Clever Binding Idea

Corner of quilt back - quilting extends to the edge

I have the very pleasant task of collecting and delivering quilts our guild members make for local kids. Each year, we make about 140 quilts and they go directly to children in our area. Some kids are in the hospital, some are with their mothers as they get help with alcoholism, and some are being helped by the local Family Promise program. Forty go to our local Headstart program for nap time.

A wonderful quilt was in our donation box last month - guild members leave them there and we often have no idea who made them. It has a very clever binding idea for us all.

The quilt backing is flannel. Notice that the very cool quilting extends to the very edge of the quilt.

Extra backing was included. It is folded to the front to make a generous self binding.

Corner of quilt front

The binding measures about 1.5''. Notice it is hand stitched in place and mitered at the corners.

I'd love to know who donated this quilt and how you learned this technique. It makes a very sturdy and practical finish for a child's quilt.

Jenifer has ALWAYS been Modern

My friend and esteemed colleague Jenifer Dick asked me to join the blog tour for her new book, The Modern Applique Workbook.

I have probably known Jenifer the quilter the longest of any of us on the tour. I met her working on her first book - Grapefruit Juice and Sugar - published in 2005. I was her first editor.

We were both new to quilt book publishing. Boy, have we learned a LOT since then! To me, Jenifer has always been a modern quilter. Her early work was definitely a precursor for today's work. Her quilts have always been bold.

So her new book is certainly an exciting addition to her life work. The quilts are great. The instruction is clear, detailed - everything you need to know about how to applique.

The wonder of working on quilt books is that you turn in your portion of the work - a carefully edited, well organized manuscript. And as the book continues through the production process, more and more wonder just piles on. It is carefully edited from the technical standpoint. Art is created. Photos are shot. And all of that ends up in the hands of an incredibly talented book designer who turns it into the beautiful product you can hold in your hand and admire and work with for years to come. It's just magical to be part of this process.

I will gush. C&T turned Jenifer's work into a gorgeous book. The solid, solid content is enhanced by the solid, solid design. Color bands in Jenifer's palette edge the pages. Groovy tabs help you find the project or section you need. I love how they styled the photos.

Last but not least, there are 11 exciting modern project designs for you to practice different techniques. If you are looking for a great workbook to learn new techniques for modern, machine-applique projects, buy this book.

Stash Books has generously offered to give a book to one of you reading my blog. If you’re in the US, you’ll get a print copy, and if you’re an international reader, you’ll get an electronic version (complete with full-size printable applique templates). If you are interested, leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open until Saturday, Feb 22 at midnight.

For more reviews and opportunities to win, check out the other blogs on the tour:

Feb. 10: Bonnie Hunter www.quiltville.blogspot.com

Feb. 11: Amy Smart www.diaryofaquilter.com

Feb. 12: Angela Walters www.quiltingismytherapy.com/my-blog

Feb. 13: Debbie Grifka www.eschhousequilts.com

Feb. 14: Tammie Schaffer www.craftytammie.com

Feb. 17: Casey York www.studioloblog.wordpress.com

Feb. 18: Deb Rowden www.debrowden.blogspot.com

Feb. 19: Melissa @ Generation Q magazine http://generationqmagazine.com/ 

Feb. 20: Shea Henderson www.emptybobbinsewing.com

Feb. 21: Diane Harris @ Quiltmaker Magazine http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

Silvery Icicles, Silver Shelves

Bye Bye Icicles

There is great celebrating going on in our region. EVERY conversation starts like this: "Boy, am I sick of this weather ..." Well, today, the icicles are melting! Warmer temperatures are in the forecast.

I am delighted but I will report that icy, cold days kept me indoors lately and my sewing room is in much better shape as a result. I ordered tall metal shelves - they were delivered to my house - and they are already filled with boxes of my precious stuff, which you will notice does include a plethora of scraps!

It doesn't look like that much BUT they let me sort and organize. Right now, scraps are going into piles of lights, mediums, darks, red, blue, brights ....

It is like visiting old friends. I open a box and find something I'd forgotten all about. Things are getting organized, projects are getting planned. One big quilt that you will soon see was delivered to a machine quilter this week, another is on the design wall.

We have a quilt show scheduled in early April - that is my deadline to have both quilts done. Wish me luck!

Snowboarders wear quilted jackets

Be on the lookout for this jacket in the opening ceremony of the winter Olympics today.

The New York Times reports:
"... snowboarders will wear high-tech corduroy pants and jackets inspired by a quilt found at an antique show."

A Burton jacket for the United States snowboarding team was modeled after a quilt - a quilt made with shirts, seems to me. It does have a dashing American flag-like block on one sleeve.

Burton is a company that produces snowboards and everything that goes with snowboarding.