A Mother's Request

As I sat today with tears in my eyes, I called my mother.  She told me to write down what I was feeling. So I am going to step out and put my feelings on this post.  I don't know how long I will leave it here; but here it is:

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Today I awoke in tears. This is my routine for the last couple of days. I do this daily, more frequent
than I would like. I cry like I did when I was 11 years old. There is anger, there is fear, there is pain,
and there is confusion that most people would not understand unless they have walked in my shoes.

I experienced an incident as a child that has shaped my life. I saw a white man hold a gun to my
father’s head and threaten to kill him because he was a black man that had gone to college. Despite
that experience, my parents taught me to forgive. They taught me that this was ONE person that did
this to me, and that the only person that I can hold accountable for that experience is THAT person!
They taught me to recognize that there are some people that I make uncomfortable just because of my
existence. They taught me that I am loved and admired because I am who I am, and to not allow
anyone to take that from me. But most importantly they taught me to LOVE everyone, those that are
like me and those that are different.

Because of this over the last 20 years I have been able to share my stories of what happened to me. I
have traveled to schools, colleges, churches, and companies and talked about the experiences of my
childhood and how they shaped who I am. I have talked to the old and the young, to black and non-
black, to professionals and non-professionals. Each time I shared my story, I would become that little
11-year-old girl again and feel her anger, her fear, her hurt, and her pain. I would remember the fact
that I slept on the floor outside my parents’ bedroom until I was almost 15 years old, with the mindset
that I could protect my daddy if he came back.

I share my story with others because, it has been my attempt at making the world a better place for my children, my grandchildren and for your children and your grandchildren, In the hopes that my children would NOT have the same experience as me. Myself and my husband have tried to raise them to become exemplary men and women! I have had the “talk” with them: about what they could and could not do, how to stay safe, when to go and when to come. And when they asked “why”, I had to tell them that it was because of who they are. As a parent that is a difficult thing to do, as your child looks at you because he/she doesn’t understand; but you know that one day when they become adults, they will understand it. That hurts a mother’s heart!

So today I sit and cry for my children (born to me and not born to me). I cry for those that witnessed
(in person and via the video) the murder of Mr. Floyd: I know it will shape everything that they do and how they feel for the remainder of their lives. I cry for those that have died before (Ahmaud, Eric Gardner, etc) and pray that no others will die needlessly, and no other mother will have to feel their mother’s pain. I cry because I know that there is nothing that I can do to protect my children from the pain that I felt as a child. I cry because no matter what I teach them they will never be totally safe unless the mindsets and behavior of those around them change!

As one mother’s plea to all the other mothers out there; help me give my children a chance to survive
and thrive. When my children thrive, your children thrive! Sit and listen to my children. Acknowledge their pain, their hurt, their anger, and their fear! Teach your children the true history of my children in this country, in all its beauty and all its ugliness.

People say that the children are the future; but we must recognize that it is the mothers and the
fathers that start the change that will become the future.

So to the mother’s out there, lets direct that change so that our children can become the future that is needed in this country and the world!

This is one mother’s request to all the other mothers out there.

Why I own a two-story home?

Now before you get all worked up about such a simple question, let me explain.  When we first bought our house decades ago, we were going for something that would comfortably hold a family of 4.

We were looking at square footage; something that we wouldn't grow out of.  Hence we found a 4 bedroom home that we have raised all of our children (we had a 3rd kid), and are now welcoming our grandkids to.

But today I just found out what the real, hidden reason for owning a two story home is.  Its for those of us that love to quilt.  Its for those of us that not only quilt; but are always making quilts that are queen and king size.  You see the reason I have a two story house is so that I can take full pictures of the entire quilt!

Let me explain.  I finally finished the quilt top for my 8-pointed star quilt (Or as I call it "the thrifty quilt").  I was trying to figure out the best way to get a complete picture of the quilt.  I have a quilt rack, but it works best with finished quilts.  Quilt tops are too light and would blow with the wind, since they are very light.  So I laid the quilt on the ground in my backyard and from a window on the second floor was able to take my photo. I improvised with household items to create weights to hold the corners down.  (It you are wondering, my weights are a spray bottle, dog's water bowl, water bottle, and jewelry box.  Hey, you make due with what you have - LOL).

Here is the completed 8 pointed star quilt top in all its glory:

8 pointed Star Center

Completed 8 pointed Star quilt; ready to go to quilters.

 Well I then thought about the other 3 quilt tops that I had finished, and decided to photograph those too.  You see for each of my kids I made a quilt for there college graduation.  Since everyone in my home is over 6 feet tall, all of their quilts are king sized quilts.  I gotta make sure their entire body is covered when they use it, right!

My oldest son got his quilt a couple years after his college graduation (It took me over a year to complete the hand quilting.  That's a story for another day; lets just say I won't be doing that again).

The other two tops were finished but I never quilted them.  So here are the pictures for those quilt tops.

First up is a paper pieced pattern I found in a book.  I can't recall where I found it.   I used fabric scraps for the individua blocksl and black to trim the centers in.  By the time I got to the last black border, I had run out of the original green fabric; but my quilt wasn't quite a king size; so I found some similar green and made it the final boarder.

Close-up of quilt blocks

Completed quilt top for my 2nd son

Next is a variation of the "rail" quilt pattern.  Many years ago I participated in a African fabric 5-inch squares swap. It was done over the internet there were about 20 participants, and we each had to send a packet of 10 squares to each participant.  I couldn't figure out what to do with this fabrics; so I decided to just let their uniqueness shine thru on its own.

Close-up of rails

Completed quilt top for my daughter

 Finally is the log cabin quilt pattern.  I found these fabrics at a quilt shop and just fell in love with the print.  I wanted to use these prints in a unique way.  I stitched the log cabin squares then played around with the layout:   I needed to add some length to the quilt, so I added the log cabin stripes that you see bordered by the navy blue.

Close up of fabrics in center log cabins

Close up of fabrics in side log cabins

Log Cabin Variation

So  now that all of these are done.  I just have to get the quilting done.  If I try to do these myself, it'll be another 10 years before they are done.  So these go off to a local quilter on Tuesday, and I should have them back in two weeks.  Then its just the binding left to do and I can give the two to my kids and the other two will go on beds.

Until my quilts come back, I will return to my regularly scheduled program of garment sewing.

Happy Sewing Everyone!

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!