Week 3 of 4 “It’s A Mystery” Quilt Challenge by Sharon Wasteney, Something Stitched Always use a ¼” seam allowance. Press seam allowances toward the solid. Block C requires these pieces: (1) 3 ½” x 18 ½”; (1) 6 ½” x 9 ½”; (1) …
Today I will be joining a group of fiber arts enthusiasts at the Rockport Center for the Arts to share the rust dyeing technique. Coming from a farm background I am familiar with how equipment rusts if not taken care of. I remember greasing plow …
My morning and early afternoon was spent dyeing vintage linens and over dyeing other fabrics with a Texas friend. While she likes bright colors I tend to stick to the more grayed organic tones. I like to dye fabrics with someone who is my opposite in color choices because it compels me to pour those bright colors over my linens and enjoy the surprising results. I can’t think of any vintage linen I have dyed that I haven’t liked when I finally took it out of the dryer. They may not be as bright as I had hoped, they may have been brighter than I hoped, but they always have an amazing beauty that pleases my artistic muse and I seem to find a use for them. Because I like to make nature inspired art quilts I find I need those bright bits of color to make the project more interesting. Bright bits of color in friendships make my life more interesting as well.
Week 2 of 4 “It’s A Mystery” Quilt Challenge by Sharon Wasteney, Something Stitched Always use a ¼” seam allowance. Press seam allowances toward the solid. Block A requires these pieces: (2) 6 ½” x 24 ½”; (1) 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″; (1) …
Wow!! I was so motivated to try this that I made a mistake. You will need 2 1/2 yards of background solid or reads as solid rather than 1 5/8 yards. So then there are some additional cuts to be made. The new directions as …
It’s A Mystery To Me!
Having just completed my first mystery quilt retreat I am motivated to offer a modern mystery quilt challenge via my website. It will be a small, modern styled quilt suitable for a throw or if done in specific color schemes could be a modern style baby quilt or play mat as well. It will use a main background solid and then at least four small coordinated solid or print pieces of your choosing. It is SIMPLE squares and rectangles with no intimidation factors other than the unknown. And, since it is my first try, you can wait until all the instructions are on the website along with my finished product photo and then decide if you want to try it, no longer a mystery of course! It is comprised of four different blocks combined to make a six block quilt. Complete directions for fabric needs will be posted Monday, February 27 with additional directions each Monday for four weeks. I hope you will share your finished tops or quilts with others or send to me via email so I can share. I also appreciate feedback that is constructive.
As much a part of family legacy as the birth of new generations is the passing of those we love. There are many ways we may show our respect at the passing of a loved one. In the past colors used for clothing …
Rust Yesterday I tried rust dyeing for the first time. It’s not a new process but I had never actually done it for myself. This morning I rinsed and pressed the small pieces of fabric. I learned several things. Results are less definite if too …
I acquired a vest and purse totally covered with pearl buttons more than twenty years ago. They have graced my sewing room as a testament to the buttons used on blouses, baby clothes and more. The vest was in a bad state of repair when I acquired it and finally I decided that the buttons were more useful to be incorporated into artful quilts while the purse remains in a frame hanging on the wall. I did not expect it to take so long to remove the buttons but the “string” used to sew them on was still quite strong. At the end of the task I had a pint jar full of mother of pearl buttons of various sizes and shapes. Now to dream up a new project that highlights their beauty.
Ode to Quilters of ‘57 Before leaving for our extended summer vacation throughout northwest USA and Canada and Alaska I had cut pieces for a quilt that I might work on while traveling. I did take my Featherweight Singer machine thinking there would surely be …