Clik here to view.
I Can't Word
A little drawstring bag for Henry and a doll quilt for Eloise, my sister's grandchildrenA Tudor Tote for my travel agent client from a t-shirtThe reverse of the above tote, plus a pillow for her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Midwinter
I love this deep midwinter season - short, bright days and long, cold nights. Hand quilting is so perfect for this time of the year.I love make little gift bags and zippered pouches, and I'm so...
View ArticleClik here to view.
...everything before us...
It's a luxury to have current commissions well in hand so that I can focus on projects I've been wanting to do. Blogging is a great tool for focus and organization. Quilty Melissa bought some...
View ArticleClik here to view.
In Praise of the NFL
I know what you're thinking: "But she doesn't even like football!" Which is so true. But what I do love is the extended guilt-free sewing time knowing that John is fully engaged in multiple games...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Perfect Quilting Weather
It's been below freezing with snow and ice and wind chills. It's January in Chicago. We work hard to walk, even if it's not outside - the hospital, shopping centers, driving to town (which is 0.5...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Caterpillars, T-Shirts, and Purses
My sister (yes, the sister who made me pick my funeral song when I was so sick two and a half years ago), has small grandchildren who love the Hungry Caterpillar. So Paula bought fabric and gave it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Winter Vacation: Out with the Caterpillars, In with the Chrises
I love being "forced" to stay home. Like when I was teaching and we had snow days. I see no reason, now that I am retired, to give up snow days. So I take them happily. The Chicago Public Schools...
View ArticleClik here to view.
All My Bags are Packed
Baby Trip Around the World - 48" x 60" Well, at least the quilts are packed. I'll carry the big one on the plane, and John is packing the baby quilt in his luggage. I have enjoyed my month of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Scrappy WIP, A UFO, A Commision, and a New Machine!
I started these cross-ish blocks 6 years ago and am finally figuring out what to do with them. Looking at this picture, it doesn't look like much, does it? But look at the next picture - there's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Design Wall Epiphany
My quilty friends are the best. Holly, with help from Sarah S and Melissa, took my money to QuiltCon 2018 and shopped for me. Holly knows what I like before I even know what I like. Look at that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Apologies to Sting and the Police...
Every seam I makeEvery stitch I takeEvery quilt I makeI'll be pressing you.(next verse courtesy of Sarah Shulman)Oh can’t you seeYou belong to me My poor hands ache With every quilt I make!(repeat chorus)
View ArticleClik here to view.
Look Who is Home!
Erich at the Sewing Room in Lombard has fixed my mom's Featherweight, the machine that was her wedding present in 1948. The machine I learned to sew on. The machine I took to college with me. I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Quilt Finish: Perfect Storm
A quilt starts with inspiration. And I had only the best - Rossie's Double Plus Good. It's the quilt that hooked me into the modern movement years ago. At a Chicago MQO retreat in 2012, sitting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Spring and Summer Plans: Quilts
There are so many fabrics I want to work with and turn into quilts. I do think - more than anything - the fabrics determine the design of the quilt. Like so many quilters, I have a constant love...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wanted: Quilting Mojo
In the 34 years I taught for the Chicago Public Schools, my biggest issue was always changing gears: from summer days to back-to-school falls, from Christmas vacation to those dark cold days of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Well, no wonder I couldn't find my mojo...
When I don't want to sew, I know something is wrong. Feeling jet-lagged and fatigued two weeks after our trip was my indicator. My doctor sent me to the ER, and the ER doc discovered my hemoglobin was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Merrily I Sew Along...
*medical update at the end of this post Here's the front, back, and sides of a Sloan travel bag for my friend Jenny. If this fabric turns out to be too bright for her, I will happily carry this bag....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sloan Travel Bag - complete!
There's a zippered pocket on the front of the bag.Each outer side has a pocket.The bag zips shut.Inside there are 2 zippered pockets and 2 side pockets. This Sloan Travel Bag is not an easy pattern....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Perfect Quilting Weather
I know what you're thinking: "Hey, didn't she use that same title for a blog post in the deep midwinter?" Why, yes. Yes, I did. What I love about quilting is that it is an all-weather sport....
View ArticleClik here to view.
An End Date
These two Tudors are complete. I am going to hang onto the multi-colored one for a while. The other is for my Quilty Melissa. I love the size of these bags. In both, in addition to simple inner...
View Article