It's a Mystery

I read recently about mystery quilting, and was surprised to learn I had already done such a project. My sister-in-law was just getting interested in quilting and I had been able to mentor her on a project more challenging than most beginning quilters attack. The quilt involved was a little too much like work, and wanting to show Karen (sister-in-law) that quilting can be much more fun, I started sending her packages of fabric and a sheet of instructions. She had no idea what she was making and looked forward to each subsequent installment. I was making the quilt at the same time so it was like quilting together by post. It was great fun and created a quilters bond between us. The pattern we used was from Lynette Jensens book, "Thimbleberries for Weekend Quilters". Jensen's other book, "At Home with Thimbleberries", is also a good read. Jensen gives some practical techniques that make your points come out sharper and suggests ways to use quilts in home decorating. I found both of these books at my local library, a great place to peruse quilt books without the cost of purchasing them.

great pattern locations

I finished my daughter's prom dress and it is lovely;however; she lost 8 lbs. and now I have to alter so she doesn't fall out of it. I miss cross stitching where the outcome is a lot more predictable. Haven't done any of that lately either, school take nearly all my out of class time. So what am I doin' here? Can you beleive it , it's an assignment! Seriously, let me tell you of an awesome site for cross stitch patterns. For the extremely detailed try www.mysticstitch.com and for great variety on a simpler scale, www.123stitch.com . I recently finished a design called rainmaker from mystic stitch. It had 72 colors and to get the best coverage, used three threads. I'm currently working on a Paula Vaughn design called The Good Neighbor. because it's so large and detailed, it has been several years in the making.

So Many Quilts So Little Time

So many things cut into quilting time. Now that I am a full time college student for the first time, I can do little more than look longingly at the sewing room door. I have stolen some time to work on another sewing project that has a deadline. I'm making a prom dress for my daughter that has three layers. The lining is red taffeta, the overskirt a sheer red crepeon and the top layer is black satin with multicolored glitter. I can't wait to see her in it. It's a Mcalls Pattern #3959. By taking a look at that perhaps you can visualize what I've described. Wish me luck because I am also making a dress for her friend who has never had a dress of her own that fit her, and Prom is May 5. Some things ya just gotta do!

Crazy for Quilting

If you're going to pieces, piece it together. Make a quilt! The purpose of this blog is to share fabrics, techinques, and share quilting accomplishment. I am currently working on my son's wedding quilt that is now four years past due. I'm getting closer having appliqued hearts (72 of them) on the top. This idea came to me after I'd already machine quilted a third of it. It was really challenging working with all that bulk, so if you think you might want to applique' do that first! In the future I hope to include pictures of my progress, but being new to blogging, I have to learn how to do it first. Good luck on your projects.