Quilt Shop Hop Road Trip – Day 1

The last time Momma, Sister, and I went on an overnight trip anywhere – just the 3 of us – was over 60 years ago! It was time!

The experiences, and memory makings we created over the past couple of days are priceless. I was silly thinking I would write a post while out on the road trip!

Also known as “The Magical Mystery Tour” and I’ll explain why a bit later! Oh my goodness… the perfect way to start off any road trip…we all got pedi’s

and Momma and Sister also got mani’s! (Of course, I could have gotten a mani as well, but I can’t handle someone messing with my hands! Been there, done that. And it hurts!)

Doesn’t Momma look relaxed…

I’m sorry, I didn’t pick up a card, to know the name of this lovely shop. It’s in Mesquite, Texas, my sister’s favorite shop. Hopefully, she’ll share with us in the comments!

Ready to Hop!

Then we headed north. Somewhere around Greenville we stopped for lunch at the Cracker Barrel. GREAT FOOD! And did a little shopping…

On the way to our first quilt shop, Quilt Mercantile in Celeste, Texas, I took a couple of pictures of Historical Markers. Although we passed many along Highway 69, we focused only those on the right side of the road… easy off/easy back on.

What a delightful little shop! The Quilt Mercantile shop also has a retreat facility behind the store! Although there is not much left in this small Texas town by way of businesses along the main drag, the shop is worth the trip! It’s here I found the 3 pieces needed to make the Quilt for a Better Tomorrow! Oh, and some other goodies!

We traveled north a bit further and stopped in Savoy, Texas, at Savvy Quilters. Another quaint little shop! Sister and I found some perfect ~ take me home ~ goodies here! I pointed out some wool rugs (promo for an upcoming class to be held there) to Momma and I found out her brother used to make them!

I don’t know if it’s still open, but across the street from this quilt shop is a Domino Hall! This sighting brought back lots of memories for my sister and I, of our Papo and his favorite place in Naples, Texas.

That was IT on the quilt shop hopping on Day 1. As far as Momma was concerned, our next stop was going to be the Best Western in Denison to rest and relax.

Sister kept driving north, however! She told Momma she wanted to share the view of the Dam leaving Oklahoma heading back into Texas, so we were taking a slight detour to get to the hotel!

But it was then when the Magical Mystery Tour began! Our next stop was actually Choctaw Casino and Resort! This surprise absolutely blew Momma away! She LOVES casinos and hadn’t been in years!

I’d never been!!!! 

Getting it done…this is OC Bell Hop…

We did give her a chance to rest for a while before she hit the slot machines.

I did go down to the floor while she and sister stayed up in the room to rest. I wanted to explore and (sort-of) get the layout down! I looked at all the different slot machines, trying to grasp the concept (other than eating money) and happened across a machine called “ROAD TRIP”!!! Guess what machine I played on 99% of the time!!!

I was so excited when I got back to the room and presented a $4.70 voucher of my winnings! It had cost me $2.00 to get it! I’m a big time roller for sure!

We couldn’t take any pictures of the casino itself. We were told they frowned on picture taking! But, our hostess at Gilly’s (within the casino/resort) took our picture before we ate supper (at 8:00)!
 

We had a delightful time! Momma was a real trooper! She stayed up long past her normal bedtime! (Mine, too!)

The Hidden Benefits of Sewing

It’s interesting – and timely – that I happened across the article Sew Your Blues Away! – How Sewing Fights Depression from So Sew Easy.

I also went to the CNN article they referenced: This is your brain on crafting. This is what the CNN contributor listed as the story highlights:

• Crafting can help those who suffer from anxiety, depression or chronic pain, experts say
• It may also ease stress, increase happiness by releasing neurotransmitter called dopamine
• Leisure activities such as reading and crafting may protect brain from aging, study finds

Not long ago, I had asked a group (via a small closed Facebook group of real-life girlfriends), how they handled bouts of depression. I am blessed to have received various answers, wonderful helpful insights from my friends. Two suggestions won the majority:

1.      Laugh more

2.      Take a road trip

Between the articles and their responses, it dawned upon me… I hadn’t sewn in over two weeks! I had been too busy with other projects around here that had to get done! Then, I was so tired or hands hurt too bad to do any sewing!

I have been sewing again for the experience… creating quilts and prayer flags (to be shared later, along with the story behind their creations).

Honestly, I’m still working on the “laugh more” aspect…

Oh, and I leave TOMORROW for a road trip with my 87 year old mother, and my sister!!! We are going on a quilt shop hop across North Texas! We all are so excited!!!

…I’m already feeling emotionally healthy once again!

Life is good!

Never Forget

Mastering the Beast

My first attempt in tackling the beast (wrote about the other day), I mean, appliqué, was again an epic fail! The project I selected, Pat Sloan’s Let’s Go Sew, had too many tiny pieces! Messing with the glue stick just didn’t work for me. But, I’m not giving up!

I so want this for my new (if ever) dedicated sewing room!!!!

My sister highly recommended a product that would make it so much easier!

Draw the design on the paper side of the product,

press to wrong side of the fabric,

cut out the design,

then peel off the other side of the product, and

iron in place.

While shopping at Walmart, I purchased a couple of yards (it’s only about 17” wide) of Pellon’s “Wonder-Under”!!!! It’s not the same product she recommended, but it will do for now. It works the same way.

Rather than attempting Pat’s wall hanging, I decided to start off small. I don’t mean small as in the actual size of a piece, but fewer pieces… maybe just one or two.

How can I go wrong with hearts?

Sorry for the poor quality photo - but you get the "picture" !!!

Although it took me a bit of time to peel off the second layer (I’m sure due to my hands), it worked beautifully! I’m hoping the next time won’t be as difficult.

Lesson learned: Proper tools for the job makes the sewing experience much better!

Now I know I can do the Let’s Go Sew piece!

Crumb Quilts

Those itty bitty tiny scraps are not just for stuffing pillows or pet beds any longer! Thanks to Megan Null showing us how to get another quilt out of scraps, we don’t have to throw ANYTHING away! It’s also a clever/frugal use of those “leaders” and “enders” I’ve written about before, and you’re making another quilt at the same time! Win-Win!

This is photo of a lovely Crumb Quilt I found on Quilting Digest…

Megan Null’s video:

I love the name Ami Simms, Throughthe Eyes of a Quilter, calls her crumbs:

O.T.F. Patchwork (Off The Floor Patchwork)! Isn’t that clever!

For more inspiration take a look over on Pinterest for all the brilliant creations people have done with their crumb blocks!

Ludlow Quilt and Sew offers a step-by-step photo tutorial (and her own video) on how she puts the crumb quilt together. Between the crumb blocks, she created and inserted a 4 patch block! One of the instructions she gives us, and it is critical (emphasis mine):

…pressing after each addition and then trimming to make a straight edge.

This reminds me of what I’ve shared many times… never ever stitch over a seam that’s not been pressed! Adding a spritz of spray starch also makes the piece lay nice and flat.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve quilted someone else’s quilt and discover the seams were not pressed out nicely. What happens when quilting… the fabric is folded back and it looks HORRIBLE!

Pressing after EACH seam is sewn catches mistakes as well! It’s a good way/time to tell when the seam is not the 1/4” seam, but rather 1/8” (or less!). “Making it fit” when adding the adjoining block, by folding it to where it needs to be, doesn’t go through the longarm quilting process very nicely.

If you hate to get up and press each time, Patti, at Quilting is Still my Passion, shares a clever way to sew bunches of scraps together before needing to press!

I’m excited to try this technique! Will you try it as well?

The Beast

Okay, not everyone considers applique as a beast, but it’s been an intimidating technique for me. It’s so far outside my comfort zone I totally avoid it! I do admire those who applique and love the beautiful creations they make. I’ve seen breathtaking quilts and fashions with appliques and appreciate the hard work involved.

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, an applique is:

~ a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material ~

Before diving in, I know I cannot “fasten” the applique via hand stitching; due to my hands, it’s simply something I cannot do without lots of pain. Knowing my physical limitation, I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and search out the best way to prepare the piece, then machine stitch it down to another, larger piece.

I realize there are embroidery “patches” folks can do, then machine stitch it down, and by definition, it’s an applique. One can find lots to download and embroidery out like I found here on Adorable Applique.

I’m looking to create an applique ~ the decoration ~ from fabric, like this…

Not having the fine motor skills anymore, how do I work the cut edges nice and smooth underneath? I’m looking for the “turned edge” technique.

OH MY GOODNESS! I love working with glue sticks and large knitting needles! Yes! I just found a fabulous informative article by Karen Johnson at Connecting Threads. In fact, she provides step-by-step photo instructions!

I think I can!

...

Bad Habits

We sew for the experience of it, the joy it can bring. But, are we setting ourselves up for failure? I’ve collected a few websites I’ve discovered that lists bad habits some sewists do on a daily basis! I’m guilty of some! I’m confessing!

While further exploring Ms. Elaineous’s blog (I shared an article of hers in yesterday’s post), in honor of 2013, she lists 13 sewing habits that you need to break. Now. It was well worth the read! She also did 14 more the following year!

From her lists, these are the bad habits I need to work on breaking ~ now:

12. Using the wrong needle. (from her 2013 list)

            There are various needles specific for different types of fabric – knits, silks, denim, cotton, etc. When making quilts, Action Quilts (aka Fidget Quilts), or Pillowcases, I’m using the same type of fabric – 100% cotton. The same “type” of needle works in all cases.

What I do need to stop doing – not changing to a fresh needle more often! I’m bad about keeping the same one in until it breaks. I’ve not had one to break in my new machine I got almost a year ago! Needless to say, I’m still working with the original needle! I don’t sew over pins, it’s all the same fabric, the stitches are beautiful, why should I change out? (I can hear my sister sighing now!) But, before starting the next project, I promise to change it out!

2.  Telling yourself that you’ll remember. (from her 2013 list)

            Yes! Write it down, Lanetta! Make notes on the pattern or the directions!

They won’t bite!

(7) Not taking breaks. (from her 2014 list)

I purposely have my ironing board set up on the opposite side of the room from the sewing machine. Because I do press each seam before sewing over I (especially while quilt making), I do get up and walk – albeit a short distance – quite often. But this isn’t the “break” she’s referring to in her list. No. I need to set a timer and totally get out of the sewing room, do something else, to clear my mind, and stretch my body.

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I then went on and discovered other articles on the subject of bad sewing habits! Oh. My. Goodness! I learned bunches!

On the Superior Threads blog, they shared “Bad Habits Quilters Need to Quit.

From their list, I need to quit:

Overly criticizing your work

I need to stop beating myself up when it’s not perfect!

           

Not completing your projects

Although I do manage to finish some things, I have way too many UFO’s (UnFinished Objects) stored here and there. I need to get busy!

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Oh, and over at Bella Sunshine Designs’ her list of 15 Bad Habits, she hit on something I constantly catch myself doing (or not doing)…

7. Having bad posture while sewing

Not only do I need to NOT slump, I need to use the time sitting and sewing to do stomach crunches as well!

I then saw this one and laughed out loud:

15. Buying new materials before checking your stash

            Not going to happen…

Are you practicing any of the bad sewing habits they shared? Come on, fess up!

Stack and Slash

There are many aspects of creating a quilt top I’ve yet to tackle. Two techniques come to mind immediately. One is the Stack and Slash method. The other, is creating a T-Shirt quilt.

Today, I’m researching the different tutorials available for the Stack and Slash (also called Stack and Whack) and want to share my findings with you as well! Have you created a quilt top using this method? I would love to hear any points and tips you’d like to offer! Please, leave a comment!

I’m a visual learner. Or, I can listen to someone explain how to do something, and remember the instructions ~ usually! Reading the instructions and then following them to the T, is a struggle for me.

Understanding this about myself, I need to find different ways to get to the same end.

This diamond quilt was ~ sort-of ~ using the Stack and Slash technique –

But not really…

I’d like to create something catawampus and fun!

The Stack and Slash technique is different from how I created this crazy quilt:

At Svetlana’s blog, S.O.T.A.K. Handmade, I found an informative tutorial (complete with photos!) using 6 different coordinating colors. This is her quilt top:

To start, each piece is cut 16” x 16” (so, I’ll pick up 6 fat quarters during the upcoming quilt shop hop *road trip!), then perfectly stacked together with the right sides of all the fabric facing the same way, up!

I know when I try this, I will need to go very very slowly, with no television on in the background, and follow the step-by-step instructions she provides.

This slowness will be especially important during the restacking aspect! You’ll understand what I’m talking about once you’ve read her tutorial underneath her picture:

I went to Pinterest and searched “Stack and Slash tutorials” and found many more ideas and methods!

The bright reds and pinks caught my eye on this one by Ms. Elaineous (isn’t that a clever name!):

It has fewer pieces to cut (only 5 times rather than the 9 on the one above) and just may be an easier one for me to start with when trying this new-to-me technique.

Then I went to Youtube! I’m so thankful for folks taking the time to create videos for those of us visual learners!

Oh! My!



This looks like a good one… I don’t have the bandwidth here at the ranch to watch it myself – not until I get somewhere with unlimited wi-fi availability!

Anyway, this is something I’m going to try out. I know I can!

Will you?


*road trip set for September 13th (one week from today!!!)... stay tuned!

Labor Day - Labor of Love

According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is…

…the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Let’s give a High Five to our American Workers! We Can Do It!

There are a lot of folks here in the USA ~ and around the world ~ creating handmade items for others – a Labor of Love!

They / we sew for the experience of it, of giving what we can to honor, and to comfort.

There are a multitude of those giving from the heart ~ a labor of love ~ their creativeness, expertise, and devotion through making quilts, dresses, shorts, pillowcases, bags, and on and on for whatever the need may be! If you’re interested in helping – creating, donating, supporting – let me share a few!

On Facebook, you’ll find a wide variety of causes that would love (and appreciate) your support…

(They are “closed” groups – to keep out the riff-raff – but feel free to send a request to join if you’re interested in helping out!)

Melissa over at The Veterans Flag Quilt Challenge created a lovely quilt pattern and has made it available for free within her group!

Her description states:

This group is for those who love to quilt, love quilts, and those who love their country. You do not have to be a quilter to join. Feel free to share pics, tip and ideas (they don't have to be all about flags). This group was formed from a firestorm of support and request for this pattern. I am sharing it for free, this was the best way I knew how to do so. I decided to add the challenge to bring awareness to a great cause. Let’s keep the fire burning!! Accept the challenge make a quilt or donate you time or resources, support your Veterans! 

You’ll see others have created different designs as well… bottom line, it’s about our Veterans!

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I recently discovered Quilts for a Better Tomorrow…

Mary has figured out the pattern for this lovely quilt and has shared with us all (see “Files” for a document I created for us with all her instructions!). The goal is to get 50 quilts made by November 1st! Any color, your choice! What the group members have made so far, and have shared pictures of, are absolutely breathtaking!

She describes the group’s purpose:

Charity Quilts for the Homeless making a new start

I’m planning to pick up my four pieces during the upcoming shop hop *road trip! Then get it done as soon as I get back!

If all goes according to plan, the homeless will have new quilts soon after they move into The Cottages at Hickory Crossing, Dallas, Texas!

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And, I would be amiss if I did not share again my group Lone Star of Texas Quilts for Others! We make quilts for anyone, those to honor, and those in need of comfort.

Lone Star of Texas Quilts for Others is a place for like-minded folks to gather while creating quilts for others! As we journey through National and Community based service endeavors, we offer support and encouragement to one another.

I’m excited to help…

I love the process of creating quilts for others, or quilting a project someone else made for a special someone. It just makes my day!

Will you join in the endeavor ~ our Labor of Love?

*road trip – stay tuned! Set for departure Tuesday, September 13^th!

Day of Rest