Design Wall

Design wall.  I've read about them and seen many different ways of making them.  I've tried laying my quilt out on the floor, and on the bed.  I even tried hanging a piece of felt inside the closet in my sewing room.  But nothing was working for me.

I have a very large wall space in my sewing/laundry area.  It is pretty much wasted space, because the washer and dryer are right across from this wall, not leaving very much room.

 

So with the help of my very tall hubby, we hung a flannel backed plastic table cloth and taped it down with painters tape. 

I hung the blocks from a quilt that is in the works.  Kept it up over the weekend to see if the blocks would stay put.

So far so good :-)

 BTW, I have been saving black and white fabric for a while, waiting for just the right quilt pattern.  I found this pattern on All People Quilt.

I have an account at this website, so I hope you can open the link.  They often have some really pretty patterns.

Have you solved your Design wall problem??  Does it help you to visualize your quilt in the making?

Have a Happy Quilting day!

Fabric Tuesday
Show and Tell Tuesday 
NewFO Linky Party

Safe travels

Today is the last day for the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  I always loved this sign post from Florida pointing to Quiltville and Paducah KY. 

I have heard the Quilt show was very well attended, and it was cold for Kentucky this time of year.  And the Dogwoods were in full bloom!

Safe travels home............

Happy Quilting!

A couple of old gals

Yesterday I thought I would try to clean up the Singer 66-16 that I found at a thrift shop.  I've read you should only clean these vintage machines with sewing machine oil.  So I gave it a once over. 

However I could not open the bottom so I was not able to oil that area.  I need to get one of the men folk to lift it out for me.

It does have a nice even stitch. 

Much like this sweet little beauty...........

I'd really love to try machine quilting with the 66-16.  It has an 8 1/2" harp opening.  However I need to find a darning foot to fit. Anyone have a source for attachments?

What do you think?

 As Quilters, something happens when we cross over the threshold of a Quilt show.  I think the change affects each of us differently.  There are no specific symptoms but something definitely takes place within each one of us.

It is a magical journey that starts the moment we enter the building.  It provides pleasure to our senses.  We are surrounded with beauty on every side.

We need a plan!  Where do we start?  Do we look at the quilts first?

Or perhaps we should scope out the vendors.  There is always a prize piece of fabric and the latest designs in patterns.  It is enough to make my head spin!

About eight years ago I attended my first major Quilt show in Nashville with two of my quilting buddies.  We stayed at the Opryland hotel where the Quilt show was being hosted.  As we entered the doors we could not believe how much there was to see!  Rows and rows of vendors and some of the most beautiful quilts we have ever laid our eyes on.  By the end of the first day we were on overload!  When we headed back to our room we brought out all of our bags for close inspection.  We would oooo and ahhh with so much delight, stroking each others fabrics and reviewing all the books and patterns we purchased.  For the next two days we enjoyed the euphoria of every quilting treat that was available.

In the years since that first Quilt show, I have attended the Quilt Festival in Chicago and the AQS Quilt show in Paducah.  Each one has its own unique spin on the Quilting community.  It's what drives the psychological part of our desire to make beautiful things.  The mere thought of a trip to a Quilt show is enough to start my exit from reality.  It is  a mystery that once again brings me back to the reason why I love to quilt.  For the beauty of it, and the love of seeing and experiencing what others have created in the world of fabric.

(p.s. I had planned to go to Paducah this week, but due to my accident and surgery I cancelled my plans.  Maybe another year.)

Tell me...........

It is always fun reading other quilt blogs and seeing their collections.  Whether it is scissors, threads, or pin cushions.  My collection has turned out to be --- project bags!

It all started so simply when I would find a pattern and fabric that I liked.  It only made sense to me to keep the fabric and pattern all together...... in a bag.  First it was a bag from the LQS.  They were always in pretty colors.  But then as I collect more fabrics for yet another project, I wandered over to the plastic grocery bags.  Before long I was finding other bags to use.  The "green bags from the stores worked great!  And we cannot forget the giveaway bags from the Quilt shows.  My favorite is using the large over sized zippy bags.  Then one day my hubby comes home with canvas bags from a convention.  These were even sturdier and had handles that held more weight.  whewwww...... I was overrun with project bags.

So have I become a bag lady??  There are so many projects that I have in mind. But before I can even start on the first project, I am drawn to a new one.  Oh MY! Am I the only one dealing with this problem??

Not quite a finish.......... but

...... I've been working on this quilt.  It's for a new baby boy, born just a week ago. 

I've got to hurry and get it done, or he will out grow it before he can even use it!

Finish it up Friday

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop!

Real vs Fabric

These are some of the spring flowers I have planted in my yard. All things are new again. Flowers bursting with new life.

The breath of spring is never far behind in my fabric garden.

"I never get tired of looking at my fabric. It's like looking at a beautiful garden that never goes to seed."

Happy Quilting!