Blocking an Acrylic Yarn Project

Yey!  I finally finished crocheting my Granny Stripe blanket.  I am so loving the colors and I've been crocheting around 5 stripes at a time.  However, I've noticed that my tension isn't very consistent and after the 4th stripe, I am crocheting a lot looser and the rectangular blanket is starting to look more like a trapezoid.

So, I measure the width after every 4th stripe just to make sure the blanket is not flaring outward.

I added a scalloped border and really liked how this blanket ended up.  However, no matter how I tried, the shape wasn't quite a perfect rectangle and the border was wavy - much like a lettuce.  I was really disappointed. 

So after much research (thanks Google), I decided to block this blanket.  Normally, I wouldn't think twice about blocking as I've done that many times before.  But, blocking acrylic yarn is trickier.  In fact there were countless warnings about blocking acrylic and how you could potentially kill the yarn.

So here is how I did it.

Step 1- I washed the blanket and tumbled dry with no heat.

Step 2- I pinned the blanket down onto the carpet and pinned it down, making sure the width and height measurements were consistent.

Here's an area I was trying to stretch out a bit.  See the yellow head pins?  By the way, it really helps that the carpet has a square pattern so I can block my projects without a ruler :-)

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Strep 3:  Heat steam the blanket to block.  Make sure not to touch the acrylic yarn with your hot iron.  I used an inexpensive metal trivet that I had.  It is about 3/4 inch tall so it comes very close to the project and ensures the iron does not touch the yarn.  Then just press the steam button and let the steam heat block the area.  

I repeated the process all around the blanket and just left the pins on overnight to set the shape. I will post a photo of the blanket in a few days so you can see how it turned out.

Right now, I'm putting on the finishing touches of my Abundance quilt.  Quilting is done, binding is sewn on so I am glad this quilt is almost done.

In Time for Fall 2013?

It's been about 7 months since I first started my Abundance quilt and I had put it away for a while because I was distracted with other crafting projects.  But I finally got around to completing the remaining blocks for this quilt.

Here is another pumpkin block.

And here's the ginormous scarecrow.  Eyes, nose and mouth to follow.  

Which reminds me, when I was six, my grandfather married his fourth wife (a young 19 year old) and I heard the adults talk about how my grandfather bought his young bride a new nose.  In my ever so innocent mind, I thought she was born without a face (!!!) just like Mr. Potato Head and my grandfather was so kind and generous to buy her a nose at the doctor's.  If not for him, she'd still be roaming the streets with just 2 holes on her face so she could breathe.  

Of course, I was also picturing them trying on different noses to find just the right one and I could not stop staring at her face marveling how real her nose looked and how skilled the doctor was in attaching said nose.  True story!  

And predictably, wife #4 left my grandfather for another man. 

Anyhow, I learned from that story that it is okay to change out whatever doesn't work.  See below and read on.

Here are some of my blocks on the design wall.  It really helps to take a step back and see what doesn't work out or which block needs a little nip/tuck.

Hmmm, that corn is kinda weak.  The pear block melts into the background and that turkey block is really bothering me.  

So, I changed out some of the corn kernels. (Before on the left, After on the right)

Here's the new and improved pear.  The background fabric on the left was too busy.

And finally, the turkey block.  If you remember, I had originally used this really light pink fabric on the turkey father and it was hardly visible so I decided to use embroidery floss to outline it but it was still barely visible.  (Right)

So, I ripped out 3 layers of the turkey tail to replace the topmost one.  And I also replaced the pumpkin curly cue so it wouldn't stand out so much (too blue!)

So, here's the completed quilt top.  My goal is to get this basted next week so I can start machine quilting it this summer and perhaps finish it right in time for Fall 2013.

I apologize for the quality of these photos.  Sadly, I don't think my camera takes the best quality pictures.  

Keep Calm and Continue Quilting

Wow!  I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post.  Can't be for the lack of quilting news, that's for sure.  For starters, I have been busy cramming for the Beach Cities Quilters Guild quilt show.  It will be on June 2nd and 3rd at Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

This year, I am entering 2 quilts.  And I am working on quilting my Paris quilt to get it done by the submission deadline.  I wish I could send it out to a Long Arm quilter but there are so many thread changes that I am sure I will have to pay an arm and a leg for it.

This pattern is from Verna Mosquera and it is called "Mon Ami".  It measures 55 x 64 so it has been a strain on my left shoulder to quilt more than a couple hours at a time.

I started this project in the Fall of 2010 when I went up to Danville, CA to attend one of Verna's very fun sewing retreats.  I went with my friend Lynn and we had a blast!  Verna and her assistant Pam put on such a wonderful event.  They decorate the place so beautifully, take us out on field trips and serve super yummy snacks.

Here are a few photos from the retreat.

I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since I started this project.  I have since grown out my bangs and have laid off my Revlon waver iron.  It was sort of  an homage to the 80s when I used to crimp my hair.

One of my co-workers is moving to Las Vegas and was getting rid of her salt and pepper shaker collection.  I managed to swipe rescue these two sets just because they are so adorable.  

I would have taken her cups and saucers too as I've always wanted to make a mosaic table.  But realistically, I will probably just store them in the garage for the next 20 years so I passed on them.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Hi folks, how was your Thanksgiving weekend?  Like the rest of America, I stuffed myself (at Lucille's), shopped (the midnight sale at Macy's) and did some home improvement/decorating.

My most notable project last weekend was painting a 6 foot tall bookcase.  The bookcase lives in my sewing room.  I inherited the bookcase and it is probably from Ikea.  It is laminated wood and the back panel is cardboard.  Here is a "Before" photo.

I used an oil based primer and painted on the first coat on Thursday and the second coat on Friday.  Dad assisted with the painting and was in charge of the shelves.  I painted the bookcase.

Here is an "After" photo after 2 coats.  I also lined the back of the shelf with a shelf liner.

The funny thing is you can hardly find shelf liners anymore.  I shopped at the Home Depot when I picked up my paint and supplies and all they had were plain white, a granite and a dark wood grain pattern.  I also went to the usual places such as Target and finally found 2 rolls of this pink and white polka dot at Big Lots.  Yay for Big Lots even though there were only 2 rolls of this pattern.  Shelf liners must not be a popular item to carry at stores anymore.

Anyway, if I were to do it again, I would trim the liner paper so they wouldn't overlap as it was harder to reposition it when the paper overlaps.  It guess I was a bit lazy and was anxious to put my sewing room back together again.

Here's a couple more "After" photos.

I'm quite happy with the result.  And even if it was probably easier to pick up a new bookcase from Ikea, I'm glad I took the time to repurpose an old eyesore.

Now on to quilting news.  The good news is I completed all the blocks to my Mon Ami quilt.  I started this quilt last October 2010 at a quilt retreat with Verna Mosquera.  It took about a year to complete the applique and embroidery of all the blocks and I am now piecing the rows together and getting it ready for quilting.  I'm not sure at this time if I will be sending it out to be quilted or not.  I have a domestic machine and the thought of quilting this myself is already giving me back spasms. 

Here are a couple of the blocks I completed.

And then, I took creative license and changed one of the blocks from this...

to this...

I will post another picture once I have sewn on the mitered borders.  Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving like I did.  Gobble gobble.