Monthly Archives: November 2009

Machine Quilting 101

  

     I  read last night that it takes about 500 hours to become proficient in machine quilting. Since I only have at the most 250 hours in , I guess I have no choice but to continue. I have decided today, I will minimize what I rip out and just keep going. None of these would be for a show and I need to kind of go with what the quilt is and that is improvisational. I also took one of their suggestions and tipped my machine back a bit by putting a small book under it. I think that helped to open up my line of vision. I picked this beautiful batik of Vermont wildflowers for the back. It was made for a shop hop so I don’t  think you will find any left.

     I will not fight with the process today! I did finish another UFO. It was really fun. It has lots of fun stuff in it: recycled raw edge silk, hand-dyed silk ribbon, hand-dyed linen(the deep blue background), hand-dyed cottons,  metallic thread, and it’s fused. I can’t use it for a challenge because it is three inches too big on one side. Have to think of something else….

                                                                    Moving Up
                                                                       16x 22

     Fortunately, it’s done. Unfortunately, I didn’t count it on my personal list for Project Joy!  Happy sewing, my friends!

Making Lemonade

   I had a day of lemons yesterday -but the bright spot of my day was seeing a quilt my friend made. I was amazed at where she has come in the past few years and I am so happy for her. Take a look at her most recent work at gjbquilts.blogspot.com.  Gail sat next to me at a workshop a few years ago. I have enjoyed her friendship.

   I had my week all planned out. But yesterday was a day to do what I always tell the kids: when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. The desktop computer needed help and had to be taken to the computer store. My camera was giving me fits-it’s the user, yes, I know, not the camera. Everything was way too dark despite my adjusting all controls on the camera. I had forgotten to wash the backing of my next project up for the day. No problem , move on to the next.

     So, I moved on to the next project and my machine started to throw up thread on the back of  my quilt. Yes, truly the user again. I adjusted tensions, tried a different machine,went out and  bought Bottom Line thread. I was trying to do wonky circles. Definitely the uptight user. So, after four hours, I took a break. Took a walk.

     Read the camera manual and book I purchased. My model camera has an inherent metering issue-need to wrap my head around that but it’s not me. Kept adjusting and enjoyed the walk.

     Ater dinner, I picked out threads. I put the quilt aside until someone braver than me can help me with my skills and I basted another. But I was brave enough to try a picture in a dark room, and all is well. Now to learn how to crop.

Sometimes when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. On to the next quilt. Happy Sewing, my friends.

Project Joy: #1

  

      We had a great weekend and enjoyed time at my daughter’s college. The weather was in the 60’s and sunny which really hasn’t happened much this fall. I had high hopes for many portrait pictures to show you but my family is not happy with the camera. That really surprised me. Or they just didn’t have fun with me adjusting camera settings. Manual mode is very hard for me. Just can’t seem to get the hang of it. Maybe not having fun is a mild phrase-they were getting annoyed . I moved on to the dogs and they started running away.  I need new subjects. But here’s my crew. We will learn how to crop this weekend. Thank goodness.
     I did manage to finish this quilt over the weekend. I began quilting 20 years ago using reproduction fabrics and they fit well in all of our older homes. When I was sewing on it this weekend, I still loved the softness in my hand of the old indigoes. The Bowtie pattern is one of my favorites. I wonder if I could work with the pattern improvisationally. Guess it’s an idea for a series next year.
                                                         Bowtie Beauty
                                                            40×56
     Ok seriously my pictures are way too dark. Must get back to the camera manual and sewing. Happy sewing,  my friends. 

Reality Check

 I have finished two quilts this week from beginning to end. Lots of fun but lots of time, as you well know! I have one more to bind to achieve my  week one goal. Well, I had a moment of panic when I realize that I had committed to 10 total by  the end of the year. Even if I doubled my time I spend on sewing per week, I am not sure I was realistic. This week I have spent 27 hours -on sewing-don’t tell my family. Although they probably already know by the quality of meals this week. And then there is the photography class work…yikes. I had a moment of panic this am as I was thinking, was I realistic? So, the list. The dreaded list.

Project Joy in the New Year
Unfinished quilt tops

1. Bowtie-4 hours
2. Connections -Tan-25
3.Connections- Red and Black-10
4. Connections-Red and blue-20
5. Workshop-Autumn Mums-15
6. Directions 1- mini -3
7. Directions #3-30
8. Connections#7 -30

     I came up with 140 approx hours divided by 6 weeks( ok we have some major holidays and people will be sick) so 24 hours per week. Most art quilters spend more than that  plus work outside the home. Now that I have actually put a number to it it feels better. I think I can do this. The list is just a bit daunting. I really will try not to whine. Sorry to bore you with this but I am using this as a journal for my process.

     You come for quilts so here is my piece for the day. This was my very first quilt made at the Crow Barn which just changed the way I thought of making a quilt.

      I haven’t used a pattern since. It needs a special name but for now for now is just Connections #1 -the piece that rocked my world and made me excited about the process. It’s large at 51×69 and was quilted by a longarm machine friend.

     Have a good weekend . Happy Sewing, my friends!

Dick and Jane

    My favorite local quilt shop closed in Vermont this summer. It was called The Quilted Lilly and I always enjoyed going there whenever we were in town. I was truly sad as it was one of my favorite things to do when I visited.  She just couldn’t make it in this tough economy and for that I am trying to support my local shop here in Grand Rapids. Vermont is am amazing place as far as support of anything locally made- vegetables, fruits, dairy and even textiles. I cherish the local farmer even more after spending lots of time there each summer. More about that later- but support your local producers.

     Back to today. I finished my blue flannel for Project Hope. I then moved on to my next charity quilt was was super fun last night.  I purchased these Dick and Jane fabrics at The Quilted Lily during their closing sale. I  love Dick and Jane. Who doesn’t?  I initially cut them in to six inch blocks. But too boring. So, of course added a strip set. And it felt much better. Even practiced my machine quilting with wavy lines.

     This little doll quilt is 20×32 made for the WMQG Santa Claus Girl drive. And I get to buy a doll to go with it. Last  year, I think we contributed over 400 quilts with dolls for West Michigan. And that is a good thing for our local kids. Do something for someone local today.  Happy sewing my friends.

Going to school again

    I was really excited to start my photography class last night. I think that I am a person who could just be a perpetual student. I felt more than a little old as I walked in with all the art students who were walking around with their portfolios. And then I felt even older as I was one of the only ones who didn’t even know how to open the beautiful Macbook Pro sitting in front of me. But I got over myself quickly in order to keep up and asked for help! I learned so much in three hours about manual shooting and am looking forward to getting those 35-75 pictures for next week’s class. And a little reading to catch up with the rest of them. Assignment is portrait  pictures so I will let you see some of them at the end of the week.
     Am working hard on my little quilt for Project Hope. I used some flannels from my stash and foolishly tried fusible batting. I have never used it on a a large project before and will never do that again on a  large piece. It was way too stiff with my little machine. So in an attempt to save time, it probably cost me an hour to start over with the batting. Looks like it will be nice and warm. It turned out to be 45 x 65.
     Oh well-on to binding.

  

     At least now I know that I should have cleaned out some of my background distraction before I showed you this picture-I’ll progress I guess. Happy sewing my friends.

Always looking for a challenge

     I always get distracted when I visit blogs. There is so much fun information out there and sometimes it’s just hard to choose -whether to read or work. But I have found that I enjoying reading at night when my eyes are too tired to sew and my chores are done. Then I don’t feel guilty and can enjoy the information and just catch up-just be inspired.

     I have felt guilty sewing lately. I love serving with my hands but haven’t truly helped -sure regular mom things at school and at home-but not the kind of volunteering where you know something is absolutely needed-not just wanted. Ok I am rambling but I think you know what I mean. So…since it is the month to be grateful , I decided I would jump in to two donations. One I read about last night and since it directly benefits homeless kids in my city, I can’t say no. I read about it on a blog called http:/artsycraftybabe.typepad.com. They will refer you to Project Hope. (I wish I could have made sock monkey). I am going to do a very basic quilt for a little boy. At the same time I will whip up a doll quilt for our WMQG ‘s annual Christmas event-provide a doll and blanket for a needy child. I just feel the need to help someone else! Join in with me if you want. You can do it. 

     I also joined in on the following: finishing my UFOs. I have eight unfinished quilt tops. I said it to you and will keep you posted on my progress. But I neglected to add these two donations so technically ten. Another link for you to join in with me if you’d like:Tallgrass Prairie Studio: Joy In The New Year. I have committed to finishing them in hopes of starting out the year fresh and uncluttered with tops. Again, join in if you like and let me know too. I’ll check up on you.

   Ok, I have finished a wee little thing- 5×9.  I love the hand-dyed butter yellow. It has traveled in my purse and was worked on during my waiting times. I like the edge-it added lots of texture to this little piece.  Happy Sewing my friends.

Erin’s Quilt

     I made a quilt for my daughter this spring in celebration of her high school graduation. She picked out the fabrics and I made the quilt. The fabrics tended to give me a headache after awhile as it was very busy. But now that I see it on her bed at college, it is absolutely her and she loves to snuggle with it when she studies. So that’s all that counts when you give a quilt as a gift: that it is used and appreciated. I do miss her but know she is enjoying the college life. Except for the work. Isn’t that why they are there?

     I have finished one piece this weekend and am working on another for you tomorrow. I have questions about showing you a piece I may submit to a quilt show so must reconcile that before I post. I am just figuring out what is appropriate to post and not. If anyone has any good references for that , let me know. Also, my class starts tomorrow night for photography. We will have a final project due so am really excited.
Knowing I have an audience is really motivating me to complete my work. Thanks for stopping in. Happy sewing my friends.