Saturday, October 24, 2020

Farmer's Wife 1930s: Ava, No.10


Ava, No. 10

I know I said I was going to do a block a day to get my out from behind the grind of my Farmer's Wife 1930's project, but I'm choosing steady progress over a killer plan. It's a little like a busman's holiday to come home from quilting all day to piece blocks, and yet it's a pleasant segue. There's usually a few spare minutes between my through the door, cooking, and dinner, and find this works like eggs in coffee. Sweet!

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Quilt Roll Catch Up


Modern 9 Patch

Oh, the quilts I see! I'm so lucky to be surrounded by inspiration daily. It's been a whirlwind, and they keep rolling in from so much summer sewing. Let me show you a sampler of recent highlights. 

Rosann Triner sent me this supersized, modern beauty several weeks ago. It took us a while to decide how to quilt it. Between talking and texting ideas, we came up with this simple, yet elegant design. It adds softness with the curves, yet keeps it both modern and minimalist. This proves that often the simplest designs require the most planning. It's fantastic!

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Farmer's Wife 1930s: Autumn, No.9


Autumn, No.9

What an appropriate block name to show today! Are you deep in the leaves, perusing pumpkins, and lapping up lattes? 😉 Oh, yeah, there's no doubt of a seasonal shift now. Isn't it funny to have to open your door or check the weather to see if it's shirt sleeve or parka weather? I feel like the height of the color change is already here, but a pilot friend who flew over the trees last weekend told me it's only beginning. Brace yourself for a race through some weird holidays to follow. 2020 isn't over yet for sure!

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.


Saturday, October 17, 2020

Logs & Stars Fall Table Runner


Logs & Stars Table Runner

Oh, I have a story to tell about coming in under a deadline, and bleeding fabric! It's worth repeating. 

Wash all your fabric! If you don't prewash, then test your fabrics for bleeding and shrinking before you start! 

I had all the blocks made for this project last Sunday night, gave them a good press with steam, and watched my pressing cloth turn orange. 

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Farmer's Wife 1930s: Augusta, No.7


The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt
Augusta, No.7

Just a quick post to show you sweet Augusta! I made this block with Marti Michell templates, paperless paper piecing, and rotary cutting with a ruler. The more I work with modified paper piecing, the more it's growing on me. It's quick! Holding those tiny templates in place, and working hard not to cut myself with the rotary cutter is trying. Note: It's far easier if you don't remove the adhesive paper from the back of acrylic templates. Add some adhesive dots to give them a little stick-to-it-ness if they get too slippery. So far, so good.


And on to the next one!
Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew!

Linking up with~


Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Farmer's Wife 1930's: April, No.6


Farmer's Wife 1930's: April, No.6


This block was a bit of a trial. I'm still getting back into the swing of working small, and realizing I need to be consistent. I'm used to piecing with the mind set of "work a little big, and cut down or trim when done." These blocks do not work that way. They are precise, and will teach you to be that way if you want them to come out right. I'll show you how that works.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Farmer's Wife 1930s: Anne, No. 5


*Anne, No. 5
1930's Farmer's Wife

No drama, no whining, but I start to fall into those traps when I pull out old projects. Don't you? Do I really want to invest the time to finish a project I've started, stopped, and reshelved so many times? Will I  find value in it? 

How do you approach some of your long term WIP's or UFO's these days? 

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Custom Christmas Quilt Finish


Intensive Custom Quilting

There is tremendous satisfaction in finishing a beautiful quilt, and I felt both exhausted and pleased at the same time with this one made by Connie Karlowicz. Custom quilting is a marathon experience. It takes a great deal of pacing, perseverance, and attention to detail for everything to come out right. And then there is the artistic element, the combination of designs, and hope that everything you've chosen works where it should, and supports the rest. I find it a little daunting at times.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Planning Custom Quilting: Christmas Wall Hanging


Christmas Wall Hanging

Around here a wall hanging might be referred to as a "wall hanger". The first time I heard it I had one of those eyebrow raising moments, but it's a common way of saying it for many local people. I accept it now. When I first typed out the title, my fingers magically typed "wall hanger". Obviously my brain has accepted it, too. 

This is a client made piece by Connie Karlowicz, and I think it's just the prettiest thing! I found myself singing "I'll Be Home for Christmas" more than once working on it yesterday. Thankfully, I was alone. 

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Charity Quilting: Gnadenhutten Quilt Project



Local Needs

Many of the comforters made by the Gnadenhutten Quilt Project lately have not stayed in our local area lately, but were sent where they were needed most. They were taken to MCC Connections in Kidron, Ohio, a thrift store, and collection site for Mennonite Christian Committee. Donated comforters follow the path to people in need through Mennonite Disaster Relief. Our little group has 8 at the moment ready to donate. That's wonderful!