Tomorrow is DH’s 73rd birthday. Sometimes it is hard to believe that we have been together as long as we have and it is only by looking back at all we have done and been through that we can see the very large number of years we have both lived through and been together.
My big project this week, however, has been this quilt which is DH’s birthday gift. And I can’t say that all has gone well. 
The first problem was that I couldn’t figure out how to draw the layout I wanted in EQ. I want to use two or maybe three different sashing sizes and EQ didn’t seem to allow for that. So I decided to revert to graph paper, which I used to do all the time, and really enjoyed working that way again. BUT, after I was cutting my pieces to match my drawing I realized that I added a row to my center panel which isn’t in my real plan. So back to the drawing board I am going to figure out how to make all my pieces fit. 
These are my 9 pieces before I started cutting to size. They are embroideries from Artistic Thread Works and I am thrilled with how they came out. Now I just need to figure out how to make them fit. 
Ever since I started knitting again, July 2013, I have found it the most relaxing way to avoid doing either what I should be doing (housework) or am frustrated doing (quilting). However lately I have grown tired of just knitting socks and am still afraid of starting a sweater so I took up knitting dishcloths. This is the second one I have done and I really like them: they are soft and easy to work with. And they have kept my hands busy. 
And last, but certainly not least, one of my mug rugs has found it’s new home. This is my DIL(youngest son) with her birthday gift. She tells me this is how she looks before she has had her morning coffee and that my son is “very afraid” of that look. The funny thing is that my son does not drink coffee (can’t believe he is my son) but has always gotten up in the morning and made coffee for his wife. I guess I taught him well: happy wife, happy life.
Our oldest son and his wife will be here tonight so there will be no sewing until possibly Sunday afternoon. Guess DH will be getting quilt pieces for his birthday tomorrow.
6 comments:
I hope you have your birthday quilt layout figured out. It look really neat and I know your DH will love it. I love that you are making dishcloths -- it seems funny that you were doing socks (very advanced knitter) and now the easier dishcloths, but I totally understand. I loved learning to knit on the dishcloths and have advanced to trying socks. I will say the progress is very slow there and I may go back to dishcloths real soon! lol
Quite often I revert to the graph paper with my ideas. I get too frustrated with EQ7 when it's not a straight forward design. You'll get it all worked out, I know you will. :) Happy Birthday to hubby and my youngest daughter tomorrow.
For an easy sweater, check that one on my blog post today. Super simple and cute. Perfect for you to start with.
Your son is a keeper for sure.....
I still love drawing out designs on graph paper. I have EQ5 and gave up on it when it would close suddenly and I would lose all I was working on.
All your projects are great. Love the boots! If I were doing the quilt,I would start with the 9 smaller blocks and sash them then working with the outside measurement of those blocks cut the sashing accordingly. If your small blocks are 6.5 to finish at 6" that equals 18" +sashing of 1" = 20" and if your big blocks are 9.5 to finish at 9 then your sashing for the 2 blocks needs to be 2".
just a thought good luck
Love the blocks for your hubby's quilt. To use different sashing, etc. in EQ, you sort of have to figure out what the final width of your quilt will be and work backwards (or final width before any outer borders are added). Put that measurement as your quilt size in a custom layout and then set blocks into that layout making the size whatever your blocks are. You can just save a plain block of any size to your block library and use that as place holders to see how it will all fit together. To get the various sashings, also use a plain block and set it in and you can change each one to the specific size and width you need - using the finished block/sashing measurements when you set them into the custom layout design. Clear as mud? ;-)
It always takes me a while to get a lay out to gel, but it looks like your are making good progress. Enjoy your family time and DH's birthday.
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