What do YOU call the week in between Christmas and New Year's where you kind of forget what day it is?
Don't know if things are open or not so you have to google them?
Decide that things on the to-do list can just wait until NEXT YEAR to get done as it is less than a week away now?
We call it Chrimbo Limbo and that's just what it feels like. Life is on hold as we wait for this year to run out so we can jump into the next one ready to tackle what comes our way.
And because it's Chrimbo Limbo we are not rushing through this binding process...even if I did take the quilt off the machine (And forgot to jot down the nail of the quilting pattern, will get that today - sorry!) and did a trim up job to at least get things ready for putting the binding on.
Every time I explain this, I get comments of "What? You don't bind by long arm? WHY!?" As if I'm committing some kind of quilting faux pas or crime.
I've been long arm quilting since 1996. I quilted for the public for years. In all that time I have NEVER - not even with my own quilts - seen a quilt that was completely square in the corners and straight on the sides.
There is a lot of push and pull when it comes to quilting, the quilting actually shrinks up the top a bit due to the loft of the batting.
I want straight sides and square corners, so I trim first to make sure that happens. That means there might be a tiny bit of batting and backing beyond the quilt top where the top has scooted in a bit. It's all hidden in the binding seam, but the most important thing to me is that I want straight edges.
If the patchwork goes to the edge of the quilt like this, I will also be sure that I am trimming 1/4'' away from any points so they don't get chopped off in the binding.
I am much more able to manage the behavior of my binding by domestic machine with a walking foot, than I can with a longarm on channel lock.
The pink binding I had prepped for my Four Patch Fun quilt that I ended up rejecting because it was too printy against the border print.
The next time I went to sit down at it, Lola was on top of the quilt while it was op top of my big wicker stitching basket.
I guess Chrimbo Limbo is also the time for naps - whenever and wherever you want.
I let her sleep there. I picked up hexies while the guys watched some "blow up everything" kind of movie on Netflix.
There is no rush to get it done. We've still got several days of Chrimbo Limbo left - and since New Years Day is on a Thursday, that means the 4 day weekend is included.
This year, Chrimbo Limbo lasts through January 4th.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Ready for binding! And what did I use?
The pink binding I had prepped for my Four Patch Fun quilt that I ended up rejecting because it was too printy against the border print.
It's perfect, and I'm ready for some evenings of Chrimbo Limbo stitching!
Evidently so is Zoey.
And Ivy.
Now who's a pretty girl?
But as we say goodbye to 2025 I am excitedly looking forward to 2026 and the new things that holds to discover!
No holding back!
Well, maybe no holding back NEXT week.
Happy Chrimbo Limbo, everyone!
I love this quilt. Any idea as to when the pattern will be released? TMF Meyer
ReplyDeleteLove your explanation of Chrimbo Limbo. Also loved the sleeping pets photos :) Wishing you and all your family the best of health for 2026!
ReplyDeleteNever heard there week between called that. I'm finishing a few Quilts during this time. Fi n ishes that need to be in the Done column this year! Hubby says I can Quilt all I want this week. He'll do the dishes. Tree can come down later. I've been known to leave it up until my Birthday. Happy get up and get it done day!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing this morning as I wanted to put off all the cleaning chores this week and finish a quilt on the LA that have been giving me grief! I like your terminology for this week. Definitely feel like I’m in limbo!
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