Doll Blankets – “Quilts with Good Intentions”
By Carol Meyer (Sara’s Mom)
This post was inspired by Cleo’s call for Doll Quilts. We are doing two things with the donated doll quilts. First, selling them for $15 each with 100% of the proceeds going to help purchase items for the Charity Gift Bags such as much needed deodorant. All quilts not sold will be donated to Toys for Tots to be given out with each new doll.
Want to participate? Continue reading…
The doll quilts pictures are currently on display at Heirloom Creations and are priced at $15. Click here to see more quilts for sale…
As quilters, most of us know a thing or two about “pack-ratting” or hoarding, and we’re familiar with the jokes about whoever dies with the most fabric…or any other favorite collectible. But collecting is something we do; quilters do it with fabric and we have many ways, rationales, and justifications for needing that next piece.
We promise ourselves that we will use this new piece of fabric in our next quilt as soon as we get home from the store, that is, until the next trip when we see the next piece of fabric that catches our fancy. There are a lot of ways to end up with amazing collections of fabrics, from half finished quilts from classes, to those packs of fat quarters in different color ways. How about two hundred two-inch squares, all different that were nicely pre-cut? Then there is all that fabric left over from the ones you DID finish…thank God you did not run short!
I know that most of us have quilts that started with good intensions. You have all the fabrics, it may be cut, and it might have a few blocks put together. For whatever reason, it got set aside and it’s been years sitting and waiting for your original inspiration to return.
I have been through all the above and then some, but I recently found a new inspiration with Cleo’s doll quilts for charity. These quilts are anywhere from 18″ – 26” square. They do not have to have batting and they do not even have to be quilted if you wish. What I found is the answer of what to do with the many the odds and ends of fabric that have been sitting in my stash that I just could not throw away so I kept it, some for 10 or 15 years, or more.
These quilts are easy in that they are not too big. First I pulled out all the quilt pieces that started with good intentions but never got very far. They were easy to put together I have a number of small tops from classes that never got finished because I did not have a plan for it. I am having quite a time going through all my scraps to see what I might put together. If I find one fabric that I know I bought just because….but with no planned purpose, especially if it is only a half a yard, then adding another fabric or two can easily turn it into a doll quilt. Starting with a focus fabric can use up a lot of other scraps.
The blocks themselves do not have to be exotic. Squares are the easiest and make wonderful doll quilts, whether they are two inch, three inch, or any size that the fabric you have may indicate. Left over strips from other quilts can be quite handy. One doll quilt was going to be a blouse but I decided later the colors were not right for me but perfect for a doll quilt.
Another benefit is that I have gone through my fabric collection with a new set of eyes and am weeding out all that fabric that I just could not throw away. I have reconsolidated and regrouped all the various colors, and have pulled out all those odds and ends that were just lost in there somewhere…and in the process found more potential doll quilts. Now I have two boxes of groups of coordinated scraps and pieces that I can draw from for the next doll quilt…as soon as I finish the one I am working on today!
Want to donate a few doll blankets? Please call the store with any questions you might have and then drop them off at any time at Heirloom Creations. Thank you to everyone who has already helped out with this great to use up scraps!
Block of the Month 2010 – 2011
Join us for a nine month school year of quilting! Starting September 2010, Heirloom Creations officially launches our “6 Halves Make a Whole Starburst” quilt. Designed by Susan Knapp and Mary Jane Mattingly of The Quilt Branch, we have been given permission to offer this quilt as our Block of the Month. Finished size is 64” x 80”.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ A GREAT TIP FROM EDNA…
If you look close, you will notice that the Starburst quilt in NOT on point. It just appears to be without all the work of sewing bias cut side-setting triangles.
The term “6 Halves Make a Whole” refers to fabric yardage. For this quilt, select three half yard cuts in one color family and three half yard cuts in a second color family totaling 6 half yard cuts. Select two background colors and borders. There is even a pattern for a table topper from the pieces left from the setting blocks that is included. Come in and we will gladly help you with your desired color palette.
The only guidelines are as follows:
- You get to select your own colors! No two quilts will be alike.
- All patterns are free with fabric purchase.
- Start at anytime throughout the year.
- Pick up each months’ blocks at your leisure. No dates or deadlines (whew)!
- In May, you will receive your official book with all the patterns and finishing instructions.
At Quilts & Vines 2011 – Saturday, August 13, 2011 – We will have a special section to hang all the Starburst Block of the Month quilts.
Do you live out of town or out of state? The Starburst books are available for purchase for $12 plus shipping.
If you live out of town and would like to participate in the block of the month, come in and select your fabric and bring us seven self addressed stamped envelopes. On the first of each month, we will mail out the monthly pattern. Please plan to come in to pick up the book in May.
Tip from Edna:
I took these pictures while Edna was sewing our Starburst quilt together. She prefers to not have LOOONNNNGGG rows of sewing during block assembly. She breaks up the quilt into sections and then quickly sews only one final LONG seam at the end!
Kate Snuggerud – 16 Months Old
Kate Update: 16 months old, 23 pounds, getting taller on the toddler charts (she might have a little “Snuggerud” height in her), loves grapes, playing outside and anything involving water.
In the Event of an Emergency…
In lieu of the recent flooding in Sioux Falls, SD, I thought it would be a good idea to repost this tip…
Is your sewing machine and fabric stash replaceable if something were to happen to your home? No one plans on having their life turned upside down by a flood, tornado, fire or theft, but it can happen in a blink of an eye.
Let us focus on the valuables in our sewing rooms. Could you describe your sewing room’s contents after emotionally surviving a traumatizing event? Most of us probably could not recall everything.
I contacted our local insurance provider to ask how one would go about getting replacement value of a “Fabric Stash”. And now with some sewing machines valuing $10,000 – $12,000, are these items covered under a basic home owners policy or should there be an additional policy?
Do take time to check with your insurance agent to confirm the type of policy you own and how they best suggest documenting and assessing the value of the contents of your sewing room.
Sewing machines seem to land in the “appliance” category on a basic home owner’s policy. They would be automatically covered without having to do much else. Having proper documentation of the receipt, model and serial number would help expedite any questions on a claim form.
But since fabric is purchased a little at a time and goes into a collection over time, it is not necessary to save every single receipt. (Most of us would not want to know what this would add up to in the first place! Nor would we want anyone else to know!) The best suggestion is to take pictures. Pictures are proof of what you actually have behind those closed closet doors. Do you store fabric in tubs? Open up the lid of each tub and snap a photo.
Our State Farm office suggests, “Take photos of every wall in your home. Make a list of the items in each picture and store the documented information, receipts and serial numbers in a safe deposit box.”
Click here for a great link to creating an inventory list of your own home.
To insure actual sewn quilts and other sewn items, again documentation is key to having some sort of compensation for all your hard work. Keep a diary of photographed finished projects for not only insurance purpose but for recording your projects completion date, fabrics used and maybe even the inspiration behind the finished item.
Taking a little time now could save you thousands of dollars in the future. Just think if you got a check to replace your entire sewing room today…how would you spend it?
Quilts & Vines 2010
Please enjoy the virtual version of Quilts & Vines 2010. Join Heirloom Creations and Strawbale winery as we tour the sights and sounds of the most beautiful weather our show has hosted. Watch for a video in the near future…
Quilts & Vines 2010 Stats:
- Over 500 quilts
- Two live bands
- Classic cars
- Black Ice (Wineritas)
- Three shuttle buses
- 63 volunteers helped out (one came as far away as Virgina)
- 6 arcres of quilts
- Over 40 quilts sold
- A couple hundred empty wine bottles from all the tastings
- And a beautifully decorated barn.
Top 10 Reasons to Display a Quilt in a Show
Heirloom Creations and their customers are formally invited to display their quilts at the upcoming Quilts & Vines charity event, the second Saturday of every August. Quilts & Vines is an outdoor quilt show and wine tasting event at Strawbale Winery in Renner, SD. A portion of the proceeds goes to Project Linus. See ticket info at the end of this article.
If your initial reaction to this invitation is, “Ack! My quilts aren’t good enough to be in a quilt show!”
Or, “I don’t want my quilts hanging next to works of art!”
Or, “I don’t want everyone to see my mistakes!” Please, read on.
First, this show is not a judged quilt show, so it is not about “points matching” Second, there is no entry fee for entering a quilt. And third…well, there are a whole lot of reasons to display your quilts.
1. It motivates you to complete projects. It pushes all of us to get something completely finished, including the binding, label and sleeve.
2. It makes you take your work/art/craft more seriously. If it is for a show you will fix that sloppy seam or crooked corner, and you are happier with your work
3. All quilts are beautiful and it feels good to share that beauty with others. It’s a chance to unfold them and let their light shine.
4. People get to know you as a quilter. They may know you as a teacher, mom, accountant, or by whatever is your profession, but when they see your quilts they know you as a creator.
5. You get to see your work from a different perspective. Seeing your quilt in a show it is like seeing it for the first time.
6. Sharing your own self-expressions can encourage and inspire creativity in others. The creativity you inspire in others may, in turn, inspire you. The biggest benefit of entering a quilt show is to “give back”. I get so inspired by being able to view other quilter’s work that putting my work out there is in some way “paying it forward”, or is that “backward” since I got inspired first…
7. It is a good time to take pictures of your quilts for documentation.
8. Entering a quilt show is an accomplishment, and everyone who does should pat themselves on the back and take a bow!
9. This is a celebration of quilting. Revel with others who enjoy quilting.
10. Remember, it’s all about good ol’ fashion fun! Did I mention the wine tasting?
We would love to see everyone who is reading this tip to enter at least one quilt into the Quilts & Vines show. Even if you will not be in town or even attending the event, it is an opportunity to know that others are enjoying your creative talents.
If you would like to sell any of your quilts, you are welcome to mark them for sale. Since this event is to help support Project Linus, you will be asked to donate 20% of the total selling price to Project Linus if your quilt is purchased.
Click here to print a Registration Form:
http://www.quiltsandvines.com/quiltinformation.html
Tickets for the quilt show and wine tasting are available for $10 in advance at Heirloom Creations and Strawbale Winery or $12 at the door.
A special thanks goes to guest tip contributors Kay P, Kerry F, and Peg L.
Take a Tour through Viking’s Exclusive Dealer Convention
Tour with me via a video through the exclusive 24th Annual Husqvarna Viking dealer convention that I attended last week.
The highlights of my trip were:
1. Seeing new Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby sewing and embroidery machine
2. Being certified to sell and teach the 5D Embroidery software
3. Being certified to sell and teach Quilt Sew Clever – automation of our quilting frame
4. Being certified to sell and teach 4D QuiltDesign Creator software
5. Hanging out with dealers and friends I have met over the 20 years I have been going to conventions. (Boy, am I starting to feel old)!
Steve was even invited to speak on a dealer panel in front of the entire convention! After speaking, everyone stopped him in between classes to talk to him. It was fun being married to a celebrity!
Come visit the store and see the new Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby. This affordable machine is sure to put itself as the machine with the most value for the dollar in 2010!
Kate Snuggerud – 15 months
How could I resist? She wanted to come in the shower with me … so I let her. Come to find out – she LOVED it!
10 Quilts in 5 Days!
In all my years of teaching kids sewing camps, we have yet to have any two children select the same fabric! Each year I love seeing the fabric combination that each student selects – each one special to them.
We even had a student all the way from London come and take the Kids Quilt Camp!
When students return for a second year, they are welcome to select a different quilt. This gal sewed, quilted and had the binding half on in just five days. Her quilt is “Pretty in Pink” from the book Living Large.
This student selected this jelly roll friendly quilt from On a Roll. This quilt is called “Raspberry Jelly”.
There’s Wide…and Then There is Really, REALLY Wide Fabrics!
Fabrics come in a variety of widths depending on the manufacture and the type of fabric.
Cotton quilting fabric comes 42” – 45” wide.
Home decorator fabric comes 55” – 60” wide.
Silk from China often comes only 30” wide.
Quilters sometimes look for those extra wide fabrics up to 108” wide to make the back completely out of just one piece. (OK – I think we are just SO ready to have the quilt top done that we don’t want to do any more piecing for the back!)
Heirloom Creations’ has a growing selection of extra wide cotton fabrics. But just because they are labeled “quilt backs” doesn’t mean they need to be used only for the back! Just think…borders and binding that would need little or no piecing! And if it is going to be a border, you might want to use some in the quilt blocks as well.
Next time you are selecting fabric for a quilt, start your search in the 108” wide fabric section!