Tip #5

#5

To hide the blind stitches when attaching the binding strip to the back of the quilt, use a thread colour that is the same colour as the binding strip and not the backing fabric.

This rule also applies to appliqué. The thread should be the colour of the piece being appliquéd not the background colour.

Hope these tips are helpful.

Slow Sewing and Slow Food

Hand sewing in Italy in a room in the Basilica San Zeno!! Could it get any more special??

LOL! There's Kip's elbow again!

My friends and I visited arguably the most spectacular church in Verona, San Zeno Basilica. Saint Zeno is the patron saint of Verona and this piazza is often the setting for celebration.

Amazing lunch together.

Can't go to Italy without having at least one gelato!

We had an aperitivo later on.

Another good day I'd say.

Art Work Back

I received my art work that was touring for the past 2 years.

My art work photographed from the catalogue.
Waves

"Radiation emits from objects at many different scales, from stars to atoms. This piece reflects my interpretation of emitted radiation waves interacting with other matter, including human bodies." (taken from the catalogue)

It is always nice to get things back.

 Waves, detail

The curator and her team packed up the work nicely. I usually roll my work. I was once told to avoid tubes for shipping because they often roll off trucks and belts. So I now use a long triangular box.

Waves, detail

Oddly enough from Germany it was going to cost a fortune to send to Italy! So she put the triangle box into a square box and it cost much less.

Waves, detail

Inside, there were a few treats! One of which was a catalogue of the exhibit and all the places it went (except for the last place as the opportunity came after the catalogue was printed.)

catalogue cover for the Radiation exhibit

I liked many of the other works. I liked reading what the artists said about their work and its inspiration related to radiation. All works are 60cm x 120 cm, measurements set by the curator.

Without natural filters life on earth would be impossible.

Merce Gonzalez Desedamas, Spain
Life Filters

When charged particles such as a proton pass through a cloud chamber they leave behind a trail of ions as they strike molecules of air along their path. Mist droplets form around these ions creating a cloud track.

Tonya Littman, USA
Particle Trails

Magnetic resonance images.

Rita Berghuis-Ensing, Netherlands
Diagnose Braintumor 1

A chemical reaction transforms 95% of a firefly's energy into light and only 5% is set free as warmth. Up to now no form of man-made light has met this level of efficiency.

Barbara Lange, Germany
Monochrom 8- Fireflies

There was a CD of the show works. There were a few printed note cards, postcard size, and a thank you note from the curator.

Since it is in Italy, I am going to submit it for the Ad Maiora member exhibit which is happening in November, even though most of the other works will be traditional quilts.

Bookbinding

I am really enjoying the bookbinding workshop I registered for.

I am use to working with needles and thread.

I am learning with ease all the different types of construction, some ancient.

I did notice I am not a very good folder!

Missing You

I can't really say I "miss" stuff when I am here in the south of Italy.

August 25 photo diary project

But I have noticed I miss making quilts. I miss my fabric.

My friend sent me an email with a picture of her workspace. Nothing set up -just a picture of what the space looked like. She and I sew together sometimes. I really loved that she sent me that.

Gail's quilt

Author Margaret Atwood described quilts as flags (taken from Judy's Journal)

Reading Amy Friend's blog this morning, I see that comparison again. I love that thought! Thinking of the motion of a flag when one is under a quilt. Moving, alive, being blown by the wind. It's beautiful. I miss my quilts.

I leave the beach on Monday..

... and head north to Verona where I will be confirming the itinerary for next year's group trip (May 15 to 24). I will be sewing at the Ad Maiora studio for sure.

Happy sewing!

Hand Work

"(She) rolled her shoulder slightly to relax the cramping muscle as she tried to keep her focus on the tiny, even stitches..."

Clouds, detail, 2009
Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
key figures in the international design scene.
Clouds seen at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.

"She liked sewing."

 Clouds, detail
Momentané (exhibit) closed September 1, 2013

"Liked the steady repetition that allowed her thoughts to drift, and the unequalled satisfaction of creating something functional, and sometimes even beautiful, with her own hands."

Clouds (right side)
Twigs, detail, 2004 (left side)

It makes me happy to know that my mom is starting quilting classes in France. Sewing is something that has brought me great satisfaction.

Clouds (right)
Twigs, (left)

Oddly enough these textile works were not sewn by hand! I put them with this post because of their title- Clouds. Dreamy and relaxing, which is the feeling I hope my mom gets from sewing quietly.

(quote from the book I read this summer on the beach, The Firebird, by Susanna Kearsley.)

Friday's Fun

I can't believe the Canadians arrived a week ago. They have enjoyed their time discovering the city of Verona and the italian ways.

Today, we started with a workshop at the Bernina station in Loggia Barbaro. All 5 travellers participated.

Look at the ceiling!
Imagine working in a place like that!

Then more quilt exhibits.

Minerals has been very popular with the visitors.

Susanne Piras' felt work

detail S. Piras' work, felted silk and wool 

There are many textile pieces in the store windows
along the streets,
Corso Porta Borsari, San Anastasia and via Rome.
This one is by M.T. Sansotta

We had lunch at Osteria Al Duomo. Not everyone wanted to try the horse meatballs!

Outside the Osteria Al Duomo

We had a class with Patrizia Girlanda at one of the apartments. We learned a hand piecing technique used my the Miao people of southern China.

 Tomorrow is the last day so everyone has a list of things they want to do. I told them they could sleep when they get home!

Leaving Tomorrow

Next time I write, I will be in Paris, France.

I am all packed and have prepared two hand projects to take with me to Europe.

For my traditional project, I am continuing my stars. Simple, quiet sewing. Small enough for train travel.

Stars made using the traditional paper-piecing method.
Each side of the points measures 1 inch.
I like to choose the fabric scraps for each star.

The other project is a contemporary work. It stems from the travel blanket workshop I took. A different take, of course. There will be more on the concept when I start sewing, including pictures.

I dyed the fabric a while ago. It was just waiting for the right
moment to be stitched.

 My threads are packed.

A bientôt.

Gadget

While I was in France last September a women from the Netherlands (Anna ten Broek-Smallenburg) approached me about a quilting gadget she invented.

I used it while making Look for Labradorite and I must say it is fabulous!!

Anyone who quilts by hand may want to get one.

I don't do much hand quilting but I found it particularly useful while sewing through layers of dense fabrics.

Basically, it pulls the needle through. You wear it on your hand like a ring and can sew easily with it there, ready to use it.

I have seen them around at some quilt shops. Definitely worth looking into!