Well, no, it isn't finished, but I am making great progress on attaching the lattice on my Hill Country Baskets blocks. A reader commented on my last post that she could not see that fussy cutting the striped fabric for the lattice was worth all the trouble, but I could not disagree more. What would be the point of a striped lattice that was all wibble wobbly? It would completely detract from the integrity of the quilt in my opinion. I love the look of the fussy cut stripes and think it is worth every extra minute of effort to get it right. What do you think? Pointless exercise or worth it?
On Saturday I had the entire day to sew, and got so much done! My student came over to work on her new project and we stitched away companionably. I have decided that since she is a captive audience while she is sewing with me down in the studio, I should introduce her to the joys of audio books, in an effort to show her there is entertainment to be had beyond video games (her obsession). My first choice of book may not be high literature, but I thought it was a pretty sure bet to interest her. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer. Being An Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jackie" Faber, Ship's Boy. "Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for
Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for
survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is
becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on
the high seas. There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl".
I knew we were in for an educational experience when I told my student that the book was set in the time of Napoleon. "Oh, cool, during World War One", was her response.
Okaaaaaay. The good news is, she loves the story and didn't want to leave to go home. She stayed for six hours and finished all her blocks. "When can I come again next?" she kept asking me. I think my plan is working.
92 responses to “Mission Accomplished”
Ok I was wrong. It is even more beautiful than I imagined. What I meant in saying “not worth it” is that I would have chosen something besides stripes because of the need to be fussy cut, which I wouldn’t have been willing to do. But I can see that the stripes are an elegant choice!!
Ok I was wrong. It is even more beautiful than I imagined. What I meant in saying “not worth it” is that I would have chosen something besides stripes because of the need to be fussy cut, which I wouldn’t have been willing to do. But I can see that the stripes are an elegant choice!!
The stripes are a perfect choice and love the perfect straight lines in fussy cutting. What a lovely quilt. I would have done the same.
The stripes are a perfect choice and love the perfect straight lines in fussy cutting. What a lovely quilt. I would have done the same.
I would not have been ambitious enough to fussy cut the strips, but you are so right. Gorgeous. Maybe I’ll have to try it sometime. What a great touch.
I would not have been ambitious enough to fussy cut the strips, but you are so right. Gorgeous. Maybe I’ll have to try it sometime. What a great touch.
Fussy cutting was so worth it! Beautiful quilt.
Fussy cutting was so worth it! Beautiful quilt.
The stripes look so nice and well worth the effort! Can’t wait to see the finished product. Awhile back you were working on a quilt with a line of fabric called Arnold’s Attic. What was the name of that quilt and did you finish it? I looked back in your ‘archives’ but could not find it. Was it Shiloh? Looking back through your achives was very interesting and so humbling for me – how do you get it all done?!?!? I need to start drinking the same ‘go’ juice you drink and maybe I could get half as much done. 🙂 Thanks for your blog posts – I love them!
The stripes look so nice and well worth the effort! Can’t wait to see the finished product. Awhile back you were working on a quilt with a line of fabric called Arnold’s Attic. What was the name of that quilt and did you finish it? I looked back in your ‘archives’ but could not find it. Was it Shiloh? Looking back through your achives was very interesting and so humbling for me – how do you get it all done?!?!? I need to start drinking the same ‘go’ juice you drink and maybe I could get half as much done. 🙂 Thanks for your blog posts – I love them!
I always fussy-cut if it is at all appropriate. I agree that it will be worth it.
I always fussy-cut if it is at all appropriate. I agree that it will be worth it.
Count me in with those who think fussy cut stripes for this use is worth the time and effort. Sometimes when stripes and plaids are used in blocks, I like the casual cut of however it lines up, wonky or not.
Gotta love those audio books. I have Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “Gifts from the Sea” read by Claudette Colbert and it is very close to magic.
Amen to Marsha’s comment, “How do you get it all done!!”
Hugs!
Count me in with those who think fussy cut stripes for this use is worth the time and effort. Sometimes when stripes and plaids are used in blocks, I like the casual cut of however it lines up, wonky or not.
Gotta love those audio books. I have Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s “Gifts from the Sea” read by Claudette Colbert and it is very close to magic.
Amen to Marsha’s comment, “How do you get it all done!!”
Hugs!
Gorgeous!! I do like your additional effort with your sashing, it is just so pretty!
Gorgeous!! I do like your additional effort with your sashing, it is just so pretty!
My three girls have read the Bloody Jack books and enjoyed them, not highbrow, but fun!
My three girls have read the Bloody Jack books and enjoyed them, not highbrow, but fun!
You sneaky thing! Getting a teenager to read!?!? I love it! And, too, I love your quilt. The sashing is perfect, and I definitely think it was worth the fussy cutting. You have a true gem – both the quilt and that student!! 😉
Happy Quilting!
You sneaky thing! Getting a teenager to read!?!? I love it! And, too, I love your quilt. The sashing is perfect, and I definitely think it was worth the fussy cutting. You have a true gem – both the quilt and that student!! 😉
Happy Quilting!
That lattice really sets the baskets off and the fussy cutting worked out great and definitely worth it. Another great quilt!
That lattice really sets the baskets off and the fussy cutting worked out great and definitely worth it. Another great quilt!
The lattice fabric really is an inspired choice and fussy cutting makes this quilt. Gorgeous quilt!
The lattice fabric really is an inspired choice and fussy cutting makes this quilt. Gorgeous quilt!
I think it’s terrific that you are exposing your student to so many experiences she may otherwise never have tried! I can’t say enough times what an impact you are having on skills she’ll use all her life! I had to smile at her “World War I” comment but my guess is she knows differently now!
Of course fussy cutting the stripes was well worth it! It really makes the difference!
I think it’s terrific that you are exposing your student to so many experiences she may otherwise never have tried! I can’t say enough times what an impact you are having on skills she’ll use all her life! I had to smile at her “World War I” comment but my guess is she knows differently now!
Of course fussy cutting the stripes was well worth it! It really makes the difference!
worth all the fussy cutting. stripes if not cut correctly can be very distracting. Next thing you know you are going to be having more students! What a great way to share your love of two things.
worth all the fussy cutting. stripes if not cut correctly can be very distracting. Next thing you know you are going to be having more students! What a great way to share your love of two things.
Most certainly worth it…the lattice looks great. Can’t imagine it any other way other than centered like that.
Most certainly worth it…the lattice looks great. Can’t imagine it any other way other than centered like that.
Fussy cutting…most worth the effort.
Time spent with student. . .effect immeasureable.
Fussy cutting…most worth the effort.
Time spent with student. . .effect immeasureable.
The lattice is perfect, and lightens up the quilt quite a bit – seems like initially you were worried about how dark it was. It’s very well balanced now.
Your Napolean comment made me remember: when my nephew was in the army he was reading The Iliad. Meanwhile nearby someone was watching the movie Troy. My nephew said, “oh, that’s right where I am in the book.” The other guy asked him. “Did they make the book to go with the movie?”
The lattice is perfect, and lightens up the quilt quite a bit – seems like initially you were worried about how dark it was. It’s very well balanced now.
Your Napolean comment made me remember: when my nephew was in the army he was reading The Iliad. Meanwhile nearby someone was watching the movie Troy. My nephew said, “oh, that’s right where I am in the book.” The other guy asked him. “Did they make the book to go with the movie?”
I’m picky about plaids & stripes… so if I choose them I’m committing myself to careful cutting in anything other than a scrappy quilt block. Your top looks amazing!
I’m picky about plaids & stripes… so if I choose them I’m committing myself to careful cutting in anything other than a scrappy quilt block. Your top looks amazing!
I think it was totally worth it! Love how you are having a little mini me 🙂 pretty soon your going to have a packed studio, with baby E whipping up her own stuff!
I think it was totally worth it! Love how you are having a little mini me 🙂 pretty soon your going to have a packed studio, with baby E whipping up her own stuff!
Fussy cutting was definitely worth it! I love the way your quilt is looking – your precision humbles me.
Good for you for showing your student that there is more out there to enjoy than video games. But sad to hear that a high school student has been exposed to so little history that she thinks Napoleon took part in the First World War – the education system sure is “dumming” down.
Fussy cutting was definitely worth it! I love the way your quilt is looking – your precision humbles me.
Good for you for showing your student that there is more out there to enjoy than video games. But sad to hear that a high school student has been exposed to so little history that she thinks Napoleon took part in the First World War – the education system sure is “dumming” down.
I always take the time to fussy cut. When you are near the end of a quilt and want to just be done with it, it may seem like a good idea to do the fastest thing possible. But it really takes such a short amount of extra time in the whole scheme of things. When I have rushed I have always regretted it but I have never regretted getting it just right.
I always take the time to fussy cut. When you are near the end of a quilt and want to just be done with it, it may seem like a good idea to do the fastest thing possible. But it really takes such a short amount of extra time in the whole scheme of things. When I have rushed I have always regretted it but I have never regretted getting it just right.
I love the fussy cut stripes. I probably wouldn’t do it so well myself though.
I love the fussy cut stripes. I probably wouldn’t do it so well myself though.
your attention to details like the fussy cutting is a big part of why your quilts are so beautiful. well worth the effort. love that you are sharing with your student. she is a lucky gal to have such a great teacher!
your attention to details like the fussy cutting is a big part of why your quilts are so beautiful. well worth the effort. love that you are sharing with your student. she is a lucky gal to have such a great teacher!
Definitely worth the time to fussy cut the stripes. This is an outstanding quilt, and it deserves the attention to the detail. Nice job – but then your quilts are always some of the best on the web. Thanks for the eye candy!
Definitely worth the time to fussy cut the stripes. This is an outstanding quilt, and it deserves the attention to the detail. Nice job – but then your quilts are always some of the best on the web. Thanks for the eye candy!
Way worth it! Looks terrific.
Mary
Way worth it! Looks terrific.
Mary
The efforts of time and patience that you have put in with your student are amazing. You have made an impact in her life in more ways than one and I truly admire that. You are an inspiration to us all.
Donna
The efforts of time and patience that you have put in with your student are amazing. You have made an impact in her life in more ways than one and I truly admire that. You are an inspiration to us all.
Donna
Definitely worth it. Otherwise, it would drive you nuts! Forever more…
Definitely worth it. Otherwise, it would drive you nuts! Forever more…
I just want to say thank you for sharing your talent with a young girl. You will never regret teaching a teen to quilt. It will give her confidence and a hobby for life. Another thing you will never regret is taking care of your granddaughter. I also provide daycare for my grandaughter and my husband and I really look forward to having her here. What a blessing.
Marge
I just want to say thank you for sharing your talent with a young girl. You will never regret teaching a teen to quilt. It will give her confidence and a hobby for life. Another thing you will never regret is taking care of your granddaughter. I also provide daycare for my grandaughter and my husband and I really look forward to having her here. What a blessing.
Marge
I want to be your student! Maybe you can offer a rotation … except I hate to fly and you are so far away… oh well. Hope she knows how lucky she is!
I want to be your student! Maybe you can offer a rotation … except I hate to fly and you are so far away… oh well. Hope she knows how lucky she is!
The lattice is perfect for this quilt 😀
The lattice is perfect for this quilt 😀
Super worth it! And it looks so pretty! I lol’d over the audio book story, I just barely got my sil to try it at work and she’s totally sold. Yay for reading!
Super worth it! And it looks so pretty! I lol’d over the audio book story, I just barely got my sil to try it at work and she’s totally sold. Yay for reading!
Oh, definitely worth the work to fussy cut it. The detail makes the quilt incredible instead of just nice.:)
Oh, definitely worth the work to fussy cut it. The detail makes the quilt incredible instead of just nice.:)
Your quilt is going to ge beautiful, it was worth it to fussy cut the sashing. Love the comment from your student, I wonder what they teach in school somedays. Keep up the beautiful quilts and your teaching and keeping quilting alive. CAB in AR
Your quilt is going to ge beautiful, it was worth it to fussy cut the sashing. Love the comment from your student, I wonder what they teach in school somedays. Keep up the beautiful quilts and your teaching and keeping quilting alive. CAB in AR
The stripes look great. Definitely worth the effort!
The stripes look great. Definitely worth the effort!
I just wanted to comment about your wonderful relationship with this young woman. You are not only teaching her a skill (oh so necessary, in my opinion!), but opening her eyes to life out of the teen realm. I am so happy for her, and so amazed at your generosity and kindness. YOU ROCK! And oh, I think your fussy cut stripes rock, too!
I just wanted to comment about your wonderful relationship with this young woman. You are not only teaching her a skill (oh so necessary, in my opinion!), but opening her eyes to life out of the teen realm. I am so happy for her, and so amazed at your generosity and kindness. YOU ROCK! And oh, I think your fussy cut stripes rock, too!
lol, 1st of all, i agree about the fussy cutting! it’s SO worth it! 2nd, reading/listening to historically set stories is a fab way to learn history and love it! 3rd, another one to the dark side guarantees your spot in quilter’s heaven where UFOs don’t exisit and you always have enough fabric to finish the quilt!
May the quilting force be wth you! ;p
lol, 1st of all, i agree about the fussy cutting! it’s SO worth it! 2nd, reading/listening to historically set stories is a fab way to learn history and love it! 3rd, another one to the dark side guarantees your spot in quilter’s heaven where UFOs don’t exisit and you always have enough fabric to finish the quilt!
May the quilting force be wth you! ;p
Quilt and its color palette are lovely.
And here’s another “atta girl!” to you for encouraging your student! I’m so happy you are nonchalantly expanding her world!
Quilt and its color palette are lovely.
And here’s another “atta girl!” to you for encouraging your student! I’m so happy you are nonchalantly expanding her world!
TOTALLY worth it! Fussy cutting makes the quilt SING, and this fabric makes it even more special! Bravo!
TOTALLY worth it! Fussy cutting makes the quilt SING, and this fabric makes it even more special! Bravo!
I said so earlier, and still feel the same: well worth the time and trouble to fussy cut the sashing. It looks great!
I love the well-rounded education you’re giving your student. Quilting, and now books, too. Yes! What a fine teacher, and what a lucky student. Kudos to you!
I said so earlier, and still feel the same: well worth the time and trouble to fussy cut the sashing. It looks great!
I love the well-rounded education you’re giving your student. Quilting, and now books, too. Yes! What a fine teacher, and what a lucky student. Kudos to you!
WWI! Hilarious. Well, she did reach pretty far back, just a century and a half short 🙂
Love, love the baskets. I agree, the fussy cut sashing looks great. It would be very distracting if they were cut every which way.
WWI! Hilarious. Well, she did reach pretty far back, just a century and a half short 🙂
Love, love the baskets. I agree, the fussy cut sashing looks great. It would be very distracting if they were cut every which way.
Absolutely worth cutting it properly Nicole! You wouldn’t have been happy otherwise. It is a beauty!
Absolutely worth cutting it properly Nicole! You wouldn’t have been happy otherwise. It is a beauty!
Fussy cutting is worth it! You keep setting the example that we should strive to do our best work. We need you!!
Fussy cutting is worth it! You keep setting the example that we should strive to do our best work. We need you!!
I like the fussy-cut lattice. I think it will add a subtle pattern when all the lines are lined up.
The book sounds interesting. What device do you listen to your books on?
I like the fussy-cut lattice. I think it will add a subtle pattern when all the lines are lined up.
The book sounds interesting. What device do you listen to your books on?
Definitely worth fussy cutting the lattice. It looks great.
Definitely worth fussy cutting the lattice. It looks great.
Fussy cut stripes so right;easier to sew following stripe in fabric pattern; takes only small amount of time and is classy for a long time. Your care and attention to detail shows. Great quilts!
Fussy cut stripes so right;easier to sew following stripe in fabric pattern; takes only small amount of time and is classy for a long time. Your care and attention to detail shows. Great quilts!
Worth it! Looks very neat and correct and somehow correct to the era the fabric is a reproduction from. Did you finish the audio book in 6 hours? I’ve got no idea, I’ve never listened to one.
Worth it! Looks very neat and correct and somehow correct to the era the fabric is a reproduction from. Did you finish the audio book in 6 hours? I’ve got no idea, I’ve never listened to one.