Friday Finds

    The Thread Director... I needed one of these!  Some threads are straight wound and they do not feed properly on my machine.  This little gadget changes the direction of the thread feed.  It attaches via the spool winder to hold those odd spools---especially decorative threads---so they do not tangle and break.  I haven't used it yet, but I do have plans for some thread painting and this will be required for some of my threads.  This was spotted at Red Rock threads.




   Do you use small design boards in your project?  They are great for holding units for the blocks, carting the parts/pieces to the ironing board and then to the machine.  I have a couple I use....just foam core covered with batting.  After running across  a very good tutorial at Bee in My Bonnet blog for mini design boards, I decided I could improve my boards.

  I use old yard signs.  This one is the plastic type of corrugated sign.  I cut mine to 12'' by 16'', along with a layer of batting and muslin about  1 1/2'' larger on all sides.    Grab the glue stick......

I use the glue stick for a temporary hold.  Run the glue stick along the edge of the board and fold the fabric over.  Press down with finger tips.

Remember the colorful duct tape?  I found a good use for it here.  Pull off a piece long enough for the side.  Lay the covered board face down onto the tape.  Put the tape around the edge and press down onto the back covering the edge of the fabric.   I trimmed the ends of the tape so that they were flush with the end.

  Done!  A small work surface that easily moves from sewing table to ironing board....safely.

 At Bee in my Bonnet blog, you can see how she finished her edges with fabric for a very cute look.

From Amity Quilter

   A few weeks ago, I saw this on a blog I follow.  I loved the quilt tale about the quilt and its repair.  What is more simple than patches on a patchwork quilt.  See the story at Amity Quilter.  While you are there, check out her hand quilting and machine quilting, too.

From DoyouEQ

 Season alert!!!  So it begins....
 Free block patterns are available for down load at DoyouEQ.   I  don't do much paper piecing.....but these would convert to applique a la machine quite easily.   So if you do EQ , grab this freebie.


While you are at EQ, check out this tutorial  in the Tool Tip section.   
 It is a lesson in the EQ Stitch section.....how to draw ovals, hearts, and plumes.  Yes, plumes like for feathers.   I completed the lesson and learned a couple of new things.   Next week I hope to have a small finished project to share because of this.



As always, please visit the original source for pinning.  I hope you found a little inspiration and fun.


Before I close...In remembrance of those we lost.

Happy stitching.

A personal Quilt Tale

  I love sharing quilt stories....I call them quilt tales.  These two things  happened recently to me.  It gave me a warm heart to know how my family does feel.

I got this text message and photo from one of the "grandpups"....lol.

Dear Grandmom- Thank you for making us lots of quilts.  I'm snuggled in on this cold snowy night.  Mommy keeps trying to make me go out... Please tell her 6" of snow makes that request unreasonable.  Lots of love- Nicolas

  You have to love that cute face.....of course, I think this is just a plea for another quilt!




  Then over the weekend: 

Dan's journey

  When my brother abruptly moved for a job a couple of years ago, we pitched in and did a lot of the packing up.   The weekend he was allotted for the pack up did not make a dent it what had to be done.  Luckily, his house had a storage area off the basement that could hold most of everything he was leaving.  Sir Old Man put a lock on the door and then helped me pack box upon box, and made multiple trips to drop off donation items.

Under the Sea..not quite finished

     Over the weekend, my brother called and said he would be up this week to clear out and take care of the items he left.  I questioned why since his older son is living in the house now.  He replied that there were some things missing....things he said were valuable.  I thought that odd because we did not remember anything of "value" being put in there.
   Then he said, "The quilts.  The quilts are gone.  I looked for them at Christmas.  I was afraid to tell you."
    Shocked, I said,....No, I have the quilts.  We were concerned about mildew or mold and stored the quilts under the bed.  He was relieved--a lot--and I was surprised/pleased to find out he considered them that valuable.   The three photos are part of his collection of quilts.....I can't find photos of the others.  I need to take care of that.

 Moral of the story:   I am reminded of Sally Fields accepting her Oscar many years ago....."You like me. You really, really like me."    Yes, our families do like our quilts.  In fact, they have placed a high value upon them.  Even if they never say so in words, our quilts are valuable to them.  Make more!

Ignoring all distractions

    Spring brings distractions.  This morning I watch two cardinals battle it out over the territory just off the front porch.  Cheeping and fluttering around, each  was trying to stand his ground on either side of the sidewalk.  They made quite a display of themselves, and I hope the Mrs. was watching.  I sure enjoyed their antics.
   And emails, and new followers.....I have been trying to answer all questions if possible.  Answering does take time and provides another pleasant distraction.   So welcome new readers, let me know where you blog so I can visit.

   Fabric sales.....another wonderful distraction.  I am blaming my purchases on Sir Old Man this time.  He just had to visit Woodcraft for a new "whats-it" thing for the shop. Actually, he came home with several new items, and I felt the need for new fabric.  I have been very good about not buying or enhancing my stash for 6 months or so.  My fabric diet was causing me to just waste away!  So new floral fabrics are on their way as I have several ideas in my head that are keeping me awake at night.
   To justify---at least to myself---I spent the day playing at the design wall.  It is so hard to take good photos of a watercolor project.  You will have to take my word for it the trail of dark works.  By putting the photo on the computer, I can see a couple of spots that need tweaking, and the light on the bottom right is a bit too muddy.
   I have two sizes of squares  in this one.....just to see what happens.  I had a handful of 4 inch squares that I trimmed to 3 1/2" and the rest are from my supply of 2" squares.  That means I will be sewing little 4 patches of 2 inch squares to match the larger square, as I won't be using the gridded interfacing.




   I finished up my Let's Book It project.....it turned out so cute for a small table top quilt.  But I will wait to share it at the end of the month.  Instead, I want to share a photo sent to me by Kathryn at Needles and Pins.
   When I shared a sneak peek at my project for the month, she responded with this photo and story....a quilt tale!  
  She found the article in an older magazine, which was missing the pull out pattern section for the applique.  Kathryn contacted the magazine and was told they no longer had the requested information.   Then a while later, her husband bought her a new magazine, and guess what she found?  Inside the magazine in the "share your quilt section"  was a photo of a lady who had made two of these for her son and grandson.  Ever resourceful, Kathryn contacted the lady who gladly shared the pattern with her.  Quite a story for this little charmer quilt that she proudly displays on her sewing room door.  Thank, Kathryn, for letting me share your quilt tale.
  Moral of the quilt tale:   Be resourceful!  Or be sure to hang onto those older magazines and pattern sections.  I can assure you, one day you will need them.

   So if I seem quiet, it is because I am distracted. Or stitching on this small banner, or planning the next one, or cutting new fabric.....enjoy Spring!
Happy stitching.    

A Quilt Tale 2013

  Quilts have stories.....about the maker, about the recipient,  about the journey, about the subject, or about the process.   That's why I create such involved labels and include the story behind the quilt.   I love finding out about the Quilt Tales, as I call them.
  This Quilt Tale has a lesson learned, and a memory  preserved to it.
   I had an email from Nicki, Mrs. Claus from Texas (and a huge help to me in the doll quilt project), about a batik backing she was concerned over.

   " I'm making a memory quilt for a friend of mine out of some of her dad's old shirts & I bought a dark (navy) batik for the back.  I washed it twice in hot water with Retayne (a color fixative to stop the bleed of fabrics) and color catchers.  The fabric faded both times I washed it.  Now here is my question.  I always like to wash my quilts after I make them and before I give them away.  I'm sooo afraid that the backing is going to fade again & bleed off on the front (there is a lot of white on white fabric on the front) if I wash it. "

 So in my best opinion, I told her she had done all the right things, and to go for it and hope for the best.  As a side note, in the latest issue of Quiltmaker magazine there is an article about the batik making process.  Batiks go through multiple dying processes, as well as wax stamping, more dying, and then boiling.  

First moral:  Depending on the type of dye  and the rest of the process, we need to use care to avoid the bleeding that can occur when we wash batik  fabrics.  The quilt is worth the effort.

The rest of the story..........  This is a close up of the quilt front Nicki made.
A friendship block variation using a Father's shirts.   I think it is a perfect block for this very special memory quilt.










 Nicki said in a later email,

    My friend came to the office today & I gave her the quilt & she absolutely loved it.  There were tears shed as she quietly touched the blocks & lovingly just remembered her Dad.  What an honor & joy it was to make this quilt for her & to see & feel her reaction when she saw it.  I'm so glad I finished it before Father's Day for her.

  What a wonderful gift to remember a father by.

The second moral:   What we make with our hands, is a gift of our heart.   I think Dad is smiling, too.

  And that backing that started this off.....here it is, a beautiful batik.   And no more bleeding after being washed!    See the pocket Nicki added on the back to hold the label. It looks like more of one of the shirt fabrics.  It holds the label she made using one of the father's  handkerchiefs.   The quilt finished at  44" by 59" ---a perfect throw size lap quilt.  

Third moral:  Label those quilts!

A wonderful quilt, Nicki, and thank you so much for allowing me to share this Quilt Tale.
Happy stitching.

Stash reducing and a quilt tale

  I promise I have been busy....just little I can show right now.  My evening stitching has been on the big blocks I gave the formula for earlier.  The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's article in Quiltmaker from 2009. (The article is now a dead link.) Her version was done in tropical colors.
Click here for an earlier post on this with pattern shown in EQ5.    I do think this one would be great in batiks or a planned color way. This  is a variation of her Star Struck block.  Bonnie gave me permission to share my changes to the measurements for the sizes.
  I have 4 blocks ready to sew together, and about a dozen of the pinwheels done.  I need more large squares to complete the other strip sets I have sewn.
  This is  my "kitchen sink" method for fabric selection .....anything goes. It's not really a scrap quilt----more a multi-print quilt---because I am stash reducing for this one.     I have fabrics that have been hanging around too long, as well as fabrics given to me in huge trash bags from someone's clean out.  I have been cutting  anything less than a fat quarter  into strips and squares. I need to make some room in the drawer bins as I can barely get them closed.  I probably will end up with 2 of these quilts.....one to keep and one to give.  And it looks like I will have enough leftover short pieces for a rail fence quilt too.
  Quilt tale.....of a sort.
 I had a touching email this morning.  Thank you, Cassie, for sharing this link.  Check out the story of   An amazing quilter  from Texas who is blind and sews like she doesn't know it.   Her spirit and attitude are the best tribute to a full and rewarding life.
Happy stitching.  

Quilt Tale #5

  I have a dearly loved quilt made by my grandmother for me.  There are patches cut from my old clothes among the pieces.  It went with me to college and is well worn, and stored away now.  Many of us have one of those, or have made quilts from our father's ties, old blue jeans, and thrift store shirts.  I ran across this story on the Bloggers Quilt Festival and received permission to share it with you.  It's a great story that reminds us why we quilt, and not letting go.

































This is a tale of recycle and salvage.    The quilter planned her design  around the idea of using a pile of blue fabrics from her stash, and  included some  fabrics from work shirts belonging to her husband, some old jeans and a bunch of non-standard quilting fabrics.
  Let me add here, that the pattern caught my eye first.  Of course, it would.  It's a bargello.  And I do have a thing for bargello patterns. 
But, read on.

   The quilter  says, "Unfortunately, one of those fabrics in particular did not work out as planned. ....  It was a Chinese brocade made of polyester/nylon. I knew it probably shouldn't have gone in the dryer, but... well... sometimes these things just happen. And sometimes they happen more than once. I didn't realize when I made it that it would become the house favorite and greatly abused. It has been used as a picnic blanket, a throw, a dog bed, it's gone camping...... but the dryer has destroyed that brocade and, clearly, it needed a rework."

  Yes, repair was needed.  And her first thoughts were to replace those worn patches.  But here she gets very creative and has a light bulb moment! 

Patches equal applique!  This quilter salvaged her family's  much loved quilt  by appliqueing  hearts over the worn and frayed patches.  And it lives on for another season of family fun and love.
  So...recycled fabric and clothes makes quilt the family loves.  Time and use causes wear on some fabrics.  The symbol of love rescues the quilt for the family  that loves it.  Recycle and Salvage.

  Moral of this quilt tale:  Salvage that  family  quilt with love.  It has more adventures to go on!


Quilt tale is from Cecily at Craftopotomus (click here to read her original post and get the details on how she accomplished this salvage).  Thanks so much for allowing me to share your quilt tale.  It's a great story to remember. 
Happy stitching.

A quilt tale #4

I love blue and white/tan quilts and this one caught my eye during the Bloggers Quilt Festival.  I read the story, noted the label she made ----and you know I am a stickler for labels----and asked to share this as a "quilt tale".    The story begins:

   This lovely quilt uses two alternating blocks of broken dishes and the snowball block.  Scraps in shades of blue from light to dark were used .  It was especially made for the quilter's step-father, a veteran  who served in the Korean War.  

    "This quilt hung in a Veteran's Day 2006 quilt show before it went on to it's final home. For reasons I am

not clear on, it was hung upside down.......I made a label with photos of him in the service & more recently fishing & a blurb of how he spent his time, specifically building quonset huts during the Korean War. I don't usually go in for such elaborate labels, but this was a special case. "

It was made by Marybeth at Useless Ranch,  click for the original post.  Marybeth explained that this photo is the only photo she has and it was snapped as the show was being taken down.  She spent the entire time at the show...."wait for it....teaching people how to do documentation for museums and historical societies".   She says she would have flunked her own workshop :)

       The moral of this quilt tale:   Take photos of your quilts, whether you keep them or give them away.  Documentation is important, and memories are priceless.   

Thank you, Mary Beth,  for allowing me to share your quilt tale as a reminder to all of us--me too--to document and take photos. 
  I love quilt stories and I'm still collecting them.  If you read a good one, let me know or send me the link. 
Happy stitching.

A quilt tale to be

    While helping Trey and Deana clear out and move items from a storage unit last week, Trey found a cross stitch that his Grandmother had done.  His comment was, "What do you do with something like this?  Just trash it. "    Such pain and emotion in those few words.   I put it with the 2 bags of fabrics and partial quilt blocks that he had saved which his mother had never finished. 
    The  quilt blocks are from the late 80's.....polyester batting and all.  It has been in storage for about 12 years and needs a good airing.






  Trey asked me to finish the section that his mother had put together.  Not because it is lovely, but because it  is something her hands worked on.    The stitches are large, and there are tucks and irregularities.  So I will finish off this section----it was lap quilted by block and needs to be finished on the back and have a binding added.  There are other blocks that have only been pieced.  From these I will make lap quilts for each brother.
  So I am putting my projects on hold for a bit.  I feel this is way more important ---maybe not as much fun, but so very important---than quilting my current projects. 
  The first morale of this continuing quilt tale:  If you are a quilter, pull out those UFOs or PIGs and complete them.  If you don't like them any more, give them away or trash them.  Please don't leave them for  your children or family to throw out.   I have a great son-in-law and my heart was in pieces seeing him want his mom's handwork, but not in this unfinished state. 
  

More color and a quilt tale

   How about creating a palette from your own photo?  Here's the place for that.  Upload your photo and click.  See your palette.  This is probably the closest to my usual method of working from a "kick off fabric".  I could just take a photo of the fabric and upload it to see what happens.
  Then over at Color Lovers you can explore color palettes submitted by others or create your own.    Who knew you had help at your finger tips?  Thanks to Lynne and Ann Marie for sending me these links....and keeping me up to date. 
   These sites are tools to help us as quilters work with color.  Unfortunately, they don't offer fabric swatches, only solid color chips.  If you are stuck on selecting a color scheme to work with, browse one of these sites for inspiration.   If you are not sure your color scheme works, browse for a color scheme that is similar and does work together.  That's why I say they are a tool, and not a solution to fabric choices.  Experiment with the color choices given by finding fabric in your stash that "reads" the same as the color chip offered.
   One more thing about my fabrics needed.  For a bargello style throw, I need at least 15 fabrics, and 18 would be better.  Some of fabrics I pulled out are not large pieces and I may not have enough of the fabric for the cuts I need.  So, I may need to repeat a couple of the fabrics to come up with the total.
     So how did I come up with 15 or 18?   I will be making 4" wide cuts for strips to sew together as my strata.  The strips will finish at 3 1/2".   15 strips will create a 52 1/2" long quilt, and 18 strips will create a quilt 63" long----before borders.  So the number of strips you begin with will determine the length of your bargello.  If you want a large quilt ---bed length---think 24 strips at least. 

 A Quilt Tale

   Have you ever notice how some things come back to you or return to their place of origin.....I call them  full circle events.   The beautiful hand quilting frame made by my FIL  in the early 90's has returned to its  rightful place.  It is being used at The History Museum in Fountain Inn, SC---which is where he lived before going into the nursing home.
   After much begging by me, Dad made the frame from a pattern kit I purchased.  I had it set up in our old house and quilted several quilts on it.  That was  before my fingers gave out and  I learned machine quilting.  When we moved, it was stored in our garage. 
    I had given the frame to Suzanne a while back, as she does beautiful, amazing, wonderful  hand quilting.  The frame deserved to be used.  I knew she would put it to good use.  Through the course of events,  she began helping and volunteering her talent and knowledge for the museum.
  The quilting frame is hidden by the wagon wheel quilt, which she made...but it is there.   I am so happy to see it set up and being used.  Suzanne--doing the quilting-- shared this photo  with me.  The quilt is being quilted by Suzanne and volunteers this weekend at the museum opening and will hang in the entry.    
     Moral of this quilt tale:   Like each small piece of a quilt, we are part of the circle of life.  Pay it forward; you never know how it will return to you.    Thank you, Dad, and thank you, Suzanne. 
Happy stitching.

Quilt Tale

I ran across this quilt tale on Wendy's blog.  She has posted the link to the news article.
    After a tornado hit Southern Missouri in 2008, a store manager found a quilt behind his store the next morning.  He thought it could be cleaned and given to someone in need in the area.  As luck would have it, he contacted a lady who was involved in a quilting group at her church.  The lady began a year long search to discover the owner of the quilt.  She went so far as to send a photo to a magazine that published the story of the found quilt.  Then the story was published in a newspaper,  and someone recognized the quilt.  It took another week, due to an ice storm,  to make contact with the quilter.  It was a 3 hour drive to retrieve the quilt, which had been  in the family camper.  The tornado wrapped the camper around a tree and nothing much was left.  Except the quilt--- that was blown around to land miles and miles away.  Blessings to that dear quilter who knew the value of that hand made quilt, and what it meant to the lady who lost it.   she is once again wrapped in memories of her grandmother making her quilt.
      Moral to this quilt tale:   Label each quilt you make, or that you own.  Include your name, city and state.   A small thing as a label could make the difference if it becomes lost. 

I love this story.  Imagine how wonderful to have your grandmother's quilt returned like that.  Quilters are such wonderful people.   Got a quilt tale, or story.....I would love to post it.
Happy stitching.

Coming Friday....

   I'll show mine, if you show yours.  Your recent finish that is.  Quilts Matters is hosting the Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday linky show.  If you have  a  recent finish, she would  love for you to join up.  Details are posted, so check it out.
   I wanted to share a short version of a  true quilt tale that was shared at guild meeting on Monday.  
    A quilter was making a bargello quilt and ran into problems.  She contacted our mutual friend to help.  Friend goes to the rescue and the  bargello quilt is done.   The quilter had used so many different fabrics, that she had lots of  leftover strips.  The quilter decided to make a second bargello quilt---a smaller version---and donated it to her church to be auctioned in a fund raiser.  The mutual friend received a phone call on Monday after the auction.  How much was raised by the quilt?  $400---no.  $600---no.  Gasp, $1000----not even in the ball park.  The bargello quilt was sold for $10,000!   
                             Moral of this story.......leftovers equal  money.  Use them. 

  Don't you love this story?  If you have a quilt tale, send me the story, I would love to post it.
  OK, I got to get busy to finish the  bargello I have on the design wall.  Happy stitching.