Still Waiting...

I am still waiting for my fabric for Sedona Star, and I have to say it is making me very grumpy!  I placed my order with Glorious Color in early January, and I got it last week already.  I placed my first order at eQuilter on December 26, and it has yet to arrive.  I do know that it is on its way, but for whatever reason the mail from Colorado is a week slower than from anywhere else in the U.S.

I know very well that working on another project while I'm in this mood will just end in disaster, so I've been trying to find a way to lighten up.  My Nordic Needle catalogue arrived today, which is usually a fun read.  Today, though, I saw a lot of projects I'd like to start, but which I know I shouldn't start, so it's just more frustration.

As I write this, I think the only way to shift this mood will be to start a completely new project and get the energy flowing again.  I think I'll go check out my stash.

Nine Patch Update

Here are a few more of my nine patch blocks done.  I cut the fabric over a year ago, and it has been great rediscovering them as I sew.  Three of the lights you see here are from a set of "conversationals", based on historic designs.  They were 10" squares that I bought from Keepsake Quilting.  They are now out of stock, which is too bad, because I would love some more!

When I've been sewing these nine patches it's been the first time that I've really consistently managed the direction the seams are pressed, so that subsequent rows will "lock" together.  I am amazed at how much it helps!  These blocks have been going together beautifully, even though my cutting was sometimes off.  I didn't do this on Edward's quilt, and I am paying for it now, because it has been really challenging to get the seams to match.  And on that quilt it's pretty important!  I can feel that I am about to become quite fanatical about pressing!

Speaking of pressing, I am also quite devoted to my Clover pressing tool, the white plastic thing you see in the photo.  I don't have room for an iron in my sewing area, but even if I did, I would prefer the Clover tool.  It seems quite elegantly low tech to me!  And the hard plastic doesn't distort your fabrics like a wooden tool would.

Although I'd love a huge quilting studio, I am also very impressed with many Japanese quilters that I've seen featured in magazines, who make huge complex quilts in tiny spaces and with minimal technology.  I think many Japanese quilts have been made completely without electricity!  I feel a lot of sympathy for such a simplified approach, although I will not be giving up my sewing machine any time soon!