Welcome to Main Crush Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for everything this new week may bring.
Over the weekend I took a few hours and tried something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I attended a class to learn to do wool applique and I enjoyed it so much!
As you know, it’s been pretty crazy in the Cooking Up Quilts world and I almost felt a little guilty taking time off to attend a class. Especially one that has nothing to do with machine quilting, longarm quilting, pattern design, or basically anything else I spend my time on these days.
Taking the class was like a breath of fresh air. It was so refreshing to sit with friends and do some hand stitching and simply enjoy the morning. Let me show you what we made:
A simple little pouch that didn’t take much time at all to make. It’s not perfect — there’s mistakes all over the place — but I’m simply not worried about it. Doesn’t sound like me at all, does it? I’m just so chill about the whole thing. I really liked the process of tracing the pattern onto fusible, pressing to fabric, cutting the shapes, and finally whip-stitching the shapes into place. It was so very relaxing. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be more of these types of projects in my very near future!
The inside of the bag has a little stuffed heart for holding needles or pins. I’m going to use this bag for my binding supplies. It’s the perfect size to hold a pair of scissors, some needles, and a few wonder clips.
Working with the wool was easier than I thought it would be. I don’t know why I thought it would be more difficult. Hmm…. Anyway, it was easy. The quilt shop has recently added wool and threads by Sue Spargo to their offerings. I’ve not taken the time to look through the patterns available, but I hope to do so this week. Because I *need* to give myself another project to work on!
As far as long arming goes, the project I’m currently working on is an all over design on a solid piece of fabric for a client. The ProStitcher has been busy stitching this one out.
Lucille wanted an all over design to make a comforter type quilt. We are using Quilter’s Dream Wool batting, and it is giving the quilting so much great texture! I like the QD wool batt so much – it’s wonderful to work with. Best of all, Freddie likes quilting through it and that’s always a plus!
In other news, I’ve made a major decision and acted on it last week. One of my struggles is finding balance between my longarm business and all the other commitments I have. Business has picked up considerably in the last few months and I’ve found myself falling further and further behind. Having more customers to quilt for is a definite plus, but the lack of time is a real stress bomb.
So after a LOT of thought and many discussions with my (so very supportive) husband and a very trusted friend I have decided to leave my job at the quilt shop. I love working there, so it wasn’t an easy decision to make. But I want to put longarming first – after all, it is my business — and leaving the shop will give me more time and energy to focus on what I love to do.
I’ll still be teaching classes and helping out when they need an extra set of hands. But now the majority of my time can be spent focusing on Cooking Up Quilts. Longarming and pattern writing. I’m excited for this change and am looking forward to seeing the growth that I anticipate this year. And I’m really excited that you’re coming along on this journey. I love having you along – this trip wouldn’t be any fun by myself!
Now it’s your turn to share your quilting adventures! What has you excited to be in your sewing space? You can link up any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
Wonderful to have a project that you can give in to and not be so worried about perfection. It is hard to leave the LQS – I did it and still miss it – but it is right for you and you need to do it. Kudos to your hubby who is so supportive!
Congratulations Beth! Good luck with the transition.
Congrats on focusing on quilting and pattern design! I can’t wait to see what you create next!
I am sure you thought long and hard about your decision to leave the quilt shop. The reason I never worked at one (which was my dream job) was that I’d never have any take-home pay and have no time to use up all the fabric I bought.
Congrats Beth! Life is always evolving and it sounds like you are ready to take the next step with your business. I hope it continues to thrive and grow. (I am sure it will – your work is just beautiful!!)
Yea for going out on your own. I’m sure it was a hard decision but you will be making your customers really happy. I like your little wool project. I’ve done a few little things but not as much as I want to!
Hi Beth! I’m proud of you for making such a difficult decision that should greatly improve your life – both business and personal. I could almost feel the stress you’ve been under lately in your words, so having the decision behind you must feel great. You can now move forward doing something you love, and I can’t wait to read all about it. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Kudos to you for getting the pesky decision making out of the way and good luck with the new direction.
I have a similar kit in wool in my stash and keep thinking I should do it. Working with wool is enjoyable and forgiveable.
It is going to be a good thing to concentrate on your own business, you are so creative and do such lovely work!! I’m sure you will find time to shop when you want some new fabrics to pet. I love wool applique, and see you have my favorite KKB scissors for it too.
I have worked with wool and found it so much easier than I thought it would be. Sounds like you made the decision that is right for you too many jobs makes it hard to deal with life
I think you have made the right decision. I’m sure it was difficult, but as you said…business first. The good news is you will still be able to teach and help out at the shop. It seems like the best of both worlds!
Congratulations on your new direction! Hopefully the change allows you to get some balance back in your life and some time for you to play with your own fabric.
And I think you should allow for some time to visit a quilty friend that isn’t too far away sometime 😉 😉
Congrats. There’s nothing like working and being your own boss. Of course there are still stressors but the good outweighs the bad. Love the wool applique. Thank you for the linky party.
I agree with Vicki that I’m sure it was a difficult decision to make, but will be good in the long run. It’s been fun to see your long arm business blossom! Glad you enjoyed working with the wool. It’s one of my favorite things too. I find it very relaxing (and forgiving).
I am sure that was a hard decision for you to make as I know you loved working at the shop and petting all those wonderful fabrics. But now you can just concentrate on petting your own! I too have never done wool, but do own a couple of little kits. Someday they will get done.