Workday With the Swamp Fox Quilters - Strip Quilting

Swamp Fox Quilter's Work Day 
 3rd Thursday of the Month - August 13th, 2011

The third Thursday of every month is The Swamp Fox Quilter's Work Day.  This last meeting many events were going on in many nooks and crannies and even large rooms.

Sara's Strip Quilt 

 Sara one of our members was doing a demonstration on Strip Quilting. She shared her love and enjoyment of this technique with the group.

This the red, white and blue strip quilt top that Sara finished. She set up shop and was ready to demonstrate.  



She said you have to begin by cutting strips of fabric. The strips can be the same size or different widths.  The strips were about 1 1/2 inches wide.  

The first strip is glued on.

The strips are sewn on a muslin background which is a permanent stablizer or you can use freezer paper, deli paper or even newspaper.  The paper stabilizers will be removed later.  You lay the first strip face up on the diagonal and glue it down to hold it in place. You can also leave a white strip open on the diagonal as a pattern variation.



The strips can be
Placed on either side
of the center white muslin
diagonal and sewn into
place as a pattern variation.



Place the next strip right sides together and sew l/4 inch.

The next strip is placed on the diagonal strip right sides together and you then you sew 1/4 inch from the side of the strips. Flip the strip, finger press and then add the next strip until you get to the corner and then do the other side.  Trim your block and it is finished.  If you used a paper stablilzer, you will have to remove the paper before you baste or pin the quilt for quilting. You can quilt by stitching in the ditch or an all over quilting pattern.

Here is a finished block that is given a final trimming on the cutting mat by lining up the corners of the block on on the diagonal lines of the mat.






Ed is talking to Francis about the strip quilting on the left and Jim and Shirley are sewing the strips  together.  Here are the Blocks that Jim and Shirley finished at workday.

Francis is working on her block.
She told me today she has several
 more blocks completed.

Jim and Shirley were helping each other complete the various steps of making the strip block. 

Shirley's Block.



Jim's Completed Block



 We have recently started a Block of the Month Challenge again. This time quilters bring in a block of a pre set theme, for September it is leafs, and one very lucky quilter leaves with all the the blocks. This has brought back memories of past Block of the Month activities for many quilters who have been sharing their blocks from previous challenges.



Gramma Moses Quilting Bee



Lorene brought in her completed quilt of blocks that she had done from a previous Block of the Month Challenge and we had a modern version of an old timey quilting Bee  in one of the church's classroom. The quilting bee has a long history of the social threads that held together a community. 

 If you follow this link, you might get a more complete version of what the quilting bees were actually like: http://www.womenfolk.com/quilting_history/quilting.htm


Lorene's Beautiful Block of the Month quilt with many techniques

Lorene brought her quilt in to be basted and you can see how this is done on tables without a frame. So the quilters pushed together the sturdy white plastic fold up tables in the classroom and used masking tape

 to gently stretch the back of the quilt. Then the cotton batting or filler was placed on top of the quilt and finally the top of the quilt. I am a rank beginner at putting together a quilt and I admire the tenancity and faith of quilters who know that they will tame the divergent quilt layers of back, batting and top to form a cohesive whole. They like most people have particular moods and desires of who they want to be close with.  
                 

 I have seen the quilters use quilters safety pins to pin the quilt together but this time the quilt was going to get basted using needles and thread. My personal favorite is the petite flexible person who gets up on top of the quilt table and bastes the middle part of the table. (I personally refer to this as "The Table Dance". 

 I am the first to sadly admit that I would never be chosen for this particular task because of my traditional built and arthritis.)       

You can see how the quilters are using a running basteing stitch thru all the layers of the quilt. 

     The most wonderful thing of all is the social interplay among the quilters. Sharing a task like this brings together a group of divergent women  into a community of social quilting that far outstrips the original task.
                       

Nooks and Grannies

You would think that there wasn't any time for much else.

But a great deal of sharing of projects and experiences was going in the small crannies.

Akemi's daughter is looking at
some of Ray's beautiful blocks



Ray is working on some of her beautiful hand appliqued blocks in the foreground and in the background, Ed and Francis are "Quilt Talking"

With each needle and thread and stitch taken, threads that hold and bind our hearts and spirits together will be remembered for a life time.

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UpRiver

The week after G-3 and I went to the library for the High Tea Party, we went back to listen to Irish Music by UPRiver   

http://www.uprivermusic.com/index.htm    
Ms. Holly Van Camp was now dressed in a green tee shirt with the caption of Life is Great, Reading Makes It Better which was a little more casual then the formal white lace and brocade that adorned her the previous week. The enthusiastic crowd was young, and the activity room was filled.

 

We took along some extra friends to hear the Irish Music. Ms. Holly gave out percussion instruments and the crowd played along.
    Besides playing Irish and Celtic music, UpRiver also played traditional children songs that had their roots in Irish and Celtic music. The little ones enjoyed those songs the most.
I was facinated by an instrument I had never seen before. It was an electric fiddle that looked like a piece of modern sculpture that Picasso might have contructed.      

                  Most of the instrument was not there. Part of the program was to teach the youngsteers to identify the instruments, how they sounded and how they were played.

The finale was when the children who wanted could come up and play an instrument.

G-3 said that this was the most interesting and fun part of the program.

For me too!!!!

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I love sewing with U I love sewing 4 U

One of the best weeks I had this summer was sewing with the 3-G Network.

Recently I learned how to make Little Dresses for Africa or pillowcase Dresses ( More about that at the end of the Blog) and I shared the sewing experience with my grandies.

G-1 loves to bake. If you need something baked, she is right there on the spot whipping something up and the baked goods she produces are delicious. She has a real talent for baking - a regular Betty Crockett. 

So off we went to Joannes where G-1 found the most perfect fabric for her love of baking. She chose a cupcake fabric.

She designed her own dress adding a ruffle and had a real moment of invention and adaptation. She decided that the shoulder straps needed to be like pony tale scrunches, so we invented a way to do it. (directions are at the bottom) This is the first dress that G-l ever made. She had a tiny bit of coaching from her Nana but really and truly not much.  I am so proud of her. Her dress was fab.

G-1 sewed first as the following week she had to start up her summer job of babysitting and guess what her favorite thing to do with her charges was: Yup - you guessed it  BAKING.  She did so many special things like crafts and baking with her charges, G-1 was a fabulous Babysitter as well.

G-3 was next in line and we went off to Joanne's again, but this time G-3 choose the most beautiful tie dyed fabric.  She has great style in all her clothes.  The sewing machine practically dwarves the seamtress and her concentration and dedication is evident.

This is the beautiful tied dyed dress she made with only a tiny itty bit of help from her nana. Nana did the ruffle, G-3 did all the rest sewing from 2 to 3 hours everyday until the dress was finished. I am so proud and impressed with the beautiful results.

G-2 had no interest in dress making because unlike her sisters she does not like wearing dresses. She came with us to Joanne's and found the monkey fabric, that's right the MONKEY Fleece fabric. It was of course the most expensive fleece you could find, but sometimes you have just grin and bear it or should I say monkey it. We also had coupons which reduce the price by half.  G-2 wanted a soft blanket to watch TV with and thats just what she made for herself with barely no direction or coaching whats so ever. The monkey fabric had cupcakes of course and some green highlights so G-2 choose green satin for her blanket binding one of the more useful sewing skills to acquire.

This is a picture I took through the window of one of several cupcake baking sessions that took place. These cupcakes were for a fund raiser.



You can see the white frosting of the cupcakes in between the basket and the bread.

In only one setting G-3 finished her blanket. It was gorgeous and soft and cuddly and very very well sewn. She really wanted to sew it and the day after we went shopping, she finished it in one sitting.

All the sewing inspired me to make another dress as well. Last year I had promised G-3 a zebra dress for herself and a matching one for her American Girl Doll. I tired several times over a period of months to order the dresses but they were always back ordered. So I got some zebra fabric and made the dress for G-3 and her doll.

This is the scrunchie shoulder strap that G-1 invented or designed. Even the doll dress had the same scrunchies. Most ofthe dresses are seen with the ties, but the elastic in the scrunchies make them easy to get on and off.

Here are some websites if you are interested in making these dresses.

I have made two which I sent to Nancy's Notions and they forwarded them to Little Dresses for Africa.  It would make a great sewing project for your sewing group, club or church. The suggestion is to make one for daonation and one for your grandchild. I will be doing a workshop for my quilting guild in October and hoping that there will be more dresses for donations. Here are the Websites:

http://www.nancysnotions.com/jump.do?itemID=5&itemType=LANDING&page=creative

nancy’s notions website with dress pattern

http://www.everythingsewing.net/pillowcase_dress_how_to.htm

http://www.everythingsewing.net/howtopictures/pillowcase_dress/pillowcase_pattern.pdf

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The English Tea Party

 This summer I received a very special invitation to join my Granddaughter at an
English Tea Party.

We are dressed up and my Grandie is wearing the beautiful black veiled Facinator as the English refer to their head pieces.

Even her American Girl Doll has her hat on ready for the Tea Party.

 The English Tea Party was held at the Vienna Public Library as part of the 
One World - Many Stories Summer Program. 

                              http://vienna.park.lib.wv.us/5



Here is Ms. Holly dressed up in White Lace and Brocade festooned with a Purple Facinator.



 Ms. Holly Van Camp, better known as Ms. Holly to all the attendees is the children's librarian and orchestrates the summer program for the children.  I have had the most fun of attending many of her summer programs over the years and they are fantastic. Not only does she do theatrical productions on all the books she reads, but she invites all kinds of guests including magicians, musicians and dignitaries from other countries as well.  She always allows me to make the incredible craft projects that the children make. I do believe that if faeries were available, that somehow Ms. Holly would engage their services for the festivities she shares with the children and adults alike.   

The children were waiting outside in the commons many of them beautifully attired.

This is Mrs Owen Mayo from England who came to teach the children about England and the British Isles and the English Tea Ceremony. My Grandie knows her from Church and was very excited to meet the local celebrity and share this special time with her.

Mrs. Owen Mayo told the children about England and the British Isles and about her childhood. She said how she loved to have Tea with her grandmother and how her grandmother would tell stories about her family. 

What is the High Tea Service and the Low Tea Service? High Tea is a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, on the other hand, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer a "high tea." http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/HighTeaHistory.htm

Tea (Apple Cider with Cinnamon) was served to the attendees in this beautiful China Tea Pots that were so unique.



The wonderful desserts included Scones with Creme and Jelly,
Sandwiches with Hazelnut Spread,
Sugar Cookies, Cupcakes and more and more delicacies.
I do believe that English Tea Services are a little bit of heaven.

   Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room. There are three basic types of Afternoon, or Low Tea:

Cream Tea - Tea, scones, jam and cream

Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets

Full Tea - Tea, savories, scones, sweets and dessert

      In England, the traditional time for tea was four or five o'clock and no one stayed after seven o'clock. Most tea rooms today serve tea from three to five o'clock. The menu has also changed from tea, bread, butter and cakes, to include three particular courses served specifically in this order:

Mrs. Owen Mayo's Grandson was one of the many young people who helped with the serving of the Tea and delights.

Savories - Tiny sandwiches or appetizers

Scones - Served with jam and Devonshire or clotted cream

Pastries - Cakes, cookies, shortbread and sweets.



Even the 3 Bears had their table set for the Tea Ceremony.



Mrs. Mayo Owens described the Bon Bon's that were in the gifts that the children were able to take with them.  A Bon Bon is a traditional exploding paper toy that holds candy and other small toys. It is traditional around New Year.  Mrs. Owen Mayo made the Bon Bons out of toilet rolls, tissue paper and ties and stuffed them full with candy and other small treats.

The final picture of the day was my Grandie standing near the beautiful flowers.  I gave her the treats in my Bon Bon as I kept the sweetest memory of all,  An English Tea  Party with my granddaughter.

Have you ever attended an English Tea Party?

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The Fourth of July, Fireworks and Firetrucks

   

 I love fireworks. This year I went to the fireworks with a fireman in a firetruck. Some want a knight in shining armor, not me,      
 I want the Big Red Truck.  This was the first time in 10 years that I got to ride in the fire truck.  I know why the children of the firemen love riding  in firetrucks now. You are way up and it feels like a giant rocking horse. 

     There have to be two firemen at the station at all times day and night.

Some of the shifts are 24 hours on, 24 hours off week in week out irregardless of holidays. The station is manned by at least 3 shifts that follow the 24 hour shift and a regular work week. Firemen are required to attend training sessions once a month, attend weekly drills and take courses yearly to update their training and participate in at least 80% of all calls. The ranks of the regular salaried employees are supplemented by a core of dedicated volunteers that take the same kind of training courses.
     Even though my county is very small, there are some major manufacturing sites like the Hartsville Oil Company and Nucor. Several years ago the Hartsville Oil Co which process peanuts for peanut oil caught on fire.     

   After ten days of 24 hour vigilance and effort, the fires finally stopped erupting and the fire was out. The Fire Department saved a multi-million dollar operation.

The Fire company is very family oriented. Even the Annual Fire - Rescue Conference at Myrtle Beach stresses this very important precept of family should be first. The classes are over early in the afternoon and activities for the afternoon include events that the children and wives can attend like the Fire Fighters' Competitions.  Here is a link for free fire fighter games I tried playing and my airplane sunk in the water.
     The Fire Departments are also on call to neighboring counties. When the fires engulfed the wooded areas on the Grand Strand, Fire companies from all over the state sent 2 men on a daily basis to help. This is the creed of the Firemen, the brotherhood of family.
    This July 4th, I spent in the company of the Fire Department who were on call at the local country club to monitor the dried drought stricken wooded areas around where the fire works were being displayed.
Besides the regular employees, there were several volunteers there as well as employees who were not on the regular schedule.

   

   This is Earl B.  who continues to make every fire and has been a working fireman for over 5O years. Mike's daughter-in Law is married to fireman and has gone on many rescues with the local Rescue Squad. She is the one I would want to help me in a crisis.

   

Mike and Pat are discussing what needs to be done to protect the city and surrounding areas from the grass fires that are starting from the fireworks.    

 Mike is Pat's Father and actually the third generation of fire fighters, Mike's grandson has just started as a volunteer fireman in addition to his regular job.

    At about dark we went over several firetrucks and cars filled with kids, wives and friends to watch the fireworks.

We had about 6 boys of all ages watching the fireworks.

The Country Club was playing Patriotic Music during the display. One of the selections was Kate Smith singing God Bless America .  Kate Smith enjoyed a second career late in life as the singing mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers. The video is of Kate Smith singing the Anthem at the Stanly Cup Hockey game vs. the Canadians in 1976. Whenever there was a super important game, Kate Smith showed up and personally sang and everyone knew the Flyers would win.  It was a simpler time in those days where playing a National Anthem would win the day.

I really love fireworks and this was a special evening for me.

This was the picture of the fireworks that a friend sent me. At over $400.00 they must have had a big time.  How was your 4th, what memories did it invoke for you?

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Princess has a Friend Staying Over



For those of you that don't know this is my Dog Princess

 Princess has a friend staying with her for the next week.  At least I thought she was Princess's friend until I found this email posted on my computer from Scout to her mother.


Dear dog don mom,

      What ever were you thinking when you left me with THAT woman.
I don't like complaining, but realllllllly, you are kidding.

     Let me tell you about her sleeping habits. Truthfully I have trained you well and we do go to bed at a reasonable time like 9:00 pm. I have given her all kind of hints like lying on top of her    when she is watching TV and not baseball games - I could understand baseball which is based on chasing a ball, but Something I believe is called FASHOLE POLICE - doesn't even have sirens. Last night I thought she was finally ready for bed           

I stared for over 30 minutes,
 , the woman is dense



 and guess what she did till 2:00 in the morning, she went in the back room and used the machinery. Finally we went to bed, and then it started. She wouldn't let me under the covers - Can you Imagine that? What is she thinking? What were you Thinking leaving me with woman who clearly doesn't understand the first thing about my needs?

       Ha, she thought she made it clear. I waited till she was asleep and got right under the pillow under her legs or next to her back for the rest of the night. She kept moving around in her sleep. I am hopeful that she got so tired that we will go to sleep at a reasonable time tonight.

      There are some plus sides. She feeds me freshly cooked stew in the morning, but it is the barbecue chicken in the evening that truly makes me howl for joy. You have just got to get her recipe. Also I know she suspects that I am the one eating the food, however, I hate to break it to her, it is the White Trash Dog Princess that sneaks about and eats my food!!!
Just wait, Princess will get her just desserts and it wont be chicken either.
         She also did one other good thing this morning. She took out my little rubber baseball and threw it across her big yard until I had enough. Really, did she really think I would do it more then 20 times, 17 was more then sufficient. If she thinks it will tire me out, fat chance. I just decided to smell the cat smells on the porch near the front door.
     I know you communicate with this woman, would you please try and do something about this situation?

Yours in Faith.
Scout the dog

This is the text of the email that was sent to Scout and  I intercepted from Scout's Mother who left Scout with me.

Oh, dear Scouty, I am so sorry you are having SUCH a rough time. I mean, beef stew and BBQ chicken on the same day. It is a good thing you did your exercises afterwards! About the sleeping....she will wear out eventually and spend all day in bed and won't realize you are in there with her, I promise...she is VERY forgetful and tires easily as you saw by the 17 ball throws. Try to hang in there doggie dearest and we will rescue you ASAP.

Are her grandies still coming to stay with you? If so be nice, they like that trash dog Princess so keep YOUR mouth shut about her!

Dog Mama