A New Iron as a Gift From my Husband and WIP on the Technicolor Galaxy

Hello from snowy Alberta Canada! I thought spring had sprung but we've had a major relapse into winter here. All the better for working on quilt projects.

If you follow me on social media and subscribe to my newsletter (sign up on the sidebar! :) ) then you probably know that I was in the hospital for surgery at the beginning of this month. My doctor was able to perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy so I am healing quite well and have been back to my sewing machine already for about a week.

Color Wheel block of the Technicolor Galaxy Quilt.
Last year I signed up for the Technicolor Galaxy Block of the Month from Pile o' Fabric {informational links}. I was so busy with swaps last year that I didn't get a chance to start it. I started it in February of this year and this is my first block all ready for quilting. The second ring that goes around this circle was the part I was nervous about because it is foundation paper piecing (FPP) but as soon as I was well enough to sew I tried my first Star Point Block.

My first of 12 Star Point block in Technicolor Galaxy.
I can honestly say that Alyssa has cured my Foundation Paper Piecing phobia with her excellent lesson and video on FPP. I only had to rip one seam. I am so pleased! Huge thanks to Alyssa!

My sewing set-up. Sorry for the dark photo. My studio is in the basement.
One really important things I learned is that organization and efficiency are key to success with foundation paper piecing. My husband and I made a pressing board to fit the available space on my sewing desk (to the right of the machine.) He cut a piece of plywood to fit and we covered it with one layer of bamboo batting and one layer of cotton upholstery fabric. White canvas muslin would be a better choice but we were working with what we had on hand. We just stapled the fabric and batting to the back of the board. I am not concerned with damaging my sewing desk but some people cover the back of their pressing boards with felt to keep the staples from scratching work surfaces.

 I have a small rotating cutting mat, add-a-quarter-ruler, rotary cutter, glue and foundation templates from the pattern on the left side of the machine.

Mini travel iron for quick pressing. A gift from my husband. Better than flowers and chocolate, no? ;)
My husband bought me this adorable little travel iron at our local quilt shop (LQS) for quickly setting glue in glue basting and pressing the seams after sewing. This means no more running back and forth across the room to the ironing board and makes FPP go much quicker and easier.

I checked {affiliate link} Craftsy and their regular price is the same as my LQS but right now these little irons are on sale 30% off! Just search "iron" under supplies on their site to find it. It's called the "Steamfast Travel Iron" on there.


#ad Sale-A-Bration alert! For a very limited time, you'll find top designers, beloved brands and much more marked down on Craftsy. With up to 60% off best-selling kits and supplies, you can shop 'til you drop! Hurry, the deals end Sunday! Click here to go to Craftsy.

I'm heading over to check out the fabric sales! :) Thank you for stopping by to see my WIP on the Technicolor Galaxy.

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