Coolest Trick

Sorry about the crazy layout of the pictures, but I can't seem to get them to go how I want them. I will have to read more on this subject. This is the coolest trick that I learned from watching a free video at Sharon Schamber's website. You needle will never come off the thread again!

1. Make a loop with the short tail of the thread. She recommends never to use more than 12" (maybe that's my problem)


2. Take your needle and pull it thru this loop (take notice of which thread is on top)


3. Pull gently on the long tail of thread creating a slip knot


4. Snug up the slip knot

This was an amazing thing for me. I can't tell you how many times I have to re-thread my needle when doing applique, or when my girls are doing yo-yo's. I tried this and you can't even feel it when you sew. I probably would have kissed Sharon if she had been standing next to me when I saw this.

The reasoning with the 12" - when the thread goes through the fabric multiple times, it wears the thread compromising the quality. This may be a contributing factor to my bindings breaking. I have a habit of making my thread an arms length.

Just Can't say NO!

I offered to help my SIL clean out craft/fabrics for her 91 year old neighbor. I hope to be that active when I am 91! The van was full when I left. It took me most of today to sort things and get them in order. My goal is to find a good home for her treasures. I would also like to make a twin quilt for her bed with some of the fabric. There were 6 tatting shuttles, a dress nearly finished (just needed the zipper), DMC floss, and lots of crochet cotton, and multiple other items. The girls were excited to find 2 vintage aprons to put in with their dress-up clothes.

I am making some progress on my basket BOM. I have the snowman and the leaves to attach still. I am enjoying the hand stitching so far. I think I will at least make it to block 2.

Sunday Stash Report

As posted earlier, I made a small purchase this week. I didn't do much sewing this week to offset the damages. The kids had a busy homework schedule. I did manage to knit a scarf during basketball on Saturday.



Sunday Stash Report:

• Outgoing Yardage 0


• Incoming Yardage 2.239


• Total Stash Busted (YTD) 1.731

I stumbled across a free applique (yes, the "A" word) via Randi's blog at (http://allenquilts.wordpress.com). I really enjoy small project that I can pick up and go with while I am waiting for my children. I cut the pieces for the first block last night. It is one block a month. I may not make it past the first month, but it is a darn cute block.

I am doing the starch and press method of applique on the first block. Those darn small leaves are giving me a few problems. I may use wool for those.

Here is the link if you are interested in joining:

http://bunnyhilldesigns.com/dynamic/?page=Free%20Patterns

Who could resist?

While the girls were clogging, I felt the need for a little fabric therapy. There is a quilt shop about 10 minutes from the dance studio. I received an email from that quilt shop (Quilt n' Gifts) requesting donations of fabric for a local senior group that needed supplies. Considering I had a Gateway computer box full of fabric I was donating, I think I returned home FAR less than I donated. I didn't want to leave empty handed, so I purchased 2 charm packs(on sale), 2 fat quarters (on clearance), and 1/2 yard of City Girl to go with the other prints that I have. I am pleased to move that box of fabric on to a home where it will be used instead of stored.

Sunday Stash Report

Each Sunday I will post if I have been naughty or nice. I am keeping a running total of the fabric I have purchased and used this year. I have a goal to have a 50 yard deficit at the end of the year. That number seems like a lot to me, but I think it is achievable.

Since this is my first post, I will make it retro to Jan 1.

• Outgoing Yardage 6.245
• Incoming Yardage 2.125
• Total Stash Busted (YTD) 4.12

The majority of the stash busted was for a backing and the binding on the Christmas quilt I posted earlier. Roughly 4 yards downs and 46 to go. How long do you think I can stay on the wagon? Whenever I fall, I fall REALLY hard.

Flu has left the building!

I wasn't sure if I was going to make it thru. It took over a week before all of us caught the virus and recovered. The weather has been extremely snowy and cold here.


Here is a picture of my first finish of the year. These were the remnants of a large quilt a made a few years ago. I sewed the bining on completely by machine and I am pleased with how it looks. I haven't tried this in several years and I can tell I have really improved. I think the key was to pin the binding all the way around the edge before I started.

I also managed to get the binding sewn on the front of a Christmas quilt that used up some of my "uglies". These fabrics had been hanging around for way too long. I love how the red binding brings it all together. Hopefully I can get the handstitching done before Christmas. I won't move it to finished until the binding is stitched down. I will post a better picture when it is completed. I love how the sun shining thru the window shows off the quilting (even with the shadows).

During the sickness, I did manage to quilt one customer quilt. It is a cute panel quilt, and I am pleased with how it came to life with the quilting. Oh yes, and behind the customer quilt is the infamous bow tie quilt. It is on my list of quilts to finish this year as well. Perhaps someone will chime in with a great quilting plan for me. I have the FINAL border on the design wall so I can stitch the squares together.