1915 Fabric Ad

I find myself involved in another book project with the Greenfield Historical Society. We are in the very early stages of it, and have been perusing old newspapers doing research on our topic. In the process of this research, I recently found this advertisement for a dry goods store.

I apologize for the poor picture quality, but I think if you click on it you might get to see the various items and their prices more clearly.

I showed the picture to my grandmother, age 97, and she remembers similar prices from when she was a girl. She added that women who sewed for others could get 50 cents for a dress. Today, I suppose custom seamstresses might get $100 for a dress. Not having done that, I don't know, but that would seem reasonable to me. Is that off base too much??

Of note, down toward the bottom is listed "fine batting for quilts, roll" and it sells for 15 cents.

Another that quilters would appreciate is toward the top: "prints, large assortment" and those sell for 5 cents per yard.

A different era. I try to envision it, but it's hard to do. I imagine that the quilters from those days would choke on their coffee to see today's prices.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Recycled Seed Bags

We've become accustomed to the idea of recycling, and this project is a great example of it.

One of the items I will have in my little craft booth on Saturday is this recycled bag. Any seed or feed bag will work, and they are the easiest things to make. As long as the bag is woven, coated plastic, I believe the bag will withstand most normal use.

I took birdseed bags to make mine. I have seen this done, though, with dog food bags and horse feed bags. What begins as a 35- or 40-pound seed or feed bag, becomes a nice "green" bag for taking to the beach or carrying to the market.

I have four of them made. I hope they will be appealing to someone!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Post-Wedding Mode

Happy Memorial Day, Readers! Thank you to our veterans for their sacrifices! Remember them at your celebrations today.

We are all still in post-wedding mode around here. The weekend was simply fantastic. The Good Lord blessed us with a perfect sunny, 70-degree day. All the events, from manicures and hairdos to rehearsal, wedding and reception, went off without a hitch. This was one organized bride, to be sure. She did not get this from her mother; I think my grandmother may be the most organized woman of all time, so perhaps Erin got some of those genes.

Here are a few pictures from our big event.

Tower bells at St. Mary Catholic Church in German Village, Columbus, chimed in the background as the new couple was introduced and kissed on the church steps. Erin is rocking her bouquet.

Jeff and Erin greet guests outside the church. Note the "wild beet" bridesmaids dresses, and her spectacular bouquet. She has an artistic eye for color and used it to her fullest advantage.

I rarely post pictures of myself, but here I am with my husband, the parents of the bride. This was at the rehearsal dinner.

I will try not to overload the blog with wedding stuff, but I might ask you to indulge me a few more over the coming weeks. As the professional photography comes in, I am sure there will be more I want to share.

Lots of sewing this coming week for the craft fair on Saturday. That will get me re-focused!

Happy Quilting, Friends!
Jayne

It's Wedding Day!

Of course I'm not writing this in "real time." I wrote this post on Wednesday and scheduled it for Saturday. Our daughter Erin will be marrying her sweetheart Jeff this afternoon. Wanna' sneak peek??

These are pictures of one of the fittings - from March, if I recall. I promise to share a few from the real deal!!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Baby Jacqueline Has Arrived!

I am late in announcing the birth of baby Davis - Jacqueline Clare arrived on Friday, May 16.

The wee one weighed in at 7 lbs., 1 oz. Mom Alison had a rough time of it; after a day of pushing, a C-section was performed.

I hope that in mid-June or so, I can travel up to see the new baby and precious momma and give them this:

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Wedding Sewing

Over the last couple of days I have had to carve out some time to do alterations and sewing for the upcoming wedding. My rehearsal dinner dress, hubby's suit pants, Emma's maid of honor dress - all these needed to have minor things fixed.

Yesterday, the last thing to check off the sewing list - make a ring bearer's pillow.

The fabrics: white cotton, tulle from the bride's veil, and - what?? - Kaffe Fassett fabric?? Yes, that's right. The bride wanted a tiny piping of this KF fabric. How awesome is that??

It went together quite nicely, and I think the piping looks just magnificent. I sent a picture to Erin, who asked me to "tuft" the center with two ribbons. That is what you see below.

I am packing a sewing kit. I can just see this ribbon coming loose, or the tuft popping. I want to be prepared for any eventually.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A New Purse

I spent last Wednesday sewing a new purse that I think I will offer for sale at the craft fair on May 31st. I have made two of these bags already, but I had a real brain cramp about doing this one. However, once I got going, I managed just fine.

The pattern is called a Tulip Bag. I had an older Jinny Beyer floral pulled from my stash for the outer fabric, and found the yellow/brown dot to go with it. Interestingly, it is from the Fig Tree line called A Day in the Country. (If that sounds familiar, it is the fabric line I am using for the quilt along called Wishes. I mentioned in one post that I wish I had more of the yellow and Ha! I do!!)

Back to the purse, I put some extra long handles on it, so that it will be comfortable for carrying over the shoulder. I made pockets, but I didn't overdo them. I think it is attractive, and I hope it will find a home.

Let's Make A Banner

At the end of the month I will be participating in a craft fair - a first for me as a vendor. Having no experience beyond being a shopper, I have been trying to think of ways to create a booth (table) that will be appealing and inviting. Since banners are kind of "in" right now, I thought I would see how I would do with making one for my little space.

What do you think? I am satisfied with it. It's made with layer cake-sized squares, and is the easiest thing out there. Since I didn't use a layer cake, opting instead to cut squares out of solid yardage that I had, it took me a bit longer than it otherwise would have. Even still, the banner came together quite fast. I can envision attaching letters to the banner - Happy Birthday, or Merry Christmas, or since it's graduation season, Congratulations Graduate would be nice, and I could make it in the grad's school colors. I see much potential with them.

I found a tutorial on Pinterest which came from a YouTube video from Missouri Star Quilt Company - with the ever perky hostess Jenny Doan. You can click on this link to find the one I used to make this banner. If you click here, you will find the introduction to her YouTube channel - there are links to a gazillion other video tutorials that she's done. I will warn you: they are addictive! I found myself watching videos of tips and techniques that I know!! It just goes to show you that learning can happen, regardless of skill level.

If you are in the area on Saturday, May 31, you should come out to the craft fair at Greenfield Elementary School. The event is being sponsored by my friend Dorothy who is helping raise money for her son to go on a dental mission trip to Nicaragua. Scott, her son, is studying to be a dentist, and will assist with dentistry treatments to needy Nicaraguans. There will be lots to see - and buy!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sherrie's Latest

Frienzie Sherrie creates some gorgeous quilts, and I recently got to see two that I think you will like.

A year or so ago she bought an embroidery machine and then signed up for a BOM to force herself to become accustomed to using it. The beautiful creation you see above is the result of that effort. It is incredible. Each block is so perfectly detailed, neat and square and matched. I should have taken some close up shots to show you the detail. It certainly is going to be an heirloom.

I can show you some detail work on a hand towel that she did. I tell  you, these embroidery machines can do some magnificent work, can't they? I've seen them demonstrated at quilt shows, and marveled at the creativity of the quilters who use them. This is beautiful in its simplicity, don't you think?

The gorgeous creation above is in Sherrie's master bedroom. Isn't it luscious? What we have here are two ingredients for a sure-fire winner: stars, and lots of blue and white. Love it! Notice that cool border of white stars. Some of the blue stars are wonky, some are star-in-a-star. There is just so much to look at, for such a seemingly simple quilt. This pattern may be calling my name.

On the day that we sewed at Sherrie's, Judy T. stopped by. The Irish Chain above is hers, and the story behind it is wonderful.

Judy's mother, a quilter, passed away recently, and in her quilting materials, Judy found the pieces to this quilt all cut out, but didn't know what quilt was to be made. In other words, the pattern wasn't with the pieces. With some helpful input from our mutual friend Kay, this quilt resulted. They did eventually find her mother's pattern and figured it all out. Judy had it quilted by a woman in Amish country. How special this quilt must be to Judy, and what a wonderfully healing process to work with these pieces, figure out the puzzle, and have a warm, wonderful quilt as a reminder of her mother. So special.

And finally, on that same day at Sherrie's we had another special guest - Flynn! Sharon P. stopped by with grandson in tow. My how he's grown! We marveled at how big he's gotten. He will be 2 in October, so he's a big boy. Blond-haired, blue-eyed lady-killer is what he is!! ;)

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Two Near Finishes

On Friday the Frankfort girls were here at my house for sewing and fellowship. We had Sharon O. on our minds as she was undergoing surgery that day. I'm happy to report that she got along fine, and is mending at home with her husband and worthy caretaker Fred.

As for stitching news, two of the gals had quilts very near to being finished, and I thought I'd share those with you today.

This is from JoAnn; it's a gorgeous patriotic quilt, quite large and very striking.

Above is a quilt from Terry. She bought the blocks at either an auction or tag sale, and set them together, quilted it, and is currently binding it. This makes me think of the quilts I saw my grandmother making as I was growing up. She made countless LeMoyne star quilts for all the grandchildren.

That's all I've got for today, peeps.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Hey Mom!!

Are you celebrating your mother today? We took the day yesterday to help spruce up my mother's yard and flower beds. Actually, DH did most of the hard work, along with various other family members, Mark, Ann, Abby, and Stephen. I took on the task of helping to babysit the most adorable twins in the world. They are 6 now, and about to finish kindergarten in a week or two.

Meet my mother, Jeannie. I am the oldest of 5; we have given her 13 grandkids, and 9 great-grands. Mom is as much fun as she looks. Always a sports fan, she loves a good ballgame - any sport - basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, soccer. She definitely doesn't let any moss grow under her feet! She stays active by volunteering at the hospital, bowling every Wednesday, and playing cards in a couple of bridge clubs.

Here are those sweet twins; I couldn't get them both to smile for me at the same time.

Anna Rose

Mary Jean

Have a look Mom's beautified front flower bed. The work crew did extensive work around the house and around the garage. It was an all-day effort! We stopped back by there later, and Mom was out surveying her realm. It really looks fantastic. I do believe she is pleased.

Switching gears just a bit, let me share a cool Mother's Day sentiment. A dear friend will become a first-time mom very, very soon. Alison and her hubby Paul will welcome a little bundle of joy any day now. The due date is May 18. Happy almost-Mother's Day, Alison!!

This will be the first grandchild for our good friends Judy and Harold. They welcomed a daughter-in-law to the family last month, and will welcome a grandbaby this month. How nice is that? (You may remember the wedding quilt that I made for the new couple. Check this link to the post.)

Alison and Paul at her brother's wedding.

The expectant parents will, of course, be getting a baby quilt. When I learned that Ali was expecting, I contacted her about her preferences for a quilt. Since they opted not to find out the sex of the baby in advance, I needed to make a neutral quilt. Ali and Paul moved during this pregnancy, and when preparing their nursery, Ali told me that their colors would be gray and teal, with pops of orange. That became my color scheme, and here is the result.

I found a quilt on Pinterest that intrigued me - a chevron quilt which didn't require triangles. I bought the fabrics early in the year, cut it out and sewed the blocks in March, went into overdrive in April, and now it awaits an opportunity to be delivered to Ali and Paul.

This picture is from the Canter's Cave retreat. I had to be very careful when laying out the blocks. It was tricky and I had to focus. (Hard to do on a retreat!)

I will be sure to try to acquire a picture of the little bundle of joy on his or her quilt in due time. (Hint, hint, Judy and Ali!) It won't really be complete until a baby is wrapped up in it, right??

I am spending my mother's day with my husband helping our DD2 move back to Athens. She will be taking classes this summer, and has a couple of part time jobs. 

Happy Mother's Day!

And Happy Quilting, Friends!

The Wedding Day Approaches!

We are just 2 weeks away from the big wedding day for my DD Erin. Last Saturday, DD Emma, the maid of honor, pulled off a really fun bachelorette party for the bride and the bridesmaids. Moms were welcome at the dinner portion of the evening, and it looked to me like everyone was having a wonderful time.

Here are my precious daughters, complete with their Minnie Mouse ears. Erin and Jeff will be going to Disney World on their honeymoon, so the theme for the evening was everything princess.

And here is the bride with a little surprise for the bar-hopping portion of the evening. This is the part that I opted out of! I think they had a lot of fun - the bars close at 2am, and they got in at 2:30! Yes, they had a designated driver.

The wedding preparations are nearly complete. I think Erin has done a pretty good job of planning this shindig! It will be here before we know it!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

April Block for Tell It To The Stars

Still playing catch up here in the Quilting Room. The Wishes Quilt Along is on schedule, but I'm a month behind on the Tell It To The Stars Quilt Along. I can, however, show you the April blocks. I promise that I am working on the May blocks and I fully expect to have them done before the month is over. Then I will be all caught up on both QALs.

For this QAL, we are instructed to make 2 blocks each month. So here are my April blocks. It seems ever picture I take of these fabrics leaves me with odd colorations. It must have something to do with the shadows and the sunlight in my sewing room. (It couldn't possibly be operator error, could it??)

A close-up view of one block. There have been some oddly-made blocks in this QAL, but since I only have to make 2, it doesn't scare me too much. I think they are turning out pretty well. I definitely have not been so dissatisfied that I've unsewed anything!! Heavens!!

This QAL is sponsored by Judy L. at Patchwork Times blog. She frequently has linky days when all who are participating can share their finished blocks. It's fun to see the variety! Here are links to the blocks I've made so far: January, February, March.

Happy Quilting, Friends!