Though I haven't had a proper holiday, I did take a break from sewing a lot this summer. I just felt like spending time outside, enjoying the light and the good weather. Instead of trying to fight the lack of inspiration that was plaguing me all winter and spring, I decided to let go, step back and recharge my batteries in the sun.
Aunque no he tenido vacaciones propiamente dichas, sí que me he tomado unos meses libres sin coser casi nada durante el verano. Me apetecía más estar fuera disfrutando del buen tiempo y la luz. En vez de luchar contra la falta de inspiración que he pasado durante el invierno y la primavera, decidí relajarme y cargar mi bateria al sol.This is my favorite corner in the tiny flower garden. The satisfaction of seeing it thrive is as nice as seeing a quilt develop, and I've found out it can be very relaxing watching flowers grow from seed.
Este es el rinconcito favorito en mi mini jardín. La satisfacción de verlo crecer ha sido casi tan agradable como ver como crece un edredón crecer cuando se cose. Me he dado cuenta que ver plantas crecer desde semillas es muy relajante.
I haven't been totally idle, though. I did make three 8 inch blocks, appliqued, as part of a learning excercise from the book Design A Baltimore Album Quilt: A Teach Yourself Book In Sets And Borders, by Elly Sienkiewicz. I'll be making at least six more, and designing a border to go around them. It was good work to take outside and sew under the umbrella. Also, it has been good practice for back basting appliqué.
No es que no haya hecho nada de nada. Sí que he cosido tres bloques de ocho pulgadas, aplicados, como ejercicio para poner en práctica la teoría del libro Design A Baltimore Album Quilt: A Teach Yourself Book In Sets And Borders, de Elly Sienkiewicz. Haré posiblemente seis más para hacer un quilt pequeño y aprender a diseñar un borde. Un trabajo portátil que he podido sacar conmigo al aire libre y coser sentada debajo de la sombrilla.
Then, I found a quilt I really liked. It's a free pattern from: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/ideas/projects/pieced/bubblegum_1.html
I started machine piecing blocks three weeks ago, I think. So far I have enough blocks for three rows. It is a very easy block, uses up scraps very nicely. I'll have to find a pink for the solid blocks, but I'll sew all the pieced ones first.
Y luego encontré un quilt que me gustó mucho. Es un patrón gratuito en: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/ideas/projects/pieced/bubblegum_1.html Lo empecé a coser a máquina hace tres semanas, creo. De momento tengo bloques para tres filas. Son muy sencillos y aprovechan retazos. Tengo que encontrar la tela rosa para los bloques que alternan, pero primero coseré todos los de retales.
And last but not least... a new sewing machine, a Singer 15-91 from 1932. I am not quite ready for the unveiling yet, as I am waiting to get a pedal for it from Ebay. Keep your fingers crossed for me, as I don't know if it even works yet :)
Y últimas noticias... una máquina de coser nueva. Es una Singer 15-91, de 1932. No está preparada aún para su presentación en sociedad, porque estoy esperando que me llegue el pedal que compré en Ebay. Aún no se si funciona, asi que si podeis cruzar los dedos, os lo agradeceré :) As usual, blogger is fickle with the full size of the pictures, but they can be seen at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mlbatres/TheLivesAndTimesOfAQuilterSCats
Como siempre, blogger se porta mal con el tamaño grande de las fotos, pero las podeís ver en: http://picasaweb.google.com/mlbatres/TheLivesAndTimesOfAQuilterSCats
Here it is! A Singer 15-91 made in 1932. The cord and pedal arrived, I plugged it, somewhat afraid of what was going to happen, but sure as shooting, it works! She sounds sweet, hardly any noise other than the needle poking the fabric. It makes a beautiful straight stitch. The japanning isn't in great shape, it has a couple dings on the table and the decals are a little worn in the front, but still, I can't complain :)
