Come Stitch With Me

Yesterday, I was asked to sew a patch to a t-shirt that someone wanted to give as a gift.

Said patch turned out to be a varsity letter on a super stiff felt background – almost like sewing on leather. Off to Joann’s I went with Sadie in tow to find a matching thread. A Gutermann polyester topstitch thread was almost an exact match! Of course, Sadie got her daily quota of petting during our shopping trip.

Thank goodness the t-shirt turned out to be a sweatshirt. It was made from a fairly stable knit fabric, making it easier to sew. Once I decided placement, it was a matter of gluestick/heat set/pin the applique in place and stitch around it. Even with all the fancy feet my Baby Lock Jubilant has, I listened to my inner voice that advised me to “borrow” the vintage zipper foot from my Featherweight accessory box. Low shank feet are universal and it worked like a charm. My coworker was very pleased with the finished result.

I have to hand it to Baby Lock – my Jubilant does a fabulous job with almost any type of fabric I put under the needle. All it needs is a scissors button and a straight stitch needle plate. Baby Lock – are you listening?

Out of habit, I sat down and started to map out what needed to be accomplished during summer break. Then it hit me…I don’t have to report back to work on July 22nd. Woo-hoo! I’ve been so focused on trying to wrap things up by Friday that I haven’t thought much beyond May 27th.

This puts us at about Labor Day:

I will weigh what I did pre-COVID.

Annual physical, mammogram and skin cancer appts scheduled or completed.

Patterns, books, fabrics & small tools will reside in my studio – not be scattered about the house. Diecuts, sewing machines, travel cases and Crafternoon supplies will be stored in one hall closet.

Three quilts for hire will be completed and delivered.

This is in addition to travel, resting, quilting, visiting with friends, reading and volunteer activities already on the books.

‘Cause right about that time, I’ll be heading to KY for a vintage sewing machine workshop and then on to Salt Lake City for Garden of Quilts @ Thanksgiving Pointe. I “wanna look fly” as my 5th graders often say.

Here’s looking at Friday and what’s next!

For the past couple of months, I’ve been intentional about trying to solve a problem/meet a need using what I already have on hand, instead of buying anything. Occasionally, I do have to buy a new item; however, it’s been a fun, freeing, and creative experiment.

Pending retirement, the current economy and an abundance of fabric & craft supplies made me challenge myself in this manner. Apparently, I’m not the only one. Kristen over at the Simple Handmade Everyday podcast mentioned in a recent show that she would be shopping her stash when it came to quilting. She has plenty of fabric and gas in So Cal is expensive. Has the current economy and/or recent lifestyle changes impacted your quilty spend in any way?

For me:

I no longer purchase quilting magazines. I read them for free through my library’s Libby app.

I no longer buy every product listed for a QAL or class. I plan to do the Lori Holt Farm House Star QAL that starts soon. Fabric will come from the stash. I have the star simple shapes, but I’m not buying any more circle templates. I’ll DIY using my circle cutter and heavy duty template plastic already in my stash (or I’ll see if I can cut on my Cricut Maker). If I already own a 45 degree triangle, 60 degree triangle and Tri-Recs triangle rulers, please explain to me why I need yet another specialty ruler? No, thank you.

I think the biggest impact for me is how high gas prices have curtailed my “recreational” visits to area quilt shops. I used to visit the local shops on a regular basis just to socialize and see what’s new. Now that Stitch N Quilt has closed, it’s a 30-45 minute drive to get to the nearest quilt shop. Before, I was able to stop on my way home from work and buy what I needed. Now, I dig deep into my stash, make a list and call first before heading to one of 3 LQS. I will shop online; however I prefer to support my local brick & mortar LQS when I can.

My quilty socializing will be with sit ‘n sews with friends in my own basement or joining a couple of bee groups on the west side for bimonthly stitching sessions. I do have FW Club and Lori Holt Club offered by a LQS on my wish list. I may sign up for one club this quarter and the other the following quarter to see what they’re all about. You can bet I’ll incorporate as many errands as possible on the days I make the trek to the quilt shop in that part of town!

Otherwise, I’ll be in my studio listening to podcasts or sewing along with the sewlebrities on You Tube.