Waiting.......

I really have been stitching, but, now I'm 'waiting' for my new labels, so that I can finish stitching. 

I saw these Project Bags on Stitch All Things, and I've been wanting to make these for quite a while now.  I finally ordered the pattern.

I got all the pieces cut out, and the backings quilted last month (post). I prepped 10 different Project bags.  I've stitched them all together EXCEPT for the binding.  I ordered some labels, and, they were printed and shipped out quickly, BUT, the USPS isn't interested in getting them to me.  It only took 24 hours for them to get from France to New York, but, it then took 6 full days for them to get from NY to Chicago.  Now I'm waiting for them to get the 40 miles from Chicago to me (it's been 4 days so far).  I think they are walking them here.  I need to get these finished by Thursday.  I do wish they would 'walk' them here a bit faster. 

10 Project Bags, with binding ready to be attached

stitching them on Betty Sue

I did change something, most of the way thru.  She doesn't line her zipper flaps, and, the fabric tends to stretch.  After attaching 6 zippers, I decided to add some fusible interfacing to the back of the zipper flap fabric before I sewed the zippers on.  MUCH better! 

I have been doing some other stuff, while waiting.  Remember this lovely machine from Deborah?

Post WWII class 15 Universal

They just don't make any paint (that I can find) this color.  I finally settled on a paint that is several shades lighter, for the hand crank.  I also didn't like the black spoked hand wheel, that I had to use.  The original hand wheel (solid, so, can't use a hand crank with it) was that light cream color.

original solid hand wheel, and showing black spoked hand wheel and black hand crank

I tested the paints, to see if they would 'stay' on the metal.  I loved the color of the little paint, but, it scratched off the hand wheel.  Only the spray paints worked.

testing the paints

spray paints I used

I finally got both of these painted and attached.  Don't look too closely, since my painting skills leave a lot to be desired.

painted hand wheel and hand crank

painted hand wheel and hand crank

Sew much prettier now!  I have more exchange blocks to make on this machine.  This will also be fun to show off at my next demo, at Lyon's Farm, in September.

While waiting, I've made more binding for placemats, hand stitched some large hexie flowers, and have been working on family reunion blocks, etc. 

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having a sewing challenge.  She wants us to sew at least 30 minutes, 6 days a week (you get one day off each week) for the month of May.  I think that 30 minutes of sewing is the LEAST I've done each day.  With all the hand sewing, I've gotten way more than 30 minutes a day done.  Making 10 project bags took up most of a couple of days (no string piecing, since I had to keep changing the thread colors).  I've stitched while watching Dancing With The Stars, on NCIS night, while waiting for car repairs (oil change and a recall fix).... 

Now, if the USPS will just deliver my labels, I'll have LOTS more stitching to get done, and will finally have some finishes to show.

Hope you have a fun and productive weekend!