Featherweight Frenzy

A group of friends invited me to join in on making a quilt, using our featherweight machines. First I had to dig my machine out of storage.

This machine was a gift from my Dad.  I had asked him to watch for one when he went to the local auction. When he was bidding on it, the lady next to him was trying to convince him to stop.  She mentioned that it didn't sew, my Dad said "my daughter says that doesn't matter." She then said parts were missing.  Once again Dad said "my daughter says that doesn't matter."  Dad was the winning bid and this little machine became mine.  All she needed was the needle turned the right way, and a little oil.  Thanks Dad for the great gift!

Now, this machine has been languishing in my basement for quite some time.  Doug noticed that the wires were bare in spots and needed to be fixed.

A little wiring adjustment and she was safe to use.  Great to have a handy husband.

So off the machine and I went, to my friends house for a featherweight sew in.  It was great to here the little machines hum.  Mine only had two bobbins, so Linda was kind enough to share a couple of her bobbins with me.  Thanks!

At the end of the evening all three of us had all the cutting done, and one block finished.  Since then we have all finished our tops but I will save the reveal for after the quilting.  We are going to get together one evening and quilt them all with my longarm.  Talk about one extreme to the other.  Can't wait.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and that the sun is shining on you!

Back In The Swing Of Things

Finally, I'm back quilting.  With the trip to market and all the yard work that this time of year brings, it seams like forever since I finished quilting a quilt.

This quilt is one that my friend Sylvia made for her grandson's school as a fundraiser.  What an awesome Grandma!

I was told to quilt whatever I wanted.  Sweet words to say to a long arm quilter.  The mix of straight lines and swirls was just screaming to be done!  The border fabric had very faint straight lines that I could use for reference for the herringbone design.  All I needed to do was mark the centre with one of my friction pens and I was in business.  A quick iron to remove the friction pen finished off this quilt for Sylvia.  We were both pleased with the results.

Market Wrap Up!

What a glorious holiday!  Yes, I know Market is supposed to be work related, but how can you call anything that fun work?  Last night I was just too tired to post pics so I waited till I go home today.

All the booths were amazing, but this one by mo bedell really caught my eye.  I found out later that she won first prize for booth by first time exhibitor.  She had but a lot of work into it, and it paid off big time.

Part of the fun at market is meeting authors of some of our favourite books.  Here's Sharon posing with Katie Pedersen and Jacqui Gehring of Quilting Modern fame.  This two women were so excited that we were lining up to have them sign their book.  The came 20 minutes early to chat to us all while we all waited.  What a delightful pair they are!

I took a class with Pepper Cory on embroidery with perle cotton.  I find Pepper is such an elegant woman, and just love listening to her teach.  After the class we had a discussion about her first book "Happy Trails" that I had bought when we were both much younger.  Lol.

As great a time as I had, I am happy to be home where I can play with all me new stuff!  I picked up a Stella light while I was there, and can hardly wait to try it out.  The fabric and thread that jumped into my bag are calling my name.  But first, I need to sit, relax and read a few of the books that I just had to have.  Have a wonderful evening everyone!

Portland Spring Market Day 2

Today started off with a class with the Piece O' Cake ladies from their new book.

Becky was a wonderful teacher, even with her Starbucks in her hand!

I was thrilled to win a copy of their new book signed by both Becky and Linda.

Next up was a quick run through of the new Moda fabrics with Noeline, Katja and Sharon.

And as a special treat from Moda, Kit Kat bars with Mark Dunn's picture on it.  Just too funny!

The Moda Designer's all have booths close to the Moda Booth.  It is great to check out all their patterns and quilts.  Everything is so delicious!

The quilting guru Angela Walters was in attendance at her booth for her new fabric.  What a lovely woman.

To end the evening we went on a river boat cruise courtesy of Moda.  This is the line waiting to get on the boat.  Thanks to the Dunn family for a wonderful evening.  Good night all!

Portland Spring Market

Woohoo!! Market is on.  The first day has been a lot of fun.  The day started with School House.  Fourteen different 15 minute seminars featuring all kinds of wonderful books, fabrics, patterns and new tools.

The most entertaining speakers were Debbie Caffrey and Charlotte Angotti.  The have a new book out that the co-wrote.  Their stories are sew much fun.

Amy Ellis showed her quilts from both her books, Modern Basics II and Modern Neutrals.  A beautiful collection of quilts.

After a busy day it was time to lineup for Sample Spree.  Even though everyone here is in the business, we still love to shop.

This is the start of the lineup.  The Shopping starts at 8.  When I went by here at 4:30, the lineup was already well under way.  By start time, the line was beyond sight.  A favourite in Sample Spree is always the Moda table.  I must admit that I visited it.  I just had to get some Zen Chic Barcelona and Kate Spain Sunnyside.  I have a few other goodies that hopefully you will see as quilts sometime soon. Good thing we drove down, no weight limit going home.  LOL!

Tomorrow starts with a class, then on to the Market floor to check out all the booths.  I can hardly wait!

Oink-A-Doodle-Moo Quilt

This is one of the quilts that I pieced at retreat.  The Oink-A-Doodle-Moo fabric is so adorable, I just had to make a quilt with it.

To make this you will need a layer cake, ten blocks from the panel fabric, .6 metre of sashing fabric and .5 m of binding fabric.  Cut 20 of the layer cake pieces in half to make two 5" x 10" pieces.  Set one aside for the border.  Cut the other half into two 5" squares.  Sew ten four patch blocks from the assorted 5" squares.  Trim the panel blocks to 9 1/2".  Lay out as shown and sew together with 1 1/2" cut sashing.  Use the 5' x 10" pieces to border the quilt, cutting more as needed.  Finishes approximately 50" x 60".

Betty's Quilt

Betty's quilt is a work of art.  She has put her heart and soul into this treasure.

The quilt measures 92 x 115, so it is a little hard to get a good picture of the whole quilt.

I took this picture as it was laying across my machine.  You can see how creative Betty was with the construction.  Many different sized blocks, all neatly packaged.

At retreat Betty was telling us the stories behind some of the blocks.  There are blocks that represent children and grandchildren, schools she worked at, places she lived, hunting and fishing adventures as well as sone of here own artwork.  Betty was  a little emotional telling the story of the quilt, as were all of us listening.  There were more than just a few tears of joy being shared.  We all love you Betty, and your special quilt!

Retreat Show and Tell

Retreat this past weekend included a lot of sewing, eating, laughing and show and tell.  I would like to show you a few of the projects that this talented group of quilters were working on.

Sonja pieced her Farmer's Wife quilt together.  Just borders and a little quilting to be done in time for the June 22 showing!

Katja played with her salvages, to make herself a bucket to store all her salvages in.

Deanne piece this, and then used her Mom's longarm to quilt it.  Way to go!

Jerry's beauty is hand quilted with black.  What a talented lady!

Neila was concentrating on a few smaller projects.

Kathy was playing with stars.

Linda is looking pretty in pink!

Arlene quilted this adorable baby quilt with minky on the back.

Chick was working on wall hangings.

Barb was working on this quilt from a kit that she picked up on an Alaskan cruise.  Lucky lady.

Hazel won the fat quarter raffle last retreat and used them to make this stunning quilt.  The pressure is on for this years winner to have one ready for next year!

Lorraine is working her way through the Scrap Basket books!

Barb was making all kinds of wonderful items that she kept hidden in the corner!

The best show and tell was Betty's quilt.  I will post pics of it in a separate post.  I think she had us all tearing up telling us the story of the quilt.

I did get a lot of piecing done, and will post pictures of them when I have them quilted, hopefully sometime in the next few weeks.  Happy quilting everyone!