Sewing and Quilting - Part 2: The Last 30+ Years

 

Quilt - Gift From a Friend

Note: The most recent blogs go to the top; if you didn’t read Part 1, scroll down to see it, then return to this one. It will make more sense!

After my first few years of teaching Social Studies, I became a school librarian and I found a book on the shelves about adult ADHD. Wow!! That was a real awakening – & explained so much about my past, as well as who I am in general. I laugh and say all of my “H” in ADHD is my mouth (talking!), and it translates to my writing. In terms of quilting, I am a “process not product” person – I finish a lot of quilts, but also have UFOs in double – and yes, I admit, close to triple – digits! 

Some Collections

I love collecting fabrics and I go through phases of what draws me in. In the early 90’s, most of the choices were “calicos.” I’m not sure when the quilting world exploded, but soon I found “reproduction,” “primitive” and “30’s” fabrics, then came the revolution of brighter fabrics until today, when there isn’t much you can’t find, and love! I’ll share pictures from time to time of some of my favorite collections, including my Liberty’s – the ones that started it all.

I found my true love lies in scrap quilts – of which I’ve made many and have more in the works. A good example of what a great scrap quilt can look like is the background quilt for this blog. It’s my Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt from 2020 called "Frolic."  These are “my” colors, as anyone who knows me can confirm which was why I wanted to make it. It's almost finished - just borders to go! If you aren’t familiar with Bonnie Hunter’s Quiltville Blog, you should be! She offers a mystery quilt each year which is free if you participate - when the mystery is finished, and if you missed it, you can purchase the pattern - click the Frolic link above, or go to her blog link, if you'd like to purchase this one, or see more of her patterns (many of which are free).

A Few "Frolic" Blocks

To be clear, I am not affiliated with, nor do I get any compensation by sharing links or product names. There are pattern and fabric designers, and tools, that I personally love and will talk about in posts from time to time. Bonnie Hunter is my first, but not my last. I love her patterns, her tools, but most of all I love her generosity of giving to the quilt world!

So – welcome to my quilting life, mostly in my jammies! Whether you’re a beginner or have years of experience, I hope you can find something in here that brings you joy – and if so, please subscribe & leave comments.

PS – I will try to add things on a regular basis – just keep in mind the ADHD and … squirrel!

Lady Coming Home After She Rescued Me!

Sewing and Quilting – Part 1: The Early Years

My Family Treadle Machine

Quilting in my jammies, you ask? Sometimes I’m already in my jammies and decide to stay up late quilting. Sometimes I get up, have a cup of tea, then go downstairs to quilt. In my jammies. Good days are quilting in my jammies for a few hours, taking a shower, then changing into clean jammies to quilt some more! I seldom have that luxury, but when I do ...

My earliest recollections of sewing were my grandmother (Grammy) teaching me to embroider tea towels, and learning to sew on an old treadle machine when I was about 5 or 6. This, as it turns out, was a wedding gift to my great-grandparents in the late 1800’s, of which I am now the proud owner. There were quilts on the beds made by my Great-Grandmother and Great Aunts (I inherited a couple of those, too). My Grammy crocheted and tatted beautifully but I have a tin with the pieces of her only attempt at quilting. I guess it’s not for everyone?

Later, in elementary school, my brother’s girlfriend worked in fabrics at our local department store, and I loved visiting and “petting” the fabrics. And, like every girl in my generation, Home Ec included sewing (loved) and cooking (not so much then but enjoy it now).  The only sewing I’ve done since the early 90’s has been quilting, until recently. But more on that later.

Liberty's -UFO

My 1st Quilt

When I was in the Navy and stationed in London, I discovered Liberty’s Tana Lawn fabrics & fell in love. (My niece and her family recently visited London and I believe there may be a little “souvenir” coming to me!) Years later, after I moved to NY, I took my first quilt class, “Olde is New,” from Joann Parisi, which was the perfect beginner class because absolute perfection was not required. That quilt has traveled with me on almost every trip – to multiple states and a few countries. A bit worn now & in need of some patching, it still remains a favorite!

Since moving to NY, my passion for quilting has continued. And I have to say, my skills have greatly improved. As well, my fabric “collection” has grown immensely! Best of all have been the friendships I’ve developed – through active participation in quilt guilds, teaching classes, being half-owner in a quilt shop for a few years, and belonging to “friendship groups” that met/meet regularly. I wouldn’t trade those for anything!

Lady - Best Girlie & Quilting Companion!