WWQP Bulletin Board

This Quilt Has Moved to Scotland

2012-01-26T22:25:00.003-05:00

The photo above was taken while a gift quilt was on my couch in Ohio but I packed it up and sent it to my dear friend, a "mad English gardener" who happens to have moved to Scotland. She sold her home in England that had the loveliest perennial garden I had ever seen and I felt that she needed to have a beautiful garden that she could have with her forever. This quilt made from kit from Keepsake Quilting certainly "hit the spot" because her thank-you email arrived today and it was heartfelt and enthusiastic.

In the package I included instructions on how to curl up with the quilt and read books and if she should spill some cocoa or tea on it then I also included laundering instructions. I told her it is a utility quilt that is to be used because the more she launders it, the softer it will become. She has been told that there is nothing more annoying than a gift quilt that is put on a shelf and left untouched. :-)

Judy in Ohio

Cleaning Out Season

2012-01-25T13:22:00.003-05:00

Must be catching! I've been cleaning out too - getting rid of a lot of old fabric that I know I'll just never use. Giving most of it to charity - there's a women's shelter who will take it here. Also got rid of lots of home-dec leftovers. The new quilt fabrics are so much nicer and prettier and fun to work with. I took a class once where the teacher said you should let your old fabrics play with the new and they'll learn to get along. I have kept some of the old that I think will behave with new friends. I also bought some project boxes - Michael's had the 12x12x3 boxes on sale last week. I used to think they were unnecessary but they really do make for a neater sewing area. I was using big ziplocs but they slide off of each other when they're stacked. Still use them for some sorting, but I'm liking these stacked boxes now. January is usually my month to finish UFO's and get started on some "want to's" instead of "have to's". NancyH

Fabric Purge

2012-01-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody. I still haven't basted my second memorial quilt together. It is all placed together ready to go, but I'm still dragging my feet on it.

I plan to go through my fabrics in the next week or two to clean, organize, and pull out stuff I no longer want. If anyone is interested in whatever fabrics or scraps I might decide to part with, send me an email with fabrics etc. in the subject line.
lightningsj, AT, ATTDOTNET I'm sure you all know to remove the spaces and commas.

Sew E Z table?

2012-01-24T07:39:00.002-05:00

I posted this on the other page, though I'd ask here also.
Do any of you use, or have the sew ezee sewing table to take to classes, or retreats? Or another brand? A small portable table on wheels.
I'm thinking of buying one, but wanted some input. The Sewezee brand is about $250.00, there is another brand the Gidget, which is $179.00 and seems to be about the same.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Sara in Fla.

TREASURE

2012-01-06T09:22:00.002-05:00

What a treasure. I came by a GFG made, judging by the fabric, in late 30s or early 40s. It was given to my by my not so DMIL who continually reminded me that it cost her $100. (She always attached the monetary value to everything and everyone. Consequently her grandchildren couldn't love her when they had so much love to give.) I didn't know what a treasure it was until over the years I learned so much more about antique fabrics etc. Consequently I didn't treat it properly so now it needs some repair. I've been advised to applique hexes over the ones that have given way to the sun damage and years of neglect. Even though it's in poor condition it has been appraised at over $500. The only reason that matters to me is that the donor is probably rolling over in her grave which gives me some pleasure.

My other antique is a log cabin I bought at an antique show. It was never finished and the fabrics (a lot of suiting and velvet) were sewn on a now rotting muslin with very large sloppy stitches, I assume by a child or very old (to wit: older than I am) quilter. I've been advised to use duck or some very strong backing and stitch the logs very subtley at the corners to the duck. The quilt is so heavy that muslin just won't be able to hold it. I bought it because I loved it and that, too, is on my list of quilty things to do.

You've inspired me. Thanks for your post.

Jane in NC

A "new" "old" mini-quilt

2012-01-05T11:08:00.005-05:00

Last summer I acquired an antique log cabin quilt (which I thereafter named "trashy log cabin quilt" due to its exceedingly poor condition!

After managing to salvage small strips of fabric I put together a mini quilt to commemorate the original. The rest of the Q went into the trash! It was simply unsalvagable. The backing was rotted. Fabrics were filthy, even after three washings.

This week I basted, quilted, and finished a narrow binding from some antique fabric I had on hand.

The fabs are circa 1900-1910. The yellow I'm certain is earlier. Even though they are faded, I love this mini antique quilt.

And I love how the afternoon winter sun comes into my living room.

The quilt is pinned to the wall over the Singer treadle in its oak parlor cabinet.

In case you've never "pinned" a quilt to the wall...I often use short silk pins to tack a small quilt to the sheetrock wall. A pair of needle-nose pliers works well in pressing the pins through the fabric and into the sheetrock. This won't work on hard plaster walls, so don't even try! lol. If I decide later to remove the quilt, the tiny pin holes are almost unnoticeable.

Don't forget to click on the photos for a close-up view.

NORTH CAROLINA QUILT SYMPOSIUM 2012

2012-01-04T16:25:00.002-05:00

It's time to sign up! At www.smokymtnquilters.org you will see the link to the 2012 Symposium. At that site are all the details. Entry details for entries to the quilt show which will be celebrating the guild's 30th anniversary and a long list of classes are there. They symposium will welcome entries and students from anywhere and we are hoping for a huge showing from all over the country/world if possible.

Western Carolina University, the site of the symposium is quite close to my home in Cullowhee, NC. It as worth the trip just to see the beautiful country side just about 35 miles south of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I hope many of you BBers will give this some serious consideration.

Jane in beautiful Smokies.

Items Under the Christmas Tree

2011-12-29T22:13:00.002-05:00

Sara asked about goodies received from Santa so I'll volunteer that I received a DVD with the title "Quilt It!". This is the first season's 12 episodes of a longarm quilting show on QNNTV.com and it has some amusing titles. One of them is "You Can Do That on a Longarm?" Another one is "Good Feathers Gone Bad".

Judy in Ohio

finished a quilttop

2011-12-29T21:10:00.002-05:00

Glad to report that I finished a "liberated log cabin" quilt top today. My first time doing 1/2 square triangles. Not too hard. The bias did tend to stretch just a little bit when I was putting on the borders.
I'm going to keep this quilt for myself. Almost unheard of the keep something, but I like it so much, and really didn't have anyone in mind to give it to. Also the brights. My colors.
Hope everyone is doing well. DH gave me a square up ruler in my stocking, very helpful.
Lets see what other people wished for, or received in a quilt related way for Christmas.
Sara in Fla.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T22:31:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the BB quilt buddies! May your holidays be joyful. NancyH

baby quilts

2011-11-29T14:52:00.002-05:00

Hi BBers,

long time, no see! I am missing the chats we used to have on Instant Messenger. Anyone still online there?

I made several baby quilts this year. First, my SIL gave birth to twins, then a good friend announced she was pregnant so I made one for her as well, and shortly after another friend told me her 4th was on the way so she got one, too. Here are the photos:

Does anyone find the odd block in the bright quilt? When I was machine quilting the diagonals, I saw that I had turned one of the blocks. I have to search for it every time I look at the quilt!

Happy Quilting!

Sue in Germany

2011-11-24T12:42:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
I hope you all have a wonderful
day with family and friends.

Sandra from SC

oops

2011-11-21T19:46:00.001-05:00

sorry I had meant to put that on the other page.
Thanks for the comments though.
It feels like having an extended family out there
Grace

some fairly good news.

2011-11-20T18:34:00.002-05:00

Well I have to tell you it has been a month of guessing and wondering.
DH has finished all the medical test ( and there were a lot) and we have received some results. He is fine first of all. He is a excellent medical health , but he did have two small strokes , one after the other. There seems to be no remedial bad results except for short term memory loss. We can learn to work with that. Actually do we not all suffer from that LOL
We have been tremendously lucky , by getting him to the hospital in time and then his treatment.
The anomaly to me is , that some one who is in such excellent health has two strokes.(even small ones)
Lots we have learned and we all go from here. Life continues and so does winter coming. Cold here for the next couple of days. Lucky us , no snow yet and here we are at the end of Nov.
Later, take care all, Back to quilting the new church Christmas hanging.
Grace

2011-11-20T17:00:00.002-05:00

Here is my Buggy Barn Stars top. This is part of a group we started to use up our stash (ha ha)
We took about 4 classes for this purpose & unfortunately this is the 1st one I have finished. I first thought I would try to do a quilt as you go method to finish it....but I have decided this will not be happening and today I put the rows together & will have it machine quilted. I love the Buggy Barn technique and really love the process more than the end product . I did the butterflies a while back & am ready to do the stars in a heart one next. But, I went to an open house (quilt shop) Friday & they had a wonderful 4 patch posie Christmas quilt with the neatest setting & now I think I have to do that next.....I dreamed about it all last night! Jill

Halloween Quilt That Will Be A Christmas Gift

2011-11-16T15:27:00.003-05:00

Here are two views of a cheerfully gaudy quilt that I am going to give to a seven year old boy for a Christmas gift this year. This boy loves Halloween and wishes it could be Halloween all year 'round and I think that this quilt, which is almost twin-bed size will suit his fancy.

The pattern is from Bonnie K. Hunter's Quiltville.com website and is called "Bricks and Stepping-stones" but I modified it somewhat. Her pattern called for the "stepping-stones" (four patches) to be made from two inch strips and I made mine from three inch strips. Her "bricks" were cut a smaller size and my bricks were cut 5" x 10" because part of the Halloween fabrics were from Keepsake Quilting's collection of 10" squares. Cut those 10" squares in half and I was good to go for some of my bricks ... that was the basis for my design choices. I quilted this on my longarm by making big X's through the bricks and the four-patches.

I think the little boy will stay up all night playing a version of "I Spy" with this quilt ... how many witches can he find? How many skeletons? How many spiders? Ooooooooohhhh ....

Judy in Ohio

REVIVING COMMUNICATION

2011-11-15T08:21:00.003-05:00

C'mon girls; lets keep it going. Last week my best quilting pal and I attended a retreat in Toccoa, GA. There are always a few classes and just as many "SOYO" sew on your own, rooms. It's a Baptist conference center and ideal for this kind of gathering. Mediocre meals are served in a large dining hall overlooking a small lake surrounded by colorful trees usually at the height of fall color at that lower elevation that first full week of Nov. I actually completed five full rows of DD's wedding quilt and almost finished the sixth and seventh. There will be a total of eleven rows. I am going to tell my daughter that she should marry a dwarf the next time around so I won't have to make a California King! Any way the end is in sight. I'll get it to the long arm quilter before I go to CA to visit her and her family in January. By the way, she was married in Aug '09. I propose the better late than never club. Any takers?

Anybody here going to Road to CA in January? I'll at least go the the show. I have a grandmotherly obligation to corrupt my new step granddaughters. They are 11 and 13 years old. The ideal ages. If anyone here is going let's arrange a meet up. I haven't been there in about five years.

Jane

Communication Revival?

2011-10-30T16:56:00.000-05:00

Communication Revival? ~ I guess you could call it that. I have returned often to read the quilt board through the last few years and on occasion I would leave a post. Since I was doing little in the way of quilting for myself, I had little to show or talk about.

About what I have been doing: ~ As stated, I burned out with quilting. It became a push to get it done and although I take a lot of patience and pride in my work, it started to feel like a chore. When something you love begins to feel that way, it’s time to back off or end up with a disaster. In the mean time I was finally able to teach myself to knit; something I had tried a few times throughout the years, but it had never clicked. This time it did and I have been knitting ever since.

During my quilting campaign I made several quilt tops that I sold on eBay. This allowed me to meet, via internet, two sisters. They in turn bought several of my tops. One of them is an expert at embroidery. She does beautiful redwork (sometimes other colors). They like to make blocks, but not make them into finished tops. They will send me finished blocks along with fabrics for the borders, sashing, and any alternating blocks I might make to finish it all into a top ready for quilting. This has kept my foot in the quilting arena during my personal hiatus from quilting for my own pleasure. It has also provided extra money.

Finally, having finished this last smaller quilt I believe I am ready to start quilting again. I don’t expect to ever be as aggressive as I was before, because being realistic, how many quilts to two people need anyway?

Those of you from the earlier days may remember that our only son was killed in Iraq back in 2005. Several of you were so kind and loving to make and send us blocks for a block shower. I made the first memorial quilt and posted pictures here and in our online album. I bought batting last Saturday for the second one and plan to start the hand quilting on it soon. I had asked that everyone send a 3” signed white square along with the block. Some also signed their blocks. I wish now that I had asked that the blocks be signed as well. It blest our hearts so much to receive these in the mail during the days leading up to his burial (12 days after his death) and some came later.

Making the first quilt was therapeutic for me. It helped me so much to be able to think, touch, and pray about everything and everyone involved in its’ completion. Afterwards, though when a little time had passed I did not want to work on the second one. It was like pulling the Band-Aid off of a wound and having to start the healing process again. But, it’s time now to get it finished. Our son left behind two sons (ages 2 and 1 month at the time). Finishing this quilt will allow each of them to have one later in life.

When I have the time, I’ll post the names of the ones whose blocks are in each quilt. In the mean time you may go to my online album and look through the pictures of the memorial quilt plus the other quilts that are uploaded. The link should take you there. At the bottom of the page are small pictures which will take you to my other quilt pages.

YEAH! I finally figured out how to make it place spaces, which is silly, because you would think that the program would post it just as you typed it to start with.

Quilt in Progress
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/467867781IUFWKZ

Finished Quilt
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/548963957YkfzDm

I'm still trying to find a way to make it post the links so you don't have to copy & paste. If you click on the pictures once you get there, they will enlarge. At the bottom of the page you should see pictures of my other albums. They are open to the public if you wish to view them also.

Sandra from SC

Time to Quilt!!

2011-10-30T16:11:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd check in with the BB since for me it is officially quilting season,
as gardening season is coming to a soggy halt!
I worry that when the seasons change I will have lost my enthusiasm but I'm
already sewing & planning new projects.
I also resubscribed to The Quilt Show & have already learned some new techniques
I'm anxious to try.
The newest show is Gyleen Fitzgerald & she does some really cool stuff.
She's big into using up scraps & I love that idea!
She has an awesome ruler and technique for Pineapple scrap quilts. She has a neat
way to do Y seams too. I'm excited to do both.
1st I want to get my Buggy Barn star quilt off my plate & it's headed that way.
I'm including a picture of a quilt that I'm having hand quilted by a wonderful group
of ladies that quilt for a local community center. I bought the top many years ago & it's
going to be beautiful thanks to their efforts.
Nice to see you post Sandra. Love your family quilt. Jill

WE'RE JUST STUNNED

2011-10-30T09:42:00.002-05:00

by your quilting and communication revival. You've even inspired me to work on a baby quilt for some unknown baby probably yet to be born. Couldn't resist the puppy fabric in my stash. It's just simple blocks and sashing and really cute. I hope some friend has a new grandchild soon. If not I'll donate it to Head Start. I started it on my Janome Jem so that's set up on dining room table because my serious sewing room has so many half completed projects all over it.

A cold and frosty morn here in Dixie and the pups couldn't care less about how cold it is so it's time to put the hiking boots on.

By the way, Sandy, where in SC are you? I'm in Cullowhee NC south west of Asheville. Perhaps we should meet at Mary Jo's some day. I haven't been down there in ages.

Jane

Hello

2011-10-30T07:38:00.000-05:00

I didn't mean to run everybody off. Seems that since I made my few post last week everybody has left. It's very quiet in here. Please come back. I promise to play nice. :)Sandra from SC

Doll Quilts

2011-10-28T09:10:00.001-05:00

Back in August I made doll quilts for a friends two daughters. Their American Girl dolls needed quilts. I just happened to have left over Windblown Sue blocks from a quilt top I made about eight years ago and sold on Ebay (below) plus 2x2 blocks. Everthing was pretty much done other than sewing them together and doing the hand quilting. I have managed to quilt a little here and there over the last six years, just to keep in practice. I'll use that excuse. I failed to mention that several of the fabrics in the doll quilts were from fabrics traded here back during the Y2K fad. Also, one of the Judy's from back then, sent me a shoe box full of scraps and in there was a stack of greens which she hated. Notice the bright greens, they are from that box. Lightning57~ Sandra from SC

GREAT IDEA

2011-10-27T09:20:00.002-05:00

There was a time when I had all those kettle cloth scraps from my girls' school clothes but don't know what happened to them. I tell folks that if it weren't for kettle cloth and my beloved featherweight my kids would have gone to school naked. I once made shirts or some such item for the entire swim team at Clearwater High School. I was in law school then. Where did I get the time and energy?

I wash all new fabric with a dye fixative plus color catchers. They (color catchers) ALWAYS come out with lots of dye in them even from the light colors. I've always washed after quilting. Those color catchers are great. I can't understand the idea that if it is a wall hanging you don't have to worry about laundering. I don't know about you but mine get pretty dusty and need laundering periodically.

Back to your quilt, Sandy, I hope you'll enter it in our show at the NC symposium next spring and be sure to include the history behind it.

Jane

Color Catchers

2011-10-26T12:38:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder to use Colors Catchers or some similar product when washing quilts. I always wash mine after quilting to remove the pencil lead that I mark my tops with, but I include two of the Color Catcher sheets. It was good that I did too. They were dark red when finished. I know that the border fabric was prewashed, but it may have still bled. The other fabrics probably weren't because I did not always wash fabric before making clothes from it. These are great for attracting the loose dye. The top shows no signs of fading. So I know they work.

~1979 Jones Family Remnants 1993~

2011-10-26T12:06:00.000-05:00

Last night I finished this quilt. As you can read from the title, the fabrics in the window pane layout are remnants left from clothes that I made for our two children and me. They range from a red & white check from when our daughter was two in 1979 until 1993 when I seamed it together. I had forgotten about it. The border, binding, and backing fabrics are newer. I have ~1979 Jones Family Remnants 1993~ quilted across the top. There was a reason for lining the yellow and black pieces as I did, but I now have no idea why. The picture does not show the true colors even with the sun shining onto it. They are much deeper and brighter. I guess it has to do with the camera or the operator (me). I'm glad to have it finished. This one will be for wrapping up in around the house when reading, etc., but mostly for remembering when our children were such and such age. Oh, the memories that quilt fabrics could tell if they had a voice.Lightning57~ Sandra from SC

My Current Quilt

2011-10-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

This morning I finished the last of the hand quilting on my current quilt "1979 Jones Family Remnants 1993", the binding has been sewn on the top side and now I have to turn it over and blind stitch it in place. Time willing, I hope to have if all finished, washed, and pictures posted by weeks end. Thanks everyone for your encouragement.Lightning57 ~ Sandra from SC

SANDRA

2011-10-22T19:51:00.003-05:00

Welcome back. I'm sure I'm not the only one to see your post. If it's any comfort I have managed to stumble around for the past three years since smashing myself up in that dumb drive down the bank and into a very cold creek and smashing myself up. I've started a few projects and finished nothing at all for a number of years. I'm determined to get moving again. Lets cheer each other on.

By the way, if you haven't seen my earlier posts on the subject, my guild is sponsoring the NC Symposium in June and so that would be a great goal for you to participate in a class and be inspired. The guild's 30th anniversary will be celebrated with a large quilt show too so I hope to see your recent project hung therein. Western Carolina University here in Cullowhee is hosting and they are knocking themselves out to make it a memorable event. Check the guild website at www.smokymtnquilters.org and follow the link to 2012 symposium. The dates, description of facility, faculty and vendors are there. Come January the classes will be posted along with entry forms for show and for classes and housing. Although I live only about 20 minutes away I'll probably live on campus just to savor the whole deal.

All you others BBers please take note. I want at least one quilt from New Zealand to give me bragging rights in terms of solicitation of participants from far and wide. Of course the more the merrier.

Jane

Checking In

2011-10-22T15:08:00.001-05:00

It has been a long time since I've posted here as I have done little quilting, but I do stop by from time to time to catch up on the post and view the different projects. I have been hand quilting a top that was finished back in 1993 and I hope to post pictures soon. There is only a small portion left to do. Some of you may remember me, Lightning57 from SC. Quilting has always been a passion of mine, whether working on one or viewing them. I love them, but I just don't have the burning desire to make them anymore. I'm trying (although slowly) to complete what tops I have made. I have three large tops that are waiting to be completed into quilts and I do hope to get them finished before I die (whenever that is). I don't wish to leave tops laying around to be used as furniture covers or thrown away. It took me forever to get in and post. This system is harder than it has to be. Twice I have tried to change my old email address and it even tells me that it has been done, but the next time I try to get in I have to go back to the old email and use it. Anyway enough of all that. I'll try to post pictures soon of my latest quilt. It is done in the Window Pane pattern, made from fabric remnants from clothes that I made for our family during 1979-1993. I had forgotten about it.Later, Lightning57

Chat Link

2011-10-20T16:16:00.000-05:00

It would be great if Eric could fix the link above for the quilting chat page.

Pushing myself along

2011-10-20T15:17:00.004-05:00

After seeing the pattern "Snow Days" from Crabapple Hill at a quilt show earlier this year, I decided that I'd try expanding my horizons. I hadn't done any embroidery in well over 40 years, but took the plunge anyway. Now I'm going to post the first three blocks as an incentive to me to keep plugging away at it.

Actually, this type of handwork lends itself well to sitting by the TV in the evening. Just have to get the "old" hands back into working condition. I hadn't done any handwork since finishing the applique that Rosey designed, and that was at the end of last winter.

Kathi

Connecting Threads Fabric

2011-10-12T13:45:00.002-05:00

Has anyone ordered fabric from Connecting Threads lately? I had some from about 3 years ago and it seemed to be very loosely woven and just not what I'd consider "quilt shop quality". Their prices are good and I believe their cottons are advertised as USA-grown. But I hesitate to order because of past experience. Any thoughts? Thanks, NancyH

My 1900 Trashy Log Cabin quilt

2011-10-04T11:46:00.006-05:00

Here is the "unfinished" finished project from what I am calling the Trashy Log Cabin quilt (see my previous post).

Sadly, the fabrics in this quilt were almost unretrievable. The blacks were shattered. The coloreds were exceedingly thin...they were undoubtedly low-thread count when new and after 100 years they are even lower.

All is now in the trash except for these ~~12 blocks~~ (oops...6 blocks) and my photos. At least the quilt lives on in photo format and in miniature wall quilt size. (you can click for a closer view)

I'll back this with a piece of vintage cotton sacking and finish it. Someday.

Right now it's pinned to my living room wall alongside a tiny quilt made from early 1900s shirting fabric samples (which were in like-new condition when I found them in a box purchased at an auction).

Doncha love the chrome yellow!

vintage thimble holder

2011-09-27T01:27:00.003-05:00

This is a little quilty--just wanted to share a couple of really cool things that were brought to our church yard sale. The first is a silver thimble holder sent home from Germany during WWII. It is a miniature German stein and still has the original thimble. An almost identical one sold on ebay last week for $75. I think it's so cool! Of course, we couldn't put it on a yard sale for $5.00.

Same for the second item from the same lady. She brought us a hinged and clasped clam shell that belonged to her grandmother in the mid 1880s. It has a red insert of 3 pockets. She said her grandmother and her mother kept their good rings in it. A much newer one with no inner pockets sold on ebay for almost $100.

I know there are a couple of collectors of the vintage on here so thought you might like to see the pics. Unfortunately, I can't seem to pick up any of the detailed etching/embossing on the stein or the stars around the bottom of the thimble.

judy in ar

Just call me Glutton

2011-09-26T17:04:00.005-05:00

When you see the project I took on this week you will call me "glutton for punishment".

Saturday I purchased an antique log cabin quilt. By the fabrics I'm guessing 1900-1910 at the latest. Fabrics include indigos, shirtings, chrome yellow, mourning blacks, checked and plaids, and the reds of that era. (you can click the photos for closer views)

The logs were hand-stitched to a flannel square and then the squares were hand-stitched together. The batt? A lumpy-dumpy thick cotton batt.

The backing fabric had once upon a time been quite lovely but it wore badly. The owner then hand-stitched a white flannel over the major portion of the back. I tried to salvage some of that backing but it was dry-rot.

Some fabs were shredded from age or use. Some are salvageable. But probably only with intense work. So I decided to take it apart (completely!) and restitch the logs to a "small" wall quilt.

Sorry about the sideways full view...it turned sideways when I uploaded it. Tried it twice. Same each time.

I've removed the backing and the batt, leaving only the flannel blocks stitched together. Then I washed it on gentle. Three times. The fabs, of course, are faded. And they still look a bit dingey. But this IS an old quilt. And obviously a much-used quilt.

I'm taking apart the blocks and re-stitching them to a "little" size. The finished block will be five-inches. I would have preferred a smaller "miniature" quilt, but then I would have lost much of the patterns of the fabrics.

I think I have taken on a time-consuming task...haven't decided whether I'll stick with it or not.

Making the "Wonky Star" Off Balance Seems Appropriate

2011-09-26T07:30:00.002-05:00

Since my theme with this star is "wonky" it seemed more appropriate to push the face in the center of the star off to the side. Who knows, perhaps I'll even make it so this thing has to be hung on point? Nah ... reinforcing the back would be too tricky for something that has to be shipped overseas.

Judy in Ohio

Still Working on my "Wonky Star"

2011-09-25T09:55:00.002-05:00

I am still working on the "Wonky Star" wall hanging project that I'll be sending off to Bunbury, Western Australia sometime in early 2012 and this is the latest photo I have to offer. Proportions for the center are not right and perhaps the colors are not right .... feel free to offer your opinions because the center circle parts are merely pinned on the design wall. (The spikes are sewn in place and are not changeable.)

I have been dithering over the center of this thing for about a week but my DD (also a quilter) is coming to visit today and perhaps she will prove that "two heads are better than one" and give me some sound advice.

Judy in Ohio

Memories, memories, good memories.

2011-09-19T19:11:00.001-05:00

I have finally assembled the top made from the blocks we traded at Rosey’s retreat, Sept 2004.

If your ears have been burning it’s because I have been reminiscing with my quilt buddies and thinking about you a lot. What a wonderful trip. Rosey, are you ready for another?

Some blocks were not signed, L but the following ladies are fondly remembered. Nelly, ON; Betty OR; Linda Marie MD; Stacie, NB; Joleen, MN; Sondra CA; Celia VA; Katharine OH; Doris, TN; Grace ONT; Jane ; Diane ; Celia NB; Celia VA; Margaret ONT

What a precious keepsake! Irene in Kirkland, WA.

THANKS

2011-09-19T07:54:00.000-05:00

to Judy and Joleen. Google got me there in quick time so I'm glad now.

Jane

GLAD

2011-09-18T13:14:00.001-05:00

I'm not glad. When I tried to log onto gladcreations.com I was informed that the domaine name is for sale and was referred to all sorts of quilting sites. I was most disappointed.

Jane

hello

2011-09-17T14:22:00.001-05:00

had frost here but enjoying the beautiful day,
Soon will have to be indoors all the time
enjoy
Grace

Glad Creations

2011-09-15T11:29:00.003-05:00

Aren't the glad patterns wonderful? Theresa (still the lurker) has made several Glad patterns. Lots of pieces to cut...I have a kit from Glad - Milky Way - with Kansas Troubles fabrics that I should look at before too long. There are several of us taking a class at Glad on a Saturday in December (Road trip!) that should be fun. I do need to inventory kits sometime... HAD to pick up another one at the expo in Madison WI last week. From Material Girls in Nebraska - a bright folksy-fun applique. Total opposite of the subdued colors of Kansas Troubles. Glad you liked the Glad site. Joleen in MN

Glad Creations

2011-09-15T09:38:00.002-05:00

Thank you, Joleen! I loved this site. Had never heard of them before. The patterns are very reasonably priced. The thing I liked the most (I think, although it's hard to tell) is that they all are based on traditional blocks. I've found myself getting back to those more and more lately.

Now I'm going to have to update my "to do" list again. And I'll also have to decide which ones (how many) of these I want to put on it.

Kathi

another stash buster

2011-09-15T08:25:00.002-05:00

String quilts are another fun way to use scraps and can be gorgeous. Google string quilts and a bunch of sites come up - there is even a project called Heartstrings that makes quilts for charitable organizations. I made a black and white and bright quilt this year and have all of the scraps in a bag along with the directions for a string quilt - on my list of "to do's." Guild starts tonight and I can't wait. We start off with Glad Creations - if you haven't seen any Glad patterns, google them too! Gorgeous stuff. Joleen in MN

A Different Type of Mile-A-Minute

2011-09-14T19:11:00.002-05:00

There was a magazine article on another type of Mile-a-Minute quilt that was developed by Carol Coski of www.quiltaway.com in 2000. I made seven of her style of quilts from the truly random mess in my scrap basket. I've got some photos of one of the couch quilts in my Webshots album at

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/174804229QyDpIA

Judy in Ohio

2011-09-14T14:49:00.001-05:00

Here is the M-a-M quilt I did last year for my bed -- I needed something the cats could destroy without breaking my heart. :)

Great way to use scraps of all sorts, orphan blocks, trimmed bits of strips sets, and anything else you might have lurking in your scrap basket!

I have done some very pretty ones, with a planned colour selection, but this one was made using everything on hand with no colour selection process whatsoever. Very liberating!

Jean

Found it!

2011-09-14T09:13:00.003-05:00

I guess my old(ish) mind was mis-remembering. The quilt is a pinwheel, not a star. I was thinking that if I used a solid in every other square, rather than making it totally scrappy, the MOM blocks might work. Now I'll have to do some experimenting.

BTW, this was a king sized quilt that I made for a friend. She is a seamstress and made me some jackets in exchange.

Kathi

Hmmm.....

2011-09-14T09:09:00.004-05:00

Now you've got me thinking. I wonder how the mile a minute would look in that tesselated star quilt that you make as a one-patch and then cut with a template. I'll have to keep that one on the back burner to do when the weather gets colder.

I did make a quilt back once using the mile a minute technique, but with much larger scraps of fabric. In fact I think I used it on the back of one of those star quilts. Now I'm going to have to look through the picture files.

Kathi

Here's the Start of Something "Wonky" ....

2011-09-13T19:29:00.003-05:00

I told you I was going to create something "wonky" and after some days of tearing up ideas (too many points, trying to use too many fabrics) I have finally settled on using only six points per quadrant and am happily stitching away. The next crisis will come when I have to decide what to put in the center.

Who me, plan ahead? Where's the fun in that??

Judy in Ohio

Using scraps.

2011-09-13T16:06:00.003-05:00

A few years ago I made a scrap qult out of random strips of fabric. I gave it away and have completely forgotten how I made it. I think it was called "Mile a minute" ? Maybe, maybe not... I've got lots of strips and need to use them up ! Any help or direction would be welcome !

Marion

RESPECTABILITY

2011-09-12T20:50:00.002-05:00

I saw directions somewhere in the past year about using up scraps of a lot of different shapes and sizes. Simply make foundations of your choice of shape and size out of muslin. Then start sewing scraps onto them randomly, cutting away pieces that don't fit as one does with paper piecing. Then put the blocks together. I'm sure that some long strips vertical or horizontal or both would enhance the whole appearance to look as though there is some intended order even when there isn't one. That's on my list of things to do for guest room. I've also taken a One Block Wonder class taught by a very talented woman in my guild. She and her DH do a lot of teaching. Can't wait to work on that too.

Very long and busy day today and I'm fading fast. I'm off to bed leaving a kitchen full of dirty dishes.

Jane

Jane in NC Says I'm Respectable ... Hah!

2011-09-12T15:40:00.002-05:00

Jane in NC made a comment about my collection of wonky stripes fabrics in a previous posting and said I had made the idea of a "wonky quilt" respectable.

Jane, I did not think up that idea all by myself .... blame it on the famous Jean Wells of Sisters, Oregon. Her book with a subtitle of "adventures in art quilting" (which I found at Amazon.com) gets credit for leading me down the path to being a bit daring in my old age.

http://www.amazon.com/Intuitive-Color-Design-Adventures-Quilting/dp/1571207856/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315859961&sr=1-1

If you click on that link and read about that book there will be references to other books as well. If you have a ton of scraps it is fun to play with "abnormal" piecing, piecing that is "outside the lines" so to speak because this is fabric that has been just sitting around getting well aged and dusty. It is not as if you have invested in new fabric and are afraid of hurting it .... it's old fabric so go ahead and try something a bit frivolous or silly.

If you don't like it, toss it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Faint heart never filled a flush. (Bret Maverick's pappy said that.)

Judy in Ohio who dares everyone to try something wonky before they kick the bucket.

2011-09-11T23:33:00.002-05:00

There are still those of us who check the page every day or so, hoping that someone will post something!!! I used to love the original site. But I, for one, don't always have something quilty to say. Right now, my sewing room is torn up down to the drywall and cement floor because we had to have some foundation work done. The workers came a month later than expected so I have been unable to do anything quilty since before July 4. The work is done but dh has not stepped in to help get my room finished again. Huge Boo Hiss. The room isn't important to him (nor is my quilting) so he's in no hurry. And I've been wanting to start some projects for Christmas.

On a positive note, I have almost all of my new fabric prewashed and ironed, just have one load left. One load to do on that. I got a new washer and dryer and had to learn how to do laundry all over again and haven't tried the fabric. My big board also needs a new covering. So there are all these bumps in the road! I also added borders to a huge quilt that I started several years ago featuring the Vienna Nights fabrics from Moda. I have it marked for a scalloped edge, but haven't been able to sew on the curved lines before having it quilted.

So that's my story. I'm so happy to come and see that someone has posted with comments!!
judy in ar

Finished the "Spinning Wheels Spatter Drops" Wall Hanging

2011-09-11T14:27:00.002-05:00

As long as I am babbling today I might as well show that I have finished the wall hanging that I posted a photo of some time ago. I had quilted this thing in metallic threads and then changed my mind .... metallic threads just sank into the fabric over the wool batting and lost their glitter in such a way that it was pretty pathetic. So I spent a lot of time taking that metallic thread quilting out of this 28" x 28" beastie. (But it is all part of getting older and wiser, isn't it?) I selected a Superior Threads variegated thread called "Joseph's Coat" and had a grand time with that stitching on the black fabric. Each diamond shape got its own color, of course.

Photos of Colorful Items Even Though They Are Not Bed Quilts

2011-09-11T14:09:00.007-05:00

I'm beginning to think that there are no quilters left on the WWQP Bulletin Board any more. There are chatters over on the chat page but I've not seen anyone post a photo of a quilt on this page in a very long time so I'll just use it for a brief "show and tell" of what I did yesterday and what I plan to do in the days ahead. Yesterday there was a one day mystery adventure that promised a table runner that was sponsored by "Merry Mayhem" at Planet Patchwork. I chose Christmas colors and used snowflake fabrics I found at JoAnn's ... no great investment in case the project turned out to be a disaster. It was quite simple and I might be tempted to do this thing again because it was indeed very simple and it was done in a day despite the fact I had an aching back.

The other image shows my design wall more or less plastered with fabrics I begged off of my friends at another forum. I plan to enter a contest sponsored by a guild in Australia and I need lot of "wonky stripe" fabrics. I put out a call to my buddies on the other forum and they, fabric fiends that they are, came through with a flurry of envelopes with bits and pieces of glorious colorful "wonky" stripes that cannot possibly go together. But I shall try my best. LOL

Judy in Ohio

It's fixed!

2011-08-20T11:33:00.001-05:00

Google or Blogger or whoever has fixed their problem and I can now post. Hooray!

Posting in reply to Doris

2011-08-16T07:02:00.002-05:00

Doris when I was reading your comment I only had the two items on my bar also. So I clicked Sign In and it went to error page immediately. Then I looked up, as I too was already signed in and that is when I saw "new post" on the bar. Yes, it does have to do with their programs I believe and I lucked out with my discovery. They didn't seem to be offering any solutions when I last tried that route on Thursday last week. I didn't even check today - just lazy this morning.

Posts

2011-08-12T02:21:00.002-05:00

People are having trouble posting on the chat page. I am, as well, but I came right in here okay. With my limited knowledge I cannot find out why I cannot post on chat, but I can read it, which is what I do most often.

Oops --- meant to put this on the Chat Board page

2011-08-06T15:36:00.001-05:00

Ooops.... Sorry about that.

Humidity . . . oof!

2011-08-06T15:26:00.002-05:00

We have gotten a slight break from our heat wave, yesterday and today, but the humidity level is horrendous. Right now, it is 78F and humidity is 90%. I took the dog outside for five minutes, and came back inside with hair that looked like a bad perm. The good news is we received one inch of rain this morning.

On Wednesday we hit 101F (38C!) but at least the humidty was down below 40%. Ah,,,, it's all about the trade-offs, I suppose. Yesterday could best be described as "muggy," and worse yet, I played golf in it, but the temperature didn't even reach 83F.

DH returned home this past Sunday night from his 10-day trip with the guys, to Ireland and Northern Ireland. They had nice weaather and were very grateful for it. They took some time to do a little bit of sightseeing, and DH brought back some nice photos. I'll try to insert one here - - of The Giant's Causeway. You can Google it for the info; DH thinks it is quite spectacular and I agree.

Using the leftovers

2011-08-05T04:02:00.002-05:00

Made this from most of my strings which are narrower than 2". I'm pleased with how it turned out, as well as using up some of the leftovers around here.

Wool batting use?

2011-06-28T20:00:00.002-05:00

So, who has used wool batting and liked it? I am thinking about using it for the twin bed size quilt that I'm working on. It will be for the 10 yr. old DGS in No. Dakota. It needs to hold up well when washed, however. So I want your opinions.
Thanks.
Sara in Fl.

Summer Projects

2011-06-26T20:17:00.003-05:00

Judy I love your quilt. I will enjoy looking at it every day for inspiration.
When the question was posted by Sarah I was just finishing up my post Easter linen washing. I saw the kits for the two lap quilts and I pre-washed them too. One thing led to another and I finished 3 quilt tops. The first pattern is Fire Escape by Terry Atkinson.
The next is Charming Log Cabin by Gina Halladay of Threaded Pear Studio.

Next I needed a wedding gift just as AP&Q Quilt Sampler appeared on the newsstands. The pattern was featured by The Wild Rose Quilt Shop & Retreat in Orting, Washington. I loved their fabric grouping but thought, "Hey, I have some paisley I love already." and started pulling from the stash. Yay for stash depletion!

Even if I don't get around to anything else this summer I am happy with these results.

Ready to go

2011-06-23T21:46:00.002-05:00

I've packed up my three quilts for the Sisters show and will ship them tomorrow. Only two weeks until the show. Meredith from Calgary and her DH will be meeting us there. The two "ladies" will take a class on Friday, while the two "gentlemen" will ply the river with fly rods.

I will post pictures of my quilts after the show. There really isn't a great place here to hang them for pictures, except for the eaves of the house. Not going to happen now, since the box is sealed.

Jill, will you be there on Friday, or are you just coming for the show on Saturday? Will this be the year we finally get to meet in person?

Kathi

New Color Wheel Wall Hanging in the Works

2011-06-18T16:17:00.002-05:00

Here's a new foundation pieced wall hanging I've been fiddling with for the last few weeks. The pattern is called "Spinning Wheels" and it is from the March/April 2006 issue of Quilts With Style, a foundation piecing magazine that is no longer being published. I bought this as a kit with Dimples fabrics by Andover supplied as part of the kit. I love having fabric color wheels in my sewing room .... so much snazzier that mere paper color wheels.

I am waiting for more black Dimples fabric to arrive because I want to add a border to this small thing ... it is only 27" square as it hangs on my design wall now. (The Fiskar rotary cutter gives you an idea of its size.) But in the meantime a photo of this new favorite fabric color wheel makes a lovely desk top image on my computer. :-)

Now I will sit here and wonder if anyone reads our dear old WWQP BB any more.

Judy in Ohio

Just checking

2011-05-26T09:04:00.001-05:00

Rosey said she's having problems posting. I'm checking to see if I do, too.

Kathi

Summer projects? in No. America anyway

2011-05-26T06:48:00.002-05:00

OK, what are some of the quilting projects people are working on during the next 3 months of summer in North Am? Since I've finished up the Red,White, & Blue thing, I'm hoping to start the one for the 10 yr. old grandson. It is one with space monsters, raw edge applique. I think that would be a good gift for a boy. At least I hope sew.
It is hot and sticky here, so staying in the A/C and quilting sounds like fun to me.
What about the DUGS? Any projects in the plans?
Sara in Fla.

Roxanne needles

2011-05-18T21:31:00.002-05:00

I just purchased some Roxanne Betweens needles for hand quilting. Never used them before - usually use John James. I'm finding them very hard to use - they have a sharp point but the needle itself seems fat. I'm using a size 10, my usual. I use the rocking motion and it seems that once the point gets through the fabric the needle pushes out too far. It's hard to control when I'm trying to load stitches on to the needle. Has anyone else tried these? I looked at their website but it's not very helpful. Went back to a John James and was able to make my stitches as usual. Just wondering if it's me or the needle! NancyH

Binding ideas

2011-05-17T16:21:00.003-05:00

Oh, I didn't know there were more than 2. Anyway I finished up the quilt this afternoon, and will Never use poly fleece again in a quilt. Maybe to make a sweatshirt, or something like that, but not in a quilt. Too bulky, too wiggly.
Sara in Fla.

Binding

2011-05-15T19:07:00.003-05:00

Binding-Thanks Nancy and Judy for your suggestions.
I put a denim needle in, dusted everything and got out my machine's owner
manual. Never bothered to read the part about "Threading". It seems that
spools with a cardboard core become wiggly when they are near the end of
the thread. Although I didn't think mine was that low, I changed it out for
another spool, and it is doing much better.
This will be a lesson to me to quit with the minky and poly-fleece on the back of
quilts. After several of these I have finally learned my lesson.
It isn't totally finished, as watched golf with DH this afternoon, but it is
close.
Thanks again,
Sara in Fla.

binding mistake-what do I do now?

2011-05-10T17:03:00.002-05:00

I'm back home after a blur of time in So. Fla.
Before I left home I was trying to attach a binding to a quilt by machine. This has never been a problem for me before, but this time the quilt is backed with polar fleece. I used a decorative stitch, which I've done before, but the machine is not feeding the quilt through, the feed dogs don't seem to be catching. I have the walking foot on. In several places the stitches have made a bird's nest, and it is generally bad looking. I'm about 1/2 way through.
Any suggestions? Do I just soldier on, and try to pull it from the back, or what?
I'm up for suggestions.
Sara in Fla.

Quilting videos

2011-04-25T21:56:00.002-05:00

Some of you from the old BB remember Holice Turnbow, the Stencil Company guy, who was kind enough to answer questions occasionally. He has a series of instructional videos that are very helpful and can be viewed here: http://www.quilterstv.com/channel/schedule/134
He starts with the basics, based on the instructions found in most patterns that say "quilt as desired". His Stencil Company http://quiltingstencils.com/ website is great - lots and lots of stencils organized by type. Very inspiring. I'm on the mailing list and was just sent this info last week about the videos. Good for hand or machine quilters. NancyH

Google vs. fellow quilters

2011-04-23T10:12:00.002-05:00

I often use google but when it comes to quilting questions --- the quilters on this site always have the best answer. I'm in the planning stages of a pieced quilt that has solid squares where I can write quilting/sewing statements such as:
Sewing Heals the Soul
I feed my soul by the stitches I sew
My soul is fed by my sewing needle and thread
and I'm looking for additional statements and I'm wondering if you have additional ones you'd like to share.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Keep on quilting, Phyllis

buying sewing machines

2011-04-07T02:17:00.002-05:00

Whenever people ask my advice about buying a new sewing machine, I always say, "It's the dealer." No matter what brand you prefer make sure the dealer will be there when you need him. When I wanted a computer machine 20 years ago, I narrowed my choice between a Bernina and a New Home Memorycraft. I chose the New Home.

After I got my machine home, I discovered that the buttonhole size would not hold. I took it back a couple times for repair. The dealer gave me a new machine. He said New Home would not approve it, but he wasn't willing to sew on a frustrating/undependable machine either, and he didn't expect his customers to. He voluntarily did it, I never even asked.

Also, a year later, the Bernina dealer disappeared when the fabric store in which it had been located closed. I have NEVER regretted my decision. That machine is still the one I have and I've never had another problem.

Your dealer should come through for you in the same way. I would keep pounding the dealer's door--the greasy wheel so to speak. Likewise, bombard Bernina customer service until they get tired of hearing from you. It's just too much money to not get satisfaction. You should report them to your local Better Business and let everyone you know hear the story in every fabric store you visit, your quilt guild, etc. The Bernina dealer will not like the bad publicity.

I hope more people will respond to your dilemma. I want to hear the other opinions.
judy in ar

Bernina Lousy Customer Service

2011-04-06T18:56:00.001-05:00

I am now the proud owner of a $1200.00 Bernina doorstop! I have been trying for 4 months to get a replacement foot control for my 150QE with absolutely no luck! Funny, I have no trouble getting parts for my old Singer Featherweight! I will never buy another Bernina due to this lousy customer service. Any advice would be appreciated.

Finished the "In Bloom" Quilt Top

2011-04-02T19:01:00.003-05:00

Here I am playing "peek-a-boo" with the finished quilt top that I gave you a preview of in an earlier posting. Just thought that if I peered over the top (while standing on a chair) it would give you a sense of the size of this beauty of a quilt that Sandi designed. The woman I will be giving the finished quilt to is almost six feet tall so this will make a wonderful "couch quilt" for her. Sometimes seeing a photo in a catalog just doesn't do justice to a quilt ...

Judy in Ohio

American Folk Art Museum

2011-03-28T00:44:00.000-05:00

Breathtaking.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanfolkartmuseum/sets/72157626340382146/with/5556188312/
Enjoy.

Working on a Sandi Irish Kit

2011-03-21T16:15:00.004-05:00

Our BB's Sandi Irish is a respected designer and she makes well-written kits that are a delight to work with. No confusion with Sandi, everything is clear and straightforward in her instructions.

I have a British friend who is the classic "mad English gardener" and I've been looking for years for an idea for a "couch quilt" to make for her. I found it in a Keepsake Quilting catalog not too long ago in the form of a kit called "In Bloom". (Go to Keepsake Quilting and type the words "In Bloom Kit" in their search box.)

Here's my progress thus far. I need to add three more pieced triangles on the sides and a two more borders and I will have a most elegant medallion quilt to send off to England after I quilt it on my HandiQuilter Avante.

I thought I should show you this kit-in-progress before they are all sold out at KQ. Spring has come to Ohio and I might start playing in the dirt soon and thus get distracted from "gardening in the sewing room" by gardening in the backyard. Who knows when I'll get this finished and ready to show off for real? :-)

Here's the URL to Keepsake quilting so you can see the kit:

http://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/4911/----IN-BLOOM-KIT-.htm

Judy in Ohio

Lost quilt

2011-03-16T08:10:00.001-05:00

This was posted on a sewing forum I frequent, and I'll cross-post it here at WWQP as well.
http://lostquilt.com/ Kaaterskill is the quilt that is missing. Please contact the maker if you see or hear anything about it.

Convergence Quilt

2011-03-15T02:29:00.002-05:00

Kathi, That's a very cool idea. You also could make a center section like you made for the lap quilt and use smaller sections to make blocks (in accenting colors) for surrounding it. The applique idea is great. Just play with it until you have something you like. That's what the "modern" quilters do.

Convergence quilt

2011-03-14T16:27:00.003-05:00

Have any of you ever made a Ricky Timms convergence quilt in a bed size? I'd like to try one (I've made one in a lap quilt size several years ago), but I'm not too sure if the technique lends itself to larger sized quilts. My thought is to use it as the background for a large applique. His book suggests 16" or so blocks to use for the convergence, and the one I made was four of those put together.

Any suggestions?

Kathi

quilt block?

2011-02-26T13:50:00.001-05:00

So, Linda what did you decide?
Yes, no, or thinking about it? Inquiring minds want to know.
Sara in Fla.

Need quilting advice

2011-02-17T14:20:00.004-05:00

A friend emailed and said that her mother had 22 quilt blocks she pieced some time ago and all the fabric. etc to finish piecing a queen size quilt so that all I would have to do is quilt it. She wanted to know how much I would charge. Never having done that before I have no idea. Could anyone please give me a ball park figure what is reasonable to charge to finish piecing the top, sandwich the quilt and hand quilt it?

TIA
Linda

speaking of quilting mags.

2011-02-16T21:14:00.001-05:00

Has anyone read (or subscribe to) the Irish Quilting mag? I picked up a copy about a week ago, beautiful things in it. The ads are even interesting.
Sara in Fla. where we had "Spring" today

AQS magazine?

2011-02-12T18:20:00.002-05:00

I received an add to subscribe to the AQS magazine, with lots of "win this, etc" come ons.
Does anyone here subscribe to it? Do you like it? I've been shy about spending money on magazines that are filled with nothing but ads. Right now I only subscribe to Fonz and Porter, and sometimes pick up other quilt mags. when in a book store.
The quilting is getting slower and slower, need to get a baby quilt done for a baby already born.
It has minki fabric, which I said that I'd never use again! The mom like blues and brown for the baby boy. Can't seem to get motivated.
Sara in Fla.

Slide Show

2011-02-09T17:53:00.000-05:00

I have this pattern and plan to use it for a blue and brown quilt using a flower fabric I bought last summer. Lots of blues/browns for the little squares.

One quilt shop had it made up in juvenile fabrics. Quite cute!

Kathi

Tie Quilt Prep

2011-02-07T19:34:00.002-05:00

I am going to make my first tie quilt and I have them all cut apart and pressed and spray starched. Must I use a light interfacing in them or will the starch be enough? I am thinking of making a jewel box quilt with them.
TIA,
Linda

A Good Pattern For That Fabric You Hate To Cut Into Small Pieces

2011-02-06T07:57:00.002-05:00

I'm working on a gift "couch quilt" for a friend who loves to visit Disney World in Florida at least once a year so she can enjoy the perfection of all the flower beds she sees there. (The back of this quilt has a vintage Mickey Mouse design.)

I thought I would offer this "Slide Show" pattern by Atkinson Designs as an idea to anyone who has a fabric that he or she does not want to cut up into small pieces. The large squares are very good for showcasing a dramatic print, and some oriental type fabrics would probably look absolutely scrumptious in those "slides".

Judy in Ohio

Eyelash Yarn?

2011-02-05T15:35:00.002-05:00

With 1,000 apologies for my last posting being on the wrong board, I'm wondering if anyone has used eyelash yarn to couch down on a jacket. My jacket pattern calls for it, but for the life of me I can't get a sample to look decent. I've tried the walking foot, the couching foot, the reg. foot, don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? It looks flat, not "eyelashy".
Maybe brush it with an old toothbrush?
Suggestions welcomed. Hopefully going to see "The King's Speech" in an hour, but will be back at it on Monday.
Sara in still soggy Fla.

Pedi-Paws

2011-01-31T20:56:00.002-05:00

Well, DH thought it would be a good idea to trim the dogs' nails ourselves. Wrong! After about 20 min. with one dog tonight, we gave up. Maybe got one nail done.
The noise scares them, and it sure isn't fun.
I forgot to mention that I fell in the water for the first time kayaking! Against my better judgement I let DH talk me into getting into the kayak from the very steep dock. Luckily only my legs got wet, as the kayak went sideways. I had on 2 jackets due to the wind, and that would have been a mess.
After a bit of floundering, went to the gravel area next to the dock, got in fine.
Will get some pictures here after I find the camera.
Doris--glad you had some warmer weather. The sunshine always lifts our spirits.
Going to bed early tonight. Spent time at the car dealership today trying to get an allignment, only to be told I need new tires. They have just under 36,000 miles, but I guess they are not as good as ones I used to buy. Going back to Michelin tires, from another place. SUV tires are more expensive than car tires, so I'll be dropping about $900.00 tomorrow. Guess I'll be keeping the SUV a few more years!
Sara in Fla.

Great blog with a nice February giveaway

2011-01-31T14:42:00.001-05:00

Quilt Inspiration is a new blog featuring lovely, lovely quilts. They've also been featuring a monthly giveaway for those who leave a comment. You can check out their February giveaway here.

http://quiltinspiration.blogspot.com/2011/01/welcome-to-february-giveaway.html

An Answer For Nancy's Question From Bunny in Illinois

2011-01-21T20:20:00.002-05:00

Bunny in IL contacted me with the answer to Nancy's question because she (Bunny) has not been able to join the "improved" WWQP Bulletin Board due to red tape hassles. Bunny said she got this information from the old WWQP BB about ten years ago. I've copied and will try to paste from Bunny's email and we'll see how that works ...

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What it Costs to Make a Quilt

Queen-sized, pieced and machine or hand quilted:

Material
Fabric $170 to $200
Batting $25 to $40
Thread, etc. $10 to $20
...Total $ invested $205 to $260

Hours
Piecing 10 to 40
"Setting" 2 to 10
Quilting 500 to 950

Total Cost

Paying $1.00 per hour (Would you do this type of work for $1.00/hour?)
Materials: $205 to $260
Labor: $512 to $950
$717 to $1,210

Paying minimum wage ($5.15/hour)
Materials: $205 to $260
Labor: $3692 to $4892
$3897 to $5152

Paying $20/hour (skilled labor)
Materials: $205 to 260
Labor: $10,340 to 19,000
$10,545 to $19,260

Cost of a Handmade Quilt

2011-01-12T21:54:00.002-05:00

Several years ago I read an "estimate" of how much it would actually cost to make a queen-size quil using quilt-shop quality fabric and, I think, charging minimum wage for the hand quilting and piecing, basting, etc. Seems like the total was somewhere around $25,000. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this or where it originated? Thanks!! NancyH

In the meadow...

2011-01-10T19:01:00.001-05:00

A little wallhanging to brighten the dull Wisconsin winters.

Janell

TRAVEL MAG WEB ADDRESS

2011-01-08T20:57:00.002-05:00

DORIS and anyone else who has had trouble logging onto the site. Try www.americanroads.net . Just scroll down to the art section and there it is.

Jane

Hobbs Poly Down

2011-01-07T14:39:00.002-05:00

Hancock's of Paducah carries the king size Hobbs PolyDown batts at $14.98. Since I rarely buy a king size, I'm not sure if this is a good price or not. I know that I used to buy cases of the queen sized Quilter's Dream from them at a good price. That was when I lived over 2 1/2 hours from a place to buy batting, though.

Kathi

A GREAT ARTICLE

2011-01-07T13:03:00.002-05:00

There is a wonderful article in a travel magazine about my guild's show last August along with pictures and reference to the annual NC Quilt Symposium which we are sponsoring in June 2012. The symposium will be held at Western Carolina University just a few miles over the mountain from me. The article appears at www.americanroads.net/Art-Trails . She got a few facts wrong, none of which is significant. For instance, the show is on alternate years. We'd never have time to do anything else if it were annual.

Jane in the snowy Southern Appalachians

King-size batting

2011-01-06T20:49:00.002-05:00

Is anyone else having trouble finding king-size batting? I usually buy Fairfield Traditional or Hobbs Poly-Down and have been buying it at Hobby Lobby and Michaels using their coupons. Apparently they are not carrying king-size any more - guess it takes up too much room. And I've also noticed that the space they devote to batting is getting smaller and smaller. Batting at quilt shops is so much more expensive. I've searched online and the cheapest I've found is Connecting Threads (their shipping is relatively low also). Anyone have other sources? Thanks! NancyH

damaged quilt

2010-12-17T06:13:00.002-05:00

2 years ago, I finished the top for a friend's quilt. The ladies at her church asked if they could quilt it, and it is lovely. However, some of them were not experienced, and in pulling the knots through the top, they actually broke some of the threads in the fabric. I only saw one hole, but I haven't laid it out to look carefully. The holes are very small, but with the broken threads, I'm afraid they will fray.
Does anyone have any idea what I can do?

The original fabric

2010-12-14T10:08:00.003-05:00

Judy asked about the fabric I used for the Posies quilt. Here is a picture of the way it looked before I "cut and pasted" it.

4-Patch Stacked Posey

2010-12-11T18:41:00.002-05:00

The top for my 4-Patch Stacked Posey is now on the pile of "quilts to be quilted". I won't get to any MQing until after Christmas, but it's nice to have some of the tops completed. I have a list of about a dozen or so that I'm going to try to finish in the somewhat near future. Good luck! First I have a couple of grandkid quilts to be made.

This is a fun (and very easy) pattern. Making the blocks is quite addicitive.

Kathi