If you are just joining in the conversation, I decided to do a temperature quilt. In fact, I am attempting doing three years of quilts at the same time. While I am writing posts on the process, I also have a page on the top which is summarizing everything. I’ll post pictures in both places so it is easier to track the progress. I am currently in the fabric cutting phase.
I changed the plan again! I was going to do the oranges and yellows, but I got started on a closet reorganization project. I was successful in straightening three shelves and three drawers.
Since it was a late quilting start, I only did the cuts for the oranges. So 6 colors cut, and 16 more to go… even if I only do 3 colors a day, I’ll be finished with all of the cutting by Friday and then the first week of February will be spent making HSTs.
For the time being, the only sewing that I’ll plan to do this week will be the mini quilt and labels with all of the colors. Once I have the strip of colors done, I’ll find some black for the border and then a fun fabric for the backing.
Tossing the fabric in the dryer worked to get most of the wrinkles out, enough to be able to cut. And since I am using papers to make the HSTs, I am cutting the square a bit larger that the paper, so there will be further trimming. When I start sewing, I’ll have my little iron nearby and will press the fabric.
The reds were freshened up and cut. I opted not to continue on with the oranges since I was drying lights. I don’t need to worry about any color transfer on my laundry. For the rest of the colors, I’ll find an old towel to get damp and toss it in with the quilt fabric.
I made the decision to use the HSTs for the 2022 quilt, so I looked at the 2021 numbers and guesstimated how many more strips and squares I’ll have to cut. I made the adjustment in the notes. And forgot about it.
So, a few hours later, I started cutting and placing the squares in the various bags and I had some left over – what?!? Did I mess up my math? And then I remembered adding more cuts for 2022. Whew.
The bag system will work nicely. I think I’ll do the cuts and bagging by color group – so it will be the three oranges in the morning and then the three yellows in the afternoon. It will take a bit longer now since there will be the color combos to match up. But organization now will make it so much easier to complete the quilts. And all of this work can be done in small time batches.
I have two weeks to complete this prep work. Plenty of time.
Y’all probably think that I am taking too long to start his project. I am. But, this lets me make sure that I really like the color selections. And, doing three quilts at once will prove to be a organizational challenge.
I tend to write down my ideas, so I have notes all over the place. So, I made sure that everything was still in the game plan and then those were tossed.
I have the worksheet for the cuts for each color which was in the last post. But, there was another modification to the combo chart. I cleared out the previous color coding and went back to the data sheets to highlight the combos that I’ll need for January – March.
I’ll need the blue highlighted combos for January sewing. Pink squares are the additional combos for February and green is for March. Each month, there will be fewer HST combos to sew, though I’ll have to adjust as I get the 2022 numbers in the chart. At this point in time, I am pretty sure that the 2022 quilt will also use HSTs. If I continue on, then I can switch to squares or an improv style block.
The yard cuts of fabric that I am using have been wrapped around cardboard so there are major creases. I’ll probably toss one color into the dryer to see if the “freshen up” cycle will remove most of them.
Goal for today is to get at least 5 colors pressed and cut. For sewing, I’ll start on the mini quilt, so I don’t mix up the flow of the colors.
It was a productive day, though I did not do any cutting or sewing. But, the organization is started and a cutting plan has been established.
First the organization plan. A comment from Elle suggested using binders and ziploc bags. I did think about this option, but the number of combos is about 100. I don’t have that many binders and I really don’t want to buy anything new. But, I have bags and baskets so that is the way I am going. Down the road, I may group the bags according to temperature using binders or a ring.
I found 11″ bags which will fit the yard cuts and other stuff. I made labels for all of the bags. My tub currently has the bags with space.
Then, I made labels for the various combos which currently stand at 97 options! I found smaller bags which I put the approximate number in each primary color bag with the labels. I’ll attach them as I use the bags.
Using the spreadsheets, I figured how many 5.5″ strips to cut and the number of 5.5″ squares.
The next step is to press the fabric and then cut the strips and squares. I’m also cutting 1.5″ strips in order to do the mini quilts of the temperature range. One mini quilt will be for reference and others can be part of the quilt or label. Once that is finished, I’ll “kit” up the various combos, add the HST papers to the kit. Then, I can always grab a bag and sew enough HSTs to make two years worth of quilts.
I may wait until week one of each month to trim and press the HSTs. That way, I don’t have to worry about any fraying or wrinkles. And, since I can’t possibly sew all 97 combos for two years at once, I’ll work on the ones needed each month. Eventually, it will be very easy to pull the blocks and sew the month’s temperatures into the quilt. And, if I decide to do the 2022 quilt with HSTs, then it will be easy to just sew up some more HST when I need them.
FYI, for January, the most of one color combo is three HSTs, so by sewing one sheet for eight HSTs, I will have extras for another month. Once I get to July and August, there won’t a big variation and I will have made a bunch of HSTs.
Here is the chart for the cuts…
I’ll figure out some graphic to show which combos I’ve completed.
This seems like a plan, but I am sure it will change once I start working on it.
OK, I may regret this decision, but I am doing the cross stitch along that is hosted by Jo and Judy. Here is the link to the announcement. The stitch along is designed to start in March with the finish time before October. After all, the design has pumpkins.
I’ve ordered the stuff (pattern, fabric, thread), but the pattern actually has three designs. So I called up and asked what would it cost for the additional fabric and thread for doing all three designs. It was a reasonable amount, so I’m going for it. I opted for Aida, since I have never cross stitched using linen. Small steps, right?
If I decide that I don’t want to restart cross stitch, then someone will be getting a gift of the extra fabric and floss. If I decide to restart the hobby, then I think I have a bunch of small kits that were purchased as travel souvenirs during a trip to England.
I figured that a stitch along may just help with clearing out some of what is in my sewing room. And, it gives me time to find the other kits. Now to find what hoops and needles I have.
Spinning Star