Presents

Do you need any ideas for gifts this season? 

How about a pillow case? It folds up flat, weighs practically nothing making it perfect for mailing. AND it is perfect for any age!!

I've made lots over the years. You can see how it is done by clicking here. Easy for any skill level.

A tip: Use really good quality cotton fabric as this is an item that gets washed lots. I use quilter's cotton from reputable quilt stores.

Another tip: For your first one best stick to non-directional fabric. 

I've made this one for one of my kids...kids! He's in his 30's! Well, technically he is still my kid ;-)

It is to remind him his family members that live all around the world are thinking of him.

Great fabric! Post cards, stamps, fabric with words on it and that perfect highlight band- the air mail stripes.

Try one out!

Tip #13

When using your walking foot to attach the binding strip to a quilt or to sew many layers, it is a good idea to have both legs of the walking foot on the fabric.

Notice in the above image that the foot is in line with the edge of the fabric. So both legs are on the fabric. This will help bring the fabric layers forward in an even way. Only problem is the needle will hit the fabric quite far from the raw edge making your seam allowance abundant! 

There is a simple solution. Leave your foot where it is and move your needle to the right until you have an acceptable seam allowance. (see photo above). 

Many of the newer machines have the option of moving the needle to the right. 

Textile Museum Visit

I took the leap. I went somewhere that wasn't my own house or wasn't my friend's garden! 

An artist friend, Ginette Legaré and I went to a museum. OMG. The Textile Museum of Canada.

It's a small museum. It was perfect. I wore a mask. There was 2 other people in the entire museum because of their preordered tickets and timed entry. We saw them once but technically we didn't pass them as they were sitting down in one of the rooms. I walked to the museum and back. Good exercise!

We went to see Anna Torma's, Permanent Danger. Thirteen large-scale works. 

The gallery blurb says works from 2011...But exhibited was Party with Dionysos which was started in 2008 and finished in 2015. 

It's difficult to say when you start piece, there is much thinking and planning before you actually start and then sometimes the piece gets pushed aside for even a few years before you take it out again to finish it.  

The artist is from Hungary but immigrated to Canada in 1988. She lives in New Brunswick. I have been following her work for more than 15 years now.

My friend said when she and her sister go to see an art exhibit, they select one work they'd like to own. Mine was this one below.

Permanent Danger, 2017
Hand embroidery, reverse appliqué on three layers of linen fabric,
silk thread.

reverse side of Permanent Danger

I love all the embroidery on this piece. I love the back...maybe even more then the front. I'd hang it so you could see both sides. 

Artist Judith Martin often has the backs of her works hung so they are visible and are part of the message. 

Been Busy

 What's in the bags you ask?

TEN finished quilt tops! Ready to be sent to the long arm quilter's.

I'm not big on purchasing fabric on-line but I bit the bullet and went for it. I was so pleased with Sew Sister's website. The colours they show on the website are exactly what you get! I put in another order yesterday for the back fabric of two more finished tops! I'm on FIRE!!

I Love Colour

Funny I love colour yet I am often wearing black! 

Working on more scrap things...this time knitted socks.

These are the two leftover bits I decided to put together.

Who would have thought I'd get such a fabulous fabric!!

They're gorgeous!!

More Half Square Triangles

Half Square Triangles have got to be the most versatile blocks in quilting. Do you agree? There is just so much you can do with them.

I've been sorting out boxes in the basement and found these large blocks (16 inches) mostly done! I added a few stars until the quilt top measured 80 inches square. It didn't take that long because I always have  box of HST's in different sizes and pre-cut squares ready to go. 

Looking good! I do love scrap quilts. There is so much to admire!

I had seen the quilt blocks (MY quilt blocks) on Pintrest ages ago when Pinterest first came out with a caption saying something like, "this is a nice quilt". Thanks but...there was no reference back to my blog or my name anywhere. I was very upset. Maybe that's why it ended up in the basement.

It's complete now and I need to buy some backing fabric. Next step will be dropping at off at the long arm quilters.

Tip #12

#12

Sometimes when trimming half square triangles the ruler slips because of the seam bulk.

Leave your baby finger off the ruler as a stabilizer. I learned this trick in Italy from Annie!!

Make sure your other fingers are "up" on their tips instead of having your palm flat over the ruler. That helps make sure your fingers are inside the cutting line.

You only have to cut yourself once with that super sharp rotary blade... am I right?! OUCH!

Cut while in a standing position. Your weight can lean in over the ruler holding it in place and you get a better sight line to make sure you are cutting accurately.