Did you know?

I mentioned some last week about feeling a connection between the Pioneer women and myself - through the knowledge of quilting.

The history of quilting is fascinating to me. Perhaps I find it most interesting because I feel a part of it.

Did you know that ...

... quilting can be traced back as far as Ancient Egypt?

... quilts played a role in helping the Abolitionist raise money to further their cause?

... African Americans, Native Americans, Hawaiians, the Amish, Mexican Americans and the Chinese Hmong all have their own distinct quilting traditions?

Here's a great site that has tons of history - Womenfolk: The Art of Quilting

There's Nothing Like a Good Education

I've mentioned already how amazed I am that when I sat down at the sewing machine, it all came back to me - like I didn't even have to think about it.

Well, that is sort of true. What really happened is that I sat down at the sewing machine and as I started to sew, I heard the voice of Cheryl, my first quilting instructor, telling me how important the 1/4" seam was, and how to check to make sure your needle was still positioned properly.

I heard her telling me to think ahead to which direction the seams would be pressed, so that when you put your pieces or rows together, the seams would nest together.

I hear her voice every time I cut the fabric - one smooth motion with the right hand, culminating - always - in sliding the blade closed.

When I had to reload the bobbin, I heard Cathy, who taught me how to use my machine, telling me to hold the thread and bobbin so it looked like a number six before sliding it into place. Works smoothly every time.

As much as I am an advocate of learning how to do things on one's own - of trial and error - in the end, nothing can beat an education.

I was lucky enough to live near an awesome quilt shop - The Quilter's Attic in Pine Bush, New York. I took a lot of classes there - and it's the tips and tricks of my instructors that I hear when I sit down to quilt.

I learned how to quilt from those women - and then I moved to Texas. I can't find a quilt store that compares. There are some lovely ones in the area - but none of them have everything I'm looking for - either they don't sell the thread I like or the classes don't interest me - or I don't like their fabric selections.

What I've thought about over the last several weeks is that I, unknowingly at the time, was taking part in an old and familiar rite of passage - being taught how to quilt by the more experienced women, before heading west and going it alone. I know - sort of a leap. But at the same time, sort of empowering. There's a deep history - a long chain of women who learned how to quilt out of necessity. Pioneer girls would work on sampler quilts before they were married - not just to decorate their new home, but to carry the knowledge of how to sew each of the blocks with them. It was their virtual instruction manual. They pieced quilts, not just because they enjoyed the design - but because there was no money for an expensive long length of fabric. They saved every scrap they could lay their hands on, in order to make blankets for their homes.

And I've become another woman in that chain, and hopefully some day I will pass it on to someone else.

In the meantime, let me pass this on: if you are anywhere near the Hudson Valley in New York - check out Quilter's Attic. They have great classes, fantastic fabrics, and all sorts of other goodies. Seriously -- go!

February's Project - Star Chenille Quilt

This project was a class I took based upon a pattern for a raw edge or rag quilt by Back Door Quilts.

It is the quintessential cozy lap quilt, made with homespun flannels (softer than regular flannel, usually in more primitive, "homey" colors and prints). A rag quilt is one that is sewn with the raw edges/seam allowances exposed, which is then cut to form a soft fringe. The combination of the soft flannel and the fringe gives it the "chenille" name. It is EASY to put together. Super, super easy. If you are looking to try your hand at quilting, this is an excellent project with which to start. (Although it's really unlike actual quilting and piecing, so maybe I'm wrong on that one.) Your quilting is done as you go, so once the rectangular blocks are sewn together, and you've cut the fringe and washed it - you're done!

Construction is this easy: Fabric is cut into rectangles, two of the same for each square. At the same time, you cut your quilt batting into rectangles. Layer the fabric and batting so that you have a sandwich with the right side of each fabric facing out, and pin together. Quilt your square (the pattern calls for a primitive star, I used a simple "X"). Lay out the quilted blocks in the pattern you want, then sew them together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Instead of opening and pressing the seam, you keep it together and have it all exposed on the front of the quilt. Once your blocks are all together - cut the seams to make a "fringe." Wash and dry a few times and you have a finished quilt. (Warning: can wreak havoc on washer/dryer, so if you aren't confident in yours - laundromat?)

I'll admit, I chose this one first because I thought I'd be able to finish it quickly. I was totally throwing myself a softball.

Then I started ... and remembered why I stopped. The blister on my right ring finger.

The sewing on this one is complete. To finish it - I just have to cut the fringe and wash/dry it a couple of times. In order to avoid more blisters, I could buy a bigger and better pair of scissors. Or I can do what I have been doing and just do a little at a time. I'm finding it's good to do it while I'm watching tv. Believe me, it's enough to get its own month devoted to it.

In the end, though - I will have a completed quilt. Woohoo!

January Project - The Christmas Quilt - Complete*!

*If we call the completed top for the Christmas quilt a "completed project."
(You can click on the picture for more detail.)

The truth is: to finish this quilt, I'll need batting and a backing fabric - and I just don't have it in the budget right now to buy either. So I'm calling it done, and giving myself a pass on the technicality.

But I think I was successful - I was able to complete the quilt top. I remembered what I was doing. I discovered that everything I'd learned about piecing a quilt top, well, it's not so much that I remembered it as I realized it's just all still in there. It was like my fingers moved to do things before I could think about the next step. What I did remember was the satisfaction in looking at all of those little pieces of fabric, pulled together to make something beautiful. (Well, I consider it beautiful).

I mentioned, when I introduced the project, that I had chosen a fabric for the lattice (the longer strips surrounding each block) that was proving difficult to cut. My solution? I finally just chose another fabric. Such an obvious solution that it eluded me for 4 1/2 years.

In the end, an enthusiastic thumbs up on this quilt pattern, too. Thimbleberries is always good, and the directions on this quilt are no exception. It went together quickly and rather simply. And it did accomplish what I wanted for this fabric - the overall affect is 100% "Hi! I'm a Christmas Quilt!" The fabric I fell in love with is highlighted, but blended. And I've got my whimsical little Eiffel Towers on display.

As this project *technically* isn't "finished" - you'll be seeing it again. This looks like a project I'll be able to machine quilt myself (I'm not so good at the machine quilting - but this has a lot of straight lines to follow). And I'll add a table runner for the table underneath where the quilt will hang. Or maybe a Christmas tree skirt for the tree I keep imagining I'll put in the foyer and decorate differently than the tree in the living room. I don't know ... it's February already - I guess I have to stop thinking about Christmas for awhile.

On to February's project!