The Quilt Top Is Completed

 Yesterday was sunny with a high of 23C (humidex 25C). This morning it is sunny and 12C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 26C (humidex 29C). 

Lifestyle

I am exhausted even though I have slept well. The sewing marathon of making the quilt is over, the adrenaline rush is gone, and I am dragging myself around this morning. I will be back to normal in the next couple of days. 

I was out on the deck this morning looking at the vegetables. All are healthy and growing well. Even the flowers, onions and 3 tomato plants in the garden boxes are doing well. I will have to start watering them tomorrow as there is no rain in sight for the next 4-5 days. No deer have visited. One neighbour ran out with one dog at his heels to chase the deer from their yard. The dog barked a lot and they took off in a hurry through the area behind us. They may not be back for quite a while. 

Sewing

It was a marathon sewing day. I started at 9 am, stopped around 12:30, back at it just after 1 pm and finished at 3:30 pm. We have a quilt that is ready for the long arm quilter. 

This quilt was a lot of work as there were so many seams to match up. I had to make sure every block was the right size which actually happened (miracle). The center block was as straight as I could get it and when I started to put it all together, it was square. I did measure the borders and made sure they were the same size when I put them on. The quilt measures 53 x 84" which is a lot larger than I had thought it would be. 

I staggered out of the sewing room leaving behind quite a mess of threads and fluff on the floor and I am sure a lot of surfaces. The top needs the lint roller run over it and a final pressing done. This morning's job before I take it to the long arm quilter. 

I swore that I will not do this kind of sewing again. It took me 5 intensive days of cutting, sewing, and pressing to make. There was one day of laundering and starching the fabric. I was informed last night another one of these panels is arriving to make a quilt next year. I will be starting it in March so I can enjoy the process. 

I am quite proud of the quilt. I found the block on Pinterest and liked it a lot. I designed the idea of the pyramid from another quilt I saw somewhere on the internet. The idea was formed and I knew I could execute it after I made the block. I was excited to use the flying geese ruler family gave me for Christmas and it was a life saver. Looking at YouTube videos on how to use it gave me an easier way to make the geese with a bit more wasted material. I learned a lot in a hurry but am happy I did. No going back to the old way of making geese. 

Knitting

I tried the coat on the doll and am happy with the fit. 

I am going to knit it again on a size larger needle to see how it looks. If it looks too big, I will make it longer so it is a coat. I know this designer's patterns are ones that I have to work on to get the tension right. I knit more true to the yarn's given tension and she knits a lot looser. 

I will start the socks now that I am not exhausted after dinner. I need to wind the yarn into two 50 gram balls before I can start. 

Thoughts

    I am amazed at how limber my back/hip feels most of the time. It does get tired when I have to do a lot of the same thing, especially standing. I had thought I would have pain last night as I was up and down so much and then knelt on the floor to measure the quilt. I did have problems getting up as I was sore and somewhat stiff. 

    I have to spend some time in the sewing room cleaning up and putting the screens back into the windows. I want to get it neat and tidy so I can enjoy sewing the next projects on the list. I ignored the mess and by late yesterday afternoon it was annoying me. 

    I am going back to my old routine once again. I am going back to eating healthy, doing house work in the morning, sewing in the afternoon, and knitting at night. I want to slow down and enjoy doing things but stay active to be healthy. Once the next few days are done (grandson's graduation this weekend) I will be focusing on what I need to do. I have been thinking and will write about next week. 

Today

I have to use the lint roller on the quilt and give it a final pressing. Then it is off to the long arm quilter where I will find the backing, choose the design and thread so it can be done. I have to do some shopping before I come home. I would like to tidy up and vacuum the sewing room this afternoon, divide the ball of yarn so I can start knitting socks tonight. Though a busy day, I can move at a slower pace and enjoy myself some.

Until the next time.......................................................