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Post by krisinmi on May 16, 2016 18:26:04 GMT
Now that our first forum quilt has finished it's time, and the next one won't start until after summer's busy-ness is pretty much done, what next? I would love to do a small-ish sewing project over the summer, and while I have a few items I'd personally like to make, I think it would be great if we could do some sort of group thing like a sew-a-long or maybe a swap. BUT, I am well aware that I will be way too busy in the next few months to lead such a project. I'd like to be able to follow along (or swap) as sort of a downtime and stress reliever because there are some things going on personally that will be challenging this spring/summer and if I had a non-overwhelming crafty project I could do with my homesteading friends that would be great. Just checking in to talk with each other once or twice a week is often just the right kind of pick me up for many of us, I think. I know it is for me. What do you all think? Would anyone else like to do an easy or not-so-easy-but-short-and-with-lots-of-help sewing or quilting project between now and September when our next quilt sign up will start? Does anyone have a project they would like to lead? Or a tutorial? A mystery sew a long? A swap of some sort? Melissa, what do you think? Any suggestions? |
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Post by mzgarden on May 16, 2016 19:42:48 GMT
Here's one I was considering working on for Christmas gifts - what about matching oven mitts and hot pad? Here's a video that looks easy to follow. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtS5itzH9tk |
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Post by Maura on May 17, 2016 1:40:45 GMT
A pin cushion. A sewing machine cover.
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Post by motdaugrnds on May 17, 2016 12:36:14 GMT
What a great idea Krisinmi. And I sure like the easy way it looked to make that oven mit Mzgarden.
This summer will have a lot of chores; however, for me it is foolish to work outdoors during the heat of the day, not only due to my age but also due to my complexion. Even though my hair is not as red as it use to be, my skin still will not tan. If I'm out too long, I burn! So I always look for ways of getting something done indoors. A sewing project would be great! (At this time I'm still trying to find a way to get mother's old sewing machine placed in a place where I can use it; then will still need to clean it well; so this is my first summer project this year. However, once I get started, it shouldn't take long and then I'll have plenty of time to sew....Hooray!)
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Post by Melissa on May 17, 2016 16:11:31 GMT
Did terri in wv have some ideas earlier?
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Post by wvterri on May 17, 2016 16:37:46 GMT
We had talked about the bookshelf quilt sew along last fall. I was thinking about it last week and maybe pulling the scraps out and getting started on one. Or we could do a jar quilt sew along. I'm sure we can come up with something.  |
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Post by Melissa on May 17, 2016 17:12:14 GMT
wvterri, I would love to do that bookshelf sew-a-long.
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Post by krisinmi on May 17, 2016 18:45:37 GMT
I would love to do a book shelf quilt sew along. I have tons of scraps to use up.
I also like the oven mitts and pot holder idea. I actually made myself a pair of oven mitts in Feb and all my kids have requested I make a pair for them now!
I could really use a sewing machine cover too.
Great ideas!
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Post by motdaugrnds on May 17, 2016 22:19:58 GMT
........... I am wondering how much fun it might be to have a drawing for "number in line" and then the one who drew #1 choose some scrap of material she has just laying around at home and send it to #2, then #2 add something to that scrap and send the item to #3 and so on until all who were in the drawing have had a chance to add something. (This way no one will have any idea what the outcome is going to be.) The last person would then take a picture of the whole thing and show it in a post here. At that time all who participated could discuss what else the project needed to actually become useful and who was going to do what part of that. At this time the unfinished piece could make its rounds again for each to add whatever they think is needed OR one person could be chosen (or volunteer) to complete the project as outlined by the discussion. Then a drawing could be had as to who gets it.
......just thinking out loud........mailings might get a bit expensive.......
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Post by calicokatie1 on May 18, 2016 1:15:27 GMT
I'm going to try and make a Christmas lap quilt for all my kids this year and a simple swap would be fun to do. Maybe a "Christmas in July" swap made with Christmas fabrics. I have a bunch I want to get used up. Here's an easy pattern from Fraser Valley Quilt Guild using squares and rectangles - no HSTs! www.fvqg.org/11archiv/Nine%20Patch%20Challenge%20for%20November.pdfor a 9" Friendship Star made with Christmas fabrics. There's a chart under the picture that tells you the sizes to cut for different size blocks. delawarequilts.com/BOMs/FriendshipStar/Time is always an issue so instead of a centralized swap where we send all the blocks to a hostess to sort and mail, what would you think of everyone mailing their blocks individually to each participant? Usually you can get one block folded flat in an envelope and only need one first class stamp to mail it. If we signed up in June and had a deadline to have them all mailed out by mid-September, that would give everybody time to have their quilt made by December. |
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Post by AD in WNC on Jun 5, 2016 13:51:23 GMT
I just read the thread about your spring quilt. Wow! I would love to participate in a small quilting project. I sew, but I have never done more than repair a quilt.
You all are very accomplished quilters and your results are beautiful. I would be very hesitant to commit to making a whole quilt, under a deadline, as my first attempt. I would have to YouTube every step of the process, plus buy the mats, cutters & rulers/templates.
What to make: how about individuals making a block (or two) for a themed quilt (barn yard animals, holiday, something unique to each participant, a specific style of block, or the color purple), assembled and then raffled off in the buy/sell section with the proceeds going to a charity?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 18:52:39 GMT
I am DYING to do a bookshelf quilt. Even if we just made a "strip" of one for the newer quilters, that could be used as a table runner. At least we'd have the technique down and the more experienced folks could do a bigger size. Also, if we did a sew-a-long, we wouldn't have to finish it by any certain deadline.
AD in WNC, if you have a JoAnn fabric near you, check for coupons to buy your supplies, or sign up online for their mailing list or email list. Once you have a cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter, you will use them over and over for all different projects besides just quilting.
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Post by AD in WNC on Jun 7, 2016 19:06:19 GMT
@potsiemama I looked up a book shelf quilt and I could probably do a table runner like that.
What is a sew along? All I got when I googled that was dress pics. Sorry to sound like I live under a rock...
I promise I know how to sew. I have sewn costumes, clogging outfits, ice skating outfits, maternity clothes, plaid coats, curtains and I did my wedding dress (a Gunny Sac pattern from the 80's). I crochet afgans, so I have never needed to make a quilt.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 19:17:48 GMT
A sew along is where we pick a project and someone posts the instructions and pics as we go. We could do step one over the course of a few days, then step two, etc. and at the end of a week or so have a completed project. Of course we could all work at our own pace and post pics of our progress. It's really fun! We did a mystery sew along on the other forum once that turned out to be a cute table runner, and I enjoyed it so much. But, it doesn't have to be a mystery--it could be anything we decide.
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Post by calicokatie1 on Jun 9, 2016 17:54:17 GMT
Are we going to do a poll on this? I think a jar quilt would be cute. Or everyone could pick the project that interested them and post on what they chose and their progress.
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Post by krisinmi on Jun 10, 2016 0:03:31 GMT
Are we going to do a poll on this? I think a jar quilt would be cute. Or everyone could pick the project that interested them and post on what they chose and their progress. I think we would need someone to be willing to lead. Or at least some links to tutorials or videos of how to do either one. I think they would both make great lap quilts that could be given as gifts. What would be better than curling up in a bookshelf quilt with some hot cocoa and a good book this winter? Of course, anyone who wanted to make a bed sized one could always make their shelves longer and add more shelves for length. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 0:52:17 GMT
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Post by calicokatie1 on Jun 10, 2016 11:04:32 GMT
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Post by calicokatie1 on Jun 10, 2016 13:57:32 GMT
Did a little more searching and found some book shelf pictures and one tutorial. www.modabakeshop.com/2013/03/read-with-me-quilt.html#moreYou can customize your shelves to display a hobby or favorite book series. Here's a Harry Potter bookshelf quilt. Click on the picture to enlarge it so you can see the details. www.quiltersclubofamerica.com/groups/paper_piecing_group/media/p/398884.aspxI started thinking about other things to put on shelves, teapots and teacups would be cute. If we do this as a sewalong, we could just make "bookshelves" the theme and see what everybody filled their shelves with. I think this would be a self-motivated project but we could ask that everyone who participates post at least once a week to tell about their progress. If it isn't a sewing week, just post about what you did. For most of us, gardening and canning will probably be the main thing to get in the way of sewing. I can't post pictures here, is there a way to set up a photo gallery on this website? I'm sooo not technical. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 20:43:47 GMT
I started thinking about other things to put on shelves, teapots and teacups would be cute. If we do this as a sewalong, we could just make "bookshelves" the theme and see what everybody filled their shelves with. I think this would be a self-motivated project but we could ask that everyone who participates post at least once a week to tell about their progress. If it isn't a sewing week, just post about what you did. For most of us, gardening and canning will probably be the main thing to get in the way of sewing. I can't post pictures here, is there a way to set up a photo gallery on this website? I'm sooo not technical. Some great links there calicokatie1 - thanks for giving them to us. If you're not able to post pictures, feel free to PM me and I'll send you my email. If you can email them to me, I'd be happy to post them for you whenever you wish.  I'm sure that our wonderful Moderators would do the same for you.
Really like the idea about people filling their shelves with whatever they want to. Those who want to work on their own quilts rather than a shelf or jar one could still post about their project each week. I don't care what projects we work on actually - I just love hearing about them and seeing the photos.
I have one that I really need to get finished. It's a big Shakespeare In The Park quilt and I only have the two last smallest rows to add on (the rows are pieced on the diagonal and I've made the blocks and joined them into rows already). For some reason I'm having issues with completing it and it keeps being put to the back of my list. Needs to come to the front. I'd like to get that out of the way before starting a new quilt. Here's a picture of the pattern - it's a Judy Martin design and the photo is credited to her. If you haven't visited her website before, it's a real treat - www.judymartin.com/ My quilt is in similar colours of blues, creams and browns.
free jpeg images
So having said that I want to get it finished, I suppose I'd better put my words into action. It should only take an hour or so at the most. Someone give me a kick so I do it this weekend.... 
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Post by krisinmi on Jun 10, 2016 21:16:49 GMT
So having said that I want to get it finished, I suppose I'd better put my words into action. It should only take an hour or so at the most. Someone give me a kick so I do it this weekend....
KICK!! I want to see pictures of your finished quilt! I have a lot of garden work to do this weekend, so won't be doing any sewing. But I can live vicariously through you. KICK! KICK! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 21:45:13 GMT
Hey krisinmi, I said "A Kick"!!!! Don't you want me to be able to sit down at the machine?   But thanks. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 4:22:02 GMT
I like the idea of doing the bookshelf sew along and everyone putting whatever we want on it. One pic I saw had old fashioned hankies sewn onto the quilt like lace doilies under the "teacups." It was adorable!
I'm willing to lead a sew-a-long but I would have to wait until July 1st to start it as I'm swamped right now and it will take some time for me to get everything together and organize it. Is that ok with y'all? If you don't mind waiting, I'll post directions and pics and stuff starting in July. What do you all think? Is that too long to wait? Or do you all just want to follow different patterns from the links already posted?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 8:01:20 GMT
July 1st works really well for me, so I'm in. Thanks for offering to lead it @potsiemama . Look forward to your directions etc when you're ready to post. I like having a project where I'm 'accountable' (in the gentlest way, LOL) for progress. Keeps me focused. So who else is in? |
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Post by AD in WNC on Jun 11, 2016 10:56:10 GMT
Count me in too. I am swamped for the rest of the month, including a week long business trip. That means I will have time to plan, find patterns and tools to use. I am looking forward to the videos, and support! Thanks for doing the videos @potsiemama!
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Post by calicokatie1 on Jun 11, 2016 12:38:35 GMT
Thanks, potsiemama! July 1 sounds great to me. It will take me some time to dig through my stash for the right fabrics.
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Post by krisinmi on Jun 11, 2016 16:20:29 GMT
Sounds great, @potsiemama! I will be on 'vacation' with dh and the grandkids the first week of July, but will join in as soon as I can.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 16:23:47 GMT
Okay, great! I have to finish my pile of alterations and get dd off to camp for a week and then we will be set to start.
In the meanwhile, start thinking about which background color to use. Mostly I've seen black or white, but probably any solid color would work. I plan to go with black for the background and use my vast stash of scraps for the books.
I'll start a new thread for this on July 1st!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2016 4:59:52 GMT
Are you all about ready to start? I haven't forgotten my promise to lead this and I still plan to keep my word. Thankfully, the flood didn't get my sewing room, and the power is back on, so we can start the sew-a-long on schedule! Get your fabrics together and look for the new thread in 2 days! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2016 5:21:07 GMT
Yep, ready to go. Will have to fit in with a couple of other projects but I'll try to keep up with you all. Looking forward to it |
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I'm sure that our wonderful Moderators would do the same for you.
But thanks.