Share - Charity

News from the Flying Needle

November 2010

Reported by Fabrique and Ms. Notions

Heey Fabrique and Quilters of Color, Welcome to my favorite time of the year!”

 “Hey Notions! I know what you mean. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Kwanzaa! Let the shopping begin!!!!”

“No Fabrique, that use to be my battle cry, but I have gained another view of life. Oh I still enjoy shopping, don’t get me wrong, but I have learned to truly appreciate life. I am thankful for everyday that I can get up and all of my body parts join me! I am grateful that I have a talent that I can use to bring comfort to others, and most of all I am blessed that I have friends like you and the members of QC.”

“So true Notions, there isn’t a time when I’m not grateful for your friendship and the friendship and kindness of others.”

“This is the time when we should truly try to go with the spirit of the season and think about others. Notions, do you have any thoughts on what quilters can do for their community?”

“As members are gearing up for the holidays, I hope they take a little bit of time and complete a charity item. The baby quilts are a wonderful way to try-out new designs or patterns. Beginners, this is an ideal time to make a sampler quilt. A sampler quilt can have different patterns or designs that are ties together by theme or colors. Intermediates and Masters, time to rearrange those UFOs. (Nobody will know that it was supposes to be a queen size quilt and you turned into a baby quilt). Although you use your ugly fabric, that quilt might be the only thing someone may have to keep them warm after an emergency, they won’t try to color coordinate!”

“Now, this might be a good time to honestly search through your fabric stash and see what can be used in a charity project. I know I stated previously that I’d have a hard time parting with some of my babies; however, if the babies can bring comfort to others, then that’s their mission.”

“Fabrique, there are two great sources for charity information. QC members have the best resource in Annjean Carter. She is knowledgeable and helpful. I love talking with her, ‘Hey Annjean!!’ The other source is www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases.  There are patterns and other ideas aplenty.

“Now on the other side of the coin; friends, it is the gift giving season but, don’t waste your time, talent, and love making gifts for someone who only have ‘taste’ in their mouths! Just give them a piece of candy and be done with it!  Give your precious gifts to people who will appreciate them. Handmade gifts should come from the heart to touch a heart. If you know that person has a rock instead of a heart, just go to the Dollar Store or ‘Regift’ them with something else that you were given and don’t have a clue as to what to do with it.”

“Notions!”

“Well I’m just sayin’ what people are thinkin’. I love Kwanza because zwadies (gifts) are encourage to be handmade and thoughtful, not just how much can you spend on me”

“Notions?”

“Yes, Fabrique?”

“Step…off…of…the….soapbox! Back to quilting issues!”

“I was just sayin…….”

“Notions, I know hun that this is a sore spot for you. Trust me it will be all right. Anymore less volatile thoughts?”

“Did I tell you this is the ideal time to visit the “Notion” section of your favorite fabric store? Right now, they have all of those lovely thing’a’ma jigs that you want but don’t need! Buy one for yourself and one for a friend! Great time of year!”

“Notions, that’s a great idea. I do think it’s time for some new blades for my rotary cutter, flower headed pins and fabric glue.”

“We have enjoyed hearing from some of you. Please keep your comments coming.  We would like to share some of your insights and ask you to answer some new questions

1.       What was the best handmade gift you ever received?

2.       What was the best gift you ever made?

3.       How do you decide to give a handmade vs store bought gift?

         “Fabrique, this is also an ideal time to use your special skills to add something special to your home. “

 “Yes Notions. It is also a good time to offer to teach our younger generation how to do some of the things we do.  Although they are familiar with their electronic toys, some of them are interested in our sewing skills.”

“Notions, I believe that there are opportunities for quilters to volunteer their teaching skills with Girl Scout troops and some church groups, teens or senior citizens groups. Also if there isn’t a group, they might want to start one up.”

“You know Fabrique, we often fault the young people for not knowing, but we have to check our selves to see if we are willing to teach!”

“Notions, say ‘Happy Holidays’ to everybody and we will be back next month!”

“Okay Fabrique. Happy Holiday everyone! Kept those comments coming. Heey!





Whirlpool Koi Pond









It's All About the Fabric

News from the Flying Needle

October 2010

Reported by Fabrique and Ms. Notions

“Welcome back folks! Are you ready for a real adventure? Well this month we are going to explore Fabrique’s fabric stash. Please stay close because if we loose you it might be Spring 2012 before you’re located.”

“Heey folks! Now wait a minute Notions, it’s not that bad!’

“Oh no? “

“At least now I have a map, and I can tell you about most of the fabric in my stash, I think. Anyway, how do you tell the difference between a stash and a store? Simple, a store gives you change, while my stash make you change by drooling and turning green with envy.”

 “True! You go girl! Now on the real side, Fabrique, what is a fabric stash and why do quilters need them?”

“A quilter needs to build a stash just like a painter acquires a variety of paints to create a masterpiece. Think about how most quilt stores organize their fabric. The bolts are organized by color. In fact just thinking about those glorious colors makes me feel like I’m hanging out in a jumbo Crayola crayon box. And yes, I do have the box of 102 colors, so there! Anyway after you check out the colors, then comes whether you want solids, prints or tone on tone. These categories can continue to be broken down into Asian, African, toile’s, novelties, florals, checks, stripes, frost, batiks, Thirties Retro, Feed Sack, Civil War reproduction, Landscape, cotton, silk and so on.”

“So your stash is like looking through a kaleidoscope. It will change as you look through it?”

“Yes, Notions it never looks the same because you bring different emotions and purposes each time you search through your stash. 

There are several ways to buy fabric, by yardage or fat quarter. If you are purchasing fabric with a particular project in mind, then I suggest you buy yardage. If you think you need one yard get an additional half yard, just to be on the safe side. Trust me; there is nothing worst then thinking you have enough for a project only to find yourself short on fabric.  This in and of itself can be a pain with having to run back out to the store. However, the real horror is when the shop no longer has that fabric in stock and they don’t plan to or can’t order any more. This happened to me and I even went so far as to track down the manufacture (great thing the Internet) only to find out the fabric was no longer in production, groan.

Now, let’s look at the adorable Fat Quarter. This little tidbit of fabric can be as addicting as chocolate kisses. They maybe just the thing for that little bit of fabric you need for a project or add to your stash without melting you card, unless you just hog wild and pig foolish. Geeze, Notions, just talkin’ about all this fabric is making me giddy. Are there any sales going on?”

“Back away from the computer, Fabrique! Worst thing in the world is 24hours worldwide shopping! Have you ever?”

“Girl, I am so glad that equilter.com and all those other online fabric stores are available, now I can shop in my jammies or less if I feel like it. Just one word of advice folks, do not and I mean do not shop when you’re sleepy! I have made some the most extraordinary purchases in my life and I don’t mean that in a good way.”

“Well Fabrique, another difference I have noticed between sewers and quilters. Sewers usually don’t save scrapes smaller than a quarter yard, while quilters will save fabric as small a quarter!”

 “Oh my gosh yes Notions, saving scrapes is at the very heart of quilting. Quilting is one of the earliest forms of recycling. Although we like to use those new color coordinated fabrics, quilts were often made from old worn out clothing. Women would take time to cut up worn clothing, and refashion it into warm and comfortable bedding. This is the root of our scrappy quilts. Did you also know that during the Great Depression the women use to use feed sacks to make their and their children’s garments. Eventually the feed producers started having the sacks made into colorful patterns hence the feed sack reproduction fabrics of today. There are some quilters who collect vintage feed sack and 1930’s fabric.”

“I do have another question for you, Fabrique, what about the ‘Quilt Police”?

“ The who?!”

“The ‘Quilt Police!” You know the folks who tell you that you have to have 12 stitches to the inch. The ones who also tell you that certain colors and textures have to match, or you have to have certain pattern a particular way. You know, the rule enforcers!” 

“Oh pleeze! Notions, the only ‘Quilt Police’ I know are limited people without creativity, imagination or folks that want to rain on someone else’s parade. There are no hard, fast, binding rules. A person’s sense of creativity should always guide them. Each quilt is a unique piece of art and should be treated as such. This doesn’t mean that I have to like everything you do or you like mine, however, I have learned to respect and revere people’s difference.

Know the differences and limitations of the different types of fabrics and how they will react together. For example, cotton, wool, and silk are natural fibers, but must be handled differently. Know how you will treat it if you combine different elements. I recommend that you use 100% natural fibers. I’m not into Poly and Ester, they don’t breathe, but you can use them if they float your boat! ”

“Mmmm, I learned my lesson the hard way, Fabrique. I will always prewash reds and other dark colors especially if they are imported. They tend to be over dyed so they look deep, dark, and beautiful, but they will run when you laundry your quilt at the end. So it is better to be safe instead of sorry! “

“Not quite the Quilt Police but common sense, Notions, and it would also help if you arrange your stash as pre washed or not. This keeps you ready to fly! You can audition your fabrics, to see how well they work together. Do they flow in your vision? Do you need a splash of color, or something to tone it down? There is nothing like ‘Midnight Shopping’ in your stash! Did I forget to mention that sometimes I just have several pieces of fabric I just like to pet?

“Girl you are crazy! Although I do have a few pieces of velvet, that I do say hello to! Do you QC members realize that the scrape table is great place to collect different types of fabrics that you might not be ready to buy, but may want to get acquainted with? This is important if you are a “touchy feely “person like me. It also helps you clean your house when you decide ‘never again’ and you thin out your stash”.

 “Dag Notions, I don’t know about that thinning your stash stuff. I can clean out my closet better than I can part with some of my fabric. Hush babies, Mommies not getting rid of any of you despite what Auntie Notions says.”

“Anyone planning a trip to Lancaster? There’s Souder’s, Zook’s, The Country Store and let’s not forget eatin’ at Good ‘n’ Plenty. Yumm.

“Fabrique behave and stop being a bad influence on these good people….smile.”

“Notions, I’m no such a thing. I love color and fabric, it’s the reason why I quilt …with… no..….guilt!’  Heey!

               

Readers’ Feedback

Well folks, we need to hear from you telling us about your tools and notions. This month we would like to hear about:

1.       How much, and where do you keep your stash?

2.       What fabrics appeal to you the most?

3.       Would you enjoy having a fabric swap?

4.       Are you a Fat Quarter collector?



Blooming Patch Layout
class taken by Fabrique

 5.       What are your favorite 3 fabric shopping sites?

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

September 2010

News from the Flying Needle

September 2010

Reported by Fabrique and Ms. Notions

                Hi All, This is Fabrique, stitching in! I hope your summer was a blast and now you’re ready to settle into great quilting this year.  My partner, Ms. Notions and I are so happy that we’ll be sharing quilting tidbits with all of you.  In case you didn’t know, we are roving reporters looking at all things quilting. This year we will be hangin’ with the crew from the Quilters of Color Network. “Heey!”

                In this column, we will be offering advice to people who are interested in the quilting and the needle arts. So pour that cup of coffee or break out that bottle of white zinfandel and let’s get down to business.

Hi, Ms Notions here! Let’s look at what’s in your toolbox and ask some basic questions, and see what you think.

How Do You Know If You’re A Beginner, Intermediate, or Master?

 If you’re holding a rotary cutter in your hand and are asking, what do I do with this? You are a beginner. Not to worry, you are soon going to find out that this tool is your best friend and if your quilting grandmother had known about it, she would be green with envy. (Hint! It is not a pizza cutter!) Learn safety first. This cutter will cut skin and bone as fast as fabric.  Along with the rotary cutter, there is the cutting mat. These two are best friends like us, Fabrique and Ms. Notions! Don’t use one without the other, unless you are looking for an excuse to buy a new table.

If you are an Intermediate, you have several different size and shape rotary cutters. You know about the safety guards because you have already donated blood, but remember; Don’t be penny wise and pound-foolish! Sharpen or change your blade when it is no longer cutting butter smooth. Dull blades cause accidents.

Now our Master quilters have those fancy blades! The pinking and wave blades are tools used for your Crazy Quilting and other fancy artwork. They also have several sizes of cutting mates and a large assortment of templates that we’ll talk about later.

Most quilters have 3 different size cutting mats. This collection includes a small 8 ½” x 11” mat which is great for cutting small detailed work and traveling. Next is an 11”x 17” mat. This is a good “workhorse” size mat to take to classes and meetings, trim your strips and squares, and use when you have limited space. (NO! Not the bare countertop!). Now, if you have a sewing table or you work on the dining room table, you need a 23” x 34” (24”x36”) mat. (Cheapest at Wal-mart!) This is for the BIG cutting! (Hint: a Scotch Brite scrubby smoothes the rough-cut marks on the mats and removes most marks) 

“Fabrique, how many rulers do you have in your toolbox?” “Well Notions, you can never have enough different rulers or templates! Remember: measure twice, cut once! Poor measurements can ruin a beautiful quilt!  “So as it stands I think I have 8 right now, not to mention the specialty template rulers and quilter’s quarter.”

“Okay Fabrique, but what does a beginner really need?”

“Well along with the two previous items you mentioned, they will also need a 6” X 24” acrylic ruler. And they’ll need one 6 ½” square and one 12 ½” square ruler. These are your “basic rulers”. I would suggest that they start putting some pennies aside, because like I said you never have too many rulers.

By the way, Notions, how many rulers did you get at Quilt Odyssey 2010 this summer? Don’t give me that look, I.. saw.. you. I know I picked up at least 3 more templates. Geeze, I can just hear the workshop slots asking, ‘And where do you think you’re going?’ Heey!”

“You know Fabrique, as a beginner, templates either evoke dreams of fabulous quilts or scare the ‘bejeezus’ out of you. Although I didn’t, I would suggest starting with simple sizes and shapes. Then increase your template collection according to your pocketbook, designs, and convenience.”

“Hey Notions, why didn’t you start simple?” “Because ‘Notions’ is my name, and shopping is my game! My sewing basket is a mini store, and I am always looking for more!”

“Go girl!” “Now, intermediates will build their collections and masters may even create their own specialty templates. It will depend on how creative and adventurous  you are.”

 “Now QC members, this is just a quick peek into your sewing and tool kit. We would like you to give us some feedback on the following questions:

1.       What level sewer are you, and what is or was your biggest challenge?

2.       What is your favorite tool in your sewing and toolbox, and why?

3.       What tool was a waste of money and why?

We look forward to chatting with you next month. We will be diving into my favorite topic…..FABRIC!  Notions, hold me back girl, I can hear those Batiks and Phillip Jacobs prints shouting my name.“ My goodness so much fabric and so little time.” Heey, until next month. Stitch Awayyy!!!!

An Invitation

The Flying Needle

                This is an invitation to read and share a news column that my sister and I created for one of our quilting guilds, The Quilters of Color Network.

                Both of us enjoy creative writing and we thought that this column would be a perfect outlet for our creative energy. Since both of us also enjoy quilting we thought that it would be great to develop a column that discussed in a humorous way the joy and pit falls of quilting. 

                Recently we were discussing how we could expand our audience of readers and decided that Fabrique and Ms. Notions were ready to enter the Blogosphere. So please come and enter the quilting world of Fabrique and Ms. Notions as they navigate the various encounters the occurrences in the quilting world. The blog will start with the September 2010 column.

                We hope that you will become a subscriber and follow Fabrique and Notions on their quilting excursions.