Some older work

These are some things I made a little while back.

This hedgehog was from a library book about english-garden-inspired knits.  One day I'll post a photo of the sweater-coat I knit from it too.  This had a fun stitch to lock the loops in place.  His nose is too big and needs to be tucked in place where it's just pushed in right now.

This was probably another Lions pattern - it knitted up fast with double-strand Homespun.  It has a fun ladybug botton on the top.  Unfortunately it also weighs about 6 pounds and ended up a litle too wide for me.  And since it's acrylic, it is really warm unless the wind is blowing AT ALL and I live too near the Windy City for that to work out!

I love these little bags-they are fast to make, don't take much fabric and are easy-easy to carry, especially if you wear them backpack style.  The most expensive part is the colored cord.  A cheap way to update your "wardrobe".

This was a two-fold project.  I needed a bag for school that could hold file folders.  I was also making a quilt for my grandmother and wanted to test out my color choices.  Both turned out well, although the bag is too floppy for my taste.

Memory Quilt

I've been approached about making a memory quilt.  First, to make sure we're on the same page, a quilt is a three-layer sandwich of fabric, batting, and fabric.  The top is usually pieced and then the layers are quilted together with a backing fabric underneath.  Any of these things can be played with to develop a quilt that is unique and personal.

SIZE is the first consideration, and by this I mean the finished size of the overall quilt.  Bigger isn't always better and so many things depend on this decision, that it's the best place to start.  First, where do you expect it to be used?  It might seem obvious about the size if it's going to be used on a bed, but if so, how far do you want it to hang down?  If it's not for a bed, is it something to snuggle under while sitting up?  Or would you want it to pretty much cover you if you decide to stop knitting and lay down on the couch while that old Sherlock Holmes movie is on?  Is it going to get a lot of use?  If it's too big, it will be hard to get through a standard home washer and dryer.  (If the fabric is going to have photos printed on it, you might not want it to get washed too often anyway?)  The finished size can also limit the quilting - I can't imagine trying to do a really cool quilt pattern on a king-sized quilt, for example, since I use a regular sewing machine to piece and to quilt.  "Real" quilters have a long-arm machine in order to do that kind of quilting! (And a spare room to use it in, I think!!)

THE TOP is next.  Is it going to be pieced?  How big and what shapes?  What kind of fabrics?  These questions fit in with everything else, of course.  You would want smaller piecing on a smaller quilt, and could get away with bigger pieces on a larger quilt.  The fabric can be a mixture of types, but then the wearability gets complicated and the shape of the pieces becomes critical.  Stretchy fabrics like fleece mixed with cotton muslin can make some cool effects, but the pieces can't be too complex or it will take forever to make and will stretch here and there in all the wrong places.

BACKING can make or break a snuggling quilt, or can be a help or hindrance when making a bed.  Flannel backing is good for snuggling, but can be too much like Velcro if you're making a king-sized bed with flannel sheets, too.  On the other hand, a satin backing will feel great, right up 'til it slips off onto the floor!  I've been planning a memory quilt about my father, where the top will be "regular" and it will be the backing fabric that holds the memories, as they will be from his old flannel shirts.  Similarly, I plan to make a bed-quilt for my son that is "normal" on top with favorite old t-shirts cut up for the backing for his dorm room (and a long-arm quilting machine in his old room at home, heh heh heh!)

BATTING comes in different "lofts" and different fibers.  Polyester is best, IMHO, because of use and wearability.  Cotton is nifty to give a really old-fashioned feel, but the quilt pattern has to be really small, since the cotton batting comes apart inside the little pockets formed by the quilting after repeated washings.  The "loft" is how low or high the batting seems - how far apart the front and back seem - how puffy it is.  I don't care much personally for the high-loft look, but for certain types of quilting, it helps make the pattern show more.  Can you see the fish quilted into the rectangle in the photo below?  A higher loft batt will help that show better.

QUILTING is the process of sewing the sandwich together, and also refers to the pattern of the sewing or tying, etc. The fastest is tying, usually at the corners of squares or whatnot, using yarn or thread, either contrasting or accenting the fabrics of the top.  Similarly, it can be tacked down using little figures or embroidered things at strategically placed intervals - I've seen some with buttons, although I think that sure cuts down on the snuggle factor!!!  This one is made from t-shirts and other shirts, with some really nifty quilting -the detail photo is above and the overall photo below (it's a little beyond my capabilities on the quilting part).  You should be able to click the photo and see it bigger and closer up.  It doesn't seem too nifty from far away, but it is extremely personal up close when you're wrapped in it.

All other factors being equal, the simplest is made of squares/rectangles about 8" in size, tied at 4-5" intervals, with a heavier cotton as the top fabric (for printing on) and a nice flannel for the back.  If the quilt is less than 42" wide, you can use one piece of fabric for the backing (no seams).  I've used regular Red Heart yarn for tying-it gets nice and ball-y after washing a few times and doesn't flop around or fall apart.  I like to use a bright color that accents some of the top fabrics.  Let's say you want a finished quilt about 36x60-if you figure on using 7-8" squares that'd be 5 squares wide by 8 squares tall or 40 squares total. Do you have 40 images?  20 images and some other matching prints for every-other square?  Would your images look right on squares or better if they are rectangles, more like photos - - Let's say finished rectangles 6" x 8" with the photos scattered some portrait and some landscape...  You can see that the possiblities are ENDLESS!!!

As for pricing, first let me say that whatever we might agree on will be paid directly to Wycliffe Bible Translators.  I promised that for any of my quilt earnings.  I'll happily make whatever you like, but I hope to avoid too much checking in after I get going by asking a ton of questions up front until I feel comfortable that I have a clear idea of what you hope to present your loved one with.  I have seen a ton of beautiful quilts and while I know I can provide a well-made simple quilt, I'm not up to this standard! (see below)  This one is all about the quilting, since the top is just one piece of cloth.

Quilting and button-holing

I LOVE my new machine!  I had five shirts that I've been putting off sewing button holes into and not only are they all done, I've had time to do some more quilting too!  All after work.  I love this new machine.  It might be worth buying just for the button-holer and the walking foot.  And I've been making real headway on the Cross and Crown.

Sewing machine #4

I've caved in to temptation and bought myself a new sewing machine.  Very reasonably priced, from Walmart, a Brother SQ9000.

I LOVE IT.  (except the placement of the presser foot lever)  It is meant for quilters, and so came with a walking foot, and other handy feet, as well as an additional large work table (well, table is too strong a word, IMHO).  It is computerized and has tons of built-in stitches.  Most of all, the wiring is new and the feet don't melt into my carpeting like my other machine!  I've been working on that Cross and Crown quilt like crazy.  While it is not magically finishing all the quilting for me, I am amazed at how much easier everything is.  I didn't have a walking foot before-I'd priced them out but was concerned that they would fit my old Montgomery Wards machine.  WOW, it really works.  It's a little subtle, but I don't have to work as hard to keep the fabric sandwiched right and there's a lot less puckering on the straight lines.  Even my free motion work is better with the right equipment.  It came with the clear foot, and the feed dog lever works, and I don't have to have a third hand to keep the machine from going too fast, like the Montgomery Ward machine with the bad wiring and faulty foot pedal.  I should be able to get those quilts finished up right quick.  (Hmm, guess that means I need to get my Etsy account set up, huh?)

Galesburg, IL Quilt Show

I can't tell you know much I enjoyed this quilt show.  There were quilts by National Award Winner Jean Lohmar.  They were so beautiful.  And, I must admit, not perfect, which was such a salve to my tortured quilter's eyes.  I've been plagued by the notion that my quilting is just awful, and after looking all through this show, I felt a little better.  It seems that most quiltmakers are plagued by the same fears, because the vast majority of the quilts were quilted by someone else.  And those "professional" quilters did not do perfect work either, so I was much reassured!  There were more than 200 quilts, some part of the Hoffman Challenge.  It was such a beautiful sight after three hours of this...

This first quilt was done my a nine-year-old boy - I was very impressed.

This next quilt may have been my favorite, made by Mary McCormick, hand appliqued

This one has panels of singing children's faces (so cute!) with sashing and borders made from overall musical note patterns.  Made by Melissa Ruehmer.

This was made to look like a medieval banner.  The photo doesn't do justice to its beauty.  Made by Peggy Magnuson.

This beautiful woman was created by Bonnie Jennings, who showed a number of pieces of hand coloring work.  This quilt looks as great up close as it does far away.  I'm not usually a fan of portrait quilts, but this one was truly outstanding.

This is the first of a pair of photos. This shows the overall quilt, the next is the reveal of the original fabric, used as backing. This is really a pattern or color study, as each square is just a different cut/layout/placement from the same original fabric. Penny Gold did a fabulous job!

As always, I am most drawn to the appliqued quilts. One of these days I will break down and make one, but until then... This sampler was made by Dee Starr.

Machinery

I remember now why I usually tie my quilts instead of quilting them.  Or stitch-in-the-ditch.  Anything but free-motion on my little sewing machines.  Yes, machines, plural.  I have an old Brother serger that started making clunking sounds a few months ago.  At first I panicked, wondering how I could possible get along without it, but then I remembered that there is a reason patterns come with 5/8 inch seam allowances.  I've adjusted.

My main machine is a Montgomery Ward Signature.  I believe my mother got it as a present for graduating high school, circa 1955.  It is a serious workhorse.  I rely on it for almost everything.  Unfortunately, the wiring is getting too old, and it really doesn't run slowly.  And if I sew too long, the pedal sort-of melts into the carpet just  little, so I have to remember to set it on top of something.  The posts are not the same as other machines, so I can't use any of the old sewing cabinets I've seen.  But still, I love this machine!  I need to find someone who can bring it back to its old glory.

Some years ago, I bought myself a Penny's machine with bells and whistles.  I lent it to my sister for a few years and when I got it back it didn't seem to work quite right.  Since it was a spare, I didn't worry about it too much.  The wiring is good in this newer machine, however, so I disconnected the feed dogs and now it's my quilting machine.  Since I didn't like the machine anyway, it's feeling won't get any more hurt when I hold my distaste of quilting against it.

I even took pictures of the insides to help me put it back together again after I finally shake this whole quilt-making insanity I seem to have succumbed to!

WI State Fair 2010

As long as I am catching up, I thought I would post a couple of photos I took of quilts at the WI State Fair.  We go most years, although my son is not likely to go with me after this.  Too many shrugs-he clearly finds me and my interests boring.  Ah well, time marches on.  There seemed to be fewer quilts.  I did some research and it seems that if you win a quilt category, you'll win $12.00  They have additional prizes from local shops and guilds which will net you $25 or if you're really lucky, $50.  I know, I know.  I'm certainly not making quilts for fame or money, but it still seemed a bit... you know.

I'm afraid the photos don't do the quilts justice - they hang most of them from the ceiling, so the quilts are sort of queerly lit and kinda far away.

Ironing Board Cover

While I wasn't posting very much, I have been pretty busy.  My old ironing board cover was so...icky and thin, I finally decided to make my own.  Since the highest setting on my iron is cotton, I decided to make the whole thing out of cotton.  2 yards of a pretty purple fabric (that I liked but couldn't imagine putting in a quilt) at $3.99/yard.   Plus a craft-sized cotton batting and some cotton yarn I had lying around and I was in business.  I never even unfolded the batting, as the packaging had it folded just where I would have folded it anyway!  Plus a little leftover for combating my fear of quilting (to make a test sandwich).  Ain't it purty?

Old Maid's Puzzle

So instead of making pickles, I started another quilt.  And again, I fell in love with the name of the pattern and just had to do it.  I really prefer to make quilts all on the machine (straight lines) and repetitive patterns because I right now I don't want to do a lot of thinking while sewing (too much thinking elsewhere in my life!)  I have this old pattern book, a reproduction form the mid Sixties of a McKim pattern book from 1931.  I only recently started looking into the history of quiltmaking and found out she had quite the influence here in the U.S.  Anyway, her suggestions for the colors were not to my liking (I have a hard time with pink) so I went to the store with only some vague ideas in mind.  I found a very nice patterned dark brown that reads lighter because of the fun little flowers all over it.  I matched a blue and almost tried a russet, but settled on a pale green instead.  I can imagine myself in a couple of weeks reprimanding myself after staring at the russet for too long, you know?  As much trouble as I have with pink, I have even less use for red.  So I got to work after washing and drying the fabric.  I apparently wanted to take the name to heart, because I made a calculation error (thought I was done piecing, but discovered I had only made half what I needed) and while making the second batch of pieces, I thoughtlessly sewed white to white instead of white to blue.  Not a total loss because I can use it for the border, but I am certainly puzzled by what I was thinking!?!  So a little more cutting and it got too late and I had to get to work this morning, so hopefully I can get it done over the next couple of days. 

The next thing I will have to tackle is my apparent fear of actually quilting my quilts...

Added 8/12/10:

Getting closer!

Cross and Crown

I've begun another quilt.  This pattern is from a 1931 quilt pattern book.  I thought it might be nice in red and cream, but settled on navy and white.

The finished square is 10" and will be sashed with 4" white strips and navy squares.  I expect to put a hint of pale blue in a border strip.  I love to piece and hate to quilt, so in the past, I would have found a way to tie the quilt with yarn or floss, but I'm going to buckle down and quilt this one.  (but not by hand-eeek!)  As I was chaining the pieces, it made the coolest circle-

So maybe love is too strong of a word, but I certainly get a lot of satisfaction from piecing.  It's such a drastic change from my job - pick up pieces, match seam, sew seam, pick up pieces, match seam, sew seam - you get the idea.  I get interrupted so often at work that I feel I can never get anything really finished.  Piecing is at my own pace, as long as I can keep my eyes open (if only it weren't so HOT tonight!) and there's Star Trek TNG M Squad and Perry Mason on the tube.  Cold iced tea with plenty of lemon...  and dreams of colder days ahead, with cookies baking and a warm quilt on my lap.

Quilt Show-Batavia

So I was inspired to start thinking about really pursuing quilting this morning.  I was awakened at 7:30 this morning by my son getting ready for bed.  It was still sort of cool outside, so I made two batches of jam, then headed for the computer.  Poking around in the blogosphere put all kinds of notions into my head, and then I came across some great mid-career advice.  One thing lead to another et voila, a quilt show just around the corner!  Batavia's Quilt and Textile Show  Six bucks later I have some home-grown inspiration in my very own camera.  Click here for flickr images.

I'm always most drawn to the appliqued quilts, probably since I don't do them.

I'm not usually a fan of holiday quilts, but I loved the way this one joined traditional piecing with the images in the middle panel.

This one is a beautiful interpretation of lady's slippers-check out the detail below

I don't think my camera captured the colors as pretty as they were in real life.

The rest of the photos are from two quilts that are related and span 80 years.  The tags tell the story...