I finished the last of the 42 blocks I need for Grandma's Apron Strings (previously called Someone's In the Kitchen with Dinah until I decided on sashing and changed the name of the quilt).
I had decided to try some chicken scratch for the sashing and so embroidered enough pieces for 17 sashings. This morning I decided before I went any further with the embroidery that I should try it out and see if I like it.
I like it but unfortunately my chicken scratch shrunk up the gingham piece a little so my carefully planned 9.25 piece of sashing is just a little too small. I tried to starch and stretch it into submission but I think it will be a little too short the proper 1/4 inch seam allowance when I go to sew rows together. And I'll hate myself if I don't do it right.
So now I'll be ripping out this chicken scratch. Then I'll see if I can save the other pieces I haven't cut apart yet because they are a little longer but the piece is frayed a little on each end. Boohoo. It takes a long time to embroider one of these strips and a lot of white embroidery thread which is running low and I need sashing enough for 42 blocks. I also get bored after doing the chicken scratch embroidery for two or three pieces of sashing.
So I guess I need to buy more white embroidery thread and get busy. I'll take it as one of my hand work projects next week when we have a family reunion camp out.
You may not see this quilt again for awhile!
Wow! I am so impressed that you have taken the time to do all that white work on your sashings! I love it! This will be a wonderful quilt when you finish it!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful idea for the sashing AND many hours of work, but it makes the quilt come together so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteSO sorry those sashing strips came up just a little short -- what a LOT of work to have to re-do. Totally get it, though.
ReplyDeleteYou always have the most wonderful quilt projects on the go!! This is so evocative of Grandma for sure...too bad about that sashing falling just short.
ReplyDeleteHugs, julierose
Bummer! But good for you for sticking with it. I tend to tuck those things away in a drawer. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't bear to have to rip out all that embroidery. Hope you manage to embroider more at camp. It does look lovely, though. Just right as a frame for those great blocks.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Hope the ripping goes smoothly. Enjoy the family campout.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous project! Best of luck on your re-do of the sashings :-)
ReplyDeleteI totally would have cheated and added a bit of fabric to each end of the sashing pieces. And then lied through my teeth and said it had been the plan from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteClearly you are a better person than I am... 8)
I really like your apron strings blocks, and your sashing idea looks so pretty! I'm sorry to hear something went wrong with your plan, but I understand wanting it to be just right!
ReplyDeleteSorry it didn't work out the first time. It does make very pretty sashing. Good luck with your new path forward.
ReplyDeleteLove the embroidery. I used to do something like that making aprons with my Grandma, so it brings back some wonderful memories. Like everyone I hate to unsew. I'm so glad you will be working forward to make enough embroidery to finish this quilt. It is really lovely and different.
ReplyDeleteHugs
I agree, it' a fabulous project.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate reading how you work through issues.
I tend to be a little wimpy when it comes to difficulties.
I get encouraged to be braver reading about your projects, thanks.
I don't know whether you have ever used chicken scratch in a quilt before, but I have to warn you that the gingham fabric does not hold up as well as other cotton fabrics. I made a chicken scratch alphabet quilt for a friends baby some time ago and all of the gingham fabric came apart at the seams with the same fraying that you are describing. Unfortunately the quilt couldn't be salvaged. If you decide to use it, you should try to stabilize the gingham edges somehow. Your quilt is so pretty and your chicken scratch is also.
ReplyDeleteChicken scratch sashings are a great idea! It's worth fixing for sure. It's going to be lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Could these stitched pieces go on another project? I hate to see them unstitched!
ReplyDeleteAnd then you could make more for this project?
Such a great idea for the sashings!
Thanks for linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching!
What a bother. Hope that you can get it right. Love the fabrics chosen for the blocks.
ReplyDeletesuch a shame the sashing has shrunk as it looks so good on the blocks, fingers crossed the next lot work out okay are you pre shrinking the fabric this time?
ReplyDeleteAnd it was such a great idea! Hoping all goes well next time around. I have saved a large-ish blue & white gingham piece too that my mum did 'chicken scratch' on, I think it was to be a table colth.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I hope your troubles with the sashing works out for you. It's such a brilliant and charming idea to go with those cute blocks--good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your troubles as I think the chicken scratch gingham is perfect with these blocks.I remember my grandmother had aprons with similar patterns. One summer we made gingham placemats with spider webs in the corners. Great project.
ReplyDeleteI love chicken scratch, and I'm always interested in new ideas for incorporating embroidery with quilt making. Kudos to you for hanging in there to fix the problem. It's going to be a beautiful and unique quilt.
ReplyDeleteLove the chicken scratch sashing, love it so much I want to try that someday. I did do a quilt with blocks made using chicken scratch. here's a link if you would like to see
ReplyDeletehttps://roseprairiequilts.blogspot.com/2017/03/what-up-32717.html