Virtual Retreat 2016

[Renata L.]

Ritzy, I have missed seeing you! I can't believe Eli is 5 already. It seems as if he was just born. Time flies. Hope all is well for you and that you are sewing up a storm, or at least a quilt or two!

Geneva--I haven't done any quilting in quite some time. I just can't get going. I have tried and spent more time ripping out than I spent sewing. Wasn't having any fun with that so I am trying to be patient until my drive comes back. In the mean time--I am trying to keep up with this thread and the prayer list.

[Dawn S.]

Wow, Geneva! I love your hand dyed fabrics! Gorgeous! You did an awesome job! They even look professionally done....like Joy's Hand Dyes, only better!

Congratulation on your win, Rosemary! You always do such nice work! Last year's teensy tinsy one was insane!

And, "Hello" Ritzy! Good to see you again! And, I am glad everyone is well! Life is a roller coaster! Glad you are on the upswing right now. Just hang out there for a while!

Dawn

[Betty J.]

Thanks Dawn. OK--I am not one to share sites online but if you have not seen "I Mom So Hard"--you need to take a minute. Enjoy the laugh.

[Geneva C.]

Ritzy, I went through a terrible dry spell this past 6 months or so. It made me doubt my ability and creativity. I received many pats on the back, atta girls, and hugs from my quilting friends here on TQS and my local guild. So, don't give up. Nancy's advice to me was to buy a kit and make it. She was right. It got me back sewing. I didn't have to worry that it wouldn't look ok since I knew what I was making at the start. Thanks Nancy!

Remember those 24 hand dyed fabrics I made 2 weeks ago? Well, I had an idea for a quilt and it had to be made, right now! I used my Go cutter and it made everything work really well. This is an easy quilt to make, but the fabrics make it come alive. I stressed a bit over the border. I wanted to use left over 4" x 2" rectangles, but couldn't come up with a size square/rectangle that worked out mathematically for the top and bottom measurements. Finally it hit me! From the 24 different colors I cut 6 strips of each width, 1", 1.25", 1.50" and 1.75". I sewed them together in a pleasant looking strata and cut them to fit the quilt top. It was easy and fun. I decided to face the quilt instead of applying a binding. This is the first time I have done this and I really like the look. Though I would like to do some research on how to face a quilt. Do any of you have any special tricks to doing a facing? This is "JollyRanchers" and it is 50" x 36".













Take care, geneva

[Renata L.]

Hi Geneva, beautiful quilt--the colors really pop! I don't know if this "invisible binding" technique is what you're looking for but a while back I was looking for something similar and came across this blog with instruction. Hope it helps! http://quiltartnews.com/tutorial-invisible-binding/.

[Geneva C.]

Alternatively you could do a 'knife edge' finish. I particularly like it for miniatures, as it is easier for small scale work.

Congratulations, Renata and Dawn for getting a mention in today's newsletter.

[Renata L.]

Very pretty Geneva--and thank you.

[wendy w.]

I do love hand dyes and yours look so good in that design. I face quilts quite often I'll give you my tips when I've got the girls up

It's yummy!

[wendy w.]

Right my tip is after trimming zig zag your edges. Sew your facing to the front as you would a binding and sew again 1/8" from the edge. Turn facing to back and press with steam then slip stitch in place. Hope this helps .

There are tricks you can do with corners but I just trim them after adding first facing side and it works. I think one is to sew the second side down the first edge before turning, I've tried that and it gave a neat corner. I'll share if I can find the tutorial. I tend to take tips from several. :lol:

[Terry K.]

Geneva, Your Jolly Ranchers quilt is wonderful! I especially liked the border!

[Geneva C.]

Thank you Renata, Rosemary and Wendy. All ideas are interesting and useful. Terry thanks for the comment on the border. I worked so hard to make that border much more difficult than it needed to be! :unsure: In the end I did what I should always do when faced with a dilemma. Walk away, have a glass of wine and a good nights sleep! It's always better the next day.

geneva

[Jules M.]

Geneva, I love what you whipped out with your hand-dyed fabrics! Super cute! Love it all. I also go to my Go! when I need something fast.

[karen f.]

Geneva your dyed fabrics are really beautiful!

[Betty J.]

Hi Karen! I never can ever keep up with this huge active topic, so I just pop in and read it once in a while for the most part, but usually I miss a lot of the fun. :S :side: :huh:

[karen f.]

so I just pop in and read it once in a while for the most part, but usually I miss a lot of the fun. :S :side: :huh:

That's why I try to check and read all the forum each day so I don't miss anything but I got too busy for a bit!