Where is my pug doggies fabric?

Ordered it April 5th. It still has not arrived. I contacted the seller, hoping that she put tracking on the package so we can figure out what happened to it. I mean, who is going to go out of their way to steal fabric with a pug doggies design?

Back - still a work in progress

Front with the left sleeve

While I have been waiting, I have been finishing my Primarily Blue quilt and my custom applique sweatshirt jacket. I decided that instead of attaching and finishing 1-2 pieces at a time, I was better off cutting all the pieces and basting them in place. That way I can see the whole effect and balance out the design -- even though my asymmetrical design is far from balanced. I think I like the look as well as the color combination. I will be able to wear it with denim, navy and brown.

Big Thumbs Down

So much for the "thumbs up, thumbs down" theme I gave my post on the gift for my sister. I called her for her birthday and learned she is not into primary colors at all.  So, this quilt for her is a BIG THUMBS DOWN!

Her "thumbs up" is still pink floral. In addition, she is thrilled over a pug puppy she received as a birthday gift. Okay, I can adapt. Out comes all my pink floral fabric -- which is not much since I am not the "pink lady" like my sister is -- plus I ordered a yard of some novelty fabric covered with pug doggies.

Her gift was going to be a little late, but now it will be just a little later. Better that and get her something she might appreciate instead of sending a "big thumbs down" gift a little sooner.

As for my Primarily Blue quilt -- well, I have someone in mind who will love the primary colors and give it a "thumbs up".

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

I am making a quilt for my sister's birthday. She won't get it by then, because I would have had to mail it today for that to happen and the binding is not even cut yet. This project has had it ups and downs -- as in some parts I have loved, and some parts not so great.

Thumbs up - I found this beautiful navy with small yellow and red floral print on deep discount. I was not looking for anything like it, but fell in love with it. It was an end of bolt remnant - 49 inches when trimmed. So, what was I doing to do with with it? Make a quilt using it for the sashing and some of the blocks.

Thumbs down - It took longer than I thought to design the pattern and cut it out.

BIG thumbs up - Except for the backing I bought on sale, all of the rest of my fabric came from my stash!

Thumbs down - My Singer quilter machine is great except when doing free-hand stipple stitch. I tried the so-called quilt stitch that is supposed to look like hand-quilting. It looked okay on the sample I tried but looked awful on the quilt.  It took me about three feet of stitching to decide -- no way, it's got to go. That is the WORST stitch in the world to pick out. It is a wonder I did not ruin the fabric. 

Thumbs up - The cycling pant leg rings I bought from Nancy's Notions to hold the quilt roll in place while I machine-stitched in the middle worked great.

Thumbs down - Some of the fabric kept stretching and puckering while I stitched. Some of my lattice work is not the greatest, especially since I used navy blue thread instead of medium blue that would have blended better.

Thumbs up more than down - Even though I stitched two-thirds of the lattices before I remembered this trick, once I used the spray sizing and hot iron to tighten the weave of the fabric and add some body, the rest of the lattice stitched up a lot better -- not one hundred percent, but better.