7 sisters from my Sister

My favorite youngest sister called me to let me know she was on her way up to visit. (she only lives an hour away so no extra credit points for the impromptu trip- ok maybe a few b/c she comes up to see me more then I drive down to see her)

She asked me if I like Double-Knit--

The answer is Of Course- it is the fabric that never dies!

She wouldn't tell me why she was asking.

I don't know "where" she found this beauty, but I am thrilled she thought of me! Theresa said it was a belated B-day gift, but I think it is b/c she loves me and knows I can always use another TO-DO!

Sometimes when one picks up a project-in-progress you are stuck with trying to 'figure out' what the original quilter had in mind.

In this case, I was blessed with not only a partial top BUT enough blocks to finish it to a usable size.

Not bragging (YES I AM) but there is also the enough of the yellow back ground (pre-cut) with yardage to spare.

My Double Knit collection is growing. One of these days I am going to have to start putting backs on the favorites. I love to use a sheet on the back and TIE this heavy cover using yarn. (I prefer NO batting)

If you have a top or two that are in the way, feel free to send them to me, they will be much loved.- be good cw

Grandpa's Utility Quilt (now Theresa's Quilt)

I finally got to do a little machine quilting on this reconstruction piece. I can't wait to get to get it back to my sister. I have my fingers crossed that her girls will be able to get many more years of snuggle use from this heirloom.

Originally a machine pieced top and hand quilted to a flannel back, this beauty has shown the wear of time and use. My younger sister was torn up when she machine washed the heavy quilt and discovered "Holes the size of small plates".

I am guessing this piece was made by a friend of our grandmother's sometime in the 1960's.

I was going to machine applique the 'flowers' on after I fixed the back. The top is so heavy that I could not maneuver it evenly under my regular machine. I struggled through getting the 'feed sack' circles sewn to the back to give a solid surface to applique the cutter quilt pieces to on the front.

My solution was to hand stitch the flowers to the top using crochet thread. (I love texture) Then I got to pin it in to the quilting frame and play with free-hand machine sewing the flowers.

I am pretty happy with the result. I think the quilt has the same 'feel' of a comfort snuggle under quilt AND has a little of my spirit holding together till the next run in with a washing machine.

I promise to only give it back to Sis if she promises to let me handle the washing. Who would have ever thought I would volunteer to do laundry!! - cw

Restoration, Cutter Quilts, Pizza--This one's you, SIS!

As a Disclaimer: I do NOT do restoration- I only sew for family and/or friends.

This is a favorite old quilt of my younger sisters. She asked if I could 'fix it' so that it keeps the 'feel' that she loves. The 'look' could be left up to me.







There are about a dozen holes completely through the quilt that need attention.

Truth is the back is shot BUT I want to save it as a quilt not as a toy or pillow etc...

My solution is to machine applique the back first. I had an old feed sack in the perfect colors. My thought is that once the back is stable I can work on the front. I am liking how the circles look like 'pizzas'!


I am sure that when I get finished that this piece will have many more years of being a cherished take to the lake quilt.






The layout on the front is just a concept and subject to change. By using circles from a cutter quilt I found at the thrift shop ($5!) I think I can keep the feel and add a little- Cheryl has been here- to the finished quilt.

I have told my sister what I hope to do, she is giving me free artistic control. She also knows I change my direction all the time on a project so I thought it would be fun to keep an on going journal of my progress.

Work will be edited in as it is finished.
I was given the quilt on the 4th of July weekend.
My goal is to give it back by her Birthday in Dec.

Finished Aug 31st -- I think I can do it!- cw