A Little Bit of This and a Bit of That
This post is about several different topics that aren’t really related at all. It’s easier to just say it’s a little of this and a little of that, and maybe some things you were wondering about. Maybe.
A Little This – Hummingbird Sew Along
The hummingbird sew along that I had hoped to launch in early January is not happening. EQ8 has gotten the best of me, and I give up. For now that is. I am trying to talk Sue into going to the EQ8 Academy in Ohio in early April. I think if I take a class it will definitely help me. I’m a hands-on, do-it myself type of learner, and I usually just jump in to figure something out. Apparently that style doesn’t work all that well with EQ8. I’m not going to give up totally on the paper-pieced hummingbird though. I’m SO darn close to having a pattern to share. And so many versions, I don’t think this is the latest because I had a light stripe between the head and the body.
If you have a sew along suggestion/idea for a quilt pattern or technique that you’d like to try, please leave a comment. I’m game for almost anything.
A Little That – Fabric Ban
My fabric purchasing ban has been lifted. Sort of, that is. I can’t even gloat (much) that it didn’t make it past the first week of the new year. The Dr. Seuss quilt that was finished in the blink of an eye – truly one weekend – has sold in our Etsy shop in an even quicker blink. That event led to SUE suggesting that maybe we should make another one. Open the flood gates, even a crack, and I’m on it. Sure. No problem! I ordered enough to make three more Dr. Seuss quilts. In my defense, that qualified the order for free shipping AND it included a previously unseen-by-us panel. If there’s a market for these quilts, shouldn’t we try to meet that demand?!! That is basic economics after all and I have a business degree.
Let me add that the entire ban may not have been lifted. I’m not really sure! While I was ordering this fabric though, I threw in a few half yards of some NFL teams that aren’t around here. We are going to make NFL fabric ornaments for Dominic so I stocked up a few different teams. I will have to share a separate post about these, because they are cool! Go ahead and twist my arm – I already started a post about sharing the details. ~smile~
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I love the hummingbird. My parents always fed the hummingbirds and it totally makes me think of them. 🙂
The bird may be little but the attraction is huge. Knowing you, I am sure this is just a speed bump. I know you will conquer this beast too, whether it is version 8 or 9. Of course, Dr. Seuss Quilt was an instant sell. It was too adorable to sit in a shop 🙂
Those paper piecing patterns are tough. I am loving what I am learning in the online classes that Kari teaches (I think we talked about this before). One thought is to do it on paper first then import the image and trace the lines. Start bigger and then you can make the block smaller (if that makes any sense). Oh, and I have started deleting a lot of the extra copies of blocks and quilts to make sure I am working on the most current version (not being able to name blocks or quilts in the programdrives me nuts)
Congratulations on your quick Etsy sale. I don’t doubt that licensed-character fabrics like the Dr. Seuss prints you bought are appealing to quilt buyers. They were wise fabric purchases — and well worth a temporary lift on the ban!
I hope you get to go to the class. Cindy and I decided today that things are too hectic and we won’t be able to go this year…:(. I love your hummingbird!
Congratulations on selling your Dr. Seuss quilt! Sorry I don’t have EQ8 so I am no help. I am also a self learner but sometimes you just need to take a class otherwise I tend to just give up on it and EQ8 is too expensive to do that.
I knew you wouldn’t go long without buying fabric! But I must say I am pleased that I haven’t bought any so far this year! Now yarn, that’s another story.
Your hummingbird block is so cute! I am sure you will get it figured out:). I will be a tester if you need one. Also, I think bans on fabric should be banned! 😊❤️
HAHAHAHAHA! Yes Tracy, bans on banning fabric should be BANNED. No doubt about it and Sue laughed when I told her the new rule. 🙂 <3
Can’t wait to see all of the fabric goodness and what you do with it! What I often do if I want to make a paper piecing pattern is get some kids colouring books with animal/bird themes. It’s so easy to draft a pattern using those as a design suggestion since the lines are nice and dark. I use the page to get a rough draft of the general shape. Then you can adjust and add elements as you please. 😉
I don’t paper piece, but I love your hummingbird! Go enjoy that class – it isn’t that far away. You need a break … both of you. =) Now that was good thinking, I believe! So what do those NFL fabrics look like. 😉
The hummingbird is very close to a success, but I guess some hands on tutorials would make it that much easier for you. To be honest I am impressed with what you have achieved.
Hello Roseanne, Congratulations on selling your quilt! I wish you continued success on all of your selling adventures. I know nothing about designing or EQ anything, so I am of no help. Which makes me feel a tad bit sad, you have helped in so many ways and I can not return the favor when so asked. I hope that your fellow quilters who follow will have some great ideas for you! I am off to do a little of this and a little of that today myself. I hope that you have a splendid day!
Your hummingbird looks so good, but it makes sense to put the sew along on hold for now until you become more comfortable with the EQ8 software. I can’t wait until I get my own copy, but I feel forewarned that the learning curve is steep at the beginning. I’m planning to go to QuiltCon in Austin Feb 2020 and hope to take an intensive EQ8 workshop there. Take care, Mary.
I think you should make more Dr Seuss quilts if there is demand for them! The first one was awesome! I’m struggling a bit with my embroidery software…I’m at the point to give up making my own designs and just continue buying them — it will save me the headaches and non sleep from constantly thinking about what to try next!
I think you are wise to make more Dr Suess quilts. If the demand is there, provide the quilts! That’s one way to finance your fabric addiction. Happy stitching!
I think your hummer is looking pretty good! It isn’t easy designing most anything, but something as detailed as this will certainly take some time! You’ll get there!
LOL you bought fabric already!! But I too thought you should make another right away. Are you following Kari Schels ‘onpoint quilter’blog for EQ tutorials?
I am just kind of learning EQ8 as I go, but would love to attend one of their academys! There used to be an online “university” and it included EQ, but not sure if it’s still around. I’ll have to check that out. I do have the workbooks and am slowly working my way through those. I’m so happy your quilt sold so quickly!! That is awesome. And, of course, a great reason to fill the demand and purchase new fabric!
The hummingbird picture up there looks great even if it’s not quite ready for a quilt along. Congrats on your quilt selling so quickly! Hope the next ones do just a well.
yep, I’m with ya on the marketing of a hot item such as your Dr. Seuss Quilt…go for it!
I’m wondering if the NFL fabric might be sewn into a prototype quilt and put out there for sale like the Dr. Seuss one? Probably another ‘boy/guy’ themed quilt that might just go like hotcakes!
ps-congrats on baby girl’s arrival!
I’m sorry to hear about the hummingbird and EQ8. I haven’t gotten very far in my EQ8 tutorials, yet; I keep quilting instead of sitting at the computer. Haha. Glad you snuck some fabric shopping in, although if it’s made up into a quilt quickly and then sold, it really doesn’t qualify as stash — right?!?