Sunday, March 1, 2026

That's A Wrap ~ Sew & Tell - March 2, 2026


Another month gone.  Poof! 💥 Just like that February is gone! I'll give a quick review and to wrap it up, I'll tie a pretty little bow on it. ;)  But first, let's take a look at this week's feature.  Nan at With Strings Attached shared a picture of a few placemats she made... 


"we Rotarians cooked, assembled, and delivered 130 spaghetti dinners for area seniors/shut-ins.   
This is the service project for which I made placemats all last year.  I don't know how the recipients reacted, but Rotarians liked them!  Admiration is great encouragement.  I've decided I'll make placemats for 2027. " 

It sounds like a great service project as well as an opportunity to empty those scrap bins I have!  I think the local senior center might appreciate some.  

In this second chapter of 2026, ten blocks were pieced to represent the second chapter of my reading journal. Ten books finished... some better than others, but isn't that part of life?  You have to try different things to help determine what you like and dislike... And just because you may not like something doesn't mean that it isn't important.  

The most challenging read was The Names.  It addressed domestic violence... not a topic many really want to delve into.  Does domestic violence need to end?  YES!  But much like alcoholics, the abused needs to make the decision to make it end and leave.  I've never been in such a situation, so I'll stop right there.


 

Some of the more enjoyable books I listened to were Hurricane Season, by Lauren K. Denton and Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink; Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse and the Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick.  The two latest listens were A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor a story of children saved from the streets of London in the late 1800s and early 1900s; and Smitten which is a collection of short stories about four friends trying to turn Smitten, Vermont into the most romantic town in America.  Cheesy, goofy, predictable stories with the four friends eventually falling in love and admitting their love for four different guys.  The stories did address some serious topics such as overcoming the emotional trauma of an abortion, learning to trust others despite previous hurts and breaking free from the emotional control and manipulation of others (people pleasing)... All the makings of a light-hearted Hallmark-style love story that saves a town.  As goofy as it was... I liked it. What can I say???  LOL!


finished four quilts this month... The quilted panel, the vintage doily and this scrappy green baby quilt for a customer which will be delivered at the end of this week.

And my vintage linens quilt!  It is my favorite.  💗

What started out as a whim and no real plan has turned out beautiful!


I am so pleased with the finish that includes linens stitched by hand by my Grandma, Tressie Teegarden
(You can learn more about in the Pieces in the Garden posts.  Follow the link on her name or click the Pieces in the Garden tab at the top of the page.)

According to a note she left pinned to them (click the link to see a photo of it), she and her friend Alice would sit and sew together, making samplers, pillowcases and other items for their hope chest. Since she married in 1935, at age 20, some of these pieces are approaching 100 years old.

I backed some pieces with fusible interfacing to keep them from going all willy-nilly. The alternating 16-patch blocks include linens and fabric from vintage aprons my Mom used to wear... most from the 1960s.


The backing matches the binding and the small border. Both the print and the vintage looking linen colored border are from @connectingthreads Perfect for this finish! 

As promised... here's the pretty little bow 


It is a new month... which means a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, which is red.  Red is not one of my go-to colors for projects, but I'm sure I will be able to make several blocks of my scrappy, wonky star blocks in positive and negative... I even have some new red scraps from the Linen Quilt Border. ;)

While Dave was away with the guys, I sorted my stash... It should be fairly easy to pull out what I want.  How long will it stay so nicely organized?

How do you sort/store your stash and fabrics?

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

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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