Bah.
Ironing is the inspiration-killer.
Unpacking the Anna Maria Horner package had my brain singing with possibilities. I pre-washed and dried and… was left with this giant mess. Looking at this pile immediately sapped all the excitement of putting together brilliantly-colored blocks, perhaps with charcoal sashing:
Ugh
Almost three hours later, after two squirt bottles of water for the pressing, a Grey’s Anatomy season premiere and half of Bill Maher, at 1:30am, I have this:
At LAST.
All done.
I got the jelly roll pressed, but didn’t clip the threads. That’s still ahead.
Work ahead
Feeling a sense of accomplishment, I turned my head and saw…. this:
Shit.
I can only assume the women who turn out quilts practically daily do not have jobs.
Slightly Over One Hour Later:
I’m not sure pre-washing jelly rolls is such a good idea… some of the strips lost nearly 1/4″ to fraying. Also – pain in the ass. And messy.
Trimming Fallout
Erin says:
Man, it must have been satisfying to see that pile, all neat and tidy and ironed. Just block the rest out and pretent it doesnt exist! Thats what I do, sometimes I pile all my messy crap into the built-in, close the door, and pretend all the pretty cut pieces ready to sew on my sewing table are all that exist! I dont pre-wash my fabrics. I used to, but after reading so many blogs where people didnt, I thought I would give it a go and have never had a problem! My quilts do shrink slightly and get crinkly in the first wash, but its the crinkly look that I love so much! Happy sewing, and from one newbie to another I think you are doing fantasticly!
Erin says:
Erin – I’m getting pretty good at “selective vision” in the sewing room. I’m not at all a neat freak, so that helps.
I think I’ll try not pre-washing next round to see what it’s like, sewing together fresh, unwrinkled fabric I didn’t have to unwrinkle and unfray myself. I like that antiqued look, too! Your end products surely don’t look like you’re a newbie, wow – very nice! I’ll have to spend some more time looking through your site. Thanks for the thoughts!