Sew What Guild

Resignations

Guild Master Resigns    HandmadeWithLove
 
"To all the wonderful SEW WHAT guild members.
It is with sad regrets that I am stepping down as Guild Master as of Monday August 17, 2009.

While life responsibilities are taking me away from this position I will remain a member of Sew What as long as 'she' exists and will participate as much as possible.

As you know this has not been a one person "show". Your Sew What admin team has always worked hard to bring you as many activities as possible and an off ArtFire blog. If you have never seen the blog you can still go to: http://sewwhatguild.typepad.com/sew_what_guild/ to check it out.

Karen our BLOG QUEEN: "I will be happy to transfer ownership of the SEW WHAT blog to whom ever takes on the position of guild master." You can contact Karen through the guild roster...just click on Karen Gass.

JENN of JazzyJemz: " I will be happy to help  transistion the new guild master into his/her position." Feel free to contact Jenn through the guild roster as well.

Amy of AmyDesigns continues to have her shop open here at ArtFire and is busy as a little beaver sewing all her custom orders. What a success story!

Our hope is that someone will step into the position of guild master and make Sew What the best guild at ArtFire!

Thanks for a wonderful guild experience!
Amy, Jenn, Karen and Susan

__._,_.___

Featured Shop - Eclectic Oddities

Welcome to Featured Shop Eclectic Oddities

My first sale was probably back in the 70's when I did quite a few craft shows. At that time I was a potter, and a metalworking jewelry designer. In the 80's I had a stained glass business and did some architectural pieces for restaurants and private homes.
My inspiration usually comes from the materials at hand. For instance, today I happened to find some decorator fabrics at a job lot store and they inspired me to make a couple of medieval costumes/or Victorian gowns to sell for the Ren. Faire folks, or for the Steampunk crowd or simply for Halloween....although they will probably be too expensive to use just once for Halloween.

I joined Art Fire in early December, 2008, and actually started stocking the shop in February, I think. The problems with Etsy is what prompted the broadening of my horizons, and even though I still have 3 shops there, I do not add new merchandise or renew items very often. I’m hoping that Art Fire becomes a better venue for me, so that I can consolidate my goods all in one place, and the traffic is improving, so hopefully the sales will increase in time.

I've recently unearthed a wall hanging I had started probably 12 years ago in a quilt guild workshop with a well known quilt artist, and I’ve been working on it off and on for the past 2 weeks. The current task is to finish beading the 48"L X 16"W scene which depicts the various levels of the earth from the depths of the sea to the starlit sky. I’m about half way finished in that I just finished the sandy beach and am wading through the greenery of the jungle at present. Hopefully I can at least post pictures of it on Flickr by Christmas, as I’m afraid it would be too costly to try to sell it. The beading so far probably represents at least 75 hours, and I’m not too close to finishing, so you get the picture!

    

Thanks again for the opportunity of being a FEATURED SHOP on SEW WHAT.....Judith

Featured Shop - AUNTIFRANNI

Welcome to Featured Shop AUNTIFRANNI.

Tell us about yourself. Are you married? Have children?

 

I am 48 years old , married to my best friend Rob for 27 years. We have 2 great kids Robert and Nicole. I am jealous of the 3 of them they are all talented artists. Some of Robs work is in my shop.

What sort of items are in your shop? Do you want to specialize in one craft or do you love them all?   
In my shop you will find machine embroidered items. I stick to machine embroidery for my shop but like doing other crafts on the side.

Who/what was instrumental in teaching you your particular craft?
Machine embroidery was learned by trial and error. I got my first machine kind of by accident when I was looking for a new sewing machine for quilting.
A friend sold me her embroidery machine which also did regular sewing. I started doing embroidery designs and kind of never really looked back at quilting.

Tell us how you got your "start". How long have you been crafting?
I have been crafting since I was a kid, sewing , crocheting, plastic canvas , cross stitch , rug hooking. I am self taught on it all , my mom wasnt very crafty at all. I did learn most of my quilting skills from an online friend of mine. She started teaching me about 14 years ago in the chat rooms at Prodigy.

How long has your Art Fire shop been open and what were the deciding factors in taking that step to open?
I opened my Artfire shop in Nov. 08 to have my items on more than one venue. I figured try it out why not!Well Artfire has become my home, The people there who run the site listen to what the sellers want and need. And they communicate with you.The features there are awesome. I really love the custom studios.

THANK YOU so much for sharing AuntiFrani.....take a look at her shop here:

Featured Shop - Bits & Peaces Quilts

BITS & PEACES QUILTS

You can find Nancy at

Bits & Peaces Quilts

Tell us a little about yourself

Are you married? Have children? Where do you live?

I am known as Bits & Peaces Quilts. AKA Nancy, I live in Standish, Michigan, also known as the sunrise side.

I am unmarried but have been with my significant other for 22 years I do refer to him as my hubby thou.. I do not have any children, just fur babies. currently I have 4 which range from 7 pounds to 90 pounds. They keep me active to say the least.

I love to Quilt, and I love my flower gardens. If only I could keep the dogs from eating all my hens and chicks. I just planted 3 pots of them last year and their gone already, lol.

How did you get your start?

I have always crafted whether it was painting, making doll cloths or beanie cloths that's where my name came from. I made beanie clothing and custom beanies in the beanie hey days. and my favorite was the peace bears. So my name just stuck with me and its still here today, just modified to accommodate quilting. Then about 3 years ago I stumbled across rag quilts and was intrigued. I always admired quilts and my sister is a fantastic quilter herself. So I began looking them up,learned how to make them. And I love them. Rag quilts are more forgiving if your line isn't sewn straight; something I some days struggle with since I am considered legally blind. I so love traditional quilts and have made one or two, I also like to combine the two methods into my rag quilts; makes for a one of a kind quilt.
I do love using recycled fabrics and found used jeans as a way to do this. I make recycled denim rag quilts as well as pillow shams, denim bags, denim dog toys which get the paws up from my babies. I also like to use uncommon items such as Crown Royal Whiskey bags for quilt tops.

 

Royal Crown Rag Quilt                    Halloween Traditional Quilt

 

Recycled Denim Rag Quilt            Patriotic Pinwheel Rag Quilt

What inspires you to sew?

I don't really know how to answer that, there are times I don't sew for weeks then times I cannot pull myself away to go to bed even, gotta get that last square sewed. I seem to go in streaks. Or when the mood hits me. I have lots of UFO's and lots ideas, one day I will complete them. One day at the beginning of the year I joined ArtFire as a new place to try my hand. I have had a few sales from sending people from the other venues. I sell on Etsy and Ebay as well.

Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to share with the group?
I am working on a few orders including a Crown Royal Rag Quilt. If any custom orders come in I'm open to them. I would like to try making a t-shirt quilt too that's on my list. I also want to make a Quilt for myself, always made them for everyone else but never myself. I do love to collect quilts so I should add one of my own to my collection.

Well back to my studio better known as the kitchen table. lol

Bits

QUILTING TRIVIA

Quilting Trivia

6/14/2009

When you think you've answered the questions correctly, or have given up, scroll down to see the answers.

QUESTIONS:

1. The quilt block, "Harrison Rose" commemorates what famous American President?

2. The "Ohio Star" quilt pattern is often found in antique Amish quilts. True or False

3. A disease with which many quilters are afflicted.

4. Rule of thumb, when lifting heavy objects turn with your feet rather than your body. True or False

5. Which way should you press seams? Light to Dark or Dark to Light?

6. The character "Sophia" in the movie "How to Make an American Quilt" was portrayed by what actress?

ANSWERS:

1. President William Henry Harrison

2. True.

3. Fabriholism, Quiltaholism at this time no one offers a 12 step program to overcome these illnesses.

4. True, do not turn with your body. If you must change directions do so with your feet.

5. Light to Dark.

6. Lois Smith.

See you next week with more QUILTING TRIVIA.

QUILTING TRIVIA

Here's how to play Quilting Trivia

• Read and answer the questions.....try not to peek 'cause as you scroll down the page you will see the answers.

• QUESTIONS:

1. Fairs held by U.S. Sanitary Commission helped to raise $ ________,500,00 for the northern war effort in the Civil War.

2. “Drunkard's Path,” “Double Wedding Ring,” and “Clamshell” are examples of what type of piecing?

3. A star having at least 16 points would qualify as being called a what kind of pattern? (think directions)

4. What is the meaning of a “pomegranate” when appliqued a quilt?

5. What national quilt contest did Sears ® sponsor in 1935?

6. “Star Within A Star” is another name for what popular quilt pattern? (think wood)

*ANSWERS:

1. $4,500,00. They sold home made products including needlework and quilts. (don't know about y'all but I hear a 'FAIR' comin' on! LOL)

2. Curved piecing.

3. Compass, should have at least 16 points though many will have 32 or 64 points, usually multiples of 8.

4. Abundance

5. The “National make it yourself' contest.

6. Carpenter's Wheel

The Blog Tour is HERE!

If you're wondering where to go and what to do - Start here: Cotton Spice every morning. You'll be introduced
to a new Blog/shopowner every morning for the next 2 weeks, then go visit! Look around and see what they have available - you'll be finding all kinds of neato things!

 

We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action 
always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.

Frank Tibolt

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.

Pablo Picasso

I think the above quotes are so true, but I suggest we substitue the 
word "playing" for "action" or "working".

At least for me, the creative spirit is much more aligned to play than work!

Sewing Trivia - The Right Thread

“OK, you say….I've got the project…I’ve chosen my fabrics… NOW what about thread?”
Matching colors to fabric that’s simple enough. But which thread is right for the project?

ALL PURPOSE (cotton-covered polyester core) - this thread is not what it seems. While it proclaims to be all purpose it is not suitable for every project. It is most commonly used because it is polyester and is strong, and stretches. The cotton is smooth and therefore sews easier. This thread can be used on natural or synthetic fabrics as well as knits and wovens. It is generally good for either hand stitching or machine sewing.

UPHOLSTERY, BUTTON OR CRAFT - if you’re projects are of the heavy duty type then you’ll need these threads. They are the heaviest and strongest and have a special glazed finish that stops abrasion tangling. Need to tuft buttons on a cushion? Finish an upholstery project, attach trim or braid to rugs? Then this is the thread for you!

RAYON - Does your project call for rayon? Well, if you’re doing decorative or machine-embroidery then this thread is a very good option. Rayon has a shiny texture that causes it to look like silk. Rayon comes in a variety of colors: solids as well as variegated. Read the manufactures directions for special care of the threads and you will need to use a 40 or 30 weight in the needle. However, you will need to use a finer weight in the bobbin when machine embroidering or for other decorative effects.

SILK - This is the strongest and the most brilliant. However, they are among the more expensive because it is made from long, continuous fibers that has vibrant sheen. It stretches and so is a good choice for garment construction and tailoring. Use 50-weight for all-purpose machine sewing and 100 weight for applique’ and heirloom sewing. If you want to use silk for top stitching, quilting, or embroidery then you’ll want to use 30-weight silk.

METALLIC - Your choices here are just about unlimited. This thread glistens and is used (for the most part) in decorative stitching. And because it comes in so many colors (solids and variegated) it makes a good choice for satin stitches or machine quilting. When used in overlock (sergers) sewing it can be used in the loopers and for normal sewing machines this thread can be used in the needles. . Metallic threads shred, splinter and ravel so it is a good choice for bobbin work as it doesn’t have to pass through the needle.

100% COTTON - At one time this thread was the only thread available for the home-sewing project. With the improvement in durability and versatility of other threads it has waned in popularity. Best results are achieved with this thread when hand or machine sewing cotton and linen fabrics. 100% cotton mercerized thread is smooth, light, and colorfast. It does have a slight stretch making it ideal for quilting on cotton fabrics.

Sources: Labels from end caps of thread spools
Simply Creative Sewing Magazine 2003 Issue

Inspiration Quote

`Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness––I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

'

— Aaron Copeland