Mail Art & a quilt shop

Mail Art

The Introduction to Art on Coursera is fun so far.  Mail art speaks to this quilters heart, we’ve been sending postcards and making artist trading cards for ages.

I’m titling the mail art “Treasured Memories”

Part of the fun of any project is figuring out what will work and working with what I have on hand.  After reading the guidelines I decided to make a party invitation.  I like all the background work of the party, making the invitation, planning the food and decorations, giving thought to what the party is about.  Then I’m done.  Y’all can party, let me start cleaning up. Okay it’s not quite like that I do enjoy my friends.

side note: I’m going to need more lutradur, just sayin’.

To give the envelope some body without using quilt batting I fused fabric to lutradur with Mistyfuse.  Around the edge of the card and the envelope I used Wonderfil 50 wt cotton thread to do a zigzag stitch all the way around.  (Love the BERNINA 780 for this!)  Keeping with the “what I have on hand” theme I used bits and pieces to decorate the back of the envelope, evoking memories of letter writing marathons I’d have with a few friends in my early teens.  This was our only way to chat with each other as we lived in different states.

When we first started letter writing I was a novice.  It took a little while to get the hang of answering, writing back took more than a simple, “yes” or “no” to her questions.  I can imagine the perplexed look as she read my pithy missives.

Once the pieces were stitched together I used a gel pen to address the envelope and make the “place stamp here” in the upper right hand corner.

If you were to take the invitation out of the envelope this is what you’d see.  The inside is more of the Paula Nadelstern Fabrique-Istan collection that I used in “Name” and “Woman”.

I need to get a slightly better shot of the invitation as it is right now.  The yellow from the inside showing at the bottom is intentional, in the right light the words “Let’s have a party”.  On the inside of the invitation I broke out the Derwent Inktense pencils and played just as I did when I would write letters.  Just a little something to make the paper interesting.

I think one day I’d like to have this party. Make all of the invitations.
Each unique and fitting the person being invited to the celebration.
 

 

 

Mariner’s Compass Quilt Shop

Tilde and Feather Zone are headed for Ohio for the National Quilt Associations Quilt show.  I forgot that Feather Zone needs a regular sleeve again as it had been mounted on fabric for hanging at Quilt Festival in Houston. So this morning I took a quick trip to Mariner’s Compass in Bath.  This shop is 3 blocks from Halcyon Yarn.  I was |   | close and didn’t get there before today.

When I walked in both Amanda Campbell and Deb Boucher (Tea Rose Quilting).  It’s a delightful shop that just became a Brother dealership!  Congratulations!!!  I now have a BadAss Quitlers Society Pin thanks Deb.  We wore them to pose for a photo that one of the customers took for us.

I picked up the purple for the sleeve, stork scissors, a Nancy Drew book panel and a spool of Wonderfil, another good thread to use quilters!

Happy Quilting!

Teri

 

Fantastic Art “Name” and “Woman”

In sharing yesterday’s art homework on my blog post Wherein I copy Debby’s homework. Truth is I didn’t really copy Debby’s homework. I did my own homework. I did my own homework and I like it.   After finishing the first piece, title “Name” I kept going.  Just to add a bit of commentary I am named after St. Therese (Theresa).  Choosing her was not intentional.  I just clipped into the fabric and went for it.

Debby just finished her homework and posted it over on her blog.  She really embraced the Fantastic art style and brought it into quilting in a way that just makes me smile.  As Debby mentions photos and messages fly back and forth as we work towards figuring these things out, encourage one another and proof text and artist statements.  That kind of support is priceless.

I’d been eying this lime green Echino solid in my stash on and off all night, that and some of my Marcia Derse Collection.  I quickly set the Marcia Derse aside for another project and gave into the lime green. The only thing that would have made this better is orange dupioni silk.  Ahhh, next time.

This time I worked a bit differently I ironed the Mistyfuse to the wrong side of several pieces of fabric, it’s so much easier this way.  I’ve also discovered that one day I will be purchasing the Goddess sheet that is really big!   Shortly after I shot this image I picked the whole thing up to go press it, and no I didn’t worry about pieces flying off, Mistyfuse is sticky allowing the pieces to stay where they’re placed.  Once I got to the ironing board I made a couple of quick changes, pressed it in place and I present to you: “Woman”

“Woman”

She is unfinished as of yet.

Debby is sending me some lime green tulle then I’ll get it ready for quilting and have at it. And this is one that I will finish.

It may be after I finish other art homework but I will finish.

Happy Quilting!

Teri

 

Wherein I copy Debby’s homework

Debby told on herself yesterday and I’m being a bit of a copycat (this is a bit of an inside joke between the two of us, for our own amusement) today and just coming right out with it.  I’m taking Introduction to Art: Concepts & Techniques on Coursera.  Debby first introduced me to Coursera by sending me a link to a writing course on there, that I immediately signed up for to improve my writing skill. I’ll admit that while I did well in all things “language arts” in school, this time not so much.  I can not tell a compound-complex sentence apart from a complex sentence.  I need to go back to 8th grade!

One fun discovery: the instructor Anna Divinksy is a fiber artist and there are a lot of quilters taking the course.  When the course description came up I immediately signed up for it to learn more about art.  I mean I like going to museums, enjoy the art, have personal likes and dislikes but want wanted to develop a better understanding and see how I can translate that understanding to quilting. Perhaps this too will lead to a deeper understanding of the art quilt, fiber art community.

This week we studied the Fantastic art movement which includes artists like Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, de Chirico, Marcel DuChamp to name a small few.  In starting the reading assignment, learning more about the artists and the style, it’s something I like.  The art assignment, should we choose to do it, is to create a collage.  Ms. Divinsky shows us several techniques to do this on paper using magazine clippings.  Yah, no.

So Debby and I messaged a bit last night and I told her I was hesitant to cut up one piece of fabric.  After her very honest comment that essentially I’m hoarding – which is a very quilterly trait, I decided to go for it.  I thought only of filling the space.

This is the end result for me. Yep after all that tidying up when I get creative…watch out…the level of stuff left over is astounding.

 

This was part of the process. See St. Therese? It’s the fabric she’s part of that I had a hard time cutting up. Why do I have this fabric if I don’t use it and can’t enjoy it? 

I decided to trim the piece to 8 1/2 x 11 so I could complete it on time. This is the finished piece.

The rest of the fabric used is from Paula Nadelstern’s Fabrique-Istan line, the detailing and a good pair of scissors just filled in the rest of the area.  I decided to layer this with tulle and quilt it using MonoPoly while listening to the Yankee game last night. Finishing around 1 AM this morning.

I’ve also decided to create a 2nd piece and leave a bit of negative space just to see the difference and if I like it.

Off to quilt!

Teri

 

It’s a good thing I can control myself

Or How I Fell in love with the BERNINA Stitch Regulator

& a tutorial!

When the Aurora 440 hit the market with the BSR (BERNINA Stitch Regulator) I tried it at a quilt show and well, wasn’t overly impressed.  In part because I was still a dedicated hand quilter, in part because the minute my hand went near it the needle started moving.  Eeek!

The second time I tried using the BSR I’d been quilting on my own for a while and had something of a rhythm going that made the BSR feel like training wheels.

And then one day I met Jeanne Delpit on the set of Quilting Arts TV.  She asked me if I’d demo it on camera.  (For those of you who’ve read this before please bear with me.)  I said no and we had a conversation as to why.  Jeanne asked me to give a couple of changes a try and within 10 minutes my mind changed and I demoed on camera during my segment.  I’ve wanted a machine with the BSR for a long time and now I have one.

So what did Jeanne ask me to do?

Put the BSR in Mode 2 – the needle stops and starts when the fabric starts moving underneath the sensor.  I didn’t like the needle starting when the BSR was engaged because a pigtail formed on the back of the quilt because I’d get started a bit too slowly.  Pigtails are cute on pigs, not so much on the back of a quilt.  They can’t be buried and if you clip them well let’s just say the stitching will begin to unravel.

Both Mode 1 and Mode 2 will stop or start with the foot pedal or the stop/start button on the front of the machine.  Because of how I’d been quilting for a while using the foot pedal is more intuitive for me.  Though in Mode 2 I can use the start/stop button.

Next Jeannie adjusted the stitch length and had me sit and stitch.  By reducing the stitch length to 1.6 to 1.75 the movement was much freer.  After about 10 minutes I turned to Jeanie and said, “I want this and I can demo on camera.”    If you’ve seen Episode 505 you’ve seen what that 10 minutes can do.

So how do I set up the machine?  Here goes:

1. This is the sensor that reads how quickly the quilt is moving under the BSR

2. The plug in is now located on the back of the machine making it easier to get set up for stitching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Stitch length adjusted from 2.0, the preset, to 1.75 which moves with me much more easily. If I’m doing really tiny pebbles I’ll make the stitch length a bit smaller. I do have to say the updates over the last few years have made even the 2.0 a lot more responsive.

4. The preset is 50. I actually increased it because I’m using a wool batting that is pretty squishy, this still allows the quilt to move freely under the foot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. The 780 comes with the straight stitch plate and I love it for piecing and quilting. When quilting with or without the BSR using the straight stitch plate keeps the quilt from being dragged down into the bobbin area preventing major heart ache. Being able to select the straight stitch plate will prevent needle and machine damage should you put another foot on and select a decorative stitch by alerting you to change the plate.

 

6. Threading the guide with finer threads is a great idea. It’s much simpler with the new bobbin system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I use the open toe foot when quilting. It’s served me well over the years and I still love it a lot. I have a #24 foot on order as I like the shape of it.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BERNINA stitch regulator is a great tool to add to your quilting tool kit.  If you have one and have been struggling with it try changing modes and reducing the stitch length!

 

Anti…ci…pa..a…tion!!!

Now that the Carly Simon tune is dancing through your head, I’m going to give you another visual.Wait for it…I did the Tigger Bounce Today.  I did.  I had my coworkers laughing.  And some of our students too.  When the boxes first arrived I was thinking after all the work I’ve done tidying up the room it wouldn’t fit.  The machine and embroidery unit fit on this table with a bit of room to spare.  Just.

This sewing computer is very well packed.  I took photos of everything so if I ever have to pack it up and take it somewhere  or move (no I’m not planning to) that I can get it back in.

So, here is my good news.  I’m now the happy owner of a BERNINA 780.  She’s quite pretty and I’m considering a name for her, that will come soon I hope.  From the first time I stitched on the 780 at Olde City Quilts in Burlington, NJ I was ready to take one home.  I sat down at the machine, started looking it over, flitting from screen to screen to understand how it worked.  I stitched with and without the stitch regulator.  The full 10″ of space to the right of the needle, the lighting and the sound tempted me.  Yes, you read that right, the sound. The sound is right.  It is the closest sound and feel t0 the 1080 that I’ve heard yet.

In an effort to be a good owner I gave it a bit of a drink (oil) prior to stitching.

You can see some evidence of the oil on this little practice piece.  This is a bit of decorator weight silk, wool batting, a variety of thread and stitching motifs used to practice stitching on.  The foot gives you an idea of how small the motifs are.  Right after this I shredded the thread.  Ha! I know better than to use a size 70 universal needle when quilting, but it was on the machine and I was feeling too lazy to change the needle.

I’m going to be home all day tomorrow and will get a chance to spend more time with Janie.  Yes, that’s her name. Janie. There’s a story behind that name but that’s for another time.  For tonight I’m going to watch baseball and enjoy this sense of euphoria!

Happy quilting!

Teri

 

 

 

 

An Interview with Lisa Fischer

Lisa Fischer and I work together at Hartsdale Fabrics.  When we’re not working with customers Lisa and I hatch plans to make new shop samples that include embroidery, one of Lisa’s specialties, and quilting.  Lisa’s background in the textile industry gives her a depth of knowledge that really lends itself to helping our customers and quite frankly me.   Check out her facebook page.

Teri: Lisa, we’ve talked a little bit about your career in the fashion industry.
Lisa:  I have a BFA in Fashion Design with a minor in Textile design from Syracuse University.   I started sewing on a machine when I was 8 years old. Before that I learned to cross stitch and sew by hand.   Initially, I used commercial patterns, then I started mixing & matching pattern pieces. I never liked to wear what other kids wore-I liked being an “original”     Finally I went on to create my own patterns and designs.    For 20+ years I worked as a designer and merchandiser in the children’s clothing industry focusing on licensed product lines in sleepwear & activewear.

Teri: Can you tell me a bit about your sewing machine(s)?
Lisa: My first sewing machine was a Singer Touch & Sew.  I currently own four Bernina Machines-sewing,embroidery & sergers. Tell me a little about your machines and how you came to choose Bernina.

Teri:  How did you get started teaching?
Lisa: Little by little-I started helping people with projects and problems & it just grew from there.
I was lucky enough to have many great  teachers & co-workers who shared their knowledge freely with me and I enjoy doing the same.

Teri: Tell me a little bit about the different items you make.
Lisa: Stuffed animals( elephants, dogs, llama, ducks, starfish etc), appliqued and or embroidered pillows,tooth fairy pillows, baby quilts, nursery ensembles.

Teri: What was the inspiration for these projects?
Lisa: I have always given hand crafted baby gifts to friends & family. Most commercial patterns have too many pieces.  I simplified my designs to make them kid friendly, easy to hold & love. Each critter has it’s own personality and people respond to that. I’m always sketching & doodling and the items evolve from those ideas.

Teri: How do you choose fabrics?
Lisa: I am attracted to bright, happy prints. I go with my gut reaction.  The prints have to be small in scale so as not to overwhelm the animals.

Teri: How do you keep things fresh?
Lisa: I only buy small quantities of each print so my assortment is constantly changing.  I mix and match my fabrics and change my color stories seasonally.

Teri: You mentioned that you make baby quilts.  How did you get started?
Lisa: The quilts evolved organically as an offshoot of my stuffed animals. I use terry cloth or flannel as accents (ears, feet etc) for the animals which led to bibs and burp cloths which then   progressed to quilts.I’m currently using terry for the center blocks on the quilts-great for babies to feel the different textures.

Teri: What is your favorite quilt to date and would you be willing to share a pic?
Lisa:   So far, it is a baby girl quilt with matching animal .

Teri: Have you found fabric lines that you gravitate towards?
Lisa:  I like Riley Blake, Michael Miller & Moda. Can’t forget almost any kind of batik either!

Teri: Have you ever given consideration to designing a line for the quilt industry?
Lisa:  Have never considered doing fabric line – really haven’t done that stuff for years . Did lots of it for kids wear lines & also flannel plaids for pjs .

Teri: What quilt are you working on right now?
Lisa I’m currently piecing a Scrappy Brick queen sized quilt.

 

Teri: I’m going to presume you machine quilt, particularly with all of those machines.  Do you use the BERNINA Stitch Regulator?  Do you prefer Mode 1 or Mode 2, with or without the foot pedal?
Lisa:   I love my Bernina Stitch Regulator!! I much prefer Mode 2 as I feel I have more control , no foot pedal needed.

Thank you Lisa for the interview.  It’s such a pleasure working with you.

Happy Quilting!

Teri

 

Peek a boo

I picked up this little poster probably 25 years ago when I lived in Americus, GA working at Habitat for Humanity through the church I belonged to at the time.  I put a push pin through the plastic to pin it to the door.  It was my motto for the year. 

I’ve been tidying up and rearranging my sewing room on and off for the last week or so.  I’ve been holding onto scraps of fabric I’ve quilted with the thought that I’d make more tote bags with them.  Nope.  It ain’t gonna happen.  Out that all went.  What I found really fascinating, encouraging really, the machine quilting has really improved in the last 6 years since starting machine quilting.  My method of practicing has changed incorporating fewer prints and more solids and tone on tones.  What I teach hasn’t.  Stitching on border prints, over and through highly details prints (kaleidoscopes), dots, prints to commit the idea of line and shape and understand stitching patch is essential to good machine quilting.

 

 

Or how to make sure the tension is balanced

Yesterday afternoon I started working on my practice piece for an upcoming competition quilt.  The piece told me what I needed to know.  Several photos went off to the piecer of  said quilt and I’m waiting for her feedback.  Since I knew I’d be waiting for a bit I picked up and started stitching on this beauty.  The top is a medium gray from Cherrywood fabrics.  I’ve already stitched out spiraled flying geese and started filling in several areas with quilting.  There are two things here that I want to share with you:

1) I’m using different threads on the top and in the bobbin.  I found this quite helpful when I first started learning how to machine quilt to help me get the tension balanced and really develop an understanding of when to tighten and when to loosen the top tension.

and 2) I play peek a boo.  As I’m stitching I’ll occasionally stop to look at the back of the quilt making sure that I’m not seeing the top thread on the back. 

I play peek a boo even when I’m using the same thread top and bobbin because the tension can still be off meaning that some adjustment is necessary.  Because I prefer balanced tension in all of my quilts I frequently use different thread top and bobbin even on competition quilts.  I get dinged for this frequently in the judges comments however I’d rather know personally that I did a good job balancing my tension rather than hiding a problem.  No I’m not going after the judges or the critiquing process this is simply a statement of personal preference.

I’m off to a quilt show with a friend.

 

Go quilt your world!

Teri