Hand Stitching through the Heat

The hot summer weather that

we've been experiencing 

has left me feeling drained

and lethargic. 

Maybe it's a combination

  of the heat, 

the continuing quarantine,

isolation,

and boredom.

I suppose the list could go on, 

but I've tried not to dwell on 

too much of the negative.

But still,

it does eventually catch up with you.

Running Man and I spent a couple

of days camping 

 with our daughter's family.

The 3 grand kids kept us very entertained,

but then that wisp of normalcy was gone.

I have used the past week

to focus on enjoying hand stitching

a variety of projects.

Stacey West at Buttermilk Basin had a 

free sew along a while ago called 'Stars and Stripes'.

I decided to order the kit that included the wool

pattern and fabrics because

I wanted to support her business and thank her 

for sharing so much of her 

talent online for free. 

I found 

whip stitching around wool,

even with the heat,

was totally relaxing and 

mind soothing.

 

 

I usually have to change a few things

that comes with the kit,

but that's a quilter's choice.

I did use my machine to add the flange binding 

Love the quickness of that!

Thanks again, Stacey, for

your talent and willingness to share 

with so many.

****

I've also taken the time to

make another block for Stars Upon Stars.

"Ogeechee"

made by Aline Loulin

Houston, 2018

Once the block is sewn together it's 

all fingers crossed

to see if all those

 tiny diamonds will lay flat

or if the center point looks decent.

Will you have a volcano in the middle?

or a deep whirlpool?

All of the blocks for this quilt 

have been sewn by hand

and have been pressed carefully.

Whew!

Looking pretty good!

Block #12

There's more hand stitching on the

agenda for this week.  

The weather is still 

unseasonably hot for this area.

Hopefully, I'll catch a

cool breeze 

and keep stitching along.

Until Next Time-

Kyle

Stars In Time Warp

Remember when I said I wasn't

on the slow boat to China anymore.

Well, this week,

I finally jumped off that boat

and jumped on the band wagon instead.

 

I started sewing 

Barbara Brackman's 

"Stars in Time Warp"

Quilt Along.

I know many of you are already

participating in this once a week lesson  

on historical fabrics.

 The 6" sawtooth block

 

 is easy to piece.

I just started sewing the blocks last week.

My plan is to do 2 blocks each week.

All along, though, I've been

 pulling the perfect fabrics to

represent the particular color or style or

 certain time period that
Barbara writes about.
 

We just finished week 18,
but here is week 17

with conversation prints.

These prints are always fun.

I decided to make all of my

blocks with different light shirting prints.

 I know that might seem a bit controlled and boring,

but that's just me.

Week 15 was all about

woven plaids, one of my favorites.

I knew exactly what fabric I wanted to use

for one of the blocks.

When my daughter, Kate, was in 8th grade

one of her classes was called "Inquiry".

Each student was to study a topic of interest

and complete a project.

Her topic was historical costuming, women's clothing 

of the 1860's.

Her project was to sew a dress

based on the period.

With the help of a couple mentors

and her mom

 she completed her project.

Would you guess that Kate is

 a Museum Collections Manager?

 ***

 Hopefully,

 I'll be keeping up 

with Barbara's Time Warp Stars.

I'm learning so much.

It's a wonderful series.

Until Next Time-