The end is near ..... Yay!!

The end is in sight for the necktie quilt from h**l. I did an all over feather quilting, so right now I'm just having to fill in some areas that were just a bit too big to leave open. I'm a bit concerned about the corners because the fans of ties on the corners make them quite stiff. I think it will take a while for them to drape nicely on a bed. (She may need to put the whole thing in a steam room for a week, or two, or three...)
I phoned the client yesterday and made an appointment to deliver it on Friday. Now I have a deadline. So, what did I do today?. Spent 4 hours making matching pillow shams. Bang head on wall here.
Now I'm just hoping I have enough of the fabric I want to use for binding.
I also had to make a quick trip to the Janome service store - to replace the thumb screw that holds the pressor foot on. Silly me - just because it has a slot for a screwdriver, doesn't mean you're supposed to use a screwdriver to tighten it (so the clerk said.) Well, I don't like wobbly feet, and if I finger tighten it, it domes loose, so I AM going to continue to use my trusty stubby screwdriver. I just won't reef on it quite so hard :)

Not enjoying this project !!

I've been working on a quilt made of neckties. I took on this project because it seemed interesting, and I'd never made one before, and let's face it, I'd be paid for making it.
Well,
Will I ever take on a necktie quilt again? Not on your life.
Just two words = silk, bias.
The silk ties are all different textures and thicknesses, and I had to take them all apart to take out the interfacing inside.
And - all ties are cut on the bias !! What was I thinking?
I have the top all assembled, and this afternoon I sandwiched it. Did I mention the client wants the backing to be flannel? This quilt weighs a TON.
I couldn't wait to get stitching on it, so I started stitching the straight line sitiching between each tie, which makes a wedge on the center medallion.
One seam started to buckle, so I unstitched it. When I saw the back ---- URGH!!!!
There were several huge folds in the flannel backing. How they got there I don't know - I did stretch the backing before sandwiching = honest!
So, I spent twice as much time unstitching, as I did stitching today.
I am so not in love with this project. I am seriously looking forward to it being done.
I'm going to need some fabric therapy, maybe even a stash-enhancing-exercise trip!

Happy New Year ! Let the sewing begin!

Yay! Snow!

Before you shoot me, let me explain. I used to ski, a lot, before the arthritis put an end to it. When you're a skier, your whole attitude about snow and winter is different than the general population. A skier is trying on their gear in October in preparation for the season. So, this skier may be off the hill, but the attitude is still in my heart.
With that said, "Yes! Finally there is snow!" To top it off, the weather is cold enough for the snow to actually stay on the ground.
However, the weather people are predicting +7 degrees C in two days. Sigh.

Have you signed up for the Free Motion Challenge? It starts Jan 1

Well, have you?
This will be a year long challenge that will guide you through boosting your FMQ skills. And there's prizes too.
What have you got to loose?
Hit the button to the left on this blog, and then make sure to "Like" SewCal gal on Facebook to get daily updates and chat with other quilters.
It all starts January 1, 2012, so fire up your sewing machines, get the quilt sandwiches ready and let's quilt!

Ah, Christmas !

I love it. When there are little ones around, it only gets better. I have 3 great nieces, age 7, 5, and 2, and a great nephew aged 3. They were a hoot. The girls' gift was the box of doll clothes, and they dove in with squeals and wide eyes. The youngest kept pulling things out one by one like she was tossing fat quarters out of a stash basket! lol.
The little guy got a battery operated car that lights up and makes noise. What better gift for a 3 year old boy!
The family gathered around, we noshed all afternoon, and had a great time.
It helps when you have a family that can laugh, cry, and talk together forever!
I am blessed.
Merry Christmas.

Selling my Featherweight

I have to do it. She's pretty, and she sews beautifully, but she needs a home where she'll be used and maintained, not stuck in a closet.
She is a 1947 Singer 221 "Featherweight" She's in remarkable condition, and comes with the original case and all the trinkets. The case is in "good" condition, but the bottom edge has been reinforced with a duct tape that blends in colour.
If you know of anyone, or a Santa, that is interested in giving this girl a new home, please email at tjzoriginalz@hotmail.ca I'll consider any offer over $300 Can, plus shipping.

A new project

A little while ago, I met a woman who asked me to make a quilt of her late husband's neck ties. Although I had heard of them, I had never made one. I was grateful then, that she had a photograph of what she had in mind. So home I came with four hangers full of ties, and a plan.
It took me a while to get started on this quilt, I did a lot of planning in my head , while I finished up some projects on my schedule. I spent some time taking the ties apart and removing the center interfacing.
So, now I've started. I made a paper template for the center medallion. After pinning the ties in place (half the circle at a time) I used a ladder stitch (#108 on my Horizon) to join the ties together. Some of this was a bit tricky as the silk ties tend to slip and twist because they're all cut on the bias.
I'm not going to post photos until the quilt is done and given to its recipient, but I will describe how it's going.
The background fabric will be the same satin that I used for the church banners, even the same colour.
The backing will be a beautiful forest green flannel.
Check in once in a while for an update. I'll be glad to "see" you.

Packing up Santa's Workshop

I finished up the lot of doll clothes that I've been sewing lately. The box is full, so I'm done. Here's a few pics of the last creations - some dresses, some hoodies, and some pant and vest sets.

Hoodies, and lacy blouses
Dresses of many colours
Summer jammies, and doll quilts
Vest and pants sets - retro to the '70's
Vest over lacy blouse, and another hoodie for the small bear
Sundress, shortie overall, denim vest set and dolly diapers!

Now I have to get down to some serious quilting. I miss it!

The second FNSI for December is this Friday, however, it coincides with my son's school Christmas concert so I'll be there instead of sewing. This year, his grade is in Junior Band. He'll be doing his first school concert as a drummer. He was wondering aloud tonight if he'll be able to use the big drumset that's in the church, or whether he'll have to just use the snare drum from school. I was amazed when he said he'd prefer to use the big drumset! Usually he's so shy about any kind of public performance. Could it be ?? that he's getting over that? (fingers crossed)

Doll clothes production still in progress...

The factory is still in production. Since I posted last, the collection of doll clothes has grown. The box now has 3 more dresses, 2 skirts, 3 doll quilts, 3 camisoles, and 9 dolly diapers. The diapers were a request, I guess the girls at my niece's house are really "into" changing diapers. Ha ! Just wait 'til they get older!!
So, anyway, the box is filling up. I plan to keep all the clothes in one box, wrap it up and let the 3 girls dive in. Should be fun to watch!