The DVD that I have been waiting for!

Hi Everyone,

Today, I'd like to say a word about the Rigid Heddle Loom. As you know from past entries, I have been working on this Ashford Knitter's Loom for some time now. I love the portability of it and the way that it can use up pieces of yarns from finished projects to create something totally beautiful, or new yarns to create luscious new things. It can accomodate all sorts of yarns, from cotton to silk or anything in between and works well with ribbon, too.

I have looked for classes, to teach me the variety of patterns that this simple yet complex loom can create, using pick up sticks or fingering methods to make incredibly beautiful fabric. The few classes that I have found in my area are incredibly expensive, and once you have been there, that's it. If you forget what you learned-- not unusual if you do a variety of fabric arts and then come back to the loom, then you are in trouble. You either have to try to "bring it back" by tracing your old steps (often not fun for me!) or you have to pay for your classes all over again. In addition, I really haven't seen anyone do much more than the most basic stitch patterns.

So, I was understandably excited to discover a brand new 2 DVD set that you can find on the Interweave web site, called, "Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom," by Jane Patrick.

It is a fantastic set, with clear instruction and a nice set of downloadable instruction and "cheat sheets," as Jane Patrick calls them. Ms. Patrick's style of teaching is wondeful for adult learners. The sections are very comprehensive and she takes her time and makes clear illustration of her work. She shows examples of the different stitches she will teach and then takes you through it with patience and clarity.

At last! A tool to help me learn the true power of my little heddle loom.

If you have a rigid heddle loom, you shouldn't be without this set. It is very affordable (about $35) and has a total of 2 hours and 39 minutes of instruction time.

Have a great day,

Barbara

Quilts for Blue Denim Ministries & Prayer Shawls for Hospice

Hi Everyone,

This week has been a time for packaging the many Prayer Shawls that were made this past Fall and Winter and finishing up more quilts for Blue Denim Ministries. Here are some pictures of what has been accomplished.

I surely do appreciate the efforts of all who helped out in this work: Robin, Pat, Leah, Georgianne, Joyce, Arlene, Thelma, Toni, Judi, Judith, Bernice and Marsha.

Have a great day,

Barbara

Back to Baby Quilting!

Hi Everyone,

This week, I am playing a little bit of catch-up with some UFO's -- that is, Un-Finished Objects.

My plan is to work on some baby quilts, some for me to sell and some for the ministry of Blue Denim Ministries. I am so glad to be working on these projects; at first it was only to make better space available in my work area, but I am now getting re-energized for these projects that have waiting a while for completion.

Today, I am showing the first two that I have made for upcoming shows in 2011. They are made with an alphabet that is completely embroidered, using my Bernina 630 sewing computer. Once squares were completed, lattice and cornerstones were cut, using the strip cut method. Once laid out, they were sewn together "Eleanor Burns" style, and then borders were attached.

This week, the job needed finishing by bringing the backing, batting and front together into a crib size quilts. You can see the progression of this through the pictures.

Tools needed included Quilt Basting Spray, curved pins and a Kwik Klip, also shown in the pictures.

After the pinning was complete, the quilts were done bu the "Stitch in the Ditch" method-- that is to say, sew a topstitch along the seams so it is nearly invisible but holds all three layers together.

Once that is done, trim the excess batting and leave about 1 inch of backing fabric all the way around, to use to make a hem to finish the quilts off.

Voila!

Have a great week,

Barbara