Mending

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Elizabeth E.

I’ve had mending on my mind and wanted to write about all forms of mending, but hadn’t been able to find a way in until I saw this:

“The Opposite of Hate is Mending,” by Kate Sekules

boro stitching

kintsugi

Mending 2a

I’m a long-time mender. I recently fixed a favorite purse for my mother, replacing the torn pocket with some vivid yellow lining. I stitched up a few other ripped places, re-glued the lining into the frame and sent it back to her; she was pleased as punch to have her little purse back in working order.

ChristAdulteress_0 I always look for handsewing in pieces of art, and found it in this image by David Habben, in a recent art exhibit in Salt Lake City. It depicts Jesus and the adulteress with her angry mob of accusers. The clenched fists with rocks, the tortured shapes, and the vile expressions in the background convey the tension in this well-known scene.

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In the foreground, Christ kneels and writes on the ground, this thread looping around his other hand. This puzzled me, as I knew it wasn’t in the original story.

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I found gold stitching in areas of the woman’s veil, clues to my small mystery. My sister, viewing this with me, provided the connection: calmly drawing in the dust with his finger, the accusers slinking away after his measured rejoinder, Christ was mending. The accused woman may have stitched her clothing, but now He would mend her soul.

A mended surface can carry a scar. In the case of boro, or of artful kintsugi, we appreciate the addition. But more often that not, we humans don’t want imperfections, or wrinkles, or sadness, death, old age, or any evidence of a rent place. We want happy. We want life to go on with daisies and sunshine and lollipops: no fights or bad diagnoses or mistakes that reverberate for generations.

For years I’ve taken comfort in Eugene O’Neill’s line: “Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue.” Are we broken? Certainly we only have to the watch unbelievable tragedies of this past weekend trickle in a headline at a time on our screens, to know that broken and torn places are piling up somewhere in a onslaught of rage. I turned away from the yet-again, awful headlines, not knowing what to do.

I take comfort in O’Neill’s wisdom, and Christ’s golden thread. Rather than join the fury, I can fix a torn pocket, a broken heart, work through a quarrel, listen to someone who is trying to heal a shattered life. Whether at the epicenter of the current bad news or in our own homes, we can do our part to draw together the gaping edges, mending them with careful, even stitches.

Pioneer Cosplay

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Elizabeth E.

Logo by Simone

Recently a few of us here were involved in the Heritage Day Celebration, honoring the early pioneers in this valley. It happened last Saturday, on a mildly hot day. Good day to be wearing all these layers, right?

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Didn’t Thoreau say something like “Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes”? I think the dress looks like a cross between Mary Poppins and the mother from Little House on the Prairie, an ancient TV show that forever colored our view of what women in the 1850s wore around the farm, and notable for the final show: they blew up all the set houses with dynamite to keep them from the local evil corporate guy.

We hosted a “quilting booth” but instead of that tired old trope of setting out a quilt top so people could mangle it with their stitches, we ran a hexie booth, based on the research I found that quilters at the time were doing English paper piecing.

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We had some work to do. We, meaning, several of us who have attended our quilting group for many years, plus some others we ~~conned into~~ asked to participate.

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First, combine four patterns to make a pioneer outfit (seen above). Then start working on the demo goods: hexies.

Pioneer Hexies_1 Pioneer Hexies_2

I appliqued them to a tote bag I picked up a couple of years ago at Quilt Market, figuring the “maker” theme was a good fit for hexies.

l to r: Julie, Melissa, me, Laurel, Simone, Lisa. (PS Simone doesn’t really look like this. She likes to pull faces. Her texts always make me laugh.)

Pioneer Hexies_0a Pioneer Hexies_0b

We figure we glued up about 500 hexies, total, between this and what Leisa did later on. It was so good to have these!

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It was a team effort: our friend Dennis brought us tables and chairs, and Leisa was the “set decorator,” using quilts from near and far. We arrived at 7:10 a.m. and left at 2:20 p.m., the right amount of time.

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We also had some modern hexies there to entice the participants; that is Laurel’s beautiful Modern Millefiore Hexie quilt on the left, with Simone’s hexie pillow (pattern here), and other props.

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We had Color-A-Quilt pages for the littlest visitors, as well as create your own quilt block (below). We had to remind them that it was a visual treat–take a photo with your phone sort of thing–as people kept walking off with my design boards. That is Julie’s hand you see there, making a mock-up. She kept these two sections rolling the whole day.

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from l to r: Cindy, Julie, Denese, me, Laurel and her husband Ralph, Leisa, Simone

The original crew, plus my husband, Dave (who is taking the photo). We swapped out two for four others mid-day; we were swamped, so were glad to have them. Here are some photos from our day:

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We were suprised by the number of teens — and teen boys — who sat down and made a three-hexie patch from start to finish.

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Most did not look like this–they sewed them up properly, although sometimes with an interesting twist or two, but we thought this won the prize for “Most Interesting Hexie” of the day. We had to teach many how to tie knots (about half had no idea how to do that), and we saw that lots of youngsters (and oldsters) liked to be able to sit and sew, a skill not often available to them in other places.

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We had a sample quilt set up in a hoop in case anyone wanted to try hand-quilting. Most were more fascinated by the hexies. And most wanted to pick through the baskets of cut fabric squares and glue their own shapes, too.

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Wee Pioneers

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I love sharing our craft with some new quilters!

Stats: 3,000 paper hexies purchased
60 needles (only 35 were brought home–don’t know where the rest went)
3 needle-threaders: one from Clover, my friend Laurel, and my husband Dave
2 ten-gallon jugs of water
4,000 cut squares prepped up: fabric donated by Paintbrush Studio and Primitive Gatherings
Project boards that are not dusty: 0
Number of pioneer outfits that will never be used again: 7

On Your Mark Create! Blog Hop and Giveaway

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Elizabeth E.

OYM Blog Hop Buttons-01.jpg

I was recently sent a stack of fabrics as I was asked to be a part of the On Your Mark Create! blog hop; I jumped at the chance to work more with my friend Simone’s On Your Mark fabrics. I stewed over what I could sew, since I’d already made a baby quilt. This time I wanted some quilty project that would be fun and helpful for me and for you.

Then it was time for lunch.

What?

Yes, lunch, and when I looked those placemats on the table, I knew they were way past their Sell By date. It was time for some new ones.

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I hunted around for placemat tutorials that had some style and were quick and easy and that would show off the fun prints in Simone’s fabrics. (As a former English teacher, I’m totally in love with the exclamation point fabric.)

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I found this free pattern on Craftsy by Samelia’s Mum, and thought it would be perfect. I had toyed with another design by Fabric Mutt, which had pockets for paper plates and plasticware at picnics, but opted instead for the leafy design on “All Seasons Placemats.”

Placemats_8

The fabric has a soft hand, and to make sure I didn’t have the placemats shrink out of shape (and, as a mostly-I-prewash-fabric quilter), I threw the fabrics into the washer, then dryer, until they were damp-dry and then pressed up the fabric.

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I had fun choosing which leaves to go where. I also made some changes to how the pattern went together. First I constructed the placemat completely, following her instructions for fusing and stitching.

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But then I layered the placemat on top of batting without quilting it down first. I layered the backing on top of that RST. I stitched around the edges, leaving an opening.

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I turned it inside out, and closed the opening by top-stitching around the outside edge of the placemat. It looks poofy, but it settles down when you quilt it, which is the next step. After stitching around the outside edge, I’d say to do it again, 1/4″ away. Then quilt the plain spaces in the mat. I went around the leaves first, then stitched more leaves in a random fill pattern all over.

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Did I mention they are reversible?

I know a lot of folks don’t set proper tables anymore, but there’s something so lovely about a well-set table that shows love to all who join in. After using them for a few days, I think I should have places the leaves on the RIGHT side of the placemat, for then the glass would be like the flower at the top of the leafy stem. Next time.

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PS. That’s my grandmother’s napkin ring you see up there.

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Here are my On Your Mark placemats, gracing our table for dinner. By the way, one night we spilled on them, and I tossed them in the washer then laid them out flat on top of the dryer to dry, and they look as good as new. No shrinking.

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Paintbrush Studio, who makes these fabrics, is offering one fat quarter bundle to be given away each day of the blog hop (like what you saw at the beginning of the post). (So you can hop around for more chances to win!)

UPDATE: Giveaway closed now. Thank you all!

To win one from me, leave a comment telling me when the last time was you purchased placemats (if you can remember), and I’ll draw one name randomly (USA only) to win. Winner will be contacted via email and the bundle will be mailed out from Paintbrush Studio. (But if you don’t win, you can purchase them here.)

Please visit the others on the blog hop (the first listing is the Instagram address, and if there is a second, it is their blog):

Tuesday, April 17: Simone @simone.g.b ; Simone Bradford

Wednesday, April 18: Elizabeth (me!)

Thursday, April 19: Stephanie @spontaneousthreads; Spontaneous Threads

Friday, April 20: Linda @quiltlady63

Saturday, April 21: Joan@alaskanquilter

Sunday, April 22: Carol @carolanngillen

Monday, April 23: Sarah @nohatsquilts

Tuesday, April 24: Afton @quiltingmod; Quilting Mod

Wednesday, April 25: Alison @quiltstudio62

Thursday, April 26: @pbstudiofabrics; Inspired by Fabric

The Visual Story of a Sewing Kit

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Elizabeth E.

Rescue boats fill a flooded street at flood victims are evacuated as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Okay–here’s what helps keep me busy while I’m watching hours of footage about the Hurricane Harvey disaster: hand-sewing. So I came up with my own little sewing kit. Start Here, with this rough sketch of a pattern: Sewing Kit_opquilt-pattern

SewingKitESE_1 and these dimensions:
SewingKitESE_dimensions
Cut out. Quilt Soft & Stable lightly to backing, as you just want to hold it in place, you don’t want to distort it. NOTE: although it doesn’t show really well, I cut two of the notions pocket (thimble and thread glide); the dotted one (you can see it below) is the lining. Remember to cut with wrong sides together, as the pattern piece is not symmetrical.

SewingKitESE_2

Stitch it together along the curvy top, and the right side. Turn inside out, topstitch along the curvy edges. and make the pleats. Top stitch along the two sides and the bottom, holding it in place to the inner lining. I like light linings, so I can see what’s going on. SewingKitESE_3

SewingKitESE Refer to above photo for the rest of these ~~sketchy~~ detailed directions.

Sew down one long side of the scissors pocket; turn and press. Turn in 1/4″ on the other long side; press. Top-stitch the scissors pocket onto the lining. Slide your scissors into place, and figure out where the ribbon needs to go: backstitch a ribbon into place.

Match up the backing with the lining and all its decor, putting wrong sides together and pin. All the edges will be raw edges. Find the center line (where you will fold this closed) and stitch down the center to anchor the parts together.

Insert the zipper between the two zipper pocket pieces, cutting zipper down to size after sewing thread tacks on each end to keep the zipper on its track.

If you want a needle holder, cut a piece 1-3/4″ by 4″ and stitch to the zipper pocket as shown in photo above. Then fold the zipper-pocket-assembly in half, creating a pocket. (You can see the aqua ribbon sneaking into the pocket in the above photo.) Place zipper pocket on right side of lining and stitch around this narrowly–just to hold it in place.

Lay a spool of thread on all the corners and trace; cut the edges into a rounded edge. You can omit this step, and just do the corners like a quilt binding.

Bind the edges with a double-fold binding: cut a piece approximately 20″ long and 1-1/4″ wide. Fold raw edges into the center and press. Open out binding; first stitch WST with binding to back. Fold to the inside, pinning or glueing to keep in in place, then topstitch. Make two other double-fold pieces, roughly 12″ by 1-1/4″ and zig-zag. These are your ties. Stitch them to either side of the outer edge (refer to photo way below).

SewingKitESE_3a

Add other trim: two buttons for the “String & Button” closure (yes, that is its official name). I found some interesting thick string and sewed that through the little pocket at its tallest point and then knotted it behind the pocket. I used Fray-Chek on all raw edges of string and ribbon and ties. To close, you wrap it around the button (shown, above).

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SewingKitESE_6 SewingKitESE_6a SewingKitESE_7 SewingKitESE_8 SewingKitESE_9

I use the Superior Threads Bobbin Donut in doing my hand stitching. I tried and tried to think of a way to get it attached, and finally resorted to sewing a ribbon to the center. SewingKitESE_10

I also tried it out on their new Super Bobs box, which is what is replacing the Donut. They still have a few donuts for sale on their website if you hate to see it go. Truth: I probably won’t shove the donut or the box into the sewing kit…but I might.

I realize that I assume you have some sewing knowledge when I posted this, but another Truth: it’s also for my reference if I ever want to make another one. The very cool fabric on the outside is from Timeless Treasures Fabrics a few whiles back. It’s called Lux, if you want to go looking.

Why did I make this? I have lots of pouches and bags and I love them all, as most came from friends. I also have a couple of sewing cases, too, but I found myself toting around my stuff in a zipper baggie, as nothing quite suited me. So I know this is what works for me, but maybe you can find something in here that will work for you.

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It matters little how much equipment we use; it matters much that we be masters of all we do use. ~Sam Abell

I have to say that my attention has been preoccupied with the victims of the Houston flooding. My son and his family moved there a week ago (I know!), and I try to keep tabs on them as much as he is able to. I’m not the only one focused that way, with loved ones being flooded. We’ve contributed to the Google Hurricane Harvey Response (they’ll contribute matching funds), and there are many other charities where you can donate. Please consider helping in this way, as this is catastrophic.

And One More Thing: Get your own Emergency Supply Kit. Have water, basic necessities, food that’s portable. None of us can expect that rescue will be a part of our community’s offerings, in case of disaster (and you know what your own disaster can be). We have to expect that we’ll need to help ourselves first.

Samaritans help push a boat with evacuees to high ground during a rain storm caused by Tropical Storm Harvey along Tidwell Road in east Houston, Texas, U.S. August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Adrees Latif TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY – RTX3DRSF

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Beachside Quilting Retreat

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Elizabeth E.

Shortly after meeting Mary at QuiltCon, she texted me to say we ought to get together for a weekend at the beach, and suggested a date: September.

That seemed so far away, but finally the weekend arrived and Lisa (L), Leisa (R) and I drove over to Carpinteria, where her beach house is located. We were more than happy to spend time with her as we think she is the Cat’s Meow, besides being a great quilter.

First up: exchange little gifts with each other. I always like what Simone de Beauvoir said: something to the effect that if the universe were run by women, they would bestow little gifts upon each other all day long. She certainly knew about quilters! I had a package which contained socks, a candy bar brought from Denmark with funny words on them, and a few other trinkets. We set up our machines and began sewing.

View from the balcony towards Arco Island. While the official name is Rincon Island, the locals call it after the oil company. They also never call the city by its full name of Carpinteria, but rather, call it “Carp.”

After sewing all afternoon, and after dinner, it was time to go and watch the sunset. We adopted the rhythm established by Mary and her family, and were always happy to have a break out in nature before we tackled the evening’s sewing.

Leisa, Lisa and Mary

Many of the rocks on this area of beach have holes in them and through them. We joked that all our suitcases were pounds heavier with our souvenirs from Carp.

Saturday morning, Mary told us all it was National Sewing Machine Day, so I documented us all at our machines.

Since Mary and I like to cook, I’ll give you an idea of the food we had all weekend, beginning with her shashito peppers from her garden, lightly heated with a bit of oil, then dipped in soy sauce.

We all contributed to this stack.

Mary’s Tomato and Cheese Galette, served with fresh greens.

Melon wrapped in proscuitto, tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella. I’d forgotten my vinegar, so Mary’s BIL lent some and it was amazing (the “good stuff” he said, and he was right).

For lunch one day we were out at The Spot, where the ladies were photo-bombed:

Another day we went to Summerland Cafe, known for its breakfasts. . . so I had breakfast, while the other quilters had a lunch entree.

After finding two pumpkin-shaped Le Creuset pots in an antique store, Mary taught us all how to make her famous bread. Link to the story and the recipe is *here.* We also visited the famous Roxanne’s Quilt Shop; write-up with photos in the next post. I’m still recovering.

We visited one of the local orchid farms, Westerlay Farms, where there were a gorgeous array of colorful orchids.

Westerly also had a planter of beautiful succulents out front.

So did we do more than eat and have field trips? Yep, yep. I brought my unfinished Traveling Threads Bee quilt, as it had languished too long. After we taped up the design wall (see below), I slapped all my blocks up there and began moving them around. And around. And around.

I went downstairs early the first night to be the first in her jammies, and got quilt-bombed with Lisa’s batch of 50 nine-patches. This was Lisa laughing with me in the morning, as it took me a minute to figure out why my quilt looked so great, but then she made me give them back. Pity. They were sunny and bright in my quilt of fall colors. She did this set of 50, and then another set of 50 three-inch nine-patches for a guilt swap she is participating in.

After noodling on this for a very long day (asking everyone what they thought of it about every time I moved something an inch — they were very patient), I finally got it sewed together. Now to quilt it. I took mine down and Lisa put hers up:

This is the photo at the end of the weekend, after she sewed and sewed and sewed. It’s a Lizzy House pattern.

I completed two backs for quilts: Oh Christmas Tree, and Halloween 1904. Sorry they are so wrinkled.

Mary had the actual First Finish, when she held up this appliquéd chicken, quilted and bound. She used a special technique to appliqué the pieces down.

Leisa worked on several projects, but this is her quilt from a Road to California class using Little House on the Prarie fabrics.

Leisa also finished up her Halloween 1904 quilt (on the right). It was part of the Quilt-A-Long here on the blog this summer.

Mary finishing up her Christmas Tree skirt, using the trick of a glue stick to hold the binding in place for top-stitching.

Here it is!

She also finished up a quilt-a-long with Bonnie Hunter, with stars and strips.

Lastly, Mary made two red Xs for the 70273project by Jeanne Hewell-Chambers, found *here,* with Introductory Post *here.* Mary’s set is on top, mine’s on the bottom. We had one more set by the time the weekend was finished.

Stuff ready to get packed into Lisa’s car.

Good-bye until next year!

Teaching Schedule through Late Summer

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Elizabeth E.

I’ve signed up to teach a few classes at our local quilt shop, The Quilter’s Cocoon, and thought I’d let you know about them. The first three are mini quilts, where you learn a new skill with each one. There’s a discount for signing up for all three. Then in June, I’m teaching the Wonky Baskets quilt, to use up a lot of scraps. July’s class is Machine Appliqué, making an originally designed Lollypop Tree block (pattern included in class) in either Christmas colors or summery/spring colors.

Finally, we’ll finish off with Beginning Machine Quilting, using your domestic sewing machine. Hope you can join me for one or all!

April 19, Tues: 10:30-2:30 Rolling Rainbow Star

This brightly colored mini quilt is where you’ll learn about the color wheel and how to piece Y-seams (easily). Class materials fee is $2.00. I’ll be teaching a series of three mini quilts. It’s $30 for one class or $75 for all three. I’ll be teaching at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

May 3, Tues: 10:30-2:30 Spectrum

This mini quilt is composed of multiple Kaffe Fasset fabrics, all done by hand with English Paper Piecing. Class materials fee is $10 (pattern included). You’ll learn the basics of paper piecing, and some tips in working with the color wheel. I’ll be teaching a series of three mini quilts. It’s $30 for one class or $75 for all three. I’ll be teaching at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

May 17, Tues: 10:30-2:30 Home, Sweet, Home

This fun neighborhood centers around a town star! Pick up the cutting directions when you pay for the class, and come with all your pieces cut. We’ll talk about how to get the perfect points on a half-square triangles and snowball blocks. Cost: $35. Class materials fee is $10 (pattern included). This is the third in a series of three mini quilts. It’s $30 for one class or $75 for all three. I’ll be teaching at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

June 7, Tues: 10:30-4 p.m Wonky Baskets Quilt

A scrap-happy quilt with wonky baskets. You’ll need one short ruler to help you cut the sides and one long ruler (to cut the bias), but other than those two things, it’s wonky happiness! Bring a collection of scraps (more info on class handout, available when you pay) and we’ll sew sew sew all day long. Instructions for the borders will be handed out at the end of class. Class cost: $45, at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

July 16, Sat: 10:30-4 p.m Christmas Treat

This Christmasy wall hanging can also be made in spring colors in Kaffe Fasset fabrics. (See below). In this class we’ll talk about combining fabrics, freezer-paper machine applique. Instructions for the borders will be given out in class, in case you don’t get to them. See class supply sheet for more information. Cost: $35. I’ll be teaching at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

Spring version of Christmas Treat

August 27, Sat: 10:30-2 p.m Beginner’s Free-Motion Quilting

If you know your machine well, and are ready to finish off that stack of quilt tops in your closet, this is the class for you. I can not do tech-support for your machine, so make sure you are familiar with the basics of your sewing machine, have a free-motion quilting foot (see your dealer if you are not sure) and are ready to learn how to quilt with your domestic sewing machine. Cost: $35. Class materials fee: $15. I’ll be teaching at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

–OR–

Sept. 8, Thursday: 10:30-2 p.m Beginner’s Free-Motion Quilting
If you know your machine well, and are ready to finish off that stack of quilt tops in your closet, this is the class for you. I can not do tech-support for your machine, so make sure you are familiar with the basics of your sewing machine, have a free-motion quilting foot (see your dealer if you are not sure) and are ready to learn how to quilt with your domestic sewing machine. Cost: $35. Class materials fee: $15. I’ll be teaching at Quilter’s Cocoon, in Riverside, California (951-351-0346)

OccasionalPiece–Quilt!

Category Archives: Sewing