Pretty, Pretty Voiles

When voiles burst on to the scene a few years ago, thanks to Anna Maria Horner, I wasn't all that interested. My style may be modern, but I generally prefer the traditional materials like plain old quilting cotton. Then somehow, somewhere someone gave me a piece of voile. I was seduced by the airiness of the fabric, the silky feel, the soft drape.

So, I made a scarf.

And then I started shopping. Just adding one or two pieces onto an order from nearly any on-line store. Only my favourites. Never concerned with collecting from an entire line. I've got more Anna Maria Horner, some Tula Pink, Joel Dewberry, Valori Wells, and Denyse Schmidt.

Then last week I received a few more and thought I better count how many I had. 29. 29 fat quarters or 1/2 yard pieces! It was time to stop collecting and start cutting.

It is going to take me a long time to get through the cutting. Each 1/2 yard piece yields 18 triangles plus 12 side triangles. There is no layering when you cut the voiles because that desired silkiness means the rulers slip. I'd rather take my time and cut properly than risk losing some of my fabric. Oh, and I'm cutting all of this for what I hope will be a king sized quilt.

In my head this pretty, ultra-soft quilt will drape on our bed in the summer months. For when you still want the hint of covers but not the weight of anything over you. Maybe this summer? Probably next.

100 Days of Modern Quilting

Have you been following along with the 100 Days of Modern Quilting feature running on The Modern Quilt Guild? If you haven't, you should be.

Colour, block styles, improv, it's all been there so far. Tutorials too. And there is more to come. Inspiration every single day. It is also a great showcase for modern quilts.

Yes, I know the debate between modern and traditional, and the blurry line too. (This is still where I stand.) Regardless of where you stand on the debate or in your own style of quilting, the series is a great place to see some gorgeous quilts, a wide range of quilts.

And speaking of gorgeous quilts... One of mine is being shared today. How's that for a pretty shameless plug? Your Parents are Cool is still one of my all-time favourite quilts and I'm proud to have it included in Improv Week in the 100 Days of Quilting.

Indian Cottons

My MIL went to India and all she brought me was some fabric.

Well, that's not true. She also brought me some lovely tea and spices. But oh, that fabric! Over 1 meter pieces of each of these. Endless possibilities. Paralyzing inspiration.

29 Weeks

Threads, flour, horizontal stripes, and an unflattering pose. Welcome to 29 weeks pregnant in my house.

29 weeks is the most nervous part of pregnancy for me. At 29 weeks one of my bridesmaids had to leave our wedding and delivered her baby that night. Then she spent 5 weeks in the hospital herself while baby was there 2 months. It all worked out and everyone is healthy now.

At 29 weeks in my pregnancy with The Monster I went into preterm labour. A weekend in the hospital then 9 weeks of bedrest followed. House arrest, really. It all worked out and everyone is healthy now.

So when I hit 29 weeks I can't help but feel nervous and antsy. I watch my body for any sign of disagreement with the pregnancy. Of course, seeing as I rather dislike being pregnant the whole thing feels like a disagreement. In this case, every cramp seems like a major contraction, every slowdown in kicks is a concern, and I take my blood pressure too many times. Paranoid much?

This week I'm distracting myself with sewing, baking, and ignoring my messy house. Evidence of all things in this self portrait above.

29 weeks.