Starting a Hand Tied Quilt

Image of my sewing work station which includes a bright blue cutting mat, several fabric swatches and a rotary cutter tool.

I'm FINALLY going to do it.  I've been promising myself for years that I was going to make a quilt before I kick the bucket and I'm finally going to fulfill that promise. 

A Little Background: About 8 or 9 years ago, my bestest buddy Natalie and I paid for a beginners sewing machine class.  If memory serves, the class was 1 day per week for six weeks and there was about 6 of us participating.  We all figured we'd learn how various functions were performed on a sewing machine and possibly come away each week with a nifty craft item such as buttons sewn on a dish towel or a pillow case made from two bandanas.  We couldn't have been more wrong!  After making sure each student knew how to thread their machine and needle, our instructor announced that we would be making an outfit from a pattern we had to buy from the local Jo-Ann Fabrics store. WHAT?!? 

To make a long story short, by the end of the class I had a so-so sleeveless blouse that I would never wear in public and a sorry pair of shorts that didn't come anywhere near fitting me.  I did learn how to make button holes and sew buttons on with the machine, but that's about it.  I did attempt making a nightgown on my own and to this day, that nightgown, sans sleeves, is still tucked away in my sewing paraphernalia.

Fast forward to November, 2012: Just before Thanksgiving I decided I wanted to get back into sewing.  Past experience has taught me the dining room table just wasn't going to cut it for a work area.  Sure as God made little green apples, as soon as I really got into a sewing project I'd have to clear it all away for a family meal.  (Do they really have to eat EVERY day?)  The drudgery of setting up and tearing down a temporary sewing area is enough to discourage anyone. Since I couldn't find a sewing "roadie" I had my son help me re-arrange my bedroom and I started planning my sewing nook.

Turns out I had picked a great time of year to get back into sewing.  Since Christmas was approaching, I made a wish list of items I absolutely and desperately had to have, (ok, wanted) and presented it to Santa Hubby and Santa Son.  I'm happy to say, I had a very merry Christmas!

I'm planning on making a hand-tied quilt using 6 inch blocks that are made up of three 2" x 6" strips (plus seam allowance).  I only have a few fat quarters that I bought over the years just because I thought they were "pretty".  I figured I'd use them for something someday.  If you're wondering what a fat quarter is, it's a piece of fabric 18" x 22" typically for making quilt squares.  They also make good liners for gift baskets, but that's a whole different topic isn't it? ;-)

Here's Part 1 of my quilt project: