December, 2015 wall hanging is machine embroidered snowflakes. December is mom’s birthday month which often means lots of snow and cold but it also reminds me of the December when the school busload of kids was stranded at the house because of the snowstorm that …
As I am finishing the Texas sewing room I am beginning to think about the “décor”. I prefer plain and simple, letting the clutter and color be the fabric and projects in progress. Yesterday, as the temperature dropped and the winds blew in colder air, …
I was so fortunate to be going through La Grange Texas on a Thursday when the Texas Quilt Museum is open. I couldn’t have asked for a better choice of displays to be available! Oh, and there was a quilt shop right next to it that I could have spent hours in, The Quilted Skein. Yes, they had yarns to die for (many were hand dyed) and a plethora of Kaffe Fasset from floral to stripes to shot cottons. I only bought 2 yards!!!!!!
Cynthia Collier, League City, TX was the traditional quilt display through December 2015. Her applique quilts are exquisite and you could see her applique abilities improve with each quilt she has made. Most were from Baltimore Album type of quilt books My favorite because of the border treatment is pictured below. I shall look on her website to find out which book(s) it is from but the border treatment is what I want to repeat. More photos from her quilt display later.
Also on display, no photos allowed, were some of my favorite art quilts but it was so wonderful to see them up close and personal for techniques used that don’t show up in photos in books. Of course, I picked up a couple –or more—ideas for some things I have in the WIP art quilt pile.
Through December they also have the Magna Carta quilt display which I did not have knowledge of and did not spend as much time investigating.
As I am finishing the November wall hanging, Turkey Tracks, for my mother’s room at the care center I am thinking about the width of binding that I use compared to many instructions that I see for commercial patterns. Many patterns direct quilters to cut …
November block for my mother’s room at the care center is Turkey Tracks, the pieced version. It is another easy block and I used some older Jinny Beyer prints and stripe for a fall-like color scheme. I love mitering borders and it seemed the perfect …
This post is for those interested in the “Artistic Exploration” session in November. Photos show some examples of improvisational curved piecing. I will share how to do all of the examples but we will concentrate on two on November 7 at Arch Methodist Church from 1-4 (south edge of Hannibal across from the Fireworks store). There will be a $5 fee for those who come only for the 3 hour session. For those that wish to come and sew all day (8:30am-7pm) as part of the larger Quilting Party group there is a $30 fee which covers rolls, lunch and supper as well as use of the church. Reservation is necessary as the meals are catered.
The circles and dramatic curves will be demonstrated starting at 1:00 pm and the other two will be what we actually work on during the session. That way those who just wish to get some ideas can watch the first two then resume their sewing projects. and those who want some actually sewing experience and assistance can do so.
What do you need to bring?
To make two placemats (the low contrast pink with green leaves) you will need a half yard of two fabrics. You can make them as contrasting as you wish.
For the shaped leaves you will need at least three different fabrics (more is better) cut into twelve 9” x 12” rectangles. That will yield three 14” x 18” blocks that can be incorporated into a project. You should be able to get the three blocks and placemats made in the three hour time period (not quilted). If you wish to try the dramatic curves you may wish to split your time accordingly.
You will need a sharp rotary cutter, sewing machine with coordinating thread, regular presser foot will work fine, basic sewing supplies, extension cord. A 9 ½” square ruler will be handy. This is improv so it will be best to leave the quilt police at home but do bring your work from past sessions to share in show and tell.
On the design wall (no the other things that are in the process are not finished) right now is a group of blocks that remind of a spilled paintbox or the ones I had as a child where the colors all started running together in …
Who would guess that what was popular in needlework 90 years ago would be interesting today. Perhaps the slow stitch movement will revive the hand needlework of our ancestors as we slow our movements to contemplate the work of our (and their) hands. I wanted …
Pieces of the Past
Piece of the past dyed,
Radiating swirls and stars,
Doilies of old, new.
A cyanotype challenge. I used doilies to sun print on the chemically treated fabric and then used some of my damaged hand dyed doilies for accent. A simple design to honor a woman’s pasttime.
I love visiting the Hickory Stick Quilt Shop in Hannibal where we live. The employees and owner are so friendly, know their merchandise and encourage creative thinking in quiltmaking as well as applaud the traditional. Today I spent a couple of hours there with the …