Bad mummy
Today I admit that I’ve shamelessly neglected my husband and children. The good thing is that they seem not to have noticed….or maybe they even liked it. There haven’t been any complaints at least.
I was up with the larks and happily quilting before 7 this morning. Lovely cool breeze through my sewing room/cupboard window, Radio 4 quietly in the background, nice cup of English breakfast tea at my elbow.
In a fit of unadventurousness I decided that I actually really want my New England Beach House quilt to be a simple, unfussy sort of quilt. All I have done is quilt (rather wobbily if I’m honest) in the ditch around the blocks. I can’t tell you how quickly it all went – helped of course by the Archers Omnibus and a bit of a book on tape.
The result is….well simple. Part of me thinks the quilt actually looks like something you could buy in IKEA – my husband says that’s not true, but, well if I’m honest it does a bit. It also looks simple and beach housy, a bit Scandinavian even….which is really what I was aiming at. All part of that simple uncluttered unfussy feel I’m always striving for.
I’ve never done so little quilting on a quilt. Normally my quilts look kind of busy. Not this one. I didn’t even do anything in the border – I guess I can always go back and do something if the urge strikes me.
It’s not a masterpiece by any means, the back is pieced and ever so slightly wonky. Have I told you how much I hate basting big quilts? (Only a million times!) I only realized that it was a bit off once I’d done basting and decided that I could live with it. Or at least that I could live with it more than I could could bear the thought of pulling all the threads out and starting again.
So now for my favourite bit – hand sewing the binding down. Perfect for doing while the England-Italy game is on this evening. I may need something to bury my head in, but I do hope not. Miracles do occasionally happen. It would be time for England to pull something out of the bag.
Start saying your prayers folks!
Helen
June 24th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
If I could buy something like this at IKEA I might actually brave the car park chaos and go! This is really lovely Helen, and I am with you on sewing the binding down being the best bit. As for England v Italy … well I’m sureyou are old and wise enough (and well used to England’s sporting disappointments) to have set your expectations realistically low!
June 24th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
I have quilted in the ditch a number of times. Sometimes you just want to see the fabric and the design and that is it. Nothing wrong with that at all and I think you are going to have a superb quilt when all is said and done.
June 24th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
It is looking lovely! I really like the bright red binding, it really anchors the quilt.
It is my favourite thing as well, I never find it a chore.
Best of luck with the team.
Lush x
June 24th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Sounds like a plan!
June 24th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Just as lovely as I knew it would be – congratulations on an almost finish!!!
Hope your team wins!!!
June 24th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Congrats on getting that far! My money’s on the family not having noticed ;o)
June 24th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
My quilting in the ditch is usually quilting near the ditch ! As I am writing this, Gordon is shouting at the TV in the lounge. It doesn’t seem to be helping much!
June 25th, 2012 at 9:00 am
I think it looks gorgeous and not at all like something you could buy in IKEA. I love the colours and the red binding really pops. Beautiful!
June 25th, 2012 at 10:37 am
My kids far prefer being neglected! It’s me that gets upset about it! Sigh.