Sewing With Friends!

 

Earlier this week, a really special reunion occurred when Dee and Sharon and I sewed together in the quilting room. A trip to Ross County is a 3-hour drive for Dee, so planning is essential. We'd hoped we could have this reunion earlier in the month with the idea of celebrating the end of our Spring Dream Sew Along; however life got in the way, as it often does. We finally managed to make things work for Tuesday. Yay!

Sharon, Dee, Jayne

We had such a fun day catching up with each other. It was nearly day's end before it occurred to me to take pictures, for heaven's sake, and even then, Sharon suggested it. If I'd had my wits about me, I could share so many more pictures here today, but alas, you will have to just trust that the company was so very grand that it was impossible to even think about grabbing the camera.

This leaves you looking at a small handful of pictures which are representations of a full day's work. Well, 'full day' and 'work' might be a stretch. There was much talking and various breaks for refreshments. We didn't overtax ourselves, for sure. 

Dee brought along a lovely variety of bright blue and aqua fabrics and a wonderful neutral to begin a new quilt. Above is one block. Dee's pattern is called Swimming the Backstroke from the book Take 5 Fat Quarters by Kathy Brown.

Sharon and I both are going to start a scrappy Irish Chain, and above is a glimpse of her first block. That very light pink solid will be the unifying chain around the scrappy blocks. It will be gorgeous! At this stage of the process Sharon says she is feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of this quilt, but we both know the way to quell that feeling is to just keep stitching. She is following the same pattern as I will follow, which you can at the bottom of this post from yesterday.

Sharon's other sewing for the day included making these burgundy and light blue 9-patch blocks.  The blue and white dot on the right was auditioned out of the mix (save for a future quilt!); Sharon will be using off white for sashing and red/burgundy cornerstones. Sharon really has a spot-on eye for this. No doubt it will be wonderful.

While Dee and Sharon both sewed, I spent the day at the cutting table. I had a list of three things needing cut. I did the one that I'd been procrastinating over - the remaining 9 stars for my red and white stars quilt. I shared this photo yesterday, but I will rerun it here.

My other cutting options included cutting squares for a baby quilt and cutting Ohio Stars for the exchange I'm doing with the Frankfort Girls. In the intervening days, the baby quilt has been finished - cut and stitched; the Ohio Stars are still waiting.

I mentioned refreshments earlier, and in background of that picture of Sharon's block for scrappy Irish Chain you can see some evidence. Because it was an extra-special day of sewing, I made a brunch-type cinnamon bread, and later we had cheese, nuts and berries with a refreshing sangria.  

Sewing with Sharon most weeks is always special, and having Dee join us was a real treat. We have such a long history of friendship that we never fail to pick up right from the get-go and we don't miss a beat with our conversations - family, books, teaching, sewing, travels - all the topics fall right into place. 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sew Along Update - Week 15

 

Perhaps you have forgotten that we three friends doing this sew along are retired English teachers. Dee and Sharon and I met as brand-spanking-new teachers at CHS back in 1979-80. Even though we separated professionally in the '90s when Dee and her husband left for jobs in northern Ohio, we three have managed to maintain our friendship across both years and miles.

We are all retired now (Hurrah!), but in true English-teacher fashion we still enjoy some nerdy aspects of the subject we taught. We treated you to a found poem by Dee in this post. A few weeks later, Sharon shared her "sentimental" poem with us in this post. Not to be outdone, today you get my poem - a sonnet, no less, in true iambic pentameter - mostly. 

But first, I am super-pumped to show you my Spring Dreams finish for this past week! This represents a milestone! My first sew along quilt - I've called it my original Spring Dreams - is quilted and bound! Longtime readers here know the rarity of my planning, making, quilting and finishing a project in such a short turn-around time! Quite the development! 

You are about to see three pictures of the finish. Note how different the color looks. I am stymied with what a chameleon this quilt is. No matter where I photograph it, no two pictures show the green sashing true enough to suit me. The picture above is on the front porch, late afternoon light, sheltered from direct sun.

Here she is in our family room, courtesy of DH and his long arms holding it for me. This room always seems somewhat dark.

This bedroom has windows on both sides, diffused by curtains when necessary. Oh well, if you can conjure up some amalgamation of these three pictures, then you know the color. *smile*

Rather than focus on my inability to accurately capture the colors, check out the similarity to Helen Phillips' inspiration quilt. She has been so gracious and such a cheerleader, as we have stitched from her beautiful photo.

Instagram photo from Helen Philipps

 

During our sew along, Helen has published a pattern for her table topper, available on Etsy, and perhaps she includes alternate sizes. We three sew along gals here have made quite a variety of sizes and in a variety of colorways. One is limited only by the amount of fabric being used for the sashing, mostly. All the blocks can be scrappy, as can the cornerstones, if necessary.

This coming week will find me attempting to finish one more quilt top using this design in reproduction fabrics. I have a healthy start, and plan to sew this afternoon.

Now for my sonnet. I do enjoy reading poetry, but as for writing it, let me just say that birthing three babies might have been easier. Geeesh, what effort! I reread poems I once taught; I searched the web for rhymes and synonyms; I gleaned interesting words from radio and audio books. My desk is strewn with scribbled-up drafts - such very messy business it is to pen a poem. *wink*

 Spring Dreams

Come Spring! And bless us with your charms!

Shrug off old winter's long and dreary days.

We long for azure skies, bright sun that warms;

On flowers, buds and blooms we long to gaze.

So gradual doth spring share her wak'ning breath,

As length'ning days do warm the vast expanse,

Yon meadows shimmer, draped green, en-wreathed.

Rejoice when Jacks and jonquils have fair chance!

As garden's cheerful crocuses burst forth

And thrumming bees dance pirouettes aloft,

Whilst songbirds trill and flit with lovers' mirth,

Throaty polliwogs through murm'ring night call soft.

Spring tiptoes timid through the frost and cold,

Crescendos buoyant full in pageant bold.

Until next update, dear readers, have a wonderfully productive week at the sewing machine!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Sew Along Update - Week 11

 

Did everyone have a happy Mother's Day? It was a busy week here and we ended up hosting 16 here yesterday to celebrate. Consequently, I am later than usual in getting today's post up and out. (I was a pooped Mom!)

In Week 9, we featured a found poem by fellow Sew Along founder, Dee. The treat for today is a poem penned by Sew Along founder, Sharon. When she sent this early last week, she warned that it was quite sentimental and that she "really laid it on." Yes, it certainly sings with sentimentality - all the alliteration and imagery make it a joy to read. See if you don't agree.

Moondance Dream

It all begins
With a dream
of roses and ribbons,
sallows and swirls,
 bouquets and beauty;
of gardens in Paris,
watercolors in Giverny,
lavender in Provence;
of pale pinks of daybreak,
soft yellows of sun rays,
new greens of Spring. 

Then, the dance—
a soft embrace,
a slow waltz swirling
like moon beams
dotting the sky,
illuminating,
fulfilling the dream
to the end.

Doesn't Sharon's poem take the celebrating of spring to a whole new level?! She may be right that she "laid it on," but if famous poets can be inspired by daffodils, nightingales, and Grecian urns, then by gosh, we quilting English teachers can be inspired by gorgeous fabrics and pleasing designs. 

Now I know you are thinking that a poem must surely be forthcoming from yours truly - well, we shall see. I won't make any promises, but I do see where that gauntlet has been thrown. *smiles*

Want some quilt pictures before I close? I can certainly manage that. Dee sent a progress picture this week. Her blocks are finished and she is ready to begin construction of the quilt top. Oh, her fabrics are so rich and vibrant! This flower garden will be brimming with intense colors.

I had the bright idea to hang my quilts together for a quick photo. It is fun to see them lined up together like this. The 4 on hangers are larger. The little quilt pinned to the front is the only one completely finished. I may put it on the dining table for the duration of spring.

My names for each: Spring Dreams (green), Lulu Lane Dreams (yellow), Patriotic Dreams (obvious), Sanctuary Dreams (blue), and Scrappy Dreams (small one in front). I have an idea for one more, but I can't decide if I should do it. Maybe I'd be smarter to put one of these on the quilting frame and get it quilted up before our sew along ends. We shall see. If I get my act together, maybe I can do both.

Here's hoping you are making some beautiful spring dreams come true! 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

 

Sew Along Update - Week 9

Perhaps you know that the Spring Dreams Sew Along was borne of the collective efforts of three former high school English teachers? Yes, Dee, Sharon, and I all worked side by side at the same high school and formed a wonderful, lasting friendship. 

Quilting English teachers. You might have known that you'd be heading toward something slightly different, am I right? In all the quilting blogs I've read and followed over the years, I don't believe I have ever seen original poetry offered up as reading material. However, you read poetry all the time if you are enjoying the beautiful selvages that are lately appearing on quilting fabrics. Wonderfully creative and evocative images - why, most of us cut them off and toss them in the waste bin. 

Not Dee! She has a "found poem" for us today, taken from selvages on our cutting tables. Sharon and I sent her our selvage sentiments, and then Dee took the whole mish-mash and penned this "found poem" for you today.

         A Bee in My Bonnet

We are fabrics, self-edged*,

An Art Gallery of Division, the Americana Edition, All Rights Reserved

Rocky Mountain Wild, Paris Flea Market, Made in Korea.

Inventory Detail: 100%?  Stock?  Premium Cotton?  Designer?

Preferred Bin; only the best birds sing?

Wander along the path less traveled, A Quilting Life,

Petal Steps, a Travel Daze, Creekside,

A Sun Shower on LuLu Lane, a Jelly Roll Playground.

Feel the difference?

Work Order, Shop Order: recalculate assembly and Quantity Required.

Build with cornerstones and sashing a new arrangement,

A Collection, Dreams.

By D Rice

*with the exception of this play on “selvage” the content is taken from selvages and fabric packaging and descriptions of this quilt-along.

 

Isn't it delightful!?  I have always admired Dee's creativity both in the classroom and beyond. Her unique way of seeing things and discovering meaning challenged her students - and, her next door neighbor in room 114!

Update on our quilting progress?

Yes, Dee informs me that she is stitching as fast as molasses and currently has 24 blocks made. You know, we are in no great rush, here, so if your speed is "molasses" that works just fine. *smile*

I did go ahead and start yet another Spring Dreams quilt. And, yes, I am using Sanctuary by 3 Sisters/Moda. My progress is like molasses, too. I've not gotten very far on this new version because the commission t-shirt quilt has had my attention these past several days. I did, though, sew long strips together. Now I need to press and cut my sub-units.

As is my general way, I like to make a block just to see it. Now I will be satisfied to stitch the rest in chaining fashion; they'll be done in no time. Oh, how dreamy this quilt will be! I am so eager to get back to it.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sew Along Update - Week 5

Good Monday morning, dear readers, sewists and quilters! Are you here for your weekly installment of the Spring Dreams Sew Along news? 

You are in for a treat today, gentle readers, as Dee has provided me with a wonderful snapshot of her history with all things sewing to use for today's post. I have always loved Dee's way with words, and have 40 years worth of saved correspondence from her as proof. She writes beautiful prose, often with powerful images that help the reader see the ordinary with new eyes. Throwing away her letters would be the equivalent of burning a book. I can do neither! See if you agree with me...

Though I’ve lived for decades in a place where there may be more cows than people, certainly more cornstalks than people, I did not grow up on a farm or in a village, and neither did my parents or both sets of grandparents. My maternal grandparents worked in tall office buildings.  My grandmother made the lined and tailored jackets, fine fitted skirts, and crisp many-buttoned blouses she wore to work downtown in the capital city of our almost Midwestern state.

By the time I knew her, the dressmaker’s dummy in her second floor sloped ceiling sewing room wore only the occasional “church dress.”  Yet all the bits of wool and satiny lining and muted shirtings showed up in my Christmas presents of beautifully made doll clothes.  My dolls were “dressed for success,” and parties and weddings and church meetings.

I knew what a sewing machine and a pattern could do making clothes, and made many of my own, when I moved away from the capital city and was fortunate to meet colleagues Jayne and Sharon.  Their long experience fashioning beautiful quilts, and their generosity, kindness, and intelligence, have inspired me over and over for a long time.  Thanks for the invitation to sew along, my friends!

My Spring Dream quilt is a bit different. The fabrics I’ve chosen are saturated with color; I wanted to use a jelly roll of soft white I bought on sale to offset them; and I’ve long admired the diagonal line in the 5 dark 4 light nine patch.  I’m also a fan of “white space” or open space if deep color is used.  Jayne long ago showed me how she sketched designs on graph paper, and that’s what I did to get an inkling of what my idea might look like.

My drawing also tells someone more experienced with words than numbers, yours truly, how many of the different pieces I’ll need. I played around with some multiplication, but there’s nothing like a picture to give a person confidence in a story problem!

As to fabric choices, I have designer bundles to thank, a bit of over-buying, and a long time standing by the cutting table where all the pieces were posed and auditioning for me.  In the end I kept two many-color florals and balanced them with those of less color variety and those with even less.  Will the finish be a “dream?”  I hope so! 

With all the strip sets sewn, I’m ready for 2.5 inch slicing, a full bobbin, a Jayne-recommended audio book, and the lovely puzzle of stitching together 72 squares with nary a repeated fabric in any 5 darks grouping.  Here we go!

Here we go, indeed! Isn't it exciting to begin, finally, stitching these carefully constructed units into actual blocks? Dee is at this fun point when the mental picture and graph paper sketch becomes real, tangible blocks. The design takes shape and comes to life.

Some housekeeping details to bring to your attention, especially for those who are sewing along with us.  First, I mentioned in a post this past week that the chart on Day 1 of our sew along might have errors. To clarify, the errors are only in the dimensions of the completed quilt tops. All the counts on the numbers of corner stones and sashing strips are correct.

Second, I have plans to write up a post which will pull all the pictures of all the sew along quilts together. This will prevent folks from having to hunt down certain quilts. It will also be simpler for my linking purposes to have just one to link, rather than several.

Stitch away, my friends! Please contact me if you need us to address something that we have not covered. We will continue with our creations, too, and by the end of spring, we will all have wonderful new quilts to share.

Happy Quilting, Friends!