I decided to explain how I’m coping without a rotary cutter and mat. Yes, it’s like the days when I first started quilting. I don’t always want to measure, and luckily with the pouches I’m making I really don’t have to.
For this cat pouch I eyeballed the size of the cat fabric I wanted, then cut to the size I felt looked good. I centered the fabric by finding and marking the center of the batting/backing and the cat fabric, then pinning in place.
The blue accents to the side were just cut as a long strip of the matching height. I sewed it to one side of the cat fabric and trimmed, then did the second side the same. Flip, trim, press.
Again, just like before, the grey strips were cut to the appropriate height and stitched down. When the fabrics were all stitched, I trimmed the edges, making sure the two sides were identical. Last steps were to add the zipper and sew the edges.
Pinterest is wonderful and yet it can suck all the time out of your day. I open Pinterest to find ideas for making inventory for the flea market. I found these Origami butterflies and I felt challenged to successfully make some. What I found is that the photos and explanations didn’t make sense to me at the final steps. I had to look at more than 5 different blogs (I lost track of how many exactly) before I found one I could follow to the end.
So that I don’t frustrate anyone in the way I was frustrated, I won’t try to write a tutorial or post photos of every step. I’ll just show you mine, say good luck, and send you out to find the blogs if this is something you want to try. I like that it begins with two small rectangles. I also like that it ends with a butterfly that can be attached to a pony elastic or a hair clip.
Early in December I got another devastating diagnosis – this time it’s an aggressive Leukemia. I’ve been away from home since Dec. 9, with the exception of 2 days in January. I must stay within 30 minutes of the cancer treatment center and my home is much farther away than that.
I’ll be here until the end of May/early June. Since I have my sewing machine, and I didn’t want to waste opportunity, I bought fabric, needles, thread, notions, zippers, and more. I even found someone selling a pound of fabric strips from bolt ends, great variety and well worth the price. I’ll have the flea market booth again this summer and it’s a great time to create homemade quilted goods to sell. That’s the coping – with boredom.
Compensating – I have peripheral neuropathy which has only become worse with the new chemo I’ve been given. My fingers are tingly and going numb, to match my feet and lower legs. I compensate visually – I have to look at everything I do and touch. The sensation in my fingers is like I’ve stuck my wet hands in sand and can’t get any of it off. I found out with iron-on stabilizer that I have to rub it against my cheek to find the rough side. There are a lot of ways to compensate, I just have to find them. Doing without quilting is NOT an option!
I had a stem cell transplant and I’m on an anti-rejection medication that gives me tremors. Have you tried to cut a straight line while your hand jiggles uncontrollably? The good news is that I’m almost at the point they will discontinue that medication and I’ll really be able to speed up.
Enjoy this little photo gallery of items I have sewn to sell. Some look unfinished, I’ll add details after I finally get home. If you have more suggestions, I’d love to hear about them! These are mostly zipper pouches, but I’ll also make hotpads, drink coasters, and anything else that catches my eye, from photos on the internet.
Quilt in Progress 