Scruffy Rags

I just finished this large table topper. You just can't go wrong with Batiks and especially when the blocks are given to you and are already squared up and neatly pressed! I tried a few different layouts, but this one was the most attractive. I only had 61 blocks to work with - so the orphan block will go into the "What do I do with this?" basket.

I haven't posted anything is so long, but I haven't been idle! Since the first of the year I've made several quilts - a few for me and a few for others. Here's a look at what I've been up to.

I'm going to post a few more photos of the memory quilts I was entrusted to make. I got tears - ok - some were mine!

Now that 2022 is behind me - I can finally breath a little easier. I completed and delivered 21 Memory Quilts and managed to do some fun sewing of 3 small baby quilts, 1 large Mystery Quilt (with my Quilt Guild), a lot of placemats, a few table runners and an embroidered set of Dominoes. My last project for the year was this scrappy wreath quilt top. I found the scrappy triangles in my Christmas fabric bin, but have no idea where I got them. I can't hardly wait to get it quilted and bound! It will be a wall hanging even though it's about 63x63. I do love working with fabric and love even more, the reactions I get from my clients when they see their quilts. Here's to a wonderful 2023 full of inspiration, good health and peace. May your bobbins never run out in the middle of a long seam. You sewists know exactly what I'm talking about !

I have joined the ranks of avid (obsessive?) sewist because I took my sewing machine with me to Nashville last week. My sister invited me to join her for a Travel Agent Conference and never having been to Nashville, I said "YOU BET!" She was going to be in conferences all day and even though we had activities lined up every day, I knew I'd go bonkers without something to do in the evenings. I finished 22 blocks and still managed to see the sights and take in the sounds and smells (some not nice at all) of Nashville. I also managed to take home an unwelcome souvenir - Covid! My sister got it too! I'm on the mend, but being housebound has had it's advantages. I finished 2 quilts (for a client). They're going to my quilter extraordinaire, Marita Wallace, this week. The Right Hand Star quilt will get a 4" white border added to it today. My client had her parent's signatures digitized and I was able to embroider those signatures below their photos. Really special and Really impactful.

And just like that I'm done, really done! 9 quilts and 13 pillows later, I've delivered the last items of a very special consignment for a very special client. Each pillow uses some pieces of the 89 shirts she gave me and each pillow has an embroidered message on the back. I love my clients who become my very great friends. BTW I can install a zipper in 🪡🧵a flash now. Practice makes nearly perfect

A couple of years ago (right before Covid-19) I bought an embroidery machine. It's been a constant source of joy and just plain fun ever since. When I came back from Kauai this summer, I decided to make our hosts something special. This table topper took quite a few hours of work, but turned out so beautiful and fit the bill perfectly capturing the feel of the tropical vacation.

How are you doing in the summer heat? It's been hot and humid here, but I'm very thankful we installed Solar Panels last summer so I don't feel guilty running the A/C. My sewing room is upstairs and usually is several degrees warmer than downstairs. I just completed a consignment for a client and will be delivering the goods on Sunday. I've posted 2 of the 4 quilts in previous posts, but here they are all together. So far to date, I've pieced and completed 15 quilts. I've got a 9 more in my queue, but I'll take a few days off to make some fun stuff for me and the family. Happy Stitching!

Here are 2 of the scrappy pillows I made. They have zippers in the bottom seams making them reversible.

I'm back (at it)! Since January I have made 12 Memory quilts. The reactions I get from the recipients is priceless and always brings tears to my eyes. In March I completed a consignment of 9 for one client and then made 3 pillows from the scraps of the shirts for her grandkids. She's requested another 10! and I'll get to those in between some other consignments in my queue. I completed 2 of a requested 4 for another client and 1 of 4 for a 3rd client. I think my favorite is this "Presents" memory quilt I put the binding on last night. When I was asked to make the quilt using that block I was a lotta apprehensive. I'd only seen that block made up with Christmas fabric. Well, I'm happy to say it turned out so unique that I named the quilt "Every Day is a Gift".

I belong to a really great Quilt Guild - the Stitching Sisters Quilt Guild of El Cajon. We are an amazing, philanthropic group that shares a common love of quilting. I have the honor of creating the Blocks of the Month for the ladies to make. Here are a few of the BOMs I've put together. While they look rather simple and plain on their own, once you get a group of them together, they are stunning. I usually supply a piece of fabric with each pattern to provide continuity and the ladies knock it out of the ball park with their creativity! At the following month's meeting I put the blocks up on the design wall and a winner of all the blocks is chosen.

Here are a few of the quilts I've been working on. Every quilt has 89 different fabrics from my client's husband's Reyn Spooner shirts! I asked each recipient what their favorite colors is and then used it as the "step" in the block pattern. I've completed and delivered 7 so far and will have the last 2 completed by the end of the month. My client was diagnosed with breast cancer soon after she became a widow - that sucks! - so I completed her quilt first so she would have something special to cuddle under after her Chemo treatments. Memory quilts do a lot more than keep you warm. ❤️

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I've taken a few days off from sewing, but I'm going to start back at it today. I've got all kinds of block patterns, fabric combinations and ideas for new projects swimming around in my head and after I clean up my sewing room, I'm going to get going on them. Right now I have 18 Memory quilts in my 2022 queue, but I'm anxious to get going on them. I can't draw at all, not even stick people, but I can put two pieces of fabric together and come up with something nice. Thanks to the many people who trusted me with their memories. In 2021, Sewing was indeed my super power.

Whew! Finally done with my Memory Quilts for 2021. I've made 14 this year and these two are made using a pattern called "Around the World". They were commissioned by the grandparents of the girls (both girls are alive and well!) to give them a snapshot of their childhood. As you probably notice, one is rather dark (the 13 year old) and the other rather light (the 10 year old). Each quilt finished out at 59 X 75. It was really important that they both be the same size because God forbid should one sister get a bigger quilt than the other - Oh, can you relate to that sibling rivalry??? I must give a shout out to my long arm quilter, Marita Wallace. She did a beautiful job quilting over some heavy and thick fabrics. Merry Christmas everybody! I'm going to go sew some stuff for me now!

I've been sew busy sewing memory quilts, that I haven't had much time to do fun sewing for myself, but that's ok. Memory Quilts bring memories to life and I tell my clients that each quilt block is a window to a memory. I have 2 more small quilts to complete before Christmas and that will bring my total to 14 Memory Quilts I've made in 2021. I've already got 12 in my 2022 queue. Here are the last 2 I finished and delivered a week ago. My client loved them and there were tears - from both of us ❤❤ She chose a modified 12" Bento Box block.

Memory Quilts aren't the only commemorative things I've been asked to make. I was asked to make some Memory Pillows covers. I was given 2 long sleeved dress shirts, 3 flannel shirts, a pair of flannel pajamas and 3 T-shirts. Grandpa did love his greys and dark colors so to brighten things up I added some crisp white and cut 3" hour glasses and went at it. The pillows are reversible with zippers in the bottom. My client was overjoyed and teary eyes, so I know I'd done my job. As I do with all these special projects, I embroidered his initials (in white) in each of the pillow fronts.

The 4 Memory Quilts I showed you a few days ago have been picked up by my client. I put on the bindings and sewed on the labels and they'll soon be warming the hearts and toes of their new owners. I sincerely hope they help bridge the gap that developed when their Grandma died. Grandma was a knitter and she always said "Every stitch made with love". I kinda feel the same way.

I finally finished the 4th and last Memory Quilt top for my client. #4 goes to the quilter, Marita Wallace, this morning and I'll pick up 1, 2 and 3! The rest of this weekend will be spent getting the binding on the 3 I'm getting back and sewing a "Memory" throw pillow top. They're a nice alternative to a full blown quilt and a much smaller and quicker project for me.

Here's a picture of the second Memory Quilt for my client. The fabrics hanging on either side were the auditions for the backing. I often ask my daughter-Jennifer Coniglio, sister-Carin, niece-Neely, daughters-in law - Anna Agee and Mindy Kim and quilting bffs - Marita Wallace and Barbara Ginsberg for their input. They never steer me wrong! I went with the blue!

I haven't posted anything for a while, but I have been busy. Those who know me, know that I'm seldom still and that I don't "sit" well. Like my Dad, if I sit down, it turns my switch to "off" and I'll cat nap ~ anytime and sometimes, anywhere. I have been busy sewing into the 8 Memory Quilts I have scheduled to be done before mid December, in time for Christmas delivery. Here is a picture of one of the quilt tops I just finished for a young gentleman. It's made from his Grandma's clothes. She raised him and his love for her is so deep. He's seen both and even picked out the pantograph pattern for the quilting. They've been given to my favorite long arm quilter, Marita Wallace, who will make them look beautiful! The blocks on the design wall in the background are the beginnings of the 3rd quilt top for him.

Wow! I've done it! I've made a quilt worthy of selling on Etsy - courtesy of my long arm quilter, Marita Wallace's Etsy store. . Check it out because it's really pretty. I don't think we could get much more tropical than this. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RatherBeeQuilting