Category: Sewing

Sometimes you just need to take a moment

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I have been spinning my wheels for a couple of weeks now.  Trying to get things done and it was just impossible!  Why?  Because my studio was a HOT MESS!

So, taking a day off from wheel spinning, I cleaned up, organized, and put almost everything I had pulled out from the fabric wall…

 back where it belongs.  Wondering about my little Barista Bears everywhere?  They are space blockers to keep my naughty kitties off my fabric!

THANKYOUVERYMUCH!

Well, I am done cleaning and putting away, but it still looks cluttered.  I think I need to hang some shelves on this wall.  Maybe a gallery above with a quilt hanger below?  Someday maybe, but this week it was more lighting for my cutting table!  I am very happy to have the light.  That little window just doesn’t help.

More light means better accuracy when I cut my fabric.

Trust me… this IS cleaned up!

Now that I am in a state of organized confusion I will get back to work.  What am I working on?

  • the quilt blocks on the process board
  • an apron for Julie in Australia (mock ups also on the process board)
  • and a rug out of THESE…

I found them in the laundry last weekend!

I wonder what he imagined I was gonna do with them?

😉

What has kept you busy this month?

IMperfectionism: the humility block in quilting

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Recently, when taking my newly quilted table runner to my quilting group, I mentioned to a few of the ladies what I had been working on and then brought up the subject of my imperfect block.  Comments? Yes, and two of note were:

“What mistake? I can’t see it?  (I point it out)  OH…  just leave it in.”

and

“Oh, that will be your ‘humility block.’  Just leave it!”  Whereupon she proceeded to tell me about how the Amish always leave in an imperfect block in their quilts because it shows their humility to God.

Well, I went looking for the Humility Block and guess what?  It just isn’t true.  As near as can be found, the concept began in about 1948.  You have to wonder why people make things up like that.  😉

So now, if you go to your quilters guild and ask, they may well tell you the myth, and in great detail, but you will know the truth of it.  Want to know more about this charming, but entirely untrue quilter’s tale?  Then go to Hart Heritage Quilts  (scroll down a ways on this site)  or to Cats Quilt Art to read in more detail.

So, what did I ultimately decide to do?  After reading about how many vintage and antique quilts there are out there with a high value attached to them, and that the imperfections are considered ‘quirks’ of the maker… well, I decided to let it go.  I’ve  bound it, its done, and I’m happy.

The block is called *“Railroad.”  The table runner is machine pieced and quilted, however the binding is hand sewn!

Though I must confess I do sort of like the myth behind the Humility Block.  Old or new to the quilting tradition, the quirky block in even the oldest of quilts stands the test of time, and I don’t care when the myth was begun.   I like it.

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So what’s next?
NOTE:  I find that I have called my four patch block the “Underground RR,” and it is actually simply called “Railroad.”  I found the pattern on the Civil War Quilts website, in which Barbara Brackman stated that, “Railroad can symbolize the end of the Underground Railroad, a change in the strategy of escape from slavery.” (Emphasis mine)  The fact that I loved the block and purchased the fabric for it almost a year ago, but was afraid to cut it out for fear of ruining it (!!!) had apparently combined her comment, and the quilts actual name, in my mind between then and now.  So, thank you to Tracy Byers for, indirectly, pointing out my mistake!  😉

WIP Wednesday

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I have been working on *UFO’s, making a quick gift for a friend, and a couple of new projects just for me!

First the gift…

This is a smallish table rug 12 x 12 inches.  It was constructed as you would make a pot holder, and has a heat protective layer on the back.  I hope she likes it…

Now the works in progress…

My chicken block is on the project board whilst I futz with it trying to decide exactly how I want to finish it.   If you know me, then you know my love of chickens and all things chicken inspired.  This is a 12.5 X 12.5  block that will be the center of a new table runner.  I have two more blocks planned, but will reveal them when the project is closer to being done.

The Valentine’s centerpiece, supplied by my husband (Thank you Sweety 🙂 ) is sitting on my (almost) completed table runner.  The blocks go by Jacob’s Ladder, or the Underground RR.  This is one of the UFO’s.  I cut it out last March, but was too intimidated to actually begin the piecing process.  Two weeks ago, I decided to give it a go, and voila!  The picture of the completed project will be in focus I promise.  This project needs batting and a backing, but lacking a nice runner for Valentine’s dinner I put it on the table anyway.

So, that’s it for this Wednesday.

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*UFO’s, according to the accomplished sewists out there,  are:

“Unfinished Objects”