it's going to take every bit of self restraint I have

Looking at all these modern quilting books has resulted in an overwhelming desire to start making another quilt.

I have not completely decided what this new quilt should look like, other than to say it will be unconventional. 

My dilemma is, I am torn between triangles and long runs of irregularly pieced strips.   I decided (for the moment) to piece teeny tiny quilts to get the quilting monkey off my back AND to allow me to play around with triangles and squares.

This project served the dual purpose of satisfying my need to piece, while at the same time fixing these jeans.  Because I did not follow the "a stitch in time saves nine" rule, the holes have become quite unmanageable.  Which means they cannot be fixed merely with a needle and thread.  They require patches.  Patchwork patches. 

The hardest part of this was using the sewing machine to sew the reinforcing patch on the inside of the legs of the jeans.  With just a minor amount of sweating, cursing, and one clenched jaw admonishment to Chris NOT to come up the stairs to see if I needed help, I did it. 

The hand stitching on the front was a pleasure.  Not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.  I started out with a hoop but found it to be more of a hindrance than a help and abandoned it after about 10 stitches. 

I am positively giddy about these patches.  I can't wait to wear them out in public.  It's going to take every bit of self restraint I have not to walk up to strangers and ask them what they think of my patches.   Happily, Lawrence was just named #9 on a list of the coolest towns to live in the U.S.  People expect odd behavior here.  

Comments

[Barbara Casillas]

VERY Cool!

[jacki long]

I think you probably have already seen this, but just in case you haven't …
it's a glorious 27:30 documentary on the Quilts of Gee Bend …
http://vimeo.com/50454661 that I really enjoyed.

[Amy at love made my home]

Very cool I think Carol!! Perhaps your patches will move Lawrence even higher up the coolest towns list!! xx

[Janet Ghio]

I love the patches--very sixties! I have made that admonishment to George many a time when I was working on something that was giving me a fit and knew he would try to come to my rescue when all i wanted was to be left alone to grit my teeth, say a few swear words and carry on by myself!!

[Emie]

I LOVE your patches! I have a pair of patches jeans that I use when I take art classes... That way if I get anything on me during class it just adds to the total "look".

[Judy H.]

Super-duper patches! And inspiring, as I have some jeans that could use that type of repair. I've never quilted, but that would be a good project to learn on. :)

[Leslie J. Moran]

I'm thinking this will be a perfect pair of pants at the market. Make sure they are included in your shots of fabulous market finds. You are such a pip!

[Vicki in MIchigan]

There is usually one side of a leg of jeans that is easy to take apart. The side where the seam is not serged. If you take out that seam for 8" or so, you can sew your reinforcement behind the rip with much less aggravation. Then just re-do that short bit of seam.......... Maybe after the hand sewing.

:-)

-- sign me "always looking for an easier way"......

[Maureen]

Très chic!

[barbara]

Totally cool job on the jeans. Love them!

[LizzieBo]

All of the 'modern' quilts make me think of the saying, everything old will be made new again'. I love Vicki's suggestion for opening up the leg because I have struggled too many times getting the patch on in that tight space. Never thought to open the seam.