I'm still pondering whether I should continue DJ. These are my blocks so far, and I do like it, but I don't think I will be making the quilt in its entirety. So I'm going to choose the remainder of the blocks that I'm happy to make and then come up with some variation on the border.
I think a lot of my sewing frustration this week has come from the cross stitch pattern I bought myself for my birthday. I wasn't sure I had ordered enough thread so I stitched one skeins worth and did some calculations..........whoa, way underestimated what I'd need of the "limited edition" colour (and not cheap thread either). Anyway, to cut a long agonizing story short I'm going to unpick what I've done and choose a nice dark red DMC. Just annoyed with myself for not thinking it through better......and I hate unpicking!
Exams are over for now, Mr 16 has returned from the snow, and Mr Thimblestitch and I are running away to the city for a couple of days this week. So lots of planning and organizing to do over the weekend, but of course there will be some time for sewing too.
Susan x
love the weekend sewing project.... I think either white or green will be lovely (that is helpful isn't it????) DJ is stunning.... just stunning and a shame about the unpicking but at least you hadn't done two skeins??? (another helpful comment... I'm on a roll here!!) Enjoy your run away time
ReplyDeleteHugz
Don't give up in DJ too soon, it looks like you have done the majority of the blocks. I love your little green pin cushion too, a change of colour than your usual red, but just as cute.
ReplyDeleteShame about the cross stitch but it will be lovely finished. Your DJ progress is so beautiful and no reason not to make a smaller quilt - especially as you have your favourite blocks. You have made me a convert to walnut shells - love the weight they give to pincushions. I think a white thread would be really fresh ...but whatever you do will be perfect!
ReplyDeleteYour Dear Jane is so pretty. I am looking forward to seeing how you decide to progress.
ReplyDeleteI have never used walnut shells, you have given me the nudge to find some. Here in England we don't have many quilt supply shops. I have 3 "near" my town. each about 40-60 mins drive away.
I just spied a link to another post about pin cushions, so I'm off for a look now! Have a nice Saturday.
Gorgeous pin cushion Susan, yes, sometimes a variety of projects is necessary! I think it depends on the shade of green you would use but either or would work well :-) I think your DJ is looking great all laid out together, will be interested to see how you decide to finish it off. What a pity you cant get more of that thread, it looks like a lovely project - do you need to unpick or could you start on a different piece of cloth...?
ReplyDeleteShame about the unpicking of your X-stitch...it's hard work to go back to the start. Your pincushion is looking lovely. Just to make it more difficult..how about a navy blue thread??
ReplyDeleteLove the pincushion.....picked up one from Hatched and patched on the weekend and am about to give the walnut shells a go for the first time.....
ReplyDeleteDJ looks awesome. If it's time to stop, it's time! Sorry about your stitchery. Don't be too discouraged.
ReplyDeletelove your pin cushion, I'd be partial to a darker green for the outline, it will look wonderful either way.
ReplyDeleteGreat seeing your dj blocks altogether.
How sad you can't get that extra thread, I'm with you re unpicking, bummer.
enjoy your little get away this week.
Hi Susan i love your pin cushion i buy the walnut shells in bulk from a reptile store,its a lot cheaper way of buying it,i love your DJ blocks,oh i hope you and your hubby have a lovely time away xx
ReplyDeleteYour Dear Jane is looking wonderful. Think you should continue Susan. And pincushion is so pretty
ReplyDeleteYour Dear Jane really is beautiful. The pin cushion is super cute and I would be crying if I had to unpick those tiny little stitches.
ReplyDeleteI think either green or white will be fine Susan but as a thought how about a 'linen' look colour to match the cushion? Oh no to unpick but I think you will be happier if you do! Your DJ is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteI've never used walnut shells...must try them but I've never seen them down here!
Dear Susan,
ReplyDeletereally cute applique, green or white running stitch, both will look great.
Sorry you have to unpick your stitching, that is not good.
Greetings,
Sylvia
Love your pincushion...agree with Dzintra. Shame you have to undo all that work!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the progress on your Dear Jan quilt. Such a shame you've had to unpick your stitching.
ReplyDeleteDear Jane looks beautiful will look forward to seeing your version of the borders. What a shame that you have to unpick all that gorgeous stitching :(
ReplyDeleteYour DJ is beautiful! I love looking at them, but know I don't have the time/dedication/skill to make one. I think a smaller version will be just as amazing as full size. What size is your cute little pin cushion?
ReplyDeleteDarn about unpicking - it is slow work but understandable. Walnut shells do work better and give good weight - I know you are supposed to be able to get them from reptile suppliers - but I'm still looking up here - they do get expensive...lovely pincushion...and I can hear you about DJ too - you could just finish the last block then put it away for a bit and see how you feel about it later...its a mammoth task to do the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI have read your blog for a while and definitely enjoy your projects and posts. Your DJ blocks are fantastic and I'm sure Jane would say do whatever you need to do. It's all about the fun. Make it your own.
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty greens! White stitches would be lovely :0) Oh the crossstitch - its gorgeous! Unpicking is no fun but running out halfway would be worse. Have a fun trip to the city!
ReplyDeleteThe Dresden Pate is a pretty and fresh color combo.
ReplyDeleteLove the red & white DJ blocks. I know it is a big project and however you finish it, it is surely going to be beautiful. Never saw a DJ I did not like.
Creative frustration/indecision - something which definitely effects one's day and week. Looks like you know how to proceed, which is in itself half the battle. Any chance of making a pincushion or similar from the cross stitch or do you need the entire fabric piece? Smart decision on the DJ, some projects have a lifespan and then start to sap you energy. Have a wonderful couple of days away!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, perhaps we had both better plant walnut trees, so we can have an unlimited supply of shells...not sure how we are going to crush them though! Love the green pincushion, I think it looks good in the square design. Your DJ is growing nicely and looks lovely, but I am nodding my head at your decision and that original border is way over the top, you want to be able to see the finish line!
ReplyDeleteLovely visit today Susan... and as my fav colour is green... I'd go with that around the pin cushion. Love the DJ top too...so pretty...& a shame about being short of cross stitch thread... always a nuisance & a waste of sewing time to unpick...but necessary at times too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Sunday. xox
Great weekend sewing project - the colours look good together! I love your red and white quilt blocks - beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely pincushion...I'd go with green! Your DJ blocks look amazing...and good luck with your reverse stitching...I just spent the night doing that too!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have lots on the go and fun playing with some different fabrics.
ReplyDeleteAnother beauty of a pincushion - I'd go with white for the stitching. And don't fret too much about picking out the cross stitch that is already done - might be a good job if you are in the car headed to the city. Your DJ blocks are amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan
ReplyDeleteYour DJ blocks look amazing, I like your plan of choosing a few more then making a border. it going to be a stunning quilt. What a shame about your cross stitch. Unpicking hopefully won't take too long. Have a fun week.
Oh what a pretty sight Susan - all those DJs playing nicely together! I'm sure you will take time to make a comfortable decision & end up being happy with it all.
ReplyDeleteMy heart sinks for all the work you've done on that x-stitch so far; as a stitcher myself I would probably unpick too, if had exhausted all avenues of trying to get some more of the thread... would it be of any use to you if I make inquiries at a couple of shops here in Perth, on your behalf?? I'm more than happy to do so
The pincushion is going to be gorgeous and your Dear Jane is beautiful, it's going to be a lovely quilt. Such a shame about the cross stitch and all that unpicking, it will be worth it in the end :) I love the cowl you finished a while back, in fact, I've saved the pattern to my Ravelry queue!
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