Basting a Quilt on a Table

 If you're a person who bastes your quilts on the floor, as I did for years,

you might want to know that you can save your knees and do it on a table. 

I learned this method from my friend, Sally, some years ago.  

It's made my least favorite part of the quilt-making process a pleasant afternoon or evening.

Here's how it looks when you're ready to start pinning.  

All you need are some clips from the office supply store, 

And a used 6 foot folding banquet table. 

You can also use your dining table, as long as you protect it with a mat.

Tape two toothpicks in a cross to mark the middle of the table.

You can also mark the middle of the sides and ends of the table with toothpicks and tape.

Use painter's tape if you're concerned about damaging the table surface.

Fold your backing fabric in quarters and iron at the center corner.

Line this up at the toothpicks and unfold it over the table,

right side down.

Clip your backing to the table.

Iron the center corner on your batting and quilt top.

Then place them over the clipped backing.

You will be able to feel where the center lines of the table are because of the toothpicks.

Pin this section of the quilt together.

When the first section is all pinned, move it off the edge,

leaving a row of the pinned area on the table.

Peel away the quilt top and batting. 

Clip the backing to the table and carefully smooth the batting and top over it.

Repeat until the whole quilt is pinned.

When finished, I fold the table and store it under the guest room bed. 

It was a snow day here today,

the perfect time to baste my corduroy quilt!

Quilts for Twins!

My friend has two new baby granddaughters.  

Of course I planned to make quilts.  But it took some thought.

For twins, do you make them different?  What if one likes the other's better?

Do you make them the same?  What if they argue over who's is who's?

Here's how I solved the issue.

 

The blocks are from Sujata Shah's book, Cultural Fusion Quilts.  

The letters are from Tonya Ricucci's book, Word Play Quilts.  

Both are very fun techniques, and no two blocks are alike.

I started with flannel sock monkey print scraps from making 

their older brother's quilt three years ago.  

When I ran out of flannel, I went to my corduroy stash.

The quilts have corduroy backs, one floral and one plaid.

Very soft!

I got to give them to the twins and their moms last weekend.

Older brother got his out and modeled it for us too!

Starting the Year with Finishes

I finally got around to quilting NYC Scraps.  I made it last spring at Victoria's.

I used an overall squiggle with colorful thread.

Here's the back and binding.  It's good to finally get this done!

I think Malti approves.

My son's corduroy quilt was all tied up by Christmas, with my husband's help.   It has wool batting and a plaid flannel back.  I'm happy to say that he loves it!

I made a little flannel quilt for a new baby boy who lives in Brooklyn.  It includes scraps from flannel pants that I'd made for my son when he was a toddler.

It's pretty easy to make a cute quilt with sock monkey fabric!

Corduroy Quilt #2

I'm loving my corduroy quilt so much, I just had to make another one.  This one is for my son, who moved to his own place last month.  He's a guy who loves the forest, and he's lucky to have a job where he works there everyday.

So we'll need some tree trunks,

And some greens,

Some light shining through the trees, some more browns and greens, and some red maple leaves.  Wa-la!  It's 80 x 77 inches, nice and big.  I think I'll call it, "Corduroy Forest."

Now to tie it before Christmas!

Betcha Can't Make Just One!

Thank you to everyone--quilt makers, historians, cheer leaders and viewers--for making Corduroy Appreciation Day so much fun!  I loved seeing the many creations in corduroy, from the old and well-loved to the new and innovative.

I was so inspired by you all, I couldn't wait to make another one!  My sister-in-law, Bonnie, visited this weekend.  We took one afternoon and built this quilt for her to take home.  Fast and fun!

We started with two blocks--one she had made, and one I had made--from the scraps of my 11-11-11 quilt. 

Then we just started adding strips, round and round.  

Three hours later... Ta-da!  The final piece is about 65" x 50".

  And only a handful of scraps leftover!

Happy Corduroy Appreciation Day!!

The date that most resembles corduroy, 11-11-11, is finally here!

To celebrate, the Corduroy Quilt Enthusiasts have prepared a show for you.  

Click on the links below to see over 30 quilts made from corduroy!   And while you're touring the show, you might like to celebrate the day by wearing corduroy, eating long skinny foods, or recalling your fondest corduroy moments.

 Remember to send your appreciation to our Veterans and their families too!

First, I'll show you my corduroy quilt.  I took the Rebels challenge with the gold and green floral corduroy, added some thrift store clothing and a few bits of yardage.

It's a nice, long size, perfect for a nap on the couch.

Here's a bit of the Rebels challenge fabric.

I used wool batting, tied it with wool yarn...

And backed it with a nice, cozy flannel. 

Now, enjoy the show!

Barbara Brackman's Material Culture

Deb Rowden's Thrift Shop Quilts

Rebels!

Bumblebeans

The Root Connection

Smazoochie

Blue Mountain Daisy

Miki's Fabric Creations

On the Way

Helen No Blog

Scraps and Threadtales

Love, Laugh, Quilt

Quiltdiva Julie

A Needle in a Haystack

Indigo Threads

MO, Broker, My Creative Side

Quilted Under the Influence

Pieced Goods

Good Earth Quilting

The Farmer's Dotter

Feather River Quilts

Jean's Quilting Page

From the Magpie's Nest

The Quilts of Gee's Bend

Save the wales!

Preparing for Corduroy Day!

The fuzz is flying all over the globe! From Australia to Canada, from Europe to all corners of the U.S., quilt makers are preparing their corduroy quilts to show on Corduroy Appreciation Day, 11-11-11.

Check back here on Friday for a list of links that will take you on a show of more than 30 corduroy quilts!

                                                     Save the wales!

The Corduroy Excitement is Building!

There's even a billboard Chattanooga, Tennessee!  Photo sent  by Mary.

The Corduroy Quilt Enthusiasts will be showing over 30 quilts on Corduroy Appreciation Day!  (Anybody got a better name for this group?)     Look for the links here on 11-11-11.

                                 Here's a sneak peek of what will be shown.

Part of Cindy's H quilt

Part of Buffy's Chinese Coins quilt

Part of Miki's pillow.

There's still time to join the party!  Just let me know if you're going to post a corduroy quilt or sewing project -- in any stage of construction -- on 11-11-11.   I'll post a link to your blog.

The Corduroy Appreciation Club has been celebrating since 11-1-11 with 11 days of events.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate than sewing something corduroy!

Corduroy Day is Coming!

Are you preparing a quilt for the big day?


If so, I'll post a link to your blog on 11-11-11, Corduroy Appreciation Day.

Here are the Corduroy Quilt Enthusiasts I've heard from so far:

Smazoochie
Lazy Gal Quilting
Yankee Quilter
HelenNoBlog
The Root Connection
Rebels
Inspired by Antique Quilts
Bumblebeans
Deb Rowden's Thrift Shop Quilts
Fiberliscious
Miki's Fabric Creations

If you plan to post a corduroy quilt--in any stage of construction--on 11-11-11, let me know!  The more the merrier!

Save the wales!  

Got Corduroy?

Corduroy Appreciation Day, 11-11-11, is just one month away!  Are you preparing to celebrate with a corduroy quilt?

Some of you have written that you're feeling a bit intimidated about working with corduroy.  I'll admit, I was too.  But I grabbed my pile of corduroy and a pair of scissors, and dove in.  I found I really love working with corduroy, especially on a rainy day.  I can't wait to make another one!

Here's the process I used, which is one I learned from China Pettway, of Gee's Bend, Alabama.

First, PUT AWAY YOUR ROTARY CUTTER AND RULER.  You'll only need your scissors.  Next, cut or tear--yes, TEAR--your corduroy into strips of various widths. 

Sew two pieces together, using a bit more than 1/4" seam allowance; iron the seam open from the WRONG side of the fabric.  The corduroy really takes the press nicely and stays open and flat.  Notice there's excess.  Take your scissors and cut it off.  Don't measure; just eyeball it.

Then sew on another piece; iron open, and cut off the excess.

You may be tempted to get out your ruler and square it up.  DON'T!  Just eyeball it.

 This will give you nice subtle angles.

Keep adding to your block in whatever way you like, until you feel like moving on to another block.

Then make more!  Use your scissors and eyeball measurements to make them fit together.  Sometimes you'll need to add a strip here or there. 

This is about one-third of the quilt top I made.  I'm thinking we should reveal our corduroy quilts on our blogs on the big day.  Let me know if you plan to participate, and I'll post a list of Corduroy Quilt Makers with a link to your blog.

Save the wales!

At the Beach

Summer vacation came late this year.  I've been at the Oregon Coast.

Adding to my heart rock collection.  This one's kind of Cubist, don't you think?

This is one of my favorite attractions.  No, I didn't get my fortune told.

I had the perfect project for the long car ride and for sitting on the beach.

It will make a great beach blanket, once it's finished.

How do you like this?  The ultimate in recycling.  Of course, it's an inspiration for a new quilt.

And I found a great bunch corduroy for the next project!