A Completed Fun Project
Christmas Tree Panel
When I saw this panel at the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn it just intrigued me. To be able to cut the printed Christmas Tree panel into nine pieces and finish it as if looking through a window – I was hooked. I don’t have the ability to do any free form quilting on my 45-year-old sewing machine. I either have to have someone with a longarm do the quilting, do hand quilting or do the stitch in the ditch. That last option is done by using the straight stitch on the sewing machine and sew exactly in the seam/ditch of the pieced pattern. Any time you vary the length of one stitch it goes south and takes away from a good finished looking project.
I began the hand quilting very slowly as I really had no plan in mind as to what design to use with the stitches. I finally decided on working with the print and whimsically outline the printed designs. What is a Christmas tree without a bit of bling? I dug into my stashes and found some beads and crystals to add here and there. 
No, I cannot do eight to twelve hand stitches within an inch as many talented gals can do. My goal is to be consistent and I really am not in any competition. The sad part is now I need to start a new project. Having something in the quilting hoop is so handy to work at it a few minutes at a time or several times a week. Starting anew it’s the choice of pattern, then the fabric and batting and oh yes a backing that will work. Lots of time before the hand sewing can begin.
I perhaps should think about rousting out a few dust bunnies that are snickering in the corners. No longer being able to dry clothes outside means the clothes dryer is being used and that means the lint screen has lots of goodies to share. Our washer and dryer are in the main floor bathroom – like there isn’t enough lint with bath and hand towels and even bath tissue to take flight in the air. Dennis is apt to lend a hand folding clothes but I really have to beat him to cleaning the lint filter as he pulls it out as if he were pulling out a six shooter for the last dual. It isn’t the dust that settles from that draw, it is the cloud of lint that lets loose. Doing the dust bunny routine will give me a chance to think through some projects and fabric choices. There is a method to all things.