The Human Element of Charity Sewing: Day 4

Julie Stocker, 2014

January for Charity: The Logic
Behind the Project

1. I am storing too much fabric.

2. People need something with which to cover themselves.

3. I will make them quilts.

How simple is that? Deeper down, it's far more complex. You have to appreciate the Devil is always in the details.

When we think about making charity items, there are things to consider:

Sawtooth and Variable Stars: Day 3 of Charity Quilts

1980's-1990's Fabrics

I was blessed with a sister-in-law who gifted me her stash when she decided she was no longer interested in quilting. That was over a year ago, maybe longer, and it's been hard making a dent in the tubs. The fabric is still in beautiful condition, but a little harder to use because it looks dated. I've been looking for ways to use it so the overall quilt doesn't look like it's from the 80's.

16 Patch Sawtooth Stars with 4 Patch Variable Stars

7 Grid Chain Quilt: Day 2

7 Grid Chain 

Yesterday I started playing with blocks, and today it all came together. Like many of you, I work best without a pattern. If you haven't tried it, it's liberating! Just start with an idea, and keep moving forward until you arrive. Let me give you a quick walk through this quilt's process. 

January Goals: Charity Quilts

Happy New Year!

Isn't it heavenly to start with a clean slate? 

Are you ready to do a fabric purge in your studio, 

and put it all to good use?

A whole year of new starts, and fresh eyes toward our future is a gift. We stand on this exact spot, but recognize the opportunity less than we would like to admit. Many times it simply becomes routine with the New-Year's-Resolution-Thing. This time is different. I've taken the entire month of December to dream about what I was seeking in 2018. Nope, that's not a typo. How can you plan the year at hand by not looking further down the pike? Do you ever just get in your car and drive around and around? No. We plan destinations, and we determine the best routes. Energy is in limited supply.

Wanted: Other Quilters Seeking Joy

Another Scrap Box Dumped

"The End (of the Year) is coming! The End (of the Year) is coming!" If you heard this, and you only had one quilt to make before the End, what would you make?

Seriously, if you only had one more quilt to make 

EVER, what would you make?

Snail's Trail with Depression Scraps aka Feed Sacks

Snail's Trail Block

Always Start by Sorting!

About a year ago I started collecting vintage fabrics. They can still be found around here by hunting little shops, word of mouth, or scrolling through Ebay. Everything I buy comes home, and gets a good wash and press, and then stored flat. Up to this point I haven't used a thing. I've been literally stockpiling it waiting for just the right project.

150 Canadian Women Blocks

150 Canadian Women Quilt Along

Next Step Quilt Designs is hosting a quilt along celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary next year, and I hopped on board with some friends. The blocks are released 3 per week, and I'm close to being caught up now. The suggested palette is a range of red and white. I'm making this one more of a Glory Quilt palette by adding blues, grey tones, and a some gold.

'En Provence' Mystery Blocks Piling Up

One Possible Combination

Last week's installment is all finished here. It's time to start putting things together to imagine. My thoughts: Did I pick the right combination of colors for this?

Saturday Lists, Stash, & 150 Canadian Women

The Day of Big Lists 

and Why You Should Have One

More than any other time of year, this is the Craziest (with a capital "C") for most of us. There would be no other opportune moment for me to plug the value of making lists than today, one week before Christmas and Hanukkah. My current lists are:

Santa's List

Shopping

Home and Holiday Budgets

Calendars: His, Hers, Theirs, Yours

Menus

Travel Itineraries

Studio Work/ Holiday Sewing

Scrappy Dresden Baby Quilt

No Pressure Quilts

Can I tell you what I love most about making baby quilts?  I love that when someone looks at this quilt, it's only going to be for a moment before their eyes go back to the new baby. They aren't going to see the little imperfections you and I might pick apart with our eyes. This is about the baby--not the quilt! No pressure. But for the sake of letting you in on what I learned, I'll pick apart the process.