Come Stitch With Me

My current project is to create a couple of throw size blankets out of a HUGE stack of cashmere sweaters that belonged to a customer’s beloved family member who passed away.  The sweaters are all solids.  Fortunately, there is a great range of colors, along with a variety of different textures.  There are also a couple of fun details like kangaroo pockets that I will incorporate into the finished design.

Pinterest was a great place start for design ideas.  As much as I loved the larger square designs, the sweaters I started with were small and medium size women’s sweaters which shrank to about 60% of their original size after felting. My design is random placement of 6-1/2″ squares in a 9×10 grid with a few 4 patches thrown in for interest.  I am going to need at least 180 6-1/2″ squares for the size I am trying to make.  I plan to use every last bit of cashmere possible. Haven’t quite figured out the backing fabrics yet, but it will probably be a cotton/bamboo velour or flannel.  I ordered some velour fabric samples and will be able to make an informed decision once I “feel” the samples.

Sewing those little squares is going to be interesting with all of the variations in thickness of the cashmere. After much experimentation, I opted to stitch the cashmere squares on my Janome 3160QDC using a zig zag stitch set for 1.5 width x 1.5 length, a stretch needle, walking foot and foot pressure set on #3. I am also using So Fine thread to sew it all together. I will use 1/4″ seams and press the seams flat where I can (some of the cabled seams can’t be pressed flat). As much as I love my Janome 6600 for quilting, it doesn’t do so well on lightweight and knit fabrics.  I normally pull out my vintage Elna Carina for that type of sewing (the old mechanical Swiss Berninas and Elnas are legendary for their ability to handle fine/delicate fabrics). With the 3160QDC, I won’t have to!

***Backing update – the velour samples have shipped, but I scored a luscious silky cotton wide back during a going out of business sale at a LQS this afternoon.  It looks marvelous with the color palette.  We might go with this one.

Here’s our rendition of the Frozen quilt in Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting.  The kids want to submit it for possible group quilt entry in the East Cobb Quilt Guild Show.  We’ll name the quilt and fill out the paperwork at clubs on Friday.  I’ll get the thing quilted before club showcase on March 27th. After clubs are officially over, I’ll see if some of them want to come add silver stars (clasp stitch on my Janome 6600) to add some interest around Elsa and Anna.  We could do this during their specials or recess time. It would be so cool for them if our entry was accepted.  They picked the fabrics, made the snowflake appliques and decided the final arrangement of the snowflakes in the outer border. I merely stitched it together (with a little bit of help).  We have to make our label.  I also want to make a QR code tied to a recording so the kids can tell the story of how the quilt came to be.

When all is said and done, the quilt will hang in the Media Center.

Come learn how to make a t-shirt quilt in time for graduation!

This is a hands-on technique class where you’ll learn about t-shirt prep, layout options, construction methods and quilting options.  The sample on display in the shop was made by me!  It was constructed, quilted and bound on my Janome 6600.

You are welcome to bring more shirts if you plan a larger project.  I will be happy to help you with the layout and math.  My objective is for you to have at least one row pieced by the time we leave.

Friday:  March 20th from 6:00-9:30 p.m.   OR  Saturday:  April 11th from 1:00-4:30 p.m.

Both classes at Stitch N Quilt in Mableton.

Class fee:  $30.  Please call the shop at 770-944-3356 to register.

T-Shirt Quilt Class Supply List