Keeping notes on finished projects

I’ve gotten much better at writing out ideas when inspired to make something—especially when I’m designing it from scratch or altering a pattern. Too many times I’ve looked at a bundle of fabric in a box and wondered what the original idea was.

Now I’ve come up against a finished project that needs to be re-made: a barbeque cover from Sunbrella fabric. The first one was finished about 4 years ago, and has lived outside ever since, though under a metal-roofed awning. Last month a small tear became a large tear, and I promised DH that I would look into making a new one. First I looked at finished BBQ covers online and at a store (in a sealed box of course), and decided that even the more expensive versions (~$40) wouldn’t last very long.

It’s a rather strange shape, but I didn’t keep any notes on the dimensions of the first homemade cover. We measured the cover and I made some yardage diagrams. I planned on doubling the center panel that drapes over the top for the new one, as that’s where most of the wear happened on the first cover. Then sticker shock set in when even after adjusting the finished size to make the best use of 60” wide fabric, we would still need 5 yards at $20/yd. I don’t remember the first cover costing over $50 total, so either I purchased a color on sale (it is grey, a weird color for our house and deck) or the price of this fabric has really gone up. DH checked at local stores to see if he liked any of the ready-made options better, and didn’t, so it’s back to trying to locate a decent price on Sunbrella fabric.

Working the Stash

I'm very drawn to printed panels, although they can sometimes be a challenge to work with. Often the "blocks" are not square and not all the same size. At a rather frantic sample sale I picked up this book panel, not realizing somehow that it was a book and not a quilt panel.

Some time ago it had been measured, and diagrams drawn and the purple sashing cut, then it sat in a box. When I pulled it out a few days ago, I checked the blocks and adjusted the size down a bit when cutting them out. The large block in the center was supposed to be the center of the book, and it didn't make sense to cut it in two, so the sashings on each side were cut just a bit wider to adjust the total width.

After the top and bottom rows were assembled with the vertical sashing, I ended up trimming the bottom edge another 1/4" to removed the printed sewing instructions (in black) that would not have been hidden by the seams. The pictures are very sweet and it will be a nice charity quilt, finishing about 47" x 56".

It wasn't until the bag was finished that the fabric reminded me of fireworks, appropriate for a July 4th project. My friend Patty loves red, and this batik fabric had been given to me in two long strips. I used the full width of one piece for the bottom section, and split the other lengthwise to made the top section and handles. The outside pocket just visible with the top of a blue notepad peeking out is a hanging pocket made with the lining and a small strip of the red batik as a facing at the top so the lining doesn't peek out. The lining is white with random small red dots.