One More Dress

Up early, I finished one more little dress, and changed the ties on the one on the left.  Cute.  Now that I've worked out the best way to finish armholes and make ties, I could go on.  But I think it's time to think about  the Hoffman Challenge.

A Change of Pace

I finished my Interpret This! piece for April  and have taken the chance to take a break and do some other types of sewing.

Our guild is making and sending dresses to Africa with a member who will be going there in a few weeks.  We're using information from Little Dresses for Africa, a project you can read about on their web page.   One way to make the dresses is from gently used pillowcases, and I made one that way.  But since I've got stash fabric that is suitable, why not use it?    These are easy to make, and quick.  I made the pillowcase one in less than half an hour last night, and the from scratch one in a bit more today.

My other project was to make pillowcases for the twins.  I had the brainstorm of piecing their names into the band.  When you have young geniuses who can find "A for Aidan" and "C for Conor" on cereal boxes, you should celebrate, right?  I wish I'd paid a bit more attention to fabric choices, but these were fun.

Chicago Quilt Fest

Here are the highlights from my highly biased viewpoint.

I always like In the American Tradition exhibit, contemporary spins on traditional patterns.  Here's a favorite, all polka dots and stripes.  It's appropriately named Sunny Side Up, made by Tamna Tarr.

Another dependable highlight is Hands All Around, quilts from around the world.  This year's Japanese best, Spring Field by Akiko  Kawata:

Love, love, love this quilt.  (I actually like dandelions, too.)

Here's one I liked from Tactile Architecture,  Remembering Sweden, by Helena Scheffer.

And this should be familiar:

I bet the Hoffman Challenge people will never again choose such a drab fabric for the challenge.  Although the individual quilts are striking, the overall impression of the exhibit is dull.  Most people stuck to that earth tone palette, with only a couple of brave souls adding red, or in one case a reddish purple.

The best part, which I can't show, was the SAQA exhibit,  SAQA @20.  This was fabulous.  These quilts are art, no matter how you want to argue about the definition.  If this exhibit comes near you, it's well worth seeing.

And as a final note, this is the last year for this show in Chicago.  Apparently there have been many complaints about the venue, so next year the spring show goes to Cincinnati.  Too bad for those of us here; Cincinnati is not a day trip.

Tomorrow,  I'm taking a bus trip to the Chicago International Quilt Festival.  I always have mixed feelings about this show.  The crowd is too large for the venue, or the venue is too small, and the press of people is unpleasant.  I also don't like the way the vendors overshadow the quilts, but I guess that's the way it is at all shows.  Still, I would hate to miss it, and am looking forward to the beautiful exhibits, and some of the vendors,  and especially to seeing my quilt, I Dreamed of an Elephant, in the Hoffman Challenge exhibit.  If anyone will be there tomorrow and would like to say hi, email me, and we can arrange a quick meeting.

Tulips, Art, and a Rock Slide

When I showed the postcard on the left to my husband, he said, "What is that?  Is that a mango?"  Since this is a photograph of a tulip, printed on fabric and fused to painted fabric, I can't think my drawing skills are at fault this time.  Then I showed him the other one:  "Now that's a tulip.  I can tell that's a tulip!"  Isn't it odd that a grade-school level stamp of a tulip looks more like a tulip than the real thing does?  That says something profound about art, I think, but I'm not sure what.  Of maybe it just says something about Bob.

And speaking of art, I am now on Plan B for Interpret This.  As often happens, I had the idea when I was half awake this morning.  I'm hoping it will look as good on paper and cloth as it did in my drowsy brain.

What's Going On

Here's the new Interpret This photo.  My first reaction was that it's almost too easy to do the first thing that came to mind, so that means either a) I'm totally wrong about how easy it is, or b) if it's too easy, then it won't be interesting.  (Am I a pessimist, or what?)  Anyway, I pulled some fabric, made some notes, and things are simmering/festering/maturing in the creative part of the brain.

 I'm also working on the Hoffman challenge,  after waltzing around the idea for several days.  I have an idea and have been pulling fabrics for that too.  Today I made a paste up, played with it in Photoshop, and may start some actual sewing later.   All I'll say is that the colors will look a lot like the blocks I posted recently.  The Hoffman stuff was lying on a table nearby while I worked, and it looked lovely with those fabrics.  You see, a cluttered work area does encourage creativity!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend, everybody.

Two Methods for Facing the Edges of a Quilt

Rian asked about the facing method I mentioned in my last post, so here's a brief explanation.  This technique comes from the book Circle Play by Reynola Pekusich.  I didn't go back and look up the details, so although she gets credit for the idea, the details and any mistakes are mine.  Here's a photo of a quilt I made using this technique.

Cut a square with sides about twice the width of the facing, and round one corner of the square so it will make a smooth curve joining the facing.  The facing strips for the sides are cut length of side, minus width of two squares, plus one inch for seam allowance.  One side strip is cut in two pieces to make the join.  (On a large quilt you might want to make a join in the middle of every side.) You sew the strips to the squares, turn under and stitch a 1/4 inch hem,  and attach the entire facing to the front of the quilt, right sides together.  The final join is made by overlapping the two ends.  I don't have a photo of this because it's under my hanging sleeve.  Then turn the facing to the wrong side, pushing the bulk firmly into the corners and squaring them, and slip stitch the facing down, or fuse if you want.  This makes a neat facing.

Here's the other method that I don't recommend, although perhaps it would work better with a bit more care than I used.  I don't remember where I saw this, so I can't give credit or blame.

A facing strip is cut for each side, about an inch shorter than the quilt.  Then cut four squares large enough to cover the facing when it's folded into a triangle as shown.  Fold the squares in half, press them and pin a triangle to each corner of the quilt on right side.  Pin the strips to the sides of the quilt on top of the triangles.  Stitch around all sides, and turn to the right side.  The folded triangle should cover the raw ends of the side strips.  Turn under the edges of the strips and slip stitch or fuse them down.  Slip stitch the triangles over them.  This method is easy, because there are no joins and the measurements don't have to be so precise, but I think it's bulky, and I had trouble making a smooth square corner.

On a very small piece those triangles could be left un-sewn, forming a place to slip a hanging rod.

March Interpret This

Eyes Wide Open

16 x 12

Photo transfer on cotton and organza,  machine piecing, applique and quilting, hand embroidery

This is my interpretation of the March photo shown below.  You can read more about it on the Interpret This blog and see other quilters' versions in the coming days.

Photo transfer was the technique I used for this interpretation.  I took many photos of my old doll, edited them in Photoshop to select the head and provide a solid background, increased the saturation by 25 %, and printed them on cotton and ExtravOrganza by Jacquard.  Then I began arranging them until I found something I thought worked, and added the quotation, also printed on organza.

I chose not to use a binding, and used a facing technique I read somewhere that puts squares folded into triangles in the corners.  I don't recommend it, because it creates too much bulk.  Next time, I'll go back to having a join in the center of the sides.

Playing

I'm currently between projects, and have been looking at some of the fabric I have, thinking about where to go next.  I bought this piece of fabric several years ago.  It shades from lemon yellow to a rosy peach and back to yellow again, all the while blending different sizes and shapes of dots.  There should be a way to really show this off, but I have trouble visualizing how.  (I have lots of it.)  I've started making these simple blocks, thinking about shading the backgrounds according to where on the fabric I cut the pieces.

Although I like the colors, this idea doesn't seem interesting enough for that great fabric.  I may make a few more blocks to see what develops.  If nothing else, I'll have a start on what could be a pretty, small quilt for a baby, and there's more of the fabric for something else.

Interesting Project.

Many of you will remember Susan Lenz from the Cyber Fyber Exhibition a couple of years ago.  Read about her new project here.  Any volunteers?

Nellie of Nellie's Needles sent me this photo of one of my quilts displayed at the Smoky Mountain Quilt Show in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend.  It was an unexpected pleasure to see it, and to know that it looks straight when hanging.  A bed-size quilt looks so different on the bed than it does on display.  I made this quilt about five years ago using blocks from Alex Anderson's book Simply Stars,  adding a few other star blocks.  The variety made this fun to do.

Nellie will be posting more pictures from the show next week, something well worth looking for.  Thanks, Nellie!

Terrific New Foot

 Janome just announced this new foot a few months ago, and I ordered one as soon as I saw the information.  I've had it now for several weeks, and I absolutely love it.  The clear plastic allows a wonderful view for accurate 1/4" or 1/8" seams.  It rides over seams fairly well also.   If you want, you can attach the 1/4" guide.  I don't want.  I hated that guide on the older quarter inch foot and the fact that it is removable was the main attraction for this foot.  The other guide is for stitch in the ditch.  This would probably be helpful, but I haven't tried it since I don't stitch in the ditch except for quilting.  I can think of uses for it in garment sewing however.

So if you have a Janome that this foot will fit (horizontal rotary hook models), I'd really recommend it.  It cost about $17, as I remember.

Accomplishments

I'm feeling good about yesterday's work!  My Interpret This piece is finished.  It was very simple to construct once I finally had an idea of what I wanted to "say,"  so it went together quickly.  Reveals begin March 27.  Look at the blog for some hints of what people are doing with that doll photo.

With that cleared away, I  sewed the borders on this little give-away piece that I began assembling at the end of February.  It's made with orphan blocks, framed using Sharyn Craig's ideas.  I'm very happy with its bright cheerfulness, and am looking forward to practicing some free-motion in the spaces of those blocks.  It's a size I think I can manage.  The quilting can be done after I finish the baskets.

Yes, I gritted my teeth and sewed together all the rows on the basket quilt.  Now just the  borders from the focus fabric are left, and the top will be done.  Maybe I'll do that today.  Notice the ray of morning sunshine falling across the quilt--spring!

Signs of Spring

The colors don't look spring-like, but nevertheless blooming branches picked from my yard do mean spring.  This witch hazel bush actually blooms in February when the snow is still on the ground.  Unfortunately I planted it away from the house at the edge of the woods, so the blooms aren't very visible, and I didn't wade through the snow to cut some branches until yesterday. when 50 degree temperatures had cleared that area.  The snow is finally gone along the streets and roads too, so I can walk outside instead of on the treadmill at the gym.  That's a good thing.

Another good thing is that lightening struck on my Interpret This piece.  I have a concept, a rough composition plan, and materials ready to go.  Later today I hope to be brave enough to start cutting and sewing.  It's odd,  but according to my notes, I finally got a real idea on exactly the same day last month.  I'm obviously a slow starter.

Three Favorites from the IHQS

Best of Show at Indiana Heritage Quilt Show

Star Berries by Gail Stepanek

Quilted by Ronda Beyer

This is a lovely quilt--it doesn't shout "Look how flashy I am," but it grows on you and repays careful study.  The seven pointed stars, the asymmetrical setting, and the subtle colors all give a traditional quilt a new spin, and  the beautiful quilting enhances the whole effect.  Click so you can get a good look--it's fabulous.

This quilt, The Geisha and the Serving Girl, is by Claudia Meyers and Marilyn Badger.  It makes very effective use of metallic fabric paints to enhance the designs, and has beautifully balanced quilting, with very dense filling but leaving some puffy areas too.

This quilt doesn't make a huge initial impact, but it's fascinating.  One of a series of alphabet quilts by Janet Stone,  this one includes fourteen sheep as part of the design.  See if you can find them.  The detail on this quilt is delightful; be sure to click on it for a close-up view.

I had more favorites, but this is a taste.  It was a very good show this year.

Hooray!

 Third Prize, Ensemble Bed Quilts!

What a surprise!  People often say they're surprised if they receive an honor, but honestly, I was amazed.     I walked in and was handed the list of prize winners, which I didn't even glance at.  I wandered around, taking in the big winners, found my wall quilt entry inconspicuous in a corner, and was unable to find Peppermint Stars, until finally, I looked down at the list and saw my name.  Stunned, I kept looking and there it was, with its ribbon and its sign crediting the sponsor of the prize.  Thank you Deb Geyer, for the beautiful quilting, which really shows up in this picture.

This was the highlight, but I had a very enjoyable trip in general, and will post some more show pictures in a day or two.

March

It's 40 degrees, the sun is shining, the sunlight is falling across our north-facing deck:  spring is coming!  I'm looking forward to driving down to Bloomington, Indiana, the sunny south to me, to see the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show.  I always enjoy this trip; I love the quilts, the town, staying in a hotel room alone, the chance to take an interesting class.  This year I'll be taking a class from Mickey DuPre called "Permission to Play--Yes, You Can Draw. "  Right.

Whether I can draw or not, the class should be fun.  We're supposed to bring lots of scraps.  Does this really mean I should throw all the plastic scrap bags of sorted by color pieces in my suitcase, or should I be more selective?  It may depend on how much time I want to spend packing tomorrow.

Yesterday and today I spent some time sewing those blue basket blocks together.  Maybe I can actually finish that top this month as well as work on the Interpret This challenge.  Here's the picture:

I'm the person responsible for this photo.  Choosing a photo is not easy.  Do you choose something pretty, something you would like to do yourself, or look for something out of the box?  I chose two of the first type, and then threw in this one as an afterthought, and fate made the choice.  I do have an idea for it although I don't know how it will work out.   The members of the challenge group are sure to create some great work from this.   Check back at the end of March.

February Interpret This

Indigestion  

31" x 32"

It was a rocky road this month.  It never occurred to me to be thematic, I think because I've done Chinese before, so I tried to keep a visual relationship to the original photo (which you can see here).  Since I don't draw, and prefer to work with shapes, this was difficult.  I could only see the circle and the diagonal.  You can read more about my struggles on the Interpret This blog.  Be sure to look at all the other interpretations too--two already posted and more to come today through Sunday.  There's a fascinating range of approaches.

Some technical points that might be interesting:  1.  Quilting with a walking foot at an angle that's not a straight bias is difficult.  The quilt tries to move back to the straight and narrow, producing lines that are wonky in a different way than intended.  It also distorts the quilt a great deal.  2.  Twelve weight thread and batiks are not a good match, at least on my Janome.  Even with a #14 topstitch needle I had problems with skipped stitches and thread breakage.  I've ordered some #16/100 needles for next time.  3.  I was using a scrap of Quilters' Dream Poly batting which has been recommended as good for wall quilts. Having used it twice now, I don't think I'd agree.  Its denseness compounded the stitching problem, and being polyester, it didn't help in blocking the quilt back into shape.  Now that it's gone, I won't buy more.

I have this piece hanging in my studio, and I like it more all the time.  Odd how your feelings about things change.

Interpret This Reveals

Thank you, everyone who commented on the quilt show question.  I was surprised how few people who commented entered shows at all.  I guess in spite of the hassle and expense involved, we're all glad that the large shows exist, and they do need the support of entries.  Definitely a two-way street.

For an on-line show (sorry no vendors) click on the Interpret This button to see the February reveals beginning this morning.  That plate of Chinese food is sure to have produced some interesting interpretations.

A Serious Question

This isn't intended to be a rant, or a complaint.  It's more a "what's it all about?" question.

In the last few weeks, I've packed and shipped quilts for three shows.  This is an unusual number for me, and so I've been thinking about the process of entering shows, and why anyone  does it.  I always think it will be fun, until there comes the actual work of finding a box, folding the quilt to fit the box, finding the proper packing (plastic bag, pillowcase, NO pillowcase), assembling the mailing label, the show's ID label, the inside address, the return shipping check, the photograph, and anything else a particular show might want.  Then there's sealing the box, addressing the box, driving to the post office or UPS,  standing in line, and of course,  paying.  But then I forget about the hassle, and do it again the next time.

But after doing this chore three times in quick succession, I'm seriously considering saying "Never again." I have no hope of a prize, all I'll have is a page of not very helpful judges' comments. (One show is not judged, so there won't even be that.)  Surely a large majority of people who enter shows share my expectations.   If only those who win or hope to win entered, quilt shows would be small indeed.  Why do we enter?  Any thoughts about this?

Some Shopping, Some Sewing

I'm back home, after a good visit with grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law.  Two year olds have lots to say, and lots of opinions, as we all know!

I made a quick stop at Vogue Fabrics in Evanston.  Such a wonderful place!  It almost makes me wish I were still doing garment sewing.  But I bought only thread, and just gave the fabric a quick walk through.  Interesting shoppers there, always very multi-cultural; this time there was a group of women in full veils, one in what I think was a burkha.  They were admiring the gorgeous silks and taffetas, so someone is going to wear something that isn't black.

Across the street at 10,000 Villages I couldn't resist a bag of tagua nut beads.  Aren't they wonderful?  They're very lightweight, and I thought they'd make great embellishments.  Of course, I usually don't embellish, but who knows...

Now I'm busily quilting my challenge quilt, having some difficulty.  The combination of 12 wt thread, batiks, and a dense batting has been causing skipped stitches and breaking thread, but after some experiment with needles, I think I've got it licked.   I started with a #14 quilting needle, switched to a #14 metallic needle, but it seems to be the #14 topstitching needle that does the trick.  Back to work.

A Teaser

Check out that orange border--1/8 inch!  The other day Karen of Lee Haven posted her beautiful narrow border, and today as I was finishing the top of the Interpret This challenge, I remembered that, and also that Sally Collins talks about how to do tiny borders.  So I pulled out her book Borders, Bindings and Edges, followed the directions, and they worked beautifully.

The top is ready for quilting now.  That was my goal for the day.  I'm spending the last four days of the week in Evanston with grandchildren and won't be able to sew, so I had to get at least this far to meet the deadline.

Another deadline is the one for mailing entries to the Smoky Mountain Quilt Show, so I have a label and new sleeve to sew tonight.  That would be good Olympics-watching work, but I haven't been able to get interested this time.  I don't know why; maybe I'll give it another chance.

Valentine's Day Greetings

This lovely card was made by Joy Vale in Australia; it came to me through the Stitchin' Fingers swap.   I wish everyone love and happiness today.

And--it's teaser time at Interpret This.  If you visit the blog you may get some sense of what we're doing.  The reveals start February 25.      

This 'n That--Some Celebrations

1.  I spoke to my mother on the phone today, and wonder of wonders. the valentine I mailed on Monday arrived.  Not only that, she loved it.  Apparently the combination of red satin and lace is just what she thinks a valentine should be.  So hooray for me, and hooray for the USPS!

2,  At guild tonight, a member showed fabric she had bought on a trip to the Bahamas.  She had stumbled across a local guild's show, and naturally jumped at the chance to visit.  She said, "My husband started to laugh.  He said,  "I feel like I'm in South Bend.'  The quilts and everything else at the show were exactly like what you see here."   I don't know about you, but I think that's depressing.

3. ( Not totally unrelated to #2)  Today, I picked up a copy of a book called One Hundred Japanese Quilts, the catalog of a show I saw in the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2004.  Believe me, these quilts DO NOT look like what you'd see in South Bend.  I am endlessly amazed by the individuality, the invention, the intricacy of these quilts.  When I first bought it, I studied it for hours.  I haven't looked at it for a while, and it's a pleasure to rediscover it, and to know that it hasn't lost its wonder.

So what's the connection between these two points?  When what is seen at quilt shops and shows looks so much the same, whether in Indiana or the Bahamas, it's wonderful to know that there are individual visions out there.  They're in the Japanese quilts, and in some of the quilts I saw at guild tonight, and in what I see on-line.  Hooray for that individuality, too!

Guilt: or What I've Done and What I Haven't Done

What I've done is a baby quilt for my son's best friend's new baby.  It's currently drying, and when that's finished I'll post it.  The baby was born in December, so this needed to be done.

What I haven't done is make much progress on my Interpret This February challenge.  I have an idea, but it seems to be taking a long time, and doesn't really thrill me.  Maybe there's a connection there.

I also didn't make valentines for my grandchildren.  I had an idea, but didn't get to it, and now it's too late.  They won't know or care, a commercial card is just as good, but I feel guilty.

I also didn't make a valentine for my mother.  Well, I did, and here it is, but it won't arrive in time.

The only reason I post this is that I'm pleased with the solution I worked out as to how to use the slippery, fraying bit of satin as a background.  I edge stitched it directly to the Peltex, leaving a bit of an edge. This stabilized it so I could do the applique hearts, which are scraps of kimono silk. Then I painted Fray Check around the edge on the wrong side and trimmed after it dried.  No fraying.  The edge is a big of cheap synthetic lace with a little glitter to it.  It crunched up beautifully with a wide zig-zag and should hide any other tendency to fray.  I like that so much, I might even buy more of the stuff!

I also  haven't been to the gym for too many days.  I'm off there now, and to the grocery, since we're supposed to have lots of snow tonight and tomorrow.

Later:

The baby quilt is now finished.  

Very unorthodox, yes?  My son chose the fabrics, and while he doesn't really know what the parents might like, his guess is probably better than mine.  They're a theater couple living in a hip part of Brooklyn, so blue teddy bears didn't seem right.   Laurel Burch demon horses it is!

Another Texture Study

Texture Study 2--Black

7" x 10"

When I was making arty clothing, I found that the best selling items were vests, jackets, and bags made out of a variety of black fabrics--no color, just the textures that the different fabrics or black-on-black prints produced.  So it was natural to follow up the white texture study I posted recently with this black one.   The background is a faux suede, and because I didn't want any more light or variety in it, I didn't quilt it.  I just quilted around the shapes and followed the curves in the brocade.  Instead of binding, I zig-zagged black rat tail cording in place.

Valentine

This fabulous valentine came from Judy McCarthy of Australia through a Stitchin' Fingers swap.  These ladies put my efforts to shame, I'll tell you!  Thanks, Judy.

Thanks and a Recommendation

Thank you to everyone who visited my self-portrait and made such kind comments.  I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  The idea was a while in coming, but once it did, everything went together smoothly. Sometimes that happens, I guess.

The February challenge photo has been posted, and if you're curious about what we're up against, go over and check the Interpret This blog and take a look.  A lovely picture, but challenging.  I've made some notes, and may have an idea of how to proceed.

As I was hanging the self-portrait, I remembered a tip to share.  Did you know that used sewing machine needles make great nails to hang lightweight pictures or small wall hangings?  They're very strong and make such a small hole that the wall isn't marred.  I have a TicTac box full of dulled needles that I use for this purpose.  Now if there was only a perfect use for dull rotary blades...

Self Portrait

                                                                    

                                         14" x 14" fusible applique, machine pieced, hand quilted

You can read more about my self-portrait on  the Interpret This blog.  This was a challenge, both in planning and in technique.  I did quite a bit of work in Photoshop to manipulate my photograph and create the faint background images.

I also used some new techniques with the fusible applique.  This was by far the most delicate fusible job I've ever done and I wanted to minimize the tracing and retracing of the pattern, both for convenience and for accuracy.  After some thought, I worked out a way that I thought was very successful.  It probably isn't new, but it was new to me.

After I got the image the way I wanted it in Photoshop, I printed a copy as a reference copy, then I printed it on a clear plastic sheet of the kind that used to be used for overhead projectors.  You could also make a tracing or maybe print on lighter paper.  This copy is for an overlay to help place the pieces.   I used a Sharpie to draw a dotted line from the center point of each side, and make a pencil mark in the seam allowance of the background fabric as alignment points.

 Then I pressed the shiny side of a printer-sized sheet of freezer paper to the right side of the fabric.  (I used batik so there wouldn't be any fraying.)  I pressed hard with a hot iron to make sure there was a very tight bond.  I put this through the printer so the image was on the dull side of the freezer paper.

Then without removing the freezer paper, I attached fusible web to the wrong side of the fabric according to directions.  I used TransWeb, but Wonder Under would probably work.  I wouldn't use

Steam-a-Seam though because I don't think it bonds tightly enough.  Then I removed the paper back of the fusible.

Using an Exacto knife, I cut through the freezer paper, fabric, and fusible and cut out the piece.  Then I removed the freezer paper.  You can see I started with easiest part, the shoulders.

Then I placed the plastic overlay on top of the background, lining up the marks, and slipped the cutout piece underneath, lining it up with the printed shape on the overlay.  When it was correct, I carefully lifted the overlay, and pressed the cut out lightly.   Here you can see the marked reference lines on the overlay, and the very dark part where I've put the shoulders in place underneath.

I cut and placed a few pieces at a time until everything was placed. After everything was placed and lightly pressed, I pressed again with hot iron to set it tightly.

This technique would have to be adapted if you're using more than one fabric in your applique.  But as it is, it's perfect for a silhouette or for letters, since the image isn't reversed and can be cut very accurately.

Be sure to check the Interpret This blog tomorrow morning to see the first self-portrait reveals.  Comments are welcome.   Mine is done, set to be revealed Thursday, and I can't wait to see the others.

Wonky Curves Charity Quilt

The charity quilt I was working on it now finished, bound and washed, and I love the way the Mountain Mist batting turned out.  It's soft and drapeable,  with enough loft to show the quilting stitches.  I'm pleased with the quilting too, actually.  Thank you Supreme Slider and Janome.  The overall look is less pleasing to me--an odd mixture of gentle and almost straight curves.  That's a lesson for next time, I guess.

Quilt Batting

Cotton or wool batting seems to be the preferred choice for most quilters now, and that's all I've used for quite a while.  But recently I haven't been happy with the way cotton batting looks in the quilts I make for guild service projects.  The flatness of the cotton doesn't seem to say warm, cozy, and cuddly for a small child.  Also, the easy care of polyester seems a good thing for these quilts.  Not all families have access to washers and dryers with gentle settings, or the time for line drying.

So for this one, I bought Mountain Mist 100% polyester with  medium loft.  At the halfway point in the quilting, I'm very happy with it.  I like the puffiness, and it clings as well to the fabric as the cotton battings do, maybe better. There are no pleats or puckers, at least so far.  When it's been bound and washed, I'll know better, but right now it seems a good choice.  Good thing, because I bought a king size batt at JoAnn's half price sale, planning to make four child-size quilts.

Maybe it's the stiff, cheap batting sold by the roll that gives polyester a bad name.  This is quite different, worth a second look.

Texture Study

                                                            Texture Study     8" x 10"


It seems a long, long time since I had a finished piece, but finally here is one.  For Christmas, I received a copy of Lyric Kinard's book art + quilt and have started working through some of her exercises.  One of the first ones is to make a piece in all white or off-white, focusing on texture.  When I made "wearable art" I used lots of monochromatic fabric combinations, so I had plenty of interesting scraps.  This piece includes satin, corduroy, chintz, polar fleece, as well as muslin, and some pearl trim.   This was fun, and I like the results.  I've already cut and planned another in black.  It's amazing how many different blacks there are, and how beautiful they can be when combined.

I've also finished my self-portrait for Interpret This, and put together the curved piecing blocks I made for the guild program back in November.  They'll be a charity quilt when they're finished.  And--I trimmed the all the blocks for the basket quilt, laid them out on the guest room bed, and plan to slowly sew them together, aiming for February 1 as the finish date.

Last, but not at all least, thanks to all the helpful answers to my questions.  It looks like I'll be ordering a bendable bright light in the near future, and probably going with "Harvest Gold nouveau" for the dining room walls.  And to those of you who suggested repainting if the color didn't work, easy for you to say!  I won't admit how long it's been since the last paint job.

Questions

1.  Does anyone have a Bendable Bright Light?  Is it worth the money?

2.  Does anyone have the clip-on-your-glasses magnifiers like my dentist and dental hygienist use?  If so, where did you buy them?  The ones I find on Google cost a fortune.  Keepsake Quilting has some much cheaper ones in the catalogue, and I'm curious if they're any good.

3.  Why do I have to click Submit Comment twice on some blogs?  And even more annoying, on others, why do I have to click twice, and then add the letters too?  Is there something I can change on my settings to avoid this?  Do other people do something to their settings to cause this?

4.  In deciding on paint colors,  I'm leaning toward something that looks a lot like 70's Harvest Gold, except grayer, for my dining room.  I know this is really impossible to answer since there are so many variables, but has anyone had any experience in living with walls this color?  Is it too much?  The room has lots of light in the day time, sun in the winter although it doesn't shine much here, but no sun in summer.  There are no draperies, no rug, and the room opens into the high-ceiling living space which will be Antique White.  (And no matter what some have said:  white walls are NOT a refusal to decide.  They ARE the decision!)

There's lots of knowledge and opinions out there.  I'd welcome any input.

Time for Tantalizing Teasers

Click on the Interpret This button on the sidebar to see hints about the self-portraits the group is working on.  The reveals begin January 27.  Warning:  these teasers are definitely teasing!

Two Works-in-Progress

As I've said, I'm hand quilting my Interpret This self-portrait. I appreciate the suggestions about the net question, and it's interesting to know how many of us suffer when we do handwork. Here's a shot showing those beautiful quilting stitches I mentioned yesterday, with my hand in its support glove. The glove is very helpful. Also, like Rian, I have little bits of freezer paper to show. I used an Exacto knife to cut these; that's something I've never done before, but it worked great.
















I'm also working on this little piece. It's a texture study using all white and off-white fabric, based on an exercise in Lyric Kinard's book, art + quilt. Since taking this picture, I've added horizontal lines of stitching underneath the circle shapes and am doing some seed stitches in the center circle, which gives it a pebbly texture.  (More handwork!)  These changes have improved it, and I think I'm going to like it. A finished version should be visible soon.



And finally, the temperature is above freezing, and I was able to go to the car wash!

An Addiction?

As a joke, people say quilting is an addiction. But when you keep doing something that hurts, is it a joke?

I'm hand quilting my self portrait for the Interpret This challenge. (I chose to hand quilt because I couldn't think of a way to machine quilt I thought would work well.) Hand quilting hurts my wrists and my hands, which have been feeling a bit arthritic the last few days. So this morning when I woke up with pain, I resolved to give the project a rest today. But I've been back at it. Hmmm.

Ironically, this is a small piece, with really just a few hours of work, and my quilting stitches are ugly anyway. So the painful fascination has no rational cause. Oh, well. I think I'll stop now, and go have some food--that's harmless, right?

Hand Quilting over Net

Did anyone ever hand quilt over nylon net/tulle? I put net over a small piece with unstitched applique. I intended to machine quilt, but have decided to do simple hand quilting instead. After two rows of hand quilting the effect is unattractively puckered. The back is not puckered, but just quilted looking, so I'm blaming the net. Does anyone know anything about this? I can remove the net at this stage, but before I do, I thought I'd ask for advice. Thanks to anyone who has ideas.

Happy Twelfth Night, everyone. I undecorated the Christmas tree easily with lots of help and companionship from the cat, but then the Lord of Misrule must have taken over, because everything went crazy. I don't understand what happened.

First, I was printing out some photos on fabric treated with Bubble Jet Set the way I always do. They looked perfect, but when I washed them according to instructions, they faded so much that one was unusable. I don't know if I mixed up treated with untreated fabric, my detergent wasn't "mild" enough, or what. So I made some more, which required treating fabric and waiting for it to dry. These I didn't wash. As long as I don't touch the project with water during construction, it should be ok since it won't be washed.

Then while I waited for the fabric to dry, I worked on the pieced setting triangles. First there was the math error. Recut. Then there was the positioning error. Rip and re-sew. Then there was pressing direction error. I pressed again, went back to sew, and discovered that the first direction was right after all! How did that happen?!

In the middle of this, the painter who told us he'd "get to us sometime after Christmas" called. He may get to us next week. I'm not ready for moving furniture, thinking about paint colors, etc. We have an open plan house, so he would be painting living room, family room, dining room, and part of the kitchen. What a mess. But I guess I can cope. It had to happen sometime.

The good news is that I did finish the setting triangles and can see what this quilt looks like. I'll sew it together eventually, but there are other projects to do, and paint chips to look at.


More good news--no snow today.

Planning Ahead

One thing I'm looking forward to this year is participating in the Interpret This group. Eleven of us have committed to the challenge of creating a work every month based on a photo. All members will interpret the same photo, except for January, when each of us will interpret a photo of ourselves. Clicking on the Interpret This badge in the sidebar will take you to the blog dedicated to the challenge, where you can read an introduction by the members, see albums of our work, and at the end of the month see the reveals. If you haven't seen this blog yet, I hope you'll go look, and sign up to be a follower.

I'm not posting year long goals, but besides the Interpret This challenge, I hope to work through some design exercises I received as a Christmas gift, make as many service quilts as I did last year, keep making small works for Alzheimer's Quilt Initiative, and do whatever else strikes my fancy! One of the first things is to finish Boring Baskets. I finished the alternate blocks yesterday, and will now start the pieced setting triangles--maybe today!

Been and Back, Again

This shot of St. Patrick's cathedral with snow outlining the stonework on the spires is one of the few good photos I have of New York City. There were plenty of photo-worthy sights, but I either didn't have my camera, was too distracted to pull it out, or photos weren't allowed anyway.

Highlights: 1. Fela!, the broadway show about the life and music of Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician and political activist. This was a compromise choice that both my husband and I agreed on, and it was a lucky one. I never heard of Fela before, but I've always liked Afro-pop music, and the acting, general production, and especially the dancing were outstanding. Watch for it to win big at the Tonys.
2. Der Rosenkavelier at the Metropolitan Opera. We only had two and a half hours sleep that night because of an early flight, but it was well worth it. ( A no-photo place: I was yelled at for trying to take a picture of the chandeliers.)
3. The Metropolitan Museum is always wonderful, and there are always new things to see. We intended to spend just a few hours, but stayed all day in spite of the crowds.
3. Delicious food everywhere.

No, we did not stand in Times Square on New Year's Eve. We took a harbor cruise instead. It was a bit tacky, with lots of bad booze and bad food and crazy people, but fun anyway.

I only made a quick pass through a few stores in the garment district, and only bought one piece of fabric for a gift.

But here's a quilt story. On New Year's Day, I was walking up Fifth Avenue past a souvenir shop, when I happened to see, of all things, two antique quilts in the window, and the sign: Antique Quilts in the Back of the Store. So I went in, and there were indeed beautiful antique quilts. My favorite was a mint condition, 1870 quilt with thousands of one-inch square pieces. I chatted with the nice woman in charge, who turned out to be Mary Koval, who as you probably know, designs reproduction fabrics. Here's her website, and information about the store in New York City.

Now we're home, and snowed in, so I hope to do some work!