A Few of My Favorite Things

Ah, the weekend! Isn't it great? Sleeping in late, staying up late, no big plans...except for sewing, quilting and embroidery!! :)

I was just thinking about all of the tools quilters use and how much money we can spend on them...whether they work or not! So, I thought I would review some of my favorite products and let you know that these tools really do work. My plan it to do periodic reviews of quilting/sewing/embroidery tools for you, so that you will know what works, and what doesn't. Please note that when I review products, they are products that I have used and used a lot, so by my estimation they either work well or don't.

Sue's Reviews

Clover Thread Cutter Pendant
Keep on a ribbon around your neck or on top of a spool for easy thread cutting with no sharp edges.

What a great gadget for quilters, embroiderers, and anyone who sews! I bought one of these cutters after the 9/11 airline restrictions on scissors. Even though they have eased the restrictions somewhat, I still use my Clover Thread Cutter Pendant when I travel. I hang mine on a matching chain, and it makes a lovely necklace. This would be a great gift, and for just about $10.00, a very affordable one too!

John James "Sharps" Applique Needles, size 10


I have used a lot of different types of needles for applique, but these John James "Sharps" are my absolute favorites. I use them all of the time, and keep a good supply of them on hand. I highly recommend these needles because they last and are truly high quality needles.

Needle Grabbers

The first time I used these handy Needle Grabbers was in a quilting class. After the class, I went out and bought a couple of packs of them. I use them when doing hand quilting, and I won't hand quilt without them. These are a must have for hand quilters, and are under $2.00 for a pack of 2. I just throw them on top of my hand quilt project and use them as I need them. They are rubbery, so they stay where you put them.










Well, I hope you enjoyed the reviews and learned something along the way. Have product review suggestions? Just post a comment and I will review the product and let you know if it is a good tool or not!
 
Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Quilting Thoughts

Happy Tuesday to everyone!


Well, I am making some headway on my Pirate Quilt! (Photos coming soon) I finished the Kracken block and am working on the final block...the Pirate...aaarrrrgghh!! I was looking through my stash for the perfect fabric for the Pirate's face and arms...think, tan! Anyway, after much searching and coming up with nothing (yeah...I know...hard to believe) I decided to take a piece of unbleached muslin and tea dye it to come up with something that would work, and it turned out great! I used hot water, tea bag, bowl and fabric. Put the fabric in the bowl with hot water and one tea bag and let is soak for a couple of hours, then rinsed it with cold water and dryed it in the dryer to heat set and voila...tan fabric! This will make great "skin" for my Pirate and I was so excited that it didn't cost anything but a tea bag to get!


So this got me to thinking about using other natural berries, plants, etc for dying fabric...hmmmm...lots of things stain fabric....hmmmm. Then I decided to research the subject, because, let's face it, we need to do all that we can to save money in this hard economy! Anyway, I found this website http://www.pioneerthinking.com/naturaldyes.html and it explains not only how to dye fabric from natural plants, but which plants produce certain shades of color! Now, I have never been much into dying my own fabric, but all of a sudden I find the whole concept rather exciting, especially if I can use natural plants and berries to dye fabric with! I'm not talking about bolts of fabric, but smaller pieces...say fat quarters...when you can't find that exact color that you are looking for. And, bonus...this can be done in your own kitchen with things you probably already have! How much more economical does it get?! I believe this definitely warrants some more experimentation on my part. Have you tried dying fabric before? What were your results? I would love to know!


Oh yes, and I am also working on...finally...a quilt for myself!! I made the top a couple of years ago, so it's about time to finish it. We have had such a cold winter here that I have been using hubby's quilt and thinking, "hmmm...I wish I had my own quilt to use instead of using his quilt all the time!" And then I thought, "hey, I can have my own quilt! All I have to do is take a finished quilt top and quilt it, then I will have one for myself!" So, I have started quilting it! Yep...photos to come shortly!


Have a great day, and Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Just a Little Beauty...

Happy Freezing Weather! But, this is GREAT QUILTING WEATHER!!


I just wanted to add a little beauty and warmth to your day...so here is a photo of my sweet beautiful granddaughter!!

Ahhh...I feel so much warmer now...don't you??!! :)


I haven't quilted these past few days, but have been pondering about what my next project is to be. I have several quilt tops that need to be quilted and several quilt projects that I would like to start...oh, and then there is my Pirate Quilt that also needs finishing! Sew many projects...sew little time!!


How do you prioritize projects? That seems to be a sticking point for me, as sometimes I am not sure how to choose from so many projects to work on. Do I start with the oldest unfinished project? Do I work on something totally new? Something that I am in the middle of? Does it matter?? I just get into a tizzy thinking about it! Should I prioritize by what brings me joy to work on or money when I sell it? Ahhhh...money is a great motivator, but I like to work on projects that make me happy too. Decisions...decisions...I think I will sleep on it and decide tomorrow!


Stay warm! Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Another Year, Another Quilt and How Do You Measure?

Welcome to 2010!

It is hard to believe that another year has flown by so quickly!! But we had a lot of things happen in 2009 -- some good, some not so good -- so I am excited to see what events unfold in the upcoming year. Funny to think that hubby and I were watching 2010: Odyssey Two the other night...and here we are in 2010!! I was also excited to get my 2010 calendar from Irish Quilting Magazine (www.irishquilting.ie) just in time to hang it up on Jan 1. It is a beautiful calendar and I am looking forward to looking at it each month throughout the year.

I have been madly quilting in effort to finish another commissioned baby quilt (photos above), and actually finished it 2 days ahead of schedule! Hubby was quite impressed and tells me that I am getting faster. This baby quilt went together so fast, and was fairly simple to make. I used chain piecing, which not only speeds up the process, but saves thread and makes it more economical. I was very happy with the results and plan on making the same quilt to keep (since I have enough fabric left to make another one).

How do you measure?
This thought came up when I was cutting out the pieces for this baby quilt. I, probably like many of you, have several different types of measuring tools for rotary cutting fabric. I have the standard rectangular measuring ruler, several sizes of measuring squares, etc. What I noticed is that they are all different brands (as I generally just buy what I need when in quilt shops), such as Olfa, Omnigrid, Dritz, etc. Now you would think that an inch is an inch is an inch, however, if you start out measuring...oh let's say 5" squares...and you are using your handy Omingrid square, then you switch to perhaps your Olfa ruler, you run the risk of not ending up with the exact same 5" squares. I am not sure why...maybe someone knows the answer, but the important lesson here is if you start out using one measuring tool, stick with it! I have also noticed that if you are using a cutting mat for measuring, over time these become slightly inaccurate...again, not sure why, other than warpage through use.

My cutting mat is made by Salem (www.hometownquiltsupply.net) and is about 6 or 7 years old. It is getting quite worn after many years of use and is slightly off if I use it to measure with. Again, if I start using my Salem mat to measure with, sticking with it through the whole quilt project is a must. I love my Salem mat (right now they are on sales!) and purchased it at the Dallas Quilt Show, but I have not seen Salem mats at the quilt show for several years now. They can be purchased on line...I highly recommend them!

Well, that is my thought for the day. Enjoy the photos and please leave your comments regarding quilt measuring tools!

Happy Sewing and Quilting in 2010!!

One Quilt Down...More to Go!

So, I finally finished the baby quilt for my friend (photos at left), and she loves it! Whew! I actually made another top for this project, but it wasn't that great, so I made the top you see here (with the artistic advice of hubby) and like it much better. The back of the quilt is red chenille...decidedly not my favorite fabric to work with! Finally found the red chenille at www.fabric.com where they seem to have pretty much what I need when I am in a pinch for fabric. Red chenille was tough to find...which was surprising! Anyway, my kitties seem to love the chenille, so I am thinking they may get a small  "cat nap quilt" made with it.

Now on to the next project...making another baby quilt for another friend...pink and brown this time. Just got some great fabric and now I need to get a little more so I can start on it. I am seeing pinwheels in my head for this quilt...but will keep you posted!

I have been babysitting my grandbaby Lily some in the past several weeks and am loving every minute of it! At two and a half months her personality is really starting to develop and with her red hair, perhaps a bit of a temper too. She is adorable and I am a doting grandmother...so what more can I say!!

Pirate Quilt is still a work in progress and probably will be for a while yet. I just haven't had much time lately to sit and work on it. I am working on the Kraken block and since this is a block of my own design, I am excited to see how it turns out. Hubby designed the last block for me...the actual Pirate block. The pirate that was in the quilt kit was just too cartoony looking, so hubby found a much better, more realistic pirate for me...can't wait to see how that one turns out too!

As they say, Sew may quilts...sew little time!! Guess that is how it goes! Oh...BTW...the movie AVATAR is really good...you should go see it!! We are looking forward next week to the new Sherlock Holmes movie too!

Well, that's it for now. Happy Sewing and Quilting!! :)

Sewing Green

Today is really cold and yet my thoughts are on global warming and recycling, or "going green" as most people term it today. I have been reading in so many places about recycling to help the planet...grocery stores and bookstores are selling reusable "green" bags so we don't put so much plastic in the landfills.

Back in the 70s (and yes, I know I am dating myself) I often wondered why people weren't worried about trashing up the planet and endangering the environment. I'd like to think that I was just 30 years ahead of the time in my thinking! After my oldest daughter was born, I recycled aluminum cans...but then, it wasn't really to be "green" it was so I could afford diapers and formula! I suppose diapers and formula are too expensive to be able to buy then now with "can money", and they don't give much for the cans any more...but at the time it was wonderful to get money and clean up the planet at the same time!

As usual, my thoughts lead me back to sewing and trying to sew "green"...no, not green fabric! There have been several articles in quilt magazines about reusing and recycling fabric and I thought I would share some things I have learned, or done myself.

1. Use your scraps...even the smallest ones. Get creative about this and use them in applique or patchwork.
2. Recycle old clothes from your closet, your kids' closet, and hubby's closet too. Cut up clothes and put the fabric in your stash. Hubby's ties are a great source of silk and his dress shirts can be used for all types of projects!
3. Shop in thrift stores to gather crazy quilt fabric...little girls fancy dresses are a great source for velvet, satin and lace!
4. Reuse buttons, snaps, hooks, and trims from old garments
5. Chain piece to conserve thread (it's not cheap these days either!)
6. Learn to applique to use smaller pieces of scraps
7. Keep your sewing machine in good shape...don't let it end up in the landfill because you failed to maintain it properly.
8. Recycle vintage tablecloths, napkins and handkerchiefs and use them in your quilts or garments
9. Recycle worn towels and washcloths to make baby bibs or use as jacket lining.
10. Reuse things around the house for quilt or garment embellishment..get creative...look in your kitchen junk drawer or bathroom for small things such as beads, pop tops, pieces of ribbon, etc.
11. Use sustainable fabrics and batting such as cotton and bamboo

Can you think of more ways to recyle or reuse material in sewing or quilting? I would love to hear your ideas! There are books on the subject as well at www.amazon.com, so check them out! Try sewing "green" and see how you like it. Remember, the art of quilting in this country began with pioneer women reusing worn clothing to make bed quilts! Sew, let's get creative and "green" at the same time!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Inspiration at the Arboretum

Photos from the Dallas Arboretum

So I hope you are having a good week! Monday was an absolutely beautiful day, so hubby, our oldest daughter and I went to the Dallas Arboretum www.dallasarboretum.org just to get outdoors and have a relaxing time. The Dallas Arboretum is just great, however, in the fall there aren't as many flowers to look at, but still beautiful nonetheless. For me, it was just very inspirational and my head was full of quilting ideas (naturally), so I just wanted to share some of the hundred or so photos that I took that day. As mentioned in a previous post, it is just amazing where inspiration and ideas come from, and nature is just full of inspiration. I can (and will) look at the photos I took time and time again, and each time something new will jump out at me, or a new idea will take root. Because I love to applique, the unique trellises and different serene scenes give me so many ideas for appliqued wallhangings. I love the different textures and colors of the trees, especially in autumn when the leaves are changing or gone all together. The trees take on such different character in autumn, like giants getting ready to do battle against the winter winds. They disrobe and seem to stand stark in the cold, unmoving and strong. Ah well...enough of that!

I have a baby quilt to finish this week, and it would seem that the week is already half over and I have thousands of stitches to go before I sleep!

Enjoy the photos! Happy sewing and quilting!!