This week Tatianna and I took a break from quilting and sewing to get Christmas pulled together. Some times taking on too many projects gets in the way of family traditions. Add to that working full time and you have a very small window in which to get things done. On top of it all I came down with a nasty cold that is lingering in my lungs. Thank goodness for really good grown up kids.
So the cookies were mostly all baked in time. And I did manage to make the little fruitcakes and some divinity. I will probably make the rest of the candy (fudge, toffee, and bark) over the next few days. The kids got the house cleaned and decorated. For the first time in my married life, I had lights hung on the outside of my house. Just a single strand of big multi colored lights along the roof line. It was nice not being the only dark house on the block.
We had a very nice Christmas, made extra special by having 2 little ones at home. I am grateful that my son in-law felt it was important to make the visit. Since he will be starting college next month, it will be a long time before they can afford it. Having a two year old and a two month old in the house has really been a blessing. It sure made our Christmas special. My husband's cousin and his family will be dropping by today for a brief visit as well. It is nice to have family around.
We so far have dodged any major tragedy. Twenty six years ago we lost my young brother in-law on Christmas day. So the possibility of tragedy is very real to our family. We did have a couple of minor tragedies though. My son in-law's parents were in an accident on the way to Georgia but fortunately no one was hurt. Their camper was totaled but the truck was fine. It could have been so much worse. They missed Christmas with family but are safe. Our pot belly pig presented us with 6 piglets on Christmas morning and we lost 2 of them but that is part of nature. So no major tragedy. I am grateful for that blessing.
Since I must return to work tomorrow and will have some very long days, I doubt I will get much done on any quilts. The fact that Christmas is still set up in my studio doesn't help. It's the only room in the house where there is a place for it. But Kim's rock studio is almost completed and he will be moving out of my studio this week. Then Tatianna and I will be rearranging things and trying to figure out the best way to put things together. My husband gave me some storage items for Christmas to help with the organization. I got a lovely locking wooden chest that has drawers, I plan to use for jewelry making supplies. I also got a wall mounting storage bin rack system for other items. I am looking forward to getting my studio set up for our needs.
I expect that Tatianna and I will spend part of New Years day cutting fabric for her next quilt and planning/drawing out other quilts. I hope to finish my Irish Chain quilt top and start another one.The New Year always gives me hope for a more productive year ahead. I like making goals, I need to work on achieving them but that is nothing unique to me. This coming year I plan on finishing a few quilts. Hopefully before starting new ones. I would also like to tackle free motion quilting. Maybe buy a new machine. I definitely plan on buying a long arm. But who know what the New Year will hold.
Right now I am enjoying time with family and friends. Sewing and quilting will wait while they are near. I don't get these moments very often and I want to treasure them while I can. I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a Happy and Prosperous New Year
.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Finally Finished (even if it isn't perfect)
It is funny how things look different once they are all together. I hadn't noticed until it was done that the star blocks made with two different background fabrics read more like 'x's. While the star blocks made from a single background fabric really pop as stars.
This quilt was a frustrating at times as well as being a joy. I love working on projects with other women. Actually I love to sew and craft with other women. I don't really love to work on the same project as much. I believe it is because while I am not a perfectionist, I like things to be done right. NOT PERFECT, just right. I want 1/4 inch seams to be 1/4 of an inch or at least close to a 1/4 of an inch. Not 3/8 to a 1/2 an inch. Maybe I am too much of a control freak. I do like to be in control of my projects.
The other frustration came in the quilting of the quilt. I will be getting a long arm quilting machine within the year. I may not be able to get quite everything I want but I really need a machine to quilt on. It's either a long arm or an expensive sewing/quilting machine with a stitch regulator and a bigger throat space. If I go that route, it will be forever before I get the Long Arm and I can't do what I want on that type of machine. I may as well get the long arm. I can add the computer later. I already have some stencils so I can use those until I can afford the computer.
I love the way I feel when a quilt is so excitedly accepted. The parents were so happy to receive this gift and I am sure it will be treasured. The appreciation made making it all worth while. I think the kids did like that their pictures were on it but after that it was just a dumb ole blanket. But they are all under the age of 12 so it is hard from them to get excited about the quilt. But the Mom and Dad both thanked me personally.
Today at church, other women complimented me on how the quilt turned out. Even though they helped with it, they recognized that Tatianna and I did a lot of the work. Plus they were amazed at the picture blocks. I think that many of these women have only done traditional quilting when they were younger. There are so many modern techniques that make quilting go so much faster now that it is nothing to get a quilt done in a month. Of course the quilting still takes time, especially if you don't have a machine to do it on.
To illustrate my point, two weeks ago Tatianna finished 2 quilt tops in a week. Well maybe she finished them, she is debating adding borders. The only reason she hasn't done 2 more is we are getting ready for the Holidays. Of course the fact that she is not working full time does allow her the time to sew. Truthfully I think she would love to be working but at least she can be productive by quilting. Plus since she uses Mom's stash it doesn't cost her anything.
So while I enjoyed working on this quilt, I will be happy to get back to working on my projects. I have 2 quilts to finish and many more planned. There is just not enough time in my days to do all I want to do. My friend Kerri Lynn likes to remind me that that we know how many hours we have each day and that everyone gets the same number of hours. Sometimes I think I need 36 hour days. Then I remember that I can't pull all nighters anymore. So I know I am grateful for 24 hour days.
But still I want more time to quilt. Oh well, I will just quilt when I can. Do you ever feel like you never have time to do the things you love to do.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
For the Want of a Nail
Some time ago, most likely when my oldest was little, I read a nursery rhyme that went like this:
For the want of a nail, a shoe was lost.
For the want of a shoe, a horse was lost.
For the want of a horse, a man was lost.
For the want of a man, the battle was lost.
For the want of the battle, the war was lost.
So what does this have to do with quilting? The rhyme tells of the importance of paying attention to details. Quilting is all about details. We prepare our fabric (to pre-shrink or not to pre-shrink, is a debate for another day). Then we cut it as precisely as we can. We sew with a scant 1/4 inch seam. We piece with precision and hopefully, if we hold our mouth just right, cross the correct number of fingers and toes, and pray fervently, our blocks come out correctly. Details are very important.
I have learned more about the importance of details since I have been working on the quilt with the women at church. Largely because there are so many of us working on the quilt. Partly because so many of us are not quilters. When it is just me working on a quilt, I know what I have done and generally can figure out why something has gone wrong. There have been many things I have learned and many things I already knew that I am thankful I know.
Details matter! Here are some I have dealt with on this quilt.
Starting with the quarter inch seam. Tatianna and I both have 1/4 inch seam presser feet on our machines. Mine is just the quarter inch width. Hers has a little guide to run the fabric against. I have taken the time to measure the distance from the needle to the edge of the feet. It is barely under a quarter inch. Yea!!! We just use our presser feet to guide us. But many people don't think to check that measurement. I learned to check that when I was at a 4-H leader-mete in Utah. They had us sew 3-1 1/2" strips together and measure the middle strip. If it was not 1", our machine's markings or presser feet were not accurate. Like I said I knew this, but trying to piece together blocks made by different women, hammered that point home. There was one block that I had to literally take apart and resew because the seams were 3/8 of and inch instead of 1/4 of and inch.
Squaring up blocks is not something everyone does, I used to watch the Quilt in a Day Series with Elanor Burns on PBS. I watched her square up pieces so they would fit easier. Now after I cut part of a block and do something like flippy corners I will go back and square up the part. This was very helpful when putting together the star blocks for this quilt. It certainly made the block look nicer. I definitely could tell when someone hadn't done it to their block.
Cutting is an area that I tend to get crazy about. I have lots of different rulers to make the job easier. I have a strip ruler that I love. In fact I have two. One was slightly broken at a sewing camp when it was dropped. I glued it together with super glue and it held temporarily. The woman who dropped it felt that she should replace it and despite my protests, did. I offered her the broken one but she refused. I used it for 8 years occasionally trying to fix the break. This summer I finally got some 5 minute fix and fixed it for good. Tatianna is probably going to get one of them.
One thing that was drilled into me at a young age is to be accurate in cutting. Whether it is for clothing or quilting be accurate. On this quilt a couple of women cut their own blocks. They had not ever cut quilt blocks before and therefore the blocks weren't quite square. Also I don't mind getting some smaller pieces when I rotary cut but I hate to open up a piece of fabric and discover some one has sliced into it. These women cut their squares using a rotary cutter and the strip ruler. But they didn't cut the strips and then cut the strips into blocks. They laid out the fat quarter and cut out the 4 1/2 inch blocks using the strip ruler and rotating it for the cross cut. I now have half of four fat quarters that have slices cut into them in 4 1/2 inch intervals. They are now in the scrap bin.
Measure twice and cut once. This is all on me. I unrolled the batting and assumed that the batting had been folded lengthwise. I proceeded to cut 30 inches off the width making the batting too small for the quilt. I knew better but was on a deadline and didn't take the time to measure. You better believe I measured the next batting twice before cutting.
Audition/practice the design. I did this on a couple of 5 inch squares with batting. I wanted to get the feel of how the pattern would look and how it would feed with the walking foot. I was very glad I had done it.
The right tool for the job. This is about my machine. My machine only has about a 7 inch throat space. I have come to realize that it is not a great machine for quilting even though it is marketed as a quilting machine. My machine does not have a stitch regulator and I have not mastered (or even begun) free motion quilting. So I planned to do a grid pattern for the quilt design. A quilter friend suggested I put my walking foot on and just use the guide to quilt the grid. That way I would only have to draw a couple of starting lines. That most likely would have worked on a wall quilt but not on the slightly larger than twin sized quilt I was working on. I ended up ripping out two lines of quilting. I then laid out the quilt, marked the quilting lines. I took off the walking foot and used my 1/4 inch presser foot because it is easy for me to follow the markings with it. I also ended up quilting a much bigger grid than I had planned. All in All it doesn't look too bad but it is not as I had pictured it.
Marking tools are not all created equal. I have found that some do not hold their points, some will not erase, and some need sharpened every time you mark a line. Always, Always check your marking tool on some scraps of the fabric before using it. I did do this, so no worries on this quilt. Also those disappearing marking pens that you iron out, can and sometimes do come back. And the ones that you wash away... Don't let them get warm before you wash them out with cold water. Heat will set that ink, even just getting warm in the sun. That tip I learned from a quilter who learned it the hard way.
Thread is something I usually don't bother with. I just use Coats Dual Duty. Well, my daughter had bought some machine quilting thread for a sewing project. I substituted the Dual Duty thread for the sewing project. Since I have the machine quilting thread I decided to use it. I didn't see much difference in it and the Coats Dual Duty. Of course it is the Coats brand of machine quilting thread so that may be why. I do know that many quilters like a more expensive brand of thread. I have found many who really feel Superior Thread brands are the best. I have asked a couple of long arm quilters and they say the thread does make a difference. I may just have to invest in some good thread to see how it does. I suspect that when I get a long arm machine I will buy better thread just because of the investment.
Make sure you have enough fabric before you start. Don't be fooled into thinking you can get some more if you need it later. My general rule of thumb is buy an extra 1/2 yard for cutting mistakes. Because I know I will make some. Any left over fabric goes into the scrap bin. Tatianna gets crazy if she thinks I am throwing away fabric that can be used for something. So we have a scrap bin. Any thing that is less than a fat quarter gets dropped in the scrap bin. Sooner or later one of us will do a scrap quilt.
Speaking of Fabric. Fabric is another area that I don't get crazy about. This quilt was made from fabric in my stash so much of it came from Mom's Crafts and Fabric's in Delta, Utah. I had picked up several fat quarters that she had on sale when I lived there. I have used all kinds of fabric and I know there are different grades of cotton fabric. I heard a 4-H judge tell a young teen that she should have made her first quilt out of a better grade of cotton. While I know that all fabric is not created equal, I also know that many of us can't afford to spend $8.00 to $10.00 a yard. I know that I really can't afford it even though I still splurge on it. I definitely don't buy it for my kid's first quilting project. Besides many of us are not lucky enough to have a local quilt shop nearby. Therefore we end up buying from the local box store who because they buy in bulk and can sell it cheaper. Still you need to be careful. Some tips I have learned; look for 100% cotton, make sure the fabric feels substantial and has some body to it. If the fabric is sheer, crackly, or light stay away from it, at least for quilting.
Quilting is about details and beautiful quilts are created when the details are considered. I wish you all beautiful quilts and a future where you never want for a nail.
For the want of a nail, a shoe was lost.
For the want of a shoe, a horse was lost.
For the want of a horse, a man was lost.
For the want of a man, the battle was lost.
For the want of the battle, the war was lost.
So what does this have to do with quilting? The rhyme tells of the importance of paying attention to details. Quilting is all about details. We prepare our fabric (to pre-shrink or not to pre-shrink, is a debate for another day). Then we cut it as precisely as we can. We sew with a scant 1/4 inch seam. We piece with precision and hopefully, if we hold our mouth just right, cross the correct number of fingers and toes, and pray fervently, our blocks come out correctly. Details are very important.
I have learned more about the importance of details since I have been working on the quilt with the women at church. Largely because there are so many of us working on the quilt. Partly because so many of us are not quilters. When it is just me working on a quilt, I know what I have done and generally can figure out why something has gone wrong. There have been many things I have learned and many things I already knew that I am thankful I know.
Details matter! Here are some I have dealt with on this quilt.
Starting with the quarter inch seam. Tatianna and I both have 1/4 inch seam presser feet on our machines. Mine is just the quarter inch width. Hers has a little guide to run the fabric against. I have taken the time to measure the distance from the needle to the edge of the feet. It is barely under a quarter inch. Yea!!! We just use our presser feet to guide us. But many people don't think to check that measurement. I learned to check that when I was at a 4-H leader-mete in Utah. They had us sew 3-1 1/2" strips together and measure the middle strip. If it was not 1", our machine's markings or presser feet were not accurate. Like I said I knew this, but trying to piece together blocks made by different women, hammered that point home. There was one block that I had to literally take apart and resew because the seams were 3/8 of and inch instead of 1/4 of and inch.
Squaring up blocks is not something everyone does, I used to watch the Quilt in a Day Series with Elanor Burns on PBS. I watched her square up pieces so they would fit easier. Now after I cut part of a block and do something like flippy corners I will go back and square up the part. This was very helpful when putting together the star blocks for this quilt. It certainly made the block look nicer. I definitely could tell when someone hadn't done it to their block.
Cutting is an area that I tend to get crazy about. I have lots of different rulers to make the job easier. I have a strip ruler that I love. In fact I have two. One was slightly broken at a sewing camp when it was dropped. I glued it together with super glue and it held temporarily. The woman who dropped it felt that she should replace it and despite my protests, did. I offered her the broken one but she refused. I used it for 8 years occasionally trying to fix the break. This summer I finally got some 5 minute fix and fixed it for good. Tatianna is probably going to get one of them.
One thing that was drilled into me at a young age is to be accurate in cutting. Whether it is for clothing or quilting be accurate. On this quilt a couple of women cut their own blocks. They had not ever cut quilt blocks before and therefore the blocks weren't quite square. Also I don't mind getting some smaller pieces when I rotary cut but I hate to open up a piece of fabric and discover some one has sliced into it. These women cut their squares using a rotary cutter and the strip ruler. But they didn't cut the strips and then cut the strips into blocks. They laid out the fat quarter and cut out the 4 1/2 inch blocks using the strip ruler and rotating it for the cross cut. I now have half of four fat quarters that have slices cut into them in 4 1/2 inch intervals. They are now in the scrap bin.
Measure twice and cut once. This is all on me. I unrolled the batting and assumed that the batting had been folded lengthwise. I proceeded to cut 30 inches off the width making the batting too small for the quilt. I knew better but was on a deadline and didn't take the time to measure. You better believe I measured the next batting twice before cutting.
Audition/practice the design. I did this on a couple of 5 inch squares with batting. I wanted to get the feel of how the pattern would look and how it would feed with the walking foot. I was very glad I had done it.
The right tool for the job. This is about my machine. My machine only has about a 7 inch throat space. I have come to realize that it is not a great machine for quilting even though it is marketed as a quilting machine. My machine does not have a stitch regulator and I have not mastered (or even begun) free motion quilting. So I planned to do a grid pattern for the quilt design. A quilter friend suggested I put my walking foot on and just use the guide to quilt the grid. That way I would only have to draw a couple of starting lines. That most likely would have worked on a wall quilt but not on the slightly larger than twin sized quilt I was working on. I ended up ripping out two lines of quilting. I then laid out the quilt, marked the quilting lines. I took off the walking foot and used my 1/4 inch presser foot because it is easy for me to follow the markings with it. I also ended up quilting a much bigger grid than I had planned. All in All it doesn't look too bad but it is not as I had pictured it.
Marking tools are not all created equal. I have found that some do not hold their points, some will not erase, and some need sharpened every time you mark a line. Always, Always check your marking tool on some scraps of the fabric before using it. I did do this, so no worries on this quilt. Also those disappearing marking pens that you iron out, can and sometimes do come back. And the ones that you wash away... Don't let them get warm before you wash them out with cold water. Heat will set that ink, even just getting warm in the sun. That tip I learned from a quilter who learned it the hard way.
Thread is something I usually don't bother with. I just use Coats Dual Duty. Well, my daughter had bought some machine quilting thread for a sewing project. I substituted the Dual Duty thread for the sewing project. Since I have the machine quilting thread I decided to use it. I didn't see much difference in it and the Coats Dual Duty. Of course it is the Coats brand of machine quilting thread so that may be why. I do know that many quilters like a more expensive brand of thread. I have found many who really feel Superior Thread brands are the best. I have asked a couple of long arm quilters and they say the thread does make a difference. I may just have to invest in some good thread to see how it does. I suspect that when I get a long arm machine I will buy better thread just because of the investment.
Make sure you have enough fabric before you start. Don't be fooled into thinking you can get some more if you need it later. My general rule of thumb is buy an extra 1/2 yard for cutting mistakes. Because I know I will make some. Any left over fabric goes into the scrap bin. Tatianna gets crazy if she thinks I am throwing away fabric that can be used for something. So we have a scrap bin. Any thing that is less than a fat quarter gets dropped in the scrap bin. Sooner or later one of us will do a scrap quilt.
Speaking of Fabric. Fabric is another area that I don't get crazy about. This quilt was made from fabric in my stash so much of it came from Mom's Crafts and Fabric's in Delta, Utah. I had picked up several fat quarters that she had on sale when I lived there. I have used all kinds of fabric and I know there are different grades of cotton fabric. I heard a 4-H judge tell a young teen that she should have made her first quilt out of a better grade of cotton. While I know that all fabric is not created equal, I also know that many of us can't afford to spend $8.00 to $10.00 a yard. I know that I really can't afford it even though I still splurge on it. I definitely don't buy it for my kid's first quilting project. Besides many of us are not lucky enough to have a local quilt shop nearby. Therefore we end up buying from the local box store who because they buy in bulk and can sell it cheaper. Still you need to be careful. Some tips I have learned; look for 100% cotton, make sure the fabric feels substantial and has some body to it. If the fabric is sheer, crackly, or light stay away from it, at least for quilting.
Quilting is about details and beautiful quilts are created when the details are considered. I wish you all beautiful quilts and a future where you never want for a nail.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Day of Quilting, Women and Teamwork
This week has been a crazy one. I knew I needed to get the blocks done for the quilt the group is working on. But the day after I get the fabric for framing the picture blocks, I was sick. I was in bed sick for 2 days. There was no working on the quilt only sleeping and being sick. I had finally caught the bug that has been going around work for 2 months.
So now we are 3 days into the week and I haven't worked on the blocks at all. I then worked 2 ten hour days, which means I didn't work on the quilt. Well I did start to work on the blocks but after sewing a strip onto a picture block twice with the needle not threaded, I decided I was way too tired to be working on it.
The group was to meet at noon on Saturday to finish the top. I set my alarm for 6:30am. I get up and start working on the blocks. I call my kids to get up, there is a lot of work to do and I was going to be sewing. I cut the needed fabric for the remaining 3 star blocks and proceed to get them pieced. The 17 year old daughter made breakfast. The 24 year old daughter, Tatianna, prints the last picture for the quilt and gets that block ready to be framed. The 21 year old son feeds the pigs and then becomes the gopher.
At 10:30 I am ready to leave the house to go set up. The kids have loaded what we need, so Tatianna and I head out. No one was there to let us in to set up. So we ran to the dollar store to get a flannel backed tablecloth to use as a design wall. They didn't have any. We decided to just use to tables put side by side to do the lay out.
Finally someone with a key shows up. We haul what we need into the building and get things set up. With time to kill, we realize we brought all the picture blocks and the parts needed to finish them but not the star blocks. A quick call to the 21 year old and the star blocks are on their way. In the mean time I start chain piecing the frames around the picture blocks. As I finish a strip, Tatianna takes it, trims it, presses it and puts it back into rotation. Within an hour all 10 blocks are framed and the star blocks arrived. Of course I had to stop and fill a bobbin and forgot the spare thread. We ended up pulling the spool off my daughter's machine and using it all to fill the bobbin which took us down to one machine.
We break for lunch. Soup that warms the body and soul, plus good company. Only 3 others showed up for this session and it was only an suppose to be 2 hours. I didn't think we would get much done. It was the first Saturday in December after all and we have had a lot of illness in the congregation. One woman in the group is very ill and 2 of the women were with her. This is a great group of Women who take very good care of each other.
Unfortunately the ill woman still had her block to finish and had the block pieces somewhere at her home. There was some talk of asking the husband to find it. Tatianna and I decided we could figure out what fabric she used (it came from my stash) and just make the block for her. So we could not get the top completed during that session.
What we did do was decide on the placement of everything. We knew the missing block was green so we planned for it. I stepped back and let the others figure out the placement. Then Tatianna and I started sewing the blocks together. We got everything sewn that we could without the last block. At 2:30pm, we were loading up the car and heading to the store for more thread and some other things.
When we got home, Tatianna found the fabric needed for the last block and I got busy making it. Tatianna then braved the main part of the stash to find the backing fabric. In a matter of an hour and half, we had completed the quilt top and started on the back. Deadline for this quilt is December 15th. It must be completed. We are down to basting quilting and binding.
The whole day of quilting gave me such a great feeling. What made this feeling even better was, I never had to tell Tatianna what to do. There was no plan made, just action taken. She and I make a great team and neither of us are great or even really accomplished quilters.
I like to say I am not a great quilter but I do quilt. I think the only way to become good at something is to do it. Not doing it because you aren't good at it only means you will never become good at it. It is a learning experience.
Another reason it was a great feeling is that I was doing something I loved and for someone else. Working with other women makes these projects much more fun. I know there were reasons for Quilting Bees. I had always heard it was for social reasons and to show support for each other. I think it is sad that we don't do them any more. In society today women don't get the opportunity to gather and work together nearly enough.
When I have my quilt shop I am going to encourage quilting bees. Would you come to one?
So now we are 3 days into the week and I haven't worked on the blocks at all. I then worked 2 ten hour days, which means I didn't work on the quilt. Well I did start to work on the blocks but after sewing a strip onto a picture block twice with the needle not threaded, I decided I was way too tired to be working on it.
The group was to meet at noon on Saturday to finish the top. I set my alarm for 6:30am. I get up and start working on the blocks. I call my kids to get up, there is a lot of work to do and I was going to be sewing. I cut the needed fabric for the remaining 3 star blocks and proceed to get them pieced. The 17 year old daughter made breakfast. The 24 year old daughter, Tatianna, prints the last picture for the quilt and gets that block ready to be framed. The 21 year old son feeds the pigs and then becomes the gopher.
At 10:30 I am ready to leave the house to go set up. The kids have loaded what we need, so Tatianna and I head out. No one was there to let us in to set up. So we ran to the dollar store to get a flannel backed tablecloth to use as a design wall. They didn't have any. We decided to just use to tables put side by side to do the lay out.
Finally someone with a key shows up. We haul what we need into the building and get things set up. With time to kill, we realize we brought all the picture blocks and the parts needed to finish them but not the star blocks. A quick call to the 21 year old and the star blocks are on their way. In the mean time I start chain piecing the frames around the picture blocks. As I finish a strip, Tatianna takes it, trims it, presses it and puts it back into rotation. Within an hour all 10 blocks are framed and the star blocks arrived. Of course I had to stop and fill a bobbin and forgot the spare thread. We ended up pulling the spool off my daughter's machine and using it all to fill the bobbin which took us down to one machine.
We break for lunch. Soup that warms the body and soul, plus good company. Only 3 others showed up for this session and it was only an suppose to be 2 hours. I didn't think we would get much done. It was the first Saturday in December after all and we have had a lot of illness in the congregation. One woman in the group is very ill and 2 of the women were with her. This is a great group of Women who take very good care of each other.
Unfortunately the ill woman still had her block to finish and had the block pieces somewhere at her home. There was some talk of asking the husband to find it. Tatianna and I decided we could figure out what fabric she used (it came from my stash) and just make the block for her. So we could not get the top completed during that session.
What we did do was decide on the placement of everything. We knew the missing block was green so we planned for it. I stepped back and let the others figure out the placement. Then Tatianna and I started sewing the blocks together. We got everything sewn that we could without the last block. At 2:30pm, we were loading up the car and heading to the store for more thread and some other things.
When we got home, Tatianna found the fabric needed for the last block and I got busy making it. Tatianna then braved the main part of the stash to find the backing fabric. In a matter of an hour and half, we had completed the quilt top and started on the back. Deadline for this quilt is December 15th. It must be completed. We are down to basting quilting and binding.
The whole day of quilting gave me such a great feeling. What made this feeling even better was, I never had to tell Tatianna what to do. There was no plan made, just action taken. She and I make a great team and neither of us are great or even really accomplished quilters.
I like to say I am not a great quilter but I do quilt. I think the only way to become good at something is to do it. Not doing it because you aren't good at it only means you will never become good at it. It is a learning experience.
Another reason it was a great feeling is that I was doing something I loved and for someone else. Working with other women makes these projects much more fun. I know there were reasons for Quilting Bees. I had always heard it was for social reasons and to show support for each other. I think it is sad that we don't do them any more. In society today women don't get the opportunity to gather and work together nearly enough.
When I have my quilt shop I am going to encourage quilting bees. Would you come to one?
Monday, November 28, 2016
Fabric Frustrations
So I am working/directing a project for our Women's group at church. I believe I have mentioned this project in a previous post. We were trying to use what we already had on hand to keep costs down. After much back and forth, my daughter and I decided we needed to use black fabric to frame the picture blocks. Now I have used black fabric in several quilts in the past. In fact I am more likely to use black than white in a quilt because I like bright colors and I think black makes them pop more than white.
I just want a solid black for framing picture blocks and for binding. Of course, because I am on a deadline, I can't find a plain solid black fabric. Not in my stash, not in the local Wal-Marts, not online, at least not in time for when we need it. As I have said before I don't have a local quilt shop.
This living in the country, far from Quilt shops is for the birds. I sometimes need to be able to do things spontaneously. Sometimes it takes my vision a little while to get it right and when I finally see the whole picture I need to be able to buy what I need to complete it. So I am frustrated.
How do I deal with this frustration? By buying fabric of course. I found some batiks at the Wal-Mart. A really cool black and gray one, a gold one, a golden brown one and a purple one. They also had some greens, a blue, a dark purple, and a red. I will have to go back for those. Anyway I spent way too much money on fabric, I really didn't need right before Christmas. But I did find a black with a very small white polka dot. I think it will work for the frames and binding. It will be cute but not as dramatic as I had pictured it.
So now my stash is a little bit bigger. Lately, I have been buying more white on white tonal fabric, to do more traditional quilts using 1930's prints. I have also been buying more bright colored fat quarters and batik layer cakes. I know I have quite a few pre-cuts and I am not sure what they will become. I need to go through it and figure out what I actually have and what I need to add. I know I am most likely not moving to the bigger urban centers where the quilt shops are, so I need to find a way to have what I need in my stash. That is at least until I can open my own Quilt shop.
I wonder if I could write and apply for a grant to preserve the Historic and Social art of Quilting. Maybe I could use something like that to open the Quilt shop. Any grant writers out there willing to do some pro bono work?
I just want a solid black for framing picture blocks and for binding. Of course, because I am on a deadline, I can't find a plain solid black fabric. Not in my stash, not in the local Wal-Marts, not online, at least not in time for when we need it. As I have said before I don't have a local quilt shop.
This living in the country, far from Quilt shops is for the birds. I sometimes need to be able to do things spontaneously. Sometimes it takes my vision a little while to get it right and when I finally see the whole picture I need to be able to buy what I need to complete it. So I am frustrated.
How do I deal with this frustration? By buying fabric of course. I found some batiks at the Wal-Mart. A really cool black and gray one, a gold one, a golden brown one and a purple one. They also had some greens, a blue, a dark purple, and a red. I will have to go back for those. Anyway I spent way too much money on fabric, I really didn't need right before Christmas. But I did find a black with a very small white polka dot. I think it will work for the frames and binding. It will be cute but not as dramatic as I had pictured it.
So now my stash is a little bit bigger. Lately, I have been buying more white on white tonal fabric, to do more traditional quilts using 1930's prints. I have also been buying more bright colored fat quarters and batik layer cakes. I know I have quite a few pre-cuts and I am not sure what they will become. I need to go through it and figure out what I actually have and what I need to add. I know I am most likely not moving to the bigger urban centers where the quilt shops are, so I need to find a way to have what I need in my stash. That is at least until I can open my own Quilt shop.
I wonder if I could write and apply for a grant to preserve the Historic and Social art of Quilting. Maybe I could use something like that to open the Quilt shop. Any grant writers out there willing to do some pro bono work?
Sunday, November 20, 2016
A Vacation Without Quilting
So I took off work for a week and headed out west to see family. It was a rather chaotic weekend mostly because nothing was planned. This is not the way to get things done. My husband was trying not to pin anything on a schedule so there wouldn't be any ruffled feathers. Oh by the way that doesn't work.
There were several people to see not the least of which was our newest grandson. There were also a few things we wanted to do. Hubby wanted to go get geodes and opals. I wanted to visit a few quilt/fabric shops. it would be nice if we got to visit Gossners Foods. I worked there for almost 9 years while he went to Utah State University. We wanted to eat at the Mandarin Garden. And Hubby also wanted to catch an Aggie game while we were there.
So what did we manage to do:
We spent lots of time with his parents. Maybe a little too much time.
We did see our 27 yr old daughter and her family. They drove up from Winnemucca, NV. This time the grand daughter was a little less wary of us. She was lots of fun.
We spent an evening with some close friends and one of his brothers and his wife at a casino in Jackpot NV. It was good to see them. The seafood buffet was good and the veterans ate for free because it was Veterans Day.
We spent a couple of nights with another brother and his family. They have all grown up so fast.
We saw our 19 yr old daughter and her family which included the newborn grandson. We were there for his blessing. The other grandparents were there as well and they had a nice cook out after the blessing.
We had a failed attempt to get opals. We think we found the area but ran out of time. That resulted in hubby getting very frustrated. But gave us an afternoon with our second and third sons.
We had 2 evenings with our second son and his family and a sister and her family. One evening with another sister and her kids.
We did make it to Gossners and we even managed to bring home some of the best Swiss cheese in the world. I realize I am biased but Gossners Swiss Cheese is the best. It however is not the same Gossners that I worked at. It has grown by leaps and bounds.
The Aggie game was too late in the evening, and Hubby was too tired so that didn't happen. But Dinner at the Mandarin Garden did. It was our favorite restaurant when we lived in Logan.
What disappointed me was we did not manage to visit one quilt shop or fabric store. I was in the west. In both Idaho and Utah. Yet I did not manage to visit one quilt shop. I have been missing the plethora of quilt shops in Idaho and Utah. I just wanted to go in a few and see what they had, what was new, and maybe buy some fun fabric. I like to touch and see fabric and well I don't get to do that here.
I did go to the fabric section of a Walmart. Just about all of the Walmart stores in Idaho and Utah have fabric. I bought some pretty Christmas fabric and several yards of a blue print that will make a nice back for my daughter quilt. (if she wants to use it. She is picky)
So my vacation was a success in that I got to see the grand babies and my 3 of my kids and their spouses. Oh and our extended family.
But I had a week without quilting. Next trip I swear I am going on a quilt shop hop. I just have to figure out where and who to get to go with me. I also have to figure out how much I can afford to spend. I think I will be hoarding cash for a little while. Maybe I will go to Hamilton, Missouri. I might even look into doing a retreat.
Any one up for a quilting road trip?
There were several people to see not the least of which was our newest grandson. There were also a few things we wanted to do. Hubby wanted to go get geodes and opals. I wanted to visit a few quilt/fabric shops. it would be nice if we got to visit Gossners Foods. I worked there for almost 9 years while he went to Utah State University. We wanted to eat at the Mandarin Garden. And Hubby also wanted to catch an Aggie game while we were there.
So what did we manage to do:
We spent lots of time with his parents. Maybe a little too much time.
We did see our 27 yr old daughter and her family. They drove up from Winnemucca, NV. This time the grand daughter was a little less wary of us. She was lots of fun.
We spent an evening with some close friends and one of his brothers and his wife at a casino in Jackpot NV. It was good to see them. The seafood buffet was good and the veterans ate for free because it was Veterans Day.
We spent a couple of nights with another brother and his family. They have all grown up so fast.
We saw our 19 yr old daughter and her family which included the newborn grandson. We were there for his blessing. The other grandparents were there as well and they had a nice cook out after the blessing.
We had a failed attempt to get opals. We think we found the area but ran out of time. That resulted in hubby getting very frustrated. But gave us an afternoon with our second and third sons.
We had 2 evenings with our second son and his family and a sister and her family. One evening with another sister and her kids.
We did make it to Gossners and we even managed to bring home some of the best Swiss cheese in the world. I realize I am biased but Gossners Swiss Cheese is the best. It however is not the same Gossners that I worked at. It has grown by leaps and bounds.
The Aggie game was too late in the evening, and Hubby was too tired so that didn't happen. But Dinner at the Mandarin Garden did. It was our favorite restaurant when we lived in Logan.
What disappointed me was we did not manage to visit one quilt shop or fabric store. I was in the west. In both Idaho and Utah. Yet I did not manage to visit one quilt shop. I have been missing the plethora of quilt shops in Idaho and Utah. I just wanted to go in a few and see what they had, what was new, and maybe buy some fun fabric. I like to touch and see fabric and well I don't get to do that here.
I did go to the fabric section of a Walmart. Just about all of the Walmart stores in Idaho and Utah have fabric. I bought some pretty Christmas fabric and several yards of a blue print that will make a nice back for my daughter quilt. (if she wants to use it. She is picky)
So my vacation was a success in that I got to see the grand babies and my 3 of my kids and their spouses. Oh and our extended family.
But I had a week without quilting. Next trip I swear I am going on a quilt shop hop. I just have to figure out where and who to get to go with me. I also have to figure out how much I can afford to spend. I think I will be hoarding cash for a little while. Maybe I will go to Hamilton, Missouri. I might even look into doing a retreat.
Any one up for a quilting road trip?
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Enough Fabric??????
Yesterday morning, my husband and I were laying in bed, not wanting to be awake yet, and chatting. He asked what I wanted to get done that day. I replied "All I want to do is sew on my quilt." That is all I ever want to do these days. We talked about the kids and he asked how my 24 year old daughter was coming on her quilt and I replied we had run out of the white fabric she was using. I said we have some more but it has a different degree of brightness and I was going to see if I could find some for her after work on Monday. Then he said something that I never thought I would ever hear a man say. Are you ready for this? He said "I don't think you have enough fabric". Did I get the perfect husband or what? Okay he is not perfect but he is Mine and I am keeping him.
Now do I think I have enough fabric. The answer is a resounding "NO." I do not have every batik or retro print that I would love to have. I do not have near enough geometric prints or enough of a variety of prints and print sizes. I also don't have room for all the fabric I want. I don't have room for all the fabric I have. I am already kicking hubby out of my studio into a 10 x 20 storage shed to make room for a long arm machine. (By kicking him out I mean his lapidary equipment.) That still leaves most of my stash in bins and trunk in the kids rooms. (not to mention other craft supplies) Shoot we can't even walk into our closet because of sewing machines and bins of fabric.
So how can he say I don't have enough fabric? First he comes from a large pioneer family. They all sew and quilt. Add to that we both grew up in a culture where sewing and quilting was encouraged. He stated that there are women have rooms full of fabric. He's right. We both know of women, who have always had a dedicated sewing room. As their families grew up and left they filled the rooms with fabric. Would I like to have that much fabric? Of course provided I had it organized in a easily usable fashion. Alright even if I didn't have it organized. I would love to have a room dedicated to sewing/quilting and a room dedicated to the storage of the fabric.
I have only been working on my stash for about 12 years. Those women worked on their stash for Decades. They also lived/live closer to fabric shops. So impulse buying is a fact of life. There were more fabric shops available and more women sewed. This still true in Utah and lots of Idaho. Even in the little tiny town of Delta, UT there is an awesome fabric shop, Mom's Crafts and Fabric. Mom's had everything, I swear you could find any print you wanted or needed there. I miss Mom's. I should see if they have an online store. I know they are on face book.
There is not a fabric shop within a 30 minute drive of my home. In fact my closest Walmart doesn't even carry fabric. The closest fabric shops are 40 to 60 miles away and they aren't very good. One is a Bernina dealer, mostly machines and some fabric. The other is an alteration shop that is dark, dingy, and dusty. So how do I build my stash to an acceptable level?
Right now I live in Cairo, GA and work in Bainbridge, GA. Since moving here 8 years ago, Janet's Fabrics in Bainbridge closed as did Suzanne's Quilt Shop in Moultrie. I did take advantage of those clearance prices and spent way more than I should have in both stores. I estimate that I spent close to $1,200.00 in Suzanne's in the last 2 months she was open. That was in 3 trips. The first trip, I had 2 of my daughters with me. We stayed under my budget without even trying. WE were very pleased with our selves. The second trip was just me and I bought stuff that I passed up on the first trip. The third trip and the most costly trip was made with my husband. (I wanted him to look at the Handi-Quilter machine) While I was deciding how much of each fabric he would say just get it all and if I didn't agree right away he would tell the women "she will take it all." They would look at me and I would nod. They told me, he was a keeper.
The Walmart in Bainbridge does carry some fabric. And that is where I will be looking for the white fabric my daughter needs. But mostly I am buying online these days. I have bought a few things from Craftsy. I have fallen in love with Missouri Star Quilt Company. I buy a lot of pre-cuts from them. Their daily deal is dangerous. Also, I am buying from Connecting Threads. Which is really quite ironic. When we lived in Vancouver, WA I used to go to the Artist's Club store to buy decorative painting supplies. That store was also the store for Connecting Threads. They were sister companies. Now that I am clear on the other side of the country I am actually buying fabric from Connecting Threads. But buying mail order/online has it's disadvantages as well. Such as what do you do when in the middle of a project you have run out of a fabric that you need?
Which brings me back to my first post. I want to own a quilt shop. Bolts and Bolts of fabric. When you needed some more you just go find the bolt and sell yourself some more. I still haven't figured out how to make this a reality. I am only about 13 years from retirement age and I hate to go into a lot of debt. I really do think I could make a go of it, if I find the right location and people to help me set it up, I need to find out what the quilters in this area would like and I need to find some quilters to help me set it up in a logical manner.
In the meantime, I am building my personal stash and wearing out my credit card. How much is enough fabric for you? How are you building your stash?
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Interruptions and Pleasant Surprises
I once again set aside my Irish Chain quilt to attack another project. I was asked to help a group of women to create a memory quilt. This combines my favorite things. Creating, teaching and working with other women. So of course I could not say "no".
I started on it last week. The only thing I knew for sure was they wanted to have pictures on it. It has been at least 10 years since I attended the USU Master's sewing training that taught us how to do that. I dug out my notes (yes I keep all of that stuff and am glad I did). Then I started doing a little research. Things have changed in the last 10 years. I knew I could use my computer and printer but I remembered that we had used a fixative after wards. In My research I found out that June Tailor has fabric printer sheets that have the fixative already in it. I ordered it and waited for it to come.
They other thing they seemed to want was pieced quilt blocks in it as well. So I needed to come up with a quilt block that was easy to do but still looked fantastic. I was not sure what to do do. But when I ordered the printer fabric, I also ordered "The Quilt Block Bible" by Rosemary Youngs. So when they both came on Wednesday I started perusing.
To be totally honest I had misread the title of the book when I ordered it. I thought I was ordering a book about quilt blocks inspired by the Bible. My daughter and I were excited to see it, we thought that as we made the blocks, we would read the scriptures that inspired them. But alas it was not so. Instead it was a book of quilt blocks. We feel that this book is a must have and are glad we bought it. That was our first pleasant surprise.
In the end, I decided to do a variation of the morning star block. It is a nine patch star that uses a small flying geese unit about have the size of the patch for the points. I liked the idea of a star and that points that did not come up to the edge of the block. With different women sewing the blocks I wasn't sure how easy it would be to match up points. I also didn't want to do the flying geese unit. So I did away with it and used "flippy corners" instead to make the points.
I came up block that had a white center star. That way the women could choose what print and colors they liked and the white stars would tie it all together. Plus my daughter pointed out they could sign in the center of their stars.
So a 4 by 5 block quilt, made up of star blocks and picture blocks. I did my math and figured out what sizes I need to cut and then I made an example block.
I have a great love for batik fabrics and the color blue is my favorite. I grabbed some blue batik fabric out of my fat quarters and proceeded to cut and sew my block. It worked out really well. My math was okay and the block would work for a beginner. Then I stepped back and really looked at the block and got my second pleasant surprise. My daughter also saw it and we both know I didn't plan it. The blue batik fabric was a dot print. The block looked like it was in space. It was perfect.
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| Pleasant Surprise #2 |
I sometimes get too focused on the process of the project and forget about the design. This time the fates were taking care of me. I love this block so much I plan on making another one the center of a medallion quilt.
Have you had any pleasant surprises this week?
Sunday, October 23, 2016
PHD- Not the Degree
I am currently working on a PhD. Not the graduate degree like the one my brother put so many years into earning. But a Project Half Done. I don't mean to insult all those who have a doctoral degree. They are extremely difficult to earn and you all are commended for that accomplishment. I just think for many quilters some of these Projects Half Done take as much time as a doctoral degree. I have put some thought into why.
Interruptions - circumstances cause us to put a project on hold. In the case of my current PHD I stopped to work on a quilt for a cancer patient. My current PHD is a lovely Irish Chain that I am just getting back to. But I am struggling to get back to work on it. I have lost momentum where that project is concerned. I still love it and am still eager to have it done. But I must admit I am eager to move on to something else.
Another reason may be Lack of Inspiration. I started a braid quilt about 4 years ago. I had several small scraps that were 2" x 4" that were given to me. I didn't know what to do with them but they were taking up valuable space in my much too limited storage Plus I was in a mood to use up something. I remembered a technique taught at a 4-H leader meet and decided I would see what I can up with. I proceeded to stitch those scraps into a braid. It is rather pretty if I do say so myself. But is just a top without borders. I need to get around to finishing it someday. But I am not sure what to do with it.
Space is another problem. Very few of us have a place that we can dedicate to our craft. I currently share my "studio" with my husband who does lapidary work. One problem is I need more space than "the studio" has and the other is my husband's work often requires it to be quiet. Meaning I can't run my sewing machine. My studio is the room that most people use as a formal living room or parlor. When we moved into this house 8 years ago, we had gotten rid of most of our worn out furniture. We didn't have anything for the living room. So I started using it for my crafting. Then my husband picked up his hobby and moved in. It was never suppose to be a permanent studio but it has become one.
Lack of space can also lead to Lack of Organization. Which is my next reason for PHDs. I have a huge stash but I really don't know what all I have. My stash is in bins and closets and drawers and well all over the house. So I get frustrated and stop working on projects to get things somewhat organized and never quite make it. I have rulers that I can't find. Rotary cutters have come up missing. Cutting mats have been misplaced. So I gather things up and straighten things out and then I start over again. It doesn't help that I buy supplies without projects in mind. Worse I bring home supplies and don't put them away. So organization I believe is key to starting and finishing project. Now if I can hubby to move out of the studio and come up with some way to get my supplies organized.
Deadlines is another reason. We either don't have them or they have past. I have a really colorful quilt that I cut out for my daughter's graduation (8 years ago) but haven't started sewing it. I still have to quilt the same daughter's wedding quilt and she just celebrated her third anniversary. There are two quilts that the Young Women's group at church brought home to finish 5 years ago for the needy and they have found refuge in my stack of projects. (Partly because I was the mother of the only active young women at the time and partly because I am the resident quilter in our congregation). If we don't have a deadline then things can be put off when we are tired or busy. If the deadline is past we may put it away indefinitely.
Lastly, Boredom. It is hard to keep working on a project when you have found delicious new fabric or an interesting new pattern. It is easy to get bored with projects that take a lot of time. It takes discipline to keep working on a project you are bored with. Sometimes I just don't have it. Especially when the really vibrant Batik is calling my name, taunting me with all sorts of joyful colors.
So what is the answer? I am not sure. I am trying to sew/quilt everyday but I am not quite making it. even if it is only 10 minutes it is better than none. I am tried to not start another project until I have finished a project. So I can't start another project until I have finished one that I am working on, But I know that hasn't really worked. What I am trying to do now is get projects to logical stopping points, tops finished, Quilts layered and ready to be quilted, projects cut out and ready to sew. That way what I feel like doing (piecing, quilting, binding) I can do. I am hoping that having logical stopping points will keep me excited and therefore progressing.
What are your ideas for reducing your PHDs?
Interruptions - circumstances cause us to put a project on hold. In the case of my current PHD I stopped to work on a quilt for a cancer patient. My current PHD is a lovely Irish Chain that I am just getting back to. But I am struggling to get back to work on it. I have lost momentum where that project is concerned. I still love it and am still eager to have it done. But I must admit I am eager to move on to something else.
Another reason may be Lack of Inspiration. I started a braid quilt about 4 years ago. I had several small scraps that were 2" x 4" that were given to me. I didn't know what to do with them but they were taking up valuable space in my much too limited storage Plus I was in a mood to use up something. I remembered a technique taught at a 4-H leader meet and decided I would see what I can up with. I proceeded to stitch those scraps into a braid. It is rather pretty if I do say so myself. But is just a top without borders. I need to get around to finishing it someday. But I am not sure what to do with it.
Energy - I think that energy is a big part of PHDs. So many of us have full time jobs and families who take a lot of time and energy. It is hard to feel inspired or creative when you are dead on your feet or the house needs cleaning. (Okay I have to admit I can quilt in a messy house. I really don't have any problem with leaving dishes dirty or vacuuming and dusting undone. Plus my children are basically grown and I make them do the cooking and cleaning.) Being tired makes for mistakes and frustration as well. I can quilt when stressed but not when I have put in a 14 hour day at work.
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| My space |
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| His space |
Lack of space can also lead to Lack of Organization. Which is my next reason for PHDs. I have a huge stash but I really don't know what all I have. My stash is in bins and closets and drawers and well all over the house. So I get frustrated and stop working on projects to get things somewhat organized and never quite make it. I have rulers that I can't find. Rotary cutters have come up missing. Cutting mats have been misplaced. So I gather things up and straighten things out and then I start over again. It doesn't help that I buy supplies without projects in mind. Worse I bring home supplies and don't put them away. So organization I believe is key to starting and finishing project. Now if I can hubby to move out of the studio and come up with some way to get my supplies organized.
Deadlines is another reason. We either don't have them or they have past. I have a really colorful quilt that I cut out for my daughter's graduation (8 years ago) but haven't started sewing it. I still have to quilt the same daughter's wedding quilt and she just celebrated her third anniversary. There are two quilts that the Young Women's group at church brought home to finish 5 years ago for the needy and they have found refuge in my stack of projects. (Partly because I was the mother of the only active young women at the time and partly because I am the resident quilter in our congregation). If we don't have a deadline then things can be put off when we are tired or busy. If the deadline is past we may put it away indefinitely.
Lastly, Boredom. It is hard to keep working on a project when you have found delicious new fabric or an interesting new pattern. It is easy to get bored with projects that take a lot of time. It takes discipline to keep working on a project you are bored with. Sometimes I just don't have it. Especially when the really vibrant Batik is calling my name, taunting me with all sorts of joyful colors.
So what is the answer? I am not sure. I am trying to sew/quilt everyday but I am not quite making it. even if it is only 10 minutes it is better than none. I am tried to not start another project until I have finished a project. So I can't start another project until I have finished one that I am working on, But I know that hasn't really worked. What I am trying to do now is get projects to logical stopping points, tops finished, Quilts layered and ready to be quilted, projects cut out and ready to sew. That way what I feel like doing (piecing, quilting, binding) I can do. I am hoping that having logical stopping points will keep me excited and therefore progressing.
What are your ideas for reducing your PHDs?
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Heritage of Quilting
I have always been a creative person. I love making things and take great pride in my creations. I love color and texture and lines. I love math. I have a great eye for color combinations and structure. I love drawing even if I am not great at it. Plus I love sewing of all kinds. All things that help in creating quilts. Add to this I come from a line of women who quilted and sewed. Most likely out of necessity.
I didn't know my maternal grandmother, Mattie Aurora Burnham Borden, she passed before I was born. Yet somehow I feel connected to her through my sewing and quilting. I know my mother said she loved to sew and while she may not have always been a great technical seamstress, she did quite fanciful and stylish work. I saw her workmanship in some square dancing shirts and dresses she had made for my parents.
I feel the same connection for my Great Grandmother Matilda Sackett Borden. I have in my possession a quilt top that she had pieced for my mother's 7th birthday. It is all hand pieced and the stitches are so perfectly even. Great Grandma was born in 1860 and died in 1954. Mom was born in 1927, her 7th birthday was in 1934. Great Grandma was in her early to mid seventies when she pieced that top. It is butterflies appliqued on to squares with a black blanket stitch. It was made from some of Mom's old clothes. My mom pointed out some of the fabrics last time we looked at it together. I love this top and promised my mother that I would finish it one day. (I actually found the fabric for the border recently)
I wonder why people quilt and sew. I have taught my daughters that it is a skill that should be learned. I firmly believe that there are many skills that our grandparents did that should not be lost. But keeping a skill alive means actually doing it and well it is not enough to know that a skill is on the endangered species list to learn and do it.
I know my mother never cared for sewing but it was a way for her to save money on my clothes. So her reason was saving money. Sewing clothes is no longer cheaper than buying them. In fact it is more expensive. But I have found that finding modest formals for teenage girls is rather difficult and my daughters benefited from my sewing skills.
I think Mom felt like she had to sew as well. She taught me to sew and always felt that she was not very skilled. She insisted that my sister and I take sewing in school.
I have a cousin (well I have many but I know this one better than the others) who sews and quilts. her work is wonderful. I believe she once said her mother (my Mom's older sister) didn't really like to sew. I wonder does it skip a generation? My daughters don't really like to sew they do it mostly to humor me.
I love to sew and especially quilt and I think it is because it ties me to my ancestors. I also think it is a practical way to be creative even if it is expensive. They did it out of necessity. I do it out of love and creativity. But because I do it, I am their descendant in spirit as well as flesh.
Why do you quilt/sew?
Giving Away Part of My Heart
This past week I gave away a part of my heart.
Last June, I learned that a woman at church was about to start a battle with breast cancer. While I do not know this woman very well, I do know how horrible that disease is to fight. I had a sister in law die from it 28 years ago. I had another sister in law beat it 6 years ago. I know how devastating it can be on a woman. So I felt I needed to find away to help her though it.
As I said I don't know her well and I actually work full time and commute an hour each way. So my time is limited. Add to that she is basically home bound because the intense treatments make her far too vulnerable to infection. How is a person suppose to keep up their spirits when they are stuck at home, inside and without any visitors.
I didn't know what to do to help so I turned to my 17 year old daughter. Her response - Make a quilt. I got to thinking, My sister was always cold when she was going through the treatments for Lymphoma and both of my sister in laws were also cold when they were going through treatments so a quilt would be a way to help.
I went through patterns looking for one that would be positive and cheerful. I found one that looked like plus signs and/or interlinking arms. I used bright colors and got to work cutting and sewing. It took me four months but I finally finished it last week. Oh it is far from perfect and has lots of mistakes but I think it is beautiful.
It is hard for me to give up one of my creations because I put so much time and energy into them. But while making this one I tried to put in prayer and love in it as well. I wanted the woman to find comfort in it. I put my heart in this quilt.
Like I said it took me four months to finish this quilt. I was working very long hours and had very little time to work on it except for weekends. My husband said she was either going to be healed or dead by the time I finished it. (Yes, he can be a real jerk at times but he is my jerk and he loves me) After I finished it, I took the time to lint roll all the threads off it and fix any mistakes that I found. Then I washed and dried it to make sure it was soft and cuddly. I carefully folded it and slipped it into a gift bag. (One that my husband picked up for me because of my long hours at work like I said he loves me and really is good to me)
My daughter dropped it off to her husband, who had to take a sneak peek before taking it home. He was very impressed with the quilt and asked my daughter all sorts of questions about it. No doubt so he could tell his wife. Her husband told my daughter that this week she will be starting the radiation treatments and she has been very cold lately. My whole family was pleased that she would find a use for the quilt
Today I got the best news of all. The quilt that I worked so hard on is doing just what I wanted it to do. It has a place on the woman's rocking chair. She sits wrapped up in it to stay warm. She loves it. So this past week, I gave a way a piece of my heart. It is in that quilt. But I feel like I got a piece of her heart return. Quilting brings joy and love to all of those who care to benefit from it.
Who did you quilt for this week?
Last June, I learned that a woman at church was about to start a battle with breast cancer. While I do not know this woman very well, I do know how horrible that disease is to fight. I had a sister in law die from it 28 years ago. I had another sister in law beat it 6 years ago. I know how devastating it can be on a woman. So I felt I needed to find away to help her though it.
As I said I don't know her well and I actually work full time and commute an hour each way. So my time is limited. Add to that she is basically home bound because the intense treatments make her far too vulnerable to infection. How is a person suppose to keep up their spirits when they are stuck at home, inside and without any visitors.
I didn't know what to do to help so I turned to my 17 year old daughter. Her response - Make a quilt. I got to thinking, My sister was always cold when she was going through the treatments for Lymphoma and both of my sister in laws were also cold when they were going through treatments so a quilt would be a way to help.
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It is hard for me to give up one of my creations because I put so much time and energy into them. But while making this one I tried to put in prayer and love in it as well. I wanted the woman to find comfort in it. I put my heart in this quilt.
Like I said it took me four months to finish this quilt. I was working very long hours and had very little time to work on it except for weekends. My husband said she was either going to be healed or dead by the time I finished it. (Yes, he can be a real jerk at times but he is my jerk and he loves me) After I finished it, I took the time to lint roll all the threads off it and fix any mistakes that I found. Then I washed and dried it to make sure it was soft and cuddly. I carefully folded it and slipped it into a gift bag. (One that my husband picked up for me because of my long hours at work like I said he loves me and really is good to me)
My daughter dropped it off to her husband, who had to take a sneak peek before taking it home. He was very impressed with the quilt and asked my daughter all sorts of questions about it. No doubt so he could tell his wife. Her husband told my daughter that this week she will be starting the radiation treatments and she has been very cold lately. My whole family was pleased that she would find a use for the quilt
Today I got the best news of all. The quilt that I worked so hard on is doing just what I wanted it to do. It has a place on the woman's rocking chair. She sits wrapped up in it to stay warm. She loves it. So this past week, I gave a way a piece of my heart. It is in that quilt. But I feel like I got a piece of her heart return. Quilting brings joy and love to all of those who care to benefit from it.
Who did you quilt for this week?
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Is Grandma Spinning in Her Grave?
As I was folding fat quarters and putting them in my new Missouri Star Quilt Company storage bags, I got to thinking about the fabric used in quilts. In Grandma's day, they quilted from scraps. Bits and pieces left over from making clothing or better yet clothing that had out lived it usefulness. I was sitting folding this beautiful fabric and the thought occurred to me what pretty curtains and pillows this piece would make. Another piece would be gorgeous in a dress or skirt.
I wonder if fabric designers think about what it will be used for when they design fabric. I know there are a few of us garment makers out there still but I believe the majority of people buying fabric do so for quilts. I wonder what those statistics really are.
My great grandmother, grandmother or even mother would have bought this beautiful fabric for an article of clothing. I bought it to put in a quilt. I wonder if they are turning over in their graves at the thought of me cutting up that fabric into little pieces. They are probably stunned at the wastefulness of my hobby.
A few years back I was buying fabric to teach my oldest daughter (now 32) to sew. We had picked out the pattern and the fabric. When it came time for the clerk to cut the white fabric for the collar, I asked for 2 yards more than we needed for the pattern. My daughter was confused. I had just shown her how to determine what she needed and now I was asking for a lot more. In answer to her confused question, I stated I always buy extra white so I have it for quilts. I think she was 10 at the time and eager to be making her own dress, so I didn't have to make sense.
Here it is years later and I rarely sew garments anymore. I do however buy lots of fabric, mostly for quilting. Oh don't get me wrong if I see fabric at the right price that I think will make a great skirt or dress I will buy it in sufficient quantity to make such an article. But nowadays, I am so overweight that I don't enjoy sewing for myself. My 2 daughters that are still at home are trim but they get really particular about the fabric they want for their clothes. It becomes a battle to just pick out the fabric. I rarely sew for them. So now my stash consists of mainly smaller cuts for quilting. At least one of the daughters at home does like to quilt so she benefits from my stash.
I do have a daughter that sews clothes. She lives in Nevada and well she sews for her baby daughter. I should probably send her some of the larger cuts from my stash. Maybe we could make a deal where she sends me back the scraps? That might help keep my grandmothers and great grandmothers from spinning in their graves each time I cut a large piece of fabric up for quilts. One can hope.
I wonder if fabric designers think about what it will be used for when they design fabric. I know there are a few of us garment makers out there still but I believe the majority of people buying fabric do so for quilts. I wonder what those statistics really are.
My great grandmother, grandmother or even mother would have bought this beautiful fabric for an article of clothing. I bought it to put in a quilt. I wonder if they are turning over in their graves at the thought of me cutting up that fabric into little pieces. They are probably stunned at the wastefulness of my hobby.
A few years back I was buying fabric to teach my oldest daughter (now 32) to sew. We had picked out the pattern and the fabric. When it came time for the clerk to cut the white fabric for the collar, I asked for 2 yards more than we needed for the pattern. My daughter was confused. I had just shown her how to determine what she needed and now I was asking for a lot more. In answer to her confused question, I stated I always buy extra white so I have it for quilts. I think she was 10 at the time and eager to be making her own dress, so I didn't have to make sense.
Here it is years later and I rarely sew garments anymore. I do however buy lots of fabric, mostly for quilting. Oh don't get me wrong if I see fabric at the right price that I think will make a great skirt or dress I will buy it in sufficient quantity to make such an article. But nowadays, I am so overweight that I don't enjoy sewing for myself. My 2 daughters that are still at home are trim but they get really particular about the fabric they want for their clothes. It becomes a battle to just pick out the fabric. I rarely sew for them. So now my stash consists of mainly smaller cuts for quilting. At least one of the daughters at home does like to quilt so she benefits from my stash.
I do have a daughter that sews clothes. She lives in Nevada and well she sews for her baby daughter. I should probably send her some of the larger cuts from my stash. Maybe we could make a deal where she sends me back the scraps? That might help keep my grandmothers and great grandmothers from spinning in their graves each time I cut a large piece of fabric up for quilts. One can hope.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Why I am a Quilting Wanna Bee
The reason I am a Quilting Wanna Bee - I want to be quilting all of the time. I know bad pun. But I really do want to be quilting all of the time. You see, I have grown disillusioned with my current employment. My job has turned into an unpleasant place to be. I feel unfulfilled and unappreciated. Like many others I am overworked (60+ hrs a week) and underpaid (salaried.) Sewing, quilting, and creating helps ground me. I am by no means an expert and well I could be more disciplined in my work. It brings me joy and quite frankly I am not feeling a lot of joy lately.
Another thing that brings me joy is teaching. I have a gift for teaching. I am quite good at it. I taught sewing to 4-H groups in Delta, Utah. I loved it. I love the training I got to go to, I loved teaching the girls, I loved developing teaching plans and projects. I guess I could mention I have a degree in Elementary Education. Out of financial necessity I let my certification drop. Besides now teaching school is less about teaching and discovery and more about indoctrination. Which is not what I love to do. I love teaching people how to do things especially sewing and quilting.
To sum up I am unhappy in my career and would much rather be quilting/sewing and teaching others how to do it as well. Now where do I find that job.
I have a dream of owning a quilt shop one day. It would have fabric and notions and all the things needed to make quilts. Classes would be offered of course. But I want it to be so much more than a business. I want it to be a refuge and gathering place. I would have a place for women (and men) to come in a work on their projects, a social gathering corner, and a quilt on a frame for those who just want to do a little hand quilting. I would like to rent out time on long arm machines for those more modern quilters who want it done fast but can't afford to send it to someone else to quilt. I would have day long retreats for women who need to go someplace to get a project done.
Does this sound crazy or what? Here I am about 13 years from retirement and I want to figure out how to start my own business in this horrible economy. Not just any business either but a frivolous one. One that caters to hobbies rather than necessities. Yet that is exactly what I am trying to do. I want this so much that it scares me.
That is why I am a Quilting Wanna Bee.
Another thing that brings me joy is teaching. I have a gift for teaching. I am quite good at it. I taught sewing to 4-H groups in Delta, Utah. I loved it. I love the training I got to go to, I loved teaching the girls, I loved developing teaching plans and projects. I guess I could mention I have a degree in Elementary Education. Out of financial necessity I let my certification drop. Besides now teaching school is less about teaching and discovery and more about indoctrination. Which is not what I love to do. I love teaching people how to do things especially sewing and quilting.
To sum up I am unhappy in my career and would much rather be quilting/sewing and teaching others how to do it as well. Now where do I find that job.
I have a dream of owning a quilt shop one day. It would have fabric and notions and all the things needed to make quilts. Classes would be offered of course. But I want it to be so much more than a business. I want it to be a refuge and gathering place. I would have a place for women (and men) to come in a work on their projects, a social gathering corner, and a quilt on a frame for those who just want to do a little hand quilting. I would like to rent out time on long arm machines for those more modern quilters who want it done fast but can't afford to send it to someone else to quilt. I would have day long retreats for women who need to go someplace to get a project done.
Does this sound crazy or what? Here I am about 13 years from retirement and I want to figure out how to start my own business in this horrible economy. Not just any business either but a frivolous one. One that caters to hobbies rather than necessities. Yet that is exactly what I am trying to do. I want this so much that it scares me.
That is why I am a Quilting Wanna Bee.
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