Collaborative Embroidery Project - September 1

It's time for the block reveals for Sam's collaborative embroidery project. I saw the invitation to participate on Barbara's blog and signed up right away. The project invited us to embroider 2 lines on a square of fabric - that's it!

Sam emailed the participants to say that she received over 220 blocks from all over the world! Here are the blocks lined up and ready to sew together. The quilt will be revealed once the judging is done at QuiltCon.

My block fabric is leftover from the backing of my first hand quilted project that I made for my daughter for her "big girl bed". The colour is really a soft peach which was popular in the 1990s.

I made a few scribbles and started stitching my two lines -red for the mouth, and blue for the stitches keeping the mouth closed.

If you're wondering why I chose these 2 lines in this particular configuration, you can read Sam's blog post called "Why I'm a feminist" and it will maybe become more clear to you. 

This is a quilting blog, so I don't write much about politics here, but the fact is that my daughter has even less human rights as a woman than I had in my 30's, and I am gutted about it. She will likely never make as much income as her male counterparts (even though she will work harder), she would not be permitted to make her own health care decisions in some parts of the world, and she does not have the same opportunities to travel and live in the world safely as her brother has.

I have a lot to say and to stitch about this, and this collaborative project seemed to be a perfect place to do this!

I can't wait to see the other block reveals which can be seen now on instagram: #myriadinterpretationsoflanguage

Thank you Sam for this innovative project, and I can't wait to see the quilt reveal!

It's Fall Fair Season

It's a busy time of year for folks who participate in fall fair season. I am preparing quilts, and completing entry forms to enter some of my own quilts, and also judging at several fall fairs this year. It's so exciting that covid numbers are down enough (so far) that we can enjoy the fairs this year.

I enjoyed judging at the Paris Fall Fair today and saw some amazing and unique quilts. I love to be amazed by seeing patterns and exquisite work done by talented people. I had a smile on my face all day!

A huge thank you to the volunteers who organize the entries and assist the judges with measuring and laying out the quilts, which makes the process run smoothly. 

No wonder my back is sore from bending over to examine the stitches up close! It was challenging to chose the prize winners when there are so many treasures in each category. For the first time ever, the 3 quilts I had selected from which to chose the prize winning quilt, were all made by the same talented quilter!

Are you entering, attending or judging any fall fairs this year?

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly slow stitching party where we celebrate the art of hand stitching.

Some progress occurred with my hand embroidery this week. I finished stitching the words in the blue/purple variegated thread, and started stitching the flowers in the bottom left corner. It was mostly french knots, backstitching, and lazy daisy stitches.

Here is the finished corner. Such relaxing stitching, and a variety of colours to enjoy.

I am visiting my friend Deanna this weekend, so I will have photos of the fun to show you next Sunday. 

What are you hand stitching today? We love to see your projects and read about your stitching journey!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

July Shop Hop

There hasn't been a July Shop Hop since 2019, but it made a comeback this year on it's 10th anniversary with 11 quilt stores participating (down from 15 stores in 2019).  At each store you were gifted a block pattern and the fabric to make the block. I was really hoping to get around to visit all of these stores in July, but alas it was one of the things to fall by the wayside due to catching covid midmonth. I did make it to a few stores and collected some of the patterns/blocks.

The shop hop project uses a Northcott fabric line called 
"Dublin" to make a variety of star patterns. Just look at this lovely package from Heart 'N Home! I couldn't wait to sit at the machine and sew this block!

Here are the lovely blocks I have sewn so far.

The majority of the block kits were made with a line of fabric called Dublin by Northcott which has a lovely texture. Some of the kits had substituted some "non Dublin" fabric that I didn't like for this project. So that is going in the scrap box, and I have purchased some extra Dublin fabrics to make those blocks.

The July Shop Hop page has photos posted of the sampler quilts that each store made using the same blocks. There isn't a photo of the layout that I hope to make from Quilting By Design. I have already purchased the fabrics for the strips, and just need to get a few more block patterns.

Scrappy Backing

When I have enough fabric leftover from sewing a quilt top, I like to piece a backing for it (instead of buying new yardage for a backing). I finished a mystery quilt top on the weekend and then sewed a backing for it from the remains. Only one of the pieces isn't in the quilt top - it was a piece of yardage that was supposed to be a border but it didn't really suit the finished project.

I really like making these kinds of pieced  backings. It appeals to my frugal self to use up every piece instead of buying new fabric (and storing these leftovers in the stash cupboard). I know it's not pretty, but it's the back of the quilt, and the front is pretty!

Many quilt judges at the fall fair level dislike these backings and would dock my quilt some marks for using this. Some prefer the design to be more planned/organized, and not be so random looking. 

But that is what I enjoy making, so that is what I'm doing!

Do you enjoy making scrappy backings for your quilts?

A finished quilt top!

On the design wall today is a finished quilt top! This is the summer mystery project my local guild offered it's members.

Here is the quilt top before borders. Because the chain is the lightest fabric, it became dominant in my version of the design and you don't see the circular effect that can be seen in other quilts using the  "peaky and spike" blocks (as coined by Doreen Speckmann for those of you who are long time quilters).

I auditioned a lot of fabrics for borders, but nothing made me happy. Then the idea came to me to extend the diagonal white squares into one more border. I don't know why the idea appealed to me so much, but I happily sewed these strips to add. Even though each one is a different length, they were correct the way I sewed it together. I really was in my happy place sewing these border strips. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but didn't seem to care!

And here is the finished product. It's the perfect size to finish as a donation quilt and I'm already getting ideas for machine quilting.

It was great fun to sew along on a  summer mystery with my quilting friends!

Linking up to Design Wall Monday

Summer Hand Quilting

Hello stitcher! Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party where we hope you will get lots of inspiration and encouragement to help you on your stitching journey!

One of my favourite summer things is to prepare is a take along hand quilting project. It doesn't require many supplies, it's easily portable and does not require much brain power.

This summer's project is a very old mini quilt that I found when cleaning. I love the little sawtooth stars and the old sunflower print.

I started quilting with a gold YLI thread but I didn't like how the centre looked. 

So I removed the circle of stitches in the middle, finished outlining the star, and then started using some perle cotton #8. Much better. The quilting design is starting to make me happier now. I'll add more stitches today and see how it comes along.

I'm also very close to finishing the words on my embroidery  meditation - just need to finish the word "difference" and I'm moving on to the flowers!

What are you hand stitching today?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Scrappy Saturday

Some additions were made to the sewing machine collection this week...the fabric ones that is! No actual machines were acquired (I think a herd size of 17 is more than enough!) These are all the pieces cut out and ready to make a 6" block and a 3" block. 

I made the larger block first because that is always easier. (The fabrics are brighter and orangier in real life than they appear in these photos). I concentrated when cutting to make sure that the rainbows are all the right side up.

And here is the 3" block in a burnt orange dimples fabrics. It's always a challenge sewing this small, but I do love it! 

Here is the fabric sewing machine herd on the design wall. 

This is a free pattern (click here) from Fat Quarter Shop. I have had so much fun with this block pattern! 

Linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Still Triangling

This mystery project has become an obsession!

When I started the "Oh say can you sew" mystery I had no idea I'd be sewing over a thousand 1" HST blocks in August.  I have put aside everything else I had been working on to be able to keep up with this mystery. 

The repetitive process involves sewing fabric to paper, cutting out the blocks, counting pieces, clipping dog ears, depapering, and finally making the blocks. 

And for some blocks, unsewing and remaking the darn thing!

Here are the blocks sewn this week. I'll just keep sewing these and hope I'll be ready when the next clue of this mystery is posted. But honestly my brain is quite bored of this repetitiveness and I will be so happy to sew something else in September. And my blog will be more interesting then too!

Linking up to Design Wall Monday

Slow Sunday Stitching

Hello stitcher! 

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party where we hope you will get lots of inspiration and encouragement to help you on your stitching journey.

I have been obsessed with sewing hundreds of HST blocks this month for the "Oh say can you sew" mystery. Some of my hand work time today will be spent cutting apart and depapering these triangles. I have been using scissors for this step instead of rotary cutting the pieces. 

Since kindergarten I have enjoyed using scissors. There is no logical reason for why this makes me happy, especially when it's quicker to use the rotary cutter. But since I find it enjoyable, I'm going to enjoy some scissor time!

I will also spend some time hand stitching today. Here is the most recent photo of my meditative hand embroidery project.  The words are almost finished - just one more to go and then I can work on the butterfly and the flowers.

What are you hand stitching today? We'd love to see your project and the link up is below. A new feature added today is the ability to add a photo. Thanks to Kathi for this idea! This is for those folks who don't have a blog or instagram account, but would like to share their project with us. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Triangle Design Wall

Here are the blocks I have sewn this month for my "Oh say can you sew" mystery. You are looking at 225 HST blocks that finish at 1". 

I am using the Primitive Gatherings triangle paper for these blocks and am finding the process enjoyable. Removable of the paper is quick and easy, there is no need to square down the blocks and they come out the perfect size every time.

I have to make at least that many blocks every week this month to keep up with the mystery. It's a very ambitious goal for the summer, but it might be doable. Better get back to the machine!

Linking up to Design Wall Monday at Judy's

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party where we celebrate and enjoy a wide variety of stitching options! It's very hot here this weekend, so I'll be sitting beside the air conditioner and stitching with a minimum of movements!

Lately I have been drawn to learning new knitting stitches. I have been making a "bee stitch" cloth, and it's supposed to be 8.5" square. As you can clearly see, it is 2" too big! Maybe I need smaller needles, or finer yarn? Oh well, it will work for a dishcloth and I continue to learn as I go.

What are you stitching today? I hope you will link up your blog or instagram post and share your hand stitching project with us. I am always amazed at the wide range of projects that talented stitchers around the world are creating. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Riley Blake Block Challenge

I am way behind in getting my Riley Blake block challenge sampler blocks sewn and spent time this week figuring out which blocks and colours still need to be sewn.

It's orange month at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge so I started with that. This is block # 9 called Lynx by Amanda Niederhauser. 

This is block #10 called Wind Blown by Amy Smart

These pretty orange blocks will join the RBD sampler collection. 

I missed the 2nd quarter of colours for this project, so I have 6 more blocks to make in green, purple and blue. Happy to be back on track with this project! 

Linking up to the weekly scrap party at Angela's

Triangle Paper

I have been participating in the "Oh say can you sew" mystery and last month we were given advanced notice that for step #5 we would be making 1" HST. 

So I invested in a Primitive Gatherings product called Triangle Paper. The product costs $9, but if you have it sent to Canada, with shipping costs of $15, taxes, and the currency exchange, it ended up costing me $31.74. 

That's okay - I knew it would be a pricey purchase but really wanted to try it out!

First step was to watch Lisa's instructional video.  This is the block we're making with 9 HST's sewn together. I am totally surprised that with no trimming, the blocks are coming out the exact perfect size! I have to make about 30 blocks per week to be ready for the next clue in September.

Here is a photo to show you the scale. These are sweet little blocks which make me very happy, but I can imagine that not all the mystery quilt makers are feeling the same! 

Have you tried this triangle paper? Do you like it for making small blocks?

Design Wall Monday

Covid took away my last 2 weeks of July, so I have fallen behind on everything. I didn't work on my July UFO project, or make a mini quilt this month. I have been slowly recovering and thankfully have felt much better this past weekend. I'm sure August will be better!

We had a guild zoom sewalong on Saturday and I have almost caught up with my quilt guild's summer mystery. We are making a 2 block quilt pattern and this is block A. I made a few of block B but haven't pressed them yet. The next step is posted on Friday and I intend to be ready!

Linking up to Design Wall Monday at Judy's

Slow Sunday Stitching

Welcome to the Slow Sunday Stitching party where we celebrate all types of hand stitching including cross stitch, embroidery, hand piecing, knitting, crochet, rug making, english paper piecing, applique, hand quilting, etc. If you are creating something with your hands using needles and threads/yarns, we want to see what you're making!

I have finally finished a knitted cloth that says "Let's go campin". This photo shows the true colour of the yarn... I knit it in green for summer use in the great outdoors. I will be sending the cloth (with a thank you note) to my sister-in-law who hosted a family camping weekend on her property at the beginning of the summer. 

This photo is side lit to try to show the pattern better.  Pattern is by KnitWits and I would rate this pattern as "challenging" - or maybe it was me?! But with almost every row being different, it required lots of concentration.

I immediately started another (easier) cloth and  learned a new stitch called "knit 1 below". It looks lacy and pretty, and there are only 4 different rows to repeat. This is the first pattern in a Leisure Arts book given to me by my friend Gail and I hope to work my way through the book to learn many new stitches. 

I am feeling much better this weekend and hope to  enjoy more knitting and some embroidery today. Apparently yesterday was "World Embroidery Day" and I shall celebrate today by stitching outdoors. If you would like to watch a video of embroidery projects from around the world, do treat yourself to this World Embroidery Day video. 

** And Nicola at StitchDoodles is offering a free pattern to celebrate!

What will you be hand stitching? Link up your blog or instagram post and share your projects with us.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

On The Mend

After laying in bed for well over a week with covid symptoms, I am up and about. The coughing is only occasional but the headaches, congestion, brain fog, and lack of taste/smell is continuing. I'm sitting upright for periods of time, which means I'm able to sit at a sewing machine... which is a major improvement. I am forcing myself to convalesce, which means "to begin to grow strong".

It's counter culture to rest and to take time to recover. I am thankful that I do not work for a company that has 1) a prescribed number of sick days, 2) pressure (overt and covert) to return to work before full recovery has occurred, and 3) a patriarchal requirement to produce a doctor's note to verify an illness. My body tells me how long I need to be off and it is the boss of me, so I override the messages at my own peril! Resting and sleeping and some TV watching is all I can do.

While convalescing I have enjoyed watching life in the 19th century series Lark Rise to Candleford, and also life in the 1950's watching Call the Midwife.  Both are british series and completely different communities, but have the same challenges as we all still do in 2022!

In season 9 (episode 3) of Call The Midwife  Sister Francis starts sewing on a beautiful hand crank Lotus. I watched that section over several times due to sewing machine coveting!

Then half way through the episode she is sewing on an electric Singer! That was a quick change! I do not covet these types of machines, although I do have one.

Thanks for visiting my blog today. I'll head back to the recovery bed and  watch the women hand stitching in Candleford!