Friday, August 30, 2019

A FINISH FOR FRIDAY

You might remember Adrienne's class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop that I posted about here. You might also remember that she gave me a bag of low volume scraps to make my own quilt.  I started on that last week and I think I am finished. I think.  As I sewed my scraps I got to wondering about what else I could make with these scraps and got a little sidetracked.  I made a bag using Adrienne's method of sewing pieces of fabric together.  The bag is all made from scraps, even the lining.  I did spend 90 cents on a new zipper.  

The bag turned out a little drab for me so I appliqued on this flower to perk it up.
This is the inside.  I dug through my scrap bag and found enough leftover scraps for the inside.  The bag is 8" x 11" and I used the pattern:  Noodlehead's Wide Open Zipper Pouch.

Also, I forgot to tell you about my mistake with Free Motion Quilting.  After I had completed two rows I happened to turn the piece over and discovered the tension was wacky.  Fixed it and moved on.  It had been a while since I had done any FMQ and completely forgot about the tension.  Also, I don't think I told you I use water dissolving thread when practicing.  This is awesome.  I just use it in the bobbin.  After I had filled up my piece, I placed it in a pan of water and within five minutes I was able to pull all the top threads out and hang the pieces up to dry.  Today I just need to press the pieces, make them into a sandwich again, and practice some more.  What a fun way to spend this holiday weekend.  Hope you all have a great time too!

Mark your Calendar Now!  The Country Fair Road Tour 2019 is set for September 19, 20 and 21 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday). Take a ride on the Country Fair Barn Quilt Tour.  Participating shops are: New Ewe in Newaygo; Quilted Memories, Montague; Seven Sisters, Carson City; and Attic Window Quilt Shop, Comstock Park.


AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Stitch-In, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 30-31
  • CLOSED, Monday, Sept. 2
  • Charity Quilts, Monday, Sept. 9
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

A LITTLE PRACTICE GOES A LONG WAY

You probably wonder, what the heck is this.  Well, I've been practicing my free motion quilting.  After spending an entire day cleaning my sewing room and finding duplicates of notions and books and umpteen unfinished projects, I decided to spend time improving my skills instead of thinking about what new project I can start.  As you can see, I need lots of practice, especially on those pebbles.  You can get lots of fabric to make a practice sandwich at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  And if you are interested, I'm sure Diana will have another FMQ class.  
Many months ago I did buy the Westalee ruler templates for ruler work on my domestic machine.  I tried it once then gave up.  After cleaning my sewing room and seeing what a waste it is to let those rulers go unused, I decided to also practice using them.  Still not sure about when to use them, and discovered that some of them needed new tape to keep them from moving on the fabric as I sewed.  However, I'm determined to improve my skills.  What I have found is that FMQ and this ruler work takes lots of practice.  So make that sandwich and promise yourself to practice an hour a day.  It will do wonders for your quilting.

Mark your Calendar Now!  The Country Fair Road Tour 2019 is set for September 19, 20 and 21 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday). Take a ride on the Country Fair Barn Quilt Tour.  Participating shops are: New Ewe in Newaygo; Quilted Memories, Montague; Seven Sisters, Carson City; and Attic Window Quilt Shop, Comstock Park.

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Knotty Girls, Wednesday, Aug. 28
  • Doll Bee, Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Intermediate Quilting, Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Stitch-In, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 30-31
  • CLOSED, Monday, Sept. 2
  • Charity Quilts, Monday, Sept. 9
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

Sunday, August 25, 2019

ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP HOSTS GIRL SCOUT TROOP


The Attic Window Quilt Shop was honored to host a meeting of a local Girl Scout troop.  Above, Yvonne B. and her granddaughter Makayla who is wearing her scout vest with the many badges she has earned.
Each scout was accompanied by an adult.
And Rosa took care of all the rotary cutting.  
Above, the scouts watched to see how it is done and how careful one should be when using a rotary cutter.
Yvonne distributed these cute instructions for making a Burrito Pillow Case.  They learned how to make a 1/4" seam, how to make a French seam, and all about using the iron to press the seams.  

Lee Anne helped the scouts with questions about their sewing machine. 

Above the scouts learn and practice using their sewing machines.


More watching, and practicing and making a pillow case.  Marilyn was standing nearby to help this young lady.


Of course, it wouldn't be a party without gifts.  Above, Chris (owner) offers everyone to choose from her gift basket.
 Above, the scouts show off their finished pillow cases.
Then, tired of posing for the camera, they got a little silly.  (couldn't resist posting this one)
But the day wasn't over.  Rosa had a bingo game for them to play.
With her bingo card in front of her and her buttons to place on the card, this scout is eager to begin.
 Rosa called out the "numbers."  Well, it wasn't really numbers, but questions.  Each square had a question to see who learned what that day.  
I think the scouts had a great time.  I know I had fun just watching how eager they are to learn and create.


AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Stitch-In, Monday, Aug. 26
  • Civil Warm BOM and Vintage Christmas, Tuesday, Aug. 27
  • Knotty Girls, Wednesday, Aug. 28
  • Doll Bee, Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Intermediate Quilting, Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Stitch-In, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 30-31
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

Friday, August 23, 2019

ARE YOU AS CREATIVE AS THIS?

These are just too cute not to show you.  Marjorie, a reader of the Attic Window Quilt Shop blog, sent me photos of her latest projects.  Marjorie lives in Utah and said this about the quilt above:  "I bought the pattern for the tie dyed sheep months ago.  When the guild had the tie dyed challenge I decided to do that for the contest!"
"As I was working on the project and mulling over what to do with the teal fabric and the state fair "Kiss and Teal” challenge I decided I would do another sheep quilt and make the sheep Kiss and Teal."

Marjorie said she got the pattern from Em's Scrapbag.

Thank you Marjorie for sending us pictures of your adorable quilts.  You are so clever.  I hope you won prizes for them!

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Saturday, August 24
    • Classroom reserved for a special group of Girl Scouts.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
  • Happy Quilting has a tutorial for a Mister DJ quilt.  I can't wait to try it.
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

WHY YOU DON'T TOSS YOUR SCRAPS

 I know this doesn't look like much but this is what I've been working on.  These fabrics are certainly not my usual cup of tea.  However, when I took the Scrappy class from Adrienne a few weeks ago at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, I fell in love with her scrappy blanket.  You can read about it here.  Adrienne is so kind and thoughtful and knowing scraps such as these were not in my color pallet,  gave me a bag of her "low volume" scraps.  Eagerly I took them but wondered if I would be able to make anything with these "no color" pieces. Now I'm LOL because I did!  I'm so happy with what I've done and am eagerly planning other projects using this method and these low volume scraps.
This is a closeup of my scrappy low volume quilt!
I hope you will come to the Happy Scrappers the second Wednesday of each month and join us in making scrappy quilts.

Speaking of classes, I have another good reason that you should come to the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Other than classes, beautiful fabrics, great patterns, and notions, you also get to spend time with friends.  I read recently in a Web MD magazine while at the doctor's office, that to avoid getting Alzheimers, you need to exercise, eat right, and socialize.  There is no better place to socialize than the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  It is a fun place to spend the day and you meet such nice people.  I've always said that Quilters are the best!

Check out the calendar on the sidebar and see all the upcoming classes and bees.  It is updated each month.  One new Bee that you might be interested in is the paper piecing bee (PPB).  It meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month.  With the start of fall, I believe there will be other new classes and bees for you to attend.  Be sure and check it out.  You can also pick up a calendar of the month's events when you stop in at the shop.  

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Wednesday, August 21
    • New Sampler
    • Civil War BOM and Vintage Christmas
  • Thursday, August 22
    • Doll Bee
    • Intermediate Quilting
  • Friday, August 23
    • Stitch-In
  • Saturday, August 24
    • Classroom reserved for a special group of Girl Scouts.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

Saturday, August 17, 2019

A SPECIAL DAY AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

 Saturday was Charming Scrappy Day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Chris showed us all the ways you could use your charm squares.  Some information was a repeat of what she showed the Happy Scrappers last week.  However, today was more involved and there was a lot more information, and prizes, and lunch was provided.  
This is the board she used to show us how to make various blocks.\
When we had advanced to making a Star block, Chris provided us with these Star Spangles to try out.  What a fun way to sew all those small half square triangles! She also showed us a faster and more accurate way to make flying geese.
As noted above, there were prizes.  Above, Mary pulls a name from the bucket to see who gets to pull a prize from the Chris's loaded bag.
  Marti gets to draw her prize from the green bag.
Mary shows us what she pulled from the bag.
 Val pulled a pattern from the bag. Several of us pulled out fat quarters, pens, etc.  A whole lot of fun! 
 Ginger shows us her star block.  It was all made from a charm packet.
 Mary W. shows us her Star Block.
 Melanie was way ahead of the rest of us.  She made a pinwheel.
Shirley said she wasn't leaving until she finished her star block.  Love those soft colors.
Chris also showed us a slick way to make a square in a square.  

The day was so much fun.  We learned a lot, had a great lunch, and got to socialize. It was so nice to see people I hadn't seen in a while.  Who could ask for anything better?  I think we have Chris convinced she needs to hold another session soon where she shows all about the disappearing nine patch.  A special thank you to Chris for having this special day for us.

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Tuesday, August 20
    • Tuesday Bee
    • Embroidery Bee
  • Wednesday, August 21
    • New Sampler
    • Civil War BOM and Vintage Christmas
  • Thursday, August 22
    • Doll Bee
    • Intermediate Quilting
  • Friday, August 23
    • Stitch-In
  • Saturday, August 24
    • Classroom reserved for a special group of Girl Scouts.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
  • Anja Quilts has a tutorial for a Broken Panes Quilt Block and assembly.
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

HAVE YOU SEEN ALL YOU CAN DO WITH HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES?

When the Happy Scrappers met today at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, Chris (owner) showed us all the various ways you can make and use half square triangles.
 She showed us this block and...
this block, both made with half square triangles.

She showed us this beautiful quilt that Marilyn made with half square triangles.
After her awesome demonstration and teaching skills we were pumped and wanted to get down to business and make our own samples.  Above are the samples that Janalee made.  Notice she also made a four patch, which Chris showed us an easy way to accomplish.
Diana had a little head start since she knew what Chris was planning.  She is making this into a pillow for a neighbor.  She said she chose the colors and the various grays to match the neighbor's couch.  I love what she is doing and can't wait to see the finished project.
 Cathy also made a few half square triangles into a ablock with sashing.  Then she cut the block so that there were four triangles and we played with various ways you could sew the block back together.  This is number 1.
 Above is number 2.
 This is number 3.
 Above is number 4.
And this is number 5.  Now she has to decide which block she will sew.  

A special thank you to Chris for teaching us about half square triangles.  And thank you Cathy for bringing Scones and Fruit for a birthday celebration.  And thank you everyone there today for the lovely card.  You guys are the best!

Lee Anne and Mary also attended but left before I remembered to take pictures.  And I didn't take a picture of my blocks either.  Guess that happens when you get older ⇏😉

DON'T FORGET!
The Charming Scrappy Day (lunch included) at theAttic Window Quilt Shop  will be held on Saturday, August 17th.  Bring those charm packs, or your 5" scraps, or best of all, buy new charm packs at the shop and get sewing.  Chris will show you what to do with them.  I promise you, you are going to like this class.  Call the shop to register so she will know how many to plan for lunch!

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 
  • Thursday, August 15
    • Doll Bee
    • Intermediate Quilting
  • Friday, August 16
    • Stitch-In
  • Saturday, August 17
    • Charming Scrappy Day and Lunch
ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Caroll, 
Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles
lkjlkj

Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
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