A New Leaf
As spring brings forth the new green I am inspired to try a new to me technique. Taking a simple leaf shape and dividing it into sections is an easy way to then pull all those small green scraps (or in my case pullling from …
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Banded Geese My Way
Banded Geese My Way Banded geese is my way of giving a new twist to the traditional Flying Geese block. I did see another version on the internet and tried the method suggested. Having made a lot of FG blocks in the traditional way I …
Texas Treasure
Texas Treasure
I designed a quilt that is featured in the Texas Shop Hop 2025 magazine. I titled it Texas Treasure after one of the two blocks used in the quilt. Texas Treasure quilt block that I chose to use was identified by Nancy Page in the Birmingham News, June 21, 1938. There are a couple of other blocks labeled Texas Treasure as presented in Jinny Beyer’s book, The Quilters Album of Patchwork Patterns (2009) but this one had great appeal for use as the center medallion.
The second block used in the quilt is labeled Battle of Alamo and was created by a Texas woman in 1836 according to an article by Nancy Cabot in the Chicago Tribune, March 26, 1933.
The photo included is a computer version of the quilt, designed on EQ 8.
A kit for the quilt will be available at Touch of Patience Quilt Shop in Taft, Texas on the official start date.
There is an error in the instructions on page 106. In the Battle of Alamo block construction, step #8 it should read Bluebonnet Navy rather than Bluebonnet Blue.
MIstakes: challenge or Opportunity
Mistake: Challenge or Opportunity I set out to make a simple pinwheel quilt so grabbed the specialty ruler and began cutting triangles from the colorful fabric I had selected. I sewed block after block to make the triangle into a square to be pieced. Ready …
More on Patio Pots Quilt
In May I posted my quilt Patio Pots, but am adding to it for those who may like a little more info. For many years I collected shot cotton stripes with most from the Kaffe Fasset Collective. One rainy spring day when I couldn’t plant …
Idea, Plan, Finish
One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Louisa May Alcott. When I was learning calligraphy in a college class I practiced my skills on this quote, “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty and try to follow where they lead.” I framed that piece and it hangs in my sewing room. I think that reflects my quilting style. I have aspirations and dreams of quilts to design and make. I buy fabric to begin the journey. I put the fabric, design idea or pattern or book in a tote and put it on the shelf. Periodically I review my collection and renew my interest. The beauty of the fabrics catch my eye once again and I bring it to the sewing area. It may become a reality or it may be enjoyed visually and then be put back on the shelf for further deliberation.
The pieces pictured here are a result of my love of collecting and dyeing vintage linens as well as fabrics. Often I dye the fabric and then select the linens to coordinate but this time I was dyeing a large collection of “gifts” from friends and liked the result so much that I repeated with the yardage (several yards). I had an idea because the colors reminded me of summer sunsets. From idea to design and now in the cutting stage and ready to start sewing. Don’t hold your breath for the finished quilt as I have some other self-imposed deadlines but a top will be
finished soon.
For my Airstream Friends
After giving a presentation to a group of campers staying at the Mark Twain Cave in Hannibal, MO I decided to share a quick overview of the ice dyeing process that I use via photos on a current project. This does not give the details …
Patio Pots
For many years I have collected shot cotton stripes with many from the Kaffe Fasset Collective. One rainy spring day when I couldn’t plant my outside flower pots an idea came to me. Actually, I was cleaning and rearranging my stash of striped fabrics. The …
Color By Design Workshop
There are still openings for the Friday, June 7 Fabric Dyeing Workshop, Color By Design. Grab a friend and plan to have a fun time dyeing your own fabric in addition to the fabric provided. Check out the information below.
FABRIC DYEING WORKSHOP
COLOR BY DESIGN
CHOICE OF TWO DATES:
Thursday, June 6 or Friday, June 7 9:30am – 3:30pm
Join Sharon Wasteney, educator, author, quilter and creative thinker in this hands-on workshop at her home. Learn to use fiber reactive dyes on cotton fabric using two different methods with separate results. Use “recipes” as well as your own color choices to dye 2 yards of prepared for dyeing cotton fabric (provided). Colorfast and wash fast finished fabric is uniquely yours ready to be used in your next quilting project.
Participants will bring the following:
• Mask (for use when using powdered dyes)
• Protective gloves (to avoid dyed cuticles!)
• 3 shoe box size plastic containers with lids (approx 6” x 12” x 4”)for dyeing and taking home your projects
• 1 yard of your own “ugly” fabric or equivalent of vintage linens to creatively reinforce the techniques learned. FABRIC MUST BE PREWASHED 100% NATURAL FIBER like cotton, silk, linen, bamboo or rayon but not wool. (If you bring a blended fabric like a poly/cotton blend the polyester will not take the dye but the cotton will.)
• Sack lunch
Participants will go home with:
• 2 total yards of cotton fabric
• 1 yard equivalent of participant fabric
• A written outline of the processes and resources necessary for personal use
• A happy smile!
Workshop location: Hannibal, MO | Cost: $75
Six student maximum each day
TO REGISTER: Email sharonwasteney@gmail.com (Payment due by 5/31/24)
Fabric Dyeing Workshop: Color By Design
Join me June 6 or 7, 2024 in a hands-on fabric dyeing workshop at my home. Learn to use fiber reactive dyes on cotton fabric using two different methods with separate results. Use “recipes” as well …