to snap this photo before my blocks got all out of order! This Country Wife top is one of my UFO's that I have been picking away on over the past month. I started it last summer and left it in Canada over the winter while I was in Austria - so it isn't too old, but I am anxious to get it done! The connector blocks are scrappy blues and went together very easily. 1/2 connector blocks go along the outside edge and 1/4 connector blocks go in the corners - this will give the outside edge of the quilt a dark blue "border". I have all the connector blocks done!

It doesn't show too well in the photo, but the star centers are scrappy pastel 4 patches. The star points are all the same dark purple fabric. I know I will run out of that purple fabric so I recently bought some more purple fabric (not a match, but hey, at least it is the same color!). All the fabrics came from my stash except the new purple.

But - the stars are giving me fits. You see, for the life of me I just can't remember which way to sew them together. For each and every star I have to lay the cut pieces out on top of a finished star and then pin. And I even have to refer to a finished star for which way to press the seams! Ugh! I don't know why this star is such a struggle for me because the pattern itself is simple enough... does this ever happen to you? Altogether I need 20 stars and I now have 10 complete, plus 2 are 1/2 done. Every time I sit down to sew on my Ocean Waves quilt I force myself to work on a star at the same time.

I would dearly love to just start a new project. But, no, no, no - I am going to stick it out and finish my Ocean Waves and Country Wife tops. It is taking will power though and I keep having to remind myself that it takes less time to finish a UFO than to start something new. Plus, it feels so good to finish something. AND, my big reward to myself for finishing them is shipping them off to be long arm quilted! I like this quilt top so much I just might have to keep this one for myself too!

But, I sure could use some company to get me through this one... so, if you have a UFO in the back of your closet that gives you fits too, please get it out and keep me company! I need company!

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12 comments:

Joyce said...

I am just sewing the binding on a UFO that has been sitting in my closet for nearly a year. It is great to get one finished. Those stars look great but I can see how they would be confusing to sew together. Don't give up though because it is a beautiful quilt.

Hanne said...

I have an Ufo I can give some work later today, if you think it can help you finish your quilt top :-)

Nancy said...

I hope to give you company after I finish the quilt I'm currently working on. I'm going to try to baste it today and get it quilted this weekend.

The quilt that's giving me problems isn't really a PROBLEM just one that for some reason I can't get finished. It's actually 2 quilts made as a study in the effects of changing just 1 fabric in a quilt and seeing the big difference that change made. One is all quilted except for the borders for over 2 years the other basted for that same 2 years. So those are my problem UFOs and with your encouragement will be what I work on next. It will be so nice to get them finished and then on to their chosen recipients.

Melanie said...

What a darling boy! I admire your fortitude in completing the project. I'm working on a gift right now and then I'm going to analyze my UFOs and get a game plan together. Have fun quilting!
Melanie

Unknown said...

I love the connecting block that you used in this quilt.

I'm pushing myself to finish the binding on three quilts that I have been working on for 3 years. One binding done, 1 1/2 way, one not started. It takes a long time to go all the way around a quilt.

Linda C said...

I think I would get addled about working on two projects simultaneously but that's just me. The quilt is looking good so your efforts are worthwhile.

I can see why yout Little Boy (he keeps growing like that and you may hve to change that to "NOT so Little Boy") would really like the linear diagonal chains for rolling cars etc on.

sewprimitive karen said...

Little Boy IS getting bigger; he's such a doll. I'd love to start a new project, too! but better stick to the UFOs in progress.

Samantha said...

Well, I finished my awful UFO back in June, at least, the top is done, but, I just managed to avoid cutting up new fabric so Icould finish my current WIP, does that help?

Little Boy looks very happy with his roads :-)

Laurie Ann said...

I am working on my second Poodle quilt and am really wanting to put it aside. But I know how good it will feel to have it done. If you stick with yours, I'll stick with mine! Good luck!!

quiltpixie said...

I love the stars, its too bad they're such a headache for you to do. Hang in there the quilt will be worth it if the photo is any indicator.

Darcie said...

Great looking UFO, Evelyn! I love the softness of the color scheme. Little Boy has terrific taste!

Inga said...

I'm constantly working of UFO's so you always have a back up in Norway! :-D

Keep up the good work.

Inga