From Bits and Pieces

I was cleaning out and tidying up the other day and I ran across a bin filled with pieced four inch sub-units from a multi-session course that I attended a few years back, offered at my LQS. The course was "Tucker University" and we used  Studio 180 tools and technique sheets to make basic units: half square triangles, quarter square triangles, combination units, shaded four patches, square in a square, flying geese, high-low blocks, sidekick blocks, corner beams, little houses and pickets. At the time I chose the focus fabric (dk. blue multi print) and pulled the coordinating scraps from the stash for a controlled (sort of) palette. I blogged about it here almost three years ago. I never stitched any of the blocks together, simply bagged the sub-units together and put them, and the background and focus fabrics, together in the bin. I've had SO MUCH FUN this week arranging them, changing them, taking them apart, rearranging the components and putting them back together again on the design wall-- like quilter's building blocks. The beauty of using these tools is the precision achieved after the trim down step; everything fits together perfectly, they're completely interchangeable! I was surprised (and tickled) to realize that I had enough pieces to put together an entire sampler-style quilt top! 😲 I'll sash it up with the focus fabric and put the leftover pieces (yes, this was a loaves and fishes bin!) into the scrap basket to run through the die cutter. All this time at home is yielding lots of happy benefits. What's lurking in your closets?

Life is Good!

Getting it Together

Class sample: Four prequited blocks joined together with lattice strips. 

I can become a procrastinator if the conditions are right; this is not something that I am proud to admit. So, a year or so ago, a dear friend presented me with a large bag of hand quilted sampler blocks that her mother had made back in the 1980s. She asked if I could assemble them for her to present to her almost 92 year old mother. I smiled and agreed. Honestly, I wan't too excited about the task; truth be told, I wasn't sure, at all, how to proceed. I made an initial assessment of the bag's contents; the blocks were randomly stacked inside along with yards and yards of additional fabric. I set the bag out in plain sight-- for a while. Then, the bag moved to a closet; and, finally, to the deep and dark recesses of that space. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not exactly, I knew they were in there and the guilt of not tackling the project grew exponentially. Quiltkeemosabe told me that she was considering teaching a class at our LQS, a Quilt as You Go class. This class was tailored to those who might want to quilt their blocks individually on their domestic machines, the class would demonstrate how to join quilted blocks. Yes, I told her, I NEED that class!! Last Saturday the class took place, it was exactly the jump-start that I needed! As students we were shown a method of joining quilted blocks with thin lattice strips, I was intrigued by the technique; the lattice strips "joins" become a design element both front and back.

This is the back of the class sample shown above, the finished strips on the front measure 1/2" and, on the back they measure 3/4". There is hand finishing on one side of the strips on the back. My examples show contrasting fabric but, naturally, this could also be done with matching fabric that would blend and be hardly noticeable. 

Energized to begin, I pulled out the decades old sampler blocks, weeded through them, and after a few phone consults with the quiltmaker's daughter we agreed on this lay out. 

The first two, joined with the newly-learned skill. I was off and running. 

Before dinner last evening the top half of the quilt was joined together! Like all tasks that are put off; once begun, this seemed much simpler and faster than I had heaped this up in my mind to be. I am happy with the way this is coming together, even more so, it's a relief to know that soon this will warm the body and soul of the dear lady who made these blocks all those years ago. 

What are you putting off today?

Life is Good!

Up next: "Flower Power"

Keep It Classy, Please!

I don't often get on my soapbox; particularly here. I'm stepping up for  a moment, allow me to say something that has been bubbling under the surface for a while. You need not agree with me, that's fine; I simply need to speak up on the subject of respect. Respect for self, respect for others, apparently this concept is in short supply these days. What am I referring to? Language-- particularly profanity, I can no longer get through a single day without being bombarded by obscenities. I'm not referring here to an occasional outburst that occurs when one hits one's finger with a hammer, not at all. My observation is that words that used to be strictly forbidden now riddle our society. You cannot escape nasty word-assaults from everyday television shows, song lyrics, the news broadcasts, social media, signage, bumper stickers, gift items, T-shirts, fabric (yes, fabric!), tattoos and each and every surface that can be emblazoned with vulgarity. Of course, we're not exempt at public meetings and social gatherings either. So, I ask: why? Is it for shock value? Does the speaker feel that they're tougher, badder, commanding extra attention by blasting foul expletives? I daresay it may have been, at one time; but now I believe that it's so widespread, across all age groups, that it has lost its shock value today and become commonplace. Profanity-laced speech is now ordinary and mainstream; that's the extremely sad conclusion that I'm reaching here. When I was raised, I was done so to respect myself and, by doing so, was respecting others; it's that simple. No one should have to be made to feel uncomfortable because I don't have enough self-respect to hold my tongue. In a word, I was raised to understand that at the end of the day I have retained dignity through my words and actions and, by doing so, exhibited class. Can we bring class back?  Is what was once a polite, civil society as extinct as the dinosaur? I hope not, I pray it's not too late to make changes. I ran across this article that contains seventeen graceful Bible verses on this very subject.  Read through them, there are words here that comfort and give hope to anyone who feels like me and is ready to stand up against being disrespected by the society in which I live, I am emboldened by duty to this same society in which my grandchildren are being raised. I might be just one person with one, small voice but I plan to call out language, vulgar speech and will boycott marketers who disrespect me through obscenities. I am far from perfect, I know that. I fall short through sin every. single. day. I ask God for forgiveness and promise repentance. I try to do my best, to remain classy and live by His words, for myself and for the world. Is it too much to ask the same in return?

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips. -Psalm 141:3

Life is Good!

 

Split Nine Patches

I've found something new to do with all of my two and a half inch strips and square scraps; split nine patches! Making these are addictive, the technique should come with a warning label.  I was one of the students lucky enough to take a class from Augusta Cole last week at MidAtlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA. Augusta is from Richmond, a prolific scrap quilt maker and inspirational instructor. Her class focused on the finer points of precision piecing using two specialty rulers, it was eye-opening. She also recommended 60 wt. Presencia thread, it's what she uses for all of her piecing. (I was so impressed with all that we learned in class that she could have recommended heavy twine and I would have bought it!!) This thread is fine, but it's also 3 ply, so it is strong yet adds absolutely no bulk to the seams. I love it so much that, overnight, I've become a complete thread convert. I found a place online yesterday that sells it by the 4,800 yd. cones!

 

The class that I took was "Spinning Stars", since it was more of a technique class; those little split 9-patches don't have to be arranged exactly like the pattern (left) but can be set in a thousand different ways. For now I am just having fun constructing them and sticking them up on the design wall. I've wedged a third bin with itty-bitty HST's right in between my lights and darks and can sit and sew as time allows, it's just the right set up to fuel my latest addiction!


Life is Good!

And Yet Another...

... reason to cheer! It was time for "hip, hip, and hooray" last evening at The Strawberry Patch as B. (half of the famed B. Sisters team) completed her first quilt top. She will add a border to hers (as her sister is doing) and soon it will be quilting time. I was so excited to view her artistic layout, rather than placing her 9-Patch blocks randomly she chose to arrange them by color and value producing this stunning optical design. Well done, B.! Her sister's quilt top from the same pattern can be viewed here. They are both awesome!

These same sweet and generous ladies brought me with some wonderful gifts last evening, I can't wait to try them all out! There's a wonderful Prairie Point pressing tool, a cool Log Cabin/Courthouse Steps ruler by Creative Grids and the most precious book: Story Time by Kim Gaddy... all these were wrapped their Momma's fabric and tied with a length of her ribbon, she was a very special woman who is sorely missed and more dearly loved with each and every passing day. In fact, it's their mother and my friend, Natalie, who is our common thread. She has bound us together in this happy quilting adventure that we're all experiencing now on Thursday evenings, for that (and for her) I could not be more grateful; I'm certain that she knows and approves, and that she's smiling!

Life is Good! 

Bitten By The Quilt Bug

I asked the question last week: "is there any smile broader than that of a quilter with her very first quilt"?  Last evening Lady L. arranged and labeled her blocks, I heard her talking about tie-dyeing fabric for the borders! In answer to that question... yes, there's one smile larger and brighter: that of her Grammie smiling down on her. Well done, Lady L., there's loud cheering happening, on Earth and in Heaven. That Quilt Bug has attacked again and bitten yet another; what Lady L. might not know is there's no turning back now, her future (and ours) is looking bright! Make room, the next generation of quiltmakers is here.

Put on your sunglasses... it's all good~
Life is Good!

Stripping For Class

I've signed up for a class at Mid-Atlantic Quilt festival later on this week and have spent time this weekend cutting strips in preparation. I can't wait. I need to pack a suitcase, and a bag of snacks. Oh, boy!

Life is Good!

~very, very good~

YAY!!

Never Underestimate

...the power of fabric! Bulletin boards transformed (above, before and after) with pretty solid fabrics. This is my daughter-in-law's pre-K classroom, school starts on Wednesday. My husband and I spent Saturday morning stretching and stapling, under the watchful eye and superb direction of the teacher. When we were done we had used almost thirty yards of fabric! The difference in the room is remarkable, it is now a bright, happy and inviting space!Never underestimate the power of friends, either! This stack of nap blankets, for the students of the afore-mentioned classroom, are the results of a plea issued to my small quilt group! My friends responded generously and rapidly. These are made without batting and measure 36" X 44". They are simply stitched from two one yard lengths of fabric, right sides together; turned and topstitched. These make a lightweight and cheerful nap covers. I am grateful for the help in getting these made, as is their teacher, and the little nappers-to-be!

Life is Good!

Happenings From The Heartland

Greetings from scenic Iowa! What's one of the best things to report from the road? The gasoline is a dollar a gallon less here than when we left NC on Friday! Tomorrow is my first class at the APQS training center, I'm eager to learn everything they can teach me over the next four days! My husband and I checked into the motel late this afternoon, I have my notebook ready, my camera battery charged and my clothes all neatly laid out. I feel just like I did when I was a kid on the first day of school. My husband asked me what time I wanted to arrive for class, I'm thinking that fifteen minutes early will be good, early enough to be punctual without appearing too over-eager... I can hear Quiltkeemosabe laughing now, she knows me well! There was a near catastrophe yesterday; after dinner I was removing my glasses and they suddenly fell apart; right in my hand! Once I composed myself I realized that the earpiece had separated itself from the glasses, but further inspection revealed that there was no screw holding them at the hinged pivot point, but rather a pin-type of thing-y that had broken. I didn't see how they could be repaired, I feared that I wouldn't even be able to see in my upcoming class! PANIC set in, what was I going to do? My husband was able to make a temporary repair with a teeny-tiny rubber band. This will work until I can get home and get them repaired properly! I was overjoyed! It's very handy to have a husband who can fix things! So, what else is happening in the heartland? Quilt Shops! I visited these two this afternoon, and have another one chosen for after class tomorrow!

Life is GOOD!

From The Outside In

I had my last Southern Album class on Sunday, now I'm working from the outside in. Here are the blocks, to date, pinned on the design wall. I have a 'Carolina Lily' in the works, it will fill the hole on the top left, it is predominantly blue. The center section is due to receive a 'Fortress Star' block which will sit on point, like all the others, to be bordered by appliqued 'Southern Vines' with berries... forty four of them (but who's counting?)! My plan is to use a similar background fabric for this entire section, but lighter; this will be bordered, yet again, by a two inch strip of the same fabric as the inner border (pictured here hanging beside the dark floral outer border). To give you an idea of what I'm talking about look at this finished example (r) from a student in last year's class, here is the 'Fortress Star' surrounded by 'Southern Vines', take a look at the way this one is quilted, too! Wowie!! I am so very happy that I took this class, my quilt never would have come into being at all without the support and encouragement of my wonderful instructor and fellow classmates. Stay tuned for the finish, I'm revved up to get this one done now! I may have to re-title it; 'Great Big Yawn' doesn't fit the mood of the piece anymore, it looks more like 'Awakening' to me now.

Life is Good!

Decisions And Deliberations

Thanks to everyone who commented on my GBY* Southern Album blocks. I am deeply grateful for your support regarding the efforts, I assure you I wasn't fishing for compliments. (But they're always welcome and greatly appreciated!) Here's the deal on this quilt: never before have I approached any quilt project with more mindful deliberation regarding color and fabric placement. Each piece is scrutinized and "weighed" before I even take it to the paper pattern mock up (see photo). Once every element seems balanced and harmonious, and only then, do I pick up my trusted rotary cutter and set to work. As I mentioned, in the earlier post, it's not that I don't like the blocks but it's just that they seem disconnected, individually, from the whole. A dear friend reminded me that there are borders coming that will rein everything in and hold them together. That's true, I'm glad she reminded me of that fact! Salem Stitcher suggested using more of the border fabric in some of the piecework. That's what I've done here with the "Cake Stand" mock up, it will make a huge difference in the overall composition. Thank you both! The "Oak Reel and Acorns" pattern (above) will be placed inside yet another scalloped frame; there are four of those framed appliqué blocks total; they, too, add another large piece to an otherwise unfinished symphony. I have yet to even begin the fabric/color selection for that block yet! All things considered, I guess I just need to sit back and relax a little, stress less, and enjoy this process more. Cue the music!

The instructor for this class is the absolute BEST! She treats each one of us as though we're the most important student she has ever had! She inspires and encourages, I absolutely love her. She made each one of us an acorn pincushion (see photo) and included a quote for the month. For May, from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "That which we persist in doing becomes easier-- not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased."

Life is Good!
*Great Big Yawn

A Southern Album Adventure

I mentioned last week that I'm starting an adventure in a year-long album class. It's a Southern Album Adventure, and the fun has begun! Pictured here at left is the finished top of a friend, she was in last year's class. There were five tops, and completed quilts, on display at Sunday's "preview" party. The class will be based on Kristin Steiner and Diane Frankenberger's collaborative effort: A Southern Album. Originally published in 2001, it has been out of print but will be back on store shelves again next month. This book is definitely NOT a how-to quilt book at all, but rather an inspirational treasury of southern wit and wisdom with patterns, quilt blocks and recipes thrown in for good measure. The quilts that emerge following this adventure are a sight to behold. I will add my own elements along the way, certainly some strawberries and a dachshund will wander their way onto my creation! I have chosen my fabrics and will patiently await my premier instructional class on the first Sunday of February. One thing that I'm looking forward to the most is the hand-applique, a forced approach to sitting calmly and slowing down; I am determined to enjoy that for the sake of exactly what it is. Take a look at the other inspirational quilts displayed from the Southern Album 2007 class, below:

You can see why I'm so excited now, can't you?

Life is Good!