The 'how we met' block...

(Funny, I was just doing a little blog maintenance and found this draft I never posted...a real blast from the past in 2013   It is a block from Contentment.)

2018 AQS Lancaster, Ironing, old school...

"Contentment" is having a good time up in Pennsylvania!  It took a 2nd place ribbon in its category this week at the AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster.  How fun!  

It would be cool to be there with all the quilts...and SNOW.  If any of you are going to Lancaster, I would love to have a picture of "Contentment" hanging there.   :o)

There is a mess in the quilt cave, which is a good sign.  There must be some sewing going on in there.

I am finishing up the outer borders for the crazy "diet" quilt.  The bottom border is completely done and soaking in water to get the glue out at this very moment.  The rest of the borders are mostly done.

I am thinking that this wordy border will be the outer border.  I really don't want to do too much with the borders.  I don't want to distract from the applique or message. 

I am also getting backings together for three quilts...this one, my Little Treasures top, and the chocolate rabbits.  I also have to get the wordy borders done for the second "diet" quilt (I need to finalize a real quilt name).

You know how I love to use my little vintage pattern weights while doing my version of hand applique?  Well, they are fabulous, but I have found an additional vintage item that further helps me weight down prepped applique pieces after glue basting...

...these are HEAVY!  I found vintage irons that are PERFECT when working on a large border with lots of pieces.  I can either use them right on the fabric, or in combination with a ruler to keep everything flat and weighted until my glue baste has dried enough to start stitching.

They are clean, smooth and totally safe to put right on the fabric.  At some time, I may put some felt on the bottoms, but I am totally digging them "as is" right now.

Some people decorate with these irons or use them as a door stop.  Each one of these cost between $5-6...cheaper than the sets(6) of individual weights I find on Ebay.  Both have their purpose. 

The irons are easy to find in your local antique or second-hand shop.  I've been tripping over them for years and never thought I would have a use for them.

I used to just pile the individual pattern weights on top of each other to achieve the same results.

Thanks for all your great comments and emails.  I have missed all of you over the past three months!

In stitches, 
Teresa   :o)

Becoming an old geezer in my 50's...

 

I am beginning to want more light when I am sewing.  I'm not equating this with advancing age, mind you.  I just used to be stupid.

It seems like someone was always bugging me about reading and sewing in better light.  Now I need to take that advice.

Sewing machines, old or new, never have enough light.  Either my old Singer Featherweight or the newish Genome, it's still the same.  I like the LED lighting on the new machines, but there is too little of it and it never seems to illuminate what I am doing.

I have started rear lighting my sewing machine to illuminate my whole sewing platform table.  I love the extra work space at throat plate level, but the machine light only shines, barely, on the presser foot.

I usually end up placing my tabletop Ott light near my sewing machine.  I have tried a couple of those little lights that attach to the machine, but they are inadequate as well.

I have also stopped putting up with an inadequate light box.  I use this piece of equipment a lot, and it must be bright and must be flat...and must be larger.

I have found ...and love...the Huion brand, sold on Amazon.  Their price tends to fluctuate for some reason. 

My personal lighting solution is my Beam 'n' Read...a light that hangs around my neck.  Some come with 4 LED lights.  I like the one with 6 LED lights.

It allows me to hand stitch anywhere and not disturb the other people in the room.  I always have something to stitch with me while waiting for car maintenance or other long "public" waits away from home.

I also use it while repairing things or looking for something in a dark area.  Hands free light...just awesome. 

I look like a stupid, bobbing bird when I try to use one of those head lamps that fit like a sweat band.

I ordered my first one through the company (phone number above), but I have also found them on Amazon.  I love Amazon Prime free and fast shipping...so worth it when you live a long way from retail stores.

It seems like all the places that are convenient for a sewing area in this house are inconvenient for good lighting.  I have a number of table lamp options, and I need them!

Steve has been out of town for a couple of weeks, so naturally I have taken the opportunity to do weird things that I probably wouldn't do if he was here...things like just rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher without starting it, drinking out of a measuring cup (because all the glasses were rinsed and sitting in the dishwasher), sleeping with a Ginsu knife under the bed (for security, of course), and sometimes wearing my jammies all day (you can get away with that when you work from home).

But my best bit of quirkiness on his recent trip was sitting on the couch stitching, straddling my floor Ott light.  That way the light is totally focused on my work area.  I can easily adjust it to sitting back or sitting on the edge of the couch, whatever feels comfortable at the time..

And Steve was not here to snigger at me.

I can peek around it to watch TV.  Awesome.

I love the bendy neck and the long light...it really allows me to sit in any position and have the best light.  I do have to move it when I get up, but that is not a big deal.

Good lighting is required for hand stitching tiny potato chips.  Darkness is better for eating the larger ones...

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)

Heritage Quilters of Huntsville Quilt Show - Part 1 of 3

The Heritage Quilters of Huntsville (Alabama) had their Quilt Show a week and a half ago.  The two quilts I entered won an embarrassment of ribbon riches.  "Baltimore Rhapsody - Symphony" won "First Place" in its category, "Best of Show," then "Viewer's Choice."

I am humbled and thrilled!  It was a great show.  I have spread the quilts over three posts.  I hope you are awed and inspired!

I never won a light blue ribbon before...pretty.

Then, "Contentment" won "First Place" in its category.

Blue ribbon - First Place
Red  ribbon - Second Place
Yellow ribbon - Third Place
White ribbon - Honorable Mention

Enjoy the eye candy!

The following quilt won a "Judge's Choice" ribbon.

The following quilt won "Best Hand Quilting" as well as an "Honorable Mention" ribbon. 

The following quilt won the "Presidents Award" as well as a "First Place" ribbon.

The following quilt earned a "Best Machine Quilting, Track Machine" ribbon as well as "First Place" in its category.

Wasn't this fun??  Two more posts on the show to come!

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)