This is one of the projects I've been mentioning over the last couple weeks. It's a table runner based loosely on the Journey to Paducah pattern on the AQS blog. I didn't want to make the whole quilt, and I unearthed a fat quarter bundle from my stash that really isn't my cup of tea, but the combination of fabrics and project would be a perfect gift for some friends - it suits them beautifully!
I started well enough in advance (I thought) to have this little project done by Christmas.
I am fairly certain, there might be one or two other quilters who may have had a similar circumstance this holiday season. Not *you* of course, but, perhaps someone you know. . .
We are two or three weeks after Christmas, and my table runner is 'done.' Quilted, too! So it's time to bind it.
There are about a million different variations to bind a quilt. This is my step-by-step process that has served me well for many years and many quilts.
First, I start by trimming the quilted sandwich. I trim the backing and batting even with the quilt top (above).
In this case, I'm using wool batting for this project, so those long bits of batting scraps are perfect for pin cushion or biscornu stuffing. Save those!
I cut my binding strips 2-1/4" wide from selvage to selvage.
Technically, double fold binding is supposed to be cut 2" wide. Once folded to 1" wide and sewn with a 1/4" seam, 1/2" inch will live on the front of the quilt and 1/2" will live on the back of the quilt. But that doesn't leave much for the quilt thickness. That's why I cut 2-1/4. Conversely, many folks cut strips 2-1/2" for binding. It's a preference.
I don't typically do bias binding, although, technically, bias bindings are said to wear better.
Next, I do a rough measurement of the quilt (or runner) perimeter. My runner is a rectangle about 15 by 50". So roughly, 2 times 50 is 100, plus 2 times 15 is 30. Or a perimeter of 130". My binding strips will be about 40" long so I'll need 4 strips--3 strips times 40" is only 120" so that won't make it around the perimeter, but 4 strips times 40" will be 160" - plenty!
I loved math back in high school, and I'm so glad that I use it - both the simple stuff and the more complex stuff - nearly every day!
Connecting the strips with a diagonal seam is just about the only time I use the lines on a cutting mat. Line up two strip ends right sides together, one horizontally and one vertically with the cutting mat lines, draw a diagonal line connecting the intersecting edge points, pin on both sides of the line, sew on the line and cut 1/4" (give or take) away from the seam. Connect all four strips into one long one.
Press.
Press seams open (to reduce bulk).
Then press the entire binding strip, wrong sides together.
Now, I have approximately 160" of binding that is ready to add to the runner or quilt.
Since I ran out of time, this will be continued next week!
By the time you read next week's newsletter, this project should be bound, labeled, and ready to gift.
Unless it's not.
Hey, anything can happen!
Happy Stitching!
Joan
When I wasn't celebrating holidays with family and friends, I set aside some time to work on projects. Some old, some new, and some fall somewhere in between.
First, before I get too far along, in the last newsletter, I mentioned something about using the waste threads from my ornaments as bird nesting material. I don't actually put out thread and yarn scraps for the wild birds to use in their nests. It's actually not a good idea - threads can get tangled in tiny birds' feet and legs, eventually strangling them.
This article gives a really good overview of what to include and not include if you like to put out nesting materials for your wild feathered friends. Be sure to read through the comments for more specifics than outlined in the article. It may seem early to think about this kind of thing, but migrating birds start hunting for nesting sights as early as February and March even as far north as my area (central New York), and even earlier in other parts of the country.
Back to stitchy stuff. . .
Old stuff. Just before Christmas I lamented that this project (below) wasn't going to make it under the Christmas tree gift pile this year. And it didn't. But I'm happy to say that during the week in between the holidays, I spent some concentrated effort to get the four-block table runner to the ready-to-quilt stage (below, below). The pattern is loosely based on Journey to Paducah a free pattern from AQS.
Sorta Old, Sorta New Stuff. Every month, a new bird block is released and a block kit, including pre-cut fabrics and pattern, is shipped to members of The FLOCK. Before any kit is shipped, I make the block at least twice, once with scrap fabrics and once with the 'real' fabric from the kits. Then I use the 'real' block to make a quilted sample - like in the photo below.
But
that doesn't leave me with any 'real' blocks to make into projects. That
means I make more blocks 'when I have time' which translates to: I
don't get back to it! I started making bird blocks on a regular schedule
this past week. The Gray Catbird block (one of my favorites!) is shown,
in progress, below.
New stuff. I'm a jigsaw puzzle girl. Love them! Perhaps that's why I like quilting so much, quilt blocks feel like jigsaw puzzles to be solved. Normally I don't have time for them, but treat myself to one or two puzzles during the holiday season.
I spread out the pieces on a table, then listen to a recorded book. I mentioned something a while back about the Outlander books, that they didn't really grab me when I first tried listening. Well, I gave them another try. I'm on book two. Lordy, they are long. Good thing this puzzle is a toughie. Plenty of puzzling time ahead if I stick with the 7 (plus 2) books to come in the series.
Not New but Not Old either. These hardanger sampler blocks are on hold for the moment. I ran out of thread. I'm using some variegated threads from Artfabrik (my favorite for any kind of embroidery) and ran out of this color - I think it's called Wild Rice.
Now that I've looked up the website, I should place my order before the next 'squirrel' crosses my path.
Definitely New. I've had the threads for this cross stitch project for a while. I love the bright colors. This is going to be a very stylized hummingbird. It kinda looks like a flying fish right now, but give it time. . .
Lots of teeny-tiny X's in this one. I'm using 32 count jobelin cloth - that's a pretty high thread count. I might be blind by the time I'm done stitching!
I think that should keep me busy into the first few weeks of 2019. How about you? Did you start something new, play with something you've already started, or forget the stitching all together and get cozy with a quilt, a movie, and a cocktail or two?
It all works for me! *Wink!*
Happy Stitching!
Joan
I've been inserting a hand-made holiday ornament in each of my Christmas greeting cards for at least the last 10 years. The challenges are many:
- To create something small enough and flat enough to go into a greeting card and be sent by mail
- To generate an idea that I don't mind repeating about 40 times to complete my holiday card list (one year I made mittens - they were really cute, but every ornament required TWO!)
- To start early enough to execute said idea in stated multiples without making myself nutzoid by December 24th!
This year I hit the jackpot!
I've been experimenting with blackwork (see this post from earlier this year about biscornu), and with a little online research, I found a couple of small patterns suitable for some scraps of even weave linen, some fun variegated threads, and double sided fusible foam batting.
And, most importantly, an EARLY start!
I started stitching the little motifs in the summer months, and took threads and linens with me on vacation to Europe. Lots of long plane, train, and bus rides, as we traveled overseas and from city to city, made for good chunks of dedicated time with a needle in my hand.
First I created the stitchery, each just over 1" square. Then trimmed them down, leaving about 1/4" of fabric around the stitching. Then, I sewed the stitchery to a sandwich of fusible foam batting and festive fabric prints on front and back (shown above). I suppose I should have used a zigzag stitch for the sewing, but I used a straight stitch. It's an ornament, and will likely never be washed, so the loose week linen should last acceptably well.
And finally, I removed rows of the linen threads up to the stitching point, creating a fringy edge.
Making lots of linen thread scraps. Perfect for nesting season, even though that's several months off, at this point.
And repeated the process about 40 or so times.
I trimmed the sandwiches with pinking shears to fun-up the ornament edges, and added a hanging thread.
Ready to pop into a card and into the mail. . .and with time to spare!
If you're thinking something like this would be suitable for you. I have to say, I struggled a bit to find information about blackwork embroidery so I could learn more. This book (aff.) by Lesley Wilkins only recently crossed my attention, and I haven't really given it a good look-through just yet, but I plan to find a quiet moment beside the tree in the next few days to really take it in.
You can find lots of images on social media, Pinterest for example will generate lots of blackwork images on a search, but, I found, many of those links for more detail lead to dead ends.
If you want to tackle something like this, for next year, for example. Do plan ahead so you can relax and savor each stitch. The technique is worthy of your best relaxation time. Stressy deadlines are counter productive with any kind of hand stitching, in my humble opinion.
In fact, I'm already looking ahead to 2019. No real plans for my ornaments yet, but Hardanger embroidery, or white work (even though I'm not using white thread in this sampler I'm working on), has my attention at the moment.
Whitework has a strong foot hold in Europe, but not so much in the US, or at least that's what I've found.
So I'm currently looking for some more sources to learn and hone this handwork method. How different can it be, you might ask? Hardanger is very big on texture. Several of the classic motifs include cutting and withdrawing threads from the base linen fabric, then 'decorating' the openings with more thread. I haven't quite managed the hang of it (that's kind of 'punny' isn't it?! Groan!)
As long as I'm taking a mini inventory of my current projects, this little number - a table runner - I started a few months back with *plenty* of time to complete by the holiday appears to be earmarked for Christmas 2019 at this point.
Rolling my eyes, and jus' keepin' it real, folks!
Have a lovely, wonderful, stitchy, holiday! Merry Christmas! And. . .
Happy Stitching!
Joan
In almost every culture, dating back to biblical times, the raven - a large, intelligent bird completely covered in black feathers - has earned a legendary reputation as trickster, provider, secret-keeper, and conspirator.
In scripture, the raven is said to have been the first bird Noah sent from the ark to look for land. In Norse mythology, Odin had two ravens that would serve as his eyes and ears and report daily to the deity. In England, according to legend, the presence of ravens in London, particularly at the Tower of London, ensured that the British empire was secure.
For indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, the raven is revered as a trickster. In an ancient story, the Raven, originally with white feathers, stole the sun, moon, fresh water, and fire from Gray Eagle. While flying away with the firebrand, the ashes turned the raven's feathers black.
I know you've heard me blabbing on about Your Nest Organizers before. But with less than two weeks until Christmas, I don't want you to miss an opportunity to polish off your gift list with a little something different.
Raven is one of the three newest colors of Your Nest Organizers, and perhaps, in my humble opinion, it's the most versatile.
Similar the trickster it's named for, the Raven Your Nest Organizer is a clever desktop organizer. Even though it was developed to hold your most-loved sewing tools, it's great in other environments as well - office, dormitory, kitchen, craft room, work bench.
Raven--black--goes with just about every decor; it's a hot decorator color, it's gender neutral, and it looks sharp! It can be collegiate (Did you see the Army / Navy game last weekend? Yay, Army Black Knights!). It's just a cool little gadget that keeps your stuff handy.
My favorite feature is the scoop placed diagonally across one corner. A rotary cutter fits perfectly in there, but that's also a perfect resting place for a cell phone!
And it's the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.
Plus it's in stock - all seven colors - including Raven. And it'll be there in time for the holiday, but only if you order soon.
Happy Stitching!
Joan
Back in September, just before we left for our vacation to Europe, Dave and I attended his second cousin's wedding. I purchased this adorable kit from Little Beach Hut in England. and it arrived only a few days before the wedding. The couple have a pet hedgehog named Pickle, so this sweet little cross stitch was perfect.
I knew that there was no way that I would get the project done in time for the wedding, but I began stitching anyway.
The surface area of the stitching is only about 4" in diameter.
Then travel happened, first for vacation, then to Houston for the quilt shows.
Well, I'm happy to say that I finally finished this little project! I purchased a wooden embroidery hoop at the local craft store, grabbed some felted wool and perle cotton and got busy. Basically, I followed this tutorial to secure and cover the back of the stitchery.
Add a little ribbon for hanging and. . .Ta done!
I was motivated get my act together to finish this little project because another of Dave's cousins had a baby shower this past weekend (different cousin), and I knew the newlywed cousin would be in attendance. . .
The stitchery has now reached its destination.
Now, for that unfinished baby quilt that didn't quite make it to the shower. . .
Happy Stitching!
Joan
I came back home from Quilt Festival in Houston to a whirlwind of activity. I'm still not quite done unpacking, and there is a stack of paperwork about a mile high (well, almost a mile high) on my desk that needs to be accounted for, sorted, and dealt with.
I'm doing my best to find normal again. And boom here come the holidays! Can you relate?
As an exhibitor, if you're running the booth solo, like I was, you really don't get out much. These lovely flowers were just outside my hotel. Snapped this photo on the way to get groceries. This show stuff isn't all glitter and rainbows. . . there are flowers, instead!
On the show floor, you have to rely on the fun stuff coming to you. And it did.
Stopping my my booth, these quilters wore their sense of humor on their sleeves . . . or should I say on their T-shirts!
Oh my goodness! The details in these dresses! Each day of Quilt Festival this threesome wore something different and just as intricate! Just stunning and remarkable! My quilts feel so plain, now!
I did manage to venture out a little from time to time - I mean you have to walk past other booths to get in and get out and manage biological needs.
This gigantic sewing machine in the BERNINA booth made me feel like a character from Jonathan Swift!
It was grand to see that I wasn't the only one with Your Nest Organizers on my mind! My neighbors one aisle over from me at Cactus Queen Quilt Company also had a big display of Your Nest Organizers.
They seemed to disappear from their booth as well as from mine! Just can't get enough of them!
I usually like to include a few pictures of quilts from the quilt show, and there were some stunning quilts on display - or so I heard. I set aside one morning to wander through the quilt displays. However only one or two steps into the display area, I felt a stomach-churning crunch in my mouth! Out of the blue, one of my lower front teeth chipped, leaving a very rough hole in my tooth, and I suddenly lost my enthusiasm for quilt-peeking.
Fortunately, the chip wasn't deep enough to cause pain and was easily fixed once I returned home. So at least, my tooth is back to normal. The rest of my crazy schedule may take a little longer to settle back down!
Now, where did I pack away those tree decorations and wrapping paper?
Happy Stitching!
Joan
Nope, you don't have to check your calendar. It's Wednesday. I returned home from Quilt Festival on Wednesday last week, with not enough umph to put together a post for the normal Thursday morning time line. And with Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I'd send along a little note and a preview of something pretty exciting that starts this Friday!
First and foremost, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support of my business. It has been an amazing year here on the Hummingbird Highway with lots of new things happening and lots of fun things yet to come. I hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have!
Secondly, As you may have heard, I was in Houston for a good 10 days starting around the first of November. I was an exhibitor at Quilt Market (wholesale show) and Quilt Festival (the 'everybody' show) in Houston, Texas. My focus for these two events was sharing and selling Your Nest Organizers and The FLOCK.
It all went very, very well, but I came home with a few Your Nest Organizers that I really don't want to send back to the warehouse.
If you've been around a while, then you know, I've done this before. So, yes, it's time to have a little fun! At a perfect time to have some fun - it's gift-giving season . . . with a thankful twist.
It's a Black-Friday-Small-Biz-Saturday-Cyber-Monday Special!
What: Free shipping on Your Nest Organizers from Hummingbird Highway.
When: Black Friday (November 23, 2018) through Cyber Monday (November 26, 2018).
Why? The main reason: I have a few leftovers from the show in Houston, and I'd rather send them to you than ship them back to the warehouse!
PLUS! Seems like a perfect opportunity to give thanks and give back. 10% of all Your Nest Organizer sales from this special event will be donated to Clear Path for Veterans - an amazing organization close to my heart that helps veterans with so many helpful programs, including job search, counseling, service animals.
Your Nest Organizer colors available for this special event: Flamingo (pink), Hummingbird (lime green), Bluebird (royal blue), Cardinal (red), and Raven (black). Quantities are limited for this free shipping special.
Wait! I already have Your Nest Organizer . . .
No doubt! Then you know how well they Keep Stuff Handy in your sewing studio! But did you also know that they are great organizers in the office and dormitory? Park your mobile phone in the scoop that was created for the rotary cutter, add stamps, envelopes, your favorite pens and pencils to the spike-y section . . .
. . . and you're ready to treat yourself! . . . Great gift for college dorms or children's crafts. . . Stocking stuffers, too! I could go on and on.
Jus' sayn, might be time for another.
Are you an early bird?
As a Hummingbird Highway follower, you can get a head start! Click on the button below to get started - only this link will give you access to free shipping.
Happy Stitching! Happy Thanksgiving!
Joan
