Sunday, January 25, 2026

Cold Weather Sewing ~ Sew & Tell - 1/26/26



Welcome back to the deep freeze version of Sew & Tell.  I've heard that something like 75% (it may have been 90%) of the United States is below normal temps.  I also heard that in the wee hours of Friday morning our region (Southeastern Colorado) entered into a predicted 90 hours of below freezing temperatures. 😭


No fear, we are prepared.  Our pantry and freezer are well stocked as is the propane tank. Since I have nothing to be overly concerned about, I have been happily sewing in the studio.  But before I show and tell let's take a look at our featured quilter.  Kate at Life in Pieces has been "stitching to her plan" and moving forward in turning quilt tops into finished quilts.  

She shared that she also went off script and has a fabric pull ready to participate in a stash busting quilt along.  Her choices of fabric/color will be eye catching!  Head over to her blog to find the link for the quilt along.  Tell her hello and that Melva sent you. ;)


I've been working on using fabrics that were passed on to me by an acquaintance... not quilting fabric, but it was heavier duty fabric that I could use for the file/tool holders that I make twice a year.  The winter/spring semester is underway at the local college and the gunsmithing students will need these to protect their very expensive metal and wood files from being damaged in transport to and from classes.

As one would expect, most of the students in the gunsmithing program are male.  Surprisingly, though, they are not afraid to purchase file rolls with floral prints or girly colors because they are less likely to be stolen and more easily identifiable across the room.  

Because of the large donation of fabric I had received, I am able to keep the price as it has been for a few years, despite the increased cost of the materials.  I like to be able to pass those savings on the students.

I am nearly done with the pattern writing and blocks for the Little House Sew Along.  The formal announcement is coming at the end of this week as I fill the role of TGIFF Hostess.  I have the post written and ready to go and I think I have all the important information for you.

What sort of questions do you want answered before committing to a new sew along?

Leave a comment... I'll be sure to get those answered for you.


As a break from the LH quilt, I decided to pull out my blue scrap bins again.  I decided that I would create some "negative" scrappy, wonky star blocks to go with the blue blocks I already made.  Negative meaning that the stars were in blue with scrappy neutrals to make the blocks.  


I listened to two books this week.  The Peacock Emporium was a long book and I honestly had a difficult time keeping track of characters and times.  It was "meh" to me... I did enjoy portions of it, so it wasn't a total loss, and I can say that I stuck with it and finished it.  Earning me the "right" to make a block. ;)

I needed something lighter and familiar, so I listened to Charlotte's Web.  The edition I listened to offered an interesting afterward that told of the writing process and notes by the author.  I found it interesting to see/hear how the initial idea of the story morphed and changed to what it eventually became.  

When I had these two blocks ready for hand sewing "sometime in the future" I decided that I didn't want to wait any longer.  Though, rather than hand sewing, I did machine piece all of my Bookish Journal Blocks.


Here they all are together. 

I am currently listening to Breaking Free by Lauraine Snelling.  

I have several more books in queue but will leave those for a future post as I summarize my January bookish journal next week when January is complete.

My goodness!  January is nearly over.  It hasn't felt rushed and chaotic and I've enjoyed the pace.  I'll be glad when the deep freeze is over and gone.  That's all for this week.  Stay warm... and

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Friday, January 23, 2026

Which One? - This or That

I have been busy writing and testing my final pattern for the Little House Sew Along. 

And I am stuck!

This pattern was originally a 12" block and I need to reduce by 50%... making it a 6" block.


I'm stuck because I can't decide would more people be intimidated by the smaller strips cut to 1-1/4" wide?  It would make the pattern writing and assembly of the block really easy, but potentially more of a problem with getting the block to finish at an accurate finished 6" size. (THIS... Photo above ^^)  
Coping strips *could* be used to make up for the inaccurate 1/4" seams...

OR do we go with larger pieces, but the need for a partial seam??? (THAT... Photo below)



Let me know your thoughts.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Sunday, January 18, 2026

Vintage Roses ~ Sew & Tell - 1/19/26



Let's jump right into Sew & Tell Time!  This week's feature is from Gwyned's Life of an Artist and her first entry to the 2026 Project Quilting challenge.  here's her description of the challenge... in a nutshell.

"It takes place over 12 weeks and not the more typical 12 months. Second the turnaround time from the announcement of the challenge to the finish line is exactly one week. It starts with a challenge posted on Sunday. Then it is up to the individual to interpret the challenge, make something stitched and layered, finish it and post either a photo or blog post highlighting what they created on the following Sunday."

Head over to her blog to get all the deets on her entry - Holiday Sparkle.  

I personally love the way that she finished this project... mounted on a 12"x12" canvas covered frame!  It would make the hanging of some of my small quilts so much easier!


I did move a few wall hangings this week.  I noticed that the Signature Quilt from Pieced from the Past was fading a bit by hanging in my studio.  While I enjoyed having it featured in there, I know that the move to a less bright room was necessary.  Yes, there is a big east facing window, but those blinds are rarely opened, unlike my west facing studio window. It is now residing in the guest room, and I put up my teal string star quilt in the studio.  I used the quilt as my background as I modeled the NP shirt that I made.  If you missed that, the tutorial is here.


I had started the week planning to list a collection of cross-stitched quilt blocks that were given to me in September.  As I searched for similar items on ebay, I decided that the collection was so large (more than 40) that I could easily make a throw quilt for friend (her sister had stitched them) that gave them to me.  

I trimmed the blocks down from their original 18" size and laid them out on point.  I filled the corners with a white fabric that matched closely.  It didn't take long to have the top together.

In my research, I read that heat would permanently set the markings on the blocks.  I had assumed that they had already been pressed at some point, but taking caution, I spray basted the quilt using batting that ended up in my stash from somewhere!  It was a nice day beautiful day outside (mid 60s!) so I took everything outside to make the sandwich.

With all of the blocks already marked out for quilting, it only took a few hours before the quilting was done.  How convenient!

But, oh. my. goodness... It too sooooooooo long to manage all of the tails.  



Here's a look at the finished quilt.  And, by the way, the markings did not wash out... as I suspected would be the case.  At least they aren't horribly noticeable from a distance.  The binding is a fabric from Connecting Threads - Lady Eliza - and looks perfect with the beige mini leaf print, matching the leaves on the roses and the beige lacey look framing the roses.

I went with a pieced backing... purple butterflies down the center, bordered with the teal woven plaid.

The purple butterfly print came from my same friend... and, after purple, teal is one of her favorite colors. :)


Do you have any tips on getting the markings washed out?


I listened to two books as I worked on the vintage rose quilt... 

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe' was a cute and fun listen.

The second book was The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane... a child's book, I believe.  I haven't selected the fabrics for the block but have a rabbit fabric in mind for the center piece... IF I can find a small bit. LOL

I'm getting itchy to start piecing these blocks... I'm not sure I can wait for a road trip!

This week I will be writing more Little House block patterns and making a few more blocks.  My goal is to have the quilt finished and photographed by the beginning of the Sew Along, which is February 5th.  The formal announcement will be made when I am host to the TGIFF linky party January 30th.

What will you be doing this week?  Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Arches National Park Shirt

It is no secret that I have loved the National Park Postcard blocks from Fiona Sandwich for several years.  I made our Camping Journal quilt based on them!  I am a member of the Fiona Sandwich National Park Travel Group on Facebook and have been ever since I discovered the patterns.  It is a space that members can share completed blocks, stories of their travels and other creative and inspiring photos and ideas.


In December I saw an ad for some shirts with several national parks stating that everyone should "rep your park."  Dave and I do often select a shirt as a souvenir from our visits.  One of the more recent purchases I can recall was from White Sands.  We looked at the NP giftshop, but the prices reflected the pride for the park.  The campground we were staying at had a gift shop and the prices for their shirts were more reasonable.  We both selected shirts and enjoy wearing them.  

But when I saw the ad, the idea of using a NP block to make my own shirts seemed brilliant!

Rachael liked the idea as well and asked me if I would be interested in creating a tutorial on the process.  So, here I am!

Dave and I have a spring trip planned to Utah to visit the Arches NP so my choice of the block is personally motivated. ;)

Step 1 - Make your block!




After making my block, I quilted the little block and trimmed the batting it so that it was slightly larger (about 1" all around) than the block itself.  

I used Hobbs Heirloom fusible batting that is 80% cotton and shrinks about 3% in size. After being laundered, it has a crinkly, well-loved, comfortable look.

If you don't want that well-loved look you can use a low-loft poly, or even pre-washed flannel would be suitable.

After quilting the block, I added a piece of white fabric to sandwich the batting and then 
marked the 1/4" seam allowance of the block and basted around the block - on the seam lines - the finished size of this block is 4-1/2".  This step not only sandwiched the batting, but it also showed me exactly where the stitching line was on the back of the piece. (This is an important step because you are working blind!)  Trim the piece so that it has 1/4" batting and backing beyond the unfinished block.



Locate the center front of your shirt and mark it on the inside.  I did this by pressing a crease with the iron.  Mark the center top and bottom of the block, noting the TOP of the block so that you sew it into place in the proper orientation. (Another important step.)


Making sure your block is straight, pin into place (all around the block) and sew.  
I used a stretch stitch so there will be just a little "give", rather than having stitches pull and break.  It also gives a bit of a decorative look.  You can choose to use a thread that matches, or you can contrast.


I used a contrasting thread in the bobbin to stitch the block into place (about 3/8" from the sandwiched block edge).  

The second line of sewing can be sewn from the front, or the back, simply stay inside the first line of sewing.  (I sewed from the front, offering a contrasting thread without rethreading my machine.)

Tip:: If you sew from the back use the basted sewing line as your guide.  Just a thread's space from the sewing line is perfect!

This second line of stitching not only adds an accent, but it also traps/seals the block's raw edges and will help to prevent any fraying that may happen with wear and washing.




The next step can be a bit scary... Turn the shirt right-side out and CAREFULLY make a small snip with sharp scissors to be able cut an X to reveal the block.

As I noted above... be certain that you mark TOP of your block so that the block is in the correct position.


Carefully, trim away the fabric...  The t-shirt fabric doesn't require any sort of finishing... It will just roll out of the way and won't ravel.

In this case, you can see, I failed to pay attention to which edge of the block was the top.  

I prepared a piece of fusible interfacing and placed it over the block with the fusing AWAY from the block.  I pressed those shirt pieces back into place and picked out all of the stitching.

I turned the block into the proper orientation and repeated the entire process and... VOILA!  I have my Arches National Park shirt.

Mistake?  What mistake???


Here's one final picture after being washed and worn a few times.

Which National Park will YOU Rep?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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m

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Scraps & Bits ~ Sew & Tell - 1/12/26


It's been a calm and productive week in the studio of Melva Loves Scraps and I am relishing the quieter routine of winter and the presence and prevalence of Shalom. 
 But before I get into that let's take a look at this week's randomly selected feature... Alycia at Alycia Quilts showed off her January Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  She calls them Chunky Churndashes.  They're fun and bright!  And I am guessing that they will be paired with some red blocks to become a Quilt of Valor.  I mean, Alycia is the QUEEN of QOV, at least in my eyes. ;)

Head over to her blog to learn about the pattern and read about her scrap organization method.  It seems much more organized than my big scrap bin of bits and pieces just tossed in. LOL!

I also started my Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I made three scrappy, wonky star blocks in varying shades of blue as I listened to Eat, Pray, Love.

I mused about the author's worldly travels and asked myself if I would ever be brave enough to travel by myself... World travel?  Probably not.  Though I do think I would be brave enough (if something happened to Dave tomorrow) to buy myself a campervan and do some traveling within the US.  I'd start with some closer-to-home destinations first and then venture just a bit further.

My college roomie has a group of ladies that have done international travel... that is something I could be interested in.  Group travel... sign me up! ;)


When I finished listening to Eat, Pray, Love I started looking in the scrap bin and stash for fabrics to represent my block for the Bookish Journal.  I knew what I had in mind, but I also knew I didn't have any fabric that had spaghetti on it.  LOL!  I also couldn't find the specific fabric I wanted for "Pray".  

Fruit for the Eat, a stained glass look for Pray as it represents, in my mind, a sanctuary and roses and hearts for Love.  That was fun!


Though technically not IN the studio, I've spent time on the computer creating the Little House Sew Along logo and began writing out the first patterns.  It can be a tedious process.  I've used most of the blocks in previous sew alongs but they need to be re-sized for this sampler quilt.  
I'm writing out some of the math lessons as I go.  


I'm not able to listen to books when I am writing but I did enjoy a lighthearted book by Melody Carlson entitled The Christmas Tree Farm as I sewed on the hanging sleeves for the Color Wash Quilt.  I sewed one at the top edge and then I sewed on small sections in the middle.  the pockets on the edges have the ends sewn shut and I have taped the dowels together in the middle so that they can't slip or push in which causes the widest point to sag.

The Christmas Tree Farm was a short book and just what I needed to get out of my head and overthinking life.  I recently saw a meme that had someone saying to a person with their head in a book... "You spend so much time reading that you are going to lose touch with reality."  The response was, "Have you seen reality lately?"  Hahaha.  Sometimes we need to escape!

Some people travel, some read, some sew or quilt or craft...  Do you remember the Calgon commercial?  "Calgon, take me away!"  Now I'm just dating myself. LOL!

When the world gets a little too real for you, how do you "escape"?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

By, the way... Thank you for all of the book recommendations last week!  I have a list a mile long and will begin making my journey through them.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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m


Sunday, January 4, 2026

First Bookish Journal Block ~ Sew & Tell - 1/5/26



Welcome to a New Year of Sew & Tell... a place where inspiration can be found, creativity flows, progress is shared and encouragement abounds!  There were a lot of summaries and goals shared this week.  The randomly selected feature happens to be a year-end summary from Diann at Little Penguin Quilts.  Diann showed off her top 5 quilt finishes of 2025.  I'm happy to say that her Pieces of My Life quilt made the list, along with two rainbow scrap challenge quilts.  All of the quilts are lovely.  Head over to her blog to learn a few more details of each quilt.


While there, take a peek at what she has planned for this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt.  The secondary pattern that is revealed when the blocks are placed together is a bonus!  

I haven't started my RSC blocks yet, but I did finish one book and have selected and cut the fabric scraps for my first Bookish Journal block.

The pieces are 2-1/2" and will make a 6" finished block.  They fit perfectly into the small bags that I had left over from an OCC sewing kit project a few years ago.  

I'll sew them together when we travel or have daytrips, referring to the pictures on my phone for the proper layout.  

I liked the story - it was somewhat predictable; I didn't care for the occasional foul language (F-word).  

The question on the book cover - "How far would you go to keep a secret?"  I would have to say it depends on the subject of the secret.  And the consequences of letting the secret out.  How 'bout you?

I was caught up in this story as I worked on my Arches National Park block for my shirt... so much so that I sewed in my block upside down. Dang it!  


No worries... I was able to save the shirt and will be writing the step-by-step tutorial soon. 

After the mess up I grabbed my sketch pad and pencil and started designing a logo idea for the Little House Sew Along.  It will include a log cabin block as a foundation for it... I need to try to get the idea I have in my mind into a computer graphic.  Sadly, I have shared all that I can for now.  I have a good portion of desk work scheduled for my week... beyond my quilting/blogging I have all of the year-end financial stuff that needs my attention.  

Rest assured, I will be treating myself with a few minutes here and there in the studio... You know... work a little and then reward yourself with something fun.  Maybe I'll dig out my blue scraps and start the RSC!

Time to party!  But before you go... 

I'm looking for some book recommendations.

I enjoy wholesome stories, historical fiction, and Christian fiction... Romance is okay, open door sex scenes are not.  I really enjoyed the book Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and have read several of her books.  WWII stories interest me.  I've enjoyed several "classics", and I've tried Jane Austen several times... I simply cannot make it through.  I'm currently listening to Eat, Pray, Love... again, not a fan of the occasional bad language, but have seen the movie.

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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