Every day this week has been filled with activity, but I was still able to make good progress on the Quilt of Valor for the June ceremony. When we left off, I had it on the quilt frame with the same pantograph and thread as the previous one. The pantograph is Blue Star from Urban Elementz and the thread is light blue Glide and Bottom Line.
I made good progress on it but I didn’t finish it. I had to stop on Wednesday and begin packing for the meeting and the two day class.
We had a supply list to bring including some premade quilt sandwiches in 10-inch square size. I needed to figure out what fabric to use to make those. I decided on light tone on tone so I’d be able to see the thread. I pulled some threads as well, as I don’t really know what will work best. The machine goes in the black trolley with the box of feet and bobbins. I took the base extension as the supply list said it would be good to have the extra work surface area. Also in the pile was a quilt to deliver and my entry for the Worldwide Quilting Day competition. I haven’t shown that to you yet, but I will after the exhibit in March.
We needed to bring our lunch both days and since it is still a bit chilly outside, I decided to make my Butternut Squash Soup on Wednesday. Hot soup with a sandwich just sounded good. My friends will often tease me about bringing fried chicken but I truly do like more than just that and sushi.
The guild meeting’s re-home table was bursting at the seams. I added my two bags full of fabrics and scraps, then did a bit of ‘shopping’.
There was 36 feet of table space, packed to the edges. I came home with a half yard panel, some lace and ribbon, and two magazines. Amazing considering all the tempting things there. At the end of the meeting, there were only a few boxes left to go to the thrift store.
Yesterday was the first half day of the Thread Painting class. I have tried this on my own, and just couldn’t seem to get the knack of it. The first part of the class was on needles and threads. I learned the use of stabilizer, setting up my machine, and some tips on getting the stitches even. We then were let loose to begin to practice.
What started out as flower petals turned into a dragonfly. We practiced moving the fabric up and down, then left to right, then lines in different directions.
The longer advanced class is today, and I am really looking forward to building on the basics. I’ll have more for you on this next week. I know I have four packages of blocks waiting at the PO, and I’ll get those picked up, too. This weekend is our first car club drive of the season, and I am looking forward to it. What are your plans for the weekend?
From My Carolina Home 
It sounds like you are having a fantastic time and learning something new. I loved seeing your packing pile! And well done – not bringing home more fabric (too much!)
It looks like you’ve had a good week. Thread painting is a fun technique; it sounds like you have a good teacher!
I often feel like a gypsy when I go to sew at my quilt bee or take a class. The big worry is I will forget the cord or foot pedal for the machine. I’d be interested in hearing more about your thread painting class, and type of needle that was recommended. I had a teacher hand out titanium needles to my thread painting class and within an hour, I put that sucker thru the bobbin case of my machine and killed it for the day. She said I was moving “too fast”. I had another teacher tell us to avoid the titanium needles because machine repair was expensive, and I had to agree.
A major national teacher with a major longarm machine brand said never use titanium needles because they do not break, they shatter, leaving shards in the machine and are a hazard to your eyes if they do. The teacher for the thread painting class recommended Schmetz 90/14 needles because they are stronger and have a larger groove for the thread. Nobody broke a needle in class.
Good info !!!
Carole,
Your guild’s rehome table is impressive! I was trying to read what the rehome sign said but I couldn’t make it out. Your rehome table is a quilters dream!
Your thread painting class sounds wonderful! Enjoy it!
This weekend, I’ll be a participant in our guild’s Zoom Sew Day. Will be good to see guild members who are away or don’t drive in the winter and those who live far away.
Seize the day!
Jo Anne
I don’t know what it says either, LOL!! I think it is the basic rules of bring what you have, take what you want, donations optional, everything left will be donated to a thrift store.
Have fun with your Zoom sew day!
What a fun time this looks to be! Your soup looks divine…my favorite thing about cooking in the winter is making soup. I can’t wait to see what you make with your class, always fun to learn new things.
I have always had trouble with free-motion quilting but the thread painting looks like fun and a bit more forgiving. Enjoy your class!
Looks like you have had a fun week! It was a good break from the winter weather.
That sounds like an interesting class! I’ve always been kind of interested in thread painting, too, but have only tried it a little bit, following shapes on fabric. Do you do with a free motion foot?
what an interesting class. Also I’m amazed at your restraint on the shopping table. Our part of California grows almonds and they’re all blossoming now. We’re going on a blossom drive next week. Have a good weekend.
The thread painting class sounds wonderful. I’m afraid I’d do serious damage at that rehome table!
After a week with fairly normal temperatures, bare ground was visible. I went out without boots for the first time in months. Winter has returned & it’s bright white out this morning. Butternut squash is on for today’s lunch.
What a great class!
I think the re-home table is a great idea. Sending the rest to the thrift shop is smart, too.
The thread painting looks very interesting.