I'm back from a wonderful week "down on the farm" in Illinois and it was a wonderful visit. I am so grateful we had good driving weather, 840 miles is a long trek there, and then back.
Here is the last doll quilt that I'm making for my daughter, Hanna, for Christmas. I started the tradition when she was about 3 years old. Since she is a senior in high school, I've decided it's okay to stop.
This is a big girl doll quilt. I thought it would be fun to do a selvage project. I even found some great words to use, drama queens, and peeps - how funny.
I used a variegated blue thread which had a cool effect on the blue background.
The backing is part of the City Quilters NYC fabric collection.
And one of my super simple, super quick labels.
My son gave me this hilarious t-shirt for Christmas. Sage advice......except on retreats or Fridays :)
Help this poor kitty! I needle-pointed this in middle school, mid-1970's. My mother blocked it, but clearly it needs re-blocking. Help! How is this done? And does anyone have any suggestions about my making this into a pillow?
**Finally, as you may have noticed I've made some changes to the blog. It will remain "fun with barb and mary" but Mary has decided that blogging is not for her. As I have been the sole author for almost a year, we thought it time. We had a wonderful visit on Christmas Eve - thanks again for sharing your fruitcake Mary!
What a fun quilt and tradition!! I expect you should keep making them until she has children of her own;)The shirt is a hoot!!
ReplyDeleteThat doll quilt is so cute! Such fun selvedges you have in it...and as usual..the back is fun too!
ReplyDeleteThe Tshirt is funny. No drinking and quilting...what's next? No running with scissors? LOL
For blocking the needlework..I used to spray the piece with a mister and pin into carpeting with T pins. Let sit until dry.
I hadn't gotten to meet Mary since I've been blogging for less than a year. I wish her well -- and look forward to all the cool stuff you will continue to share, Barb!! LOVE the doll quilt -- and Hannah has some, what? 15 doll quilts!?! You have permission to take a break. It'll be the blink of an eye 'til you can make them for grandbabies...Not that I'm rushing you into that. My Emily is 20, and I'm not ready to be a grandmother just yet! LOL
ReplyDeleteLove the T-Shirt. I'm thinking a new blog look deserves at least a little toast! :-D As do wishes to you for a splendid and wonderful and happy New Year!!
Blessings,
Mary Lou
Like the T-shirt...I just packed 3 bottles of wine for a retreat in two weeks. I don't know which project I am bringing but the food, chocolate, coffee and wine are ready!
ReplyDeletefun little quilt, funny t-shirt, and the kitty will make a great pillow. Just block like Ann described, add a border and backing, stuff...viola!
ReplyDeleteThe T-shirt is hilarious!! Cool quilt for Hannah and what a great tradition. Would love to see each year's quilts all together!
ReplyDeleteI have the same siamese cat needlepoint pillow somewhere! Haven't seen it in years but I've always loved it. Good luck with finishing it.
ReplyDeleteHa! I was just commenting on your last post and came back to my reader and here you are again -- how fun! That doll quilt is adorable -- LOVE the drama queen selvedge!
ReplyDeleteSince I only found you in the last year, I've been wondering where the Mary half was -- now I know. I'm glad you're sticking with it and I can't wait to see all of your 2011 inspiration!
The "H" selvage quilt is cute, and the variegated thread does give a nice effect. The blocking... I'm pretty sure it involved pinning the piece to a soft, padded surface that has a grid (like a pressing mat). Or else draw the square on muslin, pin the piece to it. Then steam and stretch the piece to square it up, pinning as you go. Not ironing it, but hovering the iron to steam it. Let dry and it should hold its shape. But there may be easier ways. I'd suggest basting the squared piece to muslin, trim edges to square, and then framing it with fabric strips. You could then "build" the pillow top out from them by adding pieced strips to the size you want. Good for you for rescuing this piece of your past and using it! Good luck.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cat!! I make a lot of pillows using old embroideries. I found that the best thing is to sew it on to som quite firm batting. I even add a few stitches randomly in the motiv to make sure it stays put to the batting. I than search for the perfect fabric to compliment the colors of the embroidery.
ReplyDeleteSol
LOVE the selvage quilt! Wouldn't it be fun if selvage projects would encourage fabric line designers to use crazy names!?! Then we would all be buying and fighting over their new fabrics to get to the selvages! I can imagine "Smelly Socks" and "Foul Balls" by Timeless Treasures, "Shut up and Stitch" by Moda, "Quilt Bitches" by Loralie Designs, and "Chamber Pots and Privies" from "Civil War Oddities" by Marcus Brothers. Yikes! (No...I have not been quilting and drinking...LOL!!)
ReplyDeleteIn stitches,
Teresa :o)
Happy New year!
ReplyDeleteThe t-shirt is hilarious and I want one. Personally, I love to drink and quilt and I think drinking and machine quilting is essential. Particularly if you are doing stippling. Great job making selvages look so terrific!
ReplyDeleteLove the H quilt ..... those selvedges are a hoot!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Barb. Thanks for all the wonderful blog posts this past year. I always look forward to them and you never disappoint!
ReplyDeleteHanna is lucky...what a great doll quilt collection she has. Love the blue varigated thread and the selveges.
I make blocks like that sometimes without the drinking!...what's my excuse...lol???
Have a great day!
Jill
I like the selvage doll quilt! Unfortunately, I made a similar mistake on the T-shirt just recently. No drinking involved. Probably won't be the last time I do it either!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to make a letter with skinnies! Does Hanna know that this is her last annual quilt? I wouldn't want you to stop if it were me!
ReplyDeleteThe variegated thread is a great finishing touch.
Happy New year, oh yes its a long drive!
ReplyDeleteHanna is one lucky girl
Kathie
There are some very cool selvages in that quilt! What a wonderful tradition. It would be interesting to see them all together and see how they changed over the years.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a funny shirt - did he find that somewhere or did he get it made for you? :0)
Love the doll quilt--you may wish to continue if she's going to college. Help ease the homesickness. I covet the t shirt- what, is there something wrong with that block?
ReplyDeleteI have made several pillows with needlepoints. A large shoebox (like boot size? or even the lid?) covered with an old towel, then the wet needlepoint stretched into shape with t pins. keep spritzing. i would add a border of denim. Use a zipper foot. if there's a gap add braid or other trim. have fun...
fun quilt and those really are some fun selvages. Wild Thing, love it. What does it say about me that I love the drunk quilt block?
ReplyDeleteThank you Barb for your fun and useful info. I made a needlepoint pillow for my sister-in-law many years ago, it was also a cat. After blocking it, as others have said, I machine stitched around the needlepoint. She wanted a boxed and welted pillow. I used ultrasuede for the box edge and the welting. That may be more than you want, but ultrasuede would work well for a small border and backing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun tradition making her a doll quilt each year. I have a friend who made a quilt (all sizes) each year for her birthday. What treasures those are going to be. LOVE that tshirt!
ReplyDeleteHave you checked with your daughter about stopping making the doll quilts? Teenagers can be very traditionalist (is there such a word?) I think.
ReplyDeleteI love the T shirt from your son.
What a wonderful tradition but will Hanna miss the doll quilt next year? Love the t shirt alot, your son did very well finding that. I'm sure you could find out how to block tapestry on youtube.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great doll quilt :0) Sorry can't help you with the cross stitch, I just make the tops and never frame or make anything from them.....a different type of UFO LOL.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the shirt!!!!
Crispy
PS - I'll miss Mary but then without Mary I wouldn't have found you :0)
Oh, I totally need a T-shirt like that. I honestly laughed out loud. And even funnier is the fact that I can easily (and often) end up with a block like that with no drinking involved. Love your letter H with the selvages. It is so fun to choose fitting words to use and I even see a "Timeless Treasures" in there as a sentimental choice for you! Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteLucky daughter you have! And a very lucky mother you are.. Isn't it nice when your children give you that perfect gift!
ReplyDeleteI love the backing of the quilt too.
Happy Sewing!
H for Hannah! How adorable! You have a really fun collection of selvedges, and I agree that the blue variegated thread is great. Love the shirt! No advice on the cat.
ReplyDeleteYou're making great progress on your quilting. My nephew is really into Star Wars. We got him some Leggos, so I'll have to keep the monopoly in mind for next gift giving season. I can't believe it is quilt along time already. I haven't even started Strawberry fields yet!
ReplyDeleteThe doll's quilt is gorgeous - isn't it fun using all different fabrics? I keep saying to myself that I'll save the selvedges, but this year, maybe I will! (Great t-shirt too!)
ReplyDelete