Can't Get Moving
I'm in some kind-of Post Christmas Slump, or something like that. I can't seem to get my act together. One minute I think I'm coming down with something, the next I think that I just need to get out more. Or work more. Or 'something'! Feeling unsettled and restless, can't sleep at night (only all day), and can't even seem to get any sewing done, except for (you guessed it) the blasted hexagons.
Here is a shot of the border I've decided to do - doesn't show up too well on the dark floor but I can't be bothered to redo it. Sorry. Now I need to decide about the outside edge. Do I do as someone suggested and applique it on to something, or put another row of hexagons around and slice off the edge to make it straight?
Going back to bed. Happy New Year!
You're not the only one having trouble after christmas. Staying up long and sleeping late mornings have made my day completly twisted up side down too.
ReplyDeleteBut I got a lot of sewing done the last days. Although the house is a mess now. The christmas will be out of the house this weekend.
I think you should make another row, slice the end and put a darker binding on. The hex are lovely!! Just the kind of work to do when you are "tired"
Jenni I hear ya! Only I am back in the office, and finding it very hard to get motivated.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can have a scalloped border?
Can you make half hexagons?
Hope someone else has better suggestions!
I think the after Christmas syndrome is from consuming too much rich food, for me at least. I think appliqueing would keep the interesting shape of the hexagons.
ReplyDeleteI like the dark border...
ReplyDeleteI am rather opposed to the "just chop it off" method - you put a good bit of work into those hexagons....
I thing either a knife edge binding
"Another way to finish the edge of a quilt without actual binding is a "knife edge". I used this in the very first quilted bedspread I made (embroidered about 35 years ago) because I didn't know ANYTHING about quilting, and it looks pretty good! Trim the back and top exactly even. The batting must be cut about 1/2 inch smaller than the top and back. Turn top and back both in, the same distance and whipstitch together. Again this is not a very strong edge and will need either quilting around, or machine stitching." (Copied from this web-page: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/quilts_and_quilting/107425)
or appliqueing it onto "black" - since you used dark hexagons. I would only use a strip width just wide enough to attach a binding to - so that it is not a big design element.
Your top is coming along great. I really like the dark border. I have only finished a project such as this with by appliqueing it to another piece as a plain border. I don't know if I could cut into all my hard work *S*
ReplyDeleteI always have a difficult time at this time of the year - January in Vancouver is dark and rainy and cold. The sun is gone by 4 PM. (if there was sun - which there isn't because it was raining)
ReplyDeleteThe only good thing is at least now the days are starting to get longer instead of shorter.
If you appliqued the out edge of the quilt onto a plain border you could retain the shape of the hexagons - and maybe throw a hexagon or two into the border - sort of free floating. Might be interesting - but more work.
The hexagons are coming along just fine! What fine, detailed work - you certainly have more patience than I do. My schedule is a bit mixed up right now too, but I am excusing myself because I go back to the US soon and there is a 6 hour time zone difference, so I figure in the end - it will all work out somehow.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Evelyn
I completely understand...get your rest mentally and physically and soon you'll be back to normal. I couldn't wait to get home to my quilting, and yet I cannot seem to get going...I continue to really like your hexagons...cannot wait to see what you decide.
ReplyDeleteI think there's a lot of that slump going around. I know I haven't sewn much in a while. Just a bit here and there. But I'm trying to make myself sew just 15 minutes a day which helps.
ReplyDeleteI was looking at a quilt magazine just this morning that had a small hexagon quilt where they weren't cut off on the edge. But instead of dealing with the horrors of trying to bind that hexagon edge they used a facing instead that was laid rights sides together with the front, sewn 1/4 inch all around the quilt. Then turn the facing to the back and whipstitch it down just like you would have the binding. Not very clear description but it really was a nice finish. Or course their quilt was a really small one but it could be done on a large scale.
Hi Jenni, I think you are in very good company with your 'slump'. Quite a few of us seem to be yawning alot..*VBS* But we'll get back with it soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the hexs...and I like your border idea. The quickest and easiest way to deal with the edge is to add the extra hexs and slice it off so the edge is straight. It's really hard to bind around the 3 sides if you use them as edge. Not impossible, just very putzy!
Love the possible nephew quilt by the way!!! Hugs, Finn
I'm hearing the same complaint all over the web! Maybe this is blogger's disease. =) I hope you are feeling fine and dandy soon!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the half hexagons sewn to the side to give it a normal quilt edge that can just be bound normally. I would make them as halves though, not just cut half off later.
ReplyDeleteThis is all stuff I've been keeping an eye on in mags as I prepare to get going on mine. A lot of them look to be appliqued on or done the way I just described. The really old ones are just left with their irregular pattern and have a sheet sewn to the back. Then a little quilting to keep the 2 layers in place. Purely decorative rather than warm so I lot survived.
Regards, tracey
In slump mode too so can sympathise.
ReplyDeleteThe Hex's (LOL) are great!
BUT, you ARE sewing! Just not full throttle. That's okay, Jenni. The holidays can sometimes drain us. Give yourself a break...you'll be back at it before long. :o)
ReplyDeleteP.S The hexagons are looking FABULOUS!!
Your hexagons are coming along great and I like the dark border. I'm going to follow your progress as I, too, am working on a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt and I just don't know how to end it. I'm kinda of the mindset to chop them off and do a straight border -- just to be done with it. I've been working on mine for 5 years!!
ReplyDeleteI can sympathize about the slump, which I think a lot of us are in after the fast-pace of the holidays.
I think the post-Christmas slump is more common than we think. It will get better, but in the meantime don't fret about it. I wonder if you do something completely different, like a stitchery or something - might get the creativity flowing again :-)
ReplyDeleteI love it so!
ReplyDeleteHow did the visit go with your Mom? Does she quilt or sew at all?
ReplyDeleteI miss seeing your posts, but know you are a busy gal.