My next & last new pattern that I want to introduce to you is
Susanna.
I know what you’re thinking,
“Why didn’t she put MORE little Dresden plates on this quilt?”, right? Lol
Susanna started with the “Susanna” collection by Betsy Chutchian for Moda.
I decided to start with 2 of the blues to make Tiny Dresden plates.
Chain piecing is the best!
It’s a great time to let your mind wander
or listen to a good movie that you’ve watched over & over again.
The time passes quickly as I watch the Tiny Dresden plates emerge.
Soon I was auditioning more fabrics to join my TD plates.
If I’m not absolutely sure of all of the fabrics
I will make just one center (not even applique it down)
then make fabric decisions.
Once I narrowed that down,
I went to “work” making the center circles for all of the TD plates.
Not work at all, really.
I love to make the TD centers!
I know, how weird am I???
As a matter of fact,
I offered to make Loraine, one of my pattern testers’,
centers for the TD’s she was making to test my Jellyroll Gemstones pattern.
It took less than an hour
since I had the circles already cut in my little canister.
Pressing then cutting them into strips for easy trimming is key.
With a movie on, the time flies by!
Now before the rest of my pattern testers get in an uproar,
I’m happy to make your centers for you too!
Aren’t these fabulous?
Once my design was ironed out I needed to make a few more TD’s.
Have I told you lately that I actually use my rotary cutter
to cut the string apart & to trim the seam allowance?
Yup!
It’s so much quicker that using my scissors, but you better be careful!
Concentration is key…
And it doesn’t hurt to have some nourishment nearby at times.
The mindless making of the center circles also lets
my mind think of the next upcoming fabric decisions.
Oh but wait, there are more!
I actually took this project to our retreat at Rosemary’s the beginning of February.
No TV watching here,
just good conversation & good food too!
Aren’t they lovely???
In the midst of this project, Clare, our youngest daughter, bought me this cute cart.
She thought it would look nice in our booth.
It’ll be going with us to the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival next week,
but for now it’s looking cute in my sewing room with what’s left of “Susanna”.
More decisions….
and auditions….
and decisions…
and cutting!
Then some organizing.
What a treat for me to relive the process!
My camera is my best friend while I make lots of decisions.
Once I finally liked all of the blocks,
and sewed them together,
I had to make the border fabric decision.
And that decision led to
more Tiny Dresdens!!!
They’re just what the corners of this quilt needed.
I love the addition of the corner blocks.
They really add a lot don’t you think?
It breaks up all of the blue
and gives your eye something else pretty to see.
After Tamara once again did a lovely job of quilting it for me
Nemo & I set it up to be photographed by Scott.
I love the process more than actually having the finished quilt.
How about you?
What’s your favorite part?
Wanna win one of my 3 new patterns?
Your choices are either Dresden Feathered Stars,
Jellyroll Gemstones,
or Susanna.
Just leave me a comment telling me
1. What’s your favorite part of the quilting process?
&
2. What’s your favorite of my new patterns?
I’ll give 3 lucky quilters their choice!
I’ll pick the winners Sunday at 6 p.m. CST.
Until then,
Just Keep Sewing…
Susan
Quilting my way through life! 