Just in case anyone has not yet heard of this greatly-needed, new magazine.....it arrived here today! Seventeen primitive projects in one place by 17 different designers in its premiere issue! And I am sure future issues will provide us with even more!! Website is here.
I am a Fabric Pre-washer..........some people aren't.........that's fine....do whatever suits you!!! I had to move this recently-washed and folded stack of fabric to take some photos and it occurred to me that it would be a good photo! Always have to move things around in this sewing room.....all flat surfaces are occupied! What I would like to say is that my fabric is self-ironed by the shear weight of it! After washing, I hang it outside (as soon as the snow is gone and I can get to the clothesline!) or hang it on drying racks in a spare bedroom .....I have two large racks ..... one belonged to my Great-Grandmother (who passed away in 1958 at the age of 88) and is as sturdy as when she was using it. I fold my fabrics a certain way so that the width is the same whether it is 1 yard or 3 yards and it fits neatly on the shelves. While I do press my fabric before I cut it, it is easy since it has been "pre-pressed"!!!
Spent yesterday (snow day!) and today quietly working in my sewing room, listening to an audio book while I sewed. One of the quilts I've been working on is this little pink and brown called "Amy's Choice". Finished for this evening, I set it aside and then thought "well, that looks like a darling little runner with pointy ends just as it is"..........unfinished.......needs two more corners attached! I will finish this one as it is supposed to be, but it's an idea for another one in the future.........in "someday" land!
I've been hand-piecing 8-pt Stars for a reproduction quilt by Moda in conjunction with their Collection for a Cause "Hope". It is a strippy quilt c. 1840-60 found in MA that is now owned by Moda's owner. I know that in order to finish this quilt to be ready for display in my booth at MaineQuilts2011 in July, I will need to make some blocks by machine, but it is so relaxing in the evening to quietly piece these. A free pattern can be downloaded at the United Notions website.
This little quilt was made to show the Bonnie Blues Basics line a couple years ago when we used that her fabric for our Maine shop hop. I was inspired by a quilt pattern by Lori Smith "From My Heart to Your Hands". The logs are 1/2" and I handquilted down the center of all of them......I know, I know, way more work than it is worth, but I love to spend evenings handquilting!! Most relaxing for me!!
Going through some old photos today while enjoying the peace and quiet of a day off due to Snow!! This is a doll quilt that I reproduced from a baby quilt photo in "Small Endearments". The center Toile is from the first Smithsonian line by RJR called "Rising Sun"...remember those great old fabrics! I still have lots of the 4 Smithsonian lines as well as the 4 Shelburne lines and I still love them even after all these years of more and more wonderful reproduction fabrics being produced!!
Made this little 4-Patch quilt (2" blocks) from charm squares of the New England Quilts from Olde Sturbridge Village collection by Curator Aimee Newell. The Whites were way too White for me, so I used "Distress It" for the first time and am very happy with the results. I sprayed lightly a couple times until I was happy with the color. Check the Before and After photos! "Distress It" is a spray that was recommended by Jo Morton, having been developed by a Rughooker to age her hooked rugs. Am using a wonderful Pemberley floral (early 1800's reproduction fabric) for borders. Plan to handquilt it and use wool batting.
