JUDY PETE & LAVINIA

Wow, I don't know where to start. Following the link on Judy's post leads her web site in which I went through all 47 of her pictures and commentaries. We have, not only a fantastically talented artist in our midst, but a celebrity as well. By the way, how did you get your link onto your post here? Your machine looks just like a featherweight but with a longer arm. What is the clearance from the post to the throat plate?

By the way I saw a red featherweight looking shiny new at the show today. Did they ever come in red or did this guy re paint it? He was asking $750 for it. I have a gear driven featherweight I bought in '59. Actually I don't have it. It migrated to California when DD migrated there with it. It got some rust in the works as I used it so much that I stupidly left it sitting open and ready on the sewing table when we lived on the beach in FL. It's not too bad but it needs a new bobbin case as that's frozen stuck and some attention from a good featherweight mechanic. DD is too busy to sew these days but she's done everything from her clothes to curtains, pillows, futon cover to red cummerbunds and bow ties for the entire Tampa Bay Gay Men's Chorus for their Christmas concert about 17 years ago. They thought she was a genius and happily paid her a handsome fee when she was making a pittance as asst. house manager at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

I digress, I'm having desert in the form of a glass of wine.

Lavinia as well reflects credit onto us. Well, maybe not onto all of us but certainly onto herself. If you see this before you leave for Pigeon Forge tomorrow, LAVINIA, I hope I'm not spoiling the surprise but your beautiful quilt took a third place ribbon in your category. There sure were a lot of admirers around it including my friend from Franklin and yours truly. Kudos to you Lavinia. Take a bow.

Generally I found the quality of quilts there today superior to many in the past. However, this is not a juried show and I was glad to see what had to be some beginners having the guts to enter the show. Ya gotta start some place and this is a great way to learn from the comments of the judge. There was one on which the workmanship was particularly poor but the color sense and design were great. I hope she takes some classes to improve the mechanics because she clearly has a great eye and imagination. Not all of that is teachable but consistent seam allowances and careful applique are.

The weather was breathtakingly beautiful driving across the Smoky Mountain Nat'l park to the show this morning. The temperature dropped a bit more than ten degrees from my area as we approached the high point of US 441. It was about 21F at that point about 6200' elevation. The road was clear and dry with one spot a bit icy for about 20 yards. Fortunately it was obvious as we approached so was easy to deal with. There was a lot of icy lace in the trees and it was just gorgeous. Unfortunately both of us had managed to leave our respective cameras sitting on our respective kitchen counters where each of us had put them the night before so as not to forget them. How could both of us make the same frustrating mistake. All I could think of was what a lovely Christmas card some of the views we saw would make. I said this once before on the Chat page, don't ever leave your camera home and make sure the battery is charged. The quilts too deserved to be preserved. On the other hand, I have hundreds of quilt pictures taken all the way from Road to California to our local show in Franklin and they reside in various boxes around here. When I die my kids will toss them.

Good night all,
Inspired to quilt in NC, Jane

Hair Color = Strawberry Blonde

In my younger years I was a full bore carrot-top who got teased mercilessly in school about the garish color on top of my head but as I've added white hairs to the red hairs I find that Mother Nature has finally done me a favor. I am getting a color that many women pay good money for. LOL

This is my "Better Late Than Never Quilt", my Y2K quilt that I made in 2004.

Judy

lone star up date

The star is quilted; now for the set in triangles and corner squares. I'm enjoying all the hand work. Pat in Rockford; you look just like my friend Bonnie. She is a peach too. The road is finally free of snow again; I hope it lasts. Have a quilty day. Vi

Another picture

This pic is from 3 years ago, when my Storm at Sea/Mal de Mer quilt won Best of Show at our little show here in Rockport. In 1999, it got a 3rd place in Houston. The pic was taken right after I found out that it had got the BOS ribbon. My hair is longer now, and lighter. I've decided to call my hair color platinum blonde. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, LOL.

Pat in Rockport, TX

WaHooooZie! I'm BACKKKKKK

Well, ladies, what better thing to happen to me on National Quilting Day than to have a good Quilting Buddy call me up and chew me out royally for being silly enough to forget my password to get onboard the BB. She, silly woman, uses the same password for most of her online sites while I, paranoid creature that I am, create a unique password for EVERY site which of course is a prescription for forgetfulness the next time one wants to log in online ANYWHERE! LOL. But here I am, Backkkkk at Last! heh-heh. THIS time I WROTE IT DOWN and I'll be posting more often. This is a shirt quilt that I made a couple years ago...you can see my gray hair, my messy computer desk and my much-beloved Singer 15-91. This machine is one of several vintage machines I use and is my main quilting machine.

Catching up with everyone

Good morning everyone,

I have been doing a lot of reading, catching up on how everyone is doing. I am enjoying this new format (Thanks Sue and Erik). I've been swamped at work, and traveling, that I haven't had much time to stay in my sewing room. I did manage to finish a Double Irish Chain last weekend and have now picked up a UFO that I started some time ago, and am determined to finish it before starting anything new.

Does anyone have experience with Prairie Points on a machine quilted quilt that you bind? My initial thought would be that it will be too bulky in the outside edge if you have the prairie points AND the binding sewn on. Anyway, if someone does have any suggestions, I'm all ears. This quilt I'm working on now is a beautiful oriental fabric and I'm also using the Fushions fabric by Kaufmann (my new favorite....Celia...it's replacing the Moda Marbles as my favorite very quickly). I've never done much in oriental fabrics, but this has some pretty combinations.

We're all fine here in Northern Calif. Our daughter will be home this summer, working as a paid intern in the Public Relations Department at the Children's Hospital at Stanford. It will be good to have someone to commute with. She's very excited as she has one year of college left (how time flies...when I first discovered this board, she was in middle school) and then isn't sure what she will do. She's getting her degree in English, but doesn't want to teach. Her minor is in public relations, and I had her meet with a colleague of mine at Stanford who manages the Children's Hospital PR stuff, and the rest is, as they say, history. The head of the PR department is a very dynamic individual and has more connections than Robyn will ever need.

Our son, Ian, graduated from HS last year and is attending the local community college. He applied and has been offered a spot in the summer program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles and will be gone for 6 weeks this summer. If he does well and applies himself, they will offer him a slot in their fall program. He can defer for a year, so if he gets the offer, he'll come home and do one more year at the community college, getting a lot of his general stuff out of the way. I was impressed that he took the initiative to apply, pay for the fees, etc., all on his own. I guess he is growing up! I was wondering there for awhile. The kids are spending Spring Break in New York City and are anxious to see the play "Wicked". who knows, maybe it will inspire my son to continue to do well in his drama.

We have been busy on weekends, traveling. DH and I went to Hawaii in February for 5 wonderful days. While there, we met a fellow owner of Golden Retrievers, who has invited us to come back and housesit (dog sit too) for her so she and her DH can go on a vacation together. They have show dogs and don't board them and have no one to watch the dogs. So, for free housing and use of their car, it's very tempting! I thought she was joking until we got back and had not one, but TWO e-mails from her, chattering about how excited she was that we had met and the possibility that they can finally go on a vacation together.

Hope everyone in the east is staying warm. We felt very guilty in Hawaii in February, walking around at 5 am waiting for our shuttle, in shorts and tank tops while everyone on the East coast was under blankets of snow!

Sondra in Elk Grove, CA
caquiltn@yahoo.com

NATIONAL QUILTING DAY!

According to the folks at the National Quilters Association today is National Quilting Day. I feel that that means you should devote all of your waking hours to doing something quilty ..... reading about quilts, planning future quilts, sewing, shopping, slicing and dicing of fabric, etc. Absolutely no scrubbing bathtubs, mopping, cooking, errand-running or other mundane activities.

Yeah, right. I don't think it really says that at http://www.nqaquilts.org/ but I will jump at the opportunity to tell my DH that I cannot possibly cook dinner tonight because, after all, it is National Quilting Day. :-)

Judy

Pat: Thanks so much for the information on treadle belts. Yes, the belt is VERY old and hasn't been tightened in 30 years at least. Do you have the name of your friend in Mn. where you get your supplies? My first sewing project on this machine was hemming cotton dish towels and from there I went to putting purchased bias tape on Mom's aprons. Wow - that's dating myself.
Enjoy the day, Phyllis in Minnesota

UFO's

Some of our LQS have their own long-arm quilting machines that are usually goin full-steam ahead. The owner of one of the shops said they try to MQ a quilt each day. She said the average quilter has six quilt tops waiting to be quilted. I only have three. Does that make me below average, or just abnormal? (don't answer that.)

I also have four quilts in the construction phase. Then there's the long list of wanna-be started quilts that seams to get longer rather than shorter. And sew it goes.

Our state guild (Arizona) is having its annual show this weakend and (drum roll, puhleeze!) my kitty quilt actually won a ribbon. Be still, moi heart! Tomorrow afternoon is "meet and greet" the winners, where I've been asked to stand next to my quilt and wear a VIP ribbon and answer questions. (Twist my arm.) Whut a kick!

Thanks for all the positive feedback,
SeamSTRESS Sally

Treadles

Look the treadles over carefully, and make sure that they have their bobbins, shuttles, and attachments in the drawers. Singers are quite easy to find parts for, but the Brunswick was made by the National/Eldredge Co. and would be more of a challenge to get up and running if it's not all there. I'd also suggest taking along a sewing machine needle to compare with the one in the machine, to make sure it uses a standard size. Most Singer machines use a regular needle, but the Singer 9W uses a hard-to-find and no longer made needle, so would avoid getting one of those. If anything is missing on the machine, such as the slide plates, needle clamp, anything at all, don't buy it--only buy a complete machine in very nice condition. There are too many very nice machines out there to saddle yourself with a rehab project. (That said, if one of the machines (and its cabinet) is in very nice shape and complete, $150 would not be out of line. Sometimes you'll luck out and nobody else will want it, so wait to bid until the auctioneer gets down nice and low, or start the bidding at $10 or so if you can.) If you see that everything is there, take a ziplock bag and take the loose bits up to the auction folks and ask them to hold them until the machine is auctioned, as they have been known to disappear during the auction, and the new owner comes back to the machine to find slide plates, attachments, bobbins, etc. have mysteriously disappeared. Take a screwdriver with you, and remove the head to transport it home. If you turn the head back, you should find two grub screws at the back of the head right at the hinges--loosen these, and the head will lift off the hinges. Snug them back in a couple of turns to make sure they don't get lost on the ride home. I usually set the head on the floor of the car behind the front seat--it can't fall off of there and break anything. The treadle irons, even though they are cast iron, are rather fragile, since the iron is brittle, and it's best to turn it upside down for the ride home, on an old blanket to protect the wood top. Remove the drawer contents first, of course, or just slide the drawers out for the ride home.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Finishing Projects

One of my quilting buddies in MI had a great theory on UFOs. She said, "Somebody has to make the quilt tops for the garage sales of the future, and it might as well be me." She really did finish a lot of stuff, too, but felt no angst about UFOs. As for leaving stuff behind, I figure I won't care, since I'll be dead and on to other things, and it'll be my children's problem. I have faith that they can deal with it--they know to put things on eBay.

Pat in Rockport, TX, who has her own share of UFOs.

Finishing Projects

Sandra. I know what you mean about unfinished projects. I made a pact with myself a couple of yrs ago and decided to finish two projects before I started another. It worked well for me. This year I decided not to purchase any fabric and use what I have. Yes, there is always more and better fabric out there and that will never change (I hope) so I only have purchased fabric to go with what I already have at least for now. So far it is working. I have made four quilt tops since the first of the year. Two are at the long arm quilters as we speak. When I get them back I will take one more. I plan on machine quilting one small quilt called Happy Scrappy Houses that I got the pattern off the internet. At www.quiltville.com and really like it. So good luck in finishing your projects. Guess tomorrow I will be staying home and quilting as we have 7" of snow on the ground and 7" more predicted by morning. Marge

Pat or Kathy, there are a couple of treadle sewing machines listed in an estate auction next weekend. Do either of you know anything about a Brunswick treadle? The other one is a Singer. I haven't seen either of them so I have no idea what kind of condition they are in. Can either of you give me a ballpark figure what they'd be worth if they're in decent condition? I don't know where I could put them so I'd probably have to leave DH at home if I go to this auction to check them out.
Mary in KS

Completing Projects

With seven being the number for completion, I have decided that I will do my best to complete as much as a can this yea (2007). Yesterday I managed to complete two small non quilt projects. Presently, I have a GFG quilt in the hoop and I've h'quilted about 33% so far. My goal is to get this top finished and then (HOPEFULLY) I'll be able to get DH's quilt finished before next year. There is also a large crochet tablecloth that is about 75% finished. I'd love to get it finished too. As far as making other quilts, I don't plan to start any for myself. I may take one or two for hire on the side for different people, which I sometimes do. I just feel this great need to not leave a lot of started, unfinished projects when I'm dead and gone. I want my family to have finished reminders of me that they can use instead of a lot left behind for them to scratch their heads over.

Do others of you feel this same way or should I consider this a glimpse of things to come? I'm not trying to be morbid here, just wondering.

Completing Projects

With seven being the number for completion, I have decided that I will do my best to complete as much as a can this yea (2007). Yesterday I managed to complete two small non quilt projects. Presently, I have a GFG quilt in the hoop and I've h'quilted about 33% so far. My goal is to get this top finished and then (HOPEFULLY) I'll be able to get DH's quilt finished before next year. There is also a large crochet tablecloth that is about 75% finished. I'd love to get it finished too. As far as making other quilts, I don't plan to start any for myself. I may take one or two for hire on the side for different people, which I sometimes do. I just feel this great need to not leave a lot of started, unfinished projects when I'm dead and gone. I want my family to have finished reminders of me that they can use instead of a lot left behind for them to scratch their heads over.

Do others of you feel this same way or should I consider this a glimpse of things to come? I'm not trying to be morbid here, just womdering.

The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson & Ricky Tims

I've been keeping tabs on The Quilt Show which is going to be "broadcast" on the internet starting on April 2nd and I see that their membership is getting very, very close to 10,000 .... it's 9,984 as of this morning. I suppose that member #10,000 might get a free membership instead of having to pay $16.95. If any BBer wants to dash over and try to be member 10,000 and see if my guess is accurate this would be the morning to do it. LOL Then again perhaps you'd get a free fat quarter instead. :-) I'm just being silly and speculating that they'll make a fuss over the 10,000th member but they make lots of fusses, so why not?

In all seriousness, this certainly looks like it will be an interesting replacement for Alex's cancelled "Simply Quilts" that many of us used to watch on HGTV. If you have a high-speed internet connection this will make your quilting life a bit more interesting but if you are on dial-up it just won't work for you. You can check out this new adventure in TV over the internet by going to www.thequiltshow.com

Judy

Quilt Sampler Mag

I saw the quilt Sampler magazine this week. It's 12.95! 20 shops are shown, but still! I don't think it is as special when it first came out and readers actually picked the shops and there were only 10 a year. Maybe that is just me.

Treadle belts

Phyllis, I just saw your comment on my quilt, and your remark about needing to shorten your treadle belt. An inch might be too much to take off at one time. I usually start with 1/4" and work my way up. As our blacksmith used to say when trimming our horses' feet, "I can always take a little more off, but I can't put any back on." Also, if your belt is many years old, it may not be very strong anymore, but it's easy to get a new belt. When you get the new belt, put your foot on one end and give the belt a firm but gentle pull to get some of the stretching done before you put it on the machine. Many sewing machine repair places stock them. I usually got them from a friend in MN that specializes in items for old sewing machines, but now have a roll of 1/4" belt that will work on most of my treadles. A few need 3/8" belting, though. I do hope to see a pic here one of these days of a quilt made on your treadle, what fun.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Quilt Sampler Magazine

Has anyone seen a new Quilt Sampler Magazine? I thought I read somewhere they were publishing a magazine with some of the earlier shops, with new projects, and it would be out in March. Am I losing my mind or did I really read that? Thanks for the help!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

well i have been told my last post made it onto the bb, but since then i have been trying to sign on again. am i a new blogger? a old blogger?? do i have a google account..i dont know..so got my son to help and it appears i have to sign in via google, i must have originally signed in that way..so fingers crossed it will get easier.
busy adding plants to the front garden going to take a long time to have enough to fill the borders, each time we dig to put a plant in more rocks/boulders surface..enough to build a wall again i think..turf being delivered on saturday will be nice to see green again. bought some snowdrops and cowslip plants today, want the garden to look pretty and also smell nice.
the cottage is 2002 years old and we are trying to take the 2 front gardens back to a cottage style the previous owners were away a lot and they layed slabs in the front, ugly and old pics show it as a lovely garden.
i am finally going to sit at the sewing machine ina minute to work ona block for a group quilt, most of my sewing has been to make curtains etc.
off to bath tomorrow, should be able to fit ina starbucks..lol and in the evening we are going to birmingham about 2hours away for a party. a co worker is getting engaged . long day but a lovely lady so wouldnt miss it at all.

the days are very sunny at the moment and mild, the spring flowers and blossoms are so pretty, the mild winter has helped all the magnolia trees, so pretty at the moment.

sondra, how is robyn?? did she ever make it to england?? rhian was asking about her the other day..they really got on well didnt they??

ok lets see if this works..

hugs dodo in sunny england

not quilt related

This isn't quilt related but I was wondering if anyone knew anything (either good or bad) about the Creative Home Arts Club, I always get stuff to join from them, but always just threw it away (except for the free magnet and notepad) Is it worth joining?

Vicki

Pi Shawl Funny

Here I thought the pi shawl was being pronounced with a short "I" so that it sounded like "pshaw", that old-fashioned term that you'd hear your great aunt utter when she was perturbed. No matter the pronunciation, it's a gorgeous piece of workmanship!!

PI SHAWL

The shawl comes from "math" the sequence of pi. you start with 3 stitches and increase outwards, I was to over 5000 stitches at the end and then put the little edging on, eleven stitches out for each one on the round shawl. Yep a lot of knitting. but oh worth it. I'm working on a hand dyed purple one now for myself. :)

I loved the kitties and 30's quilts. I'm doing grandmother's flowergarden with some and made a 12 block quilt with purple prints. I collect them also. But I truly have stopped buying fabric, unless for backs or borders. I'm determined to use up what I have and keep finding, all over I sure have some keen hiding places. :)

Such a lovely day and I hope we have more. My voice is still not back from the rollar coaster ride on the sand dunes Sunday. lol

The Prince has his Venus Fly Trap plant now and spent the day looking for ants to feed it, plant went home with mom tonight :) but he promised to bring it back in one week, Nana. lol

hugs
ter

Newey brass pins

Pat, I think that they may be made in Germany and I may source them out in the UK...but I'm going to search around in NA for them first. They are used in embroidery, bobbin lace work, etc., are fine, sharp, do bend in time as they are brass, don't rust and slip through the fabric like butter. I've used them for years and my pins are dwindling down. I need to replace them. My hands at my age reflect both osteo arthritis and my exposure to chemicals six years ago, which left them disfigured over a period of one week. Thus, I can't handle small pins, needles, anything that requires some dexterity. These pins are just great. I'll keep searching.

Rosey

30's Quilts

I have never really gotten "into" the 30's prints, but I do have a quilt that was made by my late DMIL that's a Dresden Plate. Somehow I seem to think of the appliqued patterns when I picture the 30's. The Double Wedding Ring is another that comes to mind along with Sunbonnet Sue, Overall Sam and Fisherman Fred.

I think I read somewhere that during the 30's there was kind of a trend to look back at the really old patterns (pre-Civil War) so the simple ones like the Churn Dash and nine-patch were used.

Kathi (who isn't much help)

Not sure how this is going to work but here goes. This quick quilt was inspired by a f riend from Canada. I used only what I had in my stash and I used all 1930's reproduction fabrics. The quilting was done by a gentleman in a nearby small town on a long arm machine. The quilting is very simple, but is exactly what I was hoping for with this quilt. I am very happy with the results.

Rosey, I have not heard of that particuar brand of pin. The local Joanns does have straight pins that are very short, but it is on their own label. Pins have gotten to be kinda expensive too.

Celia, I think just about any pattern would look good in 1930's prints. A few years ago I made one with a simple 4 patch alternated with a solid white square and hand quilted a heart in the squares. The Churn Dash would be good too or a pinwheel pattern would be awesome.

All for now - gotta see if this will publish

Pat in Flint

Newey brass pins

I'm looking for a source to purchase Newey brass pins. I use them for applique and the ones that I use are about one and one quarter inches long approx. ....may be 26 x .65, not sure....I would prefer to purchase them in Canada if possible but haven't seen them around here in Ontario for several years...the box colour that I used to buy was yellow. Anyone know anything about this?
Thanks,
Rosey

Bowling balls

Hopefully the BB will indulge one BB (Bowling Ball) photo :)
This one's not mine, but it's a dandy

Lots Of Lovely New Pics

I haven't been checking in the past few days and now I see all these wonderful new pics. I began to answer all the comments but my server seems slow this morning for some reason. So I will mention them all here.

Ter Ter: Your Pi shawl is really lovely, and looks to be a ton of fine work. What does Pi mean? Sorry to be late in answering your thread question but I waiting on the Persensia(sp?) that Lavinia and Judy recommended. I am stalking my mailman right now to deliver it to me! 8^ Looking very forward to trying it out.
SeamStress Sally: I love your Feline Fashionistas quilt. Dare I ask which one of the personas mugged the Dog Catcher and the Fireman for their badges?

Judy: Good luck in your challenge wall hanging. I love the backing fabric and the funky fish you created. When is judging to take place?

Dodo: Great to see you posting. I would love to hear more about your English cottage. My cousins bought a 1920's in England 2 years ago and renovated it. It's really beautiful.

Sandra: Your DJ's are breathtaking. I wish I had the patience and talent to make even one of those tiny blocks. Your work is beautiful.

Mayme: I often think of your gardens from the tour you gave us at the MI retreat. Do you have any pics of them to post?

I collected some 30's repro fabrics from our visit to MI to Pat and Mayme's retreat almost 2 years ago and have added to them since. I am planning on starting a quilt with them, once I have figured out an appropriate block for that era. Any suggestions ladies?
Have a great day,
Celia

good morning

well i think i may have mastered this blog now..i have now signed in and created an account 5 times now and still not sure where its all gone..lol

talk of dear janes makes me think i ought to continue with mine. i started mine a while ago..ok a long time ago, making it in liberty lawn fabrics, trying to do each block witha different liberty fabric, have PLENTY to make more than one quilt..lol think i have about 90 blocks made, hadnt planned on making the triangle ones,, i saw a liberty one made after i started mine ,at an exhibition, loved it, so much think about continuing mine..

the weather in england is getting milder, all the spring flowers and blossomes are looking good, the magnolia trees this year are amazing because we have had such a mild winter.

i see some familiar names in the blog, nice to see them.

i haven`t doen any quilting in the past year since moving into this old cottage, but am planning on starting again soon, have been knitting as i find it easier to just pick up and put down at night..

ok hope this works..

hugs dodo

This is my latest projectile, "Feline Fashionistas" based on Amy Bradley's Kitty City. The rock star (upper right corner) is original. The teacher/librarian was adapted(!) from the beauty queen block. I hand-molded the polymer clay fruit in Carmen Miranda's basket. The cop in the upper left corner is a dog catcher, with an authentic animal control patch. The fireman's patch is also authentic. The corner stones are gold-tone brooches. Most of the embellishments came from ebay.

SeamSTRESS Sally

PI Shawl

Would someone please explain what the PI stands for and a little more about the shawl itself? Its beautiful.

Raeann in MO

Bowling Ball

I HAVE TO SEE THAT BOWLING BALL!
Picture Please.
There's something new everyday and that's a first for me. I know where to get the "marbles" but where would you find an old bowling ball?

Biscuit Quilt

It's been a while since this discussion, but I ran across a feature in QNM Nov-Dec/83. It is "Gleanings from Aunt Laura's Scrap Book" and is dated May 26, 1934 in The Rural New Yorker. In part, it says, "...Some time ago, an illustrated article in a magazine gave me courage to undertake what may develop into a life work-the making of a silk "biscuit quilt." For the foundation squares, two inches in size, I am using sugar bags, washed, pressed and cut to thread. The silk pieces are 2-1/2 inches square, and are run on to the smalller squares with a little tuck or plait in the middle of each side to make the necessary puff. A bit of cotton batting is tucked inside each squre before the forth side is sewn. ... Dorothy Porter." It is possible this technique may be older than this date. Considering how we quilters give everything our own variation according to what we have available, I am sure it has evolved over time. Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of my mind I think I have also seen this done in DPolyester double knit (the designation for D depends on your fondness or lack there of for polyester double knit).

If you tilt your head sideways you can see a small churn dash quilt I made from old feedsacks - that is assuming I was successful with my picture post. Baby steps.

March 13

KATHI, THANKS

Thank you for posting the pi shawl.

Sondra, third DJ and I'm still working on my first. I think, we need to email each other, well you to me for sure. I'll need a lot encouragement to finish this...and you are on number three...You go gal. Ok, now for the info, are you doing by hand?, are you pp? tell me all your secrets, please.

Pat, there is a show on simply quilts that describes, shows what you mentioned. might be able to look it up once they leave tv and put it all the shows on the computer

hugs
ter

Howdy

Had a question on how to make the curved seam nine patches. Over the years, I've done a lot, and I mean a lot, of workshops with all sorts of famous quilters--Caryl Breyer Fallert, Ricky Tims, Judy Dales, Debra Wagner, Jinny Beyer, etc.--and from that, go home and think to myself, I wonder what would happen if I tried (insert idea here). After one inspiring time in Paducah with classes with two of the above, I went home and found some 10" squares of fabric that I'd bought somewhere, and tried laying one on top of another, right sides up on both pieces, and cutting two gentle curves through both pieces. Then, took the top pieces from the outsides and the bottom piece from the middle, and sewed them together with a very narrow seam, about 3/16". Then sewed the bottom outside pieces and top middle piece together. Then pressed both blocks, laid them on top of each other right sides up on both, with the seams as close to lined up as possible, and made two gently curved cuts in the other direction, and repeated the above, to get two curved-seam nine patch blocks. Since there's no seam allowance, the seams can't match each other, but since this is a just-for-fun technique, it doesn't matter. I'm sure it would work with four patches or sixteen patches, too. Give it a try sometime if you have an afternoon, and you can always use the resulting blocks to make a Linus quilt.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Clarification

That's Terter's Pi Shawl. I seem to be crossing wires with posts. Hopefully this will clear up something or other.

LOL..Kathi

Closeup

Looks like it worked this time

Here it is!!! It didn't want to upload two pictures at a time so I'll just add the closeup to another post.

Kathi

That didn't work

I'll try again later.

Kathi

About my Quilt tops.

Vicky, I sold the first DJ at auction. The money went toward our granddaughter's open heart surgery. She was five months. The second top was going to be for us. It was turned on point with alternate plain blocks and with the trianglar border on all four sides. Although it turned out very well it just didn't attract me as the original did. DH finally admitted that he would like to have one. So that is how I came to make yet a third top.

You ladies are very talented. I have enjoyed looking at all the posted pictures.
Sandra from SC

About my Quilt tops.

Vicky, I sold the first DJ at auction. The money went toward our granddaughter's open heart surgery. She was five months. The second top was going to be for us. It was turned on point with alternate plain blocks and with the trianglar border on all four sides. Although it turned out very well it just didn't attract me as the original did. DH finally admitted that he would like to have one. So that is how I came to make yet a third top.

You ladies are very talented. I have enjoyed looking at all the posted pictures.
Sandra from SC

Backing on My KQ Challenge Wallhanging

The backing for my Keepsake Challenge wallhanging was made from the "Swiss cheese" remnant of the panel I mutilated when I fussy-cut the "real fish" for the front. I needed "real fish" to contrast with my gaudy pieced fish to carry out the theme of "Kids Don't Dress Nicely These Days" and after the fussy cutting was done I said to myself .... "Okay, you've just ruined a very nice panel, now what are you going to do with it?" The light bulb clicked on and with a little bit of extra work the messed up panel became the backing. Sometimes I surprise myself with a sneaky trick like that.

Judy

Not such a smarty pants anymore!

Well! I thought I was so smart, not having any trouble posting , but had a mini scare when I had to determine if I was an "old" or "new" blogger! Humph! Getting a little personal aren't we!! Anyway, I decided I was old and got here ok.
Sandra, how many Dear Jane's have you made!!?? I don't know how you got through one, let alone multiples! And didn't you sell one? I give you a lot of credit, those are incredible!
Good luck Judy on your keepsake quilting challenge. Your fish were really cute. Now to make this legal for this page and not too chatty, does anyone have suggestions to get rust stains off of a quilt? It's for a friend. I suggested carbona's stain devil for rust, but I wondered if there were any other methods.
Enjoying warmer weather here, but it may not last!

Vicki

chicken pattern

Would you be able to get the book, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" by Country Threads. There is a cute chicken pieced block in there that I made a quilt for my "chicken lover" Mom. She grew up in a farm so put the blocks in an attic window setting but made it look like the chicken coop that they got eggs out each day. It turned out real cute.
If the library can't get it or you don't have it, I could copy it and send out the pattern for you. The email addy is lonnarae@email.com.
Was at my quilt sitters meeting today. We get patterns from this teacher, have a show and tell and then there is what is new in the shop since the last meeting. Of course there is always something that has your "name" on it and you just have to have it. :0) I got the Dick and Jane fabric that I have been looking at for sometime in a catalog and they had it so bought some. Husband asked what I was going to do with it and I said, "pet it". It reminds me of my first grade experience with learning how to read. Husband said that they don't use it anymore and wonder why it was good enough for us and not the kids now. I think the kids now are learning more phonics with their way of learning and are better readers because of that fact. Anyway, that material did have my name on it for sure.
Off to eat my supper. Everyone enjoy the day and best to those who need it. LONNA IN WI

ON THE DUNES BEHIND RWC

What fun we had yesterday, in the Jeeps and going 4wheeling over the dunes. My voice from yelling is still gone. lol kk was on her atv and did a 360, she is ok, but think some sand might have gotten somewhere as Bulldog as to do some work.

I'll be in Vermont last week of April/first week of May, can any of us hook up????? I'll be near Granville, VT. Fly into Burlington and will stay there a few days to sightsee. Anything I should go do??? Please write me at terter........no dots....but one of those at signs suddenlink.(net)golly reading that addy, how would I find myself.

Chicken Quilt: a set of fq's from the 90's I cut into 6" squares laid them out, sewed them up, did two borders and its' done, looks nice over the rocker in the kitchen. Gold/pale yellow and a brick red are most of the colors. Does that help? When I get a pix done, I'll send to some one along with my pi shawl to post. I tried the pix thing here and was so lost.

Fog came in today, so no more planting. Did get pink glads in yesterday.

No quilting as of late.

Have about 40 rows left on sweater sleeve and last class is tomorrow night. So I better get crackin.
hugs
terter

Swimming to New Hampshire

The man at the UPS depot accepted my package addressed to Keepsake Quilting (I told him it contained fabric) and so my effort at challenge creativity is now on its way. The deadline is March 26th so there's no last-minute pressure. LOL Now I can relax with a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle (pasta shapes) and whip out a few Project Linus quilts before tackling something new. I tried to post a photo of the backing I made for this challenge piece but Blogger was not in a mood to accept a jpg from me today. Evidently Google is having a bad Monday ... poor Google.

Judy

One Step Closer

March 12, 2007

Today, I managed to get one step closer to having DH's quilt finished. Using the church's school gym, I placed four tables together and pin basted the quilt sandwich. AND, wouldn't you know it, I forgot to take the camera along. I had wanted to take a picture of it. :( DH's quilt is my last(God willing)DJ. I don't plan to ever make another one. I've even threatened to get rid of the book and software. My brain can't handle much more of it. I'm at the point of burn out here. Hopefully, I'll managed to have it quilted and finished by next year.

I drop in and read as often as I can, but I rarely have time to post. Don't you just love the features of this place. Thanks Eric and Sue.

Sandra from SC

Terter

A few weeks ago you mention that you were finishing a chicken quilt/wallhanging and I'm wondering if you could tell me more. My kitchen is decorated in chickens and a number of quilted chicken wallhangings, but I'm always looking for more ideas.
TIA, Phyllis in Minnesota where the temperature is already over 50 degrees

To Nancy H re Church Quilts

Nancy, it is for the very reasons you list that we have decided not to sell quilts at our church fair any more. It was heartbreaking to get, for example, $20 for a pieced and quilted table runner, when the fabric alone cost more. I don't know why people come to a church fair expecting to find "bargains." The items are almost always hand made, and they're being sold for a charity! People should spend MORE than face value!

However, we have had good luck with raffles. One king sized quilt, pieced and tied, in Amish colours and pattern, raised over $650 with $1 raffle tickets. People seem to be willing to pay $1 for almost anything.

Good luck! Remember, don't put your work down by saying you'll just "consider it a donation." You worked hard! Give the church the money and give a friend the quilt!

Blue Thimble

I have a request..............

Does anyone have any old copies of Piecework magazine? I'm looking for March/April 1994 (did I mention it was old?) I got a copy and was reading the cover story but a few pages were ripped out, including the story. I'd be happy to swap FQs or something for it.
Thanks,
Sandi in MN