Village Green quilt top I started the Village Green quilt as a block of the month the first year we were married. I liked the colors. I liked the designed. I liked the buildings particularly since they reminded me of historical buildings where I live. Bethlehem doesn't have a center green, but when I walk … Continue reading Sometimes UFO’s get Finished
Does one do with vintage handkerchiefs? My aunt asked if I could make a quilt with them. I was excited about the project when she first sent the hankies that belonged to my grandmother. They were from an era when every woman cared one in her, and they had a multitude of uses that included … Continue reading Grandma’s Hankies
Set up to photograph a completed block. I tucked the sewing machine under the table. I began the WPA project a couple of years ago and finished 26 of the 30 blocks in the reproduction colors. Sure, I started with a goal and created a straightforward plan. I'm sure if I stuck with the plan … Continue reading Welcome to my studio
A couple of years ago I noticed the poster-sized prints of three quilt patterns hanging in my sewing room said “WPA Museum Extension.” I knew the WPA provided work during the Depression and had seen some WPA projects, most of which were dams. I also learned of artists and photographers who worked for the WPA … Continue reading WPA Project
"But it is so beautiful." My grandmother used those words to describe the block patterns she admired the most; a six-pointed star made of diamonds, and hexagons used to construct the Grandmother's Flower Garden. She said this to me when I first started quilting and looked up at her. "Yes, they are," I said, "but … Continue reading Pins are my friend. Star and Crescent
I'm not sure about other quilters, but one reason I machine quilt is to finish the quilt. I only saw tied quilts when I was growing up, and once the top was finished tying the quilt brought a quick end to the project. I remember seeing a hand quilted whole cloth quilt hanging on the … Continue reading Adventures in Quilting: Using the Long Arm
"Make a Trip Around the World," she said. "It's easy," she said. I don't recall if she said it was fun, but the plan for a quick baby gift that could be completed in a weekend was delayed by, well let's just say delayed by life. I wonder if the blessing of quick and easy … Continue reading Around the World in 8 years
I've lived in eastern Pennsylvania long enough to know the miserableness of "hazy, hot, and humid" summers. Air conditioning helps, but a 90-year-old house with radiators does not provide easy installation of central air, so we get through the summers with room air conditioners where it counts the most for us, the bedrooms, one of … Continue reading Someone’s in the kitchen…and garden
Progress continues on the WPA quilt. I drafted the patterns for 18 of the 30 blocks in the project and completed eight. I used scraps to try out two others because I am reluctant to use project fabric unless I am certain of how it will go together. This is just another way of saying … Continue reading Progress note
I don't know any quilter without an unfinished project. Or two. Or seven. A quilter's pride may be the size of the fabric stash. A quilter's secret shame is the number of UFO's (Un-Finished Objects). Why all these unfinished projects? I have a couple of theories. Conspiracy Theory I: Quilts inspired by fabric collections. I … Continue reading Projects, projects, projects – Grandma’s Hankerchiefs and other UFO’s
Snippets from the Attic 