- Finished seams are a mark of good craftsmanship.
- I like stitch 21 on my Pfaff 2046 Quilt Expression machine as a seam finishing overlock stitch for cotton fabric. . As I was searching for a picture of this stitch, I noticed that Pfaff calls this a "light knit patching stitch." I like it as a seam finish for cotton because it doesn't bunch up the seam much at all, and it looks a little like serging.
Stitch 21 - (Oh, I have to finish this later...)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Some thoughts on Sewing
As you know, I like to sew. Most crafts have a skill set, then you mix in personal experience to become more of an artist at the craft. I would like to ponder on a few of my experiences.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Applique
 "Posies" block | I picked up my Aunt Millie's Garden project recently. I have nearly finished the first block, and now I'm working on the second block. I gave each block a name. First is called "posies." Second I'm calling "Iris." (see below) How do you like the red background? I debated whether to use red as the pattern does, or change to black or even navy blue. Red won in the end; I like red, and it's quite different from my usual style. It adds drama. |
I'm seeing my applique evolve with practice, yes I'm getting better at it. The process is even more magical when the curves are even and smooth.
I have chosen a "scrappy" approach to the applique, using a variety of fabrics in each block. However, I'm trying to use similar styles of fabrics, sticking with colorful contemporary prints for the applique. A thirties reproduction would stand out like a sore thumb. I don't have a lot of contemporary prints, though. Darn, I have to buy more fabric....
I found some nice ones at the quilt show last week.
Although I could go buy more fabric, being forced to use my stash encourages creativity.
Interestingly, taking pictures of my work gives a new view of the blocks. Fabrics that look out of place or too bold when I first consider them actually add visual interest. Lesson learned.
 Iris block |  Close up of Iris Applique |
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Quilt Show
There was an international quilt show in my town this week. I went yesterday to view the quilts and shop, shop, shop.
The quilt show, Machine Quilter's Showcase 2009 "Fire and Ice", had a focus on long arm quilting. I have done some machine quilting on my home machine, but it appears so much easier with the long arm. The quilt is wound around two rolls and the long arm machine is manipulated on the stretched "window" of the quilt. These machines are massive and you need a whole room for them. Think about it. The working area is the entire width of the quilt.
Massive machine, massive price. I think you can get one of the smaller machines for maybe $4000-$5000.
They even have computer guided quilting machines for the home. Program or upload the quilt pattern you want, load the quilt, and let it go. It's beautifully precise. I wonder where the fun is in that, though.
I did not take any classes at the convention, but I went today to see the exhibits and shop vendors mall. I spent 4 hours there and had buckets of fun. I should have invited a friend along...didn't think of calling anyone til last minute. I ran into almost my entire quilt guild there, anyway.
The level of craftmanship on these quilts is way above my skill. Just stunning. It was hard to pick a favorite (for viewers choice) and I wasn't even going to vote; yet, there was one that took my breath away. It was called "Lollapalooza" and it was a whole-cloth art quilt embellished with ink dyed patterns. I simply had to vote for it.
I wonder if it won? Probably not. I have nonconforming tastes.
Then I shopped. The treasure of the day: I actually found a Fasturn system! (Thanks to Gadgets Galore...free plug!!) It's a tool for turning narrow fabric tubes. Extremely well designed and works like a charm. I love sewing notions, anyway, and since I'd borrowed this tool for my work on the scrub caps, I knew I 'needed' one. So excited to find one, snapped it right up! They're not easy to track down.
I also bought many fat quarters, a new project for embellished tea towels (from Vogies Quilts and Treasures, another plug) that was just too cute to resist, a set of tiny boxes for beads, and some Bobbin Buddies to clamp on unused bobbins and keep the stray threads in check.
*Sigh.* I love this hobby.
The quilt show, Machine Quilter's Showcase 2009 "Fire and Ice", had a focus on long arm quilting. I have done some machine quilting on my home machine, but it appears so much easier with the long arm. The quilt is wound around two rolls and the long arm machine is manipulated on the stretched "window" of the quilt. These machines are massive and you need a whole room for them. Think about it. The working area is the entire width of the quilt.
Massive machine, massive price. I think you can get one of the smaller machines for maybe $4000-$5000.
They even have computer guided quilting machines for the home. Program or upload the quilt pattern you want, load the quilt, and let it go. It's beautifully precise. I wonder where the fun is in that, though.
I did not take any classes at the convention, but I went today to see the exhibits and shop vendors mall. I spent 4 hours there and had buckets of fun. I should have invited a friend along...didn't think of calling anyone til last minute. I ran into almost my entire quilt guild there, anyway.
The level of craftmanship on these quilts is way above my skill. Just stunning. It was hard to pick a favorite (for viewers choice) and I wasn't even going to vote; yet, there was one that took my breath away. It was called "Lollapalooza" and it was a whole-cloth art quilt embellished with ink dyed patterns. I simply had to vote for it.
I wonder if it won? Probably not. I have nonconforming tastes.
Then I shopped. The treasure of the day: I actually found a Fasturn system! (Thanks to Gadgets Galore...free plug!!) It's a tool for turning narrow fabric tubes. Extremely well designed and works like a charm. I love sewing notions, anyway, and since I'd borrowed this tool for my work on the scrub caps, I knew I 'needed' one. So excited to find one, snapped it right up! They're not easy to track down.
I also bought many fat quarters, a new project for embellished tea towels (from Vogies Quilts and Treasures, another plug) that was just too cute to resist, a set of tiny boxes for beads, and some Bobbin Buddies to clamp on unused bobbins and keep the stray threads in check.
*Sigh.* I love this hobby.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Smug self importance
Heh. I was scrapbooking before it was the new, trendy thing.
In middle school or early high school, my girlfriend found out she would be moving across the country. Our little group of friends got together and made her a scrapbook of memories from her life in New Jersey. I took pictures of teachers, friends, places. We bought a paper scrapbook and placed the photos inside. We drew pictures to embellish the pages.
I remember one page where I drew a giant ice cream cone along the margin of the page, coloring each scoop of ice cream in a realistic color. Another page had a hand-drawn border of a little vine with leaves and tiny flowers. Pretty creative, eh?
I have lost track of that friend, Valerie Edwards. I wonder if she treasures that book or if it's packed away, forgotten. To me, it seems like a special gift - pictures from a time and age where you didn't really keep track of these seemingly mundane things. It would be fun to see that scrapbook again.
In middle school or early high school, my girlfriend found out she would be moving across the country. Our little group of friends got together and made her a scrapbook of memories from her life in New Jersey. I took pictures of teachers, friends, places. We bought a paper scrapbook and placed the photos inside. We drew pictures to embellish the pages.
I remember one page where I drew a giant ice cream cone along the margin of the page, coloring each scoop of ice cream in a realistic color. Another page had a hand-drawn border of a little vine with leaves and tiny flowers. Pretty creative, eh?
I have lost track of that friend, Valerie Edwards. I wonder if she treasures that book or if it's packed away, forgotten. To me, it seems like a special gift - pictures from a time and age where you didn't really keep track of these seemingly mundane things. It would be fun to see that scrapbook again.
Scrapbooking
I have begun the process to create a scrapbook of the pictures from our trip to Japan last October.
I have a love-hate relationship with scrapbooking. I like the results. I like neatness and organization of a scrapbook, rather than photos and mementos thrown lovingly but carelessly in a box somewhere. It's a creative activity and there are, oh, so many pretty shiny toys, gadgets, and tools you can use!
Or, should I say "buy."
Scrapbook pages are pretty. Colorful! And you get to do all those things we used to do in grade school art class - cut with scissors, glue, glue on mixed media elements, etc.
For the other side of the love-hate seesaw - I dislike how many gadgets you "need" to do a nice scrapbook. It's overwhelming! Since I don't have much experience with scrapbooking, I don't have clear vision for how to build the scrapbook. This means I don't know what tools, papers, glues, tapes, or embellishments I really need. I don't know what all is out there, and I don't know how to incorporate these elements into designs.
Worst of all, scrapbooking seems to stimulate obsessive compulsive in me. I try so hard not to fall into the pit of OCD, but scrapbooking seems to be my Scylla and Charybdis. Last week, I went to Michael's or Joann's every day I was off....at least once.
I went into the local Hobby Lobby earlier this week, and I swear I got light-headed browsing the 7 aisles of supplies.
Oh, and they don't play fair....sales; 40% off coupons; pretty displays; Martha Stewart's there too. In the face of such temptation when I have a legitimate project, I am weak.
In this project I've given in somewhat. I've bought "cardstock." I have about 8 pens. Just last week, I purchased - get this - brads. I found a book on scrapbooking called (Scrapbooking Made Easy). Easy; I like that. And, indeed, the book has provided ideas for focusing the scrapbook effectively, using color wisely, and using embellishments without having the page look like the trim section at Joann's threw up all over the page.
Believe it or not, more is not always better.
Once I went to a presentation on scrapbooking and I was liberated to learn that attractive pages are possible without having fancy cutters, pens, or embellishment. I have tried to follow that principle. I don't really need to get immersed in another hobby - quilting and sewing is plenty!!
The other frustration I have with scrapbooking is how long it takes. I have been working on this scrapbook for 3 weeks now, and I'm building the scrapbook in chronological order. I am up to day 4 of our 14 day trip.
Sigh. It's gonna take a while.
My attitude is this: who cares. I want a scrapbook, I don't care how long it takes to make it, or how huge the books become, or how many pictures will be in it. A trip such as this is a perfect reason to build one. Just so long as the OCD keeps in check. Lord, I can't start calling in "sick" to work so I can scrapbook!!
I have a love-hate relationship with scrapbooking. I like the results. I like neatness and organization of a scrapbook, rather than photos and mementos thrown lovingly but carelessly in a box somewhere. It's a creative activity and there are, oh, so many pretty shiny toys, gadgets, and tools you can use!
Or, should I say "buy."
Scrapbook pages are pretty. Colorful! And you get to do all those things we used to do in grade school art class - cut with scissors, glue, glue on mixed media elements, etc.
For the other side of the love-hate seesaw - I dislike how many gadgets you "need" to do a nice scrapbook. It's overwhelming! Since I don't have much experience with scrapbooking, I don't have clear vision for how to build the scrapbook. This means I don't know what tools, papers, glues, tapes, or embellishments I really need. I don't know what all is out there, and I don't know how to incorporate these elements into designs.
Worst of all, scrapbooking seems to stimulate obsessive compulsive in me. I try so hard not to fall into the pit of OCD, but scrapbooking seems to be my Scylla and Charybdis. Last week, I went to Michael's or Joann's every day I was off....at least once.
I went into the local Hobby Lobby earlier this week, and I swear I got light-headed browsing the 7 aisles of supplies.
Oh, and they don't play fair....sales; 40% off coupons; pretty displays; Martha Stewart's there too. In the face of such temptation when I have a legitimate project, I am weak.
In this project I've given in somewhat. I've bought "cardstock." I have about 8 pens. Just last week, I purchased - get this - brads. I found a book on scrapbooking called (Scrapbooking Made Easy). Easy; I like that. And, indeed, the book has provided ideas for focusing the scrapbook effectively, using color wisely, and using embellishments without having the page look like the trim section at Joann's threw up all over the page.
Believe it or not, more is not always better.
Once I went to a presentation on scrapbooking and I was liberated to learn that attractive pages are possible without having fancy cutters, pens, or embellishment. I have tried to follow that principle. I don't really need to get immersed in another hobby - quilting and sewing is plenty!!
The other frustration I have with scrapbooking is how long it takes. I have been working on this scrapbook for 3 weeks now, and I'm building the scrapbook in chronological order. I am up to day 4 of our 14 day trip.
Sigh. It's gonna take a while.
My attitude is this: who cares. I want a scrapbook, I don't care how long it takes to make it, or how huge the books become, or how many pictures will be in it. A trip such as this is a perfect reason to build one. Just so long as the OCD keeps in check. Lord, I can't start calling in "sick" to work so I can scrapbook!!
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