DOWN A CAROLINA ROAD 

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New quilt on the works . . . 

I know what you are thinking . . . Christmas is over!  But when Christmas fabric goes on sale for 70% off - you have got to take advantage of that price!  It also is a great opportunity for me to experiment with my new sewing machine that my husband gave me for Christmas.   I ordered a Christmas tree pattern that I really liked, but when it arrived I was extremely challenged in attempting to do the "paper piecing".  I like a pattern to just give me measurements, then I cut them on my cutting mat with a rotary cutter.  This pattern wanted you to pin the paper piece to fabric and cut - ugh!  That was so time demanding.  So I took some of the same ideas from the pattern and created my own templates . . . then decided to see how many of the computerized stitches I could incorporate in the quilt . . . which became more of an applique process.  So I cut the rectangle pieces and began to sew them together.  Then appliqued each tree on the rectangles using a different stitch.  What you see below is several of the rows in process right now and once I finish I will try to remember to post the finished pictures.  It is very colorful and so cheerful.  It is a great practice piece for me to get acquainted with all the different stitching this new machine can do!  

You cannot really see it well in the pics but the red and green fabric for the trees has a metallic polka dot - looks like Christmas Ornaments or snow!   Above picture shows several rows that will be sewn together but will include a coordinating row of fabric between each row . . .maybe a solid since there is so much background pattern behind the trees. Of course the blocks will be lined up to meet - this is just the rows hanging on my work wall right now to place the rows and check the patterns to be sure one is not beside another one.   Below is an example of how each tree is trimmed out with a different stitch.  Still have to trim the excess fabric from around this tree - but I thought it was so cute I just had to share it!  

Cannot wait to finish it and tuck it away for next year . . . it sure is cheerful and so cute!  Will be a neat gift or something to keep - have not decided yet.