Sewing Downton Abbey $1.99!!! Get Yours!

I visited the magazine rack of my bookstore

and found this great special edition of Stitch magazine.

 The magazine was literally begging me to take it home. . . . Really!!

It pleaded, "You need me.  You need me."

 

(OK. OK.  I'm a little fanatical about the television series.)

 

The magazine is nearing its end of display date -- September 8.

When I checked on the link today from Sew Daily,

I discovered Stitch magazine is offering the special edition for $1.99!!

 

Click on the link below:

 Stitch magazine's "Unofficial Downton Abbey Sews"
 

I don't sew much clothing, but I still loved looking at

all of the varied clothing designs and patterns.

 

The magazine does have some "quilter friendly" patterns

 like the journal cover above

and the table runner below. 

Both samples were sewn
using the Downton Abbey fabric line

 from Andover Fabrics.
 



You also receive kitchen friendly patterns like the

apron and tea cozy below.

 



 

 

Just wanted to quickly send this post for all my sewing friends.

Just think of all the projects you could finish before

Season 5!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Amy

 



A Sew Snow Day

 

It's snowing . . . again.

 

I thought I'd share some of the craft projects

I work on when I'm at home

for school "snow" days.

 

 

I used a Moda charm pack for this long table runner.

 I love the "Little Charmers" patterns.

I used "Little Charmers II" for this lovely.

I also wanted to try

a new stitch on my Viking Husqvarna Sapphire.

These tea towels feature fused appliqué shapes.

The pattern comes from an Art to Heart book.

 

I really like this appliqué satin stitch on the edging.

I've never used this stitch before.

I'm almost done with the green appliqués.

After I finish the edging stitches I'll add buttons and ric rac.

 

 

 

I made this pieced doll quilt top 

from a 2008 Quilts and More pattern I had saved.

The experience reminded me once again

why I shy away from projects that require

one and a half inch squares!

I do like the look of the piping before the border.  

Maybe I'll use the same technique on another project.

 

 

 

 

I've also had time to work on some collaged cards.

I incorporated a couple of my fabric scraps into both cards.

Can you see them?

I'm planning on quilting the two table runners this spring.

 Perhaps I'll finish the tea towels this week.

It depends.

The weatherman says more snow is coming.

As beautiful as snow can be, I won't be sad to see it go.

Like my doxies, I prefer to stay inside if I can.  

That is . . . if I can sew!

Be safe!

Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them

Sometimes the best way to learn about vintage linens and needlework is to study books, patterns, and pamphlets from the era of needlework or linens you enjoy collecting. 

I found this delightful book in an Ohio used book store that also had quite a collection of antique and vintage books. 

 

I've since discovered that the writer Marie D. Webster was quite a successful quilter, researcher, and pattern maker.  In fact, Webster's homeplace in Marion, Indiana now houses the Quilter's Hall of Fame.

 

My edition by Tudor Publishing Company is one of many. 

 

In 1990, Webster's granddaughter Rosalind W. Perry released an updated edition of this important quilt book.  Check the link to see quilt pattern books by Perry which feature Mary D. Webster quilt patterns.  (Guess what's getting added to my Amazon wish list!)

 

Look at this adorable sun bonnet sue quilt. It's one of fourteen color plates included in the1948 book. The quilted fence provides a story detail for these strolling ladies.  Webster suggests using scraps from a little girl's outgrown clothing for the sun bonnet sue dresses.

 

 

 

Notice how the quilt maker used white/light pink for any flowers above the large pink border and switches to pink for any flowers that manage to land on the white inner oval.  It's a subtle design choice that really makes this quilt visually stunning!

The chapter "The Quilt in America" was intriguing to this Appalachian gal. West Virginia, my home state, doesn't even get a mention in her discussion of the rural quilts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina "mountain women." The mountain families are described as illiterate but industrious with women described as hard-working home-makers. (pgs. 73-74)

I don't know if this 1948 edition is "updated" or simply a reprint of the 1915 edition. The illiterate mountaineer reference would have been more reflective of 1915 rather than 1948.

Webster pointed out several stories and facts that I found interesting.  For example, I loved the print and story of the Civil War era  "Virginia Rose".  At one point, this quilt top was buried in West Virginia to hide it from Confederate soldiers. (pg. 128)

She also describes how hand quilters were paid for their work -- by the 200 yd. spool of thread -- not by time.  Quilters could receive anywhere from $1.00 - $5.00 per spool used.  (Again, I am not sure if this fact is a reflection of 1915 or 1948.  I suspect 1915.) ( pgs. 107-108)

I was also completely unaware of the practice of poorer quilters during the whole-cloth quilt tradition of the late 1800's and early 1900's.  Apparently, poorer quilters turned over their colored patchwork quilts to exhibit the muslin backings on "top".  This turning over of the quilt made the bed appear to be covered by a white-work beauty. Webster suggests that this practice probably destroyed numerous quilts. (pgs. 86-88)

I'm not sure how this practice wore out these quilts.  Webster doesn't explain.  (It was probably obvious during her day.)  Perhaps having the white side exposed on the top allowed dirt and wear that would not have been as noticeable on colored patchwork.  The muslin backing would also not have been as strong and lasting a fabric as the patchwork made from enduring clothing scraps and cotton calicoes.

I loved this read (178 pages).  If you see one for sale on Etsy, Amazon, or your local used bookstore, grab a copy.  It's a vintage treat!

Amy

Two For One Quilts

 

 

 

 

I love Pam and Nicky Lintott's Two From One Jelly Roll Quilts book.

 

The Lintott's patterns only require half of a

 jelly roll fabric pack.

Essentially, a quilter could make two quilts

from the book's patterns with only one jelly roll.

Although the quilter would need to buy

 some additional "background" fabric,

the main pattern design comes from the chosen jelly roll.

 

 

A "Jelly Roll" in a quilter's world tops any bakery delight.

Each jelly roll fabric pack consists of about 40 strips

precut to 2.5" by 44".

 

I've recently finished some quilt tops using the Lintott's patterns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the backing fabric I chose for this quilt.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite of the two.

 

 

I had bought a yellow coordinating border material for this top,

but didn't realize until both quilts were made

 that all of the yellow strips were in the other quilt.

 

I enjoyed making both tops,

but would encourage others using the Lintott's patterns

to buy a few coordinating fat quarters to help "fill out"

what colors may be limited

in the chosen jelly roll.

 

 

Since both tops were summer/spring themed,

I've put them away for the fall/winter.

When the tulips start pushing up through the earth,

I'll pull these tops back out to quilt.

 

 

 

Here's a fall project that I've partially completed.

 

 

 

I've used a variegated orange thread for the blanket stitch.

I like the way it pops!

 

 

The oversized ric-rac makes this wall-hanging so cute!

 

 

 

 

Be sure to watch my Etsy shop for the resale of the pattern.

I'll be including the needed ric-rac.

 

 

I basted this project today and am ready now to quilt!

 

 

What are you sewing?

 

Please share . . . . .

 

 

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Quilts of Virginia

Schiffer Books are so, so lovely.

Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899:

The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle

Atglen, PA:  Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Barbara Tricarico, editor and photographer

168 pages.

Although not a new book (2006), I thought I'd share this recent read with you.  I came across a copy while doing some writing research.  Let's just say I didn't get much writing done:  I was too focused on this fascinating read! 

The Virginia Consortium of Quilters studied over 3,000 Virginia quilts for this book project, and over 270 of them are photographed in this collection.  After a foreword by the ever-creative Jinny Beyer, the history and photographs document Virginia's history by region, such as the Shenandoah Region which covers Roanoke up to Frederick County.  Quilters will appreciate the accompanying pattern for Virginia's own Farmer's Delight/Farmer's Fancy Block.

What are you reading?

Amy

"I'd druther quilt . . . ."

A People and Their Quilts

by John Rice Irwin

(Schiffer Publishing Ltd.  1997.  214 pages)

My quilting mother shared this unique book with me.  Although  A People and Their Quilts isn't new, I wasn't familiar with the book until she shared it with me.  Perhaps I missed this find because it really doesn't fall under the "craft" book classification. 

John Irwin, the author, is an historian and founder of the Museum of Appalachia located in Tennessee.  Irwin traveled rural Appalachia interviewing and photographing quilters and their quilts.  The result is a wonderful volume that gives readers the stories behind many vintage and antique quilts.

In some of the Appalachian homes that Irwin entered, the quilter had a raised quilting frame.  I have never seen a raised quilting frame like those pictured in this book.  Apparently, when the mother and her daughters were done quilting, there was a pulley system in place (often in the family living space) so that the quilting frame could be raised to the ceiling.  With space being at a premium in many old homes, having a raised quilting frame was a great way to keep the quilt project accessible but out of the way all year.

Here's an example of a raised quilt frame that could be lowered when desired:

(Thanks to Joann at Scene Through My Eyes for the use of her photo)



A People and Their Quilts provides great inspiration for quilters and crafters, and gives the vintage linen lover just what she wants . . . the story behind that lovely piece of needlework.

"I'd druther quilt than eat on the hungriest day ever I seen" 

Ethel Hall of Kentucky answering Irwin's question about her quilting.

To see Amazon.com's information regarding A People and Their Quilts click here .



Springtime is so lovely!

Amy

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;

neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"

Isaiah 59:1

Have you seen or used a raised quilting frame?