Sewing is my refuge: Completed 8 point star!

Well its done!  The 8 point star is complete!

Turns out I only had enough to complete 7 of the 8 stars.  No problem, right?
I thought about turning it keep it 8 points (by adding fabric to the diamonds); that was going to be too much math and work to implement.

For example 8 stars are each 45 degrees each, so with 7 points I’d need to make each point 51.4 degree’s at the center of the quilt.  Way to much work to add fabric around each diamond to make them a fraction of a degree at the center.  This is supposed to be my refuge; not my 2nd job.

So I found a solid yellow (again at the thrift store), and decided to alternate the pieced diamond with solid yellow diamonds.

The finished quilt will be ~83x83.  I’m going to use 2 of the pieced diamonds to make pillow shames.

I found the yellow from the thrift store also for $1!  And I have a solid white for the background, and floral soft blue print for the quilt border.  All of the fabrics came from the thrift store!  Maybe I should call this the “thrifty quilt”.

All total the quilt and shams come to a total of $36.50.  Not bad!

I was happy I was able to match up the center points pretty well. So I’m very pleased.

Now on to put the final touches on it, so I can quilt it.

Happy Sewing!

Sewing is my refuge, part 3

I’m getting closer to completion on my vintage sewing kit.

I’ve got 5 of the total 8 star points done:

5 star points and growing!

Well as I get closer to completion, looks like the fabric for the 8th star point is missing (this is probably the one that the original owner attempted).  This is not unusual, as anyone that has purchased vintage patterns knows sometimes a piece can be missing. I’m up to the challenge!

I have this saying whenever I work on something “The only perfect person was Jesus, and look what they did to him!”.  So in my imperfection, I am perfect!  This helps me with my desire to be perfect in everything I do (I know there are others that deal with this).  So my quilt won’t be a “perfect” implementation of the original Lone Star quilt pattern, but it will be perfect for me.

I’ve been contemplating how to resolve this, and have a couple of design options.  This is another case where my engineering skills may have a “real important” practical use in everyday life - 😉

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Happy Sewing.....

Sewing is my refuge, part 2

So I’ve finished the second point of my vintage Lone Star quilt!

I’m posting here to keep myself honest!

The kit also came with the quilting design pattern.  I can’t believe I got this kit for only $2.50!

Quilting Instructions

This has been such a blessing to have something else to focus on besides work!  I call it “no-brainer” sewing, because I don’t have to sit and figure out the instructions/fit for a garment.

So here is a picture of star points one and two!  Only 6 more to go!

Maybe tomorrow, I’ll go looking for my background fabric during lunch.  It’ll be a nice distraction in the middle of the day!

On to the 3rd star point on tomorrow.

Happy Sewing . . . . .

Sewing Baby Vintage

Well, I found this amazing Vintage reprint of a Toddler pattern.  Don’t know why but I love these little bubble baby rompers (OMG, did I just sound like my mom!).

Anyway, the pattern is Simplicity 1600:

Here it is: 

Front View A

Back View

 

One thing I changed was to use actual snaps for the straps closure, the pattern calls for Velcro closures, but that just didn’t seem authentic for me.

I will definitely be making this again (but this time I’ll add the bonnet).  One thing I would change is how the ruffles were done.  Instead of using a strip of fabric and hemming on both sides for the length of the ruffle, I’d just make a tube (i.e. sew the ruffle as a single tube).

  This would make the sewing of the 4 ruffles a lot easier and go a lot faster.

I’m off to work on my vintage quilt.....

Happy Sewing.....

International Quilt Museum, Lincoln NE

So now that I have kids in Nebraska, I make a trip there every month or so.

There are two places that I go regularly when I go:

1. The International Quilt Museum
2. The local quilt shops between Lincoln/Omaha.

Back in 2015, I did a tour of the Accuquilt headquarters!  Yes, I have “Quilting on the Brain”, actually anything sewing related!

So the day after July 4th, I headed to the IQM (International Quilt Museum) in Lincoln, NE.  They had just opened their new exhibit, “Duality”.

I always love spending a couple of hours walking thru the IQM.  Not only is it a quilting education, but it opens your eyes to the different cultures.

Did you know that India bought in African’s as slaves and mercenaries back in the 1600’s?  These people are known as the “Siddi” and still exist as an ethnic group!  This was part of the “Collecting and Recollecting” exhibit.

The wow factor was the “DUALITY” exhibit!  This exhibit just made your mouth drop open!
Emiko Loeb, has taken the log cabin pattern to a whole new level!  When I walked thru this exhibit initially, I wasn’t aware that each quilt, has a back that is just as amazing as the front!  As matter of fact you don’t know which side is considered the front and which is the back!  I probably spent a good two hours just in this area alone.  I was just awestruck by her talent.

For example one of the quilts on exhibit is called “The Promise”.   Here is one side of the quilts:

One side of Promise Quilt

The Other Side of the Promise quilt!

Every time I go to IQM, I have never been disappointed!  (I hate I missed the “Kuba to Kente” exhibit, but I know there will be others).  My husband has encouraged me to get a membership, since this place is a must see every time I’m in the Omaha area.  He’s even gone with me before, and was totally amazed and overwhelmed!

I just had to share my experience at IQM.  So if you are in Lincoln, definitely make a trip to the IQM, you won’t be disappointed!

Well back to my regularly scheduled sewing program....

Happy Sewing!

Sewing is my refuge

I don’t know about you but sewing is my place of refuge.  When I’m starting to feel overwhelmed or that I just need a breather from life, I say a prayer and then go to my sewing room.

It keeps my mind and hands busy ; giving me time to breath and calmly look at life.

I told my husband its cheaper than therapy, and I always end up with a finished product; so its a win-win.

So on my trip to the thrift store the other day, I actually found a kit for making a lone star quilt.  Its’ called “Aunt Margaret’s Lone Star Quilt kit.  It came with all of the pieces precut. (I just need to buy the fabric for my background and border.

It was only $4.99, and was on sale for 50% off.  I mean what do I have to loose, by purchasing it.  Besides, it bought back memories of my grandmother and her lady friends getting together in the smokehouse to quilt.

I started working on it this evening:

I’ve got one of the 8 points done, and am very pleased with it.

Good night, and Happy Sewing....

A Thrifting We Will Go.... For Patterns

So, I don't know about you but I've noticed that the "sale price" of patterns seem to sneaking their way up.  We used to be able to get Simplicity/McCall/Butterick patterns for 99 cents (and Vogue for 4.99).  Lately, they are at $1.99!  I know I shouldn't complain, but...….

I was in the thrift store today (in Colorado my favorite is "Arc"), and their patterns are only 99 cents, and if it's a sale Saturday I can get them for 1/2 off!  YES!!

I always check out our local thrift store.  Its a great place for me to get fabrics to use for muslins of my patterns.  I can find fabric for next to nothing.

If you haven't checked out your local thrift store!

All the patterns I found today were new/never-used.  I got several children's patterns (for my grand-daughter) and some for myself:

Not a bad stash at 99 cents each!

I've also purchased Vogue Designers for 99 cents from my local thrift stores.

So if you haven't done so, make sure to check out your local thrift store.

Happy Sewing!