The biggest challenge? Not spending more than 15 minutes! Once I got going, I wanted to keep going, but this is an experiment to see how much I can accomplish in just a short amount of time.
I will admit that I didn't actually start watching the clock until after I had made some decisions about pattern and fabrics, and I did take the time to print and laminate my pattern before I started counting down.
Here are my goals for this project:
1. Use as much fabric directly from my stash as possible, but as I get further along with the project, I may need or want to go shopping -- right now, my plans are purposely very vague, so we'll see how this progresses.
2. Work for only 15 minutes every day.
3. Create a quilt that combines piecing and hand appliqué. I love appliqué, but I only have a few small pieces that are actually finished, because I'm afraid of how long appliqué takes.
4. Work on it every single day -- no breaks! Because at least this first part is hand appliqué , I can do this! I'll be able to take it on trips with me, and work on it on days when I don't have access to my sewing machine.
So where am I at after 15 minutes (plus a little more?):

My first block background is traced, my first 2 appliqué pieces are prepped and I have the patterns and fabrics picked for the rest of the pieces in the block. Almost -- I just realized I didn't pick anything for the circles! Ah well, I can do that tomorrow!
The block is from Applique Delights: 100 Irresistable Blocks by Piece O' Cake Designs. This block is called Honey Bee. I'm not sure if I'm going to make more of this block, or maybe other blocks from this book, or what. I'm just going to have fun seeing where I feel like going next when this block is done.
My biggest challenge for today? (Other than not wanting to quit after 15 minutes?) Finding a marking tool that would mark the brown fabric for the stems. Clearly I need to be better organized if I don't want to spend my whole 15 minutes searching for stuff. The Clover blue pen I wanted to use wouldn't show up, and the Clover White Marking Pen I tried next? It was dry. I finally ended up with a silver marking pencil made by General.
I was also a little irritated: I followed their instructions to enlarge my block to what I thought was going to finish as a 10 inch block. What I missed was the errata notice in the inside front cover stating that due to a printing error the blocks were printed at 4.25 inches instead of 5 inches. So instead of enlarging to 10 inches, I was only going to end up with 8.5 inch blocks. The notice is bright yellow and quite noticeable if you actually open up the front cover, but I had started by opening the book up to the center. Ah well. I'll live, and actually: 8.5 is probably plenty big enough for these blocks, anyway.
So there's my first 15 minutes, can't wait to see how much I can get done in 15 minutes tomorrow!
Recent Comments