Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Tuesday ToDo #42

The last two weeks were a total fail on finishing the projects on my list. I suppose it is not surprising, especially during the first week. We did have a very successful garage sale and we regained quite a bit of space in our garage. Now if we could just keep that trend going. LOL

Then, I got a new Windows-based computer. I had to buy a computer to work with Pro-Stitch Studio; it won't work with Macs. After I got it installed I spent way too long watching videos about how it works and playing with my pantographs (quilting patterns). 

(In spring I would often find myself scrolling through websites looking for patterns I liked and would spend upwards of $10-15 each for them, but then I ran across the One Song Needle Arts website and her prices were amazing. Yes, many of the sets are just pieces repeated with minor changes, but she has a lot of nice patterns. Somehow, I talked myself into buying her complete collection, upwards of 3000 pantographs. Now I have a ton of patterns and instead of scrolling through patterns I don't own, now I mostly scroll through patterns I do.)

My husband did finish quilting the Sewcialites quilt. I think he did a fantastic job. I'll probably do a post about just that project once I finish the binding and we get it outside to take some photos. The photo below was taken while it was still in progress; I didn't actually remember to take a photo before removing it from the frame.

Unlike my husband, I am not comfortable coming up with a plan on the fly. I like to know the plan, which I why I focused on learning how to use the ProStitcher software this past week. I got started on a plan for the Morris Garden quilt I finished last November. Even with all my new pantographs, it was difficult to find pre-made patterns that work with it. I spent a lot of time auditioning different options.

I don't really like any of the options I've come up with so far, so I set it aside and turned to my Finger Lakes quilt (which I finished almost exactly a year ago). During my earlier search, I found several pantograph options that looked like they would fit the shape. That project went much better.
Those lines are just jumps that won't appear on the finished quilt
because those threads are trimmed. And, to be honest,
I won't just put this quilt on the frame and quilt it all at once.
I'm not actually sure I'll be quilting this quilt next, despite the plan, since I don't have batting that is wide enough. I am not in a big enough rush yet to piece batting.

I think I'll repeat the last list and see if I do any better. 
  1. Add the last border on the Groovy Garden Broken Bricks lap quilt.
  2. Assemble a backing for it.
  3. Make my Purple RSC blocks.
  4. Work on my Stained Glass blocks.
  5. Bind the Sewcialites Quilt.
  6. Figure out the next project and start cutting it out.
  7. Assemble a backing for the Graceful Moments Flimsy.
  8. Long Arm quilt another lap quilt. (I think I only have 3 left now.)

Thanks to Linda for hosting Tuesday ToDo.


6 comments:

  1. Looks like you have adjusted well to your new computer. Sometimes I miss my old Mac - I had one in 2013. I told my husband about your husband quilting and he said he may have to join me and give it a try. He was joking, but I bet he'd be good at it. Congratulations on the pantograph collection purchase!
    Thank you for sharing with us at To Do Tuesday!

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    1. I'm still using both computers. The Windows machine is just for my quilt-designing activities. Yeah, I don't think anyone is more surprised than me that my husband is excited to play with ProStitcher and the long arm. He whined all weekend that I didn't have a quilt on the long arm for him to work on. LOL

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  2. I'm not comfortable coming up with plans "on the fly" either but I suppose it comes with lots of practice--which I don't have yet. Also, I love to create but I never really feel I'm that creative so another issue I hope practice will help.
    I have been a Mac owner for about 10 years and not sure I would ever go back. As for tech learning? I have NO patience for that!
    Good luck on your week ahead!

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    1. Well, I am still using the Mac for my non-quilt related activities. I still prefer it. And perhaps ProStitcher will come up with a version that works on Macs someday. One can hope.

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  3. How exciting and terrifying using a new computer and program. Can't wait to see what you come up with for both quilts.

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    1. Yeah, it is pretty intimidating. I'm spending way too much time watching videos about how to use the program.

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