Albeit only 12"x16", this is my first quilt. My sister asked me to make a security blanket, or a "wee" as my son calls it, for a friend who had just had a baby. I was very honored and still hope it looks nice enough for her to gift it. Of course she said she loved it, but she loves everything I've made so far.
There isn't much I don't like about a good fabric "lot". The idea of a pile of fabric showing up on my doorstep is completely exciting and not knowing what will come out of that bag makes it totally irresistable. At my house the pile is lovingly trimmed and washed, pressed, folded, and then ogled. I stare at it and wonder what glorious goods will come out of the lot.
I recently discovered Dewitt Co.'s vintage fabric lots - up to 24 different pieces of vintage goodness. Who could resist when you might get these?
A great fabric grab bag can also be found a Reprodepot.com. I was completely happy with the wacky selection from them. In addition to the grab bag, they sent little 2"x2" squares of other fabrics as samples. I love that!
Ebay is, of course, my favorite place to find a good fabric lot. This is truly a "one person's trash is another's treasure" kind of place where you never know just what you'll get.
With a good fabric lot, the hunt for treasure is as thrilling as the fabric itself.
Ages ago when I first started my studies in landscape architecture, translating 2-dimensional plans into the eventual 3-dimensional spaces challanged and frustrated me. In my grading classes I designed hills that were actually holes. It took a while for me to develop the "eye", to look at a plan and picture in my mind what it would really looks like.
The same thing has been happening to me with my 3-dimensional softies. The way 3 or 4 pieces of fabric come together to make the curves and contours of something 3-d fascinates me. I've been practicing with little succuss. My first attempt was a pitiful little dog that turned out looking like a fat sausage (legs coming out of the sides and not the bottom where I had intended) with a disproportionately small head.
This week I finally did it!I actually made a skunk out of 4 pieces of fabric - And it looks kind of like a skunk! It actually looks as I intended it to look. I am starting to get the hang of it, just like I was back in school.
Four characteristics that can be used to describe any project I attempt these days: creative, portable, able to be finished within a day or two, and kid-proof.
CREATIVE because after putting the same wooden train set together for the hundredth time, I need to create something soft and fuzzy. Running after two small kids means I don't sit down.
PORTABLE because I have to stitch standing up while the pasta boils. And sometimes whatever I'm working on ends up stuffed in my hip pocket while I attempt to keep my 18 month old from jumping off the couch.
ABLE TO BE FINISHED within a few days (or hours) because I have children whom I cuddle and love as much as possible which leaves little time for much else.
KID-PROOF because working on something in front of the kids means they think its for them - and it probably is. Even if it is for someone else, I like to know it has been beaten, chewed, and dragged around the house by my kids - and survived. I take pride in that kind of craftsmanship.
The only type of project that really fits is a pincushion (sans pins of course). Their form is only limited by my imagination. They fit neatly in a pocket, or preferably a little bin or pouch, and are relatively quick. They also double as building blocks in case you were wondering.
Here are a few of my recent creations:
This is my "Lake in the Woods" cushion.
No theme here just blocks of color and ribbon.Every morning over coffee, I torture myself by looking through my favorite vintage fabric websites. I don't usually buy, but instead collect the pictures in hopes that one day (when I have extra money) I'll be able to find similar patterns or styles.
I am amazed at the sheer volume of vintage apple print fabrics. The styles and colors vary tremendously. Each one of these is currently up for sale on ebay, sharon's antiques, or www.antiquefabric.com.
This is my very favorite. Its up for auction right now on ebay.
I think this one is for sale on www.antiquefabric.com. I love that site.
This one is from Ricrac.com (Sharon's Antiques)
This is from antiquefabric.com
