"STITCHING MENDS MY SOUL"

Thursday, April 24, 2014

PROGRESS

I've been sewing with Jodi almost weekly.  My retreat mystery quilt is coming along nicely.  This is the stack of finished blocks.


I wanted to share what I've been stitching with -- my new Bernette that I got at our guild show at show price.  She is very lightweight and sews nicely.  Great for taking to a friend's to sew, without undoing my set up at home.



This was a very long chain with the last strip being sewn on the blocks.


Silly, but fun, stringing them around the room.  It was a LONG chain.


But then.............Oh no.................. all of these were just being pre-drilled.  Yup!  Just drilling.  no thread in the bobbin!

Using the floor for a design wall, and arranging balance.

Nan was working on her mystery top too.  Crayon colors.  Beautiful!

Oh, and not to forget.  This has been my quilt helper when I sew at Jodi's.  He seems to always come visit me:)

See my gecko friend, there on the screen?

Next installment?  Borders!

Happy stitching everyone.









Thursday, April 17, 2014

JENNY DOAN, MISSOURI STAR QUILT CO.


Jenny Doan, of the Missouri Star Quilt Company, was in my area today.  I went to the presentation with my friend Nan.


Jenny is a ball of energy and really funny!

We learned so much in a couple hours.  Missouri Star specializes in quilting with pre-cuts, and she has a plethora of patterns.  Many are free on You-Tube.


 Afterward we were able to get pictures with Jenny.


And she signed issues of Missouri Star's 'magazine' Block.  I hesitate to call Block a quilt magazine, because it is much more like a book.

Jenny and her family have made a huge difference in the economy of her small town.  She's made the financial section of NBC news.  Many of her 7 children are in the business, as well as around 100 local people.  The company only started 5 years ago, and already they've had such impact in tough economic times.

If ever you have the opportunity to hear her, by all means do.

I hope to some day visit her small town.  The company is buying abandoned buildings and turning the town into a walking tour quilt shop.  I.E., one building will house solids, one batiks, etc. with the fabrics by category, one will have long-arms, one is now a retreat center.  Amazing growth in 5 years!

Congratulations, Missouri Star!