Returned to a group I started about 8-10 years ago...Scrap Fever. I started it and then my life went to hell. Now much improved. It was fun. The original group is pretty much intact. Was going to take pictures, but my husband took the camera to take pictures of Indian graves and didn't return it to where it belongs. However, another friend did and I will save these for further comtemplation. I will post two pictures taken of quilts I have done. Oops have to edit pictures first, so will post this and the pictures a little later.

Another plan that went awry. The borders on Relativity are not flat. I have figured out how to fix it, but may let it rest a day or so. Moved on and finished basting the next quilt to be quilted. First, pieced the batting, put the sandwich together and pinned. My modus operendi is the stitch in the ditch the basic lines of the blocks and get rid of the pins. Then add all the extra quilting. This time I am considering trying a shasiko style quilting on some areas of the quilt. I used to hand quilt all my quilts, but it became unrealistic as my stack of tops exceeded my quilting speed. I spent lots of time making tiny stitches and was glad when machine quilting became acceptable. However, the hardest thing is free motion, so I add little, manageable bits. I will say hand quilting has a much softer, gentler look than machine quilting. Then there is drapability. Hand quilting doesn't get stiff no matter how much you quilt, but machine quilting can make a quilt stiff if overdone. I try for a balance, since most of my quilts are for using not just looking.

Also found the memory quilt I started from when I retired from Sparrow. I lost the last three names while I was madly working of this. It took almost a year to unearth them. This is the one I really need to finish. So no completely relativity until this top is done (oh, yeah?)

Of course, making a mistake had me looking thru things and I found these blocks. Can't decide to make more and just arrange then randomly like flowers waving in the wind.

There seems to be another transition in quilting. Quilting is moving away from blocks as the main format, and relying on the fabric to speak to the viewer. Even many new block designs showcase fabric with their big pieces and simple shapes. It will be interesting to see how this evolves. I still love the graphic design of blocks and their potential to delight the eye, so if I remain behind the times it is ok. I wonder how this evolution will impact quilt contests which have relied on superb and complex designs and excellent technical skills.

setting up blog stuff

This has been computer challenging. I am getting the hang of this, but there is a lot more to this and I am figuring it out. The upshot is that the postings will be coming slowly for awhile.

It has be a gray, rainy few days and I always use it as an excuse to spend my time sewing or knitting. I usually do both. I spent one day arranging the blocks on my design wall and now can get to work sewing them together.

Lastest quilt