Oh my goodness, it is JUNE!

"I'm here, I'm here"...I feel like a student who has dozed off during class.  It has been very eventful around here since the last time I posted!

I think this is the center medallion for my little project called LITTLE TREASURES that uses 6-inch applique blocks that I have been drawing (available here).

I have been so wishy-washy about making quilting decisions.  Too much other stuff going on.  

I feel kind of "quiltstipated" (quilt constipated).  Yep...now I am even making up words to describe my condition...yep, I am a doctors' daughter.  

We made a marathon trip to Michigan and Pennsylvania to see friends, spend time with my FIL, and ultimately get my daughter and her friend to New York City to see the Broadway musical, "Hamilton."  My husband flew up to his Dad's, and worked from Swarthmore for 2 weeks.  Meanwhile, I moved Riley out of the dorm and did all the driving to make the trip happen...whew!

That was a lot of driving, then we came home to get ready for lots of family being here for the week around Memorial Day.

I had doodled this block a while ago, thinking I would use it in another Baltimore album quilt project.  The more I stared at those tiny applique blocks and pieced accompanying blocks from Mary and Ola, the more I thought the center medallion should be a big block.  

I am not going to trim it down for a while...part of me is still not sure. Then, I wonder if the block needs a little something else...like some random pieces of fruit under the vase...or just leave a lot of open space for some kick-ass hand quilting!

I am still struggling with fabric choices for flowers in this project. Using the reproduction fabrics introduces difficulties in trying to add perspective and shading to the blossoms.

Oh yes, and then the blueberries started ripening Memorial Day weekend in North Alabama.  I have spent lots of really early mornings and very late evenings avoiding the heat and direct sun to harvest beautiful berries...

They are so pretty after the rain...I got soaked on this particular morning, leaning into the bushes to pick.  I am working on a drawing to capture the beauty of all the colors that a blueberry can be before becoming tastily ripe!

I have been putting them, dry, on cookie pans, freezing them solid, then putting them in containers, jars, and bags.  I have to work quickly to transfer the frozen berries, but if successful, they don't stick together and can be used by the handful, the "each," or in bulk.

It is Heaven to come in from working in the heat, getting a handful of frozen berries, and popping them in the mouth, one-by-one. Ahhh...

At some point, I want to find a recipe for a low- or no-sugar blueberry spread that I can put up in jars.  Something like a jam. Does anyone out there have a good recipe for something like that??

I am still trying to catch up on stitching all the 6-inch blocks I've created...here is another one from the LITTLE TREASURES Flowers (2) bundle.  I named them Belly Flowers...

Trying to find my groove is continuing to be a challenge.  There is so much to do around the property, so trying to find my own time for designing and sewing is difficult...my own guilt-free time. There is more family coming this month...third and fourth weekends in June.

Plus, my daughter is home for the summer, so we have been playing a lot of music together...her playing French horn or singing with me on piano.  THAT is awesome time together that is well spent!

Many of you have asked about the blocks on my header.  Those are blocks I was working on over two years ago.  We had recently celebrated our 20-year wedding anniversary, and I was in a playful mood, trying to come up with designs to celebrate that event.  Then the accident happened.  

My mojo around that project has been hard to find, but I think I have come up with a center 16-inch block that I love! I am hoping that will motivate me further.  I have seven 10-inch blocks done and ideas for the additional five that I need.

The quilting constipation, or "quiltstipation," in my life has got to stop!  It is time to move forward!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

"A Nut With Bolts" and more...

Two more LITTLE TREASURES 6-inch blocks done!  I call this one "A Nut With Bolts."

As I am trying to only use reproduction fabrics, I was limited in choices of fresh-tone fabrics.  I chose one that was the right hue, but it had a design on it that was too strong.  I tried the trick of using the wrong side of the fabric...but the little design shows through, which looks a little weird.

She looks a little bruised!

This next one is from the Flowers (2) bundle of patterns.  It is called "Althea Branch."

Just a few more blocks to stitch and I will be caught up!

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)

Pondering, pondering the center medallion block possibilities...

I am still pondering how to proceed with an interrupted block swap that I have been doing with my friends, Ola and Mary.  They are awesome piecers and I was assigned to do the applique blocks.  I guess they did not want pieced blocks with cut off points, etc.

I have them on my design wall.  For the first few swaps, I used 6-inch applique block designs by Lori Smith for my offerings.  Then I tried drafting my own.

I love the pieced blocks thus far, but with my parents' accident and the move to Alabama, the swap seems interrupted and probably finished.

I really enjoyed coming up with the applique designs, then making three of them.

1)  Remember I had a block published a Quiltmaker 100 Blocks magazine in the last year or so?  I was thinking about doing that block in repro fabrics (here's the version that was in the magazine...lots of bright yellow, pink, red and orange).  Definitely NOT reproduction fabrics...

This block is in the possession of Quiltmaker Magazine...I wonder what they do with all of them?  Maybe they make a quilt from the 100 blocks for each edition of the magazine (this block was in Edition #10), set 10 x 10 blocks.  They wanted us to sign the blocks...they must have had something in mind.

Wait a minute!  I think I prepped one of these blocks in repro fabrics that I never stitched down.  I took a picture...now where did I tuck the actual block during the move...hmm...

I remember putting it somewhere "safe."  That means I won't find it for a while.

It is a little Christmas-y looking in the red and green...I may prep another one, which may be easier than finding the missing block...I KNOW where to find the pattern sketch.

2)  I was thinking of drafting something antique-looking, maybe a little Phoebe-ish.  This is the center of a Phoebe quilt, if you aren't familiar with it.



Something like that would be very pastoral and traditional...

3)  I have some sketches I drew of our family when I was working on my "Civil War Bride" quilt.  I ended up replacing 10 of the 20 blocks from Corliss Searcy's pattern to make the quilt more my own.  I used this family "portrait" block in that quilt.  But there are others...

4)  And then there is this block I drew of a flower vase...it doesn't have a lot of personality, but it might fit the bill.  I have been prepping the flower motifs to stitch together before stitching it to the background (so I can cut the background away later, if I choose). 

The larger rose blossom is almost as big as one entire little 6-inch block that I've been working on recently.  This block will finish about 16 inches, so, as Bernie says, it seems YUGE! (as compared to my recent output...)

It is a real challenge to make anything more complicated than folk art pictures with reproduction fabrics.  The designs are distracting, most have a design that is too large-scale for subtle shading and little pieces, and the colors seem dull and lifeless.  

I messed around for two hours before deciding on the fabrics for this 15-piece rose (plus the six leaves)!  Thank goodness I had true reds, dark reds, orange reds, pinkish reds, and brick reds in my stash.  

It is unfortunate to spend time drawing a complicated rose only to have the fabric choices all "read" as the same red and just make the whole thing look like a big red blob!  

Maybe that is why so many intricate, antique red/green applique quilts have fairly simple flower blossoms.  They had so few fabric choices 'back then' to distinguish each flower petal...so why bother?

I think I am leaning toward this block.  At any rate, I will make it then put it all up on a design wall and ponder the results.  I will be in and out for a few days, so I hope to get it all glue-basted to the background today or tonight.

I have a few more LITTLE TREASURES 6-inch blocks glue-basted and ready for some serious hand-applique stitching time (and embroidery stitching) as well...

Thank you for your hugs and prayers this week...I felt every one!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

I think and draw faster than I stitch...

I have had the applique done on these 6-inch LITTLE TREASURE blocks for a while, but I finally got around to getting the embroidery done.  They are destined for my Repro Madness quilt made up of swap blocks in reproduction fabrics.

I was tempted to ink the writing instead with a Pigma pen, but went with embroidery at the last minute.  The writing is so small, but I have not played much with inking stuff, so I decided to play it safe.

Do any of you ink details on your applique blocks?  Is there something better to use than a Pigma pen?  I have several classic Baltimore Applique books (I love Elly Sienkiewicz!) where wonderful flower details, shading and writing are added to blocks by inking.  I need to be brave and try it!  I have only done this on quilt labels...

(The patterns for these two blocks are available in the LITTLE TREASURES - Misc (1) bundle offered in my web store.  I almost have a second Misc bundle and a group of Dog and Cat designs almost ready to go!)

I can't believe Riley is finishing up her first year of college this week.  It seems like only yesterday that the stork delivered her!

I got more practice last night in making French knots as I finished this next block.  I also had a freak eyeglasses incident.  I was just sitting there, stitching and watching a little TV, when PWOING...a loose screw must have fallen out of the right side of my glasses, the frame popped open, and out plopped my lens!

We search in vain for the screw in the carpet, found another pair of glasses to scavenge, and managed to cobble things back together.  I cannot see the side of a barn without them, I am so near-sighted.  I am glad I wasn't driving or somewhere on the property by myself when it happened!

Good thing I go to the eye doctor this afternoon!

Anyway, it is good to have these two important blocks finished for my quilt.

I counted up my blocks last night, and I have really boogered myself...I am going to have to make some pieced 6-inch blocks for the balance to come out correctly on this quilt setting.  I am not the speedy, perfect piecer that many of you are, so it will be a challenge.  

It will be good for me, but I am not as fast with the piecing as I am with the hand applique.  It will also not be as portable, and I am really needing portable projects for the next month or so.

I also glue-prepped a little stack of more 6-inch blocks this weekend so I have lots of stitching to do!

We are having a thoughtful week.  Today marks a year since my dear mother-in-law passed away, and tomorrow is the 2-year anniversary of my parents' fatal car accident.  

I am still sifting their belongings as I continue to blend our households.  It is a blessing to live in this house they built and care for the treasure forest legacy that I share with six siblings.  It is a constant reminder of their love and care, both for us and the earth, but some days it is still a bit heavy.

Their roses are blooming now, just as they were when I drove all night from Michigan to get here after the accident.  I miss them so much.

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)

Gardening Buddy...

This is a new 6-inch LITTLE TREASURES block for my Repro Madness swap quilt project.  I wish I had this little doggie's help as I try and tame the verge around the house on this 800 acre treasure forest!

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)

Some blocks from upcoming new pattern bundles...and for my swap quilt!

I am trying to finalize two new LITTLE TREASURES bundles of 6-inch finished block patterns...Dogs and Cats (1) and Misc (2). 
I hope to have them in the web store by Sunday afternoon.

This block is called "Penny Chew."  There were so many things available for pennies, nickels, and dimes in these kinds of machines when I was a kid...I was fascinated (then usually disappointed) in the contents.

This next one is called "Still Life With Cat."  I miss how Weasley used to squeeze his bulk into any available container...whether it already had stuff in it or not.  Then, he would just sit there until I noticed him...it must be nice to have that kind of time in your day. 

I like to imagine what kind of goofy things I could come up with, time permitting, to try and catch my husband unaware throughout his day, since he now works from home...like hiding in a closet that I know he is about to visit or striking some weird pose and "freezing" until he passes.

I think my days of squeezing into available containers are over...sigh.  I also think I used to be more fun than I am now...something to think about.  I am still young...at heart.  

I have to quote my friend Don Schoolmaster, "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever!"

I call this next one "Tennis Anyone?"  I found another interesting spotty fabric in my stash with which to experiment for fussy-cutting for his eye pupils...

And finally, since this project did start out as providing 6-inch applique blocks to punctuate my life in Michigan in a swap quilt, I had to represent music.  I am looking forward to adding something like this to my BALTIMORE RHAPSODY project, as a 15-inch block with a few more flowers.

Oh, how nice it would be to not have so many other things competing with my time and attention.  There are so many quilty ideas in my head!  

I'm off to get something done outside before it gets too hot and sunny for this pale, pasty Midwestern/Alabama girl (I don't know what I am anymore...I still feel like a Midwesterner, but am thawing/giving-in to the Alabama roots).  Mostly, I am just confused.  

Then tonight, we will drive to Tuscaloosa and back to catch the play that Riley has been working on, "Glengarry Glen Ross," at the University of Alabama.  Then, bring on the finals and let's get this first year of college finished up!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

Vintage pattern weights...

This is the little box of vintage pattern weights I found on Ebay recently.  I spent about $30 to get them, but I love them and will definitely use them...unlike a few gadgets I have bought for quilting in the past.

The modern pattern weights I have seen are little bean bags, which are fine (made by Dritz), but I already had six of the white plastic ones, which I love.  This is what the Dritz variety look like.

With my larger blocks, six pattern weights were just not enough.

I received my first set of white, plastic, "vintage" pattern weights in the early nineties as a wedding gift from someone who thought I would use them in garment construction (as if I make garments anymore...).  

They didn't grab me at the time...I even lost one of them in our reclining chair when I opened the package. I put the remaining five away and the sixth one remained buried somewhere in that chair for over 20 years. 

Then, I realized how great they were for applique prep! 

I finally turned the recliner over last spring before selling the recliner in our moving sale, pulled the Velcro'd fabric panel away from the back of the chair frame, and dug around in there until I found the weight...it was like hunting Easter eggs! 

What's lurking in your furniture? 

I found the missing pattern weight, $1.28 in change, and 8 cat toys. I still had my sweet Weasley then, and he was thrilled with "new" toys, as was I.

If I had been at a garage sale, I would have looked over this little box of "gems" just thinking it a travel box for a bar of soap.  My original set of six came in a baggie, not a box.

I have a few that my friend Bruce made for me that work pretty well, but something a little heavier is needed for some blocks.  I don't know what is inside to make them so heavy for their small size...BB's, lead fishing weights, pieces of Jimmy Hoffa.

If you are looking around on eBay, Etsy, or your favorite online used stuff site for this same sort of thing, I had luck searching for "vintage pattern weights."  One day they are there, then not, then another set there...it is kind of weird!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

You get what you pay for in fabric...

"You get what you pay for" is one old saying.  A better one may be "quality in - quality out."

I have been quilting for almost 35 years, so I've seen a huge improvement in the quality of quilting cottons.  Those first calico's I bought in the 1970's weren't great and there were so few from which to choose! 

I recently pulled out the first quilting project I started in 1982 to take as a humorous "ice breaker" for the guild talk I was giving.  It is a hand-pieced Grandmother's Flower Garden partial top...Y seams (no English Paper Piecing)...pretty ambitious project for a beginner.  I will share a picture...no judgin'...LOL!

My grandmother had just given me her last quilt, finished with hand-quilting help from community ladies before she passed away from cancer.  That quilt consists of flowery scraps from my dress sewing (I thought she wanted my scraps for her community quilting bee!).  Apparently, she started hand-piecing it about the time she got the diagnosis.  

Here's a photo of that quilt...Weasley thought I was staging a photo session for him and he was looking for his "spot"...

After that, of course, my first quilt was going to be a Grandmother's Flower Garden!  Doh! (head slap)

Like my Grandmother, I used mostly scraps I had that were leftover from sewing clothes and craft projects.  The electric blue was a remnant cotton/poly blend that was left over from making my dorm room curtain at Auburn University.

Ahhh...the shiny sheen of an overly-processed, seemingly artificial poly/cotton blend...that takes me back to college (War Eagle!!)...

I've kept that old top for years, thinking I would finish it some day for fun.  But now, I find that I am a FABRIC SNOB...and proud of it!  Let me explain...

There are two reasons I want to work with the best fabric possible. First, I want almost everything I make, especially things I hand applique and hand quilt, to be heirloom quality.  I want them to be around in a hundred years.  I take weird pleasure imagining a quilt of mine on a bed or wall in the year 2116!

I spend a lot of time making them and it makes sense to use the best materials possible to ensure their durability and beauty.

Secondly, and maybe more important to me, I want to enjoy the process.  Poorly milled fabrics with low thread count unravel easily and are the least colorfast.

I chose a black repro fabric recently to make this small, hand-appliqued music clef for one of my 6-inch finished blocks.

It is hard to photograph with my crappy camera, but in corners where I've clipped my turn-under allowance, I get these stray, unraveling, fuzzy, fat threads that make me nuts.  This makes me use more glue than I like to use to tame the beasts, then I am taking extra stitches through excess glue, which makes me cranky.

And when I make really tiny pieces with turned under edges...like a kitty cat nose...

...I don't want my scant turn-under allowance to unravel like a bad knitting project.

Fabric companies choose the greige goods (gray) that their fabric designers work with to make gorgeous fabric.  "Greige goods" is what fabric is called when it comes off the loom, before it is bleached, screen-dyed and given a finish.

Two things determine the quality of the greige goods...the thread count and the length and number of cotton filaments in the yarn (thread) used to weave the fabric.

You are probably most familiar with thread count concerning bed sheets.  Thread count is determined from looking at one square inch of fabric.  Most muslins have a thread count of 150, 75 threads going side-to-side and 75 threads going up-and-down.

The industry minimum standard for the thread count of good sheets is 180 (90 threads in each direction), but we can all tell the luxurious difference when we are sleeping on 400-count bed sheets.  

Higher thread count gives the fabric a silkier, softer hand or feel.  It is also preferred by fabric designers who draw more intricate, sophisticated designs.  When multiple screens are used to dye the fabric, the design is crisper with a higher thread count greige good.

Some lower end, cheaper fabrics only have a thread count of 120 (60 fabrics in each direction).  They can feel course and when cut, the edges ravel badly.

And don't be fooled by someone claiming 600 or higher thread count bed sheets.  Consumer Reports has "unraveled" this mystery and determined that there is some funny math going on in the industry.  There are only so many threads you can cram into a square inch of fabric.  C.R. thinks the claimed higher number is determined by the number of strands or fibers going into the yarn. 

Typical.

The courser yarns are also harder to remover excess dye, etc. from in the finishing process, therefore they run like crazy!!

I certainly don't want fabrics to run at this point in my process...when I am soaking out the glue, pressing and trimming my background to my desired size.  I wash or at least soak and spin all my new fabric...and dry on high heat.  I want to give them a chance to bleed and shrink before I start fooling with them.

There are some reds I've treated with some vinegar...and I do like those color catchers, but for the most part I've been pleased with washing before using.  I also seem to be sensitive to the chemicals used in the finishing process of making fabric.

It is also true that batiks have a high thread count, which is why a lot of people who do raw edge applique in traditional and art quilts like to work with them.  When doing the tiny keys and rods in my music blocks, I employed some batiks...especially on the woodwinds.  They are a little harder to needle when stitching, either applique or quilting (due to the tight weave), but worth it to me in some cases.

On my last post, I used a new kitty block to demonstrate some of the finer points of the applique method I use (now all stitched except for some embroidery details...).  I had named the new block "Strange Fruit," totally ignorant to the fact that name also belongs to a Billie Holiday song concerning lynching and other horrors of our past.  I appreciate being alerted by a couple of you, and I am terribly sorry about this.  I did not mean to offend anyone and I have changed the name of the block to "Still Life With Cat."

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)