Saturday, March 26, 2011
FOUR PATCH DOLL QUILT
FOUR PATCH DOLL QUILT: Just a fun project. I pieced this one in April 2008 and machine quilted it on Mar. 19, 2011. I just like how cheery yellow and blue look together. Finished size is 25" x 20".
Friday, March 18, 2011
QUEEN ELIZABETH I AND HER LADIES
QUEEN ELIZABETH I AND HER LADIES:
I designed this by drawing out a rough design in 2000, and then just doing the blocks in fabric (the nice thing about fabric is that mistakes can be covered up) and copyrighted this design in 2001.
It was a great way to use up some of my stash of silk, satin, and taffata fabrics. Another relative who likes to embroider did all the embroidery. I did the beading, applique, and piecing. It actually was a really fun project that we worked on for about 15 months, the top being finished in spring 2001.
The blocks are 19" x 24".
It is machine quilted in April 2001 by CM that same month.
Finished size is 69" x 55".
I sold over 100 of the pattern when I took it off the market in 2008. I love quilting. But I also enjoy blogging because I think it is encouraging to other quilters to see that simple things can and do make beautiful quilts. It is also is just fine to follow your own heart and make a quilt "pattern" that fits what makes you happy. I did not make this quilt intending to make or sell patterns - I simply wanted to try a technique and theory I had in my head.
In 2006, this quilt met with a small accident, and a small section of the binding was burned - to date I haven't repaired it yet. I finally took off that small section of binding and replaced that area with a piece of the same satin as the original. Unless a person know where to look, the fix is un-noticeable.
It gets a lot of really nice comments anywhere I show it. (#300)
COWBOYS
COWBOYS: Pieced for my son in Jan. 1995, using cheater blocks with a coordinating cowboy fabric for the posts.
The sashing is a plain blue.
Finished size is 58" x 106".
Cotton fabric, polyester batting.
Machine quilted by MG in July 1998.
(#226)
Update: August 2011, the original owner has outgrown his "horse and cowboy" stage and allowed me to give this quilt to a family friend who loves horses. It was still in very good condition and the friend was very happy to receive it.
The sashing is a plain blue.
Finished size is 58" x 106".
Cotton fabric, polyester batting.
Machine quilted by MG in July 1998.
(#226)
Update: August 2011, the original owner has outgrown his "horse and cowboy" stage and allowed me to give this quilt to a family friend who loves horses. It was still in very good condition and the friend was very happy to receive it.
PFAFF SEWING MACHINE
PFAFF SEWING MACHINE:
I actually sat down and cried when my Pfaff Tipmatic 1011 died in January of 2011. That machine was my faithful work horse and quilting partner since 1986 when I bought it at the factory in Germany for the equivalent of $250 US. The motor gave out in 1997 and I forked out $200 to replace the motor. The Tipmatic and I continued to be a team. It didn't even complain about my kids learning to sew on it.
Honestly the possible cost of replacing it scared me to death. But off to the Pfaff dealer in Indianapolis I went. The dealer assumed I wanted some fancy expensive machine. I quickly corrected that assumption and we went to the "simple work horse" models.
I just wanted the same model (no learning curve, right?) but it is no longer being made, so the dealer showed me the closest model - a Select 4.0. It didn't really seem to have any more features than the old one, and it used the same needles, bobbins, and light bulbs. So I forked out several hundred dollars and went home to become partners with this new machine.
After 2 months of use, I am quite satisfied except that the body is not all metal like my old one. My personal experience is that a well taken care of Pfaff is a true workhorse and friend for an obsessed quilter like me. Previous to getting the original Pfaff, I had killed two other non-Pfaffs due to overwork and long hours.
July 2011: A side note here would be that my wonderful hubby took the old machine into the Pfaff dealer who was able to find parts to rebuild the motor to fit the old Tipmatic 1011, although it took several weeks. My daughter paid the few hundred dollars out when it was fixed and is now happily using the machine she learned to sew on.
I actually sat down and cried when my Pfaff Tipmatic 1011 died in January of 2011. That machine was my faithful work horse and quilting partner since 1986 when I bought it at the factory in Germany for the equivalent of $250 US. The motor gave out in 1997 and I forked out $200 to replace the motor. The Tipmatic and I continued to be a team. It didn't even complain about my kids learning to sew on it.
Honestly the possible cost of replacing it scared me to death. But off to the Pfaff dealer in Indianapolis I went. The dealer assumed I wanted some fancy expensive machine. I quickly corrected that assumption and we went to the "simple work horse" models.
I just wanted the same model (no learning curve, right?) but it is no longer being made, so the dealer showed me the closest model - a Select 4.0. It didn't really seem to have any more features than the old one, and it used the same needles, bobbins, and light bulbs. So I forked out several hundred dollars and went home to become partners with this new machine.
After 2 months of use, I am quite satisfied except that the body is not all metal like my old one. My personal experience is that a well taken care of Pfaff is a true workhorse and friend for an obsessed quilter like me. Previous to getting the original Pfaff, I had killed two other non-Pfaffs due to overwork and long hours.
July 2011: A side note here would be that my wonderful hubby took the old machine into the Pfaff dealer who was able to find parts to rebuild the motor to fit the old Tipmatic 1011, although it took several weeks. My daughter paid the few hundred dollars out when it was fixed and is now happily using the machine she learned to sew on.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
VETERANS QUILTS
VETERANS QUILTS: I just recieved this info from Pat of Quilts for Wounded Soldiers and am posting it here for anyone interested with her permission.
QUILTS FOR INJURED SOLDIERS PROJECT AS OF DECEMBER 2010
Our project began in 2003 and to date, we have received in excess of 10,700 quilts, afghans and fleece blankets. They have come from all over the US, Canada and Australia. In the beginning, our quilts were delivered to Andrews Air Force Base, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, all in the Washington, DC area; Fort Sam Houston Burn Center, Texas; Fort Stewart, GA and Camp Lejeune, NC. In 2006, we began giving only to Andrews Air Force Base, as the other facilities had groups contributing to them. We asked guilds from Texas to send their quilts directly to Fort Sam Houston rather than mail them here and then for us to re-mail them back to Texas.Upon receipt of a box, it is logged in with the name, address, city, and state of the donors on an alphabetical database. A letter is attached to each quilt about the project with only the donor’s name, group name (if applicable) city and state; acknowledgement of the donation is sent out by email or mail; quilts counted and bagged for delivery. We have a liaison from the base that calls when they need the quilts and we deliver them. There is a set schedule of three flights per week coming in from Germany and more if needed. The number of injured aboard very with each flight.
Over the years, the process that we follow has changed based on the Commander of Andrews Air Force Base as well as the hospital Commander. Now, in view of the HIPAA laws and the new Commander, only hospital personnel and the Andrews Air Force Base Red Cross volunteers (primarily retired military) can distribute the quilts to our injured coming in at Andrews. Andrews is usually the first stop after coming from overseas. The injured are examined after being taken off the plane, assigned a room and then after they are settled, the Red Cross volunteers come in, greet them and offer them their choice of quilt, afghan or blanket. Those who are ambulatory usually congregate in a large room newly furnished for their comfort and are offered their choice of the donated items. They are informed of the project and that all of the items have been made especially for them. Being there in the beginning, these men and women are genuinely touched that the American people are doing this. We do receive “thank you’s” from some of the injured or family members but not all. None of us do this for a thank you, but it sure makes you feel good when one comes! We will forward any thank you that comes in your name or that of your group.
We do not give out any info on anyone other than our letter that tells the name of the quilter and/or the organization, city and state. We encourage any donor to add a card or letter and feel free to give a full mailing address if you wish.
For our records, we ask that one person act as a contact if you belong to a guild or sewing group, giving us a mailing address, email address (if you have one) and a list of all those who participated in the project. We have over 2,700 people/groups participating at this time.
SIZE: Minimum 40” x 60”
Preferably twin (anything larger is too hard to pack & carry on the planes per the base)
COLOR: Red/white/blue seems to be the color of choice. There are some who prefer something different. We accept any color combination. Feminine colors and patterns also accepted. There are women coming in injured on the flights but some of the men see a quilt with a particular color and say “Oh my wife would like that one.” May I take it?” 100% cotton fabric is best. No polyester as it gets too heavy (polyester batting is fine). Quilts can be tied or quilted. We have even received some that have been totally hand quilted.
If you (or your group) have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Thank you for your interest in our project.
Pat Baker
Quilts for Injured Soldiers
Quilters Guild of Southern Maryland
7295 Stoneleigh Court
Hughesville, MD 20637
301 392-0113
RB395@aol.com
GRAND TOTAL 10,773
For 2011
Jan 68
Feb 78
QUILTS FOR INJURED SOLDIERS PROJECT AS OF DECEMBER 2010
Our project began in 2003 and to date, we have received in excess of 10,700 quilts, afghans and fleece blankets. They have come from all over the US, Canada and Australia. In the beginning, our quilts were delivered to Andrews Air Force Base, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, all in the Washington, DC area; Fort Sam Houston Burn Center, Texas; Fort Stewart, GA and Camp Lejeune, NC. In 2006, we began giving only to Andrews Air Force Base, as the other facilities had groups contributing to them. We asked guilds from Texas to send their quilts directly to Fort Sam Houston rather than mail them here and then for us to re-mail them back to Texas.Upon receipt of a box, it is logged in with the name, address, city, and state of the donors on an alphabetical database. A letter is attached to each quilt about the project with only the donor’s name, group name (if applicable) city and state; acknowledgement of the donation is sent out by email or mail; quilts counted and bagged for delivery. We have a liaison from the base that calls when they need the quilts and we deliver them. There is a set schedule of three flights per week coming in from Germany and more if needed. The number of injured aboard very with each flight.
Over the years, the process that we follow has changed based on the Commander of Andrews Air Force Base as well as the hospital Commander. Now, in view of the HIPAA laws and the new Commander, only hospital personnel and the Andrews Air Force Base Red Cross volunteers (primarily retired military) can distribute the quilts to our injured coming in at Andrews. Andrews is usually the first stop after coming from overseas. The injured are examined after being taken off the plane, assigned a room and then after they are settled, the Red Cross volunteers come in, greet them and offer them their choice of quilt, afghan or blanket. Those who are ambulatory usually congregate in a large room newly furnished for their comfort and are offered their choice of the donated items. They are informed of the project and that all of the items have been made especially for them. Being there in the beginning, these men and women are genuinely touched that the American people are doing this. We do receive “thank you’s” from some of the injured or family members but not all. None of us do this for a thank you, but it sure makes you feel good when one comes! We will forward any thank you that comes in your name or that of your group.
We do not give out any info on anyone other than our letter that tells the name of the quilter and/or the organization, city and state. We encourage any donor to add a card or letter and feel free to give a full mailing address if you wish.
For our records, we ask that one person act as a contact if you belong to a guild or sewing group, giving us a mailing address, email address (if you have one) and a list of all those who participated in the project. We have over 2,700 people/groups participating at this time.
SIZE: Minimum 40” x 60”
Preferably twin (anything larger is too hard to pack & carry on the planes per the base)
COLOR: Red/white/blue seems to be the color of choice. There are some who prefer something different. We accept any color combination. Feminine colors and patterns also accepted. There are women coming in injured on the flights but some of the men see a quilt with a particular color and say “Oh my wife would like that one.” May I take it?” 100% cotton fabric is best. No polyester as it gets too heavy (polyester batting is fine). Quilts can be tied or quilted. We have even received some that have been totally hand quilted.
If you (or your group) have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Thank you for your interest in our project.
Pat Baker
Quilts for Injured Soldiers
Quilters Guild of Southern Maryland
7295 Stoneleigh Court
Hughesville, MD 20637
301 392-0113
RB395@aol.com
GRAND TOTAL 10,773
For 2011
Jan 68
Feb 78
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