Welcome back to Sew & Tell. I have lots of little things to share with you...
I have been doing something new as I spend time in the studio. Rather turn on the music and while away the time there, I have started listening to books. I am using the Libby app and have found a whole new world to explore!
Sure, Dave and I have used audio books while we travel, but it never occurred to me to listen at home. I had requested a book that I had heard about, thinking it would be a good book for our next trip... It became available before we had a trip planned, so... I donned the ear buds and started listening.
The book (Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate) was amazing and I found myself to be just as productive as listening to music. I have since listened to several other books.
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| posing here by the signature quilt that "started it all" |
The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is a story of WWII. Actually, three stories that eventually converge.
As I listened, I was reminded of Camp Trinidad and the German POWs that wrote letters to my Grandparents after their return to their home country... All of the Pieces From the Past that became my first sew along in 2020.
After finishing the RSC Korner Kabin Quilt, I pulled out the small bag of original 1930s fabric scraps that I have had squirreled away for a few special projects that I have made over the years.
My first project was a mini of one of the patterns ~ Modern Broken Dish. I reduced the pattern by 50% and made only one block instead of four... one turned into two and two turned into three. Hahaha!
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| my collection of quilty shirts... awaiting cooler temperatures |
The first two were added to a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts that needed some fancying up. I used the reverse applique method for the Modern Broken Dish shirt.
The second pattern I used was the Flower Garden Block - lower left. Again, I reduced the size by 50%. That was a 1-inch hexie in the middle of the flower. Small! :) I used a buttonhole stitch to applique it to the shirt and then added the running stitch with an ecru hand-quilting thread.
Project number three became a small pin cushion. These small blocks were fun to make.
And I couldn't help but feel some nostalgia as I fondled the fabric and patterns that Grandma, Katie Schleich, had so carefully saved from the Kansas City Star newspapers.
I'll add this pin cushion to my collection of special decor items that reside on the shelves in my studio.
I cleared the floor space in the studio last week and gave a new coat of polish to the wood. It's so shiny and pretty. Even Dave noticed!
I may try to do a video tour of my creative space... anyone interested in seeing that?
The next project was something completely different. I had seen an Instagram reel that showed how to make a cute and super easy wallet.
I found the video on youtube as well...
Super easy and I had mine made in about 30 minutes once I decided on the fabric to use.
I'll probably be making several more of these. They are large enough to hold a checkbook, cash and cards.
I used fusible batting. But a heavier interfacing would be suitable as well.
Check it out! But I'll warn you... You may not be able to stop at just one! They would be quick and inexpensive gifts for co-workers, friends and family.
That's why I'm calling this post Magical Multiples. They were all fast and fun projects... and I ended up making multiple for even more fun.
In addition to all of these projects, I gave some attention to my sewing machine. Did you see my picture on social media of the bobbin area after making two 40-inch quilts???? She was in serious need of a mani-pedi! I cleaned and oiled the Lyric and she was humming a happy little tune again.
My week may be interesting since there is a planned water shut-off for Tuesday... Fingers crossed that it is only for a few hours and that the work planned goes smoothly so that life as we know it can resume.
I may be turning my attention to a few more blue and green scraps this week since that is the color of the month for the RSC...
I do have a few more pieces to add to my RSC hexagon piece. And I may be able to find a few more unique green pieces to add in...
Or I may focus on that fat-quarter bundle that is sitting in my sewing room closet. Remember this pretty thing? I see her smiling at me every time that I'm in the closet for something. Don't worry sweetie, I haven't forgotten you! I have a few thoughts and ideas, so I need to make some sketches and see what pours out.
I haven't forgotten the featured link of the week either. Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting shared her white/cream snowball block plan for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt. It is going to be a beauty! She also showed off her aqua quilts and more... head over there to see for yourself.
It is now time for this week's party to begin! But before you go, tell me...
How do you get the ideas from your head to paper to fabric?
Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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Reading your post tonight while watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. So beautiful! I love your little projects, Melva. Cute pincushion and the wallet is a great idea, too. I really liked both of those books you mentioned - historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI too "listen" to audiobooks via the Libby app while I stitch. I didn't think I would enjoy books that way; but I did and do! Please give us a studio tour. That wallet is a great gift idea! As to how I get my ideas from my head to paper to fabric--sometimes, I fail. Sometimes, I need to get better at a skill--like drawing--so the idea continues to wait. Sometimes, I will draft the design on graph paper or draw it to be a pattern. Often, I draw a thumbnail sketch. Once the design somewhat settled, I'll start cutting fabric and sewing. Often, I will "practice" my idea before I cut into the fabric for the project. If I am playing with an Improv design, I just start cutting which is exhilarating and darn right scary at the same time!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteAvid Libby audiobook reader here. I blow through about 120 books annually since I listen to them in the studio, while doing domestic chores around the house and even as dress in the morning and get ready for bed at night.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your wallet resource. I am always on the lookout for easy to whip up products to have for sale at my annual open studio. These look great.
Love your new wallet! Fun new sweatshirts too, you have had a creative week. Yes I love seeing everyone's workspace!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilty shirts are just adorable. Your pincushion and wallet are really nice, and yes, I'd love to see a tour of your studio!
ReplyDeleteThis is how projects get from my "squirrel" head to paper: I have started typing a few notes into a Word doc about where I got the idea and an inspiration photo. If it is from a blog or somewhere on the internet, which most of them are, I include a link to the post or website. Sometimes I go ahead and make a preliminary fabric pull based on the fabrics I have and print out the note to include in a plastic bin, and label the bin. Sometimes it sits there forever and sometimes it actually gets done.
You have been crazy busy!! I read both of those books and loved them! glad you had time to listen to them. Your T Shirt ideas are super cute!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found Libby. I've used it for several years now. During the Covid era, I too listened to a lot of WW2 stories. Somehow during our shut in time, I was reminded of what people went through then concerning speech and requiring to live under certain conditions while figuring out how to get some items. At least we didn't have to use dark out curtains.
ReplyDeleteYou've done so many projects. Thanks for sharing your projects and ideas. My energy went somewhere during the first 9 months of this year. Birthday cards is all I've managed to get done. Thanks for letting me share my scrap fabric cards here.
I listen to books mostly lately. I can listen while I drive alone, listen a bit here and there. Have you read the books by Ann Hazelwood? I listen thru my library's cloud library. I happened across Haunted Quilts on Main and then found it's a whole series.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could listen to audiobooks while I sew, but I tend to get too focused on my project and end up replaying things over and over (and over and over). I do love Libby for eBooks, though. It's cut down on my Amazon purchases significantly!
ReplyDeleteI have found that I needed to turn the book off when I really needed to concentrate on something like cutting accurately. ;) LOL!
DeleteGreat projects, Melva. I really like your quilted shirts too. Enjoy your new found books while you sew. I enjoy listening to podcasts as I stitch. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing my RSC quilt, Melva! I'm with you on the Libby app! I use it daily. I recommend Goodreads.com to keep track of what you've listened to.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of lovely projects, they are going to be featured at Handmade Monday this week :-)
ReplyDeleteI usually have some sort of talk radio or music on when I'm working but you have inspired me to think about an audio book instead, I have a long list of books I never seem to get to so this could be the perfect solution, thanks!
Thanks for the feature!
DeleteHow clever to add little quilt blocks to your shirts! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/09/10/wednesday-wait-loss-449
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