An inch is an inch.......really?

I don't know about you, but when I'm quilting, I'm using a ton of different rulers.  I grab whatever is handy at the moment to get a quick measurement.  I nearly always use a rotary-cutting type ruler when measuring out blocks, yardage, and certainly that 'perfect 1/4 inch', but every now and then I grab a measuring tape.  I have one that is 12 feet long, and it makes it very easy to smooth it out over the length and across a quilt to give me an idea of how much binding I'll need.  It doesn't have to be exact, because I always make more than I'll need.  But I never thought I had to question if it was correct or not!

So I was very surprised when my hubby just showed me this!

In his sewing room (yes, we have separate sewing rooms!  lol), where he makes kites and canvas bags, he uses measuring tapes a lot!  They are always great for measuring circumferences, like when he's making a duffle bag.  And NOW he knows why so many times, things just didn't go together quite right!

Over the course of 48" of this tape measure, it added 5/8 of an inch!  Holy cow!  That's HUGE!

Here's the proof!......

Needless to say, we have checked all the measuring tapes in the house (with a machinist's ruler), and have thrown out the evil-doers!

Beyond the quilting and piecing issues, if I had used those tapes to take my measurements while losing weight......that could have been really discouraging!  Right!?!  lol

Anyway, hoping to have some pics of quilty stuff soon.  I just spent the last 4 days cutting up my xmas fabrics for 5 different quilts!  My friend Pat is heading up a mystery quilt at our guild, and I thought to make it a xmas theme.  Well, since they were all pressed and ready for cutting, I figured, "kit up several quilts while I'm cutting for the one!"  And now my xmas stash is nearly gone!  I think I have enough left to piece for the backs, and that's it!  SWEET!

regan

Yet another top!

Ok......so I REALLY need to start quilting some of these tops up.......but I just couldn't resist making this last one!  I had a lot of the pieces already cut when I had my caffeine-induced cutting marathon a few weeks back.  And the pieces were calling to me!  Quite loudly, too!  lol

I'm in love with this quilt!  And it was totally fun to make, too!  I paper pieced the flying geese sections, and it all went together very quickly.  In fact, I started the paper piecing on Christmas Eve, and finished the top Monday night, the 30th!  Woohoo!

My inspiration was this pic I've had for ages.....not sure where it came from (maybe ebay or the quilt index?)......but I just loved the block!  I was going to go with the repro browns and pinks, but changed it up with repro browns and reds instead!

Now that I have this top done, I'm going to start tackling the stack of tops that need quilting!  And I have several dozen in the stack......cripes!  That's so daunting!  How did I let it get so out of control!?!  Wait!  I know the answer!  Because my favorite part is the piecing!  lol

But it's a new year, and a new focus......GET....THESE....TOPS....QUILTED!!!!!!  Here we go!

regan