Virtual Retreat Aug thru Dec 2015 Info on first post

[karen f.]

I have a green little square in the upper left corner next to the title"Virtual Retreat...etc" next to all the new posts that I haven't seen yet. There is none on old posts.

[karen f.]

Also I just went to Costco and got a giant bag of M&Ms so I'll fill the bowl.

[wendy w.]

Sorry you're having a bad time Luann keep visiting, the M&Ms help

[Geneva C.]

I agree, this is a wonderful forum with wonderful people. Thanks LuAnn for "hosting" the virtual retreat. It's awesome.

Here are some Dots. They won't stain your fabric!

geneva

[Geneva C.]

I made a light weight purse yesterday to take on our trip to Europe...didn't have a pattern :blink:
Just ate some Dots thanks Geneva ! Can't talk too well though :huh: teeth are stuck together hmy: :lol:
Love this forum, and everyone here!
Dorothy

[Geneva C.]

Cute bag! Enjoy your trip.

[Geneva C.]

Thanks to these posts and the inspiration provided here, I have just returned from buying fabric AND M&Ms :cheer:

Love you gals!
I finished them! (unfortunately, it was a small bag) But they were 2 for 1, so I get to indulge some other time....

[Geneva C.]

This is my finished charity quilt! I love the way the gal quilted it!

[Geneva C.]

Oh, heck ! Where's Tribblemom?? She has all the answers ! :silly: :huh: :silly:

Here I am, but sorry to say I don't have an answer for the little green dot. You could ask webmaster Bob, but I don't think it really matters much when I'm much more interested in what all y'all are sharing.

Kathy

[Nancy R.]

Beautiful purse, Dorothy! And without a pattern, too! You will certainly be stylin' on your trip!

Love the charity quilt, Terrie! That quilting design is called "continuous curves". It's a beautiful design and a great way to avoid stitching in the ditch but still get everything tacked down as needed.

[Nancy R.]

Hurray - Finally home from our vacation and caught up too (except for the TQS/ BOM)!

Jdeluka - Really like your Halloween quilt I've often thought it would be fun to make one but haven't taken any action.
Luann - Love your 30 fabric color wheel and your 21 combo fabrics. I've never dyed fabric but have washed/rinsed and finally used Reytane to set dye in Indigo, what a project!
Annis - Pass the M&M's and Peanut Brittle please!
Terri - Love the rag bunting and the mens charity quilt (I really like the continiuing curve quiting)!
Debbie - Sorry to hear re carpel tunnel surgery, nice when you're healed up. Your daughters wedding quilt sounds neat! Hurray for mom hand quilting your wall hanging too.
Yeah Karen and Geneva - more M&M's and DOTS too!
Dorothy - Love your purse I too wish you a wonderful trip to Europe.

Barb

[Nancy R.]

Oh my, I couldn't think of my password!! Too much pressing of the cloth, I guess. I finished pressing the 60 half yard pieces. My feet are tired, my hands are a bit achey and I'm hungry for real food. I'll catch some dots or M&Ms later. Tomorrow I'm going to the beach in the morning cuz my feet hurt, my hands, etc etc,,, whine, whine whine!! I'll exchange it for wine, wine wine!!! Care to join me? LOL

Actually, my hubby is making some chops on the grill and we'll have some veggies with them. I'm fine and here's a little glimpse of how 60 half yard cuts look like when they're all pressed and in color order.




And a bit closer of the four new sets
This first set really turned out different than what I expected! So many oranges and I even got one that is black!







And what I've dyed up over the last two weeks, all sitting pretty together.



Well, see you at the beach!
Luann

[Nancy R.]

Wow Luann!!! I just love your colors!!! I can't wait to dye up some cloth!!! What pfd fabric do you use? I did a batch with muslin, and it turned out different than the more expensive cotton.

[Nancy R.]

Dorothy,
I tried muslin but most often its weave is too fragile I feel.
Right now, I'm using P&B dyers muslin. It's got a good hand but doesn't get thick feeling after being dyed.
I've used Kona white, I liked it but I kept looking for something less expensive. I've used Radiance, a cotton and silk blend. Totally love how each side can be a different color! But too expensive for testing type experiments. Dharma trading co has several and for 25 cents you an get a sample of ones that look interesting to you. I've also used a pfd 60" wide from Kaufman that I was able to get through a quilt shop in Wisconsin. I worked there so with my discount it was worth trying.
I think an important thing is to get one that you can repeatedly order so you have an idea how things are really working. The big box stores don't always get the same quality from one bolt to the next. So, it is best to order thru a dye house like Dharma or your local quilt shop. If you are buying the whole bolt they will probably give you a decent discount.
You can also check out Testa Fabrics. There 419 mercerized cotton is said to be quite nice. You can call in your order, as I've never been able to get the website to give me prices. I think it runs about $5.50 yard plus freight. That's a decent price!!
I will need to get some of mine sold if I'm going to continue my dyeing. The shelves are getting a bit full. LOL

Luann

[karen f.]

I love your bag Dorothy! The quilting looks so nice. Have a good trip.

Terrie your charity quilt looks very handsome! I like how it looks on the couch and think a man would like the pattern too.

Enjoy your rest at the beach Luann! You need a mangle(?) to get all that fabric smoothed out! My mom had one from WAY back and my sisters and I finally gave it away to who ever would come and take it out of her house. It'd be perfect for all that flat fabric though if you are going to continue to make and sell it.