October 10, 2009
Sew Many Threads to Follow, One Monthly Newsletter
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October 10, 2009
Table of Contents- Sewing Circle -- Breast Cancer Awareness
- To the Point -- Crazy Quilting
- Words of Wisdom
- Find of the Month -- Crazy Quilt Block Pattern
Sewing Circle
Since October is breast cancer awareness month, I'm remembering two special friends, Natalie and Jackie, and my great-aunt Helen. They fought hard and have passed on to a better place. Please take a moment to click on this website at Care2. Our clicks will be matched with donations.If you know someone who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments, you might want to sew her a Creative Kindness Easy Hat as seen on Sewing with Nancy. The instructions open in a .pdf file.
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To the Point
I was first introduced to crazy quilt embroidery by my great-grandmother. She passed away when I was only a few months old, but I can still admire the quilts she made from coat lining scraps. She used the feather stitch to outline the edges of the random pieces. The embroidery stitching is as colorful as the fabrics used in the crazy quilt!Crazy quilting was a method of using up scraps of fabric. Yes, trends go in cycles and this is one of the things that happened the last time recycling was the norm. Unlike other formal quilt patterns, crazy quilting could truly use any amount or shape of fabric. Crazy quilting is a very open and creative art form. It was a faster method, too, so time could then be devoted to embellishing it with embroidery. The lacy embroidery stitches help to tie it all together visually, making it more interesting to look at.
Words of Wisdom
"You cannot govern the creative impulse; all you can do is to eliminate obstacles and smooth the way for it." -Kimon NicoliadesFind of the Month
I hope I've inspired you to give crazy quilting a try. Here's a free pattern for an embellished crazy quilt block project to display in a frame. It suggests threads from the Caron Collection (though you could recycle any scraps) and was originally published in the premier issue of Quilting Arts magazine. I love the little dragonfly and water lilies!You're Invited: Please share your stitching stories, ideas, words of wisdom, find of the month, or questions. Just reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think! I'd love to hear from you.
The most interesting feedback will be shared in next month's issue!
Happy Stitching,
Amy Conaway