Last week I went out for drinks with my “editors” otherwise known as my good friends. After a few Moscow Mules, they informed me that my blog last week was not great. “It was the WORST blog you have ever written.” This is a quote, NOT a paraphrase. I am a straight shooter, so I can handle the criticism. I can also read between the lines. IF you read last weeks blog, you know that my project was issue free. I did NOT have any major problems. Basically, my “editors” find it far more entertaining when I struggle. They love me, I know, but like to see when I poke myself in the finger and draw blood or run pins through my serger.
My guess is that they will enjoy this blog.
It all started with the “FARGO” theme I had going at the store. All things Fargo. I made the Fargo Theater sign, the state of ND pillow, and the BISON fabric star. I wanted to do one more project that represented North Dakota. I was sewing these projects during the elections and there were political signs everywhere. After Doug Burgum won Governor, I knew what I wanted to do. His campaign sign. I wanted to make his campaign sign into a quilt.
Part one is my favorite part. CREATING. No rules. Layer fabric and fuse it down.
Next, I had to figure out what font to use for the lettering. I wanted it to match exactly. I went through 100’s of fonts on my computer. I couldn’t find a match. That is when I remembered something. My sister. She had a crazy infatuation with fonts. I am not joking. She knows fonts, I have no idea why. She runs a yoga studio. What are the chances? I sent her a photo of the sign and asked, “Any random chance you can tell me what this font is?” 5 minutes later, “Coppersplate.” No hesitation, just Coppersplate. She was RIGHT. Proving that my sister knows everything. And I hate her a little.
I cut out my Coppersplate font, by hand, and fused it on. I also added as many North Dakota towns as I could fit. I KNOW, I spelled Bismarck wrong. Do NOT worry my correct grammar friends. I fixed it. You can sleep soundly.
Next step, add batting, backing and quilt. I had a pretty good idea of how I wanted it quilted. I wanted the sun to have rays. I added the sun because if North Dakota has anything that is awesome, it is our sunsets! I told this to Kerry and she did the lines. I don’t trust myself with straight lines. Yet. I’m getting there. Once she did her first round of quilting, I added my quilting details. I had just started to add my flare when this happened.
Needle flew out in the middle of my sewing. I am pretty sure it happened because I didn’t actually screw it in place when I changed the needle. Details. Don’t tell Darren.
Last thing. Binding. I dislike binding. A lot. But it is not going to bind itself. I know because I let it sit there on my table for 2 weeks unbound. Nothing happened.
I mentally prepare. I cut all my binding strips. I need to sew them together. Binding is sewn at a 45 degree angle. I had 4 strips I had to sew together. I made the same mistake….are you ready? EIGHT times. EIGHT. I could not figure it out. I literally screamed out loud after the 8th mistake. My daughter came running down to see if I was alright. “Maybe you should take a break Mom.” Wisdom from a 13 year old. What does she know. Nothing. I keep sewing.
I finally get the binding sewn together correctly, but because I had to cut some of it off due to my mistakes, my binding is short.
I rip it all off. Sew more strips together (additional 3 mistakes) and try it again.
STILL short!! Now, I take a break. For 5 days.
Finally, I talk myself into finishing.
The rest goes smooth. Binding on. Towns spelled correctly. My mitered corners are not perfect, but nothing can be perfect, right?
Cheers!
Andrea
