Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Following Directions

{Linking up with Ginny and Frontier Dreams today}

{Also, featured over at Whole Parenting Family today...come on by?}

I'm not great at sewing, but it's something I love dabbling in.  It's good for me.  I tend to be a free spirit in a lot of ways - rule following being one of those.  Sewing has taught me a great deal about just following the directions.  I never realized what an issue this was for me until I began learning to sew - quilts, specifically.  I love the making so much that I can get ahead of myself and (shhh) be tempted to cut corners.  But you can't do that - not in sewing, and not in knitting. You need to follow the directions if you want the result.  Things like always washing your fabrics first.  Being exact in your cutting, on top of your seam allowances.  These things matter in sewing and each thing that I have made has become an exercise in disciplining myself and requiring myself to adhere to the rules.  To cast aside my free spirit for just a bit and hunker down to actually follow directions.  I learn valuable lessons each time I make something.




I finally received the fabric squares for the baby quilt I've been planning on making for #6.  I ended up buying  grey for the sashing - a little darker than what I wanted but all my fabric shop had in grey.  I was hoping that it would work alright, since a lot of the prints are on white and I really want them to show up well.  I got it home and all cut up before I realized it is way too harsh - more gunmetal than dove grey.  Ordinarily I'd just give it a whirl, but I really want this to be, well, the way I want it.  So back to the fabric shop I go.  Hopefully I can find something that coordinates better.  I'm following the Baby Lattice quilt pattern by Amy Smart, and the fabric squares I am using are " The Simple Life" by Riley Blake.  So cute.




I finished this this week - a sleep sack for my best friend's 4th baby.  Even as I type that, I can't believe she is having #4. While this may sound strange coming from someone on baby #6, it has been a long road for her.  We've been friends since I was 10 years old...a long time!  When I think of her greeting her fourth little one, I just can't help but believe in miracles and grace.  Yes, lots of grace.  I can't wait to meet her little girl!

In WIP news, I'm finishing up some Little John trousers for a friend's little guy.  What is more adorable than a little bottom flap?  Not much, that's for sure.  I need to locate the perfect buttons and finish up the legs and we should be good to go!  The yarn is an avocado shade of Cascade 220.  I really love this yarn - it is a total workhorse.  It knits up well, is quite affordable, really resists pilling, and drapes beautifully.  (Sorry for no picture, my battery is charging!).

What are you working on?


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24 comments:

  1. Your blog is wonderful!
    I also have a problem with following rules. I want to be creative and improvise and cut corners but you're absolutely right that crafting helps to teach us to follow directions to get the results we want.
    Your quilt fabric is darling :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Hannah! Yes, I'm kind of a kinetic learner - so I have to really make mistakes to learn from them. I've made a lot (a LOT) of sewing mistakes...but I still enjoy it!

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  2. The sleep sac is wonderful.
    I would love to be able to sew, but I find it mindbogglingly difficult. I didn't even know you were meant to wash the fabric first!!
    Can't wait to see the baby quilt, and the baby!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well, you can't really wash the squares first. At least I don't. Eek. Was I supposed to!?!? I'm not very good at sewing, but for some reason I really enjoy it!

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  3. That fabric is precious!
    And I miss you!!
    You're about to have that baby and I haven't even seen you this entire pregnancy!!!
    <3 <3 <3

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  4. the baby pants are wonderful and what could be cuter than a butt flap? in china children till about 4-5 wear pants with slits from front to back......so cute !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have heard that! They potty train quite a bit earlier than their US counterparts too, I believe.

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  5. You seem to be very busy...such a cute sleeping sack..

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are quite a nester Lydia!
    My nesting got so carried away that I sewed a quilt for MY bed! Ha. Well to be fair, my Beloved built me a bed - it's pretty special after 15 years of a mattress on a frame. I kind of wanted something special to christen it with.
    I have to tell you though, I am not a pattern follower either and I never follow a pattern with a quilt. Mine are all pretty wonky, but I love the character that creates! I also prefer not to wash my fabric beforehand because it causes the quilt to pucker up after it's quilted and washed. I love that look! The Quick Change Trousers... now that's another story. I followed directions there and was so proud of myself (and the fact that they turned out!!) I think I made 10 pair in a go :-D
    I guess I'd better post some pictures before long.
    I can hardly wait until this baby arrives and I can commence with cuddling in the new bed.

    Beautiful sleeping sack - if only I knit.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thinking of doing a larger sized quilt when this one is through as well. Isn't it funny - we just got a new bed! Our first "real" bed in 10 years of marriage. I really want to make something special for it, perhaps the same lattice design but with bigger blocks. We'll see.

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  7. ah! cutest fabric ever. one day i'm going to be really ambitious and make a quilt, too. :) i made a doll quilt, all by hand, when i was about 12, but that was before i had my destructive toddler boys...!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Destructive toddlers can definitely put a damper on things. Like when I was almost done with a lace shawl and discovered someone had used scissors on it! Ohhh my. Sanctifying moments indeed.

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  8. Everything is beautiful Lydia. I love the fabrics for the quilt, I do hope you can find another shade of gray or another colour for the sashing that feels right to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kim. I actually found some on etsy and ordered it today...hopefully it will come quickly, I'm itching to get started!

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  9. The sleep sack is precious! What a thoughtful gift for your friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I made one for my own little one and when she saw it she wanted one for her own.

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  10. Awww, the sleep sack is so sweet! Your friend will love it, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
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  14. I love the little sack. Great work! Good luck with the sewing. I am not comfortable around a sewing machine, instructions or no!

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