New Toy

Since I read that Lori got a new toy at an auction for cheap, i.e. a Singer 301, I thought I would let you all see my new toy.  I picked this machine up on FreeCycle, which is an e-mail list people post unwanted items and you can ask to pick it up. 

Its a Singer 185K, in green and cream.  Sews like a charm.  Very quiet, and is a straight stitch only machine.  These machines were made from 1958 to about 1962.  This machine was designed replace the 3/4 size Singer 99.  Brand new this machine could be had for $119.50, or you could pay $12.00 down and $1.25 a week..  Today, that $119.50 is the same as paying $950.00 and $12.00 down would be equal to $95.00, and the $1.25 a week, would be same as paying $10.00 a week.  So you were really paying for a quality machine that was made to last.

Postage Stamp Step 1:

Now that the book club has started, I can post step one.  Which is to sew each of your print squares with a neutral pair.  You should have 600 pairs.

We have also read to page 47 in the book.  Leave a comment on what you think is good about the novel and any questions about the quilt.

New Book Club Selection

Its almost time for the next book in our book club! This session we will be featuring the book, No Time On My Hands by Grace McCance Snyder.

Grace McCance Snyder's autobiography, No Time on My Hands, written with her daughter, Nellie Snyder Yost, is the account of her pioneer life from 1885--when Grace is three years old and her family moves to Nebraska from settled Missouri--until 1962, a full 20 years before Grace Snyder died at the age of 100. Compared to other books of life on the prairie and other fictional and non-fictional accounts of pioneering women, No Time on My Handsmakes these accounts even more vivid and awe-inspiring because of the great detail that Grace shares about the work that she and her mother and sisters did at their sod homestead on the plains of Nebraska.

During this session we will be making a postage stamp style quilt, though in much bigger pieces than what Grace used.

Supply List

1. Sewing Machine in good working order; please make sure you know how to use your machine. A quarter inch foot or seam guide is also helpful in making this quilt.

2. Neutral cotton thread

3. Pins

4. Scissors

5. Rotary cutter, small matt, and ruler

6. Fabric: To make this quilt from scraps, you will need a total of 1,200 two inch finished size squares the cut measurement is 2.5 inches. Other options include two Jelly Rolls, fabric yardage, or 600 scrap squares and 600 neutral squares to make a checkerboard type design. The exact yardage is as follows: You will need a total of 7 yards for your quilt top. This needs to be a mixture of textures, small prints, large scale prints, solids, neutrals. This will bring movement to your quilt top. If you choose to make a smaller or larger quilt top, you will need to adjust accordingly on your own.

7. Three strips of muslin each 1.5 inches by 3 inches. This will be used to test seam allowances, it’s very important when working with smaller pieces that you know what your seam allowance is.

Special Notes:

You need to be familiar with the quilting process and know how to use a rotary cutter safely.



I think its Spring....

when Magnolia's are in bloom......

Monday Progress on Monday

Rail Fence made from strings on a foundation, not the smaller size, regular size blocks.  I like the basket weave effect.  This is now a completed top made from 48 blocks. 

Monday Progress a Day Late

Here is a string quilt, made from 48 blocks.  The center string is a chambray in a rosey color.  I think it looks pretty good! 

Postage Stamp Quilt Picture

Some asked for a picture of the type of fabrics that are being used.  Here is a close snapshot. 

Postage Stamp Quilt....and Some Help

Hello everyone!  I have been working on a postage stamp quilt, and I I have it three quarters complete.  It is made from vintage 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's fabric.  I love it, a print piece alternated with a white piece.  Here is my problem.  I want every piece different.  So I need 200 more 2 1/2 inch cut squares.  Is there anyone out there would trade me those for 6 Civil War Reproduction fat quarters.  I am looking for fabric that is either reproduction or reads as if its from the above era's.  Even those early 70's calicoes would work.  Leave me a comment if you can help and I will e-mail you and we can get in touch!

Thanks so much!

Nine Patch quilt

Here is also a photograph of the finished nine patch quilt.  It to is all hand quilted and was finished in early October. 

Star Quilt

I got this quilt finished before Thanksgiving, but never took a full picture of it.  Thanks to a friend, its photographed and done.  I love the visual impact of the hand quilted Baptist Fans.  Its all hand pieced from vintage 60's fabrics.

V is for Victory

I really, really like this quilt.  I have always liked embroidered quilts, but I wish I could find a pattern for one of the embroideries, so I could make my own Victory Quilt.  If anyone knows where to find this let me know!

Finale Part

Part 4

Part 3

Part 2

Some More Grace Snyder Stuff

The next book club that I am leading is No Time On My Hands by Grace McCance Snyder as told to Nellie Snyder Yost.  While doing some research I stumbled across this series of videos on YouTube.  Enjoy.  I will post the next video tomorrow.

For those of you who attended the first Nebraska Sew-in her quilts were on display at the Quilt Study Center.