It's Just A Jump to the Left...

I'm stretching a bit with today's title, but given the last two quilts were from the late 1800's, there is a bit of a time warp going on with today's offering. And for some reason I'm addicted to these darned song lyrics. Anyhoo...


This quilt comes from my Dad's side of the family and is of much more recent vintage. Mom remembers that it was a gift for their wedding in 1968. It is a true scrap quilt -- lots and lots of fabrics in this one and lots of combinations. They all appear to be cottons, though, some could be blends. There are feed sacks, shirtings, possible dress materials, even some cord material in there. The white areas all appear to be plain white muslin though. The size is approximately twin. Again, no quilting on this one, but it does have a batting which looks like it is a layer of white flannel and it is tied. One tie through the center of every single star and tie in the corners where every block meets.


Mom remembers that my grandmother on that side tied this, but we both agree it is unlikely that she actually did any of the piecework. My grandmother had her talents (the woman could bake like no other, and remind me someday to take photos of the baby clothes she crocheted for me) but sewing was not really one of them. It's much more likely that this one is made by the same person who made this quilt. Especially since there are a lot of fabrics that are common to both pieces. That would mean that it was probably pieced by my great-grandmother, and more likely my grandfather's mother. My grandmother's mother was a German immigrant and I just don't see her doing much of this patchwork -- though, I could be wrong. Any clues from my friends in Germany as to whether this would have been common there in the 20's and 30's? It's much more likely that the top was already finished and my grandmother simply tied and bound it. Or, that it was even farther along than that when my grandmother gave it to Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, anyone who would have the information is now gone.


The blocks themselves are interesting. They are hexagons with a six pointed star in the middle. The finished sides of each hexagon are 2 1/4". That's a whole lot of small piecing for those stars. I'm not sure if these are hand or machine pieced, I've seen evidence of both in the blocks though. I don't know the name of the block (if anyone has any information it would be appreciated) but it does explain why I absolutely LOVE hexagon designs in quilts. These quilts are ones that really mean "quilt" to me. I grew up with them. I remember using them for picnics, camping, snuggling on. They were not put away as "treasures" as Mom said "They were just quilts, we used them." And yeah, that's exactly how it is supposed to be :0).


The edges are bound, but rather than cutting off some of the hexagons to create a "squared" quilt, the binding follows the hexagon pattern all the way around. Part of me shudders at the thought of having to turn all those corners with binding. The other part of me is doing some little dances of glee going "I've gotta try that." I'm not sure which part is going to win eventually (though I'm kinda voting for the sane part that says 1/2 blocks at the edge aren't so bad...).


Now, given that the quilt has been used, and used well, there is some damage. Some of the fabrics have not held up. There are wear spots and some tears and some staining. Mom wants to wash it to see if the stains will come out, but with the state of some of the fabrics -- I'm not so sure. However, I mean, I could do some rescue work here. I can trace the pieces, create templates, replicate blocks and replace them. I have the skills, I have the technology, and more importantly, I have...

this. No, this is not the same quilt. It is the twin to the one I've been showing you. Fraternal twins -- but twins just the same. :0)

Unfortunately, time has not been as kind to this quilt as it has to the first one. While the first one has a quite a few damage spots but may be salvageable, this one, um, this one is a cutter. I think Mom had a small coronary when I looked at the second quilt and said that -- but, honestly? That's what it is. It got better when I stated referring to this one as the "donor" quilt.

While the donor has pretty extensive damage, there are some good spots that I could lift out blocks and replace those in the first. Having said that, I'm not planning on doing this rescue any time soon -- but, eventually, yeah, I'm going to do it. I'd also like to try my hand at making a few of the blocks with some modern fabrics. Now, will I end up with enough blocks to make two twin sized quilts? Um -- yeah, probably not. That's a WOLE LOT of hexagons folks. And here I thought Jane Stickle was crazy -- looks like that kind of insanity runs in my family too. Especially since I also remember my grandmother having two of these quilts at her house when I was young. I remember sleeping under them when I went to visit her for a week every summer. What happened to them, I don't know -- but think, making enough of these blocks for 4, count 'em 4, twin sized bead spreads. EEEKKK!!!! I'm hoping for enough patience with the pattern for maybe a pillow. Possibly a throw.

I hope you've enjoyed the quilt show from Mom's house -- I've still got more photos to share of other works from Mom's, just not quilts. These are all MUCH more recent vintage as well. As in, well, my lifetime since I made most of them. And I still have goodies to share -- retail therapy and some current crafting. Not much of the current stuff this week -- I've been digging out and dealing with a sick Miss Tinkerbell. She managed to survive being exposed to my strep throat without catching it -- but, another kid at daycare seems to have passed it on to her. UGH. Until next time!

PS -- SPELL CHECK WORKED!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!

It's a wrap

Well -- another year, another Christmas come and gone (almost -- still have one day of presents with the in laws to do) and yet another year where I SWEAR I am going to get my presents done earlier next year! Geesh -- ya think after 35 years I would have learned better. Oh well -- most of what I wanted to get done got done, and what wasn't finished? Well -- I have some IOUs out there. I suppose I could have gotten a couple more things finished -- but that would have meant missing out on things like cookie baking (Miss Tinkerbell had a blast and can you tell her favorite color these days is pink?). Yeah -- it's ok that a few things didn't get done to have those memories :0).

I did get quite a bit of my list of insanity done though. I think there were only two or three "I really think I can do this" items that didn't get finished (or started for that matter) and the others -- well, they were optional to begin with. Wanna see? (ok -- who am I kidding -- I love the show and tell parts of my blog -- why else would I mention these things?)



Mom's hand quilted pillow. DONE!!! Remember when I mentioned that I had started this way back in October? Well, Mom said she might like it -- hehehehe. So, along with all of the other first efforts -- she got my first hand quilted piece. I ended up turning it into a pillow per her request (for decorative purposes only upon pain of death -- REALLY). You should be able to click on the photo for a better view, but if I do say so myself this turned out beautifully. (ok -- side note here -- isn't it nice when you manage to impress even yourself with your own work?)

And for those of you who wondered whether or not the pre-printed blue lines from the wholecloth came out when finished, the answer is yes. They do. Totally, utterly, and completely. I washed in cold with just a little bit of detergent and I couldn't be happier with it. Not even a hint of the blue left. For anyone who is thinking of trying one of these as an intro to hand quilting? I have to say go for it! I went to the shop where I bought it to get another one for myself. They're out right now -- but when they get them back in, I'm all over it!




Dolly. DONE. Truly one of the most important ones too. And, no, dolly was not nekkid when I gave her to Tinkerbell. She had a snazzy little outfit in pink and green (since, as Tink has been saying for about a month or more -- Santa was going to bring her PINK presents). I was even proud of myself for using fabrics from my stash to make the outfit. I was so tempted just to go out and buy new -- but I resisted and I couldn't be happier that I went ahead and used what I had.


Dolly even got a blankie so she doesn't get cold in her crib. There was some doubt this one was going to happen. I just used the left overs from making the outfit and did a quick and dirty on it. I took my cue from modern quilts and just kind of started cutting and putting it together. I'm really happy with it too -- which confirms for me that I tend to over complicate things too much.


I did "cheat" a bit though -- it's not "quilted". (ah - yeah, like 2 days before Christmas I was going to actually quilt this one, nope, insane is one thing -- the other is just plain crazy). Thankfully pearl cotton and tying is a viable option!


As for Miss Tinkerbell? Oh my -- all the effort that went into this one was sooooo worth it. She loves her dolly. She won't go anywhere without her. She puts her in her crib, and covers her up so sweetly. Of course, a certain guy in a red suit and a bunch of elves got credit for her. Humph. I suppose I can share with the big guy -- knowing she loves it so much is what is really important.


Tinkerbell's train mat. DONE. This is the best photo I have of this one -- and really, not that much to it. A pre-printed panel with some quilting (again -- glad there isn't a better picture since the quilting on this one is, well, horrible would be kind, but -- for what it is -- it does the job) and a binding. A solid backing in a coordinating fabric, and you have yourself a train mat. As for my opinion of the workmanship in it -- I'm not being hard on myself (really, see me sing my own praises above). I'm being honest that I have NO clue what I'm doing when I do free motion quilting and that I need to practice. For what this "blankie" is (something to be put on the floor and played on), what I did is fine. I would just like to do better than ok. It's a goal -- and this is a good thing :0).


What didn't get done? Knit bag for AL -- I found another gift bag to use (though, I do believe Mom left before I could put the scarf into it -- drat!!! Oh well, I'm one up on a gift for next year!). And in case anyone kind of recognizes the fabric in the back -- yep, the gifts I made for Mom that I hinted about earlier? Yep -- a whole passel of drawstring bags. Mom filled them up with goodies, but I made the bags :0).


The only other thing I really wanted to get done that got postponed was my mil's apron. But, since we're not exchanging gifts until tomorrow -- um, I actually have a little time. I've actually taken the past few days off from sewing anything (though I may have started a new knitting project -- just maybe mind you). Looks like break time is over though -- I need to get back to my sewing! I've also got a bunch of thank yous, photos of new goodies (Santa was VERY good to me), and some new things in progress to get to, but that's for another post! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and is having a safe week leading into the New Year! I'll be back soon (really -- I'm just about caught up with non-computer stuff, but if you could slow down with your posting so I have a chance to catch up on reading??!!??)

Still Sewing...

So -- I've been a bit quiet lately. It's not that I haven't had anything to post -- it's just that I haven't had time to actually get to the computer and do anything about the random thoughts running around in my head.

I mean -- there was a whole post about the trip to the mall to see Santa (her first time) -- with a mini-rant about the commercialization of Santa's area. This particular mall was pushing a recent release Christmas movie (that bombed so I hear). What ever is wrong with generic (non-advertising laden) castles and gingerbread and other North Pole type deals? Or trains -- I can deal with trains! But Noooooo -- we get some really bad crud from a movie that stank. Great. Oh, and the giant walk through snow globe? Yeah -- great idea -- except we were in there for about 15-20 minutes while waiting. All that fake snow was such fun to pick out of my daughter's hair in time for her picture with Santa (and don't EVEN get me started on the whole "photo package" deals). On the other hand -- if I thought she was excited about the tree -- well, let's just say seeing the big guy was even more exciting. No running back and forth to the kitchen -- but I swear if she started shaking and vibrating any more she was going to break through some space/time barrier.

Mom has been here since Monday -- which has been wonderful. But, I feel like I'm working her half to death with very little reward. UGH. My kingdom (or, really, just my small corner of the cornfields since that's all I can offer) for a nice, relaxing, don't have to do anything visit!

I have been working on my projects (and finishing things) but I don't have any good photos right now. I'll try to get everything photographed and show and tell soon. Really!

In the meantime -- it's two nights until Christmas and I have three must finish projects to complete (one hand sewn binding, one doll quilt to tie and one apron to make). Will I make it? Stay tuned to find out folks!

Checking It Twice

Or in my case, since I've made a list I'm not sure now I can complete, I'm double checking it to see where I can cut corners and/or delete items. *Sigh* Still -- some of it is getting done. Despite other holiday delays, I do have progress to show (and a second post in one day!).

4. Knit bag for B's gift. Almost done. Need to finish the icord. DONE !!!! And really, since the actual bag has been done for about a month -- um, about time. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and may I say again how much I LOVE this book? I swear there are about 10 more patterns I want to try and play with! (AFTER Christmas that is -- the list of things I want to do in the new year is a whole 'nother ball of wax)

13. Doll crib mattress for dd. I have the stuff I need to make it. DONE!!!! Or, well, in this photo it's ALMOST done. I had to go out to Joann's and pick up some more button forms to finish the tufting (yes -- I am insane -- was there ever any doubt?) It even fits in the doll crib perfectly -- and what is this?

It looks like the dollies wanted to test out the new bed, and do a dry run for Christmas morning. But look -- they now have arms that are attached. And faces!!!!

Yep -- I finally stopped putting off until the last possible minute the part of the dolls that scared me pondering the hair color decisions and went for it. And now I have some decisions to make -- see, I've had some vague ideas that I would finish BOTH dolls and give them to Tinkerbell for Christmas. Hmmm...but, well, see above about having to be a bit more realistic. Up until this point working on two of them has been relatively easy -- but we're now at the point where I'm going to have to make clothing and doll quilts. Um, I have time, honestly, to make one set of clothing. That is if I want the doll to have a quilt and/or some of the other accessories (I've already decided her coat and purse will wait and I'm tempted to say her PJs will as well). So -- the quandary -- do I go with blondie there or with red?

I'm not all that fond of blondie's hair color. I thought I could make it look a bit more "natural" than the straight up yellow (I had vague ideas of trying to match Tink's blond/brown locks). This, of course, was before reality set in and I remembered that my skills with paint and a brush are -- um, well, not non-existent, but, limited is a better word. That plus -- it looks like blondie here got into her mother's makeup and decided to do some clown cheeks.

The other option is red. Red's cheeks look rosy without being garish. But, well, see above about skills with a paintbrush. See -- I may have, just may have mind you, made a boo boo when painting her hairline. I could claim that red here has super fine hair and has a few wisps escaping an otherwise careful do -- but, well, it's a mistake. And an obvious one. And I'm not sure if I can let it go.

So -- there are the options (the third option -- start again and re-do is NOT viable). Unless someone has some suggestions about how to get the fabric paint off the part I don't want it on for red -- I have to choose one or the other. Any suggestions? Picks? Help?

In the meantime -- both these ladies are nekkid -- and I need to get cracking on making some clothes!

Rudolph's Nose

Isn't the only one that is bright red and shiny right now. Though, I imagine his hurts a whole lot less. Ick. After posting my to-do list for the insane, I got my annual bout of bronchitis. Fun, fun, fun. Cough, cough, hack, hack, oh what fun a sneeze attack (sung to the tune of plop/plop, fizz/fizz), And to top it off, my husband seems to have caught a related buggy thing so we've both been walking around like zombies. Gotta love that codeine cough syrup. But it does make the idea of playing with a rotary cutter not quite as attractive as it might otherwise be. (I like all of my appendages attached thank-you-very-much!)

Despite the temporary setback of being ill, I do still think I can finish my homemade Christmas gifts (see -- insanity, but I'm gonna try to do it darn it). I've been plugging away slowly but surely and I do have some progress.

17. Advent Calendar. Done!!!!!!! It's even been hung up and we've been pulling slips of paper from it every day. I've had to do some covert rearranging of activities though. Saturday we were supposed to go get the tree -- with dh running a fever and my coughing/nose blowing exploits that got delayed by a day, but otherwise a success. We've been busy with playing with some of the goodies inside (gotta love those paint with water books -- so far I think we've colored the entire book that was in her grab bag, and the scratch and sniff book was a big hit as well). And, since this is the grand sum of my holiday decorating thus far -- hey, a bonus!


8. C's messenger bag. I have the stuff -- need to design and make. Done!!!!! Yahooo!!!! This one needs to be in the mail pronto so I'm really glad I did get it finished.

It ended up being more of a "mini" messenger bag -- still big enough to put manila folders in and/or a three ring binder (heck, even a laptop if needed) but still small enough to be used as a largish purse if desired as well.

And considering I was working without a net on this one (pattern? I don't need no stinkin' pattern!) I think it turned out well if I do say so myself.

I'm still seriously in love with these Heather Ross fabrics, and since my cousin (the intended recipient) has been riding horses since she was 8 or 9 (and she's a year older than I am -- ok, only 10 months and three days) the fabrics are perfect for her.

And honestly? If it weren't for the whole, I've been drugged out on an opiate derivative cough medication thing, it would have taken me an afternoon to complete. Now that's my idea of a great quick project!

Other projects have had some spotty progress at best -- not a whole lot to show there. So, I will leave you with the view from my computer/guest room window. Pretty -- in a, gee I hope the temps don't drop too much so I can actually walk outside kind of way.

Though, it does make you feel kind of Christmasy -- I think it's time for some more cough syrup, a bit of hot chocolate and a cuddle under the blankets before I get back to the sweat shop!

Progress from Santa's Sweat Shop

So, some progress in the past couple of days. This is good. If I can keep up this pace everything should be done in time for Christmas. This year even. Well -- ok, so I may have to speed it up a little...

Anyhooo --- I thought I would share the full extent of the insanity that I'm playing with here in the cornfields. So, like Santa it's time to make my list. Check it twice. And see whether I'm going to get done or not. In no particular order of importance, my "to do before Christmas" list:

1. Commission for Mom. Done!!! In the mail. Out of here! Yahoo!!! (all 5 of whatever it is I was making)

2. Gift for my god daughter. Done!!!! A cutie pie little pair of funky monkey pj's (she loves monkeys -- go figure). And, as a bonus, a little bag to put them in (instant and reusable wrapping paper -- woo hooo). And before you think I'm crazy for making the bag (well -- you will when you see the rest of my list) I will say that I wasn't going to do it. Until, well, someone -- I'm not naming any names mind you, but someone may have forgotten to look and see if this fabric is directional before cutting out the PJ bottoms. And, well, this someone may have had to recut them (thank goodness I someone bought WAY more fabric than the pattern called for). And well -- someone may have decided to make lemonade out of lemons with the bottoms that were cut upside down. Someone mind you -- I'm not admitting to the mistake!

3. PJ's for dd. DONE. Remember that we've been in Santa and Rudolph heavy rotation these days? These will be part of her advent calendar gifts this year. I saw the fabric at Joann's and couldn't resist. Not the best stuff in the world to use -- but for a pair of PJs that are going to be worn for a limited time -- yeah, it works. And since I already was making a pair for my god daughter -- easy enough to make two instead of one.

And just because I can't resist -- a close up of the t-shirt. A simple patch top stitched down. And I chose Santa vs. Rudolph because she loves Santa. Me? I'm in love with that green and red polka dot fabric. Don't know why -- it makes me happy!

4. Knit bag for B's gift. Almost done. Need to finish the icord -- she's getting a smaller (and different color) version of this (the cover photo, not the cabled one).

5. Knit bag for AL's gift. Haven't started. Need to get B's gift off needles.

6. Weave in ends of knit scarf for AL's gift.

7. One on One doll quilt exchange. Blocks made. Need to get together, quilt and bind.

8. C's messenger bag. I have the stuff -- need to design and make.

9. Train panel play mat for dd. Need to back, sandwich, quilt and bind.

10. Hand quilted pillow. About 80% done. I have the hand quilting done. Need to make the pillow backing and binding. Not too bad.

11. Ornaments for teacher gifts. Done!!!

12. Dolly for dd. In progress. Doll body made, need to finish stuffing, attach arms and paint on the face and hair. After that just need to make an outfit. Or two. As for the accessories -- um, we'll see. (and no -- you're not seeing double. I couldn't decide which color fabric to use for the body so I made two. I probably won't give both to dd -- I'll figure out what to with the second one later).

13. Doll crib mattress for dd. I have the stuff I need to make it. Simply covering some foam so shouldn't take long.

14. MIL's apron. I was going to make my mil a quilt this year. Really. I was. I even have the fabrics cut and ready. Um, so not going to happen. I mentioned this to her -- and sweet woman that she is understands completely and asked for an apron. An apron? I can do an apron. And I KNOW this project is an afternoon or less.

15. Small handbag/bag for S. This one -- um, she may be getting a gift card. This one is truly an "If I can get around to it" gift. Though, PamKittyMorning's pattern does work up quickly...

16. Messenger bag for DH. May get delayed until his birthday. Since it was supposed to be a gift for our anniversary, leaving it a bit longer may be ok.

17. Advent calendar. Yeah, I know it's already December. I know this should have been done a week ago. Um...it's not. On the plus side, it's almost done. Really. I just need to finish sewing down the binding and the hanging sleeve. Though, I would appreciate it if you didn't look too closely at the quilting. This was a quick and dirty. I've had this panel by Makower UK hanging around since dd was in an infant carrier. So, it's been a PIP (sorry -- I don't keep my undone projects in grocery sacks. I keep them in plastic bins -- so PIP instead of PIG) since sometime in 2005. So, this is a bit of a stashbusting effort, and a FWYH entry.

I'm really not in love with it either (HEY -- HEY -- I see you, I told you NOT to look at the quilting!) -- which may be one reason it's taken me so long to finish it. It's cute and all, but -- not sure. It just doesn't sing to me. And I've been seeing such cute ideas for Advent calendars all over the blogosphere. Really -- look here, and here, and well -- there's an entire flickr group dedicated to them. Some of the ideas are really great and they are fun and funky -- something my little offering isn't. Hmmnn...next year. At least I can introduce the concept this year and then work on a new one that speaks more about our family's personality AFTER the holidays. For now -- those little tiny pockets (honestly, you can't fit much in them) will get stuffed with pieces of paper that either give dd a chance at some goodies in a grab bag and/or activities we have planned (including some more handmade Christmasy goodness -- but, um, this list thing is starting to depress me -- so, I'll take pics and talk about it as those happen).

And what am I doing hanging out on my blog?!? (other than taking a break from the slave driver elves here in the sweat shop?) I've got sewing to do!