Monday, May 27, 2013

This made me Happy!






I went out to water my garden and I found this.  This is my first time growing pumpkins and it just made me happy to see this wonderland!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Vintage Sheets Rag Quilt

         My daughter introduced me to using vintage sheets in quilting.  There is so much material and you are reusing something that is so beautiful that might simply be trashed for being old. What could be better?   She pointed me in the direction of this fabulous etsy shop, Whimsie Dots, where I purchased coordinating fat quarters of what she called Reclaimed Bed Linens Fat Quarter Bundle- Sweet and Pink and Shabby Chic.  Here is what I made from my sheets:








 The feel of vintage sheets is so soft and the patterns are so lovely.  Now I am always on the hunt for vintage sheets at yard sales, estate sales and of course, etsy.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Moore Love - Oklahoma Tornado Relief




A Post from the Quilting Gallery led me to this site, Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild
and I knew I wanted to help in this way.  I will be sending off this quilt and pillow cover for the Oklahoma Tornado Relief - Moore Love



If you would like to help by donating a quilt, go to the OKC Modern Quilters page (address above).

"It could be a quilt you have waiting for a good home, a new one you want to make special just for someone in need, it can be modern, traditional, any size, any colors, made by an individual or a group.  You send us your completed quilts and we will get them to those in need."

Quilts will be due to the OKC Modern Quilt Guild by June 30th.  If you e-mail us at okcmqg@gmail.com we will get an address to you.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

A Different Kind of Hanky Rag Quilt

I was browsing around on Pinterest a while back and I got inspired by this pin of a red handkerchief bedspread:




Since I've been making ladies hanky rag quilts for a while now I thought why not try it with this type of hanky, the type my grandfather used to keep in his back pocket all the time. 

I found 12 vintage red men's 100% cotton handkerchiefs on ebay for a good price and since it was on my May to-do list I thought I'd try one. 

The hankies were much larger than the usual ladies size.  They measured between 19 and 21" each so I cut the white flannel backing into 21" squares.  I cut 3 slices of flannel instead of 2 because I wanted a nice full fluff to frame each hanky.

The squares came out a little "wonky" becuase of the different sizes and because the hankies were not perfectly square or new to begin with, but the overall effect looks lovely.  There's just something so pretty to me about these hankies.  I love the patterns, the flowers, the squares, the paisleys.  I think each one is a beautiful work of art.  I think they are very much under appreciated.

By the time I had 9 of the hankies sewn together I polled my family to see if they thought I should stop or add the final row of 3.  The quilt was already bigger than me.  I was thinking it would make a great lap quilt or an accent quilt at the foot or a bed or a PICNIC BLANKET.  It would be perfect for a picnic blanket since the squares were so big!  My family was 4 to 1 on keeping it at  9 squares. 

So here is my latest one of a kind Picnic Blanket Vintage Hanky Red Hankerchief Rag Quilt:


Sunday, May 5, 2013

May To Do List

I had a good sewing month last month and I'm hoping to do as well this month.  With STAR testing the first two weeks, I certainly have the extra time to put in sewing so here is what I hope to get done:

     1.  Finish the Glenwood Gators Elementary School T-shirt quilt.

     2.  Make a 30 square black bordered T-shirt Quilt for Kim.

     3.  Finish (finally) the Scrabble Rag Quilt.  (I found the right fabric to finish yay!!!).

     4.  Make the red rag quilt that I have been inspired to make (I hope it works).

     5.  Make at least 5 tea wallets for my shop.


I'm linking up with Pigtales and Quilts for this monthly to-do list but it looks like she is still having technical difficulties on her site.


Sewing Machine Advice

I don't really know where to turn or who exactly would have the right answer for me.  I'm not just a rag quilter anymore and while I'm not as incredibly awesome as some of the other quilters who blog, I am branching out and feeling comfortable with my t-shirt quilts and my little floral quilts and my baby scrap quilts.  So I am finally ready to call myself a quilter.

 For over 29 years I have been sewing on my old workhorse, amazing all-metal Sears Kenmore Ultra Stitch-12.  It's been remarkably reliable.  My repair man said never to part with this excellent machine but I think it's time to move it to the back of the table.




I'm looking for a quilter's sewing machine.  I've tried to google which machine would be best for what I do but it's so confusing.  I need advice from people with experience.  I've heard that Pfaff,  Janome, Bernina and Husqvarna were the machines I should look at.

I don't want all the bells and whistles but I'll take some.  I still just do straight seam quilting so I don't want anything complicated.  I don't think I want electronic/digital/computerized.  I want a good straight forward machine that will make quilting easier with consistently beautiful stitches.  Can anyone point me in the right direction based on personal experience?