I feel like I’m creating things a bit slower these days. Long story, but there are health and pain issues I’ve been dealing with, and I just don’t have the energy to head to the sewing room at the end of the day. Oh and my daughter’s school schedule changed from last year, so even though she is in school “every day” now, the amount of time in a single block is different. I still just haven’t adjusted my sewing time to figure that out. But I’m trying to work at getting in some sewing most days because it really does add to my peacefulness. I’ve got to fulfill that desire to CREATE.
So at the advice of my friend Elena, I decided to break out my Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile and finally do something with them. It’s taken a bit longer to work on it than I intended but that’s okay. I’m enjoying being mostly deadline free right now. And oh that voile is soft and buttery!
There is always something magical about quilt tops back lit in front of a window. You can still see the beauty of the fabric, but you simultaneously get to see all of piecing that is there too. And as a quilter, the piecing view makes me pretty darn happy. As you can see, I opted for a fairly simple patchwork idea of criss crossed triangles. But as always, working with voile adds a little something tricky to the mix.
The softness of the voile comes with a bit of a price tag in the manner of slippery to work with. So the choice to sew together triangles cut on the bias may not have been the smartest choice I ever made. lol But I gave myself leeway to just let this piece be what it needed to be. I just needed to create and I didn’t HAVE to have perfection. That’s a tough one for me folks. Perfectionism is not an easy burden/gift to shed. It often serves me well. But this project is more about enjoying the fabric rather than perfectness of my points. (Never fear, I’m sure perfectionist Angela will be back again soon…I won’t go all crazy on you and leave my type A personality in the dust)
And look at that drape!! This is why voile makes some really lovely garments. That drape is hard to beat. It’s soft and lovely and just looks like you should enjoy it. I’m so glad I finally bit the bullet and played with my voile collection – which, to be honest, has gotten a little bit out of control. I don’t use voile often enough to warrant the amount that I own. I’m going to quote my friend, Lynne, here and tell you that I “panic stashed” some voile. In other words, I bought more than I will probably need because it is in a limited run and I didn’t want to miss out on certain prints. Let’s not talk about other “panic stashed” fabrics I own *cough* Katie Jump Rope Dots *cough*.
My plan is to something a little bit different with this top…it involves a down comforter. Intrigued? I am! I hope it works! And really, don’t we all need more Little Folks love in our lives?
I'm so sorry you've been dealing with those health issues lately, Angela. I hope that changes soon. Good for you to use up some of your stash and just enjoy the sewing without letting perfectionism hijack the fun — I struggle with that too. Hope your schedule falls into place and you get more sewing time. It's amazing to me how I can actually feel the loss when I don't get that time to create. It really is an important part of how we're made, I think!
SO gorgeous! I hope it makes you happy when you look at it! That's a big part of why I sew – when life drives me nuts, my fabric and projects make me smile. 🙂
Thank you! It really does make me pretty happy to look at it. I just need to finish it up now and not rest on my laurels. lol That will make me even happier. 😉
It's gorgeous! I've just finished making a quilt from a variety of AMH voile backed in some AMH velveteen, but I just bought my voile bundle from Westwood Acres, as I didn't think to buy the voile when I first saw it!
Hope the health issues are resolved soon for you, gentle (((((HUGS)))))
Thanks for sharing how working on voile was. I love that backlit look and am considering making some curtain panels like this – I hadn't considered using voile, but the light would be more impressive, wouldn't it! I really enjoyed reading your blog (for the first time!!) and look forward to more posts. Struggling with fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, I completely understand the difficulty of keeping up with daily life, looking after your health, AND squeezing in creative sewing time. Hang in there!
Welcome! I think these would be beautiful curtains. They won't keep out much light but they would be very pretty as decorative sheers. And I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering from chronic diseases as well. Sometimes life hands you a few too many lemons!!
Beautiful – like stained glass. I think down mixed with voile would be Heavenly! If you are going to do something duvet-like, will your seams be ok? I have heard that voile frays quite a bit. Could one use a down comforter as batting and stitch on either side of the seam to strengthen them? Ohhh… that would be wonderfully soft. I have used 5 layers of high loft polyester batting in some of my girls quilts for extra winter warmth and machine tied them.
Being able to handle things that are NOT perfect comes with age. The older you get, the easier it gets to not stress as much over how perfect it is. Probably the best advantage to age (and I'm only 50). Hope all the rest works itself out in your life.
Oh, I hope you get to feeling better soon! I'm a long-time reader of your blog and love to see the things you create and share with us. And that AMH voile quilt is truly beautiful – especially backlit by the window. It looks like stained glass. thanks for sharing.
There are a lot of people who are doing online clothing shopping and I will suggest you must open an online dress stores where you could launch your designs, because your designs are very lovely.Thanks
Your quilt top is so wonderful and cheery! I am sorry about your health. I have suffered with chronic pain for many years now and some days I just have to give in and lie down. This year, we have 2 in Middle School and my calendar fills up quickly between music lessons, band concerts, sports, scouting, dental, orthodontics and some days I look around and wonder…where did the day go? I will keep you in my prayers Angela, hang in there sweetie!
Listened to your interview today, Angela. Congrats on the curves book. I can totally see why you chose to sew a classic block in this quilt, LOL. After designing my curves class i didn't want to sew curves for months and months! I'll be excited to see your book.
This is SO very beautiful. I have been hoarding my Anna Maria voile bundle for awhile now. I may have to copy you:) I hope you get to feeling better really soon. Never fun to be under the weather so much that you don't make it to the sewing room!
I'm so sorry you've been dealing with those health issues lately, Angela. I hope that changes soon. Good for you to use up some of your stash and just enjoy the sewing without letting perfectionism hijack the fun — I struggle with that too. Hope your schedule falls into place and you get more sewing time. It's amazing to me how I can actually feel the loss when I don't get that time to create. It really is an important part of how we're made, I think!
SO gorgeous! I hope it makes you happy when you look at it! That's a big part of why I sew – when life drives me nuts, my fabric and projects make me smile. 🙂
Thank you! It really does make me pretty happy to look at it. I just need to finish it up now and not rest on my laurels. lol That will make me even happier. 😉
Panic stashing – ha! I love how this looks so far, and you're right, there is something awfully magical about a back-lit quilt top like that 🙂
WIshing you health! And the time to find that peacefulness. 🙂
It's gorgeous! I've just finished making a quilt from a variety of AMH voile backed in some AMH velveteen, but I just bought my voile bundle from Westwood Acres, as I didn't think to buy the voile when I first saw it!
Hope the health issues are resolved soon for you, gentle (((((HUGS)))))
Thanks for sharing how working on voile was. I love that backlit look and am considering making some curtain panels like this – I hadn't considered using voile, but the light would be more impressive, wouldn't it! I really enjoyed reading your blog (for the first time!!) and look forward to more posts. Struggling with fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, I completely understand the difficulty of keeping up with daily life, looking after your health, AND squeezing in creative sewing time. Hang in there!
Liz
Welcome! I think these would be beautiful curtains. They won't keep out much light but they would be very pretty as decorative sheers. And I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering from chronic diseases as well. Sometimes life hands you a few too many lemons!!
Beautiful – like stained glass. I think down mixed with voile would be Heavenly! If you are going to do something duvet-like, will your seams be ok? I have heard that voile frays quite a bit. Could one use a down comforter as batting and stitch on either side of the seam to strengthen them? Ohhh… that would be wonderfully soft. I have used 5 layers of high loft polyester batting in some of my girls quilts for extra winter warmth and machine tied them.
I obviously can't wait to see what you do. 🙂
Being able to handle things that are NOT perfect comes with age. The older you get, the easier it gets to not stress as much over how perfect it is. Probably the best advantage to age (and I'm only 50). Hope all the rest works itself out in your life.
Oh, I hope you get to feeling better soon! I'm a long-time reader of your blog and love to see the things you create and share with us. And that AMH voile quilt is truly beautiful – especially backlit by the window. It looks like stained glass. thanks for sharing.
Your voile quilt top is so pretty but I am more worried about your health. What is going on?
There are a lot of people who are doing online clothing shopping and I will suggest you must open an online dress stores where you could launch your designs, because your designs are very lovely.Thanks
Your quilt top is so wonderful and cheery! I am sorry about your health. I have suffered with chronic pain for many years now and some days I just have to give in and lie down. This year, we have 2 in Middle School and my calendar fills up quickly between music lessons, band concerts, sports, scouting, dental, orthodontics and some days I look around and wonder…where did the day go? I will keep you in my prayers Angela, hang in there sweetie!
Listened to your interview today, Angela. Congrats on the curves book. I can totally see why you chose to sew a classic block in this quilt, LOL. After designing my curves class i didn't want to sew curves for months and months! I'll be excited to see your book.
This is SO very beautiful. I have been hoarding my Anna Maria voile bundle for awhile now. I may have to copy you:) I hope you get to feeling better really soon. Never fun to be under the weather so much that you don't make it to the sewing room!