A Repair To Remember!

Remember Allison's quilt? It's one I won't forget...

I cleaned up the reverse side of the top, freeing all the lumps of fluff matted with threads, trimmed the binding off since the stitching had ripped the border fabric. There are still some threadbare areas but I think this can be allowed in the binding. This fabric is getting very thin so hopefully the cotton batting and the quilting will keep it together a little longer.

Sometime before I was done for the day on Monday, the bobbin thread caught on the bobbin case in such a way that it caused increased tension in certain spots. Lolah was making a funny noise so I stopped quilting to check the thread and nothing was apparent... so I continued on...  Later it was apparent that the beginning of the row needed to come out. It was quitting time... Frogging (rip it! rip it!) had to wait!

I was up early today to get this done; I started picking out the stitches at the beginning of the row and put in a pin where I needed to end the ripping out. When I reached that point, I inserted Lolah's needle and quilted my way back to the beginning of the row. 

This is one of my favorite pantos: Chinese Crescents by Keryn Emmerson.

 Have you ever "encountered" a smell that reminds you of someone, something, some event?? Well, while working on this quilt, I could "smell" my father!! It was just what I needed... his guidance, his love and his faith!

I won't forget this quilt... not just because of its issues, but because our mother made it with patience and love, to give to her grand-daughter Allison in recognition of all her achievements. I played a very small part in its creation and now, I've had this chance to make it last a little longer. 

 I can see my father patiently sit in the car while she shopped for the fabric to make this quilt, or for some other sewing/knitting or crafty project. I like to remember how he used to hover over mother while she sewed to examine her work! He did the same anytime one of his girls would be working on some project. I would like to think he'd be happy to see this quilt repaired, ready to wrap Allison in the love her family has for her!

Toodles,

Lorette

Anatomy of a Tied Quilt!

Do you tie quilts to give as gifts? I have done so a few times and I hope the quilts have survived. I have even tied a quilt I kept for us to use as an every day quilt on our bed. However, that quilt has a cotton batting, the ties are close together and I am careful when I wash/dry it.

This is Allison's quilt... our mother made this with my sister Jocelyn's help (Allison's mother). You can tell it's been well-loved. The fabrics have faded over the last 14 yrs.

The binding has frayed and is coming apart.

The poly batting has not fared well either...

In places it has completely given way!

The backing is riddled with holes from the ties.

The ties are still white!

 I'm now in the process of cutting all the loose threads and knots on the back of the top. The backing is too frail to use and won't be saved for the binding.

Next time you want to tie a quilt, consider using a cotton batting... I bet it would withstand a little more love!

Remember Jason's quilt? I worked on it last week and finished it on Sunday morning.

Here it is minus the binding. I think I'll use the same backing fabric for the binding... as I was working on Allison's quilt, it came to me that the backing of this duvet cover would be too frail also. Bindings take a beating and should last longer with newer fabric.

I designed the chess pieces on paper first then raw-edge machine applique'ed them and in the process ruined the zigzag on my 1975 Singer Diana 560 sewing machine. It still works but cannot perform the stitches as well as it used to and definitely not zigzag! It's been quiet ever since! I loved sewing on that machine... it was money well spent although it was an expensive purchase at the time.

I'm happy though that the chess pieces are still looking good, the zigzag is holding.

Meanwhile, the postman delivered some beauties! A few weeks ago, I posted a comment on Jacqueline's blog at www.quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.ca and won these! Isn't this lovely?? This is my first win!! I'm thrilled with the Aurifil thread and the smaller spool of Aurifil wool #12; that zippered pouch in small hexies will come in handy when I travel with my applique! Plus I know just where I'll use the unicorn and castle fabric! The John James needles are my favorite too and these are applique needles! I'm sew happy!!

Thank you so much Jacqueline!!

Hope you're all enjoying the summer... the shop has been quite busy so I know lots of you don't stop quilting in the heat... it may slow us down but does nothing to deter the thrill of sewing!

Toodles,

Lorette

PS: You'll want to keep your eyes open for announcements regarding new fabrics due to arrive any day... we'll need new shelves to hold all that was ordered! YIKES!! Might have to have a sale...