Retreat Revisited

Posted on October 25, 2017 by The Village Granny

Ah quilt retreat! There is nothing like it. Four days of sewing, chatting, sharing, laughing, eating and maybe some sleeping. There is lots of humming of machines, questions like “Does this border go with this fabric?”, answers of “I prefer the blue!”, whirring of rotary cutters and even some quiet times of hand sewing. One person can be absorbed in reading directions, two people can be sharing a new technique, three people can be giving an opinion on placement of blocks for a quilt and any number of people an be taking a class on a brilliant idea or some new sewing notion.

A retreat is many things and can be anything to one person. Maybe it’s a chance to finish that project . . . . finally. Maybe it’s a chance to start a new project . . . . finally. And maybe it’s just time, time to sew and sew and sew on anything and everything you have. It’s the freedom to do whatever you want.

Ah quilt retreat! Looking forward to it is a joy. Experiencing it is true heaven. Even the memories of it are a blessing. Here are a few of mine.

This is just one block for a quilt done in appliqué. Can you imagine how spectacular that quilt will be?

This quilt looks like it was woven. And it is made out of flannel. What a coy hug it will give on cold nights.

A beautiful Christmas tree already for the holiday.

A beautiful quilt done in squares. Very modern looking.

Is this too cute? I love the baby penguin!

A wonderful red, white and blue star quilt. Love those stars!

This quilt is big, beautiful and not even done yet. There will be more poinsettias when completed. How perfect will that be?

A quilt of foxes is being worked on here. How adorable!

A little Christmas village just got finished here in this cute quilt.

Several of us took lessons on making stars the Inklingo way. Here are our results.

This spectacular one is made from a zillion little pieces of fabric applied to the background. Isn’t it wonderful?

I love the brightness of this quilt. Must be all those primary colors.

This is going to be a great quilt when it is done. Don’t you agree?

Another very interesting quilt. The blocks are going in all directions. Love the clocks!

This quilt is very soft looking. I bet it is very comforting too.

Here is a special quilt of several blocks of the Lady of Guadalupe. It was made for a special friend. Lucky lady!

This is not exactly a quilt but still a real cutie. It is a wool mat for a platter. It is all done by hand with much embellishment.

A complicated quilt that is very lovely to behold. Can’t wait till this one is done.

This one looks very hard but actually it is the fabric that is printed to look like 36 square blocks. Interesting, right?

This is all I can show you of the marvelous retreat I went to. The best parts are the intangibles. They are the relationships we all have and the history of many retreats and gatherings over the years. They are the hours spent in each others’ company through good times and bad. They are the words spoken between us over coffee, tea and wine, sharing meals, ideas and feelings.

All these things we carry in our hearts until the next time we meet. Be it tomorrow or next year. Nothing is lost or forgotten. Retreat is forever!

What You Can Do With A Bag Of Fabric

Posted on April 10, 2017 by The Village Granny

So a group of say about 28 women get together for four days. They each have a bag or two or three of fabric. What do you think can happen with that fabric in four days of sewing? Well it was pure magic, my Sweeties! Pure magic!

Look and see what the results are. And feel free to drool!

Is this cutest guy you ever saw? And all made out of little pieces of fabric. Can you see the squirrel and the rabbits?

This is his not so little playmate. Isn’t she a beauty? Again, all done with little bits of fabric that were fussy cut.

This one was put together, cut apart and put back together. Now how clever is that? Spectacular!

This medieval looking gem has wonderful thread work in every block. It is too beautiful for words! When it is finally all together, it will be a stunner!

Here is a really lovely Quilt of Valor. It is meant for a specific veteran and is truly personal. A lot of love is going into this quilt.

These two lovelies are coasters and couldn’t be nicer.

These pieced butterflies are going to be wonderful in the final quilt, whatever it is. Of course, I especially love the the blue one!

Here is some hand embroidery beyond compare! Just sit and enjoy!

More embroidery. Drool if you must!

Love the colors in this beauty!

How nice is this? Won’t it be great in a camper or a lodge?

Now this is a fantastic quandary. Not sure what it will be, but it is divine.

What a cutie patootie is this! I want one!

There is nothing like a good old fashioned bowtie quilt. Brings back memories, doesn’t it?

What a sight! Can you believe this? The work and the precision!

Another version of a bowtie quilt. X’s and O’s.

Doesn’t everyone want one of these? I sure do!

Oh my goodness! A baby quilt that practically brings tears to your eyes.

How lovely is this? Love the scrappy border!

More butterflies! But this time in the border. How unusual!

Oh how I love a blue and white quilt! And those fabrics, yum!

One version of a good old Log Cabin. Wonderful!

And so ended our four day quilt retreat. The quilts are the only part I can show you. I can’t show you how much we laughed or how much we talked or how much we cared about each other. I can’t show you the hugging, the touching, the sharing that went on.

The fabric is what draws us together, but the fellowship is what keeps us together. Quilting is the purpose but caring is the glue. A bag of fabric may be the reason we gather but true love is why we stay.

Two Weeks, Two Retreats

Posted on January 30, 2017 by The Village Granny

I have just returned from two quilt retreats in as many weeks. Some folks told me that much intense quilting would probably kill me. But it didn’t.

In fact, it was exhilarating! It was inspiring! It was certainly a whole lot of fun! OK, it was a bit tiring. But I would do it again in a heart beat.

At a quilt retreat you join like-minded friends i.e. other quilters for a few days of sewing, laughing, sharing, learning and maybe a practical joke here and there.

At the first retreat, I and about 25 other women spent four days in a special center built for just such occasions. We had our rooms and food provided – what a luxury! All we had to do was plug in our machines and begin sewing.

And sew we did. Quilts began showing up on the design walls immediately and didn’t stop until we were forced to leave four days later.

The five newbies were a bit overwhelmed by the sounds and the sights of the big room. But the sounds of the workroom were so familiar to those of us who had been before. The hum of machines, the chatter of conversations here and there, the ring of laughter floating over all, the chime of an “AHA!” as someone finally figured out a difficult problem.

And what looked like mass confusion was really busy organization at work. Quilts were being planned, resized, sewn, ripped, resewn, quilted and bound. Advice was being given and received, knowledge shared, tips and tricks passed from one generation to the next.

All this was happening while relationships were being formed and strengthened. Actually, isn’t that what it’s really all about?

So, after four days, I came home, unpacked, washed my clothes, repacked and headed off to my second retreat. This time it was at a hotel and resort center.

I roomed with a dear friend whom I have known since sixth grade. We joined 85 men and women for another four days of quilting heaven.

Yes, I said men! We have men in this group that quilt and they are wonderful. That is one of the great things about the art of quilting, it is very inclusive.

So how do 85 people quilt together? Well, first they take over the entire Ballroom with tables, sewing machines, irons, ironing boards and design boards. It was a tight fit, but we made it.

We nearly drowned in fabric, scraps and thread. But thanks to the hotel staff that vacuumed every night, we kept our heads above water.

I have never seen such a flurry of activity anywhere in my life. It looked like mayhem, but was controlled work, in actuality. Again the quilts began to appear almost immediately.

The creativity and beauty I saw was amazing. It just kept coming, from every corner of the room. From young and old (Our oldest quilter is 89!). From skilled to newbie alike, the results were wonderful, spectacular.

Now I’m home again with my two finished quilt tops, one quilt bound and one quilt started. I got a lot accomplished, renewed friendships, met some new friends, ate very well, laughed until it hurt, learned some new tips and shared some others.

In other words, I had a perfect two weeks. The hardest part now is getting used to cooking again. Ugh!!!

Dresses For Christmas

Posted on December 14, 2016 by The Village Granny

What could be better than a new dress for Christmas? Say a dress made of white Batiste with cranberry trim and maybe some smocking? Maybe it would have a beautiful little green ribbon running through the threads of the smocking and maybe the tie would be cranberry too?

Would that dress be the prettiest thing you ever saw? Would a granddaughter of eight years old think it was the best dress ever made for her?

Would Christmas be just that much better wearing a new dress made just for you? Would you feel like a princess in a crisp white dress ironed just so and stitched with all the love possible?

Would the pictures taken of a dark haired girl in the new white dress be all the more precious because her grandmother made the dress just for her? Would the dark haired girl feel the same because she knew the dress was meant for no one else but her?

What could be better than a new dress for Christmas? How about two new dresses for Christmas? How about a dark haired granddaughter and a fair haired great-granddaughter in matching dresses? How about Christmas memories that will last a lifetime for two?

Is that not that the best picture for Christmas? Two precious girls, in two precious dresses, at the same time? Am I the luckiest Granny ever?

Tea Dyed Quilt

Posted on October 31, 2016 by The Village Granny

I recently made a small doll quilt with some challenge fabric from the Jane Austen Group I belong to. It turned out very cute and colorful. But it seemed a bit too bright for me. I wanted it to look a little bit older and maybe a bit more used. The Log Cabin pattern kind of calls for that look, I think. So what to do?

I had already made the quilt, so dying the fabric pieces was out. Maybe I could tea dye the whole quilt! Why not!

I got a pot big enough to fit the whole quilt into and filled it with water almost to the top, leaving room for the quilt. Brought the water to a boil and added my tea bags. As it happened, I only had one bag of regular tea. The rest of the bags were herbal tea. Wasn’t sure if that would work, but what the heck.

Turned off the heat and left the 7 bags of tea to steep for about five minutes. While the tea was steeping, I soaked the quilt in cool water in the sink and wrung out the excess. After the five minutes, I added it to the tea mixture in the pot and let it soak for 30 minutes.

I removed the tea bags when I put the quilt in. One source I read said to leave the bags in if you want a more mottled look.

Then I took the quilt back to the sink for another cool water bath to rinse out all the extra tea water. Finally I laid it on a soft towel to dry. That took about a day.

The little quilt now looks just as I pictured it – a little toned down, a little old and a little used. I don’t think it could look any better!

Why I Quilt

Posted on October 23, 2016 by The Village Granny

I love it. I have to do something everyday that gives me joy. Quilting (and sewing in general) does that for me. It brings a happiness that nothing else does. What a blessing to find that in my life and so early. I knew as a child I would sew the rest of my life.

It gives me peace. When I am quilting, I am completely at peace with myself and my surroundings. Time and trouble have almost no meaning when I am in the midst of fabric and a sewing machine. For me, quilting is better at curing the blues than professional therapy.

It makes me use my mind. Quilting involves a fair amount of math; using fractions, the metric system, division, geometry and angles. I must use my brain to keep measurements accurate. I also have to make squares, triangles, etc. match up. There are many skills I have to learn and new ways of doing things. There is always something new on the horizon. Quilting keeps me on my toes, alert and always aware. I think it helps keep me young.

It’s a way to be creative. Colors, shapes, sizes, contrast and harmony – all combine in a million different ways. How fun it is to explore the possibilities that quilting affords me. I can literally think of anything and try it out with fabric! It doesn’t get any better.

It keeps me organized. Keeping all the parts of a quilt in order can be a chore, but it does make me develop a system. The system allows the quilt to go together in the right sequence and it is different for each quilt. That way I’m able to stop and start without getting lost.

It allows me to be messy. When I’m quilting, it can look like a fabric bomb has gone off in my sewing room. And that’s okay! Allowing the fabric to speak and jump out can be a freeing experience. Try it – I think you will like it! And I don’t have to clean it up until I’m ready.

It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Making progress on a quilt is very invigorating. Every block done is a goal accomplished. And a finished quilt is a thrill beyond compare. All the thought, planning, work, ripping, re-sewing and love become a beautiful fabric hug.

It never ends. Even before one quilt is done, I’m looking forward to the next project. There is always a new energy and an eagerness to get to the next idea. Numerous thoughts concerning several quilts can be going on at the same time. Quilts follow quilts. They never end!

The community of other quilters. Sharing the love of quilting with other like-minded people just multiplies the joy. I have found quilters to be the most selfless, caring, inclusive, sharing folks on the planet. I can’t imagine quilting all alone. It is a gift that must be performed with others. I must share. I must be taught. I must teach. I must know the happiness of a group quilting together.

Photographs for the book “Teach Yourself Visually: Quilting” by Sonja Hakala.
(Photo by Geoff Hansen)

It is part of my legacy. I envision quilts I made being handed down to my family for generations. I have also made many quilts as gifts for family and friends. These quilts are part of me and show my love for those in my life. Like my laugh and my sense of humor, they will be remembered and talked about for many years to come.

The act of quilting itself sets a good example for the younger generations in my family. As the matriarch, I want to be seen as a productive and active elder. I believe quilting does that for me.

One Hundred Years To Make A Quilt

Posted on August 22, 2016 by The Village Granny

One hundred years ago my grandmother Irene started embroidering linens and doilies for her home. She made tablecloths with matching napkins, pillowcases, dresser scarves, hand towels and handkerchiefs.

She also began collecting special pieces that were decorated by others she knew. Some of the linens were probably to be used in a quilt or bedspread and some were treasured gifts from treasured people in her life. All were spectacular and beautiful.

Sixty years ago my mother Peggy inherited the wonderful collection of embroidered linens from my grandmother. She used a few of them in the house we lived in.

Over the years, she added a few pieces to the group. I remember a tablecloth with napkins for a card table and a liner for a bread basket. I know she made more but that’s all I remember.

Both my grandmother and mother were great sewers and made most of their clothes. My mother made many of my clothes as well as my two children’s when they were little. What they didn’t do very much was embroider, so everything they did embellish is just that much more precious.

The embroidery has become more than just a pretty attraction. It has become a symbol. It represents continuity – a connection over the years, the decades. It is a thread that binds my grandmother to mother to me. All the hours they spent are there. All the starts, mistakes, restarts and finishes are there. All the plans blossoming into beautifully decorated linens are there. There for all to see, appreciate and learn from.

Forty-three years ago I became the recipient of the grand collection, which by then had become fairly extensive. After a few years of my own collecting, I began to try to plan a good use for the expanding treasure trove of embellished pieces of linen and cotton.

Last year I designed a quilt using as many of the antique and vintage pieces as I could. The center is the middle of a tablecloth surrounded by four hand towels and corners of two dresser scarves.

Around that are the borders of a tablecloth. The mosaic panels are made up of all sorts of linens and doilies overlapping all around the quilt.

It is a glorious mixture of all the types f embroidery, crochet, tatting and crossstitch.

The final border is made up of handkerchiefs of every color and design.

While sewing every seam, I thought about mother and grandmother, their love of sewing and their contribution to the quilt. Their enthusiasm and love of the art were with me every step of the way. What a lovely way to share with the generations.

One hundred years of hand work, collecting and loving special pieces of cloth, three generations of women and one quilt to show all the care. What a grand result!

I couldn’t have done it without you two!

A Full House

Posted on April 26, 2016 by The Village Granny

It’s quilting time again and off to retreat I went! The retreat center was packed to the rafters with wonderful women who love to quilt as I do. Thirty-five ladies went on the retreat and thirty-five beds were available at the center. Like I said, packed to the rafters.

It’s not just the retreaters that come to the center, but all the equipment, supplies, projects, notions, clothes, and miscellaneous that comes with them. I mean to tell you, we were packed in there.

Sewing machines were practically touching each other, to say nothing about chairs colliding with one another. A person could hardly walk down an aisle without turning sideways to fit through. It’s a good thing we all love each other!

Day One and the quilts were already going up on the design walls.

This quilt appeared in about three different versions. Turn the blocks around and you have a whole new quilt.

What a sweetie!

A similar pattern but different colors. Very nice!

The first quilt turned in a different way. Amazing!

Love those primary colors!

These blocks were done by several people in the Bee and given to one special person. How lucky is she!

How did this one get done so fast? Most have done some work at home before the retreat.

Love the drama of this one. Contrast makes all the difference, doesn’t it?

This illusion quilt is beyond description. Playing with value and hue makes everything look three-dimensional. The background fabric has printed words. Look carefully and don’t miss a thing!

Done by same quilter as previous. Again there are no words!

This one reminds me of the front of an office building. Again the three dimensional look. Aren’t these quilts spectacular?

Day Two was equally great. More quilts on the design walls. More projects, more humming of machines, more talking and laughter. How could it be any better? But it was!

Simple but dramatic!

Very interesting! Each elk head was cut exactly the same. Amazing!

Some people made astounding progress on their quilt by making many many blocks.

Some people made less progress and made only one block. They were busy doing other things. . .talking, texting, messaging, talking, blogging, talking, visiting, talking, and talking.

P.S. This block was joined by many other blocks and became a full quilt by Day Three and a half.

How about this beauty?

Can’t take my eyes off these colors. Very striking!

Don’t you just love this quilt? So much to see!

Very interesting version of Log Cabin. Love the colors.

Now here is a real scrap user! Every block is different.

Don’t the windows make all the difference?

Who doesn’t love stars? The black background really makes it pop.

This is some wonderful fabric I found at retreat. I love the philosophy! The rules of life as revealed in fabric. Bee-utiful!

Now here is a commitment to making squares! Rock on!

Day Three – more of the same and some different. Quilts were being produced faster than I could keep up with. My camera was smoking! Thirty-five women and three days – I would expect no less.

Squares galore! Can you believe it?! And the Bargello effect is stunning!

More squares and some really interesting fabric.

Love the chains! Very nice effect.

I feel like I’m at the beach, don’t you?

I feel like I’m in Paris, don’t you?

Interesting use of color and tones.

Closeup of an interesting border to one of the quilts. I don’t believe you can have too much color in any one quilt, as evidenced by this one.

By the end of Day Three we were all starting to pack up for the trip home. So much was accomplished by so many. Not just the quilts, but the friendships, the relationships, the bonding we made in such a short time. When that many women eat together, sleep together, and work together, magic can happen. And it did! Wonderful, magical things happened at the full house!

Small Group, Big Results

Posted on February 3, 2016 by The Village Granny

Our Appliqué Group went on a four day retreat recently. There were only eleven of us that could go this time. We were a small but mighty group of ladies. I can’t wait to show you the great things we did in such a short time.

First of all there is this grand illusion. Don’t you love it?

This baby quilt is so sweet. I love the faces of the animals.

It just makes me smile and I’m sure it will do the same for the baby.

Here is a strange looking one. It is actually the beginning of a beautiful quilt built from the center out.

This is my French General quilt. I finally finished it after three years of intermittent work on it. What a relief!

Isn’t this one interesting? Very simple to make but looks so difficult.

Completely random but organized. I love it!

The contrast in fabric colors is very striking. It makes a simple quilt strong.

This quilt was made for a young man who will soon graduate from High School. I think he will love it.

How gorgeous is this one? Love the fabrics!

This beautiful little gem is all done by hand with wool. The embroidery is exquisite! Do you see Noah’s ark and all the animals two by two?

The fabrics are grand in this one. The fish were cut by hand and applied to the quilt. Stunning!

This magnificent quilt was put together with 1″ squares! Unbelievable!

Oops! Out of order! A closeup of the Noah’s ark.

Isn’t the handwork wonderful?

Can you believe what eleven women can do in four days? Never underestimate a woman with a sewing machine!

I Remember When

Posted on December 14, 2015 by The Village Granny

Here is my newest creation, entitled “I Remember When.”

This quilt is made from doilies, linens and handkerchiefs collected from my grandmother, mother and aunt. It took me years to gather enough to finally make this quilt big enough to cover a queen-size bed.

There are tablecloths, tea towels, doilies, and handkerchiefs all over this thing. Some were in good shape and some were barely salvageable. The torn and spotted ones were perfect for such a project, which required much cutting.

I remember many of these linens in their homes and being used. They bring back memories of good times, cozy gatherings, and sweet smells. They make the quilt that much more lovable and huggable.

It was so fun to touch each piece and imagine how it would fit in the quilt. Turning it this way and that way, until it was perfect. Each fabric finding its right place. It was as though the quilt already existed and I just had to see it in my mind. And it turned out just right!

This memory quilt holds a lot of history of the women of my family. History held in pieces of linen passed down from one generation to another, to be used and loved. I hope this quilt continues the tradition of passing on the story to the next generations.

The Village Granny

It takes a Village Granny to raise a Grand Child

Category Archives: In the Sewing Room