My dear friend Kay informed me today that I am on her "must hug in person" list.
We were mourning the loss of an online quilting friend, Jennie Sherlock. Neither Kay, nor I, had been able to attend the large gatherings in the past with our quilty friends, and Jen's passing has made us realize how important it is to make that happen next year at Jamboree '09.
The recent movie "Bucket List" has people talking about the things you want to do before you die. I was having a hard time forming a mental list, as there aren't many experiences or places that are of major importance to me. The trips I would take revolve around people, either friends I want to meet in person, or visit the places that my ancestors called home.
Kay summed it up best, though. My bucket list would include the friends who share my life but who live too far away to sit down to coffee with. The people whom I must hug in person to have felt my life is complete.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Collecting Fabric
What is it about fabric that make sit so hard to actually use it?
I buy two categories of fabric. No, three. First, fabric for a specific purpose. Second, a print so wonderful I can't live without it. Third, a great sale that is bound to be useful someday, or would make a perfect backing.
The specific purpose fabric gets used, of course. Most often, it's used for its original intention, unless something else comes along before I finish the intended project.
The second bunch is the hardest to use. Once sewn, it's gone. What if later I find a better project for it, and I don't have it anymore? I have a few totes worth of this fabric.
The last bunch seems like it would be the easiest to use, but sometimes it's much harder. Again, I worry about a better suit in a later project. If I was thinking backing, I am afraid to use some and not have enough for backing later. It's as if I think there is a limited amount of fabric on the earth.
This tote is made of second and third group fabric. The main print was a discount bolt, 50% off if you buy the bolt. I loved it, so I got what was left. I was saving it for a gorgeous quilt someday.
The blue was bought with another had-to-have fabric as the perfect coordinate. I made a purse of out of some of the other fabrics but was saving this to make a small quilt with the leftovers of the other.
The green was a sale print that goes with many of the colors I normally buy.
I love how they work together, and I have large enough pieces left to do something with.
As I finished that tote and looked at the overflowing remaining stash, I realized I could cut down a good portion of it by making quick and easy 1-yard shopping bags. Then I could organize what I had and maybe find some wonderful pairings for an amazing quilt.
Then I took a deep breath and calmed myself back down. Don't you realize how much energy it will take to cut into some of these fabrics? What if I find the perfect pattern two months later, and don't have enough fabric left?
Pattern, that reminds me. I have a box full of perfect patterns printed off the internet, just waiting to be used. The problem is, I no longer remember what fabric they were perfect for, and I probably have cut into some of those bigger pieces...
I buy two categories of fabric. No, three. First, fabric for a specific purpose. Second, a print so wonderful I can't live without it. Third, a great sale that is bound to be useful someday, or would make a perfect backing.
The specific purpose fabric gets used, of course. Most often, it's used for its original intention, unless something else comes along before I finish the intended project.
The second bunch is the hardest to use. Once sewn, it's gone. What if later I find a better project for it, and I don't have it anymore? I have a few totes worth of this fabric.
The last bunch seems like it would be the easiest to use, but sometimes it's much harder. Again, I worry about a better suit in a later project. If I was thinking backing, I am afraid to use some and not have enough for backing later. It's as if I think there is a limited amount of fabric on the earth.
This tote is made of second and third group fabric. The main print was a discount bolt, 50% off if you buy the bolt. I loved it, so I got what was left. I was saving it for a gorgeous quilt someday.
The blue was bought with another had-to-have fabric as the perfect coordinate. I made a purse of out of some of the other fabrics but was saving this to make a small quilt with the leftovers of the other.
The green was a sale print that goes with many of the colors I normally buy.
I love how they work together, and I have large enough pieces left to do something with.
As I finished that tote and looked at the overflowing remaining stash, I realized I could cut down a good portion of it by making quick and easy 1-yard shopping bags. Then I could organize what I had and maybe find some wonderful pairings for an amazing quilt.
Then I took a deep breath and calmed myself back down. Don't you realize how much energy it will take to cut into some of these fabrics? What if I find the perfect pattern two months later, and don't have enough fabric left?
Pattern, that reminds me. I have a box full of perfect patterns printed off the internet, just waiting to be used. The problem is, I no longer remember what fabric they were perfect for, and I probably have cut into some of those bigger pieces...
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Collage Mania II
Have you heard about Collage Mania II? Virginia Spiegel is holding her annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on May 5 & 6, 2008. Two of my collages have been accepted by Virginia to be available to donors. You can read more about how it works here.
Single Breasted Suits
Years ago while watching a talk show, I saw a breast cancer survivor who had gotten a beautiful rose tattoo over her mastectomy scar, and often wore garments to show off the tattoo. I was in awe of this person who realized her body was more than the sum of its parts, and she embraced what must have been a painful memory.
After my mother's mastectomy, she didn't go so far as to get a tattoo, but when she almost lost her prosthetic breast at a junior high concert, she decided that empty pouch in her bra could be put to much better use, such as holding her cell phone.
I dedicate Single Breasted Suits all breast cancer survivors.
Size: 10"x8". Mounted on bristol board, signed, dated and ready to frame. Materials: hand-dyed cotton, polyester, rubber stamp, ribbon, llama wool, pigma pen and watercolor pencils.
While working in Springfield, MO, I met a vibrant young man who welcomed everyone into his life. He was a chef, but his bold laughter and omnipresent smile nourished our souls as much as his food did our palate.
Dan recently lost his battle with throat cancer. He's gone from our sight, but his memories will sustain us until we can gather around his table once again.
Thank you for allowing me into your beautiful life, Dan.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
National Quilting Day...Er, Weekend
Saturday March 15th was National Quilting Day, so I pushed aside all other distractions like chores and got some work done of quilty projects.
I started Friday after work and got most of the sewing done on some pillowcases. Running out of top thread and then bobbin in quick succession told me it was time to sleep instead.
Last year, a friend passed along some fabric from a woman who was retiring from quilting (can it really be done? retire from quilting?), with the stipulation that it was to be used for charity. I work with a group who makes quilts for veterans, so my friend sent masculine colors. I got these cut out last year, but it took until this weekend to actually finish two almost identical quilt tops. They can now be sent off for quilting. The vertical sashing is a border print that I received already cut into 4.5" widths. 4 10-yard pieces of 4.5" strips!
These are four fabric post cards I made for a swap with a great group of fiber artists who inspire me to try new things. I haven't had time to actually try those new things yet, though. I was down to the wire and the theme was tea, lace and roses with Victorian tea party mentioned. Since I was working too close to the deadline, I went with crazy quilt.
I started Friday after work and got most of the sewing done on some pillowcases. Running out of top thread and then bobbin in quick succession told me it was time to sleep instead.
Last year, a friend passed along some fabric from a woman who was retiring from quilting (can it really be done? retire from quilting?), with the stipulation that it was to be used for charity. I work with a group who makes quilts for veterans, so my friend sent masculine colors. I got these cut out last year, but it took until this weekend to actually finish two almost identical quilt tops. They can now be sent off for quilting. The vertical sashing is a border print that I received already cut into 4.5" widths. 4 10-yard pieces of 4.5" strips!
These are four fabric post cards I made for a swap with a great group of fiber artists who inspire me to try new things. I haven't had time to actually try those new things yet, though. I was down to the wire and the theme was tea, lace and roses with Victorian tea party mentioned. Since I was working too close to the deadline, I went with crazy quilt.
To be honest, I had to finish the embroidery on Monday night after work, so it made for a 4-day weekend.
The quickest project I worked on is one that is also close to my heart. Three years ago my baby girl got married. Although I had only been quilting for a few months, had made only a couple of quilts, I had to make her a wedding quilt. A Double Wedding Ring wedding quilt. I thought, I sew curves all the time in garment making. I can to this!
That quilt turned out rather sorry, but was filled with love. In the ring opening, I used a template with a Celtic chain of hearts. The one smart thing I did was test my quilting before I started on the quilt.
I saved that test, and this weekend I added a binding to it. It shows my lack of experience, and some of the blue marking pen lines that I didn't wash off. But it will always be special to me as a reminder of my baby girl's big day.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Quilt Green Challenge
Quilting Arts Magazine is hosting a Go Green Challenge for quilters. It involves making a 5"x5" mini quilt with recycled items, nothing purchased just for the project.
In the current (February/March 2008) issue of the magazine, there is an intriguing article by Natalya Aikens on recycled quilting. She suggests making weekly journal quilts from repurposed materials.
I decided to try my hand at using found items for a few weeks, then entering one in the magazine challenge. Here's the first:
I used rummage sale ugly fabric for the backing, green dryer lint for the batting. The green was so pretty I didn't want to hide it, so I added small trimmings of cotton fabrics from my waste basket, some pink used gift wrap and shreds of gold, copper and raspberry paper from chocolate wrappers.
To help hold it all in place, I added a tea-dyed crocheted doily from an estate sale. (Oh, I just looked at the photo again and realized what I need to do with the other half of the doily!)
My doctor has advised me I need to be kinder to my body to the tune of 50 pounds (well, 40, now!) and the chocolate was smuggled into my body after my last check up. I decided to include the wrappers in some art, as the beautiful packaging is not helping my packaging become more beautiful.
I call this quilt "Waist Not."
In the current (February/March 2008) issue of the magazine, there is an intriguing article by Natalya Aikens on recycled quilting. She suggests making weekly journal quilts from repurposed materials.
I decided to try my hand at using found items for a few weeks, then entering one in the magazine challenge. Here's the first:
I used rummage sale ugly fabric for the backing, green dryer lint for the batting. The green was so pretty I didn't want to hide it, so I added small trimmings of cotton fabrics from my waste basket, some pink used gift wrap and shreds of gold, copper and raspberry paper from chocolate wrappers.
To help hold it all in place, I added a tea-dyed crocheted doily from an estate sale. (Oh, I just looked at the photo again and realized what I need to do with the other half of the doily!)
My doctor has advised me I need to be kinder to my body to the tune of 50 pounds (well, 40, now!) and the chocolate was smuggled into my body after my last check up. I decided to include the wrappers in some art, as the beautiful packaging is not helping my packaging become more beautiful.
I call this quilt "Waist Not."
Eco Quilting
I think I mentioned before that I am trying to live more mindfully. In quilting, I am looking for earth-friendly ways to keep the passion going. I am starting with batting choices.
I use cotton batting most often, mainly because I love the feel. Cotton is renewable, but if it's not organic, you have tons of chemicals involved in growing it. I used to live next to fields and would be so sick when defolient was sprayed just before time to pick.
Alongside organic cotton batting made by several companies, you can now get bamboo blend batting. Fairfield has a line of 50% bamboo, 50% organic cotton. I used that batting in this quilt:
I have to say, when I pulled the batting out of the roll to let it air before using, it was the softest stuff! I wanted to just curl up with the batt, forget putting fabric around it.
When I got over that urge, I put the quilt on the frame and got to work. This batting is as thin or thinner than 100% cotton, has a light scrim that kept its shape beautifully. The quilt itself is very lightweight, a nice spring feel on the bed. I think this might become a new favorite batting, although I have a cotton/silk blend and cotton/wool blend to test still. There is also a line of corn-based poly that I am curious about.
Fairfield's bamboo products are available through Joann's; use your coupons to bring the price down, as it costs a bit more than cotton and poly lines.
YLI has a new line of organic cotton thread, although it's only available in white and natural that I can find. Maybe if we all start buying and asking for more colors, we'll get them. I found it for sale at Keepsake Quilting.
Next I want to find organic cotton fabric. The more we use, the more they produce, right? If quilters start demanding organics, the prices will come down and the variety will go up. And we'll all live a bit better without the chemicals. (Sorry, my SoCal nature-girl is showing)
By the way, the pattern for the quilt above is from Paula at Coffee Time Quilt Studio. Isn't it a fun design?
I use cotton batting most often, mainly because I love the feel. Cotton is renewable, but if it's not organic, you have tons of chemicals involved in growing it. I used to live next to fields and would be so sick when defolient was sprayed just before time to pick.
Alongside organic cotton batting made by several companies, you can now get bamboo blend batting. Fairfield has a line of 50% bamboo, 50% organic cotton. I used that batting in this quilt:
I have to say, when I pulled the batting out of the roll to let it air before using, it was the softest stuff! I wanted to just curl up with the batt, forget putting fabric around it.
When I got over that urge, I put the quilt on the frame and got to work. This batting is as thin or thinner than 100% cotton, has a light scrim that kept its shape beautifully. The quilt itself is very lightweight, a nice spring feel on the bed. I think this might become a new favorite batting, although I have a cotton/silk blend and cotton/wool blend to test still. There is also a line of corn-based poly that I am curious about.
Fairfield's bamboo products are available through Joann's; use your coupons to bring the price down, as it costs a bit more than cotton and poly lines.
YLI has a new line of organic cotton thread, although it's only available in white and natural that I can find. Maybe if we all start buying and asking for more colors, we'll get them. I found it for sale at Keepsake Quilting.
Next I want to find organic cotton fabric. The more we use, the more they produce, right? If quilters start demanding organics, the prices will come down and the variety will go up. And we'll all live a bit better without the chemicals. (Sorry, my SoCal nature-girl is showing)
By the way, the pattern for the quilt above is from Paula at Coffee Time Quilt Studio. Isn't it a fun design?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Pass It Forward
I opened the mailbox today and found a squishy in there from my friend Yvonne in Washington. I had forgotten all about being the first to comment on her blog the morning she posted the Pass It Forward Game.
So, now it's my turn. Here are the rules:
"The first three people to comment on this post will receive a gift from me, sometime within the next 365 days.Who knows when it will turn up, or what it will be, but rest assured, it will arrive. All you have to do is promise to make the same declaration on your blog, and send out gifts to three of your lovely readers. Easy Peasy."
Who's it going to be? And what will they find in their mailboxes?
So, now it's my turn. Here are the rules:
"The first three people to comment on this post will receive a gift from me, sometime within the next 365 days.Who knows when it will turn up, or what it will be, but rest assured, it will arrive. All you have to do is promise to make the same declaration on your blog, and send out gifts to three of your lovely readers. Easy Peasy."
Who's it going to be? And what will they find in their mailboxes?
A Lesson In Values Part 2
I just finished the second Spring Breeze top by Dorothy Young Designs and had to snap a photo so I could let you compare it with the first one, below. As I mentioned in Part 1, I picked too wide a range of light values in the first top, with some being too close to my mediums, so the design was lost.
As you can see in this one, I got it right. Well. almost. Can you see the spot where I swapped two pieces? I can, but only when I look in the photo. Oh, well, I am glad I too the photo before I quilted the thing!
I love the whirling designs in this pattern. I will have to make at least one more, out of non-holiday fabric, this time.
As you can see in this one, I got it right. Well. almost. Can you see the spot where I swapped two pieces? I can, but only when I look in the photo. Oh, well, I am glad I too the photo before I quilted the thing!
I love the whirling designs in this pattern. I will have to make at least one more, out of non-holiday fabric, this time.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Finish Something!
I was suffering a bit of quilty ADD yesterday and wanted to get started on some of the many new projects I have on hand. Yet, the cutting table was still buried and the quilt frame had an untouched quilt still sitting on it. So, I told myself I had to finish something before I could start another.
The quilting went quickly. I did a continuous line row of trees, very Christmassy, and I was pleased with myself for trying something new.
I had to remind myself I was stitching trees, not soldiers. It was okay that they weren't uniform, and if the "ground" was uneven. Still, an occasional Charlie Brown tree turned up in the lot.
This is the Spring Breeze pattern by Dorothy Young Designs, without the border to continue the design, since my irregular light values made the pattern hide. I still love the look, though, lots of fun scrappy Christmas fabrics.
I had to share the back, too. The dot fabric on the sides is the light value in the second quilt I am making from this pattern. That one looks the way it was designed. I'll share a photo as soon as it is done.
The quilting went quickly. I did a continuous line row of trees, very Christmassy, and I was pleased with myself for trying something new.
I had to remind myself I was stitching trees, not soldiers. It was okay that they weren't uniform, and if the "ground" was uneven. Still, an occasional Charlie Brown tree turned up in the lot.
This is the Spring Breeze pattern by Dorothy Young Designs, without the border to continue the design, since my irregular light values made the pattern hide. I still love the look, though, lots of fun scrappy Christmas fabrics.
I had to share the back, too. The dot fabric on the sides is the light value in the second quilt I am making from this pattern. That one looks the way it was designed. I'll share a photo as soon as it is done.
Friday, February 15, 2008
One Can Never Have Too Many Purses
I've been going a little overboard, I guess, with purses. I want to make one from every piece of fabric I own, or see in the stores. And there are so many patterns out there, have to try them all at least once.
Before I could make mom a nice romantic one, I saw the Gracie pattern from Lazy Girl Designs. It just looked like something my mom would have carried back in the day.
I found this have-to-have fabric, a coordinate that has the same lavender tinting the little stars, and from my stash pulled out the rest of the fabrics.
I made sure to buy enough that I can make one for myself. There will be leftover,s too, so I can make a lap quilt. I just need to find some teal to match, to bring out that color in the quilt.
I started with a nice romantic one for my sis-in-law, and planned to make one like it for my mom. This is the Laurianne pattern from Moonlight Design.
While I had the pattern out, I made one for myself in wild and fun fabric.
Before I could make mom a nice romantic one, I saw the Gracie pattern from Lazy Girl Designs. It just looked like something my mom would have carried back in the day.
I found this have-to-have fabric, a coordinate that has the same lavender tinting the little stars, and from my stash pulled out the rest of the fabrics. I made sure to buy enough that I can make one for myself. There will be leftover,s too, so I can make a lap quilt. I just need to find some teal to match, to bring out that color in the quilt.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I've been tagged! Me-Me, 7 things about me.
Linda tagged me, so here goes.
The rules:
1. When tagged, place the name of the person and URL on your blog
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write 7 things about yourself
4. Name 7 of your favorite weblogs
5. Send an e-mail letting those bloggers know they have been tagged
About me:
1. I began sewing as a kid, making stuffed critters out of Mom's scraps. I didn't begin to quilt until about 5 years ago, and the first quilt I made was a photo quilt for my sister's 50th birthday.
2. I was one of the original Valley Girls, born in the San Fernando valley of CA, although I grew up in the surrounding suburbs. When Moon Zappa's song was released way back when, my mom swore they'd recorded phone calls of my best friend and me.
3. I am a published author, trying to make my way into the romance genre.
4. I once had a job doing oil changes & lubes at a truck stop. I had to paint my finger nails dark puple to hide the grease stains under my nails.
5. (This is hard, who wants to know this stuff?) Nine months out of the year, I am watching auto racing of almost any kind while quilting.
6. I have never been out of the country, even though my grandmother lived an hour above the Mexican border for the first 30 years of my life.
7. I am currently exploring the world of fiber art beyond traditional quilting, and hope to have photos to share here soon.
Favorite weblogs: Chania, Sarah, Tara, Kathy, Rhonda, Grace, Joy.
The rules:
1. When tagged, place the name of the person and URL on your blog
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write 7 things about yourself
4. Name 7 of your favorite weblogs
5. Send an e-mail letting those bloggers know they have been tagged
About me:
1. I began sewing as a kid, making stuffed critters out of Mom's scraps. I didn't begin to quilt until about 5 years ago, and the first quilt I made was a photo quilt for my sister's 50th birthday.
2. I was one of the original Valley Girls, born in the San Fernando valley of CA, although I grew up in the surrounding suburbs. When Moon Zappa's song was released way back when, my mom swore they'd recorded phone calls of my best friend and me.
3. I am a published author, trying to make my way into the romance genre.
4. I once had a job doing oil changes & lubes at a truck stop. I had to paint my finger nails dark puple to hide the grease stains under my nails.
5. (This is hard, who wants to know this stuff?) Nine months out of the year, I am watching auto racing of almost any kind while quilting.
6. I have never been out of the country, even though my grandmother lived an hour above the Mexican border for the first 30 years of my life.
7. I am currently exploring the world of fiber art beyond traditional quilting, and hope to have photos to share here soon.
Favorite weblogs: Chania, Sarah, Tara, Kathy, Rhonda, Grace, Joy.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A Lesson in Values
I am working on two versions of Spring Breeze by Dorothy Young Designs. The pattern is great, but I am disappointed in my fabric choices for the first one.
The lights I used were of different enough values that the pattern is lost. Actually, in all three values there is too much of a range to really make the design pop. You'll see the difference when I get the second one on the design wall, as I used the same mediums and darks, but used one fabric for all the lights.
This will be a Christmas gift and the recipient loves scrappy, so I know it'll be loved. And now I know that those nickel charm sets you can buy are not a good choice to start with in a pattern needing light, medium and darks.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Green Bags Tutorial
While making cloth shopping bags, it occurred to me that to be really "green", I should use my scraps. This was inspired by my quilty friend, Linda, who challenged everybody to use their scraps. I started sorting and trimming, making 5, 4 & 3" squares, 2 1/2" strips and putting anything that didn't fit into a pile.
I quickly realized I could fill a year sorting and get nothing used! Going against my nature, I forced myself to grab and sew.
I started with some ugly fabric I bought at a rummage sale for $1 a yard. You can also use old sheets or large scraps, as this will be the lining. I used my Trader Joe's shopping bag as a guide.
Cut two rectangles 16" x 12", two 16"x 6", one 12" x 6" and two 2" x 16".
Cut interfacing to match, and iron the interfacing to the back of everything. I left the interfacing in the seam allowances for extra sturdiness. Set the 2" x 16" pieces aside, as you won't be covering them with fabric.
Reach in the scrap bin and pull out a scrap, laying it face up on the interfacing side of a large rectangle. Place another scrap face down on top of the first, sew with 1/4" seam allowance, and trim the second scrap.
Press open. Continue adding pieces until the interfacing is covered. If necessary, sew small pieces together to make a long enough strip before attaching to your block.
Turn the block lining side up and trim. Save any large pieces and toss them back in your scraps.
You can place your first scrap on an angle or use odd shaped starters to add interest.
Continue adding and trimming until you have covered your front and back, two sides and bottom pieces.
Matching short ends, sew a side piece to either end of the bottom. If your machine doesn't automatically, back-tack at the start and finish of your seams for stability. Don't press seams yet.
Pin the seams to the corners of your front piece and sew using 1/4" seam allowance. Attach back piece the same way.
Turn right side out and fold along each seam and press. Along top edge, turn a 1/4" hem to inside and press. Turn a 1/2" hem, press and topstitch around top edge.
Topstitch 3/8" from edge along side and bottom seams, encasing the seam allowance in a French seam. This will allow your bag to stand on it's own to be filled, which should make your bagger happy!
On the two handle pieces, turn 1/4" along the long edges toward interfacing side and press. Fold again matching pressed edges and topstitch 1/8" along both long sides.
Find center of top edge of the front and back piece and mark 1-1/2" on either side. Line up your handles along these marks with raw edges at the top of bag and pin. There should be 3" between handle ends. Sew in place.
Fold handles toward top, leaving 1/2" turned under, covering the raw edge. Sew close to folded edge and again close to top.
That's it! In theory, your thread and interfacing are the only "new" items you've used. You could try batting scraps in place of interfacing, or skip the interfacing, for a completely "green" bag. I wanted the extra sturdiness of the interfacing, though.
I made several of these using flannel-backed vinyl remnants I found dirt cheap at Joann's. No lining, and assembled in the same way except I didn't turn under seam allowance in the handles, just left the raw edges along one seam.
Since so many stores will be banning plastic bags (a good thing!), I encourage you all to make yourself some shopping bags. Use orphan blocks, scraps, or the too thin fabric you ordered by mail. Have a sew-in with friends and share your scraps. Buy a few old sheets at the thrift store. These would be great at bazaars and fundraisers, wouldn't they?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Happy Scraps
I love scrap quilts, when someone else makes them.
On the other hand, I have two Christmas scrap quilts that I made and love, and have two more in the works with the Spring Breeze Pattern by Dorothy Young Designs.
I just seem to have this mental block that makes me feel they are less of a quilt. I am working on this!
I recently finished a very happy quilt with some orphan blocks and scraps that went a long way toward improving my feeling about them. I had some blocks made for projects where the blocks hadn't turned out as planned, but they were great blocks. I also had some half-square triangles made from corners cut off those blocks.
Using my design wall I began placing blocks in an area smaller than a twin batting. Then I measured space in between the blocks and filled as needed. I chose clear colors as they seem more cheerful, and as the spaces filled, I grew to love it more and more.
The quilt was to be a gift, so it was very important for me to love it. I can be very apologetic about a gift if I am not happy with it. (I am working on this, too!) When I had finished quilting and binding, my love for it blossomed.
Most importantly, the recipient love it, and has often been seen sitting beneath it, stroking the fabrics. Isn't that what we want for our quilts, to have them petted and loved?
It looks happy, don't you think?
On the other hand, I have two Christmas scrap quilts that I made and love, and have two more in the works with the Spring Breeze Pattern by Dorothy Young Designs.
I just seem to have this mental block that makes me feel they are less of a quilt. I am working on this!
I recently finished a very happy quilt with some orphan blocks and scraps that went a long way toward improving my feeling about them. I had some blocks made for projects where the blocks hadn't turned out as planned, but they were great blocks. I also had some half-square triangles made from corners cut off those blocks.
Using my design wall I began placing blocks in an area smaller than a twin batting. Then I measured space in between the blocks and filled as needed. I chose clear colors as they seem more cheerful, and as the spaces filled, I grew to love it more and more.
The quilt was to be a gift, so it was very important for me to love it. I can be very apologetic about a gift if I am not happy with it. (I am working on this, too!) When I had finished quilting and binding, my love for it blossomed.
Most importantly, the recipient love it, and has often been seen sitting beneath it, stroking the fabrics. Isn't that what we want for our quilts, to have them petted and loved?
It looks happy, don't you think?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Feathering My Nest
It started with a piece of fabric. While shopping with quilting friends in Missouri, I found this amazing rooster toile by Alexander Henry. I fell in love, and loved it enough to add it to the single tote of "keep" fabric when I moved back to California.
A year or two later, an online quilt group held a block round robin where we started with 9 fabric charms to send around to four friends, each of whom added a border as directed. I had only one request of my group, to steer away from red. Although I had purchased a red toile, I am not found of true reds, although the bluer shades are okay.
I was delighted with how my robin blocks turned out! I knew I wanted to pick up the deeper reds in the toile, so choosing sashing fabric was easy, especially when I found a feathery-looking leaf print. There was enough of the toile left for an 8" border, for a final quilt size of 86"x86".
The decision to quilt it with a feather design was a natural choice. The problem was I have not learned to do proper feathers. My aim in life right now is to do everything mindfully, living consciously in the moment. To apply that to quilting, I want to enjoy the process and experience the improvement as I grow as a quilter.
That was a big step to take in a project that people may see in person. Do I make this my practice piece? Do I rip out my mistakes and keep trying until I get it right?
After spending a good chunk of my day at Road to California, the largest Southern California quilt show, I loaded my New Joy quilt frame with the project and threaded my Juki TL98Q. I took out my manual of the moment, The Art of Feather Quilting by Judy Allen. I practiced drawing feathers until I felt I had the rhythm.
Going to my quilt frame, I pulled up my chair and began. Horribly. I did not have the rhythm, I had a mess. In frustration I just did some free-motion loops and curlicues down the rest of the row, turned off the machine and watched TV for the night.
The next morning, I found an online video demonstrating feather quilting and saw my mistake. I remembered learning once before to make each loop from the bottom, not from the top. I went back to the quilt and made a decision. I was going to learn to do feathers by practicing, and this would be a practice quilt.
I did row after undulating row of feathers, paying attention to the process, not the result. I thought about what the quilt needed just ahead of where I was stitching. Where was the spine curving? How much space is there between the spine and the previous row or the edge of my quilting "window", right in this spot? Are there any imperfections in the quilt top that need to be worked in?
The finished project is not perfect, but my only goal was to show improvement between the first and last rows. That is does.
After machine sewing on the first edge of the binding, I sat on my bed to hand stitch the other side. Spreading my new quilt over my lap I had a sudden splash of delight wash over me. I had a new quilt, just for me! A rooster quilt, with a fabric I loved, backed with a field of chickens that no one will see but I will know are there. A quilt made with friends, who will forever be with me when I curl up under the weight of their fabrics.
Years from now when I look at the imperfections in this project I can smile, knowing they do not show my inability to make proper feathers. They show I am capable of letting go of the need for perfection and allowing myself to grow.
A year or two later, an online quilt group held a block round robin where we started with 9 fabric charms to send around to four friends, each of whom added a border as directed. I had only one request of my group, to steer away from red. Although I had purchased a red toile, I am not found of true reds, although the bluer shades are okay.
I was delighted with how my robin blocks turned out! I knew I wanted to pick up the deeper reds in the toile, so choosing sashing fabric was easy, especially when I found a feathery-looking leaf print. There was enough of the toile left for an 8" border, for a final quilt size of 86"x86".
The decision to quilt it with a feather design was a natural choice. The problem was I have not learned to do proper feathers. My aim in life right now is to do everything mindfully, living consciously in the moment. To apply that to quilting, I want to enjoy the process and experience the improvement as I grow as a quilter.
That was a big step to take in a project that people may see in person. Do I make this my practice piece? Do I rip out my mistakes and keep trying until I get it right?
After spending a good chunk of my day at Road to California, the largest Southern California quilt show, I loaded my New Joy quilt frame with the project and threaded my Juki TL98Q. I took out my manual of the moment, The Art of Feather Quilting by Judy Allen. I practiced drawing feathers until I felt I had the rhythm.
Going to my quilt frame, I pulled up my chair and began. Horribly. I did not have the rhythm, I had a mess. In frustration I just did some free-motion loops and curlicues down the rest of the row, turned off the machine and watched TV for the night.
The next morning, I found an online video demonstrating feather quilting and saw my mistake. I remembered learning once before to make each loop from the bottom, not from the top. I went back to the quilt and made a decision. I was going to learn to do feathers by practicing, and this would be a practice quilt.
I did row after undulating row of feathers, paying attention to the process, not the result. I thought about what the quilt needed just ahead of where I was stitching. Where was the spine curving? How much space is there between the spine and the previous row or the edge of my quilting "window", right in this spot? Are there any imperfections in the quilt top that need to be worked in?
The finished project is not perfect, but my only goal was to show improvement between the first and last rows. That is does.
After machine sewing on the first edge of the binding, I sat on my bed to hand stitch the other side. Spreading my new quilt over my lap I had a sudden splash of delight wash over me. I had a new quilt, just for me! A rooster quilt, with a fabric I loved, backed with a field of chickens that no one will see but I will know are there. A quilt made with friends, who will forever be with me when I curl up under the weight of their fabrics.
Years from now when I look at the imperfections in this project I can smile, knowing they do not show my inability to make proper feathers. They show I am capable of letting go of the need for perfection and allowing myself to grow.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Drea Dawn's Red Sky at Night
My daughter, Andrea Dawn, wanted an orange lap quilt to go with her sunset scene comforter set. Orange makes me cringe, but I agreed. While choosing fabrics, I found myself choosing blenders with lots of fuchsia, another sunset color. The comforter features palm trees in black, so I added black for a little contrast.
The overall design uses blended nine-patch blocks for a feel of clouds at sunset. This quilt was a real stretch for me, flying blind, adding blocks to the design wall and seeing what was needed next. I was pleased with the results, though!
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