ORDER - A WIP

PART 1

Thankyou. To everyone who left a comment, advice, good vibes. It means so much to me when I do write 'open' posts that this wonderful community like what I do, and care enough to leave a message. I reach a point where I need to just write some of this down, put it out there, and use it to move forward. It's always hard to respond to comments individually, and do them some justice, but I do try and answer those who send personal emails (although I am behind on them too). Over the last week the following have happened::

• I've started seeing an osteopath again for some intensive treatment and two sessions in and there is some relief. I'll see her for the rest of pregnancy and afterwards. I'm a firm believer in taking babies to an osteopath as well immediately after birth, and will do that for Petite 6.5 st.
• I've seen a councilor at the hospital antenatal clinic to clarify some of my fears and expectations, and it's been great. She put a few things into sharp focus, and I now feel I have some direction on what I should focus on for a more relaxed birth.
• I've rested. Those of you who know me well know I don't rest that much. I live a pretty hectic life. This week I took some time off work, and am thinking about cutting back my days till I finish as well. Someone very beautiful said something which made me sit up and think: That I can't talk about and plan a natural birth if I ignore my bodies attempts to tell me things during pregnancy. She was right. Thankyou Manuele.
• I started some new piles.
• I finished one pile.
• And I even started something for me.

PART 2

The Heathen Quilter Part 1 saw the introduction of my less than technically perfect approach to quilting, and a declaration I would never sew handstitched quilts again unless they were small. The Heathen Quilter Part 2 builds on the basics established in Part 1 as areas such as Forward Planning and Washing Material are called into questions, analysed, and thrown out the window discarded.

Having decided to go with the more abstract qualities of Quilt Option 1 in this post, I proceeded a while ago to draw it up in earnest, dimensioned each piece, planned out in detail, as evidenced here

and with anal precision began cataloguing the process. I've noted each step, each dimension, tagged everything. The quilt comprises a multitude of fabric pieces and sizes, interspersed with various knitted pieces in different wools and textures. I finished the knitted pieces a while ago, but have only just got around to doing the fabric pieces.

2 things jump out immediately - despite my best remembering intentions, I forgot to wash the material. It's something I'm particularly bad at doing even at the best of times. A bit like swatching. Notice there's a lot of saturated colours....I have utmost faith in Liberty print which has never run before, and the glory of colour catcher cloths in the washing machine. I also forgot to wash the knitted pieces, which should be ok, I think. The main concern pieces are being felted anyway, and I have yet to do those so any colour residue should come out through that wash process. Secondly:: Alongside handquilting, I can now add lots and lots of thin strips of material sewn together as something I don't particularly wish to repeat in a hurry. Sewing, and ironing, and pinning, and laying out such small pieces is really hard when you're uncomfortable. Look closely at the sketch in the book above, and you'll notice I got a little overexcited about lots of thin sewn strips... The panels are starting to take some shape.

What's your main WIP? Go check out Fiona's post about WIP's, and the flickr group here.

Comments

[cruz]

I'm so impressed at all that you have done this week and so happy that you are feeling better!

[Shelina]

You've made a quilt, and so you are a quilter. Better go get yourself some appliqued sweatshirts. Wait a minute, you are supposed to apply the applique yourself. Make me some too while you are at it, because I don't have any either.

[lisa s]

so glad you are feeling better... AND making something for YOU [it's not a superman cape is it?]

[Belinda]

I love the different fabrics and textures. I can wait to see it unfold

[Kitty Jimjams]

I even love your notebook - is it a Moleskine?

That quilt is going to be the stunningest. I love your "piles" (not sure if I should say that to a pregnant lady!) and I love, love the unique design. I'm sure those tiny strips are a pain, but think of the extra satisfaction when you run your hand over them later!

[Jo]

Hang on. I thought I had lost you to the dark side for a minute. But then when you said you forgot to wash the fabric, I knew you were back. I am still a little disappointed though to see such precision in such a gorgeous notebook. Seriously, the quilt looks awesome.

[karen.b]

I am really impressed - you are in pain but you're still doing an amazing job !

I am glad you're feeling better - I'm sure it's gonna be better and better - I really believe in osteopathy.

I am really curious to see Petite 6.5 sts 's quilt - especially this mix with wool and fabric (a nice inspiration for me ;o) )

take care. good vibes from canada :oD

[tracy]

the quilt looks to be beautiful. so glad you have found some relief... all best

[Kimberli]

WIP? Only ONE? Impossible! I'm renovating (read giving/chucking) my workroom/guest space... this makes many a WIP:
*Adding books to my Bookcrossing "available" list.
*Shredding up some bedsheets to turn them into a rug so to be cast on to #19s (i think)
* the slow-poking subway socks on #1s
* Sexy Shrug that I've designed and recently redesigned
* those damned cashmere fingerless gloves that are 90% done (still!)
then there's the Garden...
...the watercolor that's running around in my head...
...and 5 more designs to get onto paper before I loose them from my brain.

[Amelie]

Glad to hear that you're better!
And I like your non-traditional quilt approach very much -- excited to see what it will become!

[kate]

So glad you are finding some means of relief. Best of luck with that, here's hoping it continues to get better. Also, I wanted to mention how gorgeous your photos are. They always looks so professional, like they should be in a book. I am always inspired by what I see here.

[rachel]

Glad you are feeling better!
I was lucky enough to grow potatoes on my feet towards the end of my pregnancy...Lucky me!
Quilting was right up my alley then and now...mine have not the color rich beauty of yours though. I keep leaning towards hectic-hawaiian style. Need to learn how to stand back..
But yours are lovely and nice to admire!
Thanks!