Saturday, May 26, 2012

Dye Frenzy 2012 - The Results

I managed to get more of my pieces in the first dye bath this year. I am SO pleased with the results! (I'm wondering how much this has to do with the fact that I used bleached muslin this time...what do you think?)

There were old favorites and a new edition in our color selections this time. We added Jeans Blue to the mix, as well as a combination of Sunflower Yellow and "The Green that No One Likes". You can see that they both turned out brilliantly!

China Blue is seen here (top row, right). I bet you can't guess how many dye baths that one went through...

The answer is THREE!!!

Can you imagine?! Three dye baths (including the first run) and it STILL came out mostly pale. I'm thinking that it will make a nice "sky" fabric.

You can also see an example of layered colors. I can't recall the order (or the method), but the pink/yellow/orange-with-a- hint-of-green-around-the-edges fabric was submersed in multiple dye pots. It feels the most like a "traditional tie-dye" that I have ever done.

Also in the dye pot was a couple of previously-dyed T-shirts that were somewhat less than successful. I haven't managed to get them through the wash and will take photos once that takes place. However, you can see a hint of them in the other photo shown on my Flickr page.

Please consider this activity for your local quilt group. It is SEW much fun!!!  I'm already looking forward to next year!  Perhaps, a gradation series is in order using multiple pieces in one pot with varying times for removal.  Could be interesting...

Friday, May 25, 2012

Patriotic Improv Jacket

Patriotic Improv Jacket by basketcasejoy
Patriotic Improv Jacket, a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.
Look! I just finished sewing the binding on my Patriotic Jacket. I can hardly believe that I got it done in time for Memorial day!  (Please note that the resident photographer was unavailable for the "photo shoot.")

This is another season in my Improv Jacket Series.  It features sample blocks, specifically made in patriotic colors, and random bits of red, white, & blue leftovers from the Quilts Of Valor that I have made over the years, to create this one-of-a-kind quilted garment.  The jacket also serves as a showcase of quilting patterns available to those who receive works made by me.

I tried a couple of new-to-me techniques on this jacket.  I included 3-D piecing taught by NeedleB and used a bit of McTavishing as part of the quilting design.  These techniques were incorporated, along with my tried-and-true "old favorites" like Loops & Swirls, various sizes of meandering stitches, and using words as part of the quilting design.

Happy Memorial Day (weekend)!  Please remember those who have served our country and lost their lives in the process.  I hope your weekend includes a bit of "pieceful" sewing time, as well.  I know I'll be heading up to the studio to get to work on another project.

Enjoy!




Tuesday, May 22, 2012

3rd Annual NT Dye Workshop

This past Saturday was a day that I've looked forward to all year!  It was my quilt bee's annual Dye Workshop. We had THE most beautiful weather and great fun was had by all.

I took a piece of bleached muslin (*washed* just that morning).  This was divided into 6 equal pieces and I applied several different techniques.  A couple of T-shirts that were dyed last year also went into the dye bath.  Less than pleased with the results, I decided to give them another "bath."

Just WAIT til you see the results!!!

(Photos can be found in the following post:  http://thejoyfulquilter.blogspot.com/2012/05/dye-frenzy-2012-results.html)


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Purple & Green Coins

Purple & Green Coins by basketcasejoy
Purple & Green Coins, a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.
Hooray!!! I completed ANOTHER quilt for the. Spring 2012 UFO Club. This is my 2nd finish and I couldn't be more pleased.

It began as a stack of fabric that I wanted to "do something with" and took the shape of a Coin Quilt (a pattern of my "list of quilts to make" for many years) after my good friend, NeedleB, completed a Coin Quilt top in purple and yellow.

I cut the remaining strips (some had been cut earlier) and they sat on a studio shelf for more than a year. Once I began to sew, the "columns" were completed in no time. However, those completed "columns" sat around my studio for many months before inspiration struck again!

Enter a January 2012 Sew Day....

The previously sewn quilt top, minus the borders came with me. But a completed quilt went home with me!

What happened next?

Why, MORE time went by, of course. Even though the quilt top was completed, MORE time passed because I couldn't decide how or WHO should quilt the quilt!

With that question answered, Suzan de Serres of Singing Stiches quilted the quilt. I determined that I wasn't in the mood to wrestle a quilt of this size.  That brought us to March.  The one month turnaround time brought us to April.

Can you guess what happened next???

You're right!!! I couldn't WAIT to have the quilt done, so I started on the binding right away. NOT!!! (But only a short period of time passed before I got the binding made and applied.)

I'm happy to have this 60" X 92" quilt completed. It may even be cool enough tonight to snuggle up with this UFO No More!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Fiesta Cinco de Mayo, Ole'!!!

I am happy to report that I am putting the final stitches on my Alibi Shawl by Threebagsfulled.  Hilary is an amazing designer!  She creates knit patterns that even I can follow.  You can find her on Ravelry.com (and you'll find me there, too.)

Photo to follow...

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Liebster Love Awarded

Last week, I received the following comment here on my blog:


Hi, I was sent the Liebster blog award earlier this week, and I would like to pass it on to you! There are details at my blog at http://beautyinthelonely.blogspot.co.uk/
You make beautiful quilts and as someone who is new to quilting I find your blog an inspiration!

All the best,

Cathy xx


 


Here is an excerpt from Cathy's blog, Beautiy InTheLonely, at http://beautyinthelonely.blogspot.co.uk/:


"Rachel-Lou of MadeWithWhimsy very kindly awarded me a Liebster Blog award.  This is sort of like a blog equivalent of Herman the German Friendship cake.  What you do is:
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.
3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog.
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed (see below.)
5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog."


Thank you for the recognition, Cathy!  I appreciate this honor.


Here are my 5 blog choices, in random order:
1. Monsoon Calamity at http://www.monsooncalamity.blogspot.com/
2. Silly Ewe at http://www.unraveledagain.blogspot.com/
3. Rona at http://genuinelyrona.blogspot.com/
4. Liddy at http://www.liddyscreativeplayground.blogspot.com/
5. Just Jenn at http://quiddity-quilts.blogspot.com/p/ufos.html

Go have a look!

These bloggers are all members of one quilting forum or another over on Ravelry.com, where I hang out a good bit of the time.  Monsoon Calamity has an interesting technique for "binding" quilts, Silly Ewe makes some absolutely incredible quilts, Rona is determined to finish up her UFOs,and  Liddy believes that "she who dies with the MOST projects wins"

Jenn holds a special place in my heart and without her, I might not be here on Blogger right now.  She was my "partner in crime" when the UFO Club began over on the Quilters Knitting group at Ravelry.com.  Her encouragement prompted me to start this blog.  (Plus, I love almost EVERY quilt she makes!)

Until next time...
Happy Quilting!