Tennessee Waltz

I was waltzing with my darlin' to the Tennessee waltz

when an old friend I happened to see.

I introduced him to my loved one,

and while they were waltzing

my friend stole my sweet-heart from me.

I remember the night and the Tennessee waltz,

Now I know just how much I have lost.

Yes I lost my little darlin' the night they were playing

the beautiful Tennessee waltz.

Written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King

Why am I humming the Tennessee Waltz?  Well, it's because I'm starting a new quilt top and that's the name of the pattern. :)  I'm very proud to be from the great state of Tennessee and wear the title of Hillbilly with honor!! :)  LOLOL

I ran across this quilt pattern several years ago and as soon as I saw the title, I KNEW I had to get it.  After spending last week cutting out all the pieces needed for my upcoming workshop, and knowing I'm not allowed to sew it together until I actually attend the class....I just had to find something to keep me busy until then.  Now granted, I still need to work on quilting Amanda's quilt...but that's a project I can't work on every day.  Plus, I was able to pick up my vintage Singer Featherweight from being serviced and I couldn't wait to try it out!  (Any excuse is better than none don't you agree?)

Once I decided that this was the quilt top I wanted to start next, I then made it a priority to use fabrics I already owned....resisting the urge to go shopping!! LOLOL  I also decided to try to use up my oldest fabrics (and I do mean OLD) and not touch my new stash. :) :) 

The pattern provided instructions and fabric requirements for many sizes.....two different sized table runners, wallhanging, crib, lap, twin, double/queen and king.  Wow....decisions, decisions.  I decided to go all out and chose to aim for a double/queen which will end up being 87" x 105". 

This design requires the use of four fabrics....my challenge was to find a "main fabric" that needed to contrast and be lighter than the other fabrics....and I needed 3 yards of it!  I found a light country rose with enough yardage.  Once the main fabric was chosen, the rest was easier.

Main Fabric, country rose - 3 yards
Fabric two, light country blue - 2 1/3 yards
Fabric three, navy blue - 1 1/4 yards
Fabric four, sage green - 1 3/8 yards

The majority of cutting is done in the very beginning.  Cutting is my least favorite part of making a quilt.  What I enjoy the most is sitting at the sewing machine and contructing the top. :)

The first step was to sew a total of 13 - 2" strips of rose to 2" strips of sage green.

Boy, o'boy do I love this Featherweight.  It is so QUIET compared to my Pfaff and it sews like a dream.  I can actually watch tv and hear it while I sew on this little beauty!

In the photo above you are seeing the end result of chain sewing a total of 572 inches! LOL  I was having so much fun.

Of course, after all the fun part of sewing....I had to go iron those 572 inches and press the seams toward the sage green side. :)

Once the seams were pressed, I put two strips right side together and layed them on my cutting mat in order to subcut the strips into 128 - 2" wide sections.  By placing the sewn strips right side together, and then cutting the sections, this automatically puts the pieces together, in pairs, ready to pick up and sew the next part... a 4-patch block.

Now, once I get a good nights rest, I will be ready to sew all of these 4-patch blocks....they are all neatly stacked and ready whenever I am.

I hope everyone had a nice 4th of July today.  Ray took time away from working on the flooring in order to throw some steaks and corn on the cob on the grill....throw in some potato salad, fresh cucumber and green pepper slices, and a brownie dessert....that's what we called our celebration dinner.  Ummm, ummmm, good!

Theresa