Where should I start??
 

I just got these two new quilt books in the mail this week. I am so excited about them both. My question is "Where do I start?" I really wanted to do this needle turn applique. But, man, oh, man, those blocks to diamond quilts look awesome!! So, where would you start???

WOW, nothing easy. What tickled your fancy for buying the books?? That is where I would start. Just make sure you are having FUN !!

at the beginning.

aileen, feeling helpful!

Start one from both....I often work on 2 projects at once these days, as a matter of fact I have about a dozen going right now..... :D

Oh honey, you have to ask ME that after the pkg that you just sent me?? I have this beautiful wedding quilt laid out on my dining room floor and those paisleys are screaming at me because I have this really interesting idea but then I hear these tiny whispers from this beautiful group of Stonehenge graduated black to whites that keep niggling and niggling but I need to sew those wedding quilt blocks together so that I can get it to the LA'r and they are going to be an absolute (deleted!!!) because I didn't like the original layout and HAD to make the dang thing harder by now involving a pile of partial seams.....oh yeah what was your question??

I would make the AOTH a travel/TV time quilt while working on the other on the machine because the AOTH will take a lot longer than the diamond quilt so if you work on it on the side you can take your time. I have been contemplating buying the embroidery version of AOTH because I love it so much but don't have the book or time to do needle turn. Good luck with your decision

The trouble is that I know what you are talking about. I have about 10 different ones going already and I can't finish one of them cause I work on one a while and then go to another one. Currently I am working on a beautiful red, white and black one that I still like finishing up the dresden plates that I am bordering it with. Then I have my 4 patch posie, a drunkard path, another stack and whack that I'm making out of Indian panels, another drunkard path, a deer quilt , a black and white star,........ the list goes on and on!!

Ohhhh I would love to see the the S&W from the Indian panels! I've been wondering if the pattern was possible to do with panels and how it would look. How about making a deal with yourself--finish (or spend one day on) one project and then, as a reward, allow yourself to make one block from the Affairs of the Heart book--or maybe the Diamonds book--yeah I'm not much help am I.

You know that I am the worst one to give advice, but...since you are so good at handwork, perhaps starting with an applique block would be fun. But yet....perhaps starting on a machine project would be a good place to start.....:confused:

I have a lot of the blocks made but haven't got them arranged and put together yet. But, I can tell you one thing, its gonna be pretty!!

You bet me to it lol

Is there a project with a deadline? If not, make a list of what you would like to do. Then decide what you would MOST like to do from the list. Start with that and go from there. I am good at knowing what to do, but doing it is another story. I just purchased material for two more quilts when I have about 20 in totes and bags. The fabric from the first projects may be moldy as I take out after these more recent purchases.

Affairs of the heart. I am on block 25 I did enlarge mine to make a quilt. just Google an see how others used different colors.

It sounds like you're in the same dilemma that I was in a couple of years ago. I had several (lets say 8) quilts that I had started and a couple I really was dying to do. So, 10 quilts..... hmmmm... I wrote numbers 1-10 on small sticky notes and had my DH put a number on each quilt.... he assigned the 2 I hadn't started as well. Then I put the same numbers in a jar and drew them out, one at a time. I wrote down the order and started working. I have to admit, I did switch one number.... couldn't work on that quilt at the time.... it just had to wait. So now, all but one of the quilts are done. I'm working on 3 quilts right now that are gifts for my last great nephews..... (15 in all) and then I have that one last quilt to finish. I have to bargain with myself sometimes.... it worked for me. Good luck with your method of finishing your quilts.

Cut out the parts for both then you can work on whichever takes your fancy each time you sit down to sew.

Often when I end up with a couple pattern books at the same time I will test drive a concept with a smaller project like table runners or baby quilt. This helps me zero in on the major projects and builds up my gifts on hand stash. It also helps use up some of the leftover fabric from other projects. One book I even ended up making a sampler quilt out of many of the blocks in it but haven't done any of the full quilts yet.

Definitely, positively, both!

Girl after my own heart.:D I get so excited to start something new that I see....I have trouble finishing anything. I have 4 hanging in my closet waiting for the binding (my least favorite thing to do) and one waiting for quilting and binding. :D I'm currently working on the Falling Charms quilt.

I have the blocks to diamonds book and have been trying to decide which one to make. I have a couple of UFO's I am making myself finish before I start anything new. Like the quilt I gave my DD and SIL for Christmas. They got a bag of fabric and a promise that it would be finished before they need it in the fall. All I need to do on that one is iron the backing and get some batting. I and going to take it to the longarmer. I have a mystery quilt that has been needing a border for 3 years, and a wall hanging that needs a sleeve. Then I can start something new.
I vote for starting both projects. I think the applique would get a little bit tedious and you might need a break. I love them both and look forward to seeing them.

Get an appliqué block ready and also what you need for the blocks to diamonds. In my house, I sew when DH is preoccupied. When he wants me to sit and watch a show...out come the hand work!

*only* a dozen? :D :D :D

Needle turned applique absolutely got me excited about quilting again. So that is where I would start. I say pick something that pleases your eye and go for it

You do have quite the conundrum there!

One to work on at home and the other to take with you!