The finished big brother quilt

It's finally done.

I think it took so long because I wanted to do the quilting myself. Not on my home machine, or by hand but using a long arm. In february I took a class at the Quilt Haus and it was great. So then I rented some time to practice and it was an unmitigated disaster.

It took awhile to get up the courage to try another class. The sweet 16 handi quilter. It's a long arm but not on rails, you move the quilt versus moving the machine. I loved it. So I rented some time and did the Wonky Heart Quilt, and once could manage, I rented some more time to finished the Big Brother Quilt.

Here's the finished piece.

While quilting

the quilt pattern

My Signature

The big brother with his big brother quilt

It's not even a twin size quilt, it misses the mark by a foot, but still it was too large for the handi-quilter. Just too much quilt mass to move around. But as I had already basted it, and was wary of the 24' machine, I went with it. I made up my own pattern, I like it. I was bored with the idea of a basic wandering path.

Still, I like it, and I like quilting. We'll see if I'll try it again.

finishing up projects--or not

The snow tutu's on some of the dancers

6 out of 8 finished-lets hope the last two get done before my little girl is born

finished arm bands

Finished the backing for the Big Brother Quilt, most likely will wait to quilt it till
after Lucy is born. (much after) My son getting ready to walk on it......
he's such a silly dude.

Halloween witches, me and my son were very very scary witches.
Especially me with my carpal tunnel wristband and my streaky (almost)
invisible green makeup.

tulle

I finished the top for the big brother quilt.

My pants-less assistant designer. aka, the big brother this quilt is for.

Then I started on the tutu's for The Dance of the SnowFlakes, in the Nutcracker.

This was a bigger job than the Waltz of the Flowers tutu's because we are starting from scratch.

Here was my original sketch.

Not quite finished but still looking good.

Now that the first is finished, next come seven more. I have volunteers for this part, so I will be only making three more. *Whew* load off my mind. I did put together a 9 page, how to with pictures and only 20 steps to just make the bodice. I'm still working on the same how-to for the tulle skirt. I had originally wanted to add sleeves, just little wisps to add some dimension, but depends on how much time we have. I have a big deadline (my delivery of this little girl) and of course it is 4 days before the Nutcracker premieres. It's like she KNOWS.

The tulle was a big of a pain to work with. I've worked with it  before, and still I forget how well, obnoxious it is.

Anyway, luckily, it doesn't show too many issues when you layer 7 layers upon one another. I still think it needs more layers of tulle, but because after 10 yards of tulle, 8 times over can get expensive. Even if it's only $1 a yard. (on sale) I used the tulle from last years tutu's and only got half what I would have liked at the store. Still I managed to get, hmnnn, about 40 yards of tulle. It took many trips to many Hobby Lobby's since it being around Halloween, tulle has been a hot seller.

Here are the headpieces that my Mother lovingly and kindly found and donated.

Until then,
Ruth

works in progress

Idea for the headpieces for Waltz of the Flowers. 

I know it looks HUGE, but for costumes you need to make things big. Remember the audience is at least 30 feet away, and under harsh stage lights, "subtle" washes out.

The big brother quilt

I started packing it up before I realized I hadn't taken a picture of it all laid out. Oh, well, here it is almost laid out completely.

Thanks to everyone who helped me, I was in a crazy daze yesterday and was no fun to be around. Thanks for putting up with me. I was at my wits end due to what I consider "crazy pregnancy hormones" and emerging allergies.

Ruth