Feedback

This is one of the projects I have been working on for awhile.  I've spent way too much time looking at it and rearranging it so I am asking for your input.  Any Suggestions?  Of course I haven't sewn in any of the background fabric and won't until I am satisfied with the layout.

Looking forward to your comments and suggestions,

Dee

Welcome Summer

The calendar says it is summer by the date and the weather heated up at the same time to welcome in those long lazy summer days.  We are enjoying some hot weather without too much humidity.

This past week was a busy one.  I am checking off my retreat "to do" list.  Had my art class again this week and learned ways to embellish your quilt with some unusual products and methods.  Loved it!
Another shop hop that took us to the Canadian border and through the countryside.   It is interesting and fun to see what each shop is doing and promoting that is unique to them.  This time around I saw a lot of hand embroidery as well as machine embroidery on the quilts and applique.  The modern look was prevalent in each store and I think it is a trend that will be around for awhile.

There are so many cute lines of fabric on the market right now and Moda is making solid color charm packs which makes it easy to pair those great lines of fabric charm packs with solid packs.  Here is an easy way to use some of those charms.  This could make a quick and cute baby quilt or several charm packs would make a quick lap quilt.

Take a charm pack of a favorite designer and a Moda solid charm pack and create an adorable pinwheel quilt.

Put a solid and print charm right sides together.  Next, sew a quarter inch seam around all four sides of the squares.  Then you will cut the squares apart diagonally twice to reveal your four half square triangles.  Sew them into a pinwheel and you are on your way to one cute quilt.

May your summer days be enchanting and filled with laughter.

Dee

Giving Back

This morning I helped a group of ladies make memory quilts for Hospice families.  What an inspirational time and great project.  My job was to iron on doves to the quilts for someone else to machine applique.  When I accomplished 234 of those my next assignment was to cut out an additional 144 doves and press them on to the next bunch of quilts.  I was a bit flighty and inspired when I left.  If you have the opportunity to help with such a project, please do it.  You will find yourself to be blessed tremendously and you will be a blessing to others as well.

In the afternoon I met with a group of quilters for some hand sewing time and fellowship.  I enjoyed it tremendously.

Yesterday was the start of a new beginners class for me and we worked on cutting and the same questions keep surfacing with every class so I thought I'd pass on a few thoughts on conserving your mat and cutting for accuracy.

1.  Press your fabric before starting to cut and make sure it is flat and smooth as you line it up to cut.      This will help eliminate the problem of rainbow curves in your strips.

2.  Start off the fabric as you start to cut and keep your blade against the ruler at a slight right angle.

3.  Cut with the rulers measurements and not the mat's.  Repeated cutting along the same lines on the mat will etch permanent grooves that will not heal and keep you from cutting accurately.  I find that turning my mat over and using my ruler only eliminates that problem completely.

Delight in each day.
Dee