2022 Temperature Quilt-post 4

Reusing the basting papers

When I last posted about this project I had decided to add another background fabric to the project. I was stitching the blocks into rows; but, planned to wait until the year was half over before I began stitching the rows to each other. I have since learned that it is easier to add a block into the the project than it is to add a whole row. I thought it would be easier to add a row! Live and learn!

I've enough of the rows together to begin removing the papers. I do plan to leave the papers on for the outer three rows. I've been reusing the papers. The seam allowances at the block corners is a bit "fluffy." I'm considering adding a dab of glue and giving the area a press so the seams are as flat as possible.

I'm working away on the month of September, adding a block every day once I have the high and low of the day. I've also been stitching at least one block of the February row. My goal is to finish adding February by the end of September. I'll need to add January while I work on October which is doable.

Width and bottom edge

I realized that I will need to add another diamond to the bottom edge so that the bottom edge mirrors the top edge.

Adding a few more diamonds of the dark background fabric isn't a big deal. 

Long and skinny

The bigger deal is this top with six rows completed measurers 14 inches wide by 70 inches long. I thought that it would be wider. At this rate, it would finish at around 35 x 74. I thought a long and skinny project would be okay. I had envisioned this project as a lap quilt. It isn't going to be big enough if I stick with my current plan. 

This project is an example of the importance of having a solid plan. Had I been more aware of what size I'd be making, I could have changed the layout to make a wall hanging. 

I've been pondering what to do for the last couple weeks. I could leave it long and skinny. It takes a lot of time every day to make a block and attach it to the project. I do like the boxes. 

I could repeat the pattern for next year. I wouldn't have to determine what the pattern would be or figure out the supporting fabrics. I have plenty of those supporting fabrics. I'd be committing to a lot more handwork!

Gertie, my inner squirrel, is opting for adding another year to the project. She said if I do it a second year, I should title the piece "A Tale of Two Years." My London daughter suggested finishing it this year. She would add big borders with some words and a legend. 

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Please leave me a comment about what you would do if this was your project. Thanks!

For the first time in years, I missed writing a Wednesday post. I'm still not able to sew at the machine and I still am sore from the car accident. I'm still using the ice packs liberally. I still have a nasty headache. Alleve doesn't do much for the pain. I miss sewing so much. I hope that I will be able to quilt sooner rather than later! I can't type more than about ten minutes before my hands go to sleep. It's taken me days to write this post. Sigh. . .I'm trying to be patient. . .

I'm headed over to Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. I'm looking forward to reading about other people's scrap projects.