To quote one of my fellow American Trip Around the World Challenge bloggers, “I’m totally obsessed with this project”. That’s why it’s been so quiet here — I’ve had my head down hand stitching these little blocks. It’s really starting to get time-consuming now — it takes me at least an hour to do one side of one round. Our challenge this month was to complete rounds 10 – 18 by today. July 15th. I put the last stitch in round 18 with 45 minutes to spare. I know I didn’t really have to get it done by today, but I really want to try to stay on track. It’s been my experience that a little slip in schedule can quickly become a big slip.
I did have a little burp in this month’s task. I had cut out rounds 13 and 14 and then I had to clean up the fabric that was on every flat surface in my house because people were coming over for the 4th of July. When it came time to stitch those rounds, I couldn’t find the little cut squares anywhere. That’s what happens when I clean stuff up and cram it all into my sewing room. I ended up re-cutting the fabrics in order to continue on. And then, somewhere around round 17, I found the little devils (pictured below) neatly tucked away in the new train case sewing box. Doh — didn’t think to look in the obvious place!
I’ve long since stopped finger-pressing the seams on the back, but I wish I was still pressing them. They’re flopping all over the place and shedding threads. I feel like I spend half of my stitching time plucking little threads off of the back and it’s driving. me. crazy! The back does have a sort of pretty texture to it though.
Jan eloquently wrote about viewing your colors out-of-focus, so I thought it would be fun to look at my block that way. It’s so funny to me how this block is taking shape — I don’t feel like these colors are “me” at all. I’m not sure what “me” colors are, and I like these colors, but they don’t quite feel right. I’d love to make another version in different colors. Or maybe ten more versions — then maybe I’d find “me”!
A little closer look and you can see some of the prints a little better. I love the Alison Glass text print so I had to try to use it here. I threw in three blue rows in a row in an attempt to “blue up” this block, but it doesn’t seem to be working. I still see predominately yellow and brown.
I might have to get more aggressive with the blue this next month. We have a fun new twist to the challenge. A partner will send us each a quarter yard of fabric and we have to use it in a round. I’m afraid to do any more rounds until I see my exchange fabric so I hope it will arrive soon!
We’re having the most beautiful summer this year. This week we’re experiencing another polar vortex and let me tell you, a polar vortex in July is a whole lot more fun than a polar vortex in January! I’d gladly suffer through the brutal winter that we had this year in order to have a beautiful, cool summer. As a snow lover, I feel like we hit the weather jackpot this year. I wish I could share our cool summer with those of you who are burning up here in the northern hemisphere– come for a visit!
XOXO,
Anna
Definitely yellow and brown but absolutely stunning. I know what you mean about getting behind. I started knitting squares for the Rowan mystery blanket where a new square was revealed each week. I started late but was doing okay and then lost the plot around week four. I picked up a square last night and now I haven’t a clue where I am!
wow, so much work ! I am in awe x
It looks fab, Anna. I bow to your patience with all that hand-sewing! :o)
I do admire you Anna for staying on track with this beautiful quilt (I know exactly how things can slip to the point where a project ends up languishing in a cupboard for a decade or so as I have a few in my closet!). Anyway, well done for all of that stitching – I can see how perfect and neat your stitching is on the picture of the reverse side and I’m most envious x
Wowsa!! It’s looking amazing!! I can see why you’re hooked, each new colour would change it’s look with every round. I’m looking forward to see howing the fat quarters swapped will change things.
Although not necessarily my kind of colours either, I think your trip around the world is stunning (or will be). And I can well imagine that it’s taking longer and longer to finish one round. How many more rounds to go? And is there a specific reason why you don’t iron as you go? Just wondering ;)!
This is so, so beautiful! A TATW has been on my make list for quite a while. I think they are so beautiful! I can’t wait to see what mystery fabric you are sent.
It is so lovely Anna, and so much work!! The back looks wonderful too! I love to see how things are made. Perhaps your mystery fabric will be blue and you can keep on with the blueing it up! xx
Oh Anna, your quilt is looking so beautiful! I’m in awe of all that hand-stitching!
I think the colours are looking lovely together but I know how you feel, when you’re making something that’s not quite in your usual colours and it takes you out of your comfort zone although I think the complete change can do us good.
I seem to get stuck in a rainbow rut so like to challenge myself with some non-rainbow stitching every now and then :)
x
I thought I was the only nut dreaming about making another version (or ten!). lol. It’s 6:30am and I’m sitting here, stitching. I haven’t worked on such a riveting project in quite a while.
Your TAW looks great ~ so graphic! But yes, these do take us on a wild ride. I think your color choices are spot on. Can’t wait to see what fabric you get to use from your ‘below’ ~ still walking to my mailbox each day with a bit of trepidation!
this project is amazing! yours is looking great. Enjoy your cooler weather and send it our way. we are hot and soupy!
how many are in this challenge?
You are doing great ! The yellow and brown do seem to take over, but it looks great!
I love these colors, and everything else about it. The out-of-focus picture reveals a lot about the contrast. Very cool.
Glad you’re having a nice summer. I could really use a polar vortex right now. :-)
love it – I didn’t know you were in a group doing this quilt although I have seen some more around blog land. sorry you lost your pieces you had cut maybe you can use them later and cut more to make it enough.
It’s so great to hear your latest adventure! And what an amazing quilt this is. That is a LOT of hand work and so many little pieces. No wonder they could hide so easily. I can’t wait to see the finished version. And I agree. This summer (as in right now this very week) is wonderful. I love the cooler weather. Please keep posting pictures of your progress. As always, inspiring stuff Anna!!!
Not being able to find something specifically put in a place so as not to forget where it is, then forgetting where it is….soooo something I would do. But like your other reader commented, you can use them as part of another round. Something I noticed in the out-of-focus picture, the 2 times you made red then yellow trips next to each other, the yellow takes over and looks like even more yellow. Maybe try putting more blues after the reds to blue up. Higher contrast. But in the end, Anna, this is amazingly beautiful!! I, too, would love to hear more about the challenge and your progress. Can’t wait to see the mystery fabric.
I’m really liking this project. You could inspire me to start my own because I need a hand sewing project for travel.
Oh dear Anna!
How is your upper back from all this hand-sewing?!! Your quilt. is. just. Amazing! I admire your patience (and envy you for the time you have!!). Have you thought of aqua blue to “blue it up”?
I’m so happy how good your summer is. The “summer” here has been like the Monsoon rain!!! I can’t remember as wet weeks as last 8 weeks have been…. raining (poring) EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!! June was the most wet June last 100 years!!! I. have. had. it!!!!!!! But thankfully we have been SUPER busy (exhausted) so we try not to notice it (you can’t have it all) :)
Enjoy the nice weather for me too and good luck with your newest project, hopefully the secret fabric will arrive soon…. maybe it will be aqua! ;)
That’s looking fab! Enjoy your summer! We’ve been having great weather, but the kids break up for the summer on Friday and the weather is set to turn…so typical!!
Looks great, both in and out of focus! Can’t wait to see what you end up with in the next rounds. :)
anna, have you tried using a lint wand to clean up the little threads on the back? you know, the kind you use to pick up dog or cat hair off your clothes. might be less annoying than picking at the threads? otherwise, i think what you are making is awesome. i love the blue in it, too. ;p
I agree a little that it is yellow and brown but that blue really pops and then you notice it more in the center rows. I think you really nailed it. Don’t fret! It’s great!
I don’t really like yellow, so the blue catches my eye. We are having a good summer so far, with just enough rain to keep the garden looking good.
Gorgeous!! This one is hand stitched, right? Does need another pop of blue but man – what a beauty!
What a wonderful project and yours is beautiful. I’m not sure those would be “my” colors either but I bet one day you will love this combination. I doubt that I could ever attempt such a quilt but out of curiosity, where are the instructions? I’ve thought about having a hand sewing project for our RV travels.
I feel your pain when something is misplaced! Just went through something similar with a set of keys :(
Enjoy this beautiful summer!
Wow, you’ve been working hard. It’s a beautiful quilt. I really like the color combination. To me, it’s got a vintage flair to it.
The quilt is gorgeous Anna. We are having snow in surrounding areas today and pouring rain, hopefully it will warm up a bit.
I love your colors Anna…..maybe they’re more me and Christmas is comin’. Just sayin haha. I think you could definitely add some blue in a round or two to give it some oomph but I love it just the way it is. It was 101 here in SLC two days ago. I envy you the cool weather. We’re off to No. California again so I can’t complain. The shopping is fabulous. Take care.
That looks so amazing! I love how vibrant it is :-)
Go Anna! It looks fabulous!
More blue will do!! It looks fabulous Anna! I’m sure you need more than a FQ with the rounds becoming bigger!
i was going to do this.
i swear.
and then…..
well….. i couldn’t pick the right fabric and my life got in the way.
okay… i have to go back to work now so i can afford to buy more fabric from you.
i’m off…. to save the world!
:waves madly
It;s a gorgeous quilt , maybe your partner will read this and send you some blues . Boys break up from school tomorrow and I can’t wait , hope your Summer continues to go swimmingly despite the polar vortex :-)
heading out in the camper this weekend and was thinking about a hand project…hummmm wonder if i have time to cut a bazillion squares before we leave? loving this project!
I love your colorway—it reminds me of the 70’s, and I mean that in a good way! I would stick more with turquoise’ish blues. Beautiful!
Looking great.
Glad you’re enjoying your cool summer. We’re enjoying our warm one, which is probably cooler than your cool one…
So impressed! Its very pretty and I love the colors, funny how one or two and take over when we are not looking though! Been trying to finish a few things, Swoon done and a backing ready to go to quilter, Piece of cake from Camille, done with backing ready to go to quilters, Delight done…no backing, baby size Delight from leftovers done with no backing… and my Project 48 ala Carrie Nelson a very pretty French Roses in lavenders for my sil Christmas gift…done!! No backing but I ordered it today and made the binding too so it too can go to quilter. Hugs!!
Hi Anna! Great title for this post-lol. I’ve only “tripped” once before and it is a lot of work but once you figure it out, it’s not so bad.
I love the fabrics you selected for this too.
Wow, the back of it looks almost as good as the front. Very neat, consistent seams. I struggle a bit with that but yours looks great.
Nice job all around and of course, your projects are a pleasure to browse.
Enjoy your day!
Anna, I can’t believe you’re stitching those squares one at a time by hand — Yikes! Trip was my first strip pieced quilt. I don’t think I’d have the patience, or that I’d live long enough to do one by hand. I bow before you!
I love little squares. Always have. What a journey you are on! Looks great.
What fun! It’ll be interesting to see what your partner sends. Can you refuse to use it if it would be a total disaster?
I’m envying you your cool summer. My break from knitsofacto coincided with the start of hot weather here, and now I’m blogging again it’s got even hotter. 32C today, which is crazily warm for North Wales.
I love your quilt… I think the colors make it feel retro. It’s just beautiful… I can’t wait to see it all finished!