Commentary about works in progress, design & creativity
Mid September already! The CQFA Retreat has been set, so now I have a working deadline. I am pretty good in the fabric washing department. The cutting of triangles for fabrics I have used this year (already in my fabric closet) has been spotty. I am not going back to make that up and will try and do better. No promises. It will be what will be.
Some of the blogs do a feature every week called WIP Wednesday where they show a work in progress. I don’t want to do that every week, but somehow this week it seems appropriate.
This is the project that started the whole Bullseye project. This has been on my mind lately, for some reason that I don’t know. I always planned to do a border with curves in it, so it would look like a curve was going all the way around the quilt. I found directions. I have a test piece and I just decided that was not the way to go.
This quilt doesn’t lend itself to the self bordering technique. I have a lot of leftover circles that I could use in some way, but I don’t know what way. Aside from slapping on some borders and calling it good, I don’t have any ideas. Do YOU have any ideas? Even a little spark would be helpful. Let me know.
Jelly Roll, Layer Cake & Charm Quilts by Pam Lintott
This is almost a pure project book and I wouldn’t have picked it up if Frances and Sandy hadn’t talked about it over and over. Frances has definitely made my favorites from the quilt projects in this book.
There is a lot to like about this book. There are a variety of patterns for every skill level. The authors clearly state how many precuts are needed to make the quilt. A lot of the quilts have colors that really appeal to me, but there are also reproduction and more muted fabrics used, so that the book covers a lot of bases in terms of tastes in fabric. Almost every quilt is made twice with the second quilt using very different fabrics. I like this aspect, because it is hard for me not to be influenced by the fabric choices in the photos. Seeing a second quilt in different colors reminds me to the design of the quilt rather than the colors.
There are small introductions to each quilt, which are similar, if not as detailed, as the color stories in The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking. They suggest other options, talk about the fabrics chosen and encourage the quiltmaker, as in the description of Little Houses (pg.102-109) where the pieces are on the small side.
One pattern I can’t get out of my mind is Stepping Stones, pg.72-79. It is one of the more complex patterns and it includes four patches, so what is not to like? 😉 If I made it, I would want to use fabric on hand, so I have spent some, otherwise unpleasant commute time, daydreaming about various color variations, cutting strategies, etc. Using fabric on hand (I am thinking green. I have lots of green I don’t use much) would I start cutting 10″ squares and then start the quilt when I was finished cutting them? Would I cut half green 10″ squares and half cream or another light? Three quarters green and a quarter light? There is a lot of piecing in this this pattern and there are some areas in the example quilt that could use a bit more contrast.
I liked the border on the Raspberry Ripple quilt (pg.14-17) because it has the ‘self-bordering’ effect that I like so much. It fits well into the design of the quilt and finishes some of the motifs, which really completes the overall design. High Flying Geese (pg.30-35) is very similar to Serendipity Puzzle, a classic Dutchman’s Puzzle pattern. The colors are so fresh and appealing in the Lintott version that I would consider making another version just because I am inspired by that freshness.
Some of the blocks in the book are so easy and so large that you could do a quilt really quickly. Those quilts don’t appeal to me, but I know they might appeal to others. Some of the photos aren’t very crisp. I was disappointed in the photo of Damask Rose (pg.48-53), because the piecing is very hard to see with the fabrics the authors chose. This is one of the more complicated quilts and I would want to show off the piecing. It may be that the authors wanted a soft chintz feel to the quilt. This is also one of the few quilts in the book that does not have a second colorway.
Hexagon Hip Hop (pg.64-71) is version of a hexagon quilt, like the Attack of the Hexies quilts, but using half hexagons. It has a really interesting and well thought out border that fits the overall design. I also like that the second colorway shows how nice a gift a hexagon quilt would make for that special guy (dad, brother, etc) in your life.
If you want a wide variety of patterns to use with Jelly Rolls and other precuts, then you might enjoy this book.
I have house blocks on my mind this week.
Chris from Quilt Bits sent me the directions to make a cover for a composition book. I bought one to test the directions (which I am sure are perfect!), but haven’t done it yet.
DH & I thought that having a book where we could write things about the house would be a good idea. I further thought that I would use Chris’ directions to make a cover for the composition book and incorporate a Liberated Quilting house block into the cover. I haven’t done it yet, but that whole thought process led me to the name for this block.
PDF Directions for Square House #22
If you have made blocks or a quilt, post a link in the comments section of the relevant block or on the AQ Block-a=Long Flickr group.
As I mentioned in a previous post, back in July, this quilt is all about the fabric. I got down to it over Labor Day weekend and made the top. I still need to add borders, but the top is basically done.
You can see that the Disappearing 9 patch block means that there is an automatic border on two sides of the quilt. I don’t want a border on two sides of the quilt. I want the border (a border in this case) to be symmetrical, so I added a row of rectangles and squares.
These blocks actually are quite large. Each square in the block is 6.5″. Once you cut them into quarters they become a manageable size.
I was consistent about placement of red and black, so that the red would end up as cornerstones and the black would be the sashing. I fiddled around with the arrangement quite a bit, as I am wont to do. I wanted to vary the food prints that were next to each other as well as the location of the blacks.
This is what you get once you cut a 9 patch block into quarters and rearrange them. In fairness and honesty, the above are quarters from 4 different 9 patches. You would see the same red, if they were from the same 9 patch, but you get the point. Even if this was from the same 9 patch, there would be variety, because of the different blacks and the different focus fabrics.
Per TFQ’s instructions, I did chunk this quilt together. That method of putting together quilts works so much better for me than sewing blocks together in rows. I also find it easier to keep my blocks placed where I want them placed.
Recently, Sandy, of Quilting for the Rest of Us, and I recorded a podcast where we started to talk about design. Several months ago, she asked me if I would considering talking with her and her listeners about design. I was reluctant. I am not an expert, but Sandy is pretty good at convincing people to do stuff and I am good at research. It has taken me some time to find the time, coalesce my thoughts and to start to do the research.
The first podcast we recorded was an overview of design. We discussed the principles and elements of design. We talked about what the principles and elements are in design and some examples of how to use them. We tried to talk about why a classic quiltmaker who uses patterns and books should care about design. I’d like to know if you have examples of how you have used design.
Some of my thoughts…
Knowing about design principles and elements helps refine your innate skill. Everyone has innate design skills.
Concept: I use patterns why do I need to know about design?
Concept: I am not an art quiltmaker, why do I need to know about design principles and elements?
Many quiltmakers, though not formally trained in art (e.g. an MFA in fine art) have intuitive art sensibilities. (Fearless Design for Every Quilter by Lorraine Torrence, pg.5)
I have been thinking about design for awhile. I never took a dedicated design class in school and have never found one that fit into my schedule since. Also, I am too lazy to leave my house again once I get home. If I did sign up I would go, so the laziness is really me thinking that I would be lazy and not go to class even before I sign up. Sigh!
I have pages and pages of notes I have taken on design elements and principles as I have tried to make the design elements and principles part of my working toolbox.
Design is a way of organizing a piece of visual work. According to the Quilter’s Book of Design, 2d by Ann Johnston, “Design is a problem-solving activity within all the arts, placing or creating subject matter so it is of visual significance and interesting to the artist.” (pg.xi). I like this definition, because it is understandable and doable. It also isn’t scary for people who have no MFA. When I think about solving a problem with my quilt, I relax about design and try to review the skills in my design toolbox. Remember, though, that “we all have personal experiences, subjective leanings, and differences in personality that make us prefer one thing to another…” (Fearless Design for Every Quilter by Lorraine Torrence, pg.57)
Good design requires practice and is the “result of of a successful combination of design elements … and principles…”(Fearless Design for Every Quilter by Lorraine Torrence, pg.6)
Elements of Design
The elements form the ‘vocabulary‘ of the design (Wikipedia, design elements and principles).
The Elements of Design are the language of the visual arts (http://www.wiu.edu/art/courses/design/elements.htm).
The elements are components or parts which can be isolated and defined in any visual design or work of art. They are the structure of the work, and can carry a wide variety of messages (http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/element.htm).
Principles of Design
The principles constitute the broader structural aspects of the design’s composition (Wikipedia, design elements and principles).
Principles (http://www.wiu.edu/art/courses/design/principles.htm).
The Principles are concepts used to organize or arrange the structural elements of design. Again, the way in which these principles are applied affects the expressive content, or the message of the work (http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/principl/principl.htm).
The principles of design, according to my research, are usually taught first. I think they are also a little harder to explain to an audio audience, so I told Sandy we should start with the elements. After getting into it a bit, I am thinking that we might bounce around. Hope you tune in to find out!
A garment
special occasion dresses
formal dress
dress a salad
wedding dress
get dressed
dress your hair
put on a dress
wear a dress
dress-up box
dress code
dress uniform
dress rehersal
Dress quote: “Enjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal” and another quote “Sometimes I wish I could go back to the days when I was six and my biggest problem was what kind of dress to put on Barbie or whether or not I had enough Legos to build a fort”
cocktail dress
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog, and how your work relates to the other responses.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.
apply dressings
party dress
Definitions: [verb] a : to make or set straight b : to arrange (as troops) in a straight line and at proper intervals ; 2: to prepare for use or service; specifically : to prepare for cooking or for the table <dress a salad>; 3: to add decorative details or accessories to : embellish ; 4 a : to put clothes on <dress a child> b : to provide with clothing <feed and dress a growing family>; 5 archaic : dress down ; 6 a : to apply dressings or medicaments to <dress a wound> b (1) : to arrange (as the hair) by combing, brushing, or curling (2) : to groom and curry (an animal) c : to kill and prepare for market or for consumption —often used with out d : cultivate, tend; especially : to apply manure or fertilizer to <dress a field> e : to put through a finishing process; especially : to trim and smooth the surface of (as lumber or stone); [intransitive verb] 1a : to put on clothing b : to put on or wear formal, elaborate, or fancy clothes <dress for dinner>; 2 of a food animal : to weigh after being dressed —often used with out; 3: to align oneself with the next soldier in a line to make the line straight ; — dress ship : to ornament a ship for a celebration by hoisting national ensigns at the mastheads and running a line of signal flags and pennants from bow to stern
Definitions [noun]: 1: apparel, clothing; 2: an outer garment (as for a woman or girl) usually consisting of a one-piece bodice and skirt; 3: covering, adornment, or appearance appropriate or peculiar to a particular time; 4: a particular form of presentation : guise
Definition [adjective]: 1: suitable for a formal occasion <dress clothes> <dress shoes>; 2: requiring or permitting formal dress <a dress affair>; 3: relating to or used for a dress <dress material>
prom dress
bridesmaid dress
gown
dress-up dolls
dress meat
I was so thrilled at the response I received to my last Various & Sundry post that I am excited to start this one. I really appreciate the comments you leave and I do read all of them. One person didn’t agree with me on some points and I appreciated hearing her viewpoints, especially since she disagreed nicely and didn’t imply that I am an idiot! 😉
Projects
Attack of the Hexies is still going strong, though I think people are silently sewing them together. Sew Excited posted some tips on her blog that I thought were useful, especially for people who don’t sew in blobs, but like to sew in rows.
Pam over at Hip to be a Square podcast also posted about working on her hexagons. I thought about working on my hexagon piece over the weekend, but was derailed by the Food Quilt. She said she will win the race. I didn’t know there was a race, but I am already ahead.
Tools
Janome came out with a new machine over the weekend, The Horizon Memory Craft 12000. I would love to get one of those in the mail, kind of like the review books I sometimes receive, so that I could review it. I don’t think the machine actually hit the stores until October 1 and I didn’t pay attention to the launch party on Saturday, so I don’t know all the features and details. It looks like a hybrid between the Memory Craft 11K and the Horizon. I always thought I would buy another Janome for a lot of reasons, but after my recent servicing drama, I am not so sure. I have to be fair, though. I don’t know how much of the issues were the age of the machine vs. technician error. Buying a new machine isn’t in my future for at least the next 8 years, so the point is moot. It will be interesting to see what machines are available in the next 8-9 years!
Adrianne, over at Little Bluebell has posted a great post on color palette tools. While some of the tools are quite sophisticated and require special software, most are readily available to you on the web. Check out her post and expand your color horizons!
Media
Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, Craftsanity interview maven gets interviewed n Petit Purls blog. Check out the post. I love the weaving loom photo. The paper envelope/book project Jennifer has on the CraftSanity site has, as Anne Shirley would say, lots of scope for imagination.
As if SeamedUp, Creating the Hive (slightly different) and My Sewing Circle weren’t enough, now we have Tomspoolery! They have a pink and green brand and launched in beta on 9/6. I read over the welcome message, which I thought was well done. How is this crazy competition going to shake out?
Other Artists
Camille Roskelley is part of the Moda County Fair blog hop. Her post was on 9/9. Her family has the most gorgeous skin! I love the colors of her blog. If she posted 5 times a day, I wouldn’t get tired of looking at the polka dot chair and the aqua she uses. Anyway, the post shows all the blocks she has made for the Farmer’s Wife Quilt-a-Long and I love them. I want them. I don’t want to make them, but I want hers! I know I went back and forth about making them. Blocks are always tempting for me, but I just can’t devote the time right now.
The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking: 15 Projects Inspired by Everyday Beauty by Jane Brocket
My normal practice for writing reviews is to read the whole book and review the whole book. Occasionally, I’ll glance through a book and write a short review based on my impressions. That was my intent with The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking.
My first impression was that it was a project book and I could churn out the review quickly. The book stayed in my bag and I slogged through the beginning, which covers fabric quantities, cutting fabric and calculating binding. I found the book hard to read and understand. I wasn’t getting the point and I couldn’t figure out the problem. The books is a nice hardcover, with gorgeous photos and pleasant font. The tone is pleasant to read.
One day I found myself with an hour or more to sit and nothing else to claim my attention. Having time, being able to slow down allowed me ‘get’ this book. I was able to fall into the mindset of the author and start to enjoy her writing. I was able to spend a couple additional hours focused on the text of the book. After finishing, I went back and read the beginning, which I found to be much more enjoyable. I realized, in going back, that Brocket says, at the very beginning of the introduction “This is a book about quilt inspiration.” And it is. I missed that crucial line.
This book is a project book, but if you buy this book because of fascinating projects, you will be disappointed. Buy the book for the inspiration and not the projects. Buy the book for the color stories. The subtitle is a complete misnomer and should have been something like “how to write color stories in fabric.” If you buy this book because of color stories, you will adore it.
Color stories seem to be coming into fashion as a way of narrowing a color palette for a quilt. Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle talk about the “Big Idea” in their books. Michael Miller, a fabric manufacturer, is posting color stories on their blog.
The color stories are the best part of this book and what drew me in. Brocket does a great job of giving us insight into the inner workings of a creative person’s mind. The color stories also don’t shortchange the design process. They are an integral part of the design process. Brocket’s quilts have a story to tell, or a Big Idea to convey, like Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle discuss in Quilts Made Modern. Jane Brocket‘s writing about the creative process demonstrates to the reader the work that goes into designing a quilt.
The stories start on page 31 with Beach Hut. Each quilt pattern is introduced by a few pages describing the thought that started it all, how the design fits into her idea, her story and how she selected the fabrics. In this section Brocket talks about books or other materials that entered into the design equation.
Fabric selection is also, clearly, a major factor in Brocket’s quilts. In some cases, she found a fabric and built a story and a quilt around it. In other instances, like with Beach Hut, Lisbon Tile and Summer Day, she has made a second quilt in order to expand the story or make the fabric work for her idea.
The fabrics are also not shortchanged. The author and publisher acknowledge the intelligence of the readers by saying exactly (from the selvedge) what fabrics were used. They also give ideas of what other fabrics could be used and acknowledge that fabrics go out of print fast. I saw this information also included in Pam Lintott‘s book,Layer Cake Jelly Roll Charm Quilts.
In quiltmaking, design, and especially color, are very important. In fact, design and color can be the raison d’être of the quilt, yet both design and color are often given short shrift in project books. Books and articles delve deeply into the how, but talk very little about the WHY of the quilt. Why that fabric? Why that fabric combination? Why the juxtaposition of the simplicity and complexity between fabric choices and piecing? This aspect is underrepresented in most current quilt books. As a result, it seems to be something that quiltmakers are not comfortable discussing or attempting.
Jane Brocket covers the WHY very well. She delves into the WHY in minute detail. She covers the creative process very well enabling the reader to understand that there isa process (not magic. Hopefully, the information described will give people permission to explore their own creative process.
A note about the styling: I was not enamored with the styling of the quilt photos. Most of the quilts are photographed in locations that appear to be beyond Shabby Chic and well into ramshackle and derelict. In the picture of the Beach Quilt, Candy version, the viewer sees more of the wall than the quilt. The book designer did include a quilt gallery with 4 photos to a page (this book is on the larger side) so the reader can see the quilts laid out flat without the creativity of the stylist.
I love the 4 patch block. Mostly I like the simplicity, but I also like how it can be used as a building block for other blocks and projects.
You can use two fabrics, placing them on the diagonal from each other or you can use 4 fabrics for a more scrappy look.
This is block number 20 (I put up the 9 patch twice and haven’t replaced it yet), so I have made a quilt from all the blocks in the project to show you.
The quilt is made from all 20 blocks and you can see how complex it looks, even though each block is pretty easy to piece.
I probably wouldn’t put a black border on the quilt again, but it does contain the variety.
If you have made blocks or a quilt, post a link in the comments section of the relevant block or on the AQ Block-a=Long Flickr group.
I don’t think I have ever posted about the quilts I made around the events of September 11. I try not to think about the whole situation, because it is just depressing and senseless from so many angles. And the senselessness just seems to continue.
I decided to write about them this year, because my work is good and I still think the message I tried to send is good. I keep one of the quilts on my wall and look at the words and try to remember to walk the walk.
After September 11, Karey Bresenhan called for quilts to be made and sent for the Houston Quilt Market and Festival where they would be displayed 2 months later. Many, many quilts were made and displayed, including my quilt, Fireball.
The exhibit was followed up by a book. Fireball was included in the book. Fireball was successful, in a way (displayed at Houston and included in a book), but it wasn’t the quilt I wanted to make for 9/11. It was an immediate, viseral reaction to the horrifying images shown on TV.
What Comes Next is the quilt I wanted to make. What Comes Next has a message that I wanted everyone to hear and see and heed. I wanted politicians to take up the call and act in a way that would truly show the US as a world leader.
It took me much longer to make What Comes Next than the month or so I had to make Fireball. I worked on the beading in the car heading to L.A. I worked on the rubber stamping at my SIL’s house during craft night. It is one of the quilts I have quilted myself. I worked hard on the quilt to send a message of hope and peace and to encourage people to think about what comes next after September 11. Nobody heard or saw or heeded. It just makes me sad.
Update 9/12/2011: Based on my friend Kathy’s post, I have changed the name of this post to include the year, 2001. I want to move past this date. I want 9/11/2001 to become part of the past, which is not to say that we should forget those affected. From Kathy’s post:
“The Elder said the thing that would keep the tragedy alive was the fact that we keep referring to September 11th in the present tense. Every time we say 911 or September 11 without including the date 2001, it continues to work on our psyche as a current event. He said that unless we can collectively place the event firmly in the past it will continue to haunt our todays and true healing would not be possible.”
I do not want this day to haunt my life forever. I want to remember the people with joy, I want to learn from the mistakes we, collectively have made in the quest for justice, and remember the heroes with awe. I want us all to consider What Comes Next and move forward confidently in a positive direction.
I have been thinking (and, perhaps, also talking about) making a cover for my sewing machine for a long time. Last Friday was the day! I took one extra day off work and made the long weekend really long. I got a ton done and was able to rest a bit. I didn’t feel so exhausted when I went back to work.
I buy some large pieces of fabric if I think I will make a bag from the fabric. I don’t like piecing together bits and pieces to make a bag. The Philip Jacobs Japanese Chrysanthemum print I used was one such piece. I was going to make a bag, but I really like it and thought I wouldn’t mind looking at it all the time as a sewing machine cover.
I used a pattern from Strawberry Patches. I had a hard time understanding the pattern, so I also printed the post where she talked about making the cozy and showed pictures. The pattern is fine; my brain just didn’t understand how to make the thing without pictures. I do appreciate people posting tutorials like this, which is part of the reason I post tutorials, too. Have you see the AQ Tutorials? Someday I’ll optimize them for printing.
The pattern provides measurements for some Bernina machines, but also tells the maker how to measure your own machine, which is what I did. The one thing I should have done is compared the measurements for the lining and the outside. The author suggests that you do those measurements separately, but I think they need to be similar in size. Mine were similar, but not exactly the same and I found the outside was larger once I was ready to sew the lining to the outside. I put some tucks in it, which I wouldn’t do for a gift, but I consider it a lesson for the future.
I am not sure why the author had pockets on the pattern, but I put them in. The Michael Miller turquoise dot makes me happy. Now I can keep the dust off my machine.
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog, and how your work relates to the other responses.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.
My mind is on fish and the sea today. A friend was in Kauai and all I could think about was sand between my toes and laying on a lounge chair listening to the waves. A Creative prompt on the them is the closest I’ll get in the foreseeable future.
Definition: 1 : a container (as a glass tank) or an artificial pond in which living aquatic animals or plants are kept; 2: an establishment where aquatic organisms are kept and exhibited; e.g. not their natural environment
Seattle Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
California Academy of Sciences
New York Aquarium
National Aquarium
Aquarium of the Pacific
Monterey Bay Aquarium
salt water aquarium
aquarium supplies
aquarium plants
fish tank
screen saver
Images of aquaria
filter
pump
August 1 marks the beginning of the long slow slide to Christmas for me. I know you are running away and screaming ACK! when you hear that (except for those of you who don’t celebrate and are just sitting back and laughing right now), but it is true. I am working away on gifts for Christmas after learning that it is much better to get them done early rather than staying up until the crack of dawn on the 23rd. I am not as organized as Quiltin’ Jenny, but I am getting better!
I finished two more of the Jane Market Totes over the long weekend. I made some progress while my main machine was in the shop since it doesn’t matter much about consistent seam allowances (between machines) on these bags.
I know they look the same. I used all the same fabrics for the outsides, but they really are two different bags. I have 4 more to make. I inadvertently counted Grama’s Birthday gift as one of the Christmas gifts. Oops!
I also remembered to box the corners on these, which I am really happy about. Not sure why I had the mental block on that, but, perhaps it is over?
I like having the meetings at the beginning of the month. It always feels like the month starts out on a positive note when I go to the Bay Area Modern Meetings. I stopped in at Starbuck’s to get a drink before going to a meeting and met a college friend. We only see each other on FB, so it was fun to have a minute to catch up. Both of our sons have started high school so we were comparing notes. I enjoyed the interlude, but the BAMQG meeting had started by the time I got there.
Show and Tell is my favorite part. I love seeing what other people are doing. I love the variety of levels of work and the variety of fabrics. Most of the work is very bright and cheerful, which is great.
Adrianne has been working on this quilt for awhile and is done with the top. It is gorgeous! I really like the way it came out. I have those fabrics and was having some buyers remorse, but this gives me some ideas. I love the way the dots turned out. There is a lot of movement in the various blocks.
We also displayed blocks from the A-B-C Challenge and various other works. There were a lot of new people at the meeting, so there was a wide variety of blocks to show — not just the challenge blocks.
As you know, my block is the Cake Stand block. Angela is also working on the A-B-C Challenge and she did a Courthouse Step block (middle top). Adrianne is working on a different project and she did a Ribbon Star (might also be called Odd Fellow’s Cross, Jinny Beyer, The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns, pg.64 #4). A new member (or, perhaps, visitor did the X block and the raw edge applique French Roses).
Joy-Lily has a lot of irons in the fire. She is now teaching at a new place on Bayshore called the Sewing and Quilting Collaborative. Apparently, they have longarms they will let people use and the owner buys up stock from quilt stores going out of business and has the stock for discount prices in one part of the place.
Joy-Lily’s blocks are really interesting. The top one, as you can see, is knitting needles and yarn. The yarn looked like it was made from bias tubes. I didn’t get to look at it closely, but the fabric had a slight shimmery look to it. The bottom block/mini quilt was made from fabric printed on fabric sheets, cut up and then sewed together again.
A number of members who usually participate in the block challenge were absent (long weekend and all) so they weren’t as many this time as last. I was helping Adrianne with notetaking, so I didn’t have to hold the quilts, but I also didn’t get photos of any.
Julie brought my order of a couple of dots, some aqua and the Terrain charm squares. I really like the Terrain. Something about it is very appealing. The colors together aren’t as bright as I normally like, but they aren’t really muted either except for a bit of the green, I think. This pack makes me think of Chinese Coins. I may cut the charms in half and make a Chinese Coins quilt. I need to look through some ideas for quilts using charms. Again, I ask you how many Chubby Charmers does a girl need? 😉
I had no quilts to show this time, so I showed the bags I have been working on. They are all bags for Christmas, except one. Nobody thought I was a lunatic for making the same bag over and over. I passed them all around and was pleased that people commented on the decorative stitches I used around the top of the bag. One of the new women asked about the pattern. It felt good to have people ask for my advice.
I was also thrilled to find out that Angela is saving selvedges for a selvedge quilt. YAY! I have that bag of selvedges I have been saving for something. I am really pleased I can give them to her.
During sewing time, I cut out two more bags – the outside pieces only and cut apart some more t-shirts for The Young Man’s t-shirt quilt. That chore is done except for one sweatshirt and I am not sure how I am going to work that.