Month: November 2018

Portland Shop Hop: Mill End Store

Yep, I was in Portland last week to go with the YM to doctor appointment. While I was there I saw friends and family, went hiking, bought a pincushion, saw some artists, ate a lot of good gluten free food and visited a few quilt and fabric shops.

Mill End shop: quilting fabrics
Mill End shop: quilting fabrics

The Mill End store is an all purpose sewing store. It is the size of grocery store, not small and cosy. There are two Mill End shops in Portland and we went to the one near Beaverton. It was big and focused mostly on fabrics for people making garments and household decor, I think. They had a big quiltmaking section, but the fabrics were not like the ones at quilt shops. Lots of novelty prints and not many familiar lines. Still, if you need Mickey Mouse or Spiderman fabric for a quilt, they had some. The people were very friendly and the atmosphere seemed to be good.

Mill End shop: cork grocery bag
Mill End shop: cork grocery bag

There was quite a bit of non-quilt fabric. We all have to make some things with other fabrics (Halloween costumes, anyone?) and Mill End store has all sorts of garment and costume fabrics as well as upholstery fabrics and some scary looking machines that I assume cut upholstery. I was interested to see a cork grocery bag sample along with several different types of cork on bolts. I have only heard about cork from people who make Sew Sweetness bags. I have never actually seen bolts of cork in person. I didn’t buy any (have you seen my project list?), but I was sorely tempted.

Mill End shop: notions
Mill End shop: notions

There was a huge wall of notions, but nothing really special. I’d like to see a really nice display of zippers – lots of colors and sizes all in one place and organized. This shop had a lot of zippers, but I found them hard to access and gave up.

Mill End store entrance
Mill End store entrance

The cashier area was large and well decorated for Halloween. I was there the few days after Halloween, but the decorations were still lingering. I did not feel crowded in this store.

Attached to the Mill End store was a Monte Villa Sewing Center. This is part of chain, Amanda explained to me, where they sell sewing machines, accessories, embroidery thread and, in this case, Accuquilt accessories. I assume they sold the machines, too, but I didn’t see any. I bought a new mat for my 2.5 inch die as well as a pick to get the threads out from between the blades. I also picked up some bobbins.

Mill End Store
4955 S.W. Western Ave.
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
(503) 646-3000
Fax (503)786-2022
OPEN 7 DAYS • Mon-Fri 10-5:30
Sat 9:30-5:30 • Sun 12-5:00

FOTY 2018 – early November

FOTY 2018 squares - early November 2018
FOTY 2018 squares – early November 2018

I cut all of the fabric that was waiting on my ironing board to be cut. I tend to press fabric when I am stressed, but I don’t always get to cutting up the pieces I need for future projects.

I really should have been packing for two trips I was taking, but instead I cut fabric. Now I have a completely empty ironing board and a lot more pieces to add to my various boxes. Future projects: here I come!

Hearts for Girl Scouts

Original post is on Instagram from the Stitch Supply Company. I have reproduced it here:

Stitch Supply Girl Scout Hearts
Stitch Supply Girl Scout Hearts

Our community has been struck with sadness this past weekend. We lost 3 Girl Scouts, a Girl Scout Mom, and another Girl Scout is in the hospital. While working on their community service project of picking up trash they were struck by a vehicle. Can you help wrap these families in love? We are organizing for each family to have a quilt – or 4 quilts total. We need your help to make this happen.


Details of the quilt blocks:
We will use Cluck Cluck Sews’ Heart Tutorial in both the 5″ and 10″ block sizes for the blocks in this quilt. Keep in mind the blocks will be 5 1/2″ and 10 1/2″ before being sewn together. Each heart will be green with a low volume background. The green should be a shade Girl Scout green. Think bright and cheery kelly or grass greens or shades there of. Small prints on these hearts are great. The background should be low volume in shades of white or cream. Small prints or bits of color are okay in the background. Solids are acceptable as well. If you need fabric, we will have cut blocks kits at the shop for those of you that can swing by and pick them up. Please press angled seam allowances towards the green fabric. Press the center seam open.

We are also looking for local volunteers for piecing the quilt tops together. We are also looking for volunteers to quilt the quilts. Please keep in mind they will have green cuddle for the backing. Batting will be provided.
Please mail or drop off completed blocks to:
Stitch Supply Co
913 S Hillcrest Pkwy
Altoona WI 54720

As per a timeline, we are hoping to have the blocks over the next two weeks, or by Nov 17th. We will add updates for number of blocks collection and amount needed as well go.

Thank you so much for all your help.
Stitch Supply Co.

Various & Sundry 2018 #11

Quilt World News

Donate to the International Quilt Study Center. They are 10 years old and asking for $10.

The Ruby Star Society has been announced. The designers from Cotton + Steel have formed this new association. Their new fabric collection is expected in the Summer of 2019. They will be working with Moda. The Fat Quarter Shop has a blog post with a link to the video they posted on Instagram. I am kind of sad about the Moda connection. Moda does have great designers, but their greige goods are too ravely for me.

Take the QuiltCon survey.

Techniques

Charlotte Scott, the Slightly Mad Quilt Lady, wrote a great blog post on the differences between silk organza and tulle.

All People Quilt has a great video called Add Binding with an Easy Invisible Join. It is a little over 4 minutes, doesn’t require any special equipment and is straightforward and easy. I have used it three times recently and it is easy to follow. It is a lot easier to follow than trying to use the Fons & Porter Binding Tool that I have been using. An added bonus is that the technique doesn’t require any special equipment.

Annie’s Crafts has a scrappy binding tutorial that looks interesting. I haven’t tried it. Cost is $19.99.

I found a group called the Bay Area Sewists. They have some good benefits if one joins. Sadly, it is located a little far from my sphere, but some readers might find a home there.

Abby-Shane of Bay Quilts has a GoFundMe page for her dog, Riley-Jay (no relation 😉   ). she is trying to raise $6,000.

Patterns, Projects & Tutorials

The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles is partnering with the San Jose Police Department on the gun buyback in December. Now they need a little money to help with the program. Check the GoFundMe site to contribute. You can also send a quilt to the museum that will be given to someone who sells a gun. Even if San Jose is not your area, help get guns off the streets.

Laura Kemshall talks about garment sewing on a recent post. She has some links to documentaries about the environmental devastation of fast fashion. She provides a link to garment sewing tips on the DMTV blog as well.

April responded to my Ring Toss post with the information that “Jenny from One Block” is the name of a pattern booklet and Halo top is one of the projects in the booklet. She provided a Fat Quarter Shop link, which I have provided for you. The FQS link shows some of the other projects, which are mildly interesting. It is also interesting that the pattern booklet has more than one project. Perhaps there are not enough projects to call it a book?

On Instagram, @Lillyellasworld has a sew-a-long happening for the Undercover Maker’s Mat. The pattern is free. Despite the foundation piecing, I am thinking of making one for retreats. I can’t see using it at home, but it would be really useful to keep everything organized on retreats. I know you are wondering about the Crafty Gemini Sewing Machine Table Mat & Organizer. I made it (and am not showing  it to you yet, because it will be a gift, so stay tuned) and am not super happy with it. I didn’t do a crappy job and it isn’t ugly, but it isn’t for me. It’s possible I won’t like the Undercover Maker’s Mat either in which case I will try the Love of Patchwork & Quilting version or one of 5 dozen other free tutorials that are available.

I read the AllPeopleQuilt newsletter. They had a link to the One Milllion Pillowcase challenge, which I thought might be useful to reiterate. The newsletter also had a lunch sack gift bag pattern. If you want a super simple gift bag pattern (use fabric, don’t keep buying paper wrapping paper), I have a pattern on the tutorials page. These gift bags are reusable, so you get to see your fabulous fabric every year and you don’t have to make a Christmas quilt. You can also use them for other holidays or events by switching out fabric.

Sunshine Linus has a whole list of free patterns they use to make items for populations in need. Walker bags, wheelchair quilts and weighted blankets are among the projects.

AgileJack has a zipper pouch tutorial.

The Sew Powerful Purse program “helps girls get the supplies they need to stay in school all month. It also supports seamstresses in Lusaka, Zambia in a thoughtful and wise way.”

Bonnie Hunter has put out the introductory post for her 2018 mystery quilt, which starts on November 23.

Media

After reading my post about the Westchester Dolman top fabric selection, Glenna sent me a site about making selections for clothing fabric online. I don’t know how many more garments I will make, but I always say that, don’t I? She also said “There is also a podcast “Love to Sew” – February 5, Fabric 101 at around 23 min – they talk about weight and give you some websites.” Perhaps we can all learn together. Thanks, Glenna!!!

Weeks Ringle wrote a post about quilting magazines as an endangered species. Mostly it is a reassurance to her customers that their publications will not go away. She makes one good point, though. The magazine production process has such a long lead time that the fabrics used are not longer available once the magazine comes out. This makes me thinking of the whole fabric design and production process (in a very superficial way). People who buy magazines can’t find the fabric in the quilt. Designers want to put out as many fabric lines as possible so they can make some money. Fabric companies want fresh new stock and can’t keep everything in print. The quilting customers only have a certain amount of money and can’t buy everything. Also, customers (at least what I have seen and heard) are overwhelmed by their own fabric collections and have cut back on buying. It sounds like a perfect storm business model that no longer works. I like to be inspired by quilt magazines and almost never want to use the fabrics shown. I have done that once in awhile, though. Remember Fresh Fruit? We have to learn to see the pattern for itself and separate out the fabric, I think.

Try out the Tineye Reverse Image search. It isn’t Google. It is described at the beSpacific website as ““Using TinEye, you can search by image or perform what we call a reverse image search. You can do that by uploading an image or searching by URL. You can also simply drag and drop your images to start your search. TinEye constantly crawls the web and adds images to its index. Today, the TinEye index is over 32.1 billion images.
When you search with TinEye, your image is never saved or indexed. TinEye adds millions of new images from the web every day—but your images belong to you. Searching with TinEye is private, secure, and always improving…””

Fabric, Tools & Supplies

I mentioned that I bought the Halo Top templates from a shop called The Sewing Party that had a vendor booth at PIQF. I took a look at the online shop and really like the look of the fabrics in the shop.

MadamSew has replacement rotary cutting blades for a special price of $10.99. They claim to fit a variety of different brands of rotary cutters. I have not tried these blades and still use LP Sharp, because they recycle blades.

Alison Glass has a new line of stationery and paper goods. There are a few things in her shop now with more expected.

According to the Cutting Edge, the Olfa newsletter, “2019 is going to be a BIG year for the rotary cutter. It’s turning 40!! OLFA invented the rotary cutter back in 1979. It revolutionized the quilting and sewing industries!” Lots of exclamation points, I know. My first teacher did not teach rotary cutting to beginners, so I cut templates with template plastic and scissors for my first quilt. I am glad I did. It gave me a sense of how pieces are put together. Still, I wouldn’t give up my rotary cutter now.

I saw Unique Sewing Furniture at PIQF. They had a booth and their flyer says they are affiliated with Meissner Sewing and Vacuum Centers. They are a manufacturer of semi-custom sewing furniture, apparently based in Wyoming. I am casually in the market for a new sewing machine table, though my bank account does not agree. Their website is a little old and clunky. I’d rather see some thumbnails next to the product descriptions. As it is the visitor has to click on the model number to see a photo of the table. That makes for a lot of clicking back and forth.

26 Project Review…Again

I am making progress. Going on Retreat helped, but it’s still frustratingly slow. I have to appreciate that I am still able to make some kind of progress. I also have to think about what speed would NOT be frustratingly slow. DH reminded me that life is not all about sewing. What does he know? 😉

Finished 2018 Quilt Projects

After lamenting last month that I hadn’t finished any quilts, I was able to add two finished quilts to my list this month.

Finished 2018 Quilt Projects

9 quilts finished (well, 8 quilts and a quilt-let).

Finished 2018 Non-Quilt Projects

Doing Good

In Process
The ‘In Process’ is used to denote projects on which I am actively working or are on the design wall waiting for me to stitch. I try not to put away projects, because that will ensure I never work on them

  • MetroScape is a new project, as you have read. I needed something new to give me a little bit of a new perspective. I have 11 blocks finished and am working on the last one. The pattern calls for 12 blocks. I might make more, but we will see since the blocks are 19 inches.  12 blocks might be enough. It is fun, I love the fabric and I am getting great feedback on the project in general.
  • English Paper Piecing Project– half hexies – I work on this generally at night in front of the TV, so I made slow but steady progress. My friend Faye says that I have to think of this as my slow project.

Still WIPs
I still have WIPs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled. A nicer way of saying UFO is a WIP. The list is a lot shorter and the projects are newer, for the most part.

  1. City Sampler – blocks all made. The long term goal is to sash the blocks and put the top together. In the meantime, due to some seam allowance issues, some of the blocks are smaller than others, so I will have to adjust them in some way – either ripping and resewing, adding a piece or two to the block, or with sashing. I am just waiting until the mood strikes. Julie and I talked about working on this project (she has her blocks done as well) and I feel more of an urge, knowing she is in the same position. My continuing sticking point is that I just need to deal with the problems. I could put the blocks up on the design wall and deal with the problems as they come up in the piecing process.
  2. FOTY 2017 – pieces cut. Need to layout and start piecing. No new progress.
  3. Handbag Sampler – this is the forgotten project. The blocks were teaching samples when I taught a sampler class the time before I started writing the quilt class sampler tutorials. I found one block recently, but otherwise I actually don’t know exactly where the blocks are hiding. I have an idea and still have to crawl up in the far reaches of my fabric closet soon and see if I can find them. I haven’t even found a picture of all the blocks. Sad.
  4. Lobster – I still have more stitching to do and then I need to quilt it.
  5. Pies and Points from 2016 Victoria Findlay Wolfe class. Julie and I had a playdate towards the beginning of April. I brought this piece with me so I could cut more elements (Julie has a Sizzix). I lost my excitement about this piece and will have to get it back. I had to move this to the WIPs area.
  6. Pointillist Palette #4: Fourth is a series of 6 quilts; needs tiny square patches sewn together. No progress.
  7. Self Portrait: started in 2006 at a class at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia. I am still stalled on this again. As my oldest (I am pretty sure) UFO, I put it on my blog and out into the Twitterverse and Diane suggested that I not consider this as a self portrait. I think that strategy is a great idea. I am now trying to think of a new persona for her.
  8. Serendipity Lady Quilt: no new progress.
  9. Under the Sea: class project; The stitching has made the design much more appealing. I am also happier with the colors. I have worked on it regularly during Craft Night and am nearing the end of the embellishment. I keep saying that and, then, just add a bit more.
  10. Black and Red quilt – This came about because of two other projects. I made a whole bunch of bias tape as part of my failed attempt at doing the Mighty Lucky Club a few years ago. Another part of the inspiration came from my class with Tina of Little Blue Cottage fame. This was going to be for a nephew, but I think it will be for one of my SILs and BILs. I have rectangles cut and some bias tape ready. My next step is to sew the bias tape to the rectangles like pickup sticks. I don’t have any photos of this, so you’ll have to use your imagination.
  11. Who Am I? – This piece is up on my design and I keep meaning to work on it, but I haven’t. I am not sure why, but I don’t want it to end up like the Self-Portrait.

Small Projects in Process

Most of my progress involves thinking or just cutting.

  • All Rolled Up Tote – part of Crafty Gemini Organizer Club. I started cutting out the pieces yesterday at Sew Day and finished at home. It is ready to sew.
  • White on black dots cell phone wallet – I have the fabric and now need to cut out the pieces
  • Solid black cell phone wallet – I have the fabric and now need to cut out the pieces
  • Chubby Charmer with Good Fortune charm pack – gift; not started.
  • 4-Zip Organizer – part of Crafty Gemini Organizer Club. It is on my list, but I haven’t actually started
  • Retreat Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started
  • Ultimate Project Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started

Ready for Quilting

  • Aqua-Red Sampler –This is ready for quilting, but I haven’t had the time to take it to Colleen yet. I’d like to get at least one more top finished before I head over there.

In Quilting Process

  • Stepping Stones #2 – I took this to Colleen on my way to Sisters in July.
  • BAMaQG IRR –The sandwich has been basted. I bring this project to Craft Night, so it is progressing. It has to compete with some other hand projects. I really need to finish one of these hand projects so I can make faster progress on the others.
  • Theoretically, the Tarts Come to Tea is in the quilting process, though I haven’t worked on it in a while.

Binding

  • nothing at this time

Hunting and Gathering

  • 30 Something: I continue to cut 1.5 inch squares. I am pretty sure I have the 800 I need, but I am not ready to sew them together yet, so whenever I have a chance to cut more I cut more. It will give me choice when the time comes.  I looked at whether I could start piecing this, but I found I need to cut some other sizes. I got those sizes on the cutting sheet and have a cut a few. I need over 600 of a size something like 1.75×3.75. I need some more accessories boxes to organize these new pieces. I’ll have to think up a new name for this quilt, too, since I am not using 1930s fabrics.
  • Blue Gradation Quilt: cutting 2.5 inch x 4.5 inch blue rectangles. It has to end sometime. I wasn’t sure I was ready to put this together, but I think I might be. I might do a couple of gradation quilts in a row just to get the practice.
  • Blue Lemonade: cutting blue, green, purple 2 inch squares. I used a lot of these squares for En Provence. I need more and have made some progress at Craft Night using the Accuquilt.
  • FOTY 2018: I have started cutting 2.5 inch squares for the 2018 version.
  • Pink Gradation Quilt: cutting 2.5 inch x 4.5 inch pink rectangles
  • Spin Wheel: really not started, but supplies gathered. I might have to cut some more background fabrics. I probably have enough fabrics and just need to decide to start.
  • Windmill quilt: Still hunting and gathering. I am supposed to be cutting a variety of greys for the background, which required the purchase of a new template. Cutting is very therapeutic, so I should try and do it when I have a few minutes.

Other

  • Stepping Stones #3 using the Macaron pre-cuts from Hoffman. I have all the fabric in pre-cuts and am just waiting for space (and desire) in my schedule.

Gross usage is just over 162 yards. My net is at about 57 yards.  I would still be ecstatic if I could make it to 100 yards NET used by the end of the year. I didn’t think such a feat would be possible, but I might be wrong. I do have a quilt ready to be quilted, so there is hope.

What’s on your list?

Russian Rubix’s New Home

Markus, Lukas and Anja with Russian Rubix
Markus, Lukas and Anja with Russian Rubix

A month or so ago, I sent the Russian Rubix off with a friend who sent it to Austria from Zurich. It is better to send packages from within the EU, but beggars can’t be choosers. It is much less expensive to send quilts within Europe. Whenever I find a willing friend, I ask them to send quilts. When I can, I bring quilts with me on trips. Fabric is heavy, so neither option is ideal.

Markus is my ‘ehemalige Papa’, a very good friend who took good care of me when I lived in Austria. We have been friends and in touch since then. I last went to visit in 2016 and realized my Austrian friends needed some quilts.

Monika with Russian Rubix
Monika with Russian Rubix

I didn’t know his wife Monika when I lived there, but I got to know her in 2016 and like her very much. She made me feel very welcome when I last visited.

I didn’t really get to talk to them about the quilt, but will soon. They seemed very appreciative.

MetroScape Block n.11

MetroScape block n.11
MetroScape block n.11

I finished another MetroScape block. This is the second to last one and I should be able to get a start on putting the quilt together soon.

I didn’t cut my regular Hunting and Gathering pieces, because I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough fabric for the blocks.  I am pleased that I have plenty and will be cutting the pieces I need for various other projects soon.

Binding the Quiltlet

Sealife Quilt-let binding
Sealife Quilt-let binding

I started binding the Sealife quilt-let the other day. I made a couple of bindings on a Saturday a week or so ago, so they were ready to go. After finishing off the Christmas mat, I got busy on the quilt-let.

It is going pretty well. I can’t remember the last time I bound a quilt that had flannel as its backing. I like it. The threads sink right into it. It is a little difficult to get the needle in, but not terribly so. Once that is accomplished the stitching goes easily.

I think I forgot to put a label on this one, so I will have to do some hand stitching. It’s been awhile.

Design Wall Monday – November 2018

I didn’t plan on putting up a Design Wall Monday post, but somehow I just felt like it.

Design Wall Monday - November 5, 2018
Design Wall Monday – November 5, 2018

This is a bigger view of my design wall with some added bonuses that I don’t normally show.

Design Wall Monday - November 5, 2018 annotated
Design Wall Monday – November 5, 2018 annotated
  1. Random fabric squares. I think I was looking for similar fabrics or to make some similar feeling four patches at one point.
  2. Lobster placemat – Still in process, but front and center
  3. ATCs – remember all those ATCs I make?  Here are some for which I trade mine.
  4. Most recent FOTY 2018 squares
  5. Latest MetroScape blocks
  6. Latest donation block in process
  7. Cathedral Windows block – it didn’t make it into the Aqua-Red Sampler quilt, but it is still a nice block
  8. For Boy Scouts the kids had to sew on a button. I made this block and he sewed a button he chose from my button box into the center
  9. One of the first pieces of fabric – fussy cut – that was given to me as part of a Modern Quilt Guild challenge
  10. Quiltmaking merit badges. I really want to put them on to something, but I haven’t figured out what yet.
  11. Wire and bead dolls.
  12. Inspiration board. My images are kind of faded now, but I still like them.
  13. Possible donation block in process. I am still looking at it.
  14. Quilt show ribbons

I’m linking up with Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, the relatively new hosting site of Design Wall Monday.

October Donation Blocks

I was able to up my donation block production in October a little bit, which makes me really happy. I did forget to bring the blocks for the past couple of months to the meeting, however, so I will, with any luck, have a huge pile to bring in November.

I am working through some of the 2.5 inch squares I cut with the Accuquilt at Craft Night a few weeks ago. Going through one color scrap pile limits my options, though. Design challenge, right?

Mrs. K’s Spiky Top

Mrs. K's Spiky 16 Patch Top
Mrs. K’s Spiky 16 Patch Top

I told you about Mrs. K’s Spiky 16 Patch blocks some time ago. Not long after, she sent me a photo of the quilt she finished.

I love it! I wouldn’t have chosen that gold, but it is fabulous. did you notice the triangles forming a circle around the center – or suggesting the center? I love that!

Also the corners are highlighted, which is fantastic as well. Great job all around.

I need to get back to my units. I have a bunch of 16 patch blocks and HRTs made and haven’t made anymore of the spiky blocks.

Finished Quilting: Christmas Mat

Christmas mat quilted
Christmas mat quilted

As mentioned the other day, I finished longarming the Christmas Mat.

I am pleased with the design and pleased that all I have to do is bind. Friend Julie thinks that a red binding would work. I agree, which means rummaging around in the my reds to find the right one.

Now I have two things to which I need to make and apply binding.

Christmas mat detail
Christmas mat detail