Sunday, February 24, 2013

Not the fun part......

I wasn't looking forward to sewing the cross seams on this quilt top.  Where 4 of the melon shapes come together, the bulk is unbelievable.  I did trim some corners diagonally but it was still a lot of layers at one spot.  I have mismatches but they are going to stay.
Last night I needed to watch more of Doc Martin on Netflix.  It is my Saturday night date.  I watched 5 episodes while I quilted this little zig zag piece.  I'm up to Series 5 Episode 4 now.
I'm doing randomly spaced parallel lines again on this zig zag.  I'm ready to choose a binding today.
My niece spotted this hawk sitting in my backyard when she and her mom visited yesterday.  Needless to say, there weren't any birds at the feeders for awhile.

19 comments:

Sewing Junkie said...

Intersecting seams can be a pain.We have had a lot of Hawks here also. The Starlings are really bad. We do have Robins in the yard in the last three weeks also.Hopefully that is a good sign. Chris

Eileen said...

Both pieces are beautiful Wanda!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I'm planning on quilting my zigzag quilt something like that also - love yours. Heavy seams can be bothersome.
I haven't watched Doc Martin all week and will probably wait umtil next week, I'm watching Downton Abbey this week - I recorded the whole season and now can watch it one after another - between that one and Gray's Anatomy no time for another

Gene Black said...

Wanda, I can't imagine that those small mismatches will matter or even show when this has been quilted and washed.

The zigzag looks great, but then I was sure it would.

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

Hawks add a whole new meaning to bird feeder...

Lovely pieces and pictures!

Kitchener Quilter said...

Hi Wanda,
Love love both quilts. I especially like your placement of the three different snake blocks!

Here's a word of advice from my old tailoring days. Those bulky seams can be flattened into submission by pressing, hard. Use a little water spray, and a dry iron, no steam, to really squash them. Let it really dry, And you could then press it on a hard board, like a maple cutting board, to really get it done. Hope this helps.

Vicki W said...

When we used to feed the birds we would occasionally notice that the feeders would go quiet. Then we would start a game of "find the hawk".
Love the flannel quilt top. I can imagine how bulky those intersections were with flannel fabic.

Paulette said...

I just love your rattlesnake quilt. The random crazy pieced parts are great.

Every once in a while when my mom was making something tailored, we'd hear pounding from the sewing room. That's when she was flattening her thick seams (as Kitchener Quilter noted). She used a wooden tailoring press to hammer them flat with.

That Cooper's hawk is the real "bird feeder"!

Needled Mom said...

I'll bet those corners do have a lot of bulk, but they look great in the picture. I love the zig zag too.

That hawk would definitely keep the other feeders away.

Anonymous said...

Wanda, you never cease to inspire me! Love both of your current projects - a feast for the eyes and the soul.

rondiquilts said...

As always , love seeing and following you everyday.
I would love to see a hawk sitting in my backyard. We see them travelling the roads all the time on power lines. But I've never spotted one in my yard. Thank you.
Rondi

Sharon said...

I missed your post asking for opinions, but you nailed it. Definitely gives the quilt interest and keeps your eye moving around, that is what I love best about your quilts, they are full of surprises. That's a beauty of a bird, we have a few around here and I've seen the eagles as well the past few weeks.

Nifty Quilts said...

I adore your Rattlesnake quilt! The extra "crazy" blocks just make it that much better. Good idea on quilting the zigzags this way. I may do the same on mine. It looks great!

JJM said...

What mismatches ? ? ? Looks great this side of the screen. You are a Perfectionist for sure. I totally understand with you on the bulk you have to deal with.

I felt like a kid looking at your Zig-Zag photo, looks like a fresh box of crayons. So very pretty, love it.

Mr. Hawk visits my feeders also. I rescued on poor lil fella from the clutches of his claws, just by opening the door and stepping out on the deck. Scared the puddin' out of the Hawk. (*._,*)

JJM

Brown Family said...

There is so much going on on that quilt that the small mismatched seams will nit show. The zig zag quilt looks good with the random quilting.

WE see a hawk around here in the city a lot.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I just love that quilt pattern, but wondered if there would be a lot of bulk. Do you know the name of the block?

Teresa Rawson said...

I LOVE your melon project! I really like quilts that are pieced and curved...so interesting. Your little zig zig projects always make me smile...I want to make one with my heart or Halloween fabrics...

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

suemac said...

When I was in Susan Cleveland's class at Quiltcon she had a tool (looked like a wooden meat cleaver) called a Whacker that she used to whack layers into submission.

Paule-Marie said...

Mismatches? What mismatches? I can't see any in the enlarged photo. The quilt looks great.