The first of the orange flowers is definitely proving to be a very late bloomer.
It’s still not done.
Yes, two of the batiks have proven to be incredibly hard to sew – sort of like trying to drive a toothpick through fabric, even with a fresh #12 sharp, but I’ve run into batiks like that before. Actually, three of the four batiks in each petal are in that category but as the fourth one only touches the one nice-to-needle batik, it’s not an issue. For those who may be curious, the outer edge batik and the two that are the first and second from the centre are the batiks that are the culprits. They gave me the look I wanted and I’m thankful for that, but….
Here’s where it’s at right now. With luck and who knows how many more fresh #12 sharps, which are dulling at an alarming rate while I sew this flower, I’ll have the centre of the flower finished by Wednesday. One thing this has done is made me decide to be much, much more picky about the batiks I use in these blocks if they’re being sewn to another batik. If they feel anything like the problem ones in this first orange flower, then they’re being set aside.
Once I get the centre finished, it may end up being set aside at that point without its outer frame. Wondering why? I thought I was so organized. Now I wish I hadn’t been as it has not worked in my favour this time. I had picked out the perfect fabric and printed the background pieces, had them cut out and ready to go and set aside and, as of right now, they’re missing! I thought I had them with all the pieces for the flower but they’re nowhere to be found. I’m sure Baxter hasn’t made off with them as they’re rather large for him – he prefers small pieces like 1″ or 2″ diamonds or hexagons.
At this point, after going through everything I can think of, I’m clinging to the faint hope that they’ve somehow got mixed in with the fabrics I’ve got set aside for more orange flowers and I just need to very slowly and methodically go through those. But until I either find them or finally give in and accept that I may have thrown them out in error and then select something else to use, I don’t want to finish this one without them! And of course – of course! – I didn’t have a very large piece of that fabric, so I can’t print more and replace those background pieces.
“Don’t want to rush you, but…”
Jake was very alertly watching something on the roof garden.
Baxter poses for photos. I’m now totally convinced as he had been just stretched right out when I came into the room and, as soon as he saw I was holding the phone up to take a photo, he immediately sat up and made sure I had a photo I could use.
Quilt Obsession 
I think the cat burglar did it!
LikeLike
Can’t blame it on the cat burglar this time! I finally found the pieces this afternoon and they were exactly where I thought they might be – mixed in with the orange fabrics I had set aside for more ribbon flowers.
Cathi
>
LikeLike
That cartoon is hilarious lol
What’s not funny are your struggles with this flower…. it’s very pretty!
Sandra
>
LikeLike
I agree – the ‘toon was one of his best! Made me laugh the second I saw it!! I’m learning that batiks are quite different from manufacturer to manufacturer – and I’m keeping a list so I avoid the ones that are so difficult to piece!
Cathi
>
LikeLike
Time to turn the room upside down in search of the missing parts. So hope you didn’t throw them out – not a good feeling at all. Good luck in your search!
LikeLike
Thankfully, I didn’t have to go that far. This afternoon I just very calmly and slowly went through the orange fabrics I had set aside for more ribbon flowers and there the missing pieces were!
Cathi
>
LikeLike
That looks gorgeous! Hope you find the missing parts.
LikeLike
I think it’s going to be fabulous when it’s finished. And I did find the missing pieces this afternoon – phew!
Cathi
>
LikeLike
My mom had a friend that used to say, “the house loses nothing”. They are there somewhere. Maybe Jake knows where they are stashed.
And I can commiserate about the stitching batiks. I hand quilted a couple of Hawaiian applique pillows several years ago, and swore, “never again”. Batiks come in all weights, and having made several purses using batiks, I am amazed how tough they are. They are also “tough” on the fingers.
I have finished my big project, so I can get back to my stitching.
LikeLike
The missing pieces are missing no longer! I found them this afternoon!! Thankfully they were just tucked in with some of the orange fabrics I have set aside for more ribbon flowers – otherwise, I had visions of turning my quilting corner upside down trying to find them!
Some of the needles I’ve been using actually have ended up quite curved just from the sheer force it’s taking to get the needle through the batiks. I’m learning that certain manufacturers’ batiks are ones I need to avoid in the future, no matter how pretty they are!
Can’t wait to see your first ribbon flower!!
Cathi
>
LikeLike
I know you don’t machine stitch, but maybe stitching with an empty needle to punch a stitching line might help. Kind of like Linda’s back basting.
I finished another one of my “other” project. Will take pix tomorrow.
I’m not happy with the center of my first ribbon flower, so we have been having a stand-off.
LikeLike
I had to reply to this email. I hate when I lose something for a project, and I can’t find it where I thought it was. I have found if I walk away for a while the item usually shows up. Love your posts. Kim
LikeLike
I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one this has happened to. That’s exactly what happened – I stopped looking and then this afternoon, I just carefully went through the fabrics I had set aside for more ribbon flowers once again and there the missing pieces were!
LikeLike
And those clocks are all synchronised perfectly!!! Who tells the time in your home? Yes, I have had 2 batiks that are much more “solid” and I wouldn’t want to use a needle and thimble on them.But the orange is so beautifujl.
LikeLike
Only in the ‘toon are all the clocks in this household perfectly synchronised! Except maybe on our phones – I think those are perfectly synchronised as well. I’ve learned now that there are definitely some manufacturers’ batiks that I will avoid in the future, no matter how pretty they are. I have actually bent needles from the sheer force it’s taking to get them through as I try to piece it.
Cathi
>
LikeLike
Hi Cathi, posting late….. some batiks are hand paited, some are not. I find the original hand painted ones are the tough ones too needle. Great idea on the using empty needle on machine to back stitch. Bet ya that saves the wrists and fingers.
love the pics of the kitties.
The orange flower is stunning Cathi….
LikeLike
I knew about the hand painted ones versus the others, but I’ve since learned that different companies also use different base cloths – and that makes a huge difference as well. I know the orange flower is going to be great when it’s done – but sheesh, I’ve bent needles just from the sheer force I’ve needed to use to get them through the batiks and even broke one! If I use one of the batiks that are hard to needle again, I will try the method with an unthreaded needle on the machine and see if it helps.
Cathi
>
LikeLike
Good grief…. lol…. using the empty needle in machine to put holes for easier stitching. ….
LikeLike