Fabrics and Book Sale

 I decided to do a GIVEAWAY of excess supplies and that will happen soon. Local friends and students will be notified when they can "come and get it"--lots of stuff to dispose of, so I can close the closet doors again. 

As you might imagine, it takes time to sort, organize and DECIDE what can go. 

In the meantime, I found these truly great things that need a new home but are too valuable to me to give away. And since my locals always get to come to my sale, this time I thought I would offer these items to YOU first. 

US Shipping only, international would just be outrageously expensive.

Shipping will be $15-20 depending on size of the box and will take as long as it takes--no guarantees any more from the US Postal Service.

SOME GREAT BOOKS: $10 each except as noted

SOLD B1 Truly a favorite 

B2 Love the quilts in this book and  have made several

B3 I taught beginning quilters with this book for a while 

SOLD B 4 Love his style

B 5 A Classic from the beginning of rotary cutting days

SOLD  B 6 Includes the CD with all patterns

SOLD B 7 Make your own Medallion quilt

SOLD B 8 Still not this insane

SOLD B 9 Includes Pineapple Trim Tool Ruler $15 Total

SOLD B 10 My all-time favorite quilt book every quilter needs--this is my 3rd copy

ORIENTAL FABRICS--priced as marked:

        SOLD F 1      8 fat quarters $12

SOLD  F 2      24 fat quarters pre-washed $40

 

SOLD F 3      4 fat quarters--see below for back side $6

F 3     Back side of packet shown above

SOLD F 4      4 fat quarters $6

F 5     4 fat quarters $6

SOLD F 6     28 fat quarters $49

SOLD F 7     13 fat quarters $20 see below for other side and edges of complete package

F 7     Other side of 13 fat quarters package shown above

F 7    Edge of package above showing all 13 fat quarters

SOLD F8   6 One Yard Pieces. $40--see below for back of packages

F 8     Back of packages with 6 one yard pieces

SOLD F 9      Six 1/3 yard or larger pieces, Over 2 Yards  $12

SOLD  F 10    Six 1/3 yard or larger pieces, Over 2 Yards $12

SOLD F 11       Six 1/3 yard or larger pieces, Over 2 Yards $12

F 12     One Yard $6

SOLD  F 13     3 one-third yard or larger pieces of same fabric, one yard total $6

SOLD  F 14       10 Half Yards, some are woven, beautiful hand to these fabrics $35

SOLD  F 15      4 fat quarters Pre-washed $6

To purchase, COMMENT BELOW with the numbers of items you want to purchase--NOT ON FACEBOOK. You must provide an email address so I can send an invoice for PayPal. Local people, no shipping, contact me privately to arrange pickup.  

Don't worry--I have kept tons of books and fabrics--much more digging out to go--watch for GIVEAWAY post in the future. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

COLOR MY WORLD--MONTH 4

 The 2021 Block of the Month pattern for  The Quilt Show is Color My World, designed exclusively for The Quilt Show by Wendy Williams. The pattern is available FREE for Star Members throughout 2021, each month brings a new part of the project. It is not too late to begin.

It's time to grow some trees. Be sure to watch the Supplement Video and then the longer Video for Month 4, found on the 2021 Block of the Month page under LEARN, and the LIVE recording that was done April 1, found under Videos: 2021 Block of the Month.

I printed the Trees Layout Guide on vellum, that is see-through paper like tracing paper:

It was easy to see where to place the tree trunks cut from 1/4" double fold bias. I cut the bias strips into 2.5", 3.5" and 9.5" lengths for each of the 16 trees. Place them as you like. On dark houses I placed the trunk on the lighter house so it could be seen.

Be sure the top edges of the 3 trunks will be under the Tree Top and the bottom edges of the 2 short trunks are covered by the one long tree trunk. Press firmly in place with a hot, dry iron. Sew with your choice of stitches, decorative or straight. I used black thread, top and bobbin, with a straight stitch, length 2.5. I tried a variety of possibilities before making the final choice. 

Make the template for the Tree Top from two layers of freezer paper. Wendy's method is slightly different from mine. I printed the tree top template on freezer paper, cut enough of the excess blank paper to have a second tree top, placed them in layers, with the plastic coated side DOWN on both. Press lightly to adhere both layers.  Pin or staple so you can cut out the double thickness template without having them shift: 

To remind myself the top edge already includes the seam allowance and the bottom edge still needs the seam allowance to be added, I indicated that on my template:

Press the template to the front side of the tree fabric. Using a mechanical pencil draw around the template then cut out the tree top--adding a 1/4" seam allowance along the bottom edge only. 

I finger pressed the seam allowance under on the pencil line, pinned the tree top to a pair of trees, and used a straight stitch of green thread to secure the lower, turned-under edge in place. Quilters Select 80 wt. thread, color #0275, was perfect for both trees: 

After all 16 pairs of Small Houses have their trees and tree tops in place, it's time to join them into a circle. Take care to use an accurate 1/4" seam allowance, sewing straight all the way down the seam. Straight is more important than fast. Press the seams open as you join the pairs together. 

With a bit of luck and careful sewing, your circle of 32 Small Houses should be a complete circle and be flat when all sewn together. 

What if your circle isn't flat or circular? Check the seam allowances, particularly at the start and end of each seam. We tend to veer off at those points--a bit too narrow or a bit too wide. I use leader/enders or scraps of fabric to help me start sewing an exact 1/4" seam at the beginning  and keep sewing 1/4" all the way to the end of the seam. I wouldn't do a lot of assertive pressing just yet. Just get it as flat as you can and wait for the Roads to see if they match up. Mine did. Yours will too. 

Can you tell that I didn't know that Month 3 Small Houses would be different from Month 1? And that I made a bunch more Small Houses 1 and 2 before I learned that? So there are fewer Small Houses 3 and 4 than the 16 the pattern calls for. They are placed in each quadrant, sort of evenly spaced, but it's really hard to tell unless you know there are 4 different houses. Don't tell anyone...

Next month we will  make the Inner and Outer Roads and you will be able to join the Mariner's Compass center and Small House circle to create the middle of your quilt. That will be exciting!

Let's quilt.

Barbara

The Second Annual Joyful Journey Retreat

 Recently I had the pleasure of hosting the Second Annual Joyful Journey Retreat for 17 wonderful women:

We gathered at Red Rooster Retreat Center on Smith Lake, in Cullman, AL, about an hour and a half for most of us. Due to Covid, we were limited to 17 this year, down from 19 last year, to allow for adequate space for all. We were able to have 3 "newbies" join us this year, due to last minute cancellations, we had a great group and fun was had by all.

Perfect for quilters, we like Red Rooster because:

Lots of workspace for each person, a full table and a comfortable rolling chair

Multiple Ironing Boards and Cutting Stations provided and set up in advance

Excellent food, 3 times a day, no cooking or cleaning

Comfortable beds--it's just not the Ritz, more dormitory style

Wonderful lighting and views of Smith Lake from every window

A few photos to show off what was accomplished:

Maybe the happiest camper all week--Terri got lots of help from Suzie and Margo in making her beautiful bag: 

My view from my spot, Smith Lake:

The Wall of Completion:

The view of the pool and hot tub from the covered porch--my happy place, too cold in March for swimming, plus that would cut into sewing time: 

This group of women really like each other and LOVE the chance to "retreat" for 5 days. We were surprised and so appreciative of the gifts several of them made for everyone. A personalized drinking glass, a votive jar with our logo, tiny chicken pincushion, mask holder for around the neck, a pin celebrating this event, a fabric bowl AND, most amazing of all--in the drawstring fabric bag was a beautiful hand-made stitch ripper from a local artisan--THANK YOU to everyone who gave us these wonderful gifts--you have set the bar really HIGH!:

Two special friends--on the right is Kathy--my fantastic Admin, who takes care of all the details, room arrangements, contact with our participants, backs me up and keeps me on track, none of this would happen without her help. And in the middle, the wonderful Margo, who I  have known since the beginning of The Quilt Show, almost 15 years ago--so good to spend real time with her here--she comes that farthest to join us. Can you read the sign over our heads?

We also did fat quarter drawings, notions baskets, and swapped 2.5" light/dark strips with everyone for the special quilt project I designed just for us. Next year will bring new and different plans. 

We are all set for next year, when we fully expect to be back to our perfect number of 19. Those who attend this year get first chance to sign up for next year, when we start the process in late Summer. Then those who had to cancel this year and desperately want back in get the opportunity to come back. When the time comes, I will ask for those who want to be on the "waitlist"--as we found this year, things happen and last minute cancellations are always a possibility. 

And just so some of you can recognize us, the 2021 Joyful Journey Retreat Gang:

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Latest Finish--Sawtooth Stars

 About a year ago I participated in a swap of 6" Sawtooth Stars organized by Barb Vedder of  the blog Fun With Barb. She has done several and this link shows some great tutorials on the swap blocks used in this and prior swaps. She has said this will be the last, there is lots of work to manage these free swaps, and I understand why she will do no more.

I had fun with the quilting. It is now finished except for the label, almost queen size: 

It is hard  to show the quilting. All of it was done with rulers on my Bernina Q20 sit down longarm. Simple half circle designs on the white sashing:

Point to point half circles on the stars--I figured that out all by myself: 

Curved crosshatching on the perimeter triangles  and the smaller triangles: 

Overall effect is pleasing to me. Might just give this one away to a friend who needs a quilt: 

I made and received 40 star blocks made from reproduction fabrics. I made 10 more to complete the design. To enlarge the blocks I added four triangles to each to make them 9" blocks: 

I posted more about how and I why I made this quilt here: Sawtooth Star project.

Now on to finish another top.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAND AHOY CRUISE NASHVILLE 2021

 I recently had the pleasure of teaching at the first Land Ahoy Cruise Nashville, run by Stitchin' Heaven, a  well-known quilt shop in Quitman, TX. Five "land cruises" are being held this year since the 15 "sea cruises" held each year by Stitchin' Heaven are not possible.

In many ways, this teaching experience was like most--happy students from all over the country, classes were taught, there was fun and games, lots of good food, and many hours of sewing. The SHAG box (Stitchin Heaven Amazing Gift)  was, indeed, amazing. We also had an "excursion" day that  got us out of the hotel and a chance to see the area and learn some history.

In some ways, things were different--masks were required in all public areas of the hotel and in all restaurants. Sewing tables were set farther apart and dining tables that could accommodate 8 were set with only 4 chairs. In our conference rooms and large dining area masks were optional--some students wore them, some did not.

I tried to eat meals with different students most times, learning names and where they were from. The name tags on the back of each machine sure helped out!

Kelly hard at work

I led off the first day with my Trunk Show--bringing 13 of my quilts that related to our 1800's theme or my journey as a quiltmaker. Color My World. the 2021 Block of the Month for The Quilt Show, got a bit of attention and two students joined The Quilt Show immediately so they can get started:

The back, showing the quilting I did on my Bernina Q20 sit down long arm:

My Lifetime quilt, 100" square, with 12,800 triangles, each 1.25". Subtitled "Wow!":

The recently completed Western Sun top which used a wide variety of 1800's reproduction fabrics: 

The class I taught was Parlor Music, by Carol Hopkins. While I thought it was simple, compared to the other class, Remember Me, the students felt differently and most worked on the other project for the most part.  A couple students did work on Parlor Music first. Tanya got the body of hers done, and will cut off the excess, then add borders:

Terry had fun on the design wall and decided to alternate the quarter square triangle rows, I liked that idea a lot:

Autumn got far along on Remember Me, using her own fabrics:

Thursday was excursion day. First stop was Quilting Squares, a small quilt shop in Franklin, TN:

Good advice: 

Lots to see and buy:

Next stop was Carnton House in Franklin, a home used as a field hospital during the Battle of Franklin in 1864. The home is beautifully restored, with a lot of original furnishings. I felt lucky to have Carrie as our guide, the best historical guide I ever had and I've been to lots of such places:

Then we headed down the road a few miles to Carter House. More Battle of Franklin stories and more outbuildings. This one we saw first from the outside:

Seeing those bullet holes from the inside was eerie: 

Thursday evening we enjoyed the Trunk show from Janet Tanner, the other teacher:

After teaching for two days I was able to sew some personal things, while remaining available to students who needed assistance. I was glad to get two blocks started over two days, for an upcoming Round Robin project I am doing with the Sunday Sew and Sews.

This Bullseye block designed by Becky Goldsmith, took me all day Friday and still needs a frame. It is paper pieced to this stage. The center circle is pieced in to the ring of points--it took me almost an hour to pin, sew, fix a few places and press: 

Much faster, this one will be appliqued to the background, then a pieced sawtooth ring will be added: 

All in all, this was a lot of fun. I enjoyed meeting quilters from WA, UT, WY, CA, MN, IL, AR, AZ, PA, NY, NJ, FL and TX. The hotel staff was great, the food excellent, I enjoyed the meals and friendship I shared outside the hotel too. 

This year there are 3 more Land Ahoy Cruises--Fort Worth in April, Las Vegas in May and San Diego in June.  I believe only Ft Worth has space available and registration ends very soon. Several are in the planning stages for 2022. If you want to sew for a week and make new friends, I recommend you come along on a Land Cruise.

Let's quilt,

Barbara