Monday, August 7, 2017

Peaches and Improv Piecing Class and a Trade

Aren't they gorgeous? They smell as good as they look.

Blocks I made in Debbie Feske's Improv Class .

 Log cabin block I made at home.

Debbie @ A Quilter's Table blog is hosting a string improv  quilt-a-long.

I exchanged my Juki Mini for a Pfaff Expression 3.5.

Hello from sunny Renton, Washington!
Where chasing after our one year old grandson is great fun, always something new.
You should see him do 'Itsy Bitsy Spider', so cute.
My daughter-in-law brought home those (above) ripe, heavenly peaches. Nothing like a good peach in summer.

The class, Improv Piecing by Debbie Feske @ A Quilter's Table, link above, was great. Debbie's pleasant easy to understand style was the best! So I'm going to be putting together improv blocks based on traditional blocks, that's what I like to do anyway. The class was at Gossypium Quilt Shop in Issaquah, WA .

And you might be wondering, 'Why did she exchange her Juki Mini for a Pfaff Expression?
The Juki was giving me tension fits, literally and figuratively.
I want to sew, not run into the sewing shop every other day, trying this and then that and still not producing a decent stitch. I finally said to myself, 'This is not worth it. I'll take a machine that can sew a great stitch all the time, thank you.' And the Pfaff has a hard case so I can carry it.
And I need a machine that's portable right now, the Juki was too heavy. 
So that's the story.

At last I'm getting some sewing done and getting outside to enjoy the weather and the wild berries.
Hope you're having a good summer and don't forget to visit the local farmer's market.
You never know what you'll find there.

I'll be by to visit.




11 comments:

Pamela said...

Peaches are in season here too. I like your blocks and your new machine! Portable is good.

Julierose said...

Love how your improv blocks came out and those skinny strips, too. That is a beautiful new machine...(sigh, envy envy)I like that Pfaff's have that built-in walking foot. My old Pfaff (Varimatic--really really old) is resting after many years of great sewing... have fun hugs, Julierose

Ann said...

I saw the QAL online but didn't realize it was the same woman teaching your improv class. The QAL reminds me of Chinese Coins a bit. Love the mix of solids and prints. Cutting traditional blocks freehand seems like a great way to go, too. Lots of good ideas.
Enjoy the peaches. I'm having cherries right now but they won't last much longer.

Janie said...

Thanks Pam.
Thanks for sharing your crazy quilt group progress.
Beautiful work and fun all around.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

What fun quilt blocks! As always, filled with such wonderful colours that are happy-making. Bought our first peaches today. And interesting to read about your sewing machine issues - much the same as what I'm going through. I am seriously toying with asking for my money back and starting over, but if I do I'll have to cough up quite a bit more money. It's a catch-22 no matter what.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Your improv blocks are great, changing up traditional blocks looks like lots of fun!

Queeniepatch said...

The improv blocks all look good - the improv technic is perfect for you. Now with a machine that is also perfect for you we hope to see a lot of vibrant and funky 'traditional' blocks.
Peaches are DELICIOUS here in Japan right now - so sweet and juicy.

Kaja said...

Those peaches look fantastic but make me feel sad as we are nearing the end of the season here and it already feels more like autumn than summer. All your blocks are looking good and that class sounds like a lot of fun. As for the machine, I hope you are doing better with the new one.

Mystic Quilter said...

We are in the last month of Winter here and the sight of those beautiful peaches has me longing for Summer! Nice improv blocks and strips.

Janie said...

That's right Maureen, stay warm.
Winter has its own beauty and light.

Janie said...

Thank you, Queenie.
Your monogram embroidery is gorgeous, especially with that rayon thread.