Week in Review 2017 - 11/17

Proof dye doesn't go bad after six months when stored
in the refrigerator. The dye used was mixed in January 2016. 

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

This was one of those weeks when I felt like a mother of young toddlers, again. In other words, their plans subverted my own. This is more a feeling than reality. The time I hoped to spend in the studio was more appropriately spent on other work. So be it. 

I did manage to do something I've been try to get to for months, make that over a year. In 2016 I committed to focusing on surface design techniques by turning a full bolt of PFD (prepared for dying fabric) Kona cotton into dyed, painted, and stamped fabric. I transformed all but the last yard and a half. On Monday I decided I had procrastinated long enough. I had the fabric, I had the dye stored in my refrigerator, it was time to combine the two. 

I was concerned about what would happen. I had read that dye is only stable for six months in the refrigerator. This dye was well past that. Apparently the six month "sell by date" isn't hard and fast. I was very pleased with the blues I was able to achieve. They will make gorgeous dusk or dawn skies.

I even did a bit more than dying, as you can see:

1) Finishing Forest Flora - working on it

I managed to finish attaching the binding. I still need to make and attach the hanging sleeve.

2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4 - working on it

I made the sleeves, they are pinned in place, and I have started attaching them.

3) Pot(s) made this week - Done.

For years I have referred to a pattern I have on how to make hanging sleeves. I have made 100 sleeves or more, definitely more if you count my split sleeves as two. This week I didn't even bother to pull out the pattern. I've made so many, I know all the adaptations I like to make to achieve a sturdy sleeve, which won't show from the front, can handle numerous rods being shoved in and pulled out, and even looks professional.

4) Free motion quilting practice - Not this week. 

Next week is a short week here in the US, since we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. When I return to the studio after Thanksgiving I will focus on:

1) Finishing Forest Flora

2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4

3) Pot(s) made this week

4) Free motion quilting practice

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2017 - 11/10

Forest Flora

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

Why is it that some of the most obvious, simple things elude me? When the light dawns, I feel shocked I had never thought of them before. So it was this week, when I was attaching my binding to Forest Flora. I must have bound well over 100 quilts by now. I know the trick to get perfect mitered corners and how to join the beginning tail with the ending tail, so you can't tell which seam is the join. I have been making my own continuous bias binding for years. So why, in my quest for the perfect binding method did it never occur to me to iron the bias binding towards the outside from the top of the quilt, the way you iron a facing strip before bringing it around to the back? I don't recall ever seeing this as a tip. It is going to be added to my lexicon of binding musts. It resulted in a wonderfully smooth, tight binding on the front side and allowed for a very even turn to the backside. Yes, this old dog can figure out and teach herself a new trick.

Forest Flora - the backside
Backs are a great way to use one's stash.

It is the delightful surprise of ah ha moments, which has me returning to the studio to create. They may not happen every week. They can't be predicted. Fortunately, they do happen frequently enough to lure me to my studio. 

This week I focused predominately on Forest Flora, but I also spent time on a few of the finishing tasks required for earlier works in progress as you can see:

1) Work on Forest Flora - Done!

I finished quilting Forest Flora. Then it was time to do those final necessary tasks to have it website and exhibition ready. Step 1, was squaring it. Step 2, was making and attaching the bias binding. All that is left are the hanging sleeve and label.

2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4 - Worked on

I prepared sleeves for anything missing a sleeve. The sleeves are pinned to the artwork ready to be hand stitched into place.

Detail of the stitching on Forest Flora

3) Pot(s) made this week - Worked on

Each time I make and attach a bias binding, I refine my skill and this week I even managed to learn something knew. Proof positive of why making pots (doing something over and over again) is vital.

4) Free motion quilting practice - Done!

There was very little free motion quilting left to do on Forest Flora, but what there was, I did.

I am in need of feeling accomplished. Finishing WIPs (works in progress) is a great way to achieve this. So, next week I will focus on:

1) Finishing Forest Flora

2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4

3) Pot(s) made this week

4) Free motion quilting practice

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.

Week in Review 2017 - 11/03

Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:

A recent sample of the knitted knockers made
by our volunteers.

I finished my last post by saying I would be taking a week off. Not even close. That week turned into a month. What whirlwind of a month it was. 

Forest Flora

October is breast cancer awareness month. As co-founder of Knitted Knockers of the Fox Cities, being present to promote and participate in what was happening locally took precedence. I spent Thursdays knitting with other volunteers at the Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology Center in Appleton, WI. Many people dropped by to ask what we were doing, share their stories, and ask how they could help. We loved hearing stories of what a difference getting their first pair of knockers has meant to the women who received them. We had an information table at Making Strides against Breast Cancer. The primary purpose of the walk is fund raising for breast cancer research. The secondary purpose and why we were there is to let those who are being treated for or are survivors of breast cancer, know what services are there for them. Over 2,000 people joined the walk. We were featured in two local magazines, as well. The result is we have added more cancer treatment centers and oncologists to our list of knocker providers in the Fox Cities. 

Detail shot of Forest Flora

When I wasn't busy promoting Knitted Knockers, I turned my attention to Habit for Humanity. I donated 40 of my quilts from one of my first to one made just last year. The staff was welcoming and appreciative of my gift. I received a tour of the facility and an education on the process a family must go through before they can qualify for the program and hopefully, be selected as one of the next home owners. Our local Habit helped 16 families become homeowners in 2017, and I believe they have a similar number selected for 2018. I had the pleasure of attending two of the home dedications and presenting one of my quilts to each of the families. What a privilege to be part of such a special moment in the new homeowners's lives!

Detail showing off the quilting, best
seen from the back side of Forest Flora

It is November and things have settled down a bit. It felt, so, so good to spend time in my studio again working on Forest Flora. Free motion quilting is the perfect antidote for busy times. Hopefully, next week I can get back to moving multiple projects forward in the studio. This is the plan:

1) Work on Forest Flora

2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4

3) Pot(s) made this week

4) Free motion quilting practice

I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.