Wednesday, 21 January 2026

There was some swearing!

 I had chores to get through this morning before I could play. First job: the washing machine on, even though it’s not a drying day. Next, out came the cauldron and in went 4kg of tomatoes with the usual ingredients for Ruffino’s tomato sauce. A smaller pan was filled with diced rhubarb and cranberry juice to stew down for the freezer.

I draped the laundry over Gran’s wooden airer and parked it out of the way. With the rhubarb done and the sauce still simmering — good things take time — I finally headed into my room to play.

It didn’t take long to get the hearts cut out in Vliesofix and fused to the same black as the rest of the anchor. Stir the tomatoes, start the appliqué, back to the tomatoes… By the time the appliqué was finished, so was the sauce. Into pots for the freezer it went, then a quick bite of lunch, and it was time to spread everything out on the floor.

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First the batting — I cut the right amount off the roll — then out came the backing. And that’s when the swearing started. It’s too small.

My own fault, really. I didn’t do the maths properly — I just ordered on the fly and hoped for the best. Lesson learned. I hope.

Janice suggested adding a bit of something else, but I do have another piece of the same fabric, so I could patchwork it to fit. But Tony, my hero, simply said, “Just buy another piece, love. Just do it.” So I did. 

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Now, the cut batting is spread over the frame to rest and lose some creases. A new LARGER piece of fabric is on the way, and the quilt top is pegged up where it was for yesterday's photo shoot so that it doesn't get creased and I don't have to press it again.

This time I’ve ordered far more wide backing than I need, just to be sure. And besides, there’s no such thing as too much, right? Any excess will slip happily into the stash. As for the huge two‑metre piece that turned out to be too small — I already have a plan for that. I’ll tell you more once the idea is properly brewed.

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So I spent the afternoon sitting in my chair, grumpily playing with my hexies. Tomorrow morning is fully booked with chores, grocery shopping, and an appointment in town, but the afternoon is looking distinctly hexagon‑shaped. Or maybe I'll make a start on the new plan....

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