Applique Inspiration

Infused with inspiration by applique quilts on display at the National Quilt Museum I came home and planned a little wallhanging of my own. More on that after the back story. 

This quilt, by Pat Holly and Sue Nickels is entitled "Two of Us". They're quilting sisters,  both from Michigan, and draw their inspiration from folk art applique quilts of the 1800's. They celebrate the spontaneity of our quilting ancestors who weren't as structured as we are today. I love this quilt of theirs and have long been a fan of their work. 

These three applique quilts from the Southern Quilts exhibit went on to further bolster my enthusiasm. A week after we returned from our quickie road trip these quilts were still in the front of my mind. I have taken several workshops from Sue Nickels over the years and remembered a UFO from one of those that was lingering somewhere in a box. I found it in short order. "Why haven't I finished this?", I asked myself.

Two of the blocks are done and I had already selected the patterns for two more for this four-block wallhanging. All of my fabrics were folded away with this, even the books and the threads too! Guess what just moved to the front of the line, project-wise? I know that if I tackle this now, while the inspiration is burning brightly, that I'll be happier in the long run and be proud to look back on the effort.  So, isn't it funny, how a tidy and well managed "to do" list of UFO's can easily be interrupted by a brash late-comer who pushes right to the front of the line without any shame is welcomed warmly? Yeah, it is. 

Life is Good!

C'mon Along...

C'mon along on a quick walk through of the quilts that caught my eye at MAQF 2018, some award-winning and some that were just my very favorites. It was a great show, I simply couldn't be a judge.

I took a lecture and a class from the immensely talented Sue Nickels. She is a wonderful instructor, extremely well-prepared and super organized. I got a lot accomplished in class and finished two machine appliqued blocks since I have been back home. I am inspired and eager to see these blocks in a wallhanging-- when? Hmmm. We'll see.

And in between the show and the workshop that I took was shopping, visiting, more shopping, eating and-- yes, you guessed it-- more shopping. I came home fully supplied, enough to last until next year. Maybe. 

😲Also-- just a bit of MidAtlantic Quilt Festival trivia-- in yesterday's post I mentioned the fact that the event moved from Williamsburg, VA to Hampton, VA somewhere in the mid-2000's, but I was unsure exactly when that change took place. I contacted Mancuso show management and this is the official answer, in case any of you were wondering the same thing:  "The show moved from Williamsburg and was held (for just one year) in the Hampton Coliseum in 2005. In 2006, it moved to the Hampton Roads Convention Center where it has been held ever since."  Now we know. 

Life is Good!

With Feverish Determination

String Fever ~ 60" X 76.5"

I was focused and determined to get String Fever to the completed flimsy stage before I slept last night. The outer pieced borders presented much more of a time commitment than I had bargained for; I originally thought that I could use leftover string sets from the inner HST blocks to construct the borders, but as it turned out I needed more than that... many more. Cutting, joining, more cutting, and more joining used up an entire afternoon. I also trimmed down the neutral inner border from what I had originally planned, I believe that adjustment gives the entire piece more visual impact. Once the string borders were together I stay-stitched all the long raw edges before attaching them to the inner quilt, that did help to keep the top stable during the construction process and I am pleased with the results; everything remained true and square, something  I was worried about because of the sheer volume of skinny strips contained in each border. This quilt is made with fabric entirely from the stash closet, nothing was purchased; I believe I'll piece a scrappy back from the leftover larger chunks too. I found a wonderful Celtic design with interlocking triangles that I am eager to try my hand at quilting in those large background triangle areas. I'm thankful to Ami Simms for teaching an inspirational workshop, this definitely won't be my last string creation.

Life is Good!

String Fever

"String Fever" ~ 50" X 67" (before outer borders)

I've set the 35 string blocks together from the workshop I took up at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival last month. On Thursday it was framed up with narrow (1/4") strips and creamy-colored borders. My intention is to add outer, string-pieced borders to match the interior blocks. I may trim down the creamy inner border, we'll see, it will depend on how "heavy" the outer border reads once it's pieced. It feels good to have this much done. After volunteering as a fanner/holder at our Guild's Quilt Show judging  I came home inspired and motivated to sit down and sew; you could say I had a raging case of String Fever!  I already know how I will quilt this one too, and with which thread! Sundance and I have our work cut out for us. Today is International Quilting Day, how will you commemorate the occasion?

Life is Good!

Quilting With Goldilocks

My husband gave me this Sew Steady table extension as a birthday gift. It will accompany me to workshops, retreats and conferences where I take classes and/or spend time sewing on my portable machine away from the comforts of home. It will expand the sewing space and yields bonus table space beneath the surface, too! I do love to spend time away with my quilting buddies, sewing non-stop. I try to schedule several weekends a year to do just that; but it takes much more than scheduling, it takes planning! I plan what I am going to work on, and try to precut and package as much as I can ahead of time so that I can sit and sew-- just sew! There's lighting to consider, I take along a folding task light which can be placed right beside my machine, I also throw a power strip and extension cord in my bag, in case I'm located any distance from an outlet. Naturally, a travel iron and pressing surface are a necessity, too. The thing I haven't been successful in replicating is comfortable seating. In retreat or classroom settings there's usually a folding chair assigned to each sewing space that's too low and too hard. I have carried along assorted cushions in the past but they slide off every time I get up and out of my chair, I usually wind up tossing them in a corner out of frustration! I saw this nifty little item in the latest Keepsake Quilting catalog: "Krafter's Komfycush". Has anyone seen one of these, or better yet, tried it out? I like the idea of a non-slip backing as advertised and, naturally, the portability. The side pockets might be handy, if not, they are detachable. It's a good idea, wish I'd thought of it; but I don't know how it would be in actual use. Too hard? Too soft? Just right? Please do weigh in if you have one of these, I am eager for input and testimonials! There's a retreat scheduled at the beginning of November and I'm already planning my projects and have designed a checklist for the items I must pack to enhance my own quilting comfort level away from home, I control what I can; the thermostat's another story...

Life is Good!