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September 2002 Archive
Wednesday, September 18, 2002
FA (Fabricholics Anonymous)Last night, Burgundy and I headed off to a big-ass, cheap thrift store with the intent of getting some more cords for the cord quilt (see September 3rd) and looking out for other cool odds and ends - then onto Mill End Textiles for more quilt fabrics and perhaps a great upholstery fabric for my beleaguered futon.
I
got 6 pairs of cords for $1.95 each. Should be plenty for a lap-quilt
top, just need to figure out the design from the basketweave.
Then
we went to Mill End. This store was within walking distance of the house
I grew up in. Previously, I wasn't particularily interested in calicos.
When we walked in I thought, "Holy calico, Batman!" I think quilting's
become more popular since I was last shopping there a decade ago. Nearly
a whole wall of quilting fabric plus massive remnant tables. Walked out
with another 32 rockin' patterns.
For
those keeping track (ok, maybe just me), I've now got:
56 for Burgundy and Mike's quilt
150 for mine, the blue/green/black/white one
44 total in the general "stash"
Woohoo!
Burgundy
then said, "So, do you still want to want to go to that quilt store you
found online?" Hmmm...tempting, but since I literally filled the swatch
book, I think I better put a moratorium of more fabric purchases until
I finish about 3 quilts. At least.
posted on 11:21 AM
Monday, September 16, 2002
QuiltbrainI'm in Minnesota this week and I warned my sis I was on a fabric finding mission. I've been here 3.5 days and I've added 25 fabrics to the 24 I had for (my sister) Burgundy's and (finance) Mike's wedding quilt. Added 14 fabrics to the 123 (woah.) of my own blue/green/black/white quilt featured in the last post. Added 11 fabrics to the general stash of future projects.
I
compiled swatches of all my fabrics in a mini binder that holds 4x6" index
cards. I fit four 1.5x3" swatches per index card on one side. Grouped
by color within project I can see what I have. Helps me from buying redundant
stuff, but also greatly helps in designing my behemoth blue/green/black
white quilt. I can see everything together and can start matching fabrics
to the blocks. When I get home I'll start cutting and organizing the applique
blocks so I can pick up a square for the train ride and get sewing.
Today
I'll wash and iron the new stuff and update the swatch binder.
posted on 11:39 AM
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Quiltiriffic!
So, I'm on a quilting kick and I'm finally reacquainting myself with a quilt I started designing a couple years ago.
Here's the deal. I designed a terriffic but complication quilt with loads of applique (detail, top). Then I took to collecting incredible fabrics (above) and amassed about a hundred. So, now I'm finally adding some patchwork to the design to balance out all the applique and actually cutting fabrics and getting underway.
More
to say on the subject, but I've gotta be on an Amtrak train in 2 and a
half hours and still need to pack!
Pillowcase Quilt
Here's a set of 6 pillowcases I recently got on eBay. I was totally seduced by the stylized pansy on in the upper left. If I can find a couple broken in bedsheets in this 70's color palette, I'm going to create an incredibly comfy duvet/quilt top.
posted on 11:34 AM
Tuesday, September 03, 2002
Labor Day Labors
More joyful recycling this weekend. I turned two pairs of green cords (Jim and I had the same pair of Old Navy pant in the girl and boy versions) and a pair of retired black cotton pants into the beginning of a quilt. It's about 3' square at this point.
Very
pleased with the simple pattern. I cut the legs of the green cords in
2 1/2" strips, the black pants in 1" strips. Sewed them with a little
less than a 1/4" seam - black, green, black. Ironed them out, then cut
them into squares. Then pieced them together into this basketweave pattern.
Between my sewing machine needing a tune up and general fatigue, I didn't
sew the peices together very precisely. I like it slightly cattywumpus.
I lack the pants to continue. No more cords in the closet, and denim will
be too thick - so I think I'll hunt for cheap lightweight, thin wale pairs
at thrift stores. I think I'd like to add a 6" border of stripes, maybe
1 1/2" wide. Perhaps alternating blue and brown cords, same kind of muted
colors. Then I'll see what the quilt calls for next.
In
the end, I'm thinking of a light cotton batting, with a flannel backing,
tied vs. quilted. I'm excited to continue, but I'll have to put it on
the back burner for awhile.
posted on 12:40 PM