Rhubarb Pie, Serpentine Stitch & a Drawing

In mid-February I walked away from the job I held in the fabric department at Hobby Lobby in order to fulfill my role as housewife. Before y’all go feminist on me, it was MY decision, not my husband’s.  While working I didn’t have time for anything. Housekeeping, cooking, mothering, “wife-ing”, and quilting all took a backseat and my life became endless days of constantly running.

I was fulfilling the part of me that needed adult interaction, and the parts that needed to teach and to learn.

What I was losing, though, was precious time with my family. And I was losing my creativity. Weeks would go by without me touching my machine. For a Creative, that generates discontent, frustration, and angst.

It seems like forever since I have had a finish. I don’t have one this week, but I am making progress. Sunday I managed to stitch four neat little stacks of 2-patches for the beginnings of my Rhubarb Pie quilt. One of the Facebook groups that I used to Admin had a swap for the pinks and greens needed. You can purchase the pattern here at Bella Rose Quilts (I have zero affiliation, they were the first one that popped up with the pattern).

Last Saturday was our monthly Sit & Sew at my friend Jan’s house. She graciously allowed me to use her long arm frame to baste some quilts. I’m really terrible about getting pictures. However, I did manage to get three smallish (larger than crib, smaller than twin) quilts basted in about six hours. Go me!

Jan discovered this wonderful thread from Superior called Vanish Extra. You can purchase it directly from Superior or through Amazon Prime.  Vanish Extra is a water soluble thread that stitches up just like regular thread. Toss your quilt in the wash, and voilà, no more basting stitches. A word to the wise: Don’t lick your fingers to moisten the end of the Vanish Extra when trying to re-thread your needle. Haha.

Wednesday ended up being a sick day for Junior. She’s been fighting allergies and a nasty cold, and it finally settled in her ears. Poor tyke. So while she lounged around in her jammies reading on her Kindle, I had some unexpected free time to quilt. Wooohoooo!

At some point this winter, I did have some free time to whip up this top. It was fast AND easy. A wonderful combination for someone who was missing their sewing time.

It’s just a simple 4-patch made with some 1930’s nickels that I had purchased online. It measures roughly 63”x81”. I had seen a picture on Pinterest and knew that I had to make it. Check out Mama Spark’s blog to see the original. I love the simplicity. And serpentine stitch is my new favorite quilting stitch. Throw in some pastel variegated thread, and you have quilting bliss.

As I said, it’s not done. By a long shot. I still have endless rows to achieve the look of the one in the photo. But I’m working on it. And I’m quilting. Finally.

As a side note, I am trying to grow my Facebook page Nakey Toes Quilting. Like, Share, and Comment on the pinned post to be entered in a drawing to win Fabulously Fast Quilts by Amy Smart.

Disclosure: This site uses links which lead to affiliate sites from which I make a (very) small commission. All comments and opinions are my own, and I refuse to promote a product which I do not like.