Why Do We Quilt?

I posted this long reply on Facebook to someone who was not sure why she had to quilt her quilt tops. The question made me think, and as FB is good at losing stuff, I'll put it here

Quilting does two things, firstly it makes the quilt a quilt - without that stitching all the way through it's something else. Even the simplest quilting adds texture and life and depth to the finished quilt.

Secondly, it's structural.. Many makers think that patchwork is enough, and that's fine, but the end product is neither strong nor will it last if washed and used, nearly as well as if the layers are sewn together all over, as in "quilted". It's all very well wanting a tidy back, but the unsecured lining will flop, handle badly, and may well shrink at an odd rate. The patchwork will not be well-supported by a batting layer only, may pull out of shape, and can end up with open seams. Are your seam allowances perfect? Fine if they are, and not too small, but the 1/4-inches we usually use are a minimum to hold the fabrics together until the piece is stabilised by the quilting.. If you really must make a "duvet cover" or similar, consider a 1/2 inch seam (you'll need to revise the cutting sizes), or overlocking everything, or just hand-washing VERY GENTLY for the life of the item..

When I make a quilt, I like the quilting to work for the look, the structure, and the handle of the finished item. You really don't have to have a batting layer, lots of early quilts are just a top and a back (technically a "coverlet"). 

You do have to have a really good reason for doing it a different way.

So, if you can't quilt big things, make small ones. Want a bed quilt? Do Quilt-as-you-go if that's what you like. Send it out (think of this as employment for long-armers, not as a "cheat") and be happy with the result (modern long-arm work is pretty spectacular)...

And, meanwhile, practice. Get your machine set up right, on a big table, in a place where you aren't constantly putting it away for meals. Buy a Sew-Ezi or similar so that your machine is at the right height. Get a good walking foot (cheap ones are foul) and make sure it is serviced and oiled occasionally. Take your time..

And, if all else fails, just don't bother to quilt. Make tops and give them away or put them in the cupboard

This is a hobby, not a penance...

Image is Mod Indigo.. Still quilting...

Space Invaders?

and I am not referring to the ever encroaching 'stuff' in my work space (I know I cleared it recently, but it doesn't take long to get junked up again, that's what happens in a creative space) but these little beauties:

I was laying them out to see where I had gaps in my prospective rainbow, and I think I need some more purple and blue. They look like a very colourful game of space invaders (anyone under the age of 30 will probably not understand that reference unless they are seriously into retro video games). These are what has been keeping me sane while visiting over Christmas - great to have some hand sewing on the go when away from my sewing machine.

At the End of the Day

Oh, look, a clean ironing table!

Before


Ugh.. More on the Doesnotequal blog, see links on the right..
Now, for a nice supper, not a turkey in sight, and a soft evening in front of the fire

At last, a little silk

I made a bigger version of this earlier this month, which I haven't managed to photograph yet (but I will). The original, from a nice pattern on the Wife Made blog here, I made entirely from my scrap-box at home. Then I reduced it by half, reprinted and had a go at a silk version (with a touch of Japanese cotton) - end result is about 9 inches across
Sadly, my week has been utterly delaminated by a huge chest infection. I've given up till Thursday now, and come home to cough in peace

Happy wotsits

A WEEK OF... Day 5

I have moved onto playing with silk for the last couple of days, and wanted to get this small piece finished before I signed off for Christmas (visiting in-laws; hand sewing only when not wrapping the sprouts and roasting the presents)

The pudgy fingers are just there to give an idea of scale. Not quite a miniature, but definitely small. When I get home, I might try it again half this size!

Week of Woolliness

This may have cured me of the desire to make a wool throw - about 48 inches square. I'm pleased with the look of it, but the fluff and the fibres in my sore throat, ugh!

Now, I am told that the Icelanders go to bed on Christmas eve with a new book and a box of chocolates. Such sensible people..

A WEEK OF... Day 3

Well, despite sewing through my finger yesterday (d'oh!) and spending most of today wrestling to get the QGBI Modern Quilt Group newsletter ready for publication I have managed to finish my first woolly projects. I started off with 3 inch squares - I thought that was about the limit of my capabilities even though I do love making miniatures, wool is not the medium to use!

Pin cushions with feature buttons, and an excuse to empty the button box for those odd fancy buttons that are too nice to throw away

This little bag (currently lacking handles) has a recessed zip and internal phone pocket. I know we have some very nice leather handles and I am hoping a pair will be suitable to finish this. They will need to be hand stitched in place - not looking forward to that with a sore finger - ouch! 

Week of Wool and Silk (and linen, and such)

Well, I spent a deal of day one arranging boxes of Stuff, and making these Workshop Pincushion Bags in assorted tweeds and sparkles.. Poor image, sorry..



Then some experimenting. All rather diverted by a lovely Solstice Supper with my nearests and dearests, which was enjoyed muchly by all..

A WEEK OF...Day 1

Every now and then we like to have A WEEK OF... giving us a chance to concentrate on a particular aspect of our art practise, or in fact our respective businesses (being a penniless artist might sound romantic, but really one has to be self supporting.) This week we are combining both areas and having a A WEEK OF SILK & WOOL. This is a great opportunity for us to rake through our every increasing stashes of silk and wool (it seems to self generate - I am sure we didn't have this much last time we did this) and work on something a bit different, perhaps an inspirational piece, or some things for the shop. Anything to reduce the size/number of the boxes.

Most of the time we work in quilters' cotton, but occasionally you just get a hankering for a bit of texture. To this end we have also included linen, heavy cottons, and of course hand-dyes, indigo, tweedy checks and tartans.

Now the fun begins - pressing, cutting and making. We'll be posting throughout the week to show you our progress!

Clearing the decks

I have got so much to do between now and (dare I mention it) Christmas, and I have been struggling to settle to serious work. I decided it was time for drastic action - or at least time to reorganise my severely limited workspace on board the good ship 'KAOS' (appropriately named). My lovely partner has recently made up some brilliant new LED lights for me but I needed to get under/round/through my desk to fit them, so it seemed like the ideal time to...gulp...tidy up!

My workspace is quite small and, as you can see, it gets very cluttered. I purposely chose an evening when said partner was out and the dog, very sensibly, went and hid in his bed. At one point about half way through the tidying, rewiring and swearing I wondered how all the stuff had fitted into the space, but eventually I managed to wrestle everything away:

So pleased with the new lighting; these new LEDs are amazing. I even put my sewing machine away (temporarily) since I had a load of hand finishing to do. Now on with the jobs; turning all these blanks...

...into my HORNBEAM tiny leafy brooches (pattern available on my website - click on the photos to go to my patterns page)