A while back, a group of quilters pooled their resources and purchased the pattern and templates to make the Mrs. Billings Coverlet. Every six months, the packet was to be passed to the next person on the list. That all worked out nicely until the packet came to me. Yes! I was a big failure. Luckily the quilter I was supposed to hand things off to was very gracious and allowed me another six months. Well, those six months are up in four weeks--yikes!
This is what my Mrs. Billings coverlet looked like the last time I wrote about her:
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| Unfortunately, this is still how she is looking. Yeesh. |
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| I have spent the last week cutting out the rest of her--borders 5 through 15. She will measure 94" square, so you can imagine how much cutting was involved... |
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| ...especially when you see the size of the templates! One thing that made is go a bit more quickly was figuring out a strip size for each shape. |
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| The other was this tape. It's soooo much easier to cut against these tiny templates when they don't slip! You may be able to see it across the templates to the left of the roll. It's clear, textured on the non-sticky side, and easy to peel off. I've put it on all my rulers too. |
FYI: I purchased my Curad tape at Walmart. My friend Kathe tells me that Walgreens carries a version that appears to be the same made by Nexcare
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| I only cut four small pieces of the tape for this marathon cutting session and transferred them to each template as needed--you can probably tell that these two pieces were well used. Also, the tape leaves no residue, so when I pass these on to the next quilter, she will be none the wiser. Unless she reads this. I'm sure she is chomping at the bit to get starting on Mrs. Billings! |
Okay--I know she's not, but it's still time to pass on the packet!
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| Oddly, even after all that cutting, my basket is still pretty full. Hopefully when I start making the hexagons that will be appliqued onto Mrs. Billings in Borders 9 and 15 that basket will look a lot less stuffed! |
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Time can sure slip away fast, can't it. But look what you were able to accomplish when the pressures on!
ReplyDeleteWell done Karen! and thanks for the tape tip
ReplyDeleteOoh. I need to get some of that tape!
ReplyDeleteWow - I love your colors and version of this quilt better than any others I've seen so far! Quite awhile ago I started my own version of Mrs. Billings, but only have the first border done - I know it'll never be as big as the original - I'll probably make it more on the miniature side. Seeing yours might start the fire under mine again. Thanks for the tip about the non-slip tape!
ReplyDeleteP.S. - After seeing this little snippet of your sewing room, I really think we need to see more of it! (hint, hint)
ReplyDeleteLovely color choices in your Mrs. B's to be hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI would probably be in the same shoes if I tried to participate in a group like that. The quilt looks wonderful--look forward to seeing your progress. : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the tape tip. I had heard of it once before and then promptly forgot. I appreciate the reminder. I need to get some!
That looks very daunting indeed! Good luck and please share the photos of the progress, this one is going to be amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow Karen this quilt looks like a lot of work but the result will be worth it! Good luck piecing it together!! Have a lovely weekend! :) xx
ReplyDeleteI've seen other Mrs. Billings Coverlets and wasn't all that impressed ... but yours? Wow, it's fabulous! Seeing yours has stirred the desire to make one myself - although it's a LOT of work, not to mention that it appears to be out of stock. So maybe I'll live vicariously through you. ha!
ReplyDeleteLove the primary colours in your Mrs. B. I would love to make this quilt but it is out of my price range. What a great idea to get together a group of quilters to share the cost.
ReplyDeleteTalk about a cutting marathon!! I can't wait to see this project grow :0)
ReplyDeleteHi Karen. I have that same green basket.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible quilt! how long is that list, can others join in at the end of the list? = ) I cannot wait to see the finished work, you can do it!!
ReplyDeletewow looks amazing so far. Those templates are pretty tiny!!! Thanks for the tape tip, gotta get some of that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tape tip. I do so like that pattern. Congrats on being able to pass it on. Your top is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for linking to WIPs Be Gone! I loved seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteThey sure look like tiny templates, aren't you glad the cutting is out of the way? It looks lovely!
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