Screw You Sertoli Leydig Tumor

I met my September Goal! And I am pleased with how things turned out, as in I wasn't in a last minute panic to get done, and I was able to relax and enjoy the process. (Mostly!)

A little windy outside!

I decided to make something with one of my little bundles of ovarian cancer themed fabric, and the timing ended up being just about perfect. September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which holds special meaning for me as I was diagnosed in 2011. 

I was able to sync up with Melissa at Sew Bittersweet Designs for the September monthly goals party. And boy, did I learn something about myself while participating! I get way to distracted from my current project, even if it had a 'deadline'. No wonder I have an embarrassing UFO pile. An area for improvement, for sure. 

The mega mini finished at 24" x 30", and I hand quilted it, using mostly pearl cotton. This was the first time using the pearl, and when I began, I said to myself never again. The problem was I was trying to take too small of a stitch. 

Love French Knots!

 Once I got over that, and saw how it was starting to look, I decided I really liked the effect. And I said what the heck, I'll add some French knots. I had absolutely no plan for the quilting, I just went where the needle took me!

A little wonky on the stitches, but I like it!

I added in a few areas of regular hand quilting, just for fun. Happily, this project used 100% from my existing supplies. The entire FQ bundle I began with, a scrap piece of batting, an old piece of sheet for the backing, scrap white yardage for the binding and all the quilting threads I already had. It was a total stash buster, and I'm very happy with it.

Oh, and the name of this quilt is: "Screw You Sertoli Leydig Tumor" 

Inside for the final photo.

 
I'll be hooking this post up with these great linky party hostesses:
 Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts,
Connie at Free Motion by the River,
Heather and Megan at Quilt Story,
Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict,
Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation ,
and Melissa at Sew Bittersweet Designs

Thanks for visiting,
Heather

Mega Mini Ovarian Cancer Awareness Progress

Cutting and HST's - check!

I have made a bit of progress with the mini, all cutting done, HST's made, laid out and ready to sew together. Not too bad for late night design and maths sketched on graph paper.

This was my first time using the magic 8 HST method. It wasn't life altering or anything, but it was efficient. I do think the next time I use it, I'll add a generous 1/8" to my initial square measurement. Some of my trimmed HST's were a bit on the scant side, but not by much, and certainly not anything I haven't attempted to wrangle together in a quilt before. ;)

Hey - the layout actually works!

I know there are ribbon awareness tutes out there, I just wanted to do this one myself from start to finish.
It hasn't gone totally smoothly, which is my fault from assuming there'd be 22" of fabric to cut in the FQ (duh), but I realized just like dealing with the Big C, things do not go as planned, so you make the best of it and move on!

Not so sure I can call this one a mini, though, it's bigger than I anticipated. I didn't want to waste any of the fabric, so à la Mel Brooks' Spaceballs "Mega Maid" (anyone? crickets?) I'll call this one a mega mini!

Best,
Heather








Linking up to Lee's WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!