Alli's Needleworks

Closing sale

2011-10-12T07:24:00.000-06:00

WOW, yesterday was a super busy day! The first of our weeklong sale. There is still lots of patterns (quilting and Kwik Sew) left as well as fashion and quilting fabrics.

Our classroom tables and chairs as well as other furniture are available to take home with you.

Fabrics are 50-70% off as well as notions......buy 4 of the same thing and get 70% off. Otherwise notions are 50% off.

Will we see you today?

Needleworks is closing!!

2011-10-07T17:04:00.000-06:00

It has truly been an honour to operate Needleworks Sewing & Quilting for the past 6 years. I feel truly blessed!

As in all things, they come to an end and I will be retiring next week.

We will be having a closing sale Tuesday-Friday (October 11-14) from 2-8pm. All inventory is 50-70% off!

I will certainly miss my many students, customers and friends that I have been blessed to know. I will be taking a break from teaching for the fall and will probably start again in the new year. I'll be keeping the webpage, blog, facebook and email addresses open, so feel free to contact me in the new year if you are interested in hosting a class or want some help with your newest project.

Have a great fall!!!!!

Sale, Sale, Sale!!!!

2011-09-30T20:37:00.000-06:00

The entire store inventory is on sale!!!!

50% off

empty a bolt of fabirc and get 60% off!!!!!!

Last week of Summer KidSew Camps

2011-08-26T16:30:00.000-06:00

Its the end of summer already! Some classes are started the rest begin next Thursday. We have had a blast teaching KidSew classes all summer. I think we had children here every single afternoon all summer. So, there has been a lot of projects sewn.

This week we had two new young sewers. Its hard to believe that these girls are just 7 years old. They started the week with pillows with their initials appliqued. They also sewed little zippered bags and finished the week with Reversible Aprons. Well done girls!!!! Look closely, they are twins!!

Kyra completed her apron she started last week.

Alexa dropped in and sewed a bag.

Well done girls!!!!!

Super Sized 9-patch quilt done

2011-08-25T11:31:00.001-06:00

We received word early this morning that the mother of a friend at church had passed away. We knew both daughter and mother. In fact, they usually sat right in front of us each week and we had many opportunities to chat. Marie will be missed!

I had a very strong need to make something this morning when I came to the store. I decided on a cuddle quilt for Fay (daughter). We had some lovely floral fabric in stock and I felt it was perfect as a memory of this lovely "proper" lady.

I used the basic instructions from Anita Grossman Solomon's article from Quiltmaker 2006 and made my starting fabric 58" instead of 36". Here is my completed quilt. 2 1/2 hours start to finish ain't too bad!!!! I again did the full machine stitched binding. I realized while I was sewing that I had problems with yesterday's Sylvan Shades quilt because I had cut the binding strips from the straight of grain. The fabric didn't have any give and I ended up with a few wrinkles. Crosswise strips for the binding is way better!

The cutting method makes it easy to cut and sew 3 quilts at once. Choose 3 complementary fabrics. Cut each according to the instructions, re-arrange and sew them into a 9-patch quilt. The following pictures are a quarter of what the other 2 quilts will look like. I'll put these aside for now and concentrate on the necessary projects first.

Here's a close-up of the quilting in the border. This is curretly my favourite feather border pattern. A simple free form with a meandering spine. This involves absolutely no thinking!!!! I can just listen to music and let myself go!

Its hard to see, but I quilted simple flowers and leaves in the centre panel. This quilting is just to hold the layers together. I could have done anything. On the other quilts I'll have a large green and large pink panel to quilt and will do the feathers there.

We'll miss you Marie, but you are now home!

New Sylvan Shades quilt done!

2011-08-24T09:41:00.001-06:00

The last and sometimes worst part of quilt making is the binding. I usually enjoy the process of sitting with my feet up and hand stitching the binding to the back of the quilt. No matter how I try, this is not something I can rush through. I have a quilt at home beside my chair thats been sitting untouched for almost 3 weeks waiting for the final hand stitching. Unfortunately, I have been way too tired lately and the thought of picking up the quilt and hand stitching has been too much for me. Maybe the need for new glasses is part of it too. I just had an eye exam and desperately need a new prescription, especially the bi-focals!!!!

So, this morning I got dropped off early at the store and after looking at the Sylvan Shades quilt for a few weeks pinned to the wall, decided to just sit down and do it! This time I stitched the binding to the back side of the quilt, folded it forward and machine stitched! Its done.......

Step 1 is to cut the binding a bit wider than normal. I usually sew a double fold binding and cut my fabric strips 6 times the width of my presser foot. I never do a 1/4" seam allowance on binding. I put on my regular sewing foot which measures 3/8". 6 times 3/8" is 2 1/4", for the machine stitched binding I cut 2 3/4" wide strips. I sew them together with diagonal seams, press the seams open and fold in half lengthwise. with wrong sides together.

(disclaimer!) Not very good pictures, but I think you'll get the idea - I sew the binding to the BACK side of the quilt is my usual manner.

I press the binding away from the seam using a bit of steam.

I fold the binding to the right side of the quilt. Because I cut the binding strips a bit wider than usual, the binding easily covers the seam on the front side of the quilt. Pin in place.

I move my needle over a bit and stitch close to the edge of the binding.

Here are some close-ups of the comleted quilt. It still needs to be blocked, but that will get done at home.

The back view is always a surprise. In this case, I like it.

I quilted with the same Wonderifl Mirage thread (rayon) in the needle and bobbin. No marking. I love that. So I used the blocks on the quilt to determine where and how I would quilt.

This is the 2nd quilt I have sewn using my new Sylvan Shades quilt. The pattern features blocks in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10". The larger the blocks, the bigger the quilt. This red and black one used 4" blocks and measures approximately 44" square. The purple/green one used the 6" blocks and measures approx 66" square. Love these quilts. They are easy to sew and the pattern includes detailed instructions for mitered borders.

check the pattern on the web site.

Blouse/Shirt class

2011-08-13T17:13:00.000-06:00

I had the priviledge of teaching a group of ladies this week to make well fitting blouses or shirts. We started on Tuesday evening by measuring and tracing the correct size pattern. We then pin fitted the pattern and made all the necessary alterations. We cut and sewed for two nights. Here is Lynn's completed blouse. We had a few others that are very close, but they were a little shy to show off the un-finished projects.

Phoebe's Tree Quilt - part 2

2011-08-12T17:12:00.000-06:00

Wow, this quilt is really coming along. Yesterday we got the leaves on the quilt. They are fused down, but not yet stitched.

Today was border day. We decided to add an inner border or zinger to the quilt, This would make it a bit bigger as well as help to frame the centre panel. Phoebe used the same fabric as the tree trunk.

Next was the outer border. A Piano Key border using all the leaf fabrics. Phoebe decided not to use the bird fabric as it really jumped out in the border, she felt is was just too ight. We started by sewing strips of fabric together into sets of 6. We cut them the width of the border and sewed the units together.

The border went on like a dream. Phoebe is off next week for a visit out of town, so I expect to see her the week after. Her homework is to add more leaves and stitch them. We have been discussing the idea of adding a few leaves at the bottom and putting a little birdie down there!

Phoebe's Tree Quilt

2011-08-10T15:45:00.000-06:00

What do you tell a young sewer when she wants to make a bed size quilt and has never quilted before? "Of course you can make a quilt. I'll help you!" Phoebe is 11 almost 12 (in 8 days) and has been sewing at Needleworks for a few years. She is a very independant sewer and when she showed me picture of a quilt on her Iphone, we started designing.

The first picture is her line drawing. Its to scale (35 x 70"). We then taped up lengths of fusible web and traced the tree.

We then press the fusible web to the back of the trunk fabric, cut it out and pressed it into position on the background fabric.

Next step was to add some birds to the branches. These are all zig zag appliqued in place.

Next up are a scattering of leaves!

Wednesday's sewing

2011-08-03T12:41:00.001-06:00

Kelsey finished the outfit for her MapleLea doll. She cones complete with a sun dress, hat and purse.

this week's kidsew camp

2011-08-02T16:02:00.000-06:00

Lots of sewing today.

Kenzie stitched an applique wall hanging.

Brenna pressed her blocks. They are half done for her log cabin quilt.

Sharlotte was busy sewing disappearing 9-patch blocks in black and white. She was head down for 2 1/2 hours this afternoon!

Alexa is so closed to finishing her quilt! A few more lines of quilting and then we'll trim and sew on the binding tomorrow.

Kelsie is busy reading instructions and sewing an outfit for her American Girl Doll.

Rachel sewed a Winter Dress for her Maplelea doll. Tomorrow I think she is sewing a bag.

This week's sewing

2011-07-28T16:22:00.000-06:00

Another super sewing week for the Kids! Keira came in last week and sewed a dress for her Maplelea Girl. She did a super job! Then she decided she wanted to sew a quilt. Here it is!!!! I don't need to say anything more about the proud smile do I?

Kenzie started the week with a Quillow. A quillow is a quilt inside a pillow. We have the kids stitch a reversible applique pattern of their choice and make a pillow. Then we use fleece and make a blanket. We put the two together to make a Quilllow. Hemming stretchy fleece is a challenge. Kenzie did very well. She started today on an wall hanging with her name appliqued on it. We'll show that off tomorrow!!!

Victoria is another beginner sewer this summer. Last week a pillow and purse were sewn. This week....pants with pockets, elastic and drawstring in the waist and contrast trim at the waist and pant hems. Super job!!!!

We had an evening adult class this week as well. Here's Lotties Simply Strips quilt. Two of 6 blocks to sew.....

....and Alice's blocks look so very different.

I got the borders on my Simply Strips quilt yesterday. Got is layered today and am going to start quilting in tomorrow. I'll show it off when its done. This post is for student show and tell!

Any comments posted will be forwarded to the students.

9-patch gone mad!

2011-07-21T09:57:00.000-06:00

During the last year we have had number of classes on the Disappearing 9-Patch block. We have the instructors sample in black, white and red FQ on display. One of our staff stitched up another quilt with yardage and 4 fabrics. Many customers couldn't see that they were the same quilt. Also, we were often asked for the pattern and would down load instructions from the Internet and then sit down and work out fabric requirements!!!!

I have been blessed by both parents with most of their good genes.....My dad and I can talk on the phone and doodle a design for furniture and when we look at each others drawings, they are the same. He and I can see the vision. Don't tell us, show us and we've got it. My mum is persistent in her creativity. She works diligently until the job is done. She needs the words and the pictures to understand something, but when she gets it there is no stopping her. With many quilts and blocks I just have to look at them to figure out how to make the block/quilt. Many people can't do that. I think that is one reason I love to teach. I love to help students work things out and teach them tricks and tips to success.

This got me thinking one day. Why not write patterns for these quilts? Why not write them as separate patterns? ......and now I am pleased to report that 4 of 6 patterns are ready to go! The patterns use 2, 3, and 4 fabrics in yardage as well as Fat Quarters. I have included fabric requirements, cutting and sewing instructions for 4 sizes.

They are available for sale on the website. I can either snail mail you a copy or e-mail a PDF so you can print your own or you can visit the store.

Next up are the Log Cabin Quilts. We have almost ready to go.....but that will have to be next week.

Applique Your Way.

2011-07-13T23:16:00.000-06:00

Just finished a class on machine applique. Its so much fun to teach students who are willing to try something new. The students learned to use paper backed fusible web and freezer paper applique. I am so glad the huge roll of Misty Fuse arrived today.

Name those quilts

2011-07-06T18:33:00.000-06:00

I have a number of quilt patterns that are complete, except for the names. I don't like naming quilt patterns with very specific names because I feel that may influence the quilt maker and affect the choices of fabrics they choose.

Send in the names....I am sure your brains are much fresher than mine!!!!

See how they sew!!!!

2011-07-06T08:38:00.000-06:00

Summer is here and we've started with our KidSew Summer Camps. Here are some of the pillows the girls made in the last few days.

A couple have stayed for the afternoon open sew times and continued sewing. The girls designed, appliqued, sewed and stuffed Crabbie and Piggie. Good Job Girls.

In the evening we had a group of adult new sewers. These ladies sewed pillows and learned how to use the decorative stitches on their sewing machines. They also learned how to sew buttonholes. They plan to sew more pillows to practice their skills.

note to self.....pictures

2011-07-01T09:21:00.001-06:00

I sat down with a great plan to show you the pictures of the mystery quilt for 2011 at Western Retreat. I have a picture of my quilt. This was all squares and rectangles. I read the instructions a bit wrong.....I am very visual and don't read until the pictures don't make sense!!!! But my quilt eventually turned out like it was supposed to. I hope to add a border and get it finished before next year's retreat!!!!!

The only problem was that I took a picture of the other 4 quilts that were done. I thought I would crop the picture into 4 images for a better visual. Yep, I cropped and saved the first picture....saved it over the original!!! So, unless I still have the pictures on my camera (I usually delete the pictures from the camera when I download them) or can find someone who has the pictures and can send them to me....I am out of luck.

Here is Pjam's quilt. She designed it.

I want to spend some time this weekend adding photos to the web site and the blog. I have tonnes of pictures of student work and samples, but never have the time to actually sit down and do some of this work.

Western Retreat 2011

2011-06-20T17:38:00.000-06:00

What do you get when you put 37 women from Western Canada and the US together in a large room? A lot of fun, productive sewing and great fund raising!

The last few years we have undertaken a fund raising silent auction. Retreaters donate items and we bid. Some raise a few dollars, and others much, much more. Who could imagine that a box of home made shortbread would go for $35! Contratulations to Joan. I brought home a rechargable Ott Light. Deb/Flossy has done a super job getting us organized. We even auctioned off a quilt. More on that later. Here is Deb telling Chantal (camp staff) about the $800+ that was raised to send some local kids to camp this summer.

Shari went to town to get a part for her ancient Bernina Sewing machine. She came back with a brand new Janome sewing machine. Here she is busy sewing up a storm. And the two results of the work she did this weekend....all on her new machine!!!!

It was suggested shortly after the fire at Slave Lake in May that we should put some time aside during the weekend to make a few quilts for those who lost everything in the fire. Debbie lives in Athabasca, a community that looked after a number of those who were evacuated and she told us she could make sure they went to the right place. The ladies from the Vancouver area brought a pile and together we donated over 55 quilts in various sizes.

We had a great weekend as usual with late nights, early mornings, great food and tonnes of snacks. We laughed and sewed and created. Can't wait for next year! Thanks gals for a great time.

Quilting retreat

2011-06-16T21:34:00.000-06:00

I am away this weekend at Sylvan Lake for a quilting weekend. The only problem is that i twisted my foot when I was unloading the car. I sprain my ankles on a regular basis, but this time I can't bare any weight on my foot. The staff at the retreat facility found me some crutches. I haven't used crutches in years. Its very hard work on the stairs! I have a lovely great swollen lump on the top of my foot. So I have gone to bed early and we'll see how things are in the morning. Bad thing is that its my sewing foot, good thing is its not my driving foot so I can get to a walk-in clinic in the morning.

My weekend won't be as much fun as I had planned, but I may get a badly needed rest!

Quilt show

2011-06-11T07:56:00.000-06:00

Today is the Airdrie & District Quilt Guild Show. We spent yesterday afternoon setting up our merchant booth. Come visit and see all the great quilts.

Show and Tell

2011-06-08T21:14:00.001-06:00

Its show and tell day. Here are a few photos!

We'll start with Andrea's ruffle skirt! She worked very hard on this skirt and is very proud of herself.

Amy came in a few weeks ago with a pillow she had bought. We looked closely and figured out how to make the pattern and the pillow. She is also showing off that she can do the splits!!!!

Mekenna did an excellent job sewing this ruffle top. Its from the same KiwkSew pattern as Andrea's Skirt.

Rachel finished her fleece jacket. I think she's a little proud. Best yet, she only sewed the zipper once. She didn't need to un-pick it at all.

Peyton is showing off her quilt she made at 4H. It will be on display at the Airdrie and District Quilt Guild show this weekend. The show is at the Nose Creek Valley Museum on Main Street.

I am so proud of these girls and their accomplishments.

And tonight we learn all about the Wonderfil line of threads from Patricia. Can't wait!

Sale, Sale, Sale

2011-06-04T17:07:00.003-06:00

I guess when I give staff responsibility (and authority), they get carried away! We were the start today for a Mystery Quilt School Bus Trip. 23 quilters were here bright and early for a full day of shop visits. Pat suggested a couple of weeks ago that we should have a sale and encourage those quilters to spend their money at Needleworks before they went anywhere else. I said, "go ahead"...and she DID!!!!

So the whole store was on sale today. 30-75% off fabrics, notions, patterns, magazines, you name it! We have had a very busy day. Today Pat is my favourite employee!

But, better than a sale.....I had two new KidSewers. Marissa and Katelyn came and tried sewing today and next week. Today, they sewed journal covers. I have a video of Marissa. She has already mastered the skills of hand positioning, making sure the bunny is up and cutting the thread.

We are now tired and just waiting for the bus ladies to come back and spend any of their few remaining pennies!

Today's To Do list

2011-05-31T11:38:00.000-06:00

The day started so well.....I got out of bed! I decided to take the bus to work instead of getting a ride at 7am. As I was leaving the house at 9am I realized I had left my keys at the store yesterday, so would have to hop off the bus to walk a block to Arla's to borrow her keys. Roy (our tenant) drove up and offered me a ride. So, I got to work earlier than planned, but not at 7am!!!!

Worked on the quilt for Louise's Hawaiin quilt. A few more blocks to go then I can start the border. This one is turning out to be a lot of fun to quilt except my markings aren't staying on the quilt long enough to quilt the lines. A quick one-step method is turning into 2 and 3 steps. Will work on it more once I am not in the store on my own. Can't quilt and listen for the door at the same time.

Write a blog......working on it! I want to include photos of the Quilt show at Heritage park this past weekend, but that will have to wait till later or another day.

Beverly picked up her quilt. She is NOT a quilter and had us do the binding for her as well. I think this non-quilter needs to re-consider her status. I used Wonderfil Tutti thread and quilted feathers diagonally in the blocks and in the border. A quilt with instant satisfaction.

I have finished writing and editing the pattern fo the Scrap the Kids Mystery Quilt Bus Trip on Saturday. Terri is organizing this School Bus jaunt and they leave from here (Needleworks) at 8:30am for a full day of visiting quilt shops and picking up FQs to use in a quilt. The plan is for everyone to turn their FQs into quilts for the Alberta Children's Hospital. I think the pattern is super easy and should sew up great! I'll post photos of my attempt later.

Next on my to-do list today is pink saddle bag covers for the above mentioned Roy. He is part of a motorcycle group who provide support and security for Breast Cancer Fund Raising events. They call themselves "BOOBS ON BIKES". So, I'm heading off to the sewing machine and lots of pink fabric. If his turn out well, I may be flooded with orders!

Off to cut and sew "boob covers"!

sewday

2011-05-22T09:27:00.000-06:00

I had a great day yesterday at a sew day with some quilting buddies. I cut and sewed scraps for a scrap quilt. I will probably get it done in the next week or so and donate it to the Slave Lake fire relief. Still having trouble coming to terms with half a town burning down last weekend. Very scary. I don't have a picture of the quilt so far. I am testing the pattern for a mystery bus trip in June.

things I learned today

2011-05-11T09:40:00.000-06:00

so far today.....

getting up and going to work early doesn't mean I am going to get more work done! I have puttered for the last 1 1/2 hours and don't feel that I have accomplised anything.
layering a large quilt by myself doesn't save any time when I get lots of wrinkles!!!! Better to wait till staff come in and we can do it with 4 hands instead of 2!
layering a large quilt by myself can be messy......just dropped the can of 505 on the floor (it was quite full) and the nozzle broke off. I tried to hold the nozzle on the can top and use it, now I have glue all over my fingers!

Hope everyone else's day is better than mine!!!!

Oh, I have paid a bill this morning!!!!!

Quilt Camp

2011-05-03T18:27:00.000-06:00

What is better than a week away from the regular schedule of life to sew, eat, sew, sleep, sew, laugh? I am currently away at Quilt Camp. This is a regular event that happens in the spring and the fall each year. This is our 20th camp! I haven't been to all, but I have tried to come at least once each year.

This year I have some patterns and class samples to sew as well as a few blouses that I want to cut out and get ready to sew. If I sew the blouses, yeah! if not, no problems.

So this week (it is Tuesday supper and we arrived in time for Sunday supper) I have accomplished the following!

I've sewn a sample for a new pattern. The working title is "in the shade". The quilting on the border needs to be completed.....Quilting red thread on red fabric at 10pm is not the best thing for great sewing! I wrote the pattern instructions as I worked on the quilt and spent some time editing before starting the 2nd quilt.

I sewed a 2nd sample for the new pattern. This is using a 6" block., The first was with 4" blocks. The plan is for quilts using 2", 4", 6", 8" and 10" blocks. The top is done. I may layer it and get the binding ready this week, but I am happy with the work done.

I have been for two 30 minute walks and drunk lots of water!!!!! I have finished reading a book, and started a 2nd one. I watched our federal election results and cheered and jeered with everyone as the results came in. I've kept up to date with the world news through BBC on my lap top!

So, here are some pictures of our work space. We set up the tables in groupings and it is amazing the wonderful new friends you make each time, 'cause we often sit with new people.

This is my work space. Computer, sewing machine, cutting area, and huge suitcase with all my projects.

We take over dining tables to layer quilts.

We take advantage of the mezzanine and hang our completed quilts from the railings for everyone to see and admire. Wait till the end of the week. All the railings will be covered.

We have set up pressing stations and also use them to layout blocks and stand and visit!

More pictures and fun to show later!

New Rulers

2011-04-25T16:10:00.001-06:00

Wow, just received some new rotary cutting rulers at the store. They sharpen the rotary cutting blades as you cut! We've opened them up and tried one. I think I may like these. Here are a couple of links about The Cutting Edge Rulers.

Pat Sloan and the Cutting Edge Rulers

cutting edge ruler review

2 hour shirt, applique quilt

2011-04-21T14:18:00.000-06:00

I am very pleased to report that I sewed a blouse for myself this morning in 2 (count 'em 2) hours! I got to work just before 8am. I had pulled a Kwik Sew pattern from the cabinet yesterday and had my eye on some fabric as well.

- 8am - trace pattern and cut out paper

- 8:15am - make pattern changes - take in shoulders and add 5cm to the length.

- 8:25am - lay out pattern and cut fabric (the worst part)

- 8:25am - mark darts and sew

- 8:45am - fuse interfacing to collar and front facing

- 8:55am - sew collar, turn and press

- 9:05am - thread serger and sew shoulder seams

- 9:15am - sew collar to neckline and serge seam

- 9:25am - sew sleeve to armhole and serge seam

- 9:30am - serge bottom of sleeves, turn hem and press

- 9:35am - sew side and underarm seams

- 9:40am - serge bottom edge, turn up hem and stitch

- 9:45am - mark and sew buttonholes

- 9:55am - sew buttons on, fray block buttonholes and buttons, let dry, cut buttonholes!!!!!

The blouse fits quite well. Just need to make a few slight changes to the pattern . Add a little room at the waist and hips and a little more to the sleeve. I am glad I lengthen the pattern the 5 cm (2")! It would have been a belly bearing top!!!

I always find the "prep" the most challenging. I love to sew, and have always thought that finding someone to do all my pattern prep and cutting while I did the sewing would be a perfect partnership! Any takers?

I have 4 lengths of fabric at home that are washed and ready to go! So, I hope to take some time on Friday and Saturday and get some cutting and sewing done.

Next up is a pair of jeans - my already altered pattern no longer fits - middle age spread, as well as a skirt or two. I also have some fabric ready for a jean jacket. Ok, limit myself to one thing at a time. As usual I make wonderful plans, but always get overwhelmed and don't do anything at all.

AND I have started quilting my daughter's wedding quilt. I promise to have it finished in time for their 6th anniversary!

Next up today is choosing fabrics and getting things ready for a butterfly applique quilt. I am hoping to make this a pattern for this spring's Fesitval of Quilts at Heritage Park.

Busy Week

2011-04-13T10:43:00.000-06:00

Since I seem to only post once or twice a week, I seem to try to get lots in each post. Here we go!

I (we, Needleworks) is hosting a Creative Kids Challenge at the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts at the end of May. I received word yesterday that we have 10 (count them 10) entries for the Challenge. I am very excited that I am able to partner with the Festival in this way. Since we do lots of KidSew classes each week, we are thrilled that we can be part of this initiative to get kids in Calgary sewing! If you live in the area, make sure you find the display and vote for your favorite! I am glad that I can't vote, it would be an unbelievably difficult choice.

I am teaching a class on Saturday - Thread Lace Scarf. Sewn completely on the sewing machine using a variety of threads. These silly things have become addictive. Here are some of my latest creations! If you are interested give the store a call (403-210-2883).

I belong to Alberta Handicrafts Guild in Calgary. On Monday we had the reveal of our winter Mystery Quilt. We had 49 people sign up and had show and tell this week. I am ashamed to say that my quilt is a collection of a few pieces of fabric in a box.....not a completed quilt! Here are some pictures of the completed quilts. I am now motivated to work on my quilt.

Yesterday's post - correction, Machine Saga.

2011-04-07T12:25:00.000-06:00

Well, I was quickly corrected last night! Rachel's doll is a Maplelea Doll, not an American Girl Doll! Her name is Taryn. I am amazed by these girls and the attachment they have to their dolls. Each has her own name and personality.

all you want to know about Maplelea Girls

Today, I am nursing my HQ16. It isn't working as well as it should and I am really behind in my quilting. A huge sorry to my customers. It can't be helped. Arla is very patiently unpicking a lovely puppy dog quilt. The puppies looked beautiful on the right side of the quilt, but the back was TERRIBLE!!!!

I have been quilting on the Elna 740 we have in the store. It is a lovely machine, but Miss Lead-Foot here misses the speed and visibility of her Handiquilter. The Elna 740 is very much quieter and stitches beautifully. Hopefully Marge won't notice that it wasn't quilted on the HQ16. I am very glad that I sit and quilt and don't have a longarm on a frame. I can still get some work done even when the machine is being made better!!!!

Great Day

2011-04-06T18:17:00.000-06:00

Last week we filled the store with 13 KidSew classes for over 78 children in our classroom! Many of the sewers came for more that one session, some for 4, 5 and 6 sessions. We had a blast and I need to post some pictures of a few things that were accomplished.

This afternoon (since 4:15pm) I have been listening to the group of girls chatting about everything under the sun as they sew and create! I love my job!

So, here is the rundown of who's who and what they did.....Rachel helping Logan thread a needle to sew her buttons on her pillow.

Rachel sewed two complete outfit for her American Girl Doll. She is all ready for the trip to Mexico!

Monday night I counted wrong and we had 8 girls in to sew and laugh! It was a tight squeeze, but we had fun and we did sew.

Kaitlyn sewed two little bags.

Isabella finished her Binder cover and sewed a stuff bag. Why is it called a stuff bag? You put stuff in it!

Elizabeth sewed pj pants and Nicole made sure she finised her night shirt in time for her sleepover.

Ruffle bags!

Now I'm tired just looking at these pictures. But I am truly very proud of all their accomplishments!

Strip sets

2011-02-16T16:49:00.001-07:00

I've been experimenting with some strip sets.

it was a good week!

2011-02-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

This should have been posted 2 weeks ago. But I feel better today and more comfortable about letting my old phone service provider know how disapointed I am with them. I don't really know if they'll miss my little $ contribution each year.

The title of today' post should be in large block letters! This week started out so well, then yesterday it took a nose dive.

I recently (last week) changed the business phone system from one carrier to another. Better rates and service being the promised lure. I was assured that my 2 current email address would continue because I used them on my blackberry mobile phone. Guess what? I have lost my business address. Not such a big deal as earlier in the year I had created a gmail account and was using the needleworks.sewing @gmail.com address for most if not all my business. The problem showed up yesterday when I wanted to post to this blog. I use the old adddress to sign in. So, I spent the day on the phone calling one number after another. "I will give you a number to call and they can help you". I think I spoke to every single employee but one yesterday both in North America and Asia!

Somehow today I was able to sign in.......first thing I am doing is changing the email address. Lets see if I can get onto Facebook.

Happy Sewing!

Good Week so far - part 3

2011-01-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

6. DONE at 12:30pm - Layer a small quilt. Took a new selection of fabric (Nantucket Summer by Riley Blake designs) home last week and spent the weekend, especially last evening, sewing the quilt together. 3 strip mitered corners on the border. I am good!

7. HALF DONE at 4:20PM - Quilt above Nantucket Summer quilt, or at least start it!

In addition to my almost completed list, I ate lunch about lunch time!!!! Never do that. I usually have lunch (if I have it at all) on the way home or very late in the afternoon. Helped a brand new quilter choose her fabrics for the Quilter's Primer class on Wednesday. Placed a thread order after stocking the Wonderfil thread rack.

Wow, I am smoking today.....when will I crash!

Good Week so far......part 2

2011-01-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

5. DONE - Receive and price a large box of notions.....love new stuff. Especially books!!!!

Good Week so far

2011-01-31T10:25:00.002-07:00

Monday, 10am.....the day has just started. Actually I have been here at Needleworks for over 2 hours. I have gotten so much accomplished that I have to list them off. I also want to add to my list and see how many I can get checked off before the end of the day!

DONE - Re-connect the computer.....done, although it took almost an hour. I had an extra power cord and couldn't find what it connected to and I couldn't get an internet connection. Yep, they went together!
DONE - layered a very large quilt by myself. 98 x 102". The thread has been chosen, all I need to do it clear off the machine table and thread the machine and I am ready to go.
DONE -Looked after a consigment agreement that has been hanging over my head for the last few months.
layer another large quilt. Garden Path is the name of the quilt and I did some trapunto on it a few years ago. Now to clean that up and hopefully get it layered today.
DONE at 11:49am - Receive and price a large box of notions.....love new stuff. Especially books!!!!
DONE at 12:30pm - Layer a small quilt. Took a new selection of fabric (Nantucket Summer by Riley Blake designs) home last week and spent the weekend, especially last evening, sewing the quilt together. 3 strip mitered corners on the border. I am good!
HALF DONE at 4:20PM - Quilt above Nantucket Summer quilt, or at least start it!
Wash the floor....notice how far down it is on the list!

Springtime Row by Row - Spinning Pinwheels

2011-01-19T13:51:00.002-07:00

Nothing bugs me more than writing lots of really good information, only to either not save it properly or loise it somehow. I think I may need to take some computer courses!!!!

Well, onto the topic for this blog....the Springtime Row by Row from Needleworks. We have offered a few mysteries this past year that were well received, so I thought we woulkd try something a bit different. All the details can be found on the website. Every other week, I'll post a pictorial blog with directions for making the blocks in each row. Sometimes we just need a little extra visual help....here it is.

The first row is Spinning Pinwheels.

Make Half Square Trianlges with the larger dark and background squares.

Sew 1/4" on either side of the drawn line.

Cut the units apart on the drawn line. Open the unit and press the seam allowances to the darker of the two fabrics.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the larger medium fabric square. Place it right side facing on the Half Square Triangle. The drawn lines should be perpendiular to seam and the side corners should match the seam line.

Sew 1/4" on either side of the drawn line. Cut apart. Press the seam allowances to the "solid" unit.

Trim the blocks. The trick to trimming these half-quarter square triangles is to find the centre of the cut measurement. In this case, we want the units to measure 3 1/2" CUT. Half of 3 1/2" is 1 3/4". Have a close look at the 2nd photo....

The 1 3/4" line is right at the intersection of the 3 fabrics. The diagonal line of the ruler is on the long seam line. Trim carefully two sides of the unit. Rotate the unit and carefully measure and cut the remaining sides. Make sure the points of the triangles are right at the corners.

When you have pressed the units open you will notice that each pair is a mirror image. You will use one direction for one block and the other direction for the 2nd block.

Arrange the units for each block according to the pattern directions. Note the direction of each of the large triangles.

The pattern calls for 3 blocks with a dark centre and 2 blocks with a light centre.

Full pattern instructions are available from Needleworks. Enjoy.

Needleworks Boxing Week Sale!!!!

2010-12-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

I had such a good weekend! My daughter loved the art quilt I made of her husband. I told her I was going to have to take it back as I wasn't happy with how the wash away stabilizer washed out. I think I need to take a brush to it.

My husband and I did nothing all weekend!!!!! We did our traditional movie, chinese food and Christmas Eve Service on Friday. On Satuday I woke up early, and sat and knit for a couple of hours while watching a recorded "sing Along Messiah" on TV. Jerry finally woke up and fed me a wonderful breakfast. Then we just lazed around. Liz showed up around noon and we opened a few gifts. She headed down to the in-laws and we continued to laze the rest of the day away. We even went to bed early. And yesterday, we did the same thing!!!!! A perfect Christmas weekend.

Back to work today and I have decided to do a Boxing Week Sale....50% off everything (except machines and class registration). Thats my Christmas gift to you!!!!!

When we moved in October, I somehow lost half my mailing list. Don't know where the thing went....just have the names disappeared off the list. We are slowly building it up again.....if you want to be on the list, just go to the web site www.needleworks.org and find the newsletter link.

Its Christmas!!!!

2010-12-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

This year I haven't panicked once!!!!! I have kept all my gift giving super simple. The only challenge is my eldest daughter. She works in retail at a large shopping mall and picks up whatever she needs. So there is a very strong need to be creative with any gifts I give her! I thought of making a quilt....actually finishing a lone star she started a few years ago....but since I haven't finished her wedding quilt from 5 years ago, didn't think that was appropriate. My goal for the wedding quilt is their 5 1/2 year anniversary at the end of January!!!! So, what do I do for my favourite eldest daughter as a gift for Christmas?????

I must start by saying that I love the Quilting Arts Magazines and other publications from Interweave. www.interweave.com I watch Quilting Arts TV whenever I remember and always see something that I would like to try. So, I have!!!!! The following are some pictures of the process of some "art" for my daughter.

Start with a picture of a handsome gentleman (her hubby)!

Change the photo to a black and white line drawing....this is a step that I want to explore and work on some more...the process was very difficult and time consuming. There has to be an easier way....

Print the drawing onto wash away stabilizer.

Prepare and quilt a fabric and batting sandwhich. Position the stabilizer on the quilt and stitch on all the lines. The front side of the quilt with stabilizer.

The back of the quilt showing the thread work. I emptied some bobbins. I quilted the sandwich with matching thread and then used a very dark green to stitch on the lines.

Remove the excess paper and wash away the stabilizer caught in the stitches.

The quilt is still wet and the remaining stabilizer doesn't show.

The dry quilt shows the stabilizer left behind in the fabric. I need to rinse this more in warm/hot water to get all the stabilizer removed.

Trim, bind and wrap!!!!!

My sister's 50th birthday is soon......can I find a good family picture?

Christmas Projects

2010-12-16T16:21:00.002-07:00

I don't have many Christmas projects this year. We seem to have done a lot of gift cards....cheating I know, but it sure does save some time. I did put some thought into where I would get the gift cards from!

I have one quilt that I need to layer and quilt and bind. I'll get it started tomorrow when I come into work. It is a scrappy Disappearing 9-Patch made with leftover hand dyed fabrics in shades of green, yellow, blue and purple. Very masculine. Which is a good thing, since it is for a guy!

We have been busy at Needleworks helping our KidSew kids stitch some great gift projects. We had a little one in with her Mum this week. Rachel finished her project and while she waited for Mum, she made something for herself.

Here is a very short video! I just wanted to highlight her focus and understanding of the sewing process....plus, its my very first posted video!

They're Here!!!!! They're Here!!!!!

2010-11-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

After a lot of thought and planning, we have finally ordered and received our sewing machines. I am now a sewing machine dealer!!!!! Needleworks is selling Elna Sewing Machines and Sergers. We will have a birthday party to celebrate 5 years in business and launch our new machines!!!!!

You are invited to join us from 6-8pm for some birthday cake and coffe (or tea), see our new machines and get some great deals on fabrics, patterns etc.

See you then!

Quilt Camp

2010-11-07T20:16:00.008-07:00

I am a very fortunate quilter. I belong to a great group in Calgary, Alberta Handicrafts Guild - Quilters. We meet weekly and have lots of opportunty to show and share our quilts. We offer lots of demos and classes for our members and also have brought in quilters from near and far for interesting talks and classes. This guild also has 2 wonderful retreats each year.

I just got back from a week of quilting at Sylvan Lake! Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon spent quilting, eating and visiting is a great way to spend a week's vacation.

I did a lot of sewing, eating and visiting. I was fortunate to have my Mum visiting (she comes with me every fall) and my daughter, Liz came for the day on Tuesday. Liz started and even completed a baby quilt. She arrived shortly after breakfast, sewed all day and left after supper when the hand stitching on the binding was done. She is going to try to come with me in the spring, even for a few days.

I did some sewing too! One of the projects I started was the Swirl by Cheryl Phillips. The pattern is a jewel box companion pattern using Gems Five & Ten. The top is done, but since I didn't think I would get so far, didn't bring any backing or batting. This easy quilt is 45". I think this will make a great class. There are some tips and tricks that I can show students to guarantee success!

In addition to the Swirl, I sewed....

Woven hexagons (small top completed, blocks for larger sample sewn)
Quilted Camera Bag
Quilted Toiletry Bag
Friendship blocks to be turned in a Guild meeting on Monday
I completed the top for my daughter's wedding quilt. Yep, its a little late but I am really hoping I can finish the quilting in time for their 5 1/2 year anniversary in January!
Sewed the blocks for Needleworks' Christmas Mystery Quilt (see previous post)http://alli-needleworks.blogspot.com/2010/10/christmas-mystery-quilt-step-1.html

Christmas Mystery Quilt - Step 3

2010-11-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

By the end of Step 3, all the blocks should be complete.

In my sample, I have used a cream tone-on-tone for the light fabric. A red tone-on-tone for the medium-dark and the green tone-on-tone for the dark fabric.

Step 2 gives instructions for marking and sewing connector corners. Here is a short cut....lay a piece of masking tape on your sewing machine table from just in front of the needle straight out. Use the straight line of the masking tape as a guide to sew from one corner to the other diagonally without any marking. This will save you LOTS of time.

Block A: light on dark - opposite corners

Block B: medium on dark - opposite corners

Block C: dark on medium - opposite corners

Block D: light on medium - same sides

Block E: light on dark - same sides
Block F: medium (left) and dark (right) on light - same sides
Block G: medium (right) and dark (left) on light - same sides
Block H: 2 medium (left) and 2 dark (right) on light - same sides

Block I: solid dark
Block J: solid medium

Christmas Mystery Quilt - Step 2

2010-10-29T16:11:00.001-06:00

Step 2 - connector corners.

These are the easiest way of making triangles.

Start with two sizes of squares. Think in terms of background (large square) and triangle (small square).

Draw a line diagnonally on the back of the small square.

Place the two squares right sides together with the outside edges matching. Sew on the drawn line.

Fold the corner of the small square to the outside edge. Press.

If the small square (connector corner-triangle) shows on the back side of the block, trim it even with the large square

To reduce the bulk, trim away the extra of the large square and the connector (small) square

To add a 2nd connector corner to the large square, repeat the above steps for the first corner.

Make blocks A-H following the instructions in Step 2 and Step 3

Christmas Mystery Quilt - Step 1

2010-10-22T18:51:00.004-06:00

Needleworks is offering Christmas Mystery Quilt. Steps 1-6 will be available every Saturday. The last step will be ready for pick up on November 20. Show us your completed quilt by December 4 and enter a draw for $75 Gift Certificate!

I have never done a blog tutorial, so thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to try one. Please bear with me!!!!!

Step 1: Choose your fabrics and cut the pieces

My Fabric Choices

Light: off white tone on tone print
Medium/Dark: Red tone on tone print
Dark: Green tone on tone print

I chose tone on tone prints instead of solids or larger scale prints so that the pattern would show a bit better. I have an advantage over you, I know what the finished table runner/wall hanging will look like!!!!

My first test of the pattern was done with white, grey and black. I think it is very striking. I am doing this next one with traditional Christmas colours. The only reason it is called a "Christmas Mystery Quilt" is that it will be done in time for Christmas!!!

I would love to see someone reverse the values of the three fabrics and use a dark instead of the light and a couple of lighter values for the medium and dark.

I have cut my strips for borders and binding and the large and small squares. Sorry for the sunshine streak across the picture.

Next is .........

Pants done!

2010-10-22T09:56:00.000-06:00

I know that a while ago....so long now that I almost forgot about it...I posted that I wanted to sew myself some more clothes. Well I did! I sewed two pair of pants on the weekend. One, not worth wearing in public was a reminder that I need to sew trousers with non-stretch fabric or not allow so much ease in the pattern. The 2nd pair are good and worth wearing more than once. Now I need to be patient for that new fabric coming in and sew up a few more pairs.

I did have a blouse cut out before the move. Where did that go? Probably in my new storage unit (a.k.a. the garage) in one of the million bankers boxes we used. Hopefully the weather will be nice this weekend, so that I can spend a bit of time in there sorting things around and moving them into the basement.....oh, wait. Before I move anything into the basement, maybe I should clean that up too!!!! Does the state of my house reflect the state of my mind? I hope not!!!!!

I am going to try posting a tutorial for the Christmas Mystery Quilt. I'll start working on one today and take pictures of the steps. Personally, I think it is a really cool design, but you can be the judge of that!

The store is about to open. I need to vacuum and wash the floor and get ready for my day.

Long Time......

2010-10-15T09:52:00.000-06:00

So, with all the upheaval in my life in the past few months, I have finally figured out my password to the blog. I have written it down. Hopefully somewhere safe!!!!

Last post was in July. Now its October and the snow is falling. I really need to listen to a weather report when I get dressed in the morning. I am wearing a skirt, with bare legs and sandles!!! It is beautiful outside with the lovely fat flakes falling , but I am not ready for the snow. I was asked this morning to participate in a group at Church. We will be planning for Christmas activities! So, I guess it is that time of the year.

With the recent move of the store to new digs (6219 Centre Street N) I haven't done much in the way of quilting. I have pieced the sample for a Mystery Quilt we are offering, but can't show anything more than a picture of the border! http://needleworks.org/mystery_quilt.htm For those who are interested, it starts this Saturday, October 16 and a new step will be available every 2nd Saturday till the end of November. The supplies call for a light, medium/dark and a dark fabric. I am doing my sample in white, dark grey and black. I think it looks good. I have called it a Christmas Mystery thinking that some will want to do it in Christmas colours. The original drawings had white, red and green colours. I think that looks good too. I am wondering if any out of towners would be interested in this Mystery as well. It might be interesting to see if anyone wants me to send them the PDF file to give the quilt a try.

Our new store is shaping up. We are waiting for some more fabric to arrive as well as a few more fixtures (shelves) to be built, but we are up and running. We are still "tweaking" the classroom to see where things go and what we don't need to store here. My garage is over full!!! But we are seeing what we can leave at home and bring in as we need. There is no need to pay rent on storage space if I have an almost empty garage.

We are finding this a busier mall. We have a lot more foot traffic than we did at the old place and the parking lot is easier to get into. It did feel much bigger, but now that we have quilts up on the wall, the space is nice and cozy!

We are having a draw for two $50 gift certificates from Needleworks. Drop by, enter the draw and wait for my phone call at the end of the Month! Also, we have put red dots on our older quilting inventory. 25% off or 35% off if you empty the bolt! So, the savings have travelled with us!

Now, if I can remember where I wrote everything down, I will be back with some pictures and more news.

unsuccessful quilting

2010-07-26T14:57:00.000-06:00

My goal for this week is to quilt 2 quilts. Not too difficult. Yeah.

I have layered and started 2 quilts today. The first one, I have had to unpick almost all of my quilting and I now think I should undo it all......So, after an hour of swearing at myself for not taking the time to decide what I am going to do BEFORE I start stitching....I begin the 2nd quilt. Same thing. Quilting for 20 minutes and now I don't like it!

So, I am drowning my sorrows with a class of water, a banana and some computer time. May be in a half hour I'll want to go and un-stitch some more!

My Niece, the Quilter!

2010-07-23T12:36:00.000-06:00

The next generation......last week I posted pictures of our KidSew Wonky Squares Quilt Camp. This week its my niece Stephanie. MyMum has been helping her to get started on quilting. I think she is a natural and I can't wait to see the finished quilt.

KidSew Wonky Squares Quilts

2010-07-16T15:42:00.002-06:00

As one Dad commented when he came to pick up his daughter, "When I drove up the girls were doing their quilts outside....They looked like a group of old ladies quilting". My comment...."whats wrong with that?"

I don't think everyone is as lucky as I am to say that I LOVE MY JOB! I really do. What can be wrong with helping a group of kids create? We have sewn pillows, jackets, dresses, and quilts in the past 2 weeks. Next week I get to help some others be creative without any sewing machines....We have called the class "creative week". We'll dye fabric, paint fabric, make fabric and clay buttons and beads and maybe do something with them by the end of the week, or just sit and admire our work!

These girls did a super job! I am so very proud of them!

KidSew Wonky Squares Quilt

2010-07-15T16:51:00.003-06:00

Well, here are some promised pictures of our Class this week.

you have to turn sideways to see Rachel working!!!

I'm back!!!!

2010-07-15T09:23:00.000-06:00

I think the trick to these blog things is to use them on a regular basis! Forgot my log in information...I should put it somewhere safe so I can remember every time!

We have had lots of happenings at Needleworks in the past few months. Too many to post at once, but I'll try to post on a more regular basis.

I am very excited. I have a new camera, thanks to my Dad getting a new one.....I bought his old one off him. I now have the software and will load it so I can post some video and pictures soon.

I have sewn some clothes for me and more on the way.....last night I sewed a shirt with the most beautiful cotton shirting I have ever used. We have it for sale in the store, but may not have much left when I am done. Can't wait to finish the cuffs, buttonholes and tucks later today. I also made a pair of pants on the weekend. Had a brain hiccup and forgot how to put in a front fly zipper.....so have another pair to cut out and sew today. Both these patterns are from Burda magazines. They are easy to sew......if you have sewing experience. For the new sewers that pattern directions are pretty sparse and can be confusing.

Just finishing up an early morning Open Sew and teaching a student how to use her Serger. Lots of fun and visiting. The kids will be here soon for their Quilt Camp. This week has been so much fun. I promise to post some pictures and that video later today.

Finished Quilt

2010-04-08T09:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, now on to the good news....I finished a quilt yesterday. Batik top and bottom and a wool batt. This stuff slips and slides like mad. I ended up with spray adhesive, safety pins AND straight pins to keep things from shifting. I like this quilt. Too bad it's not for me.

A close up of the quilting in the blocks.

Kept the border and background simple and plain.

The back.

We've been robbed!

2010-04-08T08:48:00.000-06:00

We were just getting ready to go to bed last night and the phone rang. It was the security company calling to tell us the door alarm had gone off. Yep. The glass in the door has been smashed and our cash had been swiped. Not much more than a roll of loonies and some $20.

But on a good note! I finished a customer quilt yesterday and got another one half done. I'll do another post later and show those pictures.

day off continued part 3

2010-03-19T17:32:00.000-06:00

ok, break for lunch with my favourite son-in-law and daughter.

Now back to work.

Cut bias strips from starched black fabric. I like black fabric that is a bit lighter than we normally would like for quilting. Starch the back side of the fabric and let it air dry. Once, dry, press on the right side. If you press the wet starch, you'll simply transfer the starch to the iron.

Cut the strips 5/8" wide and use a bias tape maker to press the strips. Use a lot of steam. The combination of steam and starch made wonderfully flat strips with very sharp creases.

Use narrow strips of fusible web to fuse the bias tape over the stitched lines. Underlap where needed.

Layer quilt top with low loft batting and backing.
Stitch on either side of the bias tape to secure all layers and quilt.

Finished! All I need is binding. This was a great way to spend a day. Lunch out with my kids and dinner and a movie with my hubby!

day off continued

2010-03-19T09:32:00.000-06:00

stitch all the "glass" in place.

stitch on all the drawn lines where the leading will be placed.

a day off!!!

2010-03-19T08:04:00.000-06:00

Well, not really. I am spending the day at home, sewing. I have finished the jacket and skirt from my last post. I WILL take a photo and post it, when I remember!

Today, that plan is to sew two stained glass quilts. One top is almost done. The other I have just started. I am going to try to post at each step to give show how these lovely quilts are made.

Start with a line drawing. This will be a reverse image of the finished quilt.

Trace the line drawing onto a foundation fabric or the background of the quilt.

this quilt uses a muslin as the foundation

this quilt uses a light coloured background fabric as the foundation.

position the "glass' fabric on the right side of the base (foundationh/background) fabric.

Pin in place and sew on the line drawing side. the glass fabric is underneath

trim away the extra fabric outside the stitched shape

Wardrobe Quest Continued

2010-02-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

Last post was on Tuesday.....so much for blogging every 2nd day! But, here is the jacket cut and all ready for the creative stitching. That goes home with me this afternoon to be stitched. Let's hope I remember to take the sewing machine home with me!

The skirt is cut. This is a drafted pattern that I used for a denim skirt last year. It is a 4-gore skirt with godets (little triangles) at each seam. I find it flattering. It will have an elastic waistband. So this should be a simple and quick to sew project.

Famous last words!!!!

Wardrobe Quest

2010-02-02T20:15:00.001-07:00

I have decided that I am wasting way too much time in those hours between midnight and 4am! I am going to committ to 1 hour per day on planning/creating/sewing a wardrobe. This wardrobe will consist of 3 bottoms (skirts/pants) and 3 tops (jackets). I plan for them to be mix and match...so will have to plan carefully.

My goal is to complete these 6 items before they won't fit /i don't like the fabric/pattern/style / i lose interest!!!! Wish me luck.

I am going to try to post every other day.....I do need to sit in front of the sewing machine at least some of the time. So, armed with a new camera, I'll record and post my efforts. Today's goal is to make sure the basic jacket pattern fits me and find the gore skirt pattern. The jacket is a pattern that I have drafted and eventually want to publish for sale. I call it the EVERYDAY JACKET. The gore skirt has had many "edits". So I need to find the paper that has the pieces for the skirt I want. 4 gores with godets in each seam. I made it out of denim last year and really like the length and width.

Here are the first pieces.....Ginger Coloured Cotton/Poly sweatshirt fleece and a lovely multicoloured batik.

I have decided to do some Reverse Applique. Here is my first test.....I kind of like it. Where will I put it? Not sure. I'll sleep on it and see what I come up with tomorrow.

The jacket is cut!!!!

I'll keep you posted.

Lost Phone...part two

2010-01-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Just ran over to Cash Converters....no such luck, but they did recommend that I file a police report. If someone tries to sell it to CC, it will be flagged! Here's hoping.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2010-01-28T16:34:00.001-07:00

I feel like Alexander, my last 24 hours has been, TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD...i lost my Blackberry yesterday!!!! Those of you who use your cell phone for emergencies and only 3-5 people have your number won't have any idea what I am talking about or how I feel. Those who are "connected" will have some understanding of what I am feeling.......lost, helpless, hopeless, without a rudder, motor, or will to live. OK, I am exagerating....but I do feel a little lost. I have become quite dependant on that little black box. My phone, camera, book I am reading, access to the internet, music player, date book, contact list....my life.

We did have a hinky customer in yesterday who may have picked it up and walked out with it....we have called all our customers who were in yesterday in the hope it had jumped into their bag....no luck.

Jerry just called and suggested "cash converters" next door. so I am running off to see if my buddy is there waiting for me!

Crossroads

2010-01-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

I spend the day yesterday at a "quilt till ya wilt". 9am-9pm. We all did pretty good and lasted almost the whole time. I cut some yardage on Friday nite before I left the store and this is what I got done yesterday. I want to add two more rows for a nice size lap quilt. This is my cover sample for the new CROSSROADS pattern.

This is Jeri's version. She, like Charleine (last post) are pattern testers and have done a super job. I have a few more testers to hear from....then hopefully by the end of the month or early next month the pattern will be ready for printing.

New Year.....New Ideas

2010-01-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

I sat and designed two (count them, two) stained glass quilts over the weekend. I was flipping through some books and some designs for the transom windows (the half circle things) above doors caught my eye. So, I played on the computer over the weekend and now need to print up what I drew out. I can never seem to visualize things on the screen as well as I like. I need to hold it in my hand and see it in real life.....Now I need to find my memory stick so I can copy the file from my home computer to my work computer that is connected to the printer!

Good News.....my Crossroads Quilt pattern is closer to being published. I sent out an email request a while ago asking for pattern testers. I received a number of replies and sent copies of the draft out. Here's Charlein's "test"!

Charlein took my Quilter's Primer class just over a year ago and I am very proud to say that "I have created a monster". She is hooked. Almost all of her quilts are big ones like this. I think I can safely say that my quilt pattern has be tested and is ready for publication.......I guess I had better get going on the pattern cover sample.

Right now I need to get ripping on a quilt. I have it half quilted, don't like it and need to get it finished for a customer this week!!!! Wish me good luck!

KidSew Christmas Sew Camp Day 3

2009-12-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Their projects are mostly done! And they have done a super job. Let me tell you that I probably won't plan for a no rules class anytime soon. I would much rather plan for 2-3 projects for the kids to choose from and work on those. But, they did do a great job. We have a few more projects to be completed and we'll post those pictures as soon as we get pictures.

KidSew Christmas Sew Camp, Day 2

2009-12-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

Today, we looked at their rinsed and dried hand dyed fabrics. We also started embellishing. This class is the biggest challenge for all of us. I am a RULE person. There is one way to do things and that is the RIGHT way! I have told the kids that this week there are no rules! This is causing all of us a lot of stress! We are struggling with the creative process. The kids are being challenged think outside my box and be creative in their own right. Some I have given suggestions to get them going, some I have had to tell them exactly what to do and some have really jumped and are doing their own thing. We'll see tomorrow what we finish.

KidSew Christmas Camp

2009-12-28T16:35:00.003-07:00

We had a great day today with our KidSew Camp. The children are in the classroom for 3 days (2 hours each). Today we hand dyed 2 fat quarters of fabric and painted the 3rd fat quarter. Here are some random pictures of the two classes in action.

I'm sure we'll have some more great shots tomorrow.

2009-12-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here's something I just found.

C is for the Child born that night to be our light. (John 8:12)
H is for holy is His name. (Rev.4:8)
R is for rejoice with gladness & joy. (Luke 1:14)
I is for Immanuel, God with us. (Is.7:14,) John 1:14)
S is for the star that led the Wise men to Him. (Matt.2:2)
T is for the truth & grace that was sent our way. (John 1:14)
M is for Mother Mary laying Him in swaddling clothes in the manger. (Luke 2:7)
A is for angels singing songs of joy. (Luke 2:14)
S is for salvation.

- Johnnie DesRochers.

1 blog again

2009-12-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, I think I have consolidated the 2 blogs. Now to see how to get rid of the other one.....remember the name of this one AND the password!!!!

two blogs.....then three....then one

2009-12-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

it appears that I have two blogs. I started one, couldn't find it and then thought that I had found it....but somehow created a 2nd one. Now I am inadvertantly writing to two blogs....not sure how that is happening and i can't seem to delete one and just use the other.....so, i think i may have to create a whole new one, and try to delete these other two!!!!!

let's see how we get on!!!!!

best hubby!!!!!

2009-12-21T07:55:00.003-07:00

I have the bestest husband ever!!!! His gift to me this year is to help me make it through the DARK days. I suffer terribly from Season Affective Disorder. I couldn't understand why I HATED Christmas! I was diagnosed over almost 15 years ago and now that we know that I don't really hate Christmas, we have been working at doing things to improve the situation. Every year has gotten better and better. We have my HAPPY LIGHT! When the girls were younger they really encouraged me to spend some time in front of the light every day.....I can honestly say that this was the best thing I have ever done for my mental health.

This year, Jerry has been encouraging me to take it easy. He has allowed me to just sit and do nothing. Sometimes at the end of the day, I can't answer a question straight and asking me what I want for supper is a really dumb question. Now, the questions I get are "are you hungry?". Not what do I want to eat? Food magically appears in front of me and when the plate is empty, it is taken and away and a cup of tea is put in my hand!

I spent the day on Saturday lounging around watching TV and dozing. I had planned to stay in bed and sleep in.......actually I woke up earlier than usual....5am!! Everytime I did curl up on the couch and try to sleep....the phone would ring or the dogs would need to go out!!! Jerry did the running around and trouble shooting at the store on Saturday and I tried to take it easy! Thanks!

We have also decided to take things really easy this year at Christmas. Sorry, Kids....gift cards for everyone!!!! We got each other new glasses and hopefully can do a gym membership in the new year! But we'll do our usual stocking stuffers for Christmas morning and then just spend the day with family! I am looking forward to it.

Christmas Sewing

2009-12-18T07:58:00.002-07:00

I have been a busy little sewer...not on my own projects, but for customers. I have a new baby, Susie Q is her name. She is a HandiQuilter 16 Sit and Sew model. So I have a bigger, newer machine to replace my Brother 1500. The brother has been used and abused for almost 15 years. It was time to treat him a bit kinder...so I have semi-permanently lent him to a friend. I'll get him back when she longer wants him.

I have been quilting smaller quilts (not queen size) to get the hang of this new baby. Very smooth stitching, but much noisier than I am used to. I have to turn up my music a fair bit.

The picture quality isn't great because I am using my camer phone. I again, put the batteries in my "new" camera (less than a year old) BACKWARDS and forced the cover closed! I am going to have to smash the camera to get it open again!

The following quilt was quilted using some of the ideas in "Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy" by Eva A. Larkin. There are some really good ideas in this book.

2009-10-23T08:11:00.001-06:00

I finally broke down and bought a new machine to do my Free Motion work. My Brother 1500 was over 10 years old and was feeling worse for wear. We have done many, many, many quilts together and I will miss my brother.....but he is going to a new place.....he will be passed on to a friend who will get a lot of use from him! He is very excited!!!!!

My new machine is a HandiQuilter 16. That means 16 inches from needle to the back of the machine and over 8" in height! Wow! I have done a few smaller things already and know that I'll have to get some extra table space built around the machine.

I think my new friend "SusieQ" will be happy in her new home. She has a great spot in the corner of my 2nd classroom and has been much admired already.

MAGAZINES

2009-09-03T13:04:00.001-06:00

I am an un-ashamed magazine freak! I buy, buy, buy, but sometimes never really get to read. I'll look through them quickly and check out the pretty pictures and point out the projects I want to do.

At Needleworks we carry Australian Stitches Magazine, Burda World of Fashion and Burda Plus and Quilting Arts Magazine. Eye candy to the max!!!!

So, three new magazines arrived today. There is a skirt in the Burda, a blouse in the Plus (can I tweak it to fit me?) and a wrap coat in the Stitches. Which will I start first?....

Right now I have to quilt a quilt. I promised to get it finished for next Wednesday so it can go on display at our Guild Show. gotta Run!

SERGER

2009-09-01T09:36:00.001-06:00

found the serger!!! it had been put away. In the wrong cupboard, but I never thought to look closely at the machines in the Sewing Machine cabinet. I did look in the Serger cabinet and it wasn't there!

work today

2009-09-01T09:10:00.001-06:00

lost my serger! now, where can it be? It was on the table last week in the classroom. I used it. But now I can't see it anywhere? I think I am losing my mind.

My classroom iron died! Worked find on Saturday morning. Unplugged it for lunch and then after lunch it would heat up at all.

Not a good way to start the week......should I be at work today? This week at all?

updated web site

2009-08-31T18:08:00.001-06:00

The web site is updated as far as the current scheduled classes we have planned for the fall. A couple of Serger Quilt classes, Beginner Serger and a shortened Serger Basics class are all on the schedule.

I spent the afternoon working on more patterns I am hoping to publish in the next few weeks. Still looking for people to read them through for grammar and typing errors.

Music

2009-08-22T15:44:00.001-06:00

I have set up some "gadgets" on my desktop. I have CBC and K-Love radio stations at a click of the mouse. I can easily change the station depending on my mood and the radio's content. I am not a fan of talk radio, so when I hear too much talking that it becomes distracting, I switch.

These are the words I would write

2009-08-20T09:43:00.001-06:00

check out this song! Beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9cYcMbmbzk

New Fall Classes

2009-08-20T09:30:00.001-06:00

I am in the process of planning new classes for the fall.

1. Hand Dyed Hollow Cubes. this class would include dying Fat Quarters in the student's colour choice, drafting and sewing the Hollow Cube units and sewing them into a quilt....3 lessons spaced a month apart should do it.

2. Monthly Placemats. In this series of classes we'll make a placemat each lesson....but also learn and review some quilting techniques. Many still are not using rotary cutters accurately or safely! We'll cover a variety of piecing techniques as well as finishing tips. Also include a fund raiser for Meals on Wheels. We'll supply all fabrics and encourage participants to donate a placemat to Meals on Wheels for next year. This could be a lot of fun....but also a big dud. Need to pass it by some other clear thinkers before we proceed.

Weaving and fabric scraps

2009-08-12T09:06:00.000-06:00

I belong to a group of really cool crafts people....Alberta Handicrafts Guild. We have 4 groups....quilters, needleworkers, weavers and rug hookers. I belong to the quilting and needlework groups. The quilting is self explanatory, but the needlework group includes those who knit, crochet, tatt, embroider, cross stitch, do bobbin lace, etc. We have a very small group of ladies who weave. They are not as active as the other groups and we want to change that....so I have been thinking and playing.....

I found a magazine article that used cardboard bases and wove amulet bags with a variety of threads....now, since I own a fabric store and have way too much fabric.....I thought that maybe I could use fabric in addition to the threads.

Here is my first attempt....thick cotton dishcloth yarn for the warp and hand dyed fabric torn into 1/2" strips. Pretty cool...considering it was my first attempt.

After discussion with our president (AHG) yesterday, I decided to try something bigger....so pulled out a bigger piece of cardboard and the same bag of hand dyed fabric.....finished in one evening. All I need to do now is make straps and a lining. I may include a magnetic snap to close the purse. This is the first.....but not the only bag. What a great way to use up leftovers. I want to try with strips of fabric as the warp and weft. We'll see how that goes. I may even get to take pictures of the next one in process.

This process was fun. I found it an enjoyable and relaxing process. Nothing had to be perfect. I pre-selected the fabrics and cut the strips as I needed them.

This is Fun!!!!!

2009-08-10T09:42:00.000-06:00

We have a lot of kids classes each summer. Last week two boys sewed. I tried to take candid shots and Joel turned his head and smiled at the right time.
Leslie made her dress in a week. Fabric from Hawaii. The perfect perch for a pampered pet!!!!

I have so much fun teaching these kids classes! This week we have 3 starting quilts!

Another day......

2009-08-08T16:59:00.001-06:00

We had a busy, slow, busy, slow day today. Jerry got his scrub top done....looks super.

Had a great week last week two young boys sewed!!!!

Heat!!!!

2009-08-07T09:35:00.000-06:00

After visits from two lovely young gentlemen, we now have heat and air conditioning. It hasn't been too bad this week....it was easier to add a sweater and put on socks in the cooler, rainy weather than it was to take off clothes when it got too hot!

We have a new pump!!!! The fan goes on occasionally, rather than all the time. I should have had the presence of mind to take a picture of the offending and not working pump!

New Jeans, Here we go....

2009-08-07T09:29:00.001-06:00

I hope (hope, hope, hope) to get a new pair of jeans made this weekend. Have them cut out and all I need to do is serge all the edges.

I put my newest pair on this morning and they feel so good and I look pretty good in them too....so, want to get the new jeans done to wear with a new sweater I am knitting.

Wow! I am going to be one great looking gal!

On other news.....Jerry (hubby) has been sewing his own scrub pants and shirts. 2 pair of pants done and 1 shirt in the works. He is very careful and deliberate when sewing...I'll have to take a picture to show off his work and well as him working. He is using Kwik Sew 2861.

heat or air conditioning

2009-08-04T17:29:00.001-06:00

After 3 weeks with no air conditioning, I am now FREEZING!!!! The weather has turned terrible and we've had lots of rain...so now my call is to get my heat fixed!!!!!

Watermarks!

2009-08-02T14:47:00.000-06:00

....no, not accident sites!!!!!

On a yahoogroup we have been discussing printing quilting patterns and I mentioned that I use a Watermark for my patterns in process. A Watermark is a graphic image placed behind document content. As visible in the following picture, the watermark on the printed page on the left is dark enough to be clearly visible, but light enough for text to easily be read. In the photocopied page (of the one on the left) the watermark is much darker and makes the text much more difficult to read.

The pattern draft for the Shelby bag can be found on my web page. Check it out....www.needleworks.org

web page update

2009-08-01T14:06:00.000-06:00

I've spent the day updating the web page (www.needleworks.org) when I should have been cleaning out the back room. I do find that when I am playing and "waiting" for things to happen on the computer that I get a chance to think. Most of the time I'm running around with my lips flapping (teaching) and don't have much time to think and contemplate. So, on this lovely hot and sunny holiday Saturday afternoon.....I thunk!

We are now set up (fairly well) for internet shopping! We carry patterns and magazines and threads and can also send out fabrics if required.

Check out the changes!

Sew Nite

2009-07-31T08:23:00.000-06:00

Went to a sew night last night with some lovely ladies at a local community center. We had a great time. I planned ahead (not usual for me) and sewed another bag using the Shelby Bag pattern. I really want to get this published soon....so may do a workshop with the ladies on our next sew day.

I don't have that day off work yet, so will have to talk nicely to a few people....we also have a class planned for October and I think I might want to partipate in that.

Came into work this morning and although it isn't cold, it is much cooler in here. Thank Goodness! Another day of unbearable heat was going to be way to difficult to handle. I might even keep my over shirt on and not strip down to the bare essentials!

too hot to think!!!!

2009-07-30T17:23:00.000-06:00

I am pleased to report that we did have a heating/cooling problem at Needleworks. The air conditioning wasn't working for over a week.....yep, the hottest week of the year! Some very nice young men have been in and fixed our problem and now we are blowing cold air!!!!

Discussion last night was that we would tell the (hopefully very young) repair man that we were a group of menopausal women (did he have a middle aged mother) and needed things cooled off right away!!!!!

We have had two good weeks of KidSew classes and I'll post some of their work tomorrow.

Now heading off to a sew night....what shall I take? Something already underway or start something new?

Back from Vacation Blues

2009-07-24T16:09:00.000-06:00

Have you ever noticed that when you get back from Vacation, you feel more tired that when you left?

We took 2 weeks off work. I came in to work for a few minutes a couple of times during the first week, then we took off for a week of camping in the mountains. http://www.westkootenayparks.com/ We headed off to the West Kootenays. Lovely places to visit and lovely weather to enjoy. We even went swimming...but I am not going to show those pictures!!!!

The first day out it RAINED. We turned around and spent the night at home. No point in setting up camp in the pouring rain!

The next day we started off again, and drove to Yahk, BC. Lovely campground and as luck would have it, the rain started again as soon as we got the tent up and supper cooked. Doesn't Jerry look nice and comfy?

Our trip through the mountains was wonderful! No more rain. We explored each day and took time to "smell the roses/pine trees".

Jerry really wanted some fresh Cherrys, so we bought some fresh off the tree. He had never seen them on the trees before, so we had to take a picture of a cherry tree!

So, now I am back at work. I was able to stand during the whole singing time at church on Sunday...my feet didn't hurt! But, Monday, they sure did ache.

We had a great week of KidSew classes. Now off to help a couple of ladies make a pair of jeans each!!!!!

I did get some work done!

2009-06-24T10:24:00.000-06:00

I found the camera and now have pictures to show.

At retreat we swapped door prizes....bring one and get one. From Jennifer I received 3 lovely batik FQ and a spool of thread as well as a pin popper and a felted crocheted bag. I also saw a bag I liked that a couple of the girls had, so sketched out the design and had some fun!!!!! There are 5 panels (4 side and a bottom) Each panel on this bag was "free quilted". I marked out the sky and ground and drew in some basic lines where I wanted flowers. Then I threaded up the needle and stitched. Not bad if I do say so myself.

Little curls form the flowers.

My go at bullrushes!!!

Roses and a rocky path.

Wind swept daisies. The bottom is just fill patterns.....

The next pictures are the March Stash Buster project. We swapped greens and floral prints. I had started by sewing 4 blocks together....blues at the top and the darker prints and "browns" at the bottom to represent sky and ground. The rest of the floral prints were randomly sewn together. Once the 4-blocks were together, I sewed 5 sets into rows, and the rows into the quilt. I think I still want to do a border, but will use the leftover blocks and a zinger (maybe).

I have been reading some books and looking through magazines and have decided to "play" with this quilt. I am beginning with a bit of trapunto. Pre-quilt with poly batting around the shapes. I drew in some very rough flower shapes with a white chalk pencil and then free form stitched the flowers. I'll re-stitch the outlines with a heavier thread and make them really show up later.

Once the shape had been defined, I turned over and trimmed away the extra batting. I'll then layer the whole quilt with batting and quilt through all layers. This pre-quilting lets me get some texture and puffiness to the flowers. I'll add more as I go along, but these will be the start of my garden. I'll post more as I get more work done.
The second quilt I worked on was the Arabesque...May's Stash Buster. The blocks are 9-patch with 2 half square triangles. There is still a border to add, but these large areas of light and dark will let me have some quilting fun!

FOUND THE CAMERA

2009-06-23T10:02:00.000-06:00

Found the camera....so will now have to download and post pictures

Back from Retreat

2009-06-23T09:37:00.000-06:00

I spent this past weekend at a quilting retreat at Sylvan Lake, Alberta....and I have nothing to show for it! I think I left my camera behind, or its in my Mum's car on its way to Winnipeg, or it could be in Idaho, Victoria, Fort McMurray or even Atlanta Georgia! I need to get completely unpacked, but I can't find a paper pieced project I was working on either, so that may be with it.

But, we did have a great weekend. It rained, but when you are inside sewing, eating, visiting and laughing, the outside weather doesn't matter. I got a quilt top almost complete!!!! Can't decide on a border, but I did get some pre-quilting done. Some simple trapunto flowers were started. (insert picture here!!!!!). This was the March Stash Buster - Garden Path, so it will have lots of flowers in all colours quilted on it.

I worked on the May Stash Buster - Arabesque. The main part of the quilt is done, just need to make more blocks for the border. Could be done with another day or two of retreat sewing. I also worked on a number of paper pieced Pineapple blocks for this weekend's class. I am teaching and right now I don't have any blocks to show the students....all day Saturday was spent on that project! The completed blocks look great (insert another picture here!!!!!).

I even napped one afternoon, read a whole book...granted it was light and easy reading....but I did get that done. I played cards for a couple of evenings and even got into town to have coffee with some friends.

A good weekend was had by all and we have even left a deposit cheque for next year's event. It will be the 10th!!! and I am part of a special group of 7 girls who have been to all so far!! We have committed to joining each other again next year! Now to hunt down the camera and those quilt blocks!

Another One Bites the Dust!

2009-06-17T08:26:00.000-06:00

Sometimes a quilt just gets quilted. I had promised a customer that I would get her quilt done before this weekend and thought that I would be sewing till the last minute! Imagine my surprise when I sat down and got it quilted in just 2 sittings! A very easy flower and leaf design and the border is the same two patterns, just arranged a bit differently.

The quilt is a 4-patch stack design. Here is a close-up of one of the blocks. Super easy to make, but very effective. Each of the blocks look so very different but they are all made from the same fabric in the border.

A close look at the quilting on the back....the front is the same, but you can't see the quilting.

A closer look at the border.

Now, I need to work on a batik quilt with wool batting, then a "cat hair" covered quilt.

It's Done!!!!

2009-06-13T09:27:00.000-06:00

The second quilt I was quilting for my Mum is done!!!! Now all I have to do is find two tall people to hold up the quilt for photos.... but this will do for now.

I kept the blocks very simple by outlining each seam with a curved line "bump". Then I went to town!!! Feathers in all the borders, but the thread matches so you can't see them. The background is quilted with free form feathers and curls in a slightly darker thread. It will look better when the pen lines are washed out.

But I do have other photos to show. I took a Lettering class yesterday. Wayne from Tuxedo Park Designs taught us how to piece letters. Having an art and drafting background, he is very particular about doing the foundation work....planning. He gave us the planning for 5 styles of lettering. Very interesting and very easy. It is amazing how tiny pieces of fabric can be used.....I was using 3/4" squares in some spaces.....so, very little did go into the garbage and I only used up the smallest amount of scraps.

These are what we did in class.

I am planning to take his other class next Friday and learn how to piece some great quilt blocks based on a 9-patch block. I still haven't decided which of his patterns to do yet, but I want to use up some of the scraps of hand dyed fabrics....maybe on a black background.

Almost Done

2009-06-11T17:15:00.000-06:00

The second quilt for my Mum is almost done!!!! Then I need to start and finish a quilt for a customer before next weekend. Whew! I think I can get it done. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....actually, come to think of it. I promised the customer that it will be done. So, I had better get my act together and GET IT DONE!

I'll post pictures of all quilts as soon I find some people to hold the quilts up for me for picture taking.

The quilt is done!

2009-06-08T09:08:00.000-06:00

I have completed the first and have started the 2nd of Mum's Quilts. I have also taken in 3 more quilts to be quilted....so have my work cut out for me before the end of June.

I think I may have a touch of ADD.....i usually plug in my mp3 player and listen to music. I have it set to play everything at random. I am finding that I can only quilt for 15-20 minutes at a time with this setting. Recently my husband picked up a library book on CD. I copied it to the player and have enjoyed reading while I quilt. Best of both worlds. Now, I can quilt for much longer periods of time as I quilt by the chapter. So, I am squeezing in a bit more quilting so that I can get to the end of the chapter.

no new pictures today...I'll try to get some of the new quilt in progress and then completed pictures as I get done.

Custom Quilting

2009-06-02T09:37:00.000-06:00

So, I said earlier that I would track my process of quilting my Mum's Quilt. It is so hit and miss that I sometimes don't touch my machine for over a week. But here is what I have done to date....

I "stitched in the ditch" all the sashing and border seams. The quilt blocks are "on point" and I wanted to keep things from stretching. I was also doing some other quilts at the time adn needed to stitch in the ditch for them as well. I don't use a walking foot. I tell my students to save their money for fabric and thread! I use a couple of straight pins to secure the seams. Never had a wrinkle or pucker this way. I used an 80wt bobbin thread for the top and bottom.

I also modified a quilting hoop by wrapping grip tape around it. I placed the hoop around the needle and used that insead of my hands in gloves to guide the fabric. I found that everytime I needed to move a pin, I had to take off BOTH gloves to do it. Don' t ask me why both gloves, but I guess I needed to remove both gloves at some time and my brain was imprinted!

Once all the s-i-t-d was done I could quilt "properly". I don't particularily like stitching in the ditch and consider the free form quilting the best way to go. Mum's quilt is a block of the month she did a few years ago...So, I quilted curved lines in each of the print pieces. I read somewhere years ago that we should quilt curved lines in straight quilts and straight lines in curved quilts. I do that and it works.

The center block and the side setting triangles are background fabric and were just screaming for something special. So, I changed the needle thread to a heavier cotton and filled in with a free form pattern. By making the blocks a bit different each time, I didn't have to worry about making a "mistake" and the blocks not being perfect.

The border is a combination of leaves and curls. I worked from the corners to the middle of the border and then back again adding more curles to fill in the spaces.

This quilt is almost done and now the worry is that I'll have enough of the needle thread to finish.

A quilt in progress

2009-05-14T09:22:00.000-06:00

I do a limited amount of custom quilting. I "sit and sew" on a regular sewing machine and quilt free hand. Some customers ask for very specific designs, some tell me to "do whatever....I trust you". What a wonderful compliment and responsibility!

I have had two quilts (my mum's) here to quilt for over 2 years. She pays for me to go to an annual quilting retreat with her each June and I am expected to get her quilts quilted. I am very far behind. So, my challenge is to get these two done before I see her in June!

I have just finished a challenging quilt....no more said about that other than now that I am done, I feel much lighter and want to get onto other projects.

Mum's orange quilt is one of them. I have decided to journal the process. I sat down yesterday and began the "stitch in the ditch" quilting around the blocks. I don't normally do this, but feel that the quilt needs this to keep the diagonal blocks from stretching too much. I want to do some really neat free form on the blocks and heavily quilt the background. We'll see once all the dreaded "stitch in the ditch" is done.

So, now off to put the plugs in my ears.....My music and stitch some more. I'll take and post a picture when this first step is done and try my best to record each step....just for interests sake.

snow, snow and more snow

2009-03-24T08:36:00.000-06:00

I went out shopping for new shoes yesterday......no sandles in sight for me. I had to get shoes that wouldn't allow any snow in! More snow this weekend. I want to put extra sweaters on because the air conditioning is too low....not because it is cold outside and there is a foot of snow on the ground!!!

Ok, enough complaining. I am busy working on next month's Stash Buster sample. These monthly events have been fun. We have seen some really great quilts. Astrid and Joanne have completed their top from January. The border really finishes the quilt.

Joanne has also completed her Chocolate Delight quilt top. the top pictures is my sample (still not complete) on the design wall. The bottom is Joanne's quilt - completed!!!!

This Friday we are doing the Garden Path...assorted greens and floral coloured prints. I want to get some more FQ cut for swapping and then need to get a head start on next month's Flying High.....