Several months ago my friend Verna suggested I join her in participating in a Calico House challenge - "Ugly Fabric". As usual, I thought I would have lots of time to finish the challenge, but, as it turned out, I didn't. I took the project with me to Washington State and may have finished in time, but my sewing machine refused to cooperate. I called Calico House to apologize and told them my project would not be completed.
These are the "ugly" fabrics, which I don't think are ugly! We could add fabrics, but had to use some all of the original five - a yard of the focus fabric and four coordinated fat quarters. When I spread the fabrics on my work table there were fabrics nearby and one of them jumped out of the pile and screamed "Use me!" So, I decided on the design, added the screaming fabric and solid black, cut a paper tree shape and fused the tree to the background.
As I have done for years I started quilting the background before doing the fused applique. But that is when my machine decided to break the top thread. I tried everything - changed needles, changed threads, cleaned/oiled the machine, kicked the cat and rode my broom around the room. Nothing worked. Too much stress - I packed everything away and it stayed in the car until I arrived home.
I'm hoping that I will be able to finish the quilt soon. My friend Verna turned her quilt in long before the deadline and so did a bunch of other quilters. You can see the quilts displayed at Calico House in Placentia until the end of September.
Calico House, 1243 E. Imperial Hwy, Placentia, CA 92870 714-993-3091 www.calicohousequilting.com
