Category: Quilting in Maine

Quilting, mine and others

Turkey Tracks: Alewives Visits Camden Quilters

Turkey Tracks:  February 17, 2011

Alewives Visits Camden Quilters

Rhea Butler and her mother, Barbara Neeson, came from Alewives quilt shop in Damariscotta Mills, (http://www.alewivesfabrics.com) for our February 12th meeting.  Barbara owns Alewives, and Rhea is the resident quilt artist and designer. 

 

 Rhea’s on the left, Barbara is in the middle, and CQ member Barb Melchiskey is on the right. 

 Rhea taught us how to make her copyrighted “La La Log Cabin” block and quilt, which derives from a long history of improvisational quilting—which, for Rhea, includes such quilting as that of the Gee Bend quilters and Denise Schmidt of Bridgeport, CT.  This pattern is meant to be made from your stash fabrics, though you could certainly buy new fabrics as well.  Above, you see a soft blue/green version.

 Rhea loves color and starts her blocks with an overall sense of how she wants the finished quilt to look.  She wanted the big quilt she brought to demonstrate her La La Block to “glow,” and it did.  See?

 

Barb Melchiskey, Sylvia Lundevall, Eleanor Greenwood, and Patty Courtney.

Rhea used neutrals and added bits of red and green.  She tries to put interesting, clever, or meaningful fabrics into the center of her blocks.  She also loves to mix textures and to employ whimsical bits of cloth, such as the little colored dots on the edges of fabric selvages.  And she tears fabric into strips and roughly cuts centers with just sissors, which helps to give her blocks an interesting “off-center,” funky look.  Rhea used three harmonious fabrics in shades of yellow/gold for the backing, layered in from side to side in big swaths.  

 Rhea provided us with a free pattern for her block/quilt, which is typical of her and Barbara’s generosity.  We had a wonderful meeting with her, and I suspect many of our members will produce  La La Cabin quilts.  I know I will as I’m on a mission to use up more of my stash and will definitely make one.

 Rhea also keeps a lively, interesting blog:  http://alewivesgirl.blogspot.com.

Turkey Tracks: Wynken, Blynken, and Nod quilt

Turkey Tracks:  January 31, 2011

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod Quilt

Here’s a very bad picture of the “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” quilt sent to my great nephew Judah Benjamin Gardner about a week ago.  Judah was born a week before our Ailey. 

This picture is fuzzy and, also, distorted a the bottom.  I’m learning that if I don’t hold my little camera level with the center of something, the bottom gets narrowed.  Oh well.  You can still see it’s a very cute quilt. 

 

Here’s a close-up of the center panel:

 

 And here’s a sense of what the back looks like.  I had to piece the back as the quilt turned out larger than I had expected. 

 

Children’s quilt fabrics are really fun these days!

This quilt is meant to be used and used and washed and used.

Turkey Tracks: Liam Whittle’s “Teddy Bear Tales” Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  January 9, 2011

Liam Whittle’s “Teddy Bear Tales” Quilt

 

 I fell in love with this quilt panel when I saw it a few years ago.  Maybe it’s because I’ve always loved Teddy Bears.  It told me it wanted to be sent to Liam Whittle, who is just the right age for teddy bears sleeping on his bed.  I made this quilt to be tough, washed, dragged around, and loved to pieces. 

This is the first quilt I’ve quilted on the long-arm.  It came out pretty well.  I just kept to the basics, but the machine is so much fun to work!

Here’s a detail of the front panel.  I hope Liam and his parents and his sister will make up stories that explain the pictures.

Here’s the backing fabric.  Is it perfect or what?  I really love the childrens’ quilt fabrics available now.

Enjoy, Liam.  Many hugs and kisses and love!  Your Great Aunt Louisa

Turkey Tracks: Red Fish Quilt In Progress and Copyright Laws

Turkey Tracks:  January 9, 2011

Red Fish Quilt In Progress and Copyright Laws

 

Two summers ago, I took two quilting classes from Jo Diggs, at our state-wide Pine Tree Quilting Guild (PTQG) annual show.

Jo Diggs is an amazing quilter and an effective, caring teacher.  She cuts fabric free-hand and hand appliques the shapes to make her designs.  She does landscapes, floral compositions, and underwater fish and vegetation.  She relies on fabrics she can buy.  She does not artistically manipulate (paint, stamp) fabric.  You can an idea of the kind of work she does on her web site:  www.jodiggs.com.  But, there is no substitute for seeing her work in person.  And, she will be teaching at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show in Norfolk, VA, in February.

Before I took Jo’s class on landscapes, I had been doing landscapes.  I can clearly state that I will never be able to be the kind of artist she is.  Her visions are unique and enormously satisfying.  And I did learn more about method from her.  The fish class, though, was formative.  Prior to this class, I had no idea how to go about creating a picture of fish from inside my own head and with fabric available to me.  I did not know how to “think” a fish by combining various shapes in layers.

The small quilt top I started stayed pinned to my design wall for 18 months.  I finally picked it up and started hand-sewing just before going to Charleston for Thanksgiving.  Hmmmm, I thought.  Maybe I can do this work.  Last week, I picked up the top again, in the middle of two other quilting projects and three knitting projects, and quickly became obsessed.  Here’s what it looks like so far:

 I’m getting better at the applique as I go along.  My circles have improved immeasurably already.  The fish will all get eyes via embellishment at the second stage.  The large green fish, for instance, will get a button eye.  And, already, some of the foreground has changed.  It does have more depth when you look at it straight on… 

I haven’t a clue how to quilt it, but will figure it out. 

Meanwhile, if this quilt does turn out to be good enough to think about hanging it at the annual Pine Tree show, I will have to get Jo Digg’s permission since it was developed in a class she taught.  Pine Tree recently sent out new protocols for displaying quilts.  If you developed a quilt in a class, made it from a pattern in a magazine or book, or from a pattern you purchased, you have to get the permission of the designer to display the quilt.  I don’t think you can sell such a quilt without getting the permission of the designer either.  Exceptions involve using traditional blocks.  Amy Butler, who designs patterns and fabric, clearly states that if you buy one of her patterns, you may not sell the item to anyone without her permission. 

I’m all for a designer getting credit for his/her work.  I think having to get permission for using a pattern in a published magazine or a book is a bit silly and defeats the purpose of the said magazine or book.  One must give credit, yes, but getting permission is an overload for everyone.  I think selling products made from a published pattern should be ok, too, provided one gives credit to the designer. 

The big problem I have with how to negotiate this terrain with regard to taking classes is deciding where there is a novel, copywrited product and where there is a method to be learned.  No one else can combine fabric in the way Jo Diggs does.  She is an artist and the work she does comes from inside her head.  She can teach me “fish,” but I’ll never create them or put them into a quilt in the way she does.  I could not if I tried.  What she does is unique.  So, did I learn a method from Jo Diggs.  Or am I forever bound to call her for permission whenever I make an applique quilt using anything remotely resembling her fish method?

I don’t know.

But, I can tell you that I’m not likely to take any more classes if these interpretations prevail.  I already refuse to buy Amy Butler’s patterns or fabrics  and would encourage you not to do so as well until she mitigates her legal stance in writing on her patterns.  And, if my little fish quilt turns out ok and if I can reach Jo Diggs without too much trouble and if she gives permission, I might hang it at PTQG.  But if there is any hitch, I will not.  So it will be interesting to see how many quilts PTQG hangs this year.

Clearly this whole terrain has gone over the edge of sanity.  I will be interested to see how much of an impact it has on teachers, books, and quilt shows.

 

Turkey Tracks: Dianne Hire’s Quilts

Turkey Tracks:  December 16, 2010

Dianne Hire’s Quilts

Dianne Hire came to visit with Coastal Quilters during their December monthly meeting.  She has a new book out, and we wanted to see it and some of her quilts that appear in it.

Dianne Hire is a nationally recognized quilter and teacher.  Her quilts have hung in major shows, like Houston and Kentucky.  Some are in permanent collections, like Houston.  We are so lucky that she lives nearby, in Northport. 

Her new book VIVACIOUS CURVY QUILTS came out in October:

Here’s the quilt from the cover:

Here is a picture of a quilt that uses the curved piecing method Dianne’s book teaches:

Isn’t it wonderful?  So lively.

Here’s a picture of this quilt hanging beside a quilt that has hung in numerous major shows:

Dianne also showed us a work-in-progress quilt that will be a masterpiece, a large quilt that will make a huge statement in the world of quilting.  I hesitate to show the whole top or even parts of it as I’m superstitious and because I’m not sure she’s ready to reveal this work at this stage.  But, hold your breath because it’s an amazing, delightful, intricate, colorful quilt.  And, quite different from her other work.  Dianne says this quilt has been living in her head for about 14 years.

I fell in love with a border she developed in her first book,  QUILTERS’ PLAYTIME:  GAMES WITH FABRICS.   Here’s a picture:  it’s the black and white border to the left of the quilt:

But, my interest was still bubbling at the meeting.  It wasn’t until I went home that I realized I really wanted to learn how to do these kinds of odd borders.  So, I ordered QUILTERS’ PLAYTIME online.  I wish I’d bought it from Dianne! 

GO DIANNE!  Finish that masterpiece!

Turkey Tracks: Rosie’s Gift

Turkey Tracks:  December 15, 2010

Rosie’s Gift

Our monthly quilt meeting was Saturday, December 11th.  We have a potluck and Christmas party during our December meeting. 

I have, for some years now, volunteered to bring the December door prize.  I collect items for the Christmas door prize all year long.   And, people give me items to put into the box over the year as well.

Last February I made my annual trip to Virginia to be with my old quilting friends in Williamsburg.  We’ve been making this trip together for about 15 years now.  We spend a week in a timeshare that Rose Pilkerton organizes.  We catch up, quilt night and day, take turns cooking, and attend the Mid-Atlantic Quilting Show.  The week is full of sharing:   laughter, jokes, movies watched while quilting, and the work of quilting projects.  These friends help you “unsew” if you need to, sew on bindings, and lend you whatever you need.    

Rose Pilkerton gave me this treasure of a notebook holder she had made for the Coastal Quilters’ December door prize:

Here’s the inside:

She also gave me one for myself that used a red fabric featuring old sewing machines.  AND, a key chain made from the same fabric.  I carry them both everywhere, and I think of her everytime I use either of her gifts. 

Rose’s generosity-and Rose herself–are metaphors for what I love in my quilting friends, of what I aspire to be.

The Maine quilter who won the December gift box loved Rose’s contribution.

And I love Rose!

Turkey Tracks: Steve Melchiskey’s Earring Holder

Turkey Tracks:  December 13, 2010

Steve Melchiskey’s Earring Holder

I’m a member of Coastal Quilters, a chapter in the Maine State Pinetree Quilters’ Guild.  CQ is based in Camden, Maine, and it is a lovely group of women.  I treasure knowing each and every one of them.  They are generous to a fault, astonishingly talented, and devoted to this quilting group.  We learn a lot from each other.

Our spouses are no slouches either.  Many of them help us set up our meeting space at the Lion’s Club each month, which involves putting up lots of tables and placing chairs around them.  And, for our annual fundraising auction, one spouse–Steve Melchiskey–made several, very clever, pierced earring holders, using frames and window screen.  I had been searching for something to organize my earrings–especially since I have a new-found passion–making earrings with the help of the staff at Aboca Beads in Damariscotta, Maine, about 40 minutes down the road.

Here’s my terrific earring holder, and my heartfelt thanks to Steve Melchiskey for supporting Coastal Quilters:

 

Look at all those earrings, both VERY old and new!  The top three on the left are made from folding clay by the most amazing artist who displays at Alewives Fabrics in Damariscotta Mills.  How does she make such intricate pictures????  Some readers will recognize earrings they have given to me.  Some of the earrings I remade from old, outdated earrings, giving them new life.  One of the amber-like ones on the lower left got dropped and cracked.  John glued it for me, and I love it still. 

Turkey Tracks: Big Beautiful Bug, New Granddaughter Quilt

Turkey Tracks:  December 13, 2010

Big Beautiful Bug, New Granddaughter Quilt

Before leaving for Charleston for Thanksgiving, I wanted to complete our new granddaughter’s “welcome to this world” quilt.  She was due the first week of December–maybe even while we were in Charleston.  We were due to return December 6th.

Corinne found what would be the backing fabric when she was here this summer, and we both loved it.  There was a limited amount, however, and all the internet fabric searches in the world did not turn up more of it.   For some odd reason, I never did get a picture of the back of the quilt–and the fabric before I cut some of it up for the front.  Here is a BIG picture of part of the front, and you can see the fussy-cut featured bug fabric, combined with lively, bright prints.

Here is border detail:

And, here is the finished quilt:

This is a pattern I clearly love.  I’ve used it three times now.  One for my great-niece Fiona Whittle, and once for my daughter-in-law, Tamara Kelly Enright.  Each quilt is uniquely different.

Turkey Tracks: New-Baby-Coming Projects

Turkey Tracks:   November 8, 2010

New-Baby-Coming Projects

 

We have a new granddaughter coming in early December.   We might even be in Charleston, SC, when she arrives.    

Anyway, when her mother Corinne and my son Bryan were here in the summer, Corinne and I took a day and picked out fabrics for some special projects.

We picked out fabrics for two soft blankets:

 

These blankets are flannel on one side and a cotton fabric on the other.  Corinne loved all the bright, lively children’s prints on the market now and chose these two.  These blankets wash and wear beautifully and get used in countless ways.  I gave our other daughter-in-law two for each new child (for a total of 8!), and Tami put them under a baby’s head in a crib to catch spit-up (saving washing the whole sheet), on the changing table, on the floor, over a sleeping baby, and so forth. 

I buy 1 1/4 yards of each fabric, rip the selvages and edges to get straight grains, lay the two layers together right sides together, and trim where needed (the flannel piece is often larger), and sew around the edges (1/2-inch seam) leaving a turning space.  I trim down the corners and push them out.  Then, turn the fabrics right side out, iron, sew down the edges, and fold them prettily to show both layers. 

Corinne also picked out an Amy Butler pattern for a diaper bag and fabrics to make it.  Here’s what the finished product looks like.  There are big pockets on both sides and lots of pockets inside, which I divided on one side for bottles: 

Here is an end view of the handle detail:

And, one of the interior:

And, Corinne picked out an adorable bug fabric for the baby’s quilt backing.   She left the rest to me, and here I am, beginning work on the quilt for my new granddaughter:

And here’s a hint of what’s going on:

Turkey Tracks: Long-arm Sewing Machine, “Lucy”

Turkey Tracks:  November 8, 2010

Long-Armed Sewing Machine, “Lucy”

 

I’ve wanted a long-arm sewing machine for a long time, as I said in an earlier post.  But I was not sure what kind to get, who would service it, how to set it up, what kind of table would be sturdy, and could I really learn to be as good on it as Joan Herrick is.  (Joan is a fellow member of Coastal Quilters, a chapter in the Maine state quilters’ guild, Pine Tree Quilting Guild.)  Joan is an amazing long-arm quilter.  When I got some money from my mother’s estate, I took the plunge.  John named the daunting looking machine “Lucy” after we set her up.  Mother would be pleased as she had a secret desire to quilt but never took the plunge.

I got a Handi Quilter Avante, and it came to me from Utah.  I’ve tried all the machines in this class–made for the home hobbiest–and kept returning to it.  It has an 18-inch throat, which means I have an 18-inch strip to quilt before I have to roll up the quilt top.  For those of you who don’t know, a long-arm sewing machine slides back and forth on tracks, so you quilt from side to side on the quilt.  You roll the top, batting, and backing onto rollers, so you don’t have to pin all the layers together.  And, long-arms today have stitch regulators that keep stitches even across the quilt.  Even my first halting practice session made my work look beautiful.  But, there is a learning curve.  Free-motion stitching on a domestic machine involves using small muscles.  The long-arm requires you to learn to harness big muscle movements down to fine work.  There are, also, extra handles that can be installed for close, fine work.  With those, you sit on a stool.  For everything else, you stand and have at it. 

Also, you can operate the machine from the front or the back.  The back handles are used when you want to use a pattern you trace with a laser beam or grooved boards that a stylus fits into to trace a pattern.  I got two of these board patterns which I’ve never been able to manage on a domestic machine:   Bishop’s Fan and a Clamshell patterns.  And I came home with a few laser-traced patterns, but I was terrible at those when Gerri showed me how to do them.  More practice there for sure!  And, I’m partial to my own designs anyway. 

John and I spent a very fun day putting together the elaborate and sturdy table Lucy inhabits–a real learning experience for me.  We were able to get 8 feet of the possible 12 feet table set up, so I can handle quilts up to about 83 inches wide.  That’s a pretty big quilt.  But, it turns out Lucy has had TWO bad computer boards and does not work, so she is in Sanford (3 hours south) getting new innards.  I went down to Sanford for training for 2 days (a fabulous experience–thank you Gerri Waitte) and made another trip back to take Lucy to be fixed when it became clear that there was another bad board involved.  (I didn’t want to ship Lucy down to Sanford.)  Karen Johnson, or KJ, who just got her learner’s license, drove most of the second trip which was great practice for her, especially as it was pouring rain .  Sanford Sewing Machine has been terrific about getting Lucy fixed.  Tim Sansevieri even made a trip up to change out the first board, but it also was bad, as we discovered when he had been gone about an hour.  All of this board business is just a bit of frustrating bad luck and a fluke for both Handi-Quilter and Sanford Sewing Machines, and Lucy will be off and running shortly.  Likely we will pick her up when we fly back home from Charleston in early December.   

Here’s a picture of Tim and Lucy in my quilt room: