Tip #7

#7

Consider a label on the back of your quilt.

The label can be an extra block that was sewn into and integrated into the back.

The label can be an appliquéd piece that is attached using the blind stitch after the entire quilt is quilted.

This label is a star block.
It was appliquéd onto the back fabric after the quilt was quilted.
The background fabric of the star block is the same as the back fabric
 making it melt into the back fabric and accentuating its 8 dark blue points.

It can be appliquéd onto the back before quilting, making the quilt stitches go through the label and holding into place forever.

I have also seen labels on the front of quilts! As a diagonal corner piece of fabric in one corner of the quilt.

Remember, it's your quilt. You can do it how you want.

Simplicity

I am still in the south of Italy enjoying...well everything- the weather, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the fresh fish, my friends, the amazing view from my terrace, the breeze at night so I can sleep, my son who is visiting and who has been away at school in Europe all year, speaking the Italian language...life is good!

My friend gave me a gift, something he painted for me.

It is painted on glass.

All this art work needed was a few strokes to convey the message. Nothing more. Simplicity.

He made it for me because he knows my star story. I saw my first shooting star a few years ago from the terrace where he lives. I made a wish. The following summer standing on the same terrace I told someone I saw my first shooting star "right there" and as I pointed to the spot I saw another one in the exact same place! I made the same wish.

This is the week of shooting stars. The week of San Lorenzo. I saw one last night from my terrace.

Marking Time

Judith Martin, still my favourite textile artist, marks time by stitching.

This was a pattern I followed but even in those early days
 I changed it!
I was originally making it browns but it got so boring
 so I added a some blue and that gave it some life.

I started quilting almost 25 years ago to do just that. Mark time.

Simple Brick quilt with double boarder.

To show myself that during a day I could accomplish something.

I label my blocks (top left corner)
while I hang them vertically
 on a design wall

I could hold up my tangible quilt block and say, "Today, I did this."

This quilt was put together a few years ago.
Notice the blue square with the shibori circle.
I made that in Verona. The rest of the fabrics
 are blues from my fabric stash.
It is being quilted at this moment.

The other things I was doing were not tangible.

The centre fabric is washable silk.
The outside strips are men's cotton shirts,
Italian, of course.

Every day, I read books to my four children. I made snacks and three meals per day that were gobbled up. I prepared science experiments so we could explore together. I helped button the dress-up clothes and sat as the audience and watched plays. I walked to the park and went down the slide with them. I gave four children a bath every night.

This quilt was also a pattern. I didn't change it.
(that's not usual for me)
I did choose my own fabrics. 

This past holiday the six of us were all together. I was able to see what I had done over time. The four young adults love each other. They are on the path of happiness. They feel good about themselves.

Hearts and friendship stars,
detail of "Baby Earth" quilt
which hangs on our third floor.
The quilt was inspired
by a favourite children's book

I am so happy I marked time that way.

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.

Saving Time

The thing with quilting (I guess the word I should be using is PIECING) is the time it takes.

One of the stages that takes time is cutting! Imagine if that part was done already. Sure you can buy pre-cut strips and squares (be mindful as they are not always measured accurately) but how about adopting my method?

tip: when you are cutting fabric for a project and you have a small piece left over, cut that piece as well instead of folding it and putting it away. You are ready with a clean surface for cutting and your rotary cutter is in your hand...why not cut it then and there?

Know which sizes are practical for you. Personally, I use lots of strips in my scrap quilts (sizes 1.5, 2, 2.5 inches). I also use 5 inch squares so if the fabric is wide enough I cut some of those. 
(segment from my soon-to-be-published book)

I made these blocks in 4 days, just little bits at a time.

It sparkles! I love scrap quilts.

Most of the half-square triangles were left over from another project and the squares were already cut and stored in a labelled shoe box, also left over from a previous project. I had to add to that, of course. It came together so fast! I still have a few more blocks to make and one of these quiet days between big projects I will.

Several blocks up on my vertical design wall.

My scrap class at the Mississauga Guild is coming up on February 9. It's a full day workshop. Sign up!! It's open to everyone who has too much fabric!!

Blue Star Quilt

detail of the blue-star quilt

detail of the blue-star quilt

Machine pieced, hand and machine quilted, blue cotton scraps, 2005

I used all my blue scraps to make 12 floating stars and 6 connector blocks. It is approximately a single bed size.

This quilt was bought by a Polish-Canadian who sent the quilt to Poland as a gift for a new baby. I am sorry I did not photograph it entirely before it went off to make someone happy. It was really beautiful and interesting with all the variety of blues.

When I first started getting my work "out there", an established artist advised me to get all my work professionally photographed. I didn't take her advise and really do regret it now.