Stops Along the Way: Part 1

I drove from Wisconsin to North Carolina at the end of May.  I was headed to the John C. Campbell Folk School where I would be teaching two classes!  I planned out the long drive to North Carolina ahead of time, noting points of interest along the way.  Points of interest, at least for me, include quilting-related venues and shops, yarn shops, and antiques stores.

Aware that there was an exhibition in Peoria, IL of some of the quilts owned by Ken Burns, I knew I needed to detour west on the first day of my drive through Illinois.  Ken Burns is someone I’ve actually met!  The photo directly below was taken at the Denali National Park train depot in August of 2016.  Ken was there as a guest of the National Park Service.  As it happens, he was staying at the same lodge as my husband and I.  How cool is THAT?

The quilt exhibit was being held at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.  This exhibit

will be on display at the upcoming Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, here in Madison!

Once I was done viewing the Ken Burns quilt collection exhibit, I walked over 

to a yarn shop LESS than a block away!  I didn't even have to move my car.

After spending money at the yarn shop, I hopped in my car and worked my way

South, to Effingham, IL.  This would be my first overnight stop. When choosing 

a hotel prior to starting my trip, I discovered one that was within five blocks of 

a quilt shop!  Oh my! 

Photos below are from the Wooden Spool, in Effingham, IL.







Stops Along the Way:  Part 2 will be published next month!  Stay tuned!

Recently Sewn Batik Garments

Greetings!  Happy Spring!

I love to sew and I always have multiple projects in progress.  These are garments I've recently completed   I used the same two vintage sewing patterns for all four outfits.  The pattern I used for the top is Simplicity 8480 (©1977).  The harem pants are made using Butterick 5336 (©1991).  These patterns turn up on sites such as Etsy and ebay.  All of these outfits are made with cotton batik fabrics from Indonesia.

Fabric for this red and white outfit was purchased three years ago.  With a definite Wisconsin flavor, I couldn't pass it up!  All three red and white fabrics were ordered from equilter.com.  I have red and white shoes to wear with this outfit!

The “main” batik used in the outfit shown below was purchased at the Portage Quilt House, Houghton, MI, in 2019.  We were in the area, awaiting a trip to Isle Royale National Park.  I added patchwork and novelty yarn to the yoke.

Aiming for a bit of a “southwest” look, I combined three batiks in this top/harem pants combo.

The turquoise fabric and the dark brown fabric were purchased at the same location in North Dakota. I’ve had those two fabrics a long time, likely since ~ 2008. I know that I bought them while we were on an early trip to Yellowstone National Park.  We’ve driven there four times.

Lastly, an outfit in my favorite colors (jewel tones).  Note the patchwork on the sleeves, and the vintage trim on the sleeves, yoke, and the pants cuffs.  Most of the fabric used in this outfit was purchased at a nearby Joann Fabrics store.

Holiday Garb

Though it's now spring here in Wisconsin, I decided to belatedly post something about the blouse I made to wear to a holiday gathering last December.  

I/we were invited to a mid-December party, being held at a neighbor's home.  I needed something festive to wear and I wanted it to be something new!  So, I visited the nearby Joann Fabrics store.  It's less than two miles from my home.  Once in the store, I located a pattern I had seen featured on an internet site.  I then looked around the store for awhile, to choose fabrics I liked.  I wanted something for the main body, plus a few accent pieces.  I knew I'd be adding some embellishments from my own stash (I always do).

The pattern I chose is shown below.

These are the three fabrics I picked. 

I often gather up potential embellishment elements before I start a project.

I added some of these embellishments to my blouse.

Antique net lace was stitched to the yoke.

Other vintage laces and trims were used as well.

Sequins and beads!

Current sewing projects usually hang on the door to my sewing/art studio.  As you might notice, I initially added elastic to the waist, as shown in one view of the pattern.  I tried the blouse on and didn't like the look.  Out came the seam ripper and the elastic and casing disappeared.



Hot Fix crystals were applied atop the lace on the yoke. 



Ta da!  Ready for the party!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

This is an outfit I made about six years ago.  I was doing a trunk show presentation for a quilt guild.  With that gig scheduled for March 17th, I needed something appropriate to wear.  I love having an excuse to make new clothing.

I received an invite to a St. Pat’s party THIS year (2022) and I was good to go!  I had my outfit, and, a small collection of socks to choose from.  I accessorized with the socks and jewelry pictured in the last photo.  

P.S.  The party was fun!

Floor Loom Weaving at Home: First Project

After taking a weeklong weaving class at Sievers School of Fiber Arts last summer, I decided it was time to get brave!  I started this project in July of 2021, one month after the weaving class.  This project was done on a Wolf Pup LT loom, purchased used, in 2020.  I did not yet know how to weave on a floor loom at the time I bought my loom!  The Wolf Pup, made by the Schacht Spindle Company, has an 18" weaving width.  I had researched small floor looms before purchasing a loom.  I bought the loom via the facebook group "The Weaver's Marketplace".  My husband and I drove to Iowa to pick it up.

 

The following photos tell the story of my first project.  Enjoy!

The warping board was one of many accessories that came with my loom.  Winding the warp is the first step in weaving! 

 

The wool yarn that I decided to use for the warp is hand dyed.  The color is “Great Grey Owl”.

I relied on notes and photos from my June 2021 weaving class to jar my memory on how to dress a loom.  I warped the loom from front to back.



A peg, attached to the side of the loom, is inserted in the frame of the beater to hold it upright while warping the loom.  The peg is pulled out before weaving is started.





Sleying the reed involves pulling thread ends through the reed.  One thread goes through each slot.







Lucky for me, the back beam can be removed on my loom.  This makes threading the heddles easier.






Getting the warp ready for weaving.

I used two treadles for this "plain weave" project.  Remaining treadles have been dropped to the ground (so they don’t get in the way).

Weaving has commenced!  The weft is composed of assorted art yarns, along with some of the same yarn I used for the warp.  I was not using any pattern for this scarf.  It is a spontaneous, organic creation! 

Finishing and mostly finished!  I like the undulating edges.