Mutable Sort

What worked?

• Month 6 was the half Dresden Plate border flower. It was super easy after all the needle turn applique and circle piecing of the first month. No issues.

• Month 7 I apparently didn’t take any pictures of in progress. The corner sunflowers were super cute. My kit didn’t come with gingham for the corners like the original sample project so I used some I had leftover in my stash.
• Month 8. Sigh. This is the chapter so far I’ve spent the most time reworking the instructions. There was a wrong measurement that seemed like a technical editing problem but nothing too life changing, just annoying. The end squares should be 4″ from the background, not the 4 1/2″ listed on page 10. I also thought that measurement should have been in the chapter instructions since no where in them did it mention that the 4 1/2″ square needed to be trimmed smaller.
  I also felt this month could have been used to showcase ruler skills. The templates weren’t necessary. I ended up cutting 4 inch strips of the fabrics for the hexagons (are the bestagons) and from there used my 60° markings on a quilting ruler to cut perfect shapes without the need for a template. It was way faster. Below is a gallery of the process I used, hopefully it will inspire someone else to chain piece and simplify their process for Month 8.

What didn’t?

• The instructions for Month 8 didn’t work for me. Once I thought through how to rework them, it was by far the quickest month I’ve done so far. It barely took one evening.

What did I learn?

• I learned I like technical editing. I like taking what is described and making it more user friendly.

I started Month 4 around the 20th of the month. It took me that long to schedule a trip to the library to use the copy machine to make paper copies for the house roofs. I ended up being done with the row houses on the 30th. Month 4 was the month that I’ve spent the most hours on so far. I was going to sit down and write up a post but started Month 5 on the 1st and was done on the 2nd. It barely took 2 evenings, so I am writing both in the same post.

What worked?

As always, hand applique for me goes super fast. It went so fast that I was sort of disappointed there wasn’t more for Month 5. Then I took a peak in the book at Month 6 and I’m excited for the next section.

What didn’t?

• Paper piecing takes a lot more time than I usually remember. I have a hard time planning sewing sessions with it because it always seems like “Oh I’ll be done this evening” and 3 days later, I’m still working.
• The little houses are super fiddly. I’m not super perfect at my 1/4″ seams and it shows.

What did I learn?

To get what I want sometimes I have to do steps that perhaps I don’t enjoy as much. I do love the fished row houses even if I wasn’t a huge fan of making them.

I kept pushing Month 3 back as I had several super busy weekends with a Beginning Water Color class, an off-the-grid vacation, and other focus sewing projects for March. (Looking at you, Capsule Wardrobe Project!) It was a super simple section to sew, taking only a few evenings of active time.

What worked?

• I super love needle-turn applique so this month was quite fun. The leaves are totes ‘dorbs and add liveliness to the center medallion.
• I use Elmer’s Washable Clear Glue to glue baste applique instead of special applique glue. I know it’s not for everyone. For me, it’s easily available and inexpensive, washes out nicely, and can be ironed to dry. All are features I find important.
• PILOT FriXion Fineliner Erasable Pens are by far my favorite fabric marking pens. I love how they disappear when I iron.
  • Remember in Month One when I cut the background a 1/2″ too short? This month is where I fixed it. I had enough fabric to add a 1/4″ on the borders so now the center medallion is measuring right one track for a 26 1/2″ measurement. Easy fix, just had to remember to do it before making the house borders and I did!

What didn’t?

I need to preface that I am making this quilt because I like the design, not because I specifically need skill-building. I already know these skills quite well, regularly use them during my 30-plus year quilting journey, and teach others to use them in formal and informal settings. Quilts like these make any practice good practice!

• I wish the chapter instructions had this little tidbit I found in the video. It was a simple 5-second clip saying ‘Cut a scant 1/4″ around the traced template outline.’ It says ‘ADD seam allowance’ on the template page, which I didn’t see until after I’d read the instructions multiple times and rewatched the video.
• The book was limited to tips and tricks to do needle-turn applique effectively. I think that is more of a reflection of this type of overview class vs it being technique specific. The video was MUCH better but I didn’t have internet where I was staying. Fortunately, I have loads of needle-turn applique experience under my belt. Many years ago, I took a class from the wonderful Nancy Lee Chong at Pacific Rim Quilts and if you can’t find one locally, the DVD from their website is quite a good substitute. So far, I’ve completed five 2-Fabric Applique quilts, improving my technique with every new one. I assume most people have access to the internet so it’s not a big deal but something to keep in mind if, like me, you have a lifestyle where you work on a lot of your projects in transit.

What did I learn?

I still love hand applique. It’s quite relaxing and oh-so portable.

I am quite enjoying this quilt as the fabrics are beautiful and the design hits all my buttons, I do sometimes bring my Product/Pattern Tester hat home from work with me.