Quilting Post - for a change

Back in May 2 of my uncles, Mitchell {Butch} Bennett and Leo Waterman, passed away within about a week of each other.  In a note to my Aunts I let them know that I would be happy to help them make a quilt of their husband's shirts if they wanted. 

I realize now I should have sent a note as well to oldest of each of their children, as they were too overwhelmed at the time.

In November one of my cousin, Carollee Bennett, contacted me to say she would like to give her mom a quilt out of her dad's shirts.  She had seen my note and had contacted her Dad's sister who had taken some of his shirts.  She had 5 or 6 shirts to work with..  I wasn't sure how big a quilt I could make with just 6 shirts but I gave it a go. 

At a retreat I stated making 9 patch blocks, that seemed a good start.  But when I started laying them out the same colors ended up next to each other too much for my liking.  I had cut around the pockets and saved them.  A little more thought and I decided to do a barn raising with a neutral back ground I had used in the 9 patches.  I put the pockets in the center, but up closer to the top, maybe just under the pillow tuck.  Then I put the 9 patch blocks in rows of the same colors. I did use a non-woven iron on interfacing on the one flannel shirt in the batch.

 

Here it is on the quilting frame in my mother's dining room. My mother told some of her friends and some of my aunt's friends that she would have it up to quilt on it.

And so they came, including my Aunt Gert...

 

 

It starts pretty bit, but as everyone reaches the end of the comfortable stretch, it's time to roll.

 



 

 

And then after 4 hours one day and maybe 2 the next, Presto, it's quilted.

 

And that's how it's done in Portland, Michigan.  Quilting: the heritage that keep on giving.

Will pick up again on the trip post again shortly.
`



 

 

The other June trip

I have a friend from high school, Christine Hubbard, who lives in Columbus Ohio.  She is always asking me to come for a visit, but the last time had to have been at least 8 years ago.

Now with no vacation leave or work schedule to worry about, I decided to pay her a visit.  She always finds the most interesting things to do.  We have quilting in common and one of our favorite areas to visit in the Amish area on south eastern Ohio.  We went down to Charm and Berlin on a day trip.  Fabric, Amish cheese factory, farmer's market, flea markets etc.

 

This piece, made from an old sewing machine was at one of the antique malls.  Very original, but maybe a waste of a good old machine.



 

 

At one of the shops in Berlin they had this sewing machine by the front door.  This is a hard to find National Two Spool machine.  I have heard of these but had never seen one.  You use one spool on the top and another whole spool fits in instead of a bobbin.  Think of the hours of sewing without a bobbin running out.  Why can't they do that with modern machines??

 

 

We also visited the botanical gardens in Columbus.  They had Chihuli (sp) glass and a wonderful bonsai exhibit.

 

 

 

They also had sculptures based on origami designs.

 That's enough for now.  More pictures later

 





 

 

The other June trip

I have a friend from high school, Christine Hubbard, who lives in Columbus Ohio.  She is always asking me to come for a visit, but the last time had to have been at least 8 years ago.

Now with no vacation leave or work schedule to worry about, I decided to pay her a visit.  She always finds the most interesting things to do.  We have quilting in common and one of our favorite areas to visit in the Amish area on south eastern Ohio.  We went down to Charm and Berlin on a day trip.  Fabric, Amish cheese factory, farmer's market, flea markets etc.

 

This piece, made from an old sewing machine was at one of the antique malls.  Very original, but maybe a waste of a good old machine.



 

 

At one of the shops in Berlin they had this sewing machine by the front door.  This is a hard to find National Two Spool machine.  I have heard of these but had never seen one.  You use one spool on the top and another whole spool fits in instead of a bobbin.  Think of the hours of sewing without a bobbin running out.  Why can't they do that with modern machines??

 

 

We also visited the botanical gardens in Columbus.  They had Chihuli (sp) glass and a wonderful bonsai exhibit.

 

 

 

They also had sculptures based on origami designs.

 That's enough for now.  More pictures later

 





 

 

Summer Star Retreat

This past weekend we had a retreat with our variable star group at Turk Lake.  We have found a very nice cottage there, right on the lake.  For once I have no deadline project to work on.  There were 7 of us who were able to attend.  Although we all worked quite steadily, there weren't a lot of "TA-DA's".

Barb worked on finish a bag she has started.  Roxie worked on a gingham quilt for her new guest room. Becky worked on a piecing job.  Carol worked on more borders for her hand dyed challenge.
Melanie was quilting on her double wedding ring quilt for Jim, her husband.  And Gerry was quilting on a wedding quilt.  I worked on a recycled shirt project and got all but 2 corner's done.  Then worked on a 60 degree table runner project.

International Quilt Festival of Ireland

A friend asked about my last post and what I needed Euros for.

Well when Bonnie Hunter was here last October she talked about 2 tours she was doing with Sew Many Places, a tour company that caters to quilters.  One was an Alaskan cruise in August and one was a 10 day tour to the International Quilt Festival in Galway and a tour of Ireland.  A friends wanted to do the cruise but I work at a college and that was scheduled close to the start of classes. And she wasn't sure about traveling abroad, so I am going on the trip by myself.

To alleviate the chance of problems with connections, I'm flying to New York early to have a visit with my niece and take advantage of her spare bedroom.  In New York I will meet the lady that I will be rooming with who is from Illinois.  We both agreed we rather have the extra $1,000 to spend on fabric than to room by ourselves.

So I am very excited about going.  I have been to London now about 5 times, but never Ireland.
We will be in Galway for 3 days.  Then Killarney, Adare,the dingle peninsula, Blarney, Avoca and County Wicklow.  Then on to Dublin, Belfast, Lisburn and then return.

I am looking forward to traveling with a group instead of by myself.  I know it can sometimes be a drawback traveling with others, but all in all I think it will be a good experience.  Will try to make entries on the blog while I'm gone if the hotels have business centers.  Otherwise you might not hear a lot until I return.