Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Meanwhile Back in Sheville...

I can't remember the exact age I first learned to sew. Under ten years old for sure. My first sewing project was a cross stitch alphabet sampler. Lucky for me I come from a long line of pack rats. My Mom saved it for years and years. When my daughter was born she framed it and gave it to me to decorate the nursery. My daughter will be old enough to buy alcoholic beverages this summer, so that's a been more than a few days ago. But not one to forgo family traditions, I saved it all these years. It now qualifies under the definition of antique. I decided the other day that it seems appropriate to display in Sheville.


While I was digging through things I also found the second sewing project I made. A pretty little bouquet I embroidered and framed for my Grandmother. Of course I'm going to display that too. Right next to the gazillion old buttons my family has horded for years. I really need to come up with a creative use for all these buttons.


Then I finished the quilt top I've been working on. I tried Amelia's advice and turned the reds all the same direction and you know what? I like it. Can't explain why but I do. So I left them that way. A couple couldn't be turned, but I like having something intentionally not perfect in my quilts. Not that I need to goof up intentionally. I'm pretty good at that naturally. I shopped for fabric and found the exact red print in sufficient quantity for the border. Apparently it was meant to be. So stripe for the binding it is.


I don't have the color of quilting thread that I want to use. I won't be going out any time soon. So I started cutting the next project. An antique reproduction spools quilt. I don't like the instructions in the book (I hate bias squares) so I'm going to try and just wing it on my own. This could be a disaster waiting to happen. Or it may turn out delightful. Either way it keeps my mind off being snowbound with a crowing rooster on my back porch. He never stops. I may need therapy soon.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Is that spool quilt a photo from the book or have you already started it?
I like the border on your first project. I think the stripe binding will really set it off!
That's neat how your mother kept that needlework all these years. My family moved a lot when I was a kid so we didn't hang on to much. But my husbands mother sure made up for it! She threw nothing out!

Amelia said...

Love the red border...It allows the red in the quilt to just pop.

Seeing the spool layout makes me want to do one something soon...oh, so many wants - but so little time.

Stay warm - in spite of the snow.

Christine said...

Milah, that's a photo from the book.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I love the layout with the reds going all the same way - really makes a difference - and the border is great.

Enjoy the cookies.

Anonymous said...

Mom! I remeber that alphabet! Maybe we should take a picture of my baby blanket! Now thats a antique!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Great post....again! Somehow you gotta find another place for that rooster - a motel maybe? blessings, marlene

Carol said...

The red really looks great. The stripped binding will be perfect. I really like that quilt. I think if I had put all that work into making all those squares I would hang that on a wall where everyone who came into my house would see it. That would be bragging but if I had the patience to make a quilt like that I would definitely brag.