March quilting fun

[Bama]

That's very pretty Lennie. I bet you would love crazy quilting. It's one of my favorite techniques.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Lennie, I have made several pillow covers with crazy quilt blocks and done the fancy machine stitches on the seams of those in thread that contrasts to show the stitches. In the old days that is the way they made crazy quilts, only they did all the embroidery by hand. My Janome has a lot of very pretty stitches.

[lendube]

Thanks again. Is that the definition of a crazy quilt? Patches of all sizes and colors/patterns with0 fancy stitching? Hey, what's crazy about that?

[kjh9835]

Buggy quilt top nearly done, have to fix a few spots around the applique, put on the wheels, sandwich, quilt it myself then the binding. Shower is Saturday!!!

Took my first class tonight, not too bad. Only 5 of us so easy to get instructor's attention when needed. Cutting, pressing and sewing 1/4" seam (mine is marked on the throat plate). I completed four small blocks in 2 hours. She did advise me on how to do the free motion on the buggy quilt prior to class so it was worth it just for that help.

Kathy

[bridesmom]

I really would like to do a crazy quilt using the velvets and silks and brocades that they used back in Victorian times. Course I'd hate to use it then! They are truly beautiful works of art.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Laura, I saw one done by my Grandmother. It was very old when I saw it. All velvets because that is what my Aunt requested. My GM was a very talented lady. That year she crocheted 4 full size bedspreads from the great big cones of string that were used to wrap and tie packages in the dept. stores. They went from that to using paper bags and she bought the 2 huge cones leftover, and when that Christmas came, 4 of her adult children got a new bedspread. Aunt E already had one so she requested the velvet crazy quilt and got it . (also that Christmas) My Mom ended up with 2 of the spreads. Hers and her brother's after he died, so my brother and I each have one of those spreads today. This dearest lady died in 1947 so I know for a fact she made them before 1940 because I was not yet of school age when she made them. &That 'string' is pearl cotton still used in crochet today) My spread is still beautiful, made in large squares and then sewed together by hand with the same pearl cotton.

[lendube]

Libby, this is exactly why I love having you on the board. You have the most wonderful memories and add so much. Nice story.

[bridesmom]

Oh my gosh, those would be incredible to have! How wonderful to have something so special, the hours and hours of work crocheting those bedspreads!! I think it's definitely a lost art. You never see them anymore.

[LeapFrog Libby]

In my Creative Writing Class at Shepherds Ctr. Adventures In Learning Classes, I wrote a story about "My Treasures", and took my spread with me for show and tell when I read my story to the class. Everyone was so pleased that I brought it in. I used it in a redorating scheme when I was in school for an entry in the 4=H club contest. I did not get a first, but I did get a ribbon. I put the spread over the back side of a quilt that was solid purple. (on the back) It was very impressive when they came to inspect my entry.

[bridesmom]

I've been working on a quilt top for DS and his sweetie, I have the basic top together, just need to put on the two borders then build the back. Tomorrow I get to go to the Creative Stitches Craft Show here in town, our guild has a booth, so I will work the booth for 2 hours, but will go first when it opens and browse (read as shop) before I do the booth. It's a first for our guild, and we are all very excited, cause we are a small informal guild. I was going to take some knitting to do, but I think I won't bother, I'm expecting to be too busy!!! ( I hope). And I'm also excited because the younger DS's girlfriend is just starting to sew so I think I will look for a few basics for her.