Catch-Up: My Sewing Space

I love this space because of the natural light.

It's really the bedroom in this apartment but there is

another smaller room that works just fine.

Look carefully at the table, haha.

This space is sort of divided into a sewing area & a painting area.

Lots of closet doors which I use as a bulletin board

& enough room for a "wet" stuff table, too.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop in for a treat!

The Quilters’ Guild of Brooklyn:
Charming Contemporary Quilts Exhibition
Cortelyou Road Library
April 2 - 29, 2011
1305 Cortelyou Road
Brooklyn, New York
Opening Reception
Saturday April 2, 2-4 PM

Gallery Hours: Tuesday 10-6 Wednesday 1-8 Thursday 1-6 Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-5

Catch-Up: First Quilt

I made my first quilt, above, in about 2003 or 2004 (is this the most recent first quilt we've seen on the blog?). I can't imagine why I thought making a quilt was a good idea. At that point I was knitting a lot, and I guess seeing a Gee's Bend quilt was enough to make me take up a new craft.

Why didn't I use solids like the example?? Or at least cooler fabrics? Being broke was no excuse, since the Gee's Bend quilts aren't made with $9/yard fabrics, but I probably didn't know much about the quilts--I only remember seeing the picture and being inspired. I got the fabric at a Rag Shop craft store that was near my apartment. The store had leaks everywhere, and smelled like a place that had leaks everywhere. Hopefully that helps you understand their limited fabric options. I got a bunch of cheap calicos. And for some reason, velvety stuff for the back (no batting, because I had no idea there was such a thing).

I pieced and quilted the whole thing on a strange toy plastic sewing machine--I think my mom gave it to me at some point in college because she new I liked using her actual sewing machine, and she figured that was a suitable stand-in. Usually I believe the tool doesn't matter as much as its operator, but not in the case of tiny toy sewing machines!

This mostly lives in a dark corner of the closet, but it obviously got some cat-claw love at some point.

I went back to knitting for a while after this. I started up again in 2007, but finally began investigating the quilting process a little more, learning things like what batting and binding is. I believe my second quilt ever is the grandmother's flower garden I'm still plugging away on, which was kind of ambitious! I feel like I've come a long way since this quilt, but it's only been a few years. I still have plenty to learn :)

My Sewing Space

I've finally gotten the camera out to share my space. It actually looks larger than it is.... used to be son's room, then took several feet away for an adjoining room and I got what was left. It does have windows on three sides, so it's bright. "Betty Crocker" is my mother, so she's always watching over my projects. No matter how I try to organize, it always looks like a tornado has just passed through. It's also upstairs (where no one [ie. husband] "needs" to go, so it's my real get-away!

H

Catch-Up Week: My First Quilt

Hi all,

I forgot to post the other week for the "My First Quilt" topic.  Here is my first quilt, which I made almost 10 years ago.  At that time, I owned a sewing machine, but I had never tried to make a quilt before.  I decided to give it a try one day and picked up the book, "Quilt in a Day:  Trip Around the World" by the prolific author, Eleanor Burns. 

The book was really easy to follow, and even today I recommend it for absolute beginner quilters.  I made a twin-sized quilt within two weeks, and I still enjoy using it!  Granted, some of the techniques are not my taste anymore (tying the quilt instead of quilting it, using the inside-out method of finishing it instead of binding, etc), but it was a wonderful way to start my quilting career. 

Still warm and fluffy...can't go wrong with that!

Next Meeting,Saturday April 2nd!

Hello Mod Quilters!

Our next meeting is Saturday April 2nd!

Time flies!

 335 W 38th St  

10am - 2pm

Things to remember for this weeks meeting.

1. UGLY FABRIC FAT QUARTER SWAP

Please bring a FAT QUARTER, not YARDAGE of and UGLY fabric

and we will do a paper bag swap.. fun fun!

2. STRIPES BLOCKS

1 block at 10.5" X 10.5"

and 1 block at 5.5" X 10.5"

more info about this block click here.

3. SHOW AND TELL

(Please bring 1-2 things for show and tell do to TIME issues)

4. OUR GROUP SHOW DETAILS

If you plan on submitting a quilt for our group show

please come to this meeting. 

REMINDER:

If you want to participate, in this event I highly suggest making it to the 

APRIL meeting to be a part of the discussion.

If you can NOT attend the APRIL meeting and want to participate,

then you need to email me by April 2nd to tell me you 

will be participating so we can plan for your volunteer time...

(No Volunteer = no quilt in the show)

Please bring your lunch, I will have drinks here as usual.

sodas water tea and coffee.

***If anyone can bring MORE washable plastic cups that can go in 

the dishwasher that we can keep using,  I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

-Victoria

Below are a few pics from the Empire Show.... saw a few of you there! 

John, Susan, Nicole, Helen, Teri, and Andrea

Let's Get Talking: Week 7

All this talking must be tiring us out.. we had 2 weeks to discuss stash but it wasn't that hot a topic, apparently.  Or, maybe we were just busy doing other things (like dusting the snow off our cars..).
So, this week we'll have an open catch-up. 

Feel free to write a post on any of the previous Talking topics:
Week 1-- Process
Week 2-- Your Sewing Space
Week 3-- UFOs
Week 4 -- Your First Quilt
Week 5-- Tools/Notions
Week 6-- Your Stash

And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has posted, shared, and/or commented.  It has been great to get to know more about each of you since the last meeting.
Speaking of~~ see you on Saturday!!!

Red and White Wonderful!

Hi ladies,

I just stopped by the Park Avenue Armory to check out the Folk Art Museum's show of 650 red and white antique quilts.  All I can say is:  Holy $#*t!  (Please excuse the almost-cursing).  But seriously, the show is that good!

I would absolutely drag anyone and everyone to this show, even if they don't care about quilting.  The quilts are stunning, and the design for the hanging space is incredible.  The show is free and runs through March 30th.  If you can't make it, they also have a free iPad and iPhone app that should be available in the next day or so.

If you want to see some photos, check out the ones I found on Flickr (and check out the Flickr stream here).  Enjoy!

Don't Forget: Quilt Shows this Weekend!

Hi all,

Just a reminder that this weekend is a quilt-show extravaganza in New York City! 

1.  The Empire Quilt Guild is having their biennial show on Saturday and Sunday (March 26th and 27th) at FIT, located at 28th Street and Seventh Avenue.  Come check out over 200 quilts made by local guild members!  They are also having lots of vendors, a boutique, a raffle for an incredible quilt and great speakers.  It is a lot of fun and features an amazing array of styles and talent.
2.  The Folk Art Museum is offering free admission to its two locations in Midtown this weekend.  Each location has an amazing display of antique quilts!
3.  The Park Avenue Armory (66th and Park) is holding a giant exhibition of 650 antique red and white quilts!  The quilts all come from a woman's private collection, and a write-up about it was just featured in the Wall Street Journal this weekend.  The exhibit is free and runs from March 25th through 30th. 

Please let me know if anyone is going to be at the Empire Quilt Show on Saturday.  I will be there both days (going with family on Sunday), and I would love to meet up on mid-day Saturday with some fellow Metro Mod members!  Talk to you soon.  :)

Stash Talk

Here is a photo of some of my fabric stash, which I recently cut up for a scrappy quilting bee challenge (I am in the process of assembling the quilt and will post it when it is done).  As you can see, I favor bright, colorful fabrics with a pattern.  I especially like Amy Butler, Michael Miller, Kaffe Fassett, etc.  I barely have any solids or really dark fabrics in my stash, so I probably need to change that.  Time to buy more fabric!

 

Stash Talk

My stash is a hodge podge of stuff.  I have a tendancy to buy fabric for projects, i.e., I see fabric then I get ideas, then I see other fabric and I get more ideas, and then I group those ideas...and then Voila...a project is born.  "Encyclopedia, why do you call it a stash if its for a project?"  Well, I am so glad you asked...smiles.  simply because the project gets forgotten (although it is often sketched out and stuck with the fabric.).  More like, another "project" takes over....and then it is off to the side to become fabric for something else..."MY STASH".  The above fabric is NOW stash, although it was originally intended as a gift...and something else was given instead....

For All of the Knitters Out There....

Hi ladies,

My sister-in-law went to a "Night of Knitting" event last year (she's a big fan of knitting), and she had an amazing time!  City Bakery is known for its incredibly rich hot cocoa and bakery items.  They are hosting a knitting night, which features all-you-can eat dinner and drinks, as well as knitting demonstrations and shops from all over the region.  They had lots of great giveaways and classes last year!

This year, the event will be held on Thursday evening, March 31st at City Bakery (18th Street and 6th Avenue). 

Click Here for more information and tickets.  Just wanted to pass along the great info!

Stash Talk

Blacks and reds take up most of my space. And elegant prints seem to be my most favorite.

I think I need to lighten up, don't you?

Let's Get Talking: Week 6

Sorry for posting the topic late this weekend!  After a full day of sewing yesterday, I had to spend time ironing a few shirts today..

So, let's do a quick recap of our favorite tools-- it seems like the respondents like it HOT and SHARP.  Niiiice.  In case you missed the comments on last week's topic, I am taking suggestions for future talking points.  To keep the suspense, please send any ideas to jessunderquilts (at) yahoo (dot) com.  thanks!

This week, let's talk about FABRIC. 
Please describe your stash.

What's in there?  Lights, darks, brights, bolds?  Are you a batik collector or are you helping a particular designer afford a summer home?   What size cuts do you buy?  Have you traded, scavenged, inherited, or swapped to make your stash larger and/or more diverse?  I can't limit myself to two questions this week folks, I love talking stash!  I want to hear all about it. 
But if I have to give you a focus, a starting point.. go in and examine your stash for a while.  Are there any themes that jump out at you (polka dots, plaids, tiny animal prints)?  Is there anything missing from your stash (no Kaffe?!  no solid black?!)?

Oh, but let's leave "stash organization" for a future conversation, ok?  This week it's not about how you sort and store it, we want to know what's in those piles...

Studio essentials

Something Special

All the basics I have ... scissors, seam ripper, rotary cutter, ruler ...

And then I have this -

Not essential ... but treasured

This is a gift from a member of my first quilting group -

the group where I first learned about quilting (& still belong to) ...

I was taken totally by surprise when it was given.

I still admire & love every little detail &

couldn't imagine sewing without it!

My Must Have

My favorite all time sewing gadget is my Gingher Snips. I bought my first one (black and white cord) about 15 years ago. I can't seem to get rid of it even though the blade has gone dull. There's a lot of history there!

I love the ease of always having a mini scissor around my neck to cut threads, fabric or rip out a seam.

I kept the good one for myself..

Probably 2 years ago, our iron died so I ran out to Target and bought whatever I could find that looked like it might do the job.  it's a pink sunbeam and it leaks like crazy. 

I was being thrifty and just kept using it, for the household ironing and for "hobby" ironing.  We keep our ironing board downstairs next to the laundry closet and that's where I iron C's work shirts (or, where he irons them if I don't get to them in time..), and the sewing room is upstairs.  One day he was rushing to get to work, I was busy taking care of the kid, and when he went to grab the iron, it wasn't in the closet. 

(Of course not, duh!  I had been quilting the night before-- hello!)  He was more than a little annoyed as this was the hundred and third time that he not only had to iron his own shirt but also had to trek up the stairs to get the iron.  In his anger, he shouted "Why don't you just buy a second iron!"

I think subconcously I had been waiting for it to get to this point.. so I did.  I went out to Sears and bought my favorite T-Fal 3-way auto shut-off darling.  And I don't use it to iron shirts..  

Some girls like fancy jewelery, some need a high-tech phone.  I'm easy-- a $40 iron and time to sew, that's really all it takes to keep me happy.

You know I can't sew without you . . . .

I guess it should be I can't "unsew" without you . . .

This is my favorite sewing tool and I use it alot!

Probably every time I sit down at the machine.

I have stopped getting aggravated when I need to use it.

I take a deep breath and rip away.

This seam ripper came with my Bernina sewing machine
and it is about 25 years old.
Amazing I have been able to hang onto it for that long!


The thing I love about it is the way it fits in my hand,
It gives me a alot of control.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Impossible to pick just one favorite notion. My Clover white marking pen is perfect when my pencil doesn't do the job on dark fabrics. A stretchy tether keeps my scissors on me at all times. And my newest treasure is a needle threader, called Escort II. It is made in Japan by Kawaguchi Co. Ltd.

my secret weapon

I'm not a sewing gadget kind of person, but I do have these FROMM scissors 

that I bought 10 years ago to cut my daughters bangs.... What makes them great for sewing?

I've never sharpened them, they are still sharp as all get out... 

Since they are  hair scissors, you can cut with them any which way you pick them up... 

I have even used my left hand with them and they still cut...upside down they cut,

backwards they cut....  both sides of the blades are sharp, unlike a regular scissors 

where one side of each is sharp...  This picture shows them nearly actual size...

threads, fabrics, I keep thee next to my machine.... great for clipping seems, 

fabulous for paper piecing... small scissors, with a BIG bite!

FROMM #955 VANTAGE Sheer

Let's get talking: Week 5

What a week!  so many memories, so much dust!  but the highlight was the Frenchmen. Thanks Janet, you don't need to tell us what really happened, I'm sure we've all let our imaginations fill in the gaps... :)

So we've seen your oldies but goodies, your process, your sewing rooms.  This week let's zoom in and take some close-up shots.  Please show us your favorite tool/notion.

Thimble, needlebook, pincushion, Long Arm.  What can't you quilt without?

And then tell us:

1. Where did you get it and how long have you been using it?
2. What makes it so great?  Why does it work for you?

Pat Sloans Creative Talk Radio!

 

THIS MONDAY!

Guess what I am going to be doing?

Talking with PAT on her radio show!

http://toginet.com/shows/creativetalkradio 

MONDAY 4pm EST.  

Victoria

;-)

PINS AND NEEDLES : help wanted

Hello sewing pals!

Any quilters needing a job? Please call Rachel at Pins and needles...

She is looking for a quilter, who may want to teach and work the shop... Rachel said,

It would be close to 40 hours a week, 9 - 6 most days and 10:30 - 5 on Sat. I am really flexible though so if someone has another commitment we can be creative with the scheduling. I have attached a job description, which is a bit formal, but gives a general idea of what the responsibilities are. We have fun here and I think it is an exciting time to start with Pins & Needles as I am hoping to really build the business.

I have more info I can send you if your interested, 

oremail Raqchel

rachgabriel7@gmail.com

http://www.pinsandneedlesnyc.com/ 

I'm a "late bloomer" when it comes to quilting (1999).... the above are shots of my first hand quilting that I was told was necessary to know before making a quilt. Next came learning to piece (I was fortunate to simultaneously learn to use a rotary cutter). The green lap quilt is my first "real" quilt... hand quilted, of course.... if you look closely, you may notice there's a very faded square area as this quilt sat on the back of my couch for years, carefully folded in same direction after each use... and therefore nicely faded by sun. What did I know about light and its effects on fabric?! The next "real" quilt was bed- size and travelled to college with my daughter, later became the cover over her dog cage and is now at the foot of her guest bed (she's learning.....)

Bicentennial quilt

I made this Sampler quilt during the quilting revival that took place in the 70's. Took a beginning class at the Watermelon Patch and was hooked immediately. We used cardboard templates and did everything by hand. I would like to say that the red, white, and blue have faded, but they were pretty dull from the start. Ah, but the memories of the good times we had are still vivid. I had discovered that the joy of quilting is being with other quilters!