Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?

Mine was a little of this and a little of that...

I have been looking for a two color pattern for a baby quilt and I finally found one called the "Falling Charms" pattern.  I started working on a baby quilt using the pattern.  I'm awaiting a delivery of orange fabric for the actual project I want to do.  I have to say the pattern is so easy and a joy to piece!

Inspired by a conversation with Beth, I began tackling the attic storage area yesterday.  I took two car loads to the thrift store to donate and have a little more work to finish that project up.  It just feels good to get rid of things.  Some of these boxes have been in that storage here since we moved in.  Sometimes you just have to say enough is enough.  

What have you been working on?

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: September 13, 2024

 

Happy Flower Friday! 

Today we have three beauties from Sue P:

Garlic Chives!

Perennial Ageratum

Last rose of summer:

From my garden the caryopteris is feeding lots of bees: 

My neighbors are excited that some pumpkins are growing.  The didn't sow the seeds; we are convinced the squirrels did it last fall.  Squirrels regularly eat the pumpkins folks put out to celebrate Halloween.  This one has a way to go yet but I heard it is now changing color.

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

The Urn Quilt

 

Good morning and happy Thursday!

Today I'm featuring a quilt from my collection.  It's an urn quilt that reminds me of September.  The flowers are usually bursting this time of year (when it isn't so dry) and the days are getting shorter.

The medallion is on-point but interesting.  I think this is an original pattern from the maker.

My gut tells me this is probably from the early 1900s.  I don't have any reason to support it.  The colors are solid (and therefore harder to date).  However the borders are comprised of the sugar loaf pattern:

One friend was surprised I bought this piece.  I don't purchase like baskets (or urns) that are off centered like this quilt or this quilt photo I found on pinterest:

Tomorrow is Flower Friday and if you have any images to share, please email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com!

Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's This and That: September 10, 2024

 

Greetings and Salutations!

Today is about ideas and patterns on my radar this month.

"Quilted couch covers"  must be a new fad.  The pieces aren't what we would call a slipcover but an actual quilted piece.

 

Most of the photos of these show pets on the couch.  Of course there is no way I am buying this when it is simple enough to make.  There's even a variation with a piece for the back of the quilt, just ripe for Lucky to rip down and shake about.  😄 

I'm not buying these but I am thinking of making one for my couch in the winter.  I think some fun bright color during the dark days of January and February might be in order.  Would you make one of these?

***

Another item from my radar was this quilt called clippings.  I like this because it is a different pattern for a scrap quilt!

You can get the pattern at this link.  I think it is just a fun and different look!

I kept thinking that the shape of the blocks was similar to something else.  Sure enough, I found this photo on Pinterest for a star.  I followed the link to the Sew In Love blog and found a great tutorial here.  

If you rearrange the blocks you can get a neat pinwheel as well.  See the great blog to explore possibilities!

Are any patterns ringing your bell these days?

Have a safe and happy day!

Sewing Machine Blues

 

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?

This past week, my sewing machine was at the doctor's to get repaired.  About once a year, I get a "spun bobbin" and take it to my local repairman.  I can't really explain what happens but the machine gets stuck and when it does finally move, the bobbin case spins around and the machine doesn't work.  I'm very good about taking the machine in for regular servicing; my repair guy says this happens with some of the machines.  

The sad part of having the breakdown was that it happened on the first day I had off from everything.  My youngest brother had come up to take care of mom and brother.  Forty minutes into what was supposed to be a "sewing day", Murphy's Law prevailed and the machine went down.

I have a featherweight and a Singer 301 for back-up and continued to work on my challenge quilt but mostly, I puttered around the house.  It was as good a time as any to begin the fall cleaning.

I picked-up the machine on Saturday and went back to sewing when the machine got jammed again.  I called my trusty repairman.  I'm taking the machine back in today (he's going to try to fix it while I'm there).  But I completely understand his explanation.  Sewing machine parts are now made in China where quality control is pretty much nonexistent.  

My husband runs into this all the time for his job.  Companies buy cheaper parts from China (instead of from his company) and then learn that there is no back-up service for the parts when they quickly break.

Years ago, I had a friend who took her older machine in for service  (to another repair place).  She was told to "keep this machine!  The metal machines last and last!"

The featherweight is a perfect example of this.

The machine was introduced in 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair.  It's probably still the most sought after vintage machine.  

The other machine I have is what my repairman dubbed, "the workhorse."  The Singer 301 was introduced in 1957.  I think every woman in my family had one of these (in various cabinets).  My husband bought me mine because it was exactly like the one his mother used.  It even was sold with the cabinet:

The best part is that the bobbins and needles for the featherweight and 301 are interchangeable.  I need to start using these machines more because I've found they ARE workhorses.  

I still love my Pfaff and it makes machine quilting easier.  But I rarely do that kind of quilting anymore except for small pieces.  

What kind of machine do you have and does it need to be repaired frequently?  

Have a safe and happy day!

Flower Friday: September 6, 2024

 

Happy Flower Friday!

We all enjoy seeing photos of flowers from gardens all over!  Today Wendy from New Hampshire sent these photos!

Thank you Wendy!  I think my favorite photo is your healthy looking zinnias! Wow!

Here in the Lehigh Valley, we are really seeing the impact of a hot dry summer.  The above photo was taken the last day of August.  It's rare we see leaves turn and fall this early.  

I hope your growing season is better!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Washington's Puzzle

 

Good morning and happy Wednesday!

I was going through some photos of my quilts and tops and found one that I don't think I've shared with you before.

It's called Washington's Puzzle and I think my top is a variation, I'll call it circa 1970.

I purchased it because I had never seen anything like it before.

It's a variation because the Washington's Puzzle is a little different.

From Quilter's Cache, a wonderful website with lots of free patterns:

Also from Quilter's Cache, a look at the block as a quilt:

The only reason I was interested in this block was because a few decades ago, I had an antique block in this pattern.  I think it might be up at Beth's house now because I can't find it here.  Still, I wasn't that crazy about making a quilt like the one above.

I did however find a layout that was more pleasing to me over at Beaquilter:

I'm not sure I'll ever use this pattern but I wonder what the 20th century quilter was thinking when she made this.  Was it supposed to be psychedelic or something?

What do you think?

Flower Friday is approaching!  It seems like Fall is coming early here in Pennsylvania and I'm wondering how the weather is where you live.  Do you have any mums or asters blooming?  If you have any images to share, email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com

Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's This and That: September 3, 2024

 

Are you ready to have a great day!

Happy Tuesday!

Two youtube channels I enjoy watching right now are The Last Homely House (from the U.K.) and Stitch with Rachel.  I'm saving a lot of the videos for when baseball season ends but still sneak peaks at different tutorials, etc. at these sites.  

Are there any sites you enjoy that you would share?

*** 

It feels like fall and that makes me think of purging and reorganizing!

I'm always interested in reorganizing my sewing room.   Here are two blog posts you might enjoy if you are thinking of a room re-do:

From Polka Dot Chair:  16 Tried and True Tips for Organizing your Sewing or Quilting Space.

From A Quilting Life:  Organizing Your Sewing Room

I like this post because it is short and sweet and doesn't involve buying things to organize one's room.  I think the idea in organization is to use what you actually have and save money!  Also there are other links you can peruse that she lists on this post.

***

Have a safe and happy day!

Happy Labor Day!