So, I’m back from my guild’s sixth annual “Drop Everything and Just Quilt!” Retreat.
I am tired, but I’m feeling accomplished! I finished the top of my Farmer’s Wife!!! Go me! Why is it ever a good idea to make a quilt top with 111 six-inch blocks, set on point with cornerstones? Please tell me…
All of the blocks were completed before I left, and I had all the setting triangles, sashing, and cornerstones cut out before I set up shop at Haw River State Park. But even with all that preparation, it still took me from Wednesday night until Saturday morning to finish. And that was all I worked on…believe me. I did start a jelly roll quilt afterwards and managed to make all the half-square triangles for that.
Saturday after I had sewn myself silly with the Farmer’s Wife, several of us snuck off to Madison, NC to Stitch Party Quilt Shop. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and go there. Kathy (the owner) is a sweet heart and a real help. The shop is truly awesome! I came away with these…
To go with this yardage I purchased several weeks ago from Sewingly Yours in Lewisville, NC.
At my guild’s quilt show in August, I purchased a basket with red, white, and blue fat quarters. I got this to go with those…
This piece of fabric spoke to me, so I came away with three yards of it…
Now I have to decide on the borders for the Farmer’s Wife. The book has plain borders, but I think that really underwhelms the quilt. After all the work that is put in piecing those delightful blocks, I think the borders should be a little more intricate. Carol Doaks has a wonderful book, Carol Doak’s Creative Combinations, that gives wonderful border options that are paper pieced. It comes with a CD that allows you to resize the border blocks and print them out. This is a great addition to your quilting research library – by the way. The holidays are coming. You may want to put this on your gift list for yourself. I’m browsing through this resource to get ideas and finalize my border design. Stay tuned – I’ll keep you informed.
I’m unpacked and prepping for the applique class I’m teaching next week. This weekend I will be in Graham with Mom. It’s time for her follow-up appointment with the hematologist after her iron transfusions. She’s doing so much better and is back teaching her stained-glass classes. I’m hoping and praying for the best. She’s so close to normal again! And I am exceedingly thankful.
Love and Stitches,
Sherri and Sam
