Takeaways

I spent some of the weekend making the picnic blanket. I'm about a quarter of the way through the binding, and I've learned a lot. Machine quilting is like ordering a takeaway, at first it seems like a good idea, but after a short while the joy has worn off and you're left thinking that you could have made something more satisfying yourself. 

The main thing I've learned is that I do not enjoy using the sewing machine at all. The project became something to do, it felt like it was all about getting it finished rather than creating something. I can't deny how exciting is was to see strips coming together so quickly, but that soon subsided and it was just about getting it done. For me it has been like making bread using a bread maker, yes, technically you've made something yourself, but you've not really been involved in the process, machines have done the heavy lifting. 

I also made the massive error of deciding to use the back as the binding, never ever again. I love a wonky quilt, but just no. Next time I have binding money I'll be nipping to the fabric shop to buy something nice to finish it off. 

The final thing I've learned is that I don't really like making things, I love putting things together and making things look nice but the actual construction of things I don't enjoy, so I'll get the picnic blanket, the Twin Peaks runner and Dan's SFA quilt done then that's it for quilting, time for something else.