Christmas Embroidery

Posted on December 20, 2013 by edges

Maybe I’m feeling blue this Christmas. Maybe I’m just inspired by all the recent snow we’ve had. Whatever the reason, the other day, I was driving down Randall road and a small grove of trees (weeds?) against a snow bank caught my eye.

On a side road I can usually stop and take a picture to capture the scene and the light. But not this time. This time I was in a hurry, running around doing Christmas errands, etc. No time to stop and enjoy anything. No time to stop and take artsy pictures. No time.

But the little vignette stayed with me.

And eventually, I had to sketch it out.

Within minutes, I had embroidered it in my mind. If I were using paints, it would be so much easier. Mixing a paint color does not require hunting down the right fabric. When you paint, you don’t have to purchase 3 different colors of paint to help decide which is right. You simply mix the colors yourself.

Besides, I wasn’t thread painting. I was digitizing. When you digitize you can start with a very simple sketch. The rest is done in software. I drew and assigned colors in software.

Here’s my little sketch. Squeezed in during the holidays, because it simply wanted to exist. I had no time for it. But it found its own way out.

Merry Christmas to all of you, and a happy and blessed new year. May all your artwork find its way out.

It’s about 12 inches wide

In progress.

The view from the sewing room.

The 30 second sketch I used to start digitizing.

The 30 second sketch I created to start digitizing.

The Problem With Starting Projects

Posted on December 11, 2013 by edges

Yeah.

The problem with starting projects…or buying fabric for that matter…is that you have to finish them. You know what I’m talking about. Every single one of you has a project somewhere that has been lurking for, um, years. You’ve lost interest, moved onto something new and exciting. Or maybe you just haven’t had the time.

Well.

I hearby declare January the “Finish a Project” month. And 2014 the “Get Out From Under” Year. If, like me, you have projects waiting patiently for you to complete them, then let’s all agree to get one done in January.

We can’t do it in December and everyone knows why. Even if you will be completing projects in December they are likely gifts and you are under a deadline and those don’t count. We’re looking for the poor, neglected, procrastinated projects. We’re looking for the ones you gave up because it became tedious, or boring or difficult. We want to clear away that ever-growing stack of projects that get sidelined for a “higher priority”. Usually for me, it’s work or classes, or housecleaning, as if housecleaning will be on my list of life’s accomplishments.

Let’s find at least one that’s worth completing. I’m starting with the three shown below. I have no idea if I will be able to get one of them done in January, but I’m certainly going to try. The others will get incorporated over the course of the new year.

I know, without a doubt, that life will get in the way.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t try.

A fun Christmas Baltimore Album quilt. Needs a bunch more blocks put together, but a good January project. No chance I’ll get it done this Christmas, so a good one to work on during Downton Abbey episodes.

Definitely want to get this one done by spring. Problem is that it’s queen size. Won’t be easy to quilt on my machine at home. Dreaming of a longarm.

This is a grown up quilt. complete with instructions and history of each block. I'm ready.

This is a grown up quilt. Complete with instructions, history of each block and reproduction fabric. I’m ready.

Label Your Quilts to Preserve the Moment

Posted on October 24, 2013 by edges

Quilt label for my son’s quilt

I have a confession. I am not very good at remembering to make quilt labels. Yet I know just how important they are and how much character they add to a quilt.

And the thing is, I love to make labels. The one pictured above is digitized (I knew absolutely nothing about digitizing at the time) from a picture of my son when he was 4 years old. He was blowing a dandelion. I made him a quilt that year, from fabric that he loved, and I wanted it to be a remembrance of that time in his life. It includes his name, the date the quilt was finished and of course, “Made with love by mommy.”

Right now, I have at least 3 quilts which need labels. I can no longer remember exactly what year I made the quilts. (Sometime in the last 5 years).

I am especially guilty of not labeling anything that I make for myself or for our house. When giving something away, I am a little better at the labels. A little.

It seems irresponsible to make a quilt, put it out there in the world and not give it a label, an identity, a reason, a meaning.

At work, a customer told me she never puts on the binding of a quilt until after she adds the label. I think that’s a good recommendation. We all know that the last stitch of binding means we’re done. Complete. Finished. Put it away. But making sure that label is in place before the binding is on, is a way to trick ourselves into getting it done.

So let’s agree to make the effort. We never pass this way again. My son will never be 4 years old again. But we can capture that tiny little season, and wrap ourselves up in it with a cup of hot chocolate on a cold October evening.

Adding Some Sparkle

Posted on August 23, 2013 by edges

I’m teaching a class at Sew Generously in November about using metallic thread for machine embroidery. The look can be absolutely stunning, perfect during the holidays or special ocassions.

Or it can make you want to throw your thread against a wall and storm out of the room. (Ask me how I know.)

But some basic tips can go a long way. Troubleshooting is another issue, and is exactly the reason I offer a hands-on class. Until you try and fail, you will not know what works and doesn’t on your machine.

Here are a few very general tips on using metallic thread:

1. Use good quality thread.

This should go without saying, but you know, I always run into people who will pay thousands for a machine and then purchase thread that is garbage. Thread manufacturing is a science and it can be made to excellent standards or made on the cheap and, let’s face it, when it comes to thread, you get what you pay for. I always recommend Superior Threads. I have used their products numerous times with success IF you follow some of the following tips.

2. Use a topstitch needle.

They have a larger eye and that gives the thread some room, so it cuts down on breakage.

3. Don’t be afraid to change your upper tension.

Most of the time, you have to reduce the top tension all the way to 1.

4. Use the correct thread in the bobbin.

I have had some success using OESD bobbin thread, but nothing works better than Superior’s Bottom Line in the bobbin. It’s a lightweight poly, and is a perfect match for their metallic thread. Use Bottom Line in the bobbin when sewing with monofilament too.

5. Know when to use your upright thread spool holder.

It may be easy to think this one can be overlooked, but you would be surprised what a difference it makes. If your thread is straight wound, as this one is, make sure it’s on the upright holder. If it’s cross-wound, as many other metallics are, you should be OK on the horizontal spool holder.

To learn a little more about horizontal vs. vertical spool holders, click here.

Metallic thread looks so gorgeous during the holidays–on linens, home decor accents, even on apparel…especially on apparel.

Work through your fear and try it!

A Place at the Table

Posted on August 16, 2013 by edges

These placemats are almost ready for a fall table. The fabric is fused, they are quilted, and I just need to trim them up and add the binding made from some yummy pumpkin fabric.

I’m sure you’ve seen these Craf-Tex Placemat craft packs at your local quilt store, (if not, ask them to bring them in!) but I am using them for the first time and they are just a dream! They are so easy to work with, and before you know it, you have beautiful custom placemats for your dining room or kitchen. The fabric fuses on both sides easily without any steam, machine quilting is smooth, and in no time I just add a binding and have custom placemats for my fall table! Of course, I could have done some piecing, but I just love this fall fabric, so I didn’t want to cut it up any further…just enjoy it as is!

For us, these will simply become our everyday mats, as they will carry us through the holidays (they have pine cones in the mix) A set of four placemats like this sews so quickly and would make a terrific custom-made gift!

I still have to trim them up and add the binding but really…sew simple!! Find yourself some rich, luscious, yummy fabric and whip these up in no time.

Introducing Local Artisans

Posted on July 15, 2013 by edges

I love craftsmanship. I love everything about the details of beautiful work that is not manufactured by some mindless, soulless company. I admire craftspeople because of their dedication to their craft, and their inability to produce something that is beneath their standards for excellence.

In this country, we see far too little of it, and we are always so anxious to purchase something cheap and fast. And when it breaks, or simply stops working, we are fine with throwing it away, tossing it into a landfill and forgetting we ever spent our hard-earned money on it.

The older I get, the more I appreciate slow. Slow food, slow information, slow, thoughtful work. And by slow, of course, I mean, the things that take a little time to create. I mean the things that take our hands, hearts, minds and skills.

The following are three local artisans we recently showcased at Sew Generously. Please take a look at their work and consider purchasing something they have made with their minds, hands and hearts. I’ve met each of them in person (well, I met Bill’s wife) and they are all lovely people with a dedication to quality.

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Robert and Paula Briick – www.bbbriick.com

They make innovative organizers for quilters, including quilt racks and ruler holders, and their design is so simple and clean, I ask myself, why didn’t I think of that? And of course, that’s what makes them special.

Robert and Paula Briick. I bought one of their quilt ruler holders for the wall.

Email them at builtbybriick@bbbriick.com

or call 1-877-858-5859

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Bill Williams works in exotic woods, and hand turns handles for seam rippers, pens and other tools. His work is shown here by his wife, Susan.

Susan Williams, wife of Bill Williams, Wood Craftsman.

A close-up of these hand-turned seam rippers. The exotic woods are gorgeous. I bought the one on the left. It was made of the same type of wood that was put into the dashboards of the original Rolls Royce.

These can be made to order. For more info call Bill or Susan Williams 630-377-9351.

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Gretchen Friel is an author who wrote the book, “Coffee Break for Quilters: A Patchwork of Original Poems.” She is just a lovely person. A mom and breast cancer survivor, her poems are inspirational, spiritual, insightful and will resonate in the heart of anyone who sews or works with fabric.

Gretchen Friel, author, “Coffee Break for Quilters: A Patchwork of Original Poems”

Contact Gretchen at treedeckpublishing.com, or you can purchase the book at Sew Generously in St. Charles or on amazon.com.

Region 2 Complete!

Posted on June 21, 2013 by edges

Finally made another quick visit to Thimbles in Lockport and that completed our Region 2 portion of the Northern Illinois Quilt Shop Hop. We’ll be moving on the road again soon, but with temperatures shooting up into the 90’s over the next few days, I think we’ll be cautious about how far we head out. We are actually going to try to do Region 3 in one day. That’s a trip out to Galena and Rockford. We’ll see how that goes.

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Thimbles in Lockport

I enjoyed myself here. The store is a delight – lots of samples and fun fabric, charming to wander and discover. Staff was welcoming and friendly.

What I bought: This fantastic cartoon fabric all about home sewing. They had a sample of it made into a bag and I loved it!

Thimbles in Lockport

Join the Northern Illinois Quilt Shop Hop

Posted on June 3, 2013 by edges

You have all summer! From June 1 through Aug 31. Get your passport and join the shop hop while supporting your local quilt shops!

Find out all the details here... including the possibility of winning a new Bernina sewing machine! Each store will also be raffling off a basket worth $100 worth of sewing supplies.

You will get 15% off your purchase at each store on the day you get your passport stamped–how can you go wrong?

I’m going to visit every shop this summer, with a goal of finishing in June or early July. I’ll be blogging about each store and showing a picture of each raffle basket. (with permission from each store).

I will be accompanied by my reluctant assistant who is in charge of the GPS. We’ll be heading to your local store soon! See you then!

Reluctant Assistant.

Finally, Ready for the Rainy Season

Posted on March 28, 2013 by edges

raincoat

Whew. I don’t think I’d make another raincoat anytime soon . While the vinyl fabric sewed up nicely, bulky seams were difficult. The sticky vinyl would grab hold of my needle and pull it out of the machine.

I switched to a titanium-coated needle and same thing. It got to be a bit of a wrestling match.

In general, I’m pleased with the result. More than that, I’m pleased that it is done.

I may go back and tweak a thing or two. Doesn’t everyone?

Happy Easter, friends.

The Making of a Raincoat – Part 4 – Slowly but Surely

Posted on March 21, 2013 by edges

Like most of you, time is the culprit on all projects. And with this one in particular, I take one step forward and one step back. Learning curves:

–Patterns can be perfect. Patterns can be imperfect. It’s not always easy to get into the head of the designer.

–The Teflon foot is great on vinyl-covered fabric. Regular feet work even better as long as I’m working with right sides together. A big hangup at that point is the vinyl-covered seam allowance running against the bottom of the machine. It sticks. Wishing someone would invent a teflon stitch plate.

–The zipper foot with dual feed is almost as good as it gets for attaching piping.

–Don’t rush. It’s miserable to backtrack.

It’s looking more like it might actually become a coat. All that’s left is to attach the hood, sew the lining and coat together, then finish up the hems and topstitching. Still a lot of work but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Edgestitch

Sewing is life. Life is art.

Category Archives: sewing