I have an equipment question that only you fine folks could help me out with!

Do you love your iron? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you have a dream iron on your wish list?

I know that Jessica digs her T-Fal, and Victoria recommends her Oliso, but what about everyone else? Do tell!

I've got a cheapie drugstore iron that's almost 10 years old, and was spitty and unreliable right out of the box, so I'm overdue for a new one, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

What can I say, I looooovee Marcia Derse's fabric.  I didn't even know who she was till one day I saw "MY" fabric on a blog and realized her name.  When i took a look, I realized that I had just about every piece from all of her lines.  




And My Runner up is Stephanie Brandenburg, who also is responsible for Billie Davids' line.

Billie Davids' Human element line

Billie Davids human element line

This week I decided to do an easy topic in hopes of increasing participation..
(It's mid November, I know we're getting busy.)

Please tell us all about your favorite fabric designers.

Share pictures of fabric, bolts, fat quarters or quilts.. what makes you love them?  Who do you go back to buy again and again?

I didn't set out to be a designer fabric fiend.. but I do find myself attracted to a few designers even without trying..
Since I started quilting, I've loved Alexander Henry.  Not every print, but man, some of them just make me so happy!  I could copy and paste some links, but it's more fun if you just browse the website.
And then there's Erin McMorris.
And most recently, Kate Spain.. but I don't own any of her fabric yet..
I guess the secret's out, I like leaves and foliage.  Scenes of nature, flowers, trees.  I wonder if I like it because it's out there, or if it's some deeper level of my aesthetic sense?
So, who does it for you?

Today I came across the 12 Days of Christmas blog hop and realized I should probably get started on my holiday sewing too, but instead, I came here to give us all a new talking topic for the week..

Have you made any holiday-specific quilts? 
Bed and throw quilts, wall hangings, table runners, tree skirts, dreidel mug rugs?

How and why did you make it?  Do you pull it out only for the holiday or does it get used year round?  Snap some pics, write a post, and tell us all about it!

I have always wanted to make a halloween quilt, and bought fabric and made sketches for one in May a couple years ago, but the project got shelved.  I'd also like a Christmas throw (because Victoria's are just adorable!!), but that hasn't happened yet either.  The one holiday piece I have made is a small tree wall-hanging (miniquilt?) for my mom:
(sorry, I took the pic before the quilting was finished.)
I made it for her one year when we knew we weren't going to be home for Christmas, and thought she might need some cheering up.  She ended up keeping it up year round, it's still on the wall across from her bed.
This was my first time embellishing a quilt and though I think it works on this piece, I haven't tried it again.

or, your biggest accomplishment.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to last week's talking topic, I wasn't surprised to see that we all love shopping, but it was interesting to hear what parts of the process drive us to "make" the quilts we do.  (I still can't believe some of you enjoy cutting, uugh!)

This week please write a post (and share a photo?) of the quilt you are most proud of, the one you worked the hardest (longest?) on, that you were really happy to finally put in that last stitch and call it done.

Tell us its story, from start to finish, and let us know where the treasured quilt resides now.
If you don't have a chance to write a post (or aren't a member of the blog), please write some comments on this week's posts to encourage us all to push through the harder parts and get it finished so we can appreciate a new quilt in the world.

for me.. my  biggest labor of love (of the ones I've actually finished..) would be this one:

My T-shirt Quilt (2010)
Made from t-shirts collected from 1990-2005, this quilt represents 15 years of my life.  Childhood, high school, college, studying and living in Japan, meeting my husband, moving up an down the east coast.. and pieced in with all the shirts are my favorite fabrics from 1998-2007.  Like this one with the little fish:
and the fold-dyed Japanese one.  I was never a huge fan of t-shirt quilts, but I am a supporter of preserving material culture and personal histories (um, quilter), and I couldn't bring myself to throw away or donate any of these shirts, like this one from my traveling drama troupe in Hokkaido:
My life changed a lot in my 20s, and certain decisions set me on a path I couldn't have predicted.  A lot of  teenage dreams were set aside in exchange for options I hadn't thought possible.  But still, old dreams die hard.  For me, putting these t-shirts into a quilt gave me some closure on a chapter of my life I was sad to see end.

It's not my favorite quilt, but I'm really happy it's done, and I think 15~30 years from now I will really appreciate having made it.  Right now, it is folded on the quiltrack in my bedroom, and we put it on the bed in the coldest winter months, underneath this one.  I don't really show it off, but it's warm, and it's nice to keep the memories all in one place.

I enjoy fabric shopping, fabric touching, and fabric dreaming. My next is thinking about all the ways I could, would use the fabric that I have, bought, touched, provided I had all the time in the world. Then I also like thinking about all of the intricate blocks, techniques, etc. That I probably won't have the time to complete. Then I like all of the fantastic chopping, slicing and dicing, only to jump on the machine and put it all together again.

I can make quilt tops all day long. I love the idea of quilting, and enjoy the machine and hand quilting process, but I also don't have the time to work on all of the tops that I make. So I am about to begin sending things out. Binding, eh, I get it appreciate the finishing process, but jot my favorite.

As I was thinking about a topic for this week's chatting point, I kept thinking about all the time I spent in the sewing room since my last post, what I made, and what I liked about it.  I have several projects going at the same time (as I'm sure most of you do), and I tend to jump from project to project, doing what I can when I have time, getting to the more unplesant bits when I know I've got a few hours available to push myself through it... and so, that brings me to this week's topic..

What are your favorite steps of the quiltmaking process?
And which ones don't you like as much?

Please write a post telling us how your mind and emotions work, when it comes to quilting.  What steps do you get excited about, which make you want to up and leave your sewing space?  Perhaps you can make a list, ranking the steps in order from favorite to least favorite, i.e.

1. fabric shopping
2. machine quilting
3. binding
4. choosing a pattern
5. piecing
6. cutting
7. squaring up blocks
8. ironing

(for example, my own ranking would be a bit diffferent).  Feel free to use more steps that I've used, tell us what the process is for you.

As for my quiltmaking.. On the spiderweb I've been working on, I love love love "choosing" scraps to add next to a block, pinning them in place, and chain stitching them down.  The step of removing the pins and ironing I'm indifferent to, but I'll happily do it because it means I can get back to choosing the next round.
I like trimming up the full triangle templates and laying them out to see which ones make pleasing blocks.
I don't like piecing the triangles together into blocks, ironing the seams open, or removing the papers.
I'm not really a fan of cutting out the paper templates, or cutting the kites, but being able to play with my strip stash makes it worth it.. like, as I'm holding the kite template down and rotary cutting a stack of 8 at a time (with a dull blade), cursing when the blade nicks the template, I'm really just looking forward to getting to choose and chain piece some colorful strips, and that makes the dull jobs easier.

Other steps I'd rather skip include squaring up (anything, but esp. HSTs), piecing fabric for backings, and cutting patches (except diamonds, I like cutting diamonds).  Oh, and putting fabric back on the shelves!  that's no fun~

So, which steps are your favorite?  Tell us as much or as little as you'd like, but please post this week!!

Hey guild!  How have y'all been?
Next week at Victoria's I'm sure the conversation will be free-flowing, but it still probably won't be enough time to reconnect with everyone after our loooong summer break, so why not get the party started now?

What have you been making this summer?

• Give us a sneak peek of your show-n-tell, or write a post to share all the projects you can't bring with you next Saturday (like the ones you gifted away since the last meeting!).

I for one have had a long long summer which started on 5/22 when I graduated with my MA! (woohoo)
The next day we left for a 5 week trip to Greece..
(picture me quilting on the beach-- I have photos, but I'm not posting any bikini-clad ones here)
I spent the entire trip focused on this quilt, and I'm happy to say it's almost all pieced!
We also visited an awesome Folk Art Museum in a tiny mountain town on the island of Paros.
I asked if anyone in the town still made things, but they woman said no, most able-bodied people had left the village and everyone left was too old.  That's just how it goes, but I'm glad they are making some effort to preserve things. 
This summer I also worked on my guild show submission, and made a Trip Around the World quilt for my cousin's wedding. 

Just last night I finished the backing and basted this quilt (from our February meeting!), and I'd love to show it to you all finished on Saturday, but I've got another wedding to go to, so I won't be there.

See, now you know why I want to get the party started early.. It's killing me to miss two meetings in a row!

So get posting and tell us what's been going on!

("Let's get talking" is a weekly* conversation starter posted by your overly cheerful blog-chair, Jessica.  Guild members are encouraged to write their own blog posts on the topic at anytime during the week, and comments are welcome from all readers. 
* by "weekly" I mean the weeks I remember to post something.  Suggestions for new topics always welcome.  Email me. )

Me with Mom & Dad, December 1980.

My mom is awesome.   She came from a very creative family where her mom and grandma used to make matching dresses for her and her sisters.  Being the youngest of 8, she said she got really tired of wearing the same damn dress all those years..
My mom started her family young (she had 3 kids by the time she was 23) and I remember her working two jobs most of my childhood, so she never really had time for long-term crafts like quilting.  I do remember that she used to make frilly barrettes for me and my sisters when we were little, and there were always crafts in the house.  She taught me how to make doll faces out of panty hoes, and she once decorated teddy bears to be the centerpiece at a friend's wedding.  She encouraged all of my creative endeavours, and still does.  She always seemed to be happy when I was happy, and never pushed me to do anything that I didn't want to.  She's pretty laid back like that, even now.  I know too many pushy moms, with unreachable expectations and drama at every dissapointment.  My mom was never like that, she always let me be who I was, and I think that gave me a lot of confidence.

I made her one lap quilt-- Bento Boxes in pinks and oranges, and a small Christmas wall hanging.  I started working on another project that I'd like to have done to give her next winter.. it's a bear though, so I might need the guild's encouragement to get it done on time.

My mum sew, knit, quilt, ha...not at all. But she loooves the fact that I do. My Mother has fostered my creative outlet from the time I was a baby, via art, music, and food.  She writes, is a videographer and an incredible cook. So yes artistic/creative... But sewer/quilter she is not.

I have not made her a quilt as yet. I have knit her any number of items, clothing, quilted bags, and a childhood worth of handmade cards and gifts. She even has and still hangs the Christmas ornaments I made while growing up....this is her rocking her Afro (that always fell at the top because her hair was too soft), Me on the knee with a baby fro.., with her brother/my uncle. Circa August 1972...

I love you Mum...

and God bless all of you mothers, sisters, givers of love and life....may you all continue to be blessed.
Happy Mother's day from E to all of you in the blog world. Hugs and smooches.

Yes, I know, I've been letting my responsibilities slide the past couple weeks.. leaving you with nothing to talk about and the blog suddenly went quiet..

I had a whole other topic planned for this week, but then I remembered it's Mother's Day, so let's make this one easy.  This week, please write a post about your Mom.

"My mom?" you say, "but what does that have to do with quilting?"
That's just it, you tell us.  Does your mom quilt? Does she sew?  What is her creative outlet? 

and the official questions:

1. What does your mom think about your quilting?
2. Have you ever made a quilt for her?

Tell us as much or as little as you want about your mom, but please, put her first name as the title of your post.  Pictures encouraged (especially if they show younger versions of you!)

Inspired?  I am.  I was actually re-inspired by going back and looking thorough my quilt photos (and flickr) to write a post about it.  Too bad I still can't quilt this week (darn grad school!).. but soon~

Well, let's keep talking.  This week our topic is SHAPE.

I find I am drawn to quilts with certain shapes in them, and I tend to use certain shapes in my patchwork and others in my quilting.  What about you? 

Don't forget photos to help illustrate your ideas..

And the questions:

1. What shapes are you drawn to?   (you may love them but not use them..)
2. What shapes do you use?  Why? (Ease of construction?  Quilts well in a continuous line?)

I saw this quilt about a year ago, and I was really inspired by it.  I love how the quiltmaker uses vivid Kaffe Fassett prints in conjunction with a very traditional applique quilt pattern.  The result is creative and incredibly beautiful!  This quilt was one of the reasons that I started stocking up on Kaffe fabrics (hint:  they have great sales at Fabric.com) and why I ultimately made my traditional medallion quilt with Kaffe fabrics.

The original Flickr photo can be found HERE.

Of course, this is also a technique that scares me (hey, it combines weeks 8 and 9's talking points)!  I have done some machine applique, which I enjoy, but I have never tried hand applique.  I have a feeling that I might enjoy it, but the thought of how time-consuming it is makes me never want to start.  I already have a hexagon quilt and a sashiko project that keeps me busy with plenty of handwork!

PS:  I finally started up my blog at www.patchworkduck.com .  Please feel free to stop by and say Hi!

It looks like we've got quite a few fears that can be calmed by fellow guild members.  Maybe time should be set aside for a "share & explain" session at the next meeting.  Before then don't hesitate to contact other members (through email or blogs) to ask for advice or guidance.  In our group I'm pretty sure at least someone has tried everything..

On to Week 9:  Let's talk Inspiration.
This week please share some of the quilts that most inspire you.  Maybe one that you love to look at but just haven't made yet, or something that you want to take elements from and twist it into your own creation.  Photos or links are fine, but if you use someone else's photo, please get permission first and give them credit. 

Don't forget to include:

1. What you love about it.
2. How you keep your inspiration organized. (print it out? clip from magazines)

Who knows, your post may just inspire someone else to make a great quilt.

PAPER PIECING....AHHHHHHHHHH.... Well thanks to the lovely folks of the NYC Metro Mod...I have awakened from the Nightmare on Paper Piecing..  Thanks to Kim and Andrea..and V's lovely Flying tutorial...I went home took out my scraps...(no fabric commitment - atleast not really) and i used "The Attraction Block" as a start...and let her rip...So i will continue playing with these and a few others...using scraps...(still dealing my fear of fabric commitment...smiles) and will use the white fabric I purchased this Sunday...(Yet another Horror...that is slowly drifting away....)

P.S. I just remembered the questions.  I always wondered how everyone got their point so sharp...and seems so perpendicular...and then i was told that it was paper pieced.  I ventured a try a time or two...and could not figure the flip flop...I bought a book...and that made it worse.  I attempted it on our chedder block...and gave up no sooner than i started...and then...I asked for a visual...and Kim and Andrea and V..provided the much needed training wheels...to get me on my way...right David...although...now I have to overcome the Not Using the Good Stuff. ;-)