Oh, What A Night!...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Summer Serenade - Bluebirds"

As I was assembling the other colorway on Saturday night, I noticed that the measurements I'd written down weren't working. After sewing three borders to the main block, I realized that I'd made a mistake when I cut the ground fabric for the birds. The width was correct, but I hadn't cut down the height. 

I sat for a bit, chatted with my resident sounding board (and excellent analyst, Handsome), and in the end decided to take it all apart and make it right. The work I'd accomplished throughout the day was completely erased. Handsome went to bed, and I painstakingly and carefully removed every stitch of sewing and at last, I was able to cut the block to the correct size. (You'd better believe I checked both of the other two bird hangings to make sure before I got out the ruler and rotary cutter!)

At 3 am Sunday, I re-ironed every strip and even though I probably could have kept working, I decided to pin everything up and start fresh after I slept.

I got up Sunday morning, made coffee while Handsome exercised Bella and Carly. Then I took a shower and started the day fully alert and awake...and raring to start over.

I also decided that there were going to be changes. While I loved the other colors, some of you commented that it looked autumnal. As this piece is called "Summer Serenade", I decided to jetison that colorway and look at it with new eyes. I went back to the fabric room and pulled the original blue/gray/brown colors from my Blackbird Designs "Blueberry Crumb Cake" assortment and previewed other blues, as well. I'm soooo glad I did. There was only one small problem that was soon revealed.

After I fell for the dark tiny floral inner and outer border as the perfect choice - and started the assembly - I realized that I wouldn't have enough of that pattern to use for the backing and binding. The backing was no big deal. I'll use the brown dot batik for the back. The binding will be another issue. 

Today, I'll be going through all my fabrics to see if I have something that will get close to that dark blue print. I'll also be looking on Etsy and other websites to see if I can locate a full quarter or half yard of it to match. I know I'll figure it out, but I'm hoping it will be easy rather than difficult. I'll let you know. I'll also be stitching the additional four feathers onto the main block this week while I figure out the binding.

I hope you love the new colorway as much as I do. Did I surprise you? lol I think it complements the birds and has a more summery vibe. It's nearly finished and I love this one so much! And to think...it only took thirteen months. See you tomorrow!