Thursday, April 30, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Show and Tell #3
Are you ready for more Show and Tell? Here we go...Cindy Tulk has made a bed-side caddy for her daughter, using leftover Harry Potter fabrics. Her inspiration came from a similar one on Pinterest.
I bet your daughter loves it Cindy!!
Barb Frame has completed Bonnie Hunter's 2019-2020 mystery quilt Frolic. Barb did a lap size and all fabric came from her stash. Lots of little pieces!!
It's beautiful Barb!
(Inquiring minds want to know.. did it make a sizable dent in your stash?)
Like many of us Doris MacSween has been busy making masks.
Here is one "batch", made with ties after her elastic supply ran out.
I'm sure your family and friends are very appreciative Doris.
Lucy Bourque has been working on finishing two mystery quilts. The first was an Elm City QG mystery project and Lucy will be gifting it to their oldest grandson who graduates from high school this June. He will love it, I'm sure.
The second top, made with batiks, was a mystery project done with her Hunters' Run quilting group in Florida. It's together and now waiting for Lucy to find suitable border fabric. "This quilt was square when I finished and I just didn't like it. So I took the suggestion of a very good friend and made another row of blocks, did some un-sewing and added the extra row. I like it so much better now..."
Beautiful, Lucy!
Looks like there's lots of sewing happening.. I look forward to receiving more photos...
Sunday, April 19, 2020
More Show and Tell
Time for more Show and Tell! Thanks for sharing your projects with us.. keep them coming!Kathy Tidswell recently completed a special book for her granddaughter's first birthday coming up soon.
It is Kathy's original design.
The cardinal is done with inktense pencils.
What a treasure this is! What a lucky little girl your granddaughter is, Kathy. Thanks for sharing this with us. Such a special gift!
Ann VanWart has been busy too. In late February she started a wool applique block of the month. This looks like a fun project.. can't wait to see more of this Ann!
She also has a blouse underway, but is waiting for a serger servicing so she can finish the seams.
Like many of us, she has been making masks too.
Ann uses a drying rack to sort fabrics for a project. Great idea. Do you have one of these...? Is it in your sewing space? Maybe it should be...
Stay tuned for more Show and Tell, coming soon!
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Show and Tell
It's time for some Show and Tell. Thanks to members who have already sent photos of finished projects, or what you are currently working on. Keep the photos coming! We can't be together but we can still enjoy each other's work!
It looks like Barb Cross has done a fabulous job of tidying and cleaning her studio. Oh my, I wish I could convince her to come and clean mine, it has never looked this clean and tidy!!
She says her sewing room is lonely for her. She is busy with other things these days...
Marg Keddy is keeping busy. She has finished a UFO..
...made some masks..
.. and is working on a lovely nine patch quilt.
Wow! That's alot of nine patches Marg. Beautiful!!
Janet Murphy is keeping busy too... She has finished a table runner and four placemats (a penalty for something naughty she did at Retreat, apparently... I'm sure there's an interesting story there. But you know the saying - "What happens at Retreat, stays at Retreat...")
... as well as three Valentines runners (one shown here)
...and four lap aprons from the February workday
And then she tidied up her sewing room before starting another project... Bonus points Janet!!
Lastly for today, Nancy Richards shares with us a quilt she has made as a gift:
"It is for my great-niece who graduates this year. She is musical and loves knitting. I got the idea from a quilt I saw online with applique on a very basic background and it also gave me the chance to practice half-square triangles and lining up the corners."
Nancy, what a special gift! She will love it!
Thanks everyone! Up next Kathy Tidswell, Ann VanWart and Cindy Tulk!
It looks like Barb Cross has done a fabulous job of tidying and cleaning her studio. Oh my, I wish I could convince her to come and clean mine, it has never looked this clean and tidy!!
She says her sewing room is lonely for her. She is busy with other things these days...
Marg Keddy is keeping busy. She has finished a UFO..
...made some masks..
.. and is working on a lovely nine patch quilt.
Wow! That's alot of nine patches Marg. Beautiful!!
Janet Murphy is keeping busy too... She has finished a table runner and four placemats (a penalty for something naughty she did at Retreat, apparently... I'm sure there's an interesting story there. But you know the saying - "What happens at Retreat, stays at Retreat...")
... as well as three Valentines runners (one shown here)
...and four lap aprons from the February workday
And then she tidied up her sewing room before starting another project... Bonus points Janet!!
Lastly for today, Nancy Richards shares with us a quilt she has made as a gift:
"It is for my great-niece who graduates this year. She is musical and loves knitting. I got the idea from a quilt I saw online with applique on a very basic background and it also gave me the chance to practice half-square triangles and lining up the corners."
Nancy, what a special gift! She will love it!
Thanks everyone! Up next Kathy Tidswell, Ann VanWart and Cindy Tulk!
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Mask Making
Hello! Thank you to those of you who have already responded with Show and Tell photos. Keep them coming. There will be posts in small batches over the coming weeks. It looks like we all may be inside for a while yet, so keep the photos and explanations coming. It's a nice way for us all to stay in touch, share ideas and see what everyone is working on.
First up in our "sharing" of info and ideas, I thought a post on mask-making might be helpful, now that wearing a mask when you go out in public is recommended. No doubt many of us are making masks, so if you have any tips to pass along from your experience or from something you have read from a reliable source, please leave a comment below so we all can benefit. (Simply click on the word "Comment" directly below this post - it may say No comments, or 2 comments, or whatever. Write your comment in the box that appears, and add your name. If you are not a blogger or do not have a Google account, simply click on Anonymous where it says "Comment as..." Then hit "Publish" so your comment will appear.) If you are reading this post from an email in your inbox, you must come to the blog in order to leave a comment. https://frederictonquiltersguild.blogspot.com/
Gail Mitchell has been busy making masks and shares the following with us:
First is the pleated style. You've all seen many versions of this. I find it fits well, has good face coverage and is super quick to make. I've worn this out twice, and the first time, I was so uncomfortable. But the second time, I found it much better. My glasses keep the nose part down. I found I could talk and breathe easily through it. The first time I made this, it took me about 30 minutes.. and after making around 40 of these, I can knock them out in 10 to 15 minutes. If you have elastic in your stash, that makes it really easy. But if not you can simply cut 2 two inch wide strips WOF and press them like double fold binding. Sew each raw edge of the the pleated part only to the centers of the strips. This takes more fabric but is very quick..
Here are a few tips I would add, from things I've read in the last few days.
1. Fabric selection is important. Good quality quilters cottons which are tightly woven are a good choice. If you are unsure, hold a piece of your fabric up to the light. If you can see through it, it's not a good choice. If it lets little light through, that is a better choice. Batiks are generally a tight weave and I just assumed they would be an excellent choice. However because of the wax used in the batiking process, you may find them harder to breathe through, so two layers of batik might make breathing and speaking harder.. try one batik fabric and one regular quilters cotton. Best choice of all would be high thread count sheeting material. Perhaps cut up that set of sheets/pillowcases you have never used...?
2. All fabrics should be prewashed in hot soapy water, and dried in the dryer to preshrink fabrics before mask construction.
3. Using two different fabrics (one for outside, one for inside) is a good idea so if you have to take the mask off and then out it back on, you know which side goes against your skin.
4. If you are going to be wearing the mask for extended periods of time, ties might be more comfortable than elastic around the ears. Those wearing masks for lengthy time periods report "ear fatigue" - soreness, chafing, etc. on the backs of their ears. Cut WOF (width of fabric) strips, fold and stitch, using one strip across top of mask, another strip across bottom of mask. They can be a little shorter if you are sewing ties to sides of mask. If you have a pkg. of double fold bias tape, you could use that instead of making ties.
5. A piece of non woven medium wt. fusible interfacing fused to the wrong side of outer layer is often suggested. If you have some that is not fusible, you could try that too. Use what you have...
6. Some people are adding a layer of paper coffee filter inside the mask. Of course this must be removed when the mask is washed, and then replaced for the next wearing. Obviously you have to leave an opening to do this.
7. Do NOT use vacuum cleaner bag filters - the Hepa style filters contain tiny glass particles which would irritate the lungs.
8. If you wish to add a piece of wire for the area over the nose for a better fit, 20 or 24 gauge copper wire is a good choice as it will not rust. Be sure to fold the sharp ends back so they will not poke through. 5"- 6" is a good length for the wire. Pipe cleaner as suggested by some, is too light.
9. Masks should be washed after every use.
10. Do NOT use microwave to "sterilize" your mask. Fabrics can scorch or even catch fire...
There are LOTS of tutorials online for masks, lots of varying patterns. You Bonnie Hunter fans might like to see how she is doing her masks today here: https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2020/04/you-askedso-here-you-go.html
Leah Day has an excellent tutorial here: https://leahday.com/pages/how-to-make-a-face-mask-free-pattern Her pattern has an opening at top for inserting a filter, also she shows how to add a nose wire.
Good luck with your mask making. Please share any useful tips or suggestions in the comments below. Up next will be some Show and Tell...
First up in our "sharing" of info and ideas, I thought a post on mask-making might be helpful, now that wearing a mask when you go out in public is recommended. No doubt many of us are making masks, so if you have any tips to pass along from your experience or from something you have read from a reliable source, please leave a comment below so we all can benefit. (Simply click on the word "Comment" directly below this post - it may say No comments, or 2 comments, or whatever. Write your comment in the box that appears, and add your name. If you are not a blogger or do not have a Google account, simply click on Anonymous where it says "Comment as..." Then hit "Publish" so your comment will appear.) If you are reading this post from an email in your inbox, you must come to the blog in order to leave a comment. https://frederictonquiltersguild.blogspot.com/
Gail Mitchell has been busy making masks and shares the following with us:
Have you ventured out in the last few days? You'll see lots of people wearing masks now that it's been recommended to wear the mask in places where it's difficult to maintain the 6 feet social distance, such as the grocery store. While you will soon get comfortable wearing this, it is not intended to replace the social distancing or hand washing. Please continue to do both!!
I've made two styles.
If you have a bias tape maker, it can be used for tie-making. If not, here is a youtube video that shows how to do it "the old fashioned way." It starts around the 2.5 minute mark. It works well.
My second mask was a more custom fit mask.
Because I had time on my hands, I thought I'd make a more custom facemask. It is a two-piece that is tailored to fit nicely under your chin. I used this free pattern by Shanniemakes.com https://shanniemakes.com/2-
It does take twice as long to make, but is a beautiful fit. A fellow quilter will notice how nice it is, but nobody else will. 
I have not worn it out to a store yet. I added the recommended third layer and it feels quite firm. I want to make sure I can breathe and be understood when I talk. For a little better face coverage I did extend the piece that points towards the ear by half an inch. On the page where you download this, she gives you a template to make an envelope to store your pattern pieces. It's darling.
I have not worn it out to a store yet. I added the recommended third layer and it feels quite firm. I want to make sure I can breathe and be understood when I talk. For a little better face coverage I did extend the piece that points towards the ear by half an inch. On the page where you download this, she gives you a template to make an envelope to store your pattern pieces. It's darling.
Thanks so much Gail!
Here are a few tips I would add, from things I've read in the last few days.
1. Fabric selection is important. Good quality quilters cottons which are tightly woven are a good choice. If you are unsure, hold a piece of your fabric up to the light. If you can see through it, it's not a good choice. If it lets little light through, that is a better choice. Batiks are generally a tight weave and I just assumed they would be an excellent choice. However because of the wax used in the batiking process, you may find them harder to breathe through, so two layers of batik might make breathing and speaking harder.. try one batik fabric and one regular quilters cotton. Best choice of all would be high thread count sheeting material. Perhaps cut up that set of sheets/pillowcases you have never used...?
2. All fabrics should be prewashed in hot soapy water, and dried in the dryer to preshrink fabrics before mask construction.
3. Using two different fabrics (one for outside, one for inside) is a good idea so if you have to take the mask off and then out it back on, you know which side goes against your skin.
4. If you are going to be wearing the mask for extended periods of time, ties might be more comfortable than elastic around the ears. Those wearing masks for lengthy time periods report "ear fatigue" - soreness, chafing, etc. on the backs of their ears. Cut WOF (width of fabric) strips, fold and stitch, using one strip across top of mask, another strip across bottom of mask. They can be a little shorter if you are sewing ties to sides of mask. If you have a pkg. of double fold bias tape, you could use that instead of making ties.
5. A piece of non woven medium wt. fusible interfacing fused to the wrong side of outer layer is often suggested. If you have some that is not fusible, you could try that too. Use what you have...
6. Some people are adding a layer of paper coffee filter inside the mask. Of course this must be removed when the mask is washed, and then replaced for the next wearing. Obviously you have to leave an opening to do this.
7. Do NOT use vacuum cleaner bag filters - the Hepa style filters contain tiny glass particles which would irritate the lungs.
8. If you wish to add a piece of wire for the area over the nose for a better fit, 20 or 24 gauge copper wire is a good choice as it will not rust. Be sure to fold the sharp ends back so they will not poke through. 5"- 6" is a good length for the wire. Pipe cleaner as suggested by some, is too light.
9. Masks should be washed after every use.
10. Do NOT use microwave to "sterilize" your mask. Fabrics can scorch or even catch fire...
There are LOTS of tutorials online for masks, lots of varying patterns. You Bonnie Hunter fans might like to see how she is doing her masks today here: https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2020/04/you-askedso-here-you-go.html
Leah Day has an excellent tutorial here: https://leahday.com/pages/how-to-make-a-face-mask-free-pattern Her pattern has an opening at top for inserting a filter, also she shows how to add a nose wire.
Good luck with your mask making. Please share any useful tips or suggestions in the comments below. Up next will be some Show and Tell...
Friday, April 3, 2020
Update
Hello everyone! Just a little update. Thought you would all like to know that Bluprint, formerly Craftsy, has ALL their classes available for FREE right now.. andddd it has been extended until April 16!! So.. if you're bored and looking for something to do.. why not take a class or two?! There's lots available.. 24/7... sewing and quilting, knitting, crocheting, drawing, baking, photography and more. Check it out here. If you're not already a member you can sign up - it's as simple as putting in your email address and creating a password. Easy Peasy! :)
And I know you've seen this before, but I thought it worth repeating.. pay special attention to #'s 1 and 3.
Take care everyone, and Keep On Sewin'!
And I know you've seen this before, but I thought it worth repeating.. pay special attention to #'s 1 and 3.
Take care everyone, and Keep On Sewin'!
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