Thank you Luann for posting the article about dyeing fabric. I googled the author, "Vimala McClure dye" and learned that this article was the most requested article that American Quilter magazine has ever had. The American Quilting Society asked her to expand the article into a book - which she did: Fabric Dyeing for Beginners. My local library has a copy, which I will pick up today. Amazon also sells the book very reasonably.

You may have hit the nail on the head when you said it might be additives to the water supply. I will do some experimenting.
I will also check into the online class you recommended.

Merci beaucoup, Luann!

Judy Austin

It seems to me that someone was looking for information about best stitches for knit fabrics. They had made some tops and weren't completely pleased with seams, or hems?? Anyway, if that person would contact me I will send you the 'pin' from my Sewing tutorials board on Pinterest. If I knew how to post the link right here, I would, but alas I have a few things yet to figure out.
Luann

Pam,
It's on #131373 page 6 or close by. Just look for that number. And I believe it's two you tube videos. I didn't check them out, as I've been keenly busy and I keep a weighted back pack on when I am at the machine. I also set a timer for an hour, and leave it on the landing. It would drive me batty to not turn it off, and since I'm half way to a different location, I use the bathroom and get water. It stretches my legs better than staying on the same floor in my house. When the weather gets back to reasonable temps, I will go for a quick walk around the cul de sac.
May God help those muscles relax,
Luann

Pemela wrote:
Pam,
Someone gave us two web type addresses for just such a thing. If it's not on this month's virtual retreat, it could be on last month. I didn't take the time to hunt it down, yet!! If I find it before you comment that you have found it, I will comment. Wow, like I can really get wordy!! LOL
Luann

Pam, use a cold wrap for your neck while enjoying a glass of wine. When the glass of wine is gone, get more ice for the wrap and have another glass of wine. This entire procedure must be done in a quiet peaceful setting.

It's what the doctor would order and you save the copay to buy more fabric.

Happy weekend everyone!

Geneva

dorothy.j.wolf wrote:
Dorothy,
I can't get to your profile to connect with you. Perhaps you can send me your personal email through my profile page. Try that ok?
Luann

I'm not adding batting to this quilt/blanket as the two layers of flannel is a nice weight. Here is a photo of how you add the batting


Lightly baste the batting square to one of the fabrics before you turn the circle right side out. This is fun to make, so the next one I will use regular cotton fabric and add batting.

Kathy

I'd really like a copy of the article Luann...I'm just starting to dye and am loving it

lotti wrote: I love the look of curved piecing, but I'm not a fan of doing that piecing. I made an apple core baby quilt and there were curse words flying about. That's why I love this pattern - there is a trick to it which is best explained in photos. You will see that it is very simple. I bought the pattern book and templates from Quilters Haven at a quilt show ( ).
Cut squares an inch larger than the circumference of the circle size you are working with. Place fabrics right sides together. Draw your circle on one of the fabrics and stitch on that line. I reduce my stitch length for this, particularly if you are doing a smaller circle it helps to make an even curve. You can cut a slit in the top of one of the fabrics before you sew or after - just be sure you only cut one layer.



I bought a handy template that allows me to cut the circle out with a rotary cutter - no you don't need it, but it sure makes the cutting faster and neater. It only cost about $5.www.quiltershaven.net



Turn the circle right sides out through the slit. Be sure to use a turning tool (I use a bone folder) to run along the entire inside of the seam to get a crisp even circle, then press. You'll want to be sure that the front fabric does not show on the back of the circle so that when you fold a flap forward it won't show. Mark a square in the circle (these are your seam lines for joining the circles). If you don't have a template, simply fold the circle in half and half again and put a mark at the fold lines on the edge, then draw lines to connect the four points.



Join two circles, matching up the straight lines and sew along that line. Then open out the circles.



Fold the flaps open:



Continue joining circles together. This is one arrangement (not sewn yet, just folded to play with the look of it):



I prefer this arrangement, alternating the fabrics that show in the circle:



The size of the circle I'm using is about a 12 inch diameter. I have templates for smaller circles, too. You could make circles any size you want, maybe use a dinner plate to draw a large one, or a bowl to make a smaller circle. The slit to turn the circle is hidden under a flap. When you have joined all your circles together, stitch down the flaps along the curves - this also serves as quilting. If you are doing large circles, add more quilting in the middle of the circles. No need to add binding - it's already finished on the edge. You can leave the outer edges unfolded to give a scalloped border, or turn those edges in and sew down the flap to have a straight border.

There is a gallery at Quilters Haven to show various looks you can get: www.quiltershaven.net/Articles.asp?ID=251

One more post--I should have saved them all for one but knew I would forget what I wanted to say.
Had sinus surgery this week and I am miserable. Praying this will take care of the problem and I will heal quickly.
Date has been set for the twins' birthday--August 13th. Finished both of the quilts for them.
Still trying to finish the graduation one that has been giving me fits. I have to say--it has been voted the quilt that I most hate. I really want to have it done before Zeke/Ezra birthday. My dogs will be very unhappy as they will have to be kenneled for a week.
Enough stalling, I have finally caught up with this thread. I need to do more stitching on Coy's quilt.

Annie--I like the trims you dyed with your fabrics! Good idea.

Rosemary--this is just glorious! I can't imagine quilting anything but in the ditch. If you are doing ESS I can't see how any other quilting will show on this scale. Can't wait to see your progress.

I'm having a break from FMQing my 2014 TQS BOM, for a few days but I'm still coming to the virtual retreat. Does anyone have any advice/remedies for a stiff neck and painful shoulder muscle spasms? I went a bit over the top with the quilting when I came back from my holiday.
Best Wishes Pam

Renata,
I will try to start a new thread each month. With 16 pages and we are only half way thru July, it's a lot to catch up on. And the previous months will always be out there to view.
I've sent you a pm as to location of my "exploration lab"! Maybe there's a vacation in your future??
May God bless everyone with a weekend filled with loving people,
Luann
www.letscreatetoday.blogspot
Yep, I'm back on my blog. My plan for the upcoming week is to explain how I dye using canning jars. Pictures are up of the black texture piece that I just finished.