British Textiles

Another new book!  "British Textiles", a compendium of six previous publications.  I have only one of them "Design for Printed Textiles in England from 1750 to 1850".....which as it turns out now that I have glanced through the big hardcover book, is my favorite time period for fabrics.  The most exciting find was on page 124 of a furnishing chintz; dark ground stripe with coloured leaves, floral meander with pineapple in the alternating stripe, about 1790.   I have the same fabric in the narrow stripe reproduced in the "Pemberley" line from around 2000!  Now I know why it was always one of my many favorites!

Norfolk Pine

I don't have a very green thumb these days but I have this Norfolk Pine that is doing  great!  I got it Christmas 2008, bringing it home on a very cold day!  For its first year, it lived in the dining room, but to make space for Christmas 2009 family get-together, I moved it into the bathroom...best move I ever made!

It seems to love the humidity from hot showers and its dose of early morning sun, so I'll have to leave it there!

New Magazine arrived today!

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.

Ironing Fabric!

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"!!!

Jo Morton Club #10

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!

Eight-Point Stars

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. 

Courthouse Steps Quilt

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!!