Sew Bowl

Dear Lola,

It doesn’t matter who you are rooting for in this week’s Super Bowl match-up between the Ravens and the 49ers, an event for record books is in the making – two brothers are going head to head against each other for the first time in Super Bowl history.  In fact some news media outlets have dubbed this year’s bowl – the Bro Bowl!  The Harbaugh Brothers - Jim and John will be front and center playing out the ultimate story of sibling rivalry right before the entire world!  With the Lombardi Trophy up for grabs, one brother will go home a winner and another brother may be somewhat disappointed.  Ok, maybe that last part is an understatement – but luckily in the world of sewing we can all be winners!  We are all in this together!  We can unite behind one thing – it’s not the Bro Bowl – it’s the Sew Bowl!

I’m not a huge football fan; you’d think that with a house full of men, I would have learned to love it more – oh well c’est la vie!  With that being said, I am a BIG fan of the Super Bowl though!  In fact, it’s one of my favorite days.  I get up early to make lots of appetizers, chips and dips, and set them all out on the counter.  I fill up the ice buckets and coolers, remove any fragile items from the area, and make sure there is an empty trash can near by. Then I happily sneak into my sewing room, no one looks for me, no asks for me, and I am set free to sew to my heart’s content! 

I will be gleefully ensconced in my sewing space.  I have been “training” this week almost as hard as the Giants and the Ravens – getting ready for my Sew Bowl!  I’ve organized my projects with big plans of reaching the goal line!  I’m getting my stadium of sewing ready.  I’m the home team and I totally plan to win!  I've lined up my Aurifil (+Alex Veronelli) thread, my notions, my fabrics and my patterns!  I've got a game plan and a starting line up of my own!  I plan to work on my Michael Miller Clubhouse Bonus Projects and finishing up last year’s Clubhouse Quilt.  Then I will move onto the overtime round of embroidery, sewing some shop samples and binding a finished quilt.  I plan to score on every level!

Sometimes, my local sewing retailer has a Super Bowl Sale, so if I’m in the mood – I can saunter right out of the house for some retail therapy too!  That’s an awesome plan for my half-time show!  Or maybe I can take a Craftsy class!  It’s amazing to me that on this day, I am completely invisible to my family.  The pre-game show, the offensive line-up, the commercial line-up and the real half-time show take total precedence over anything I’m doing!  Isn’t it wonderful? 

So if you haven’t already made your Sew Bowl plans – what are you waiting for?

Hugs and stitches,

Nothing Like A Little Mystery!

Dear Lola,

How fun it was to travel to Winston-Salem last weekend, stay in the historic Brookstown Inn, and spend 3 fabulous days with like-minded sewing enthusiasts!  Wish Upon A Quilt, my go-to quilt shop, hosted the event!  Cathy McKillip, the owner of Wish Upon A Quilt, is a dear friend and an amazing shop owner.  She knows how hard it is to set time aside for sewing, so she hosts a couple of retreats per year.  I think Cathy loves the retreats more than anyone because running her shop takes away a lot of her own sewing time. 

This event, my first, was a Mystery Quilt Retreat, and featured a mystery pattern by quilting rock stars, Swirly Girls – Susan Emory and Christine Van Buskirk.  These ladies are beloved by many of us for creating the Perfect Ten Quilt Pattern and others.  The Swirly Girls are fun, funny and clearly love what they do!  Who wouldn’t?  They design fabrics; develop patterns and notions; and travel the world spreading a little quilting and sewing love!  At the end of the weekend, we were all devoted “Swirlettes”!  They were even kind enough to pose for a photo with me!  Like them on Facebook!

Me and the Swirly Girls!

Each participant was given some instructions on fabrics to bring.  For example:  1 ½ yard of a focus fabric, 2 yards of a background fabric, 1 yard of fabric color 1, ½ yard of fabric color 2, etc…and the exciting part was not knowing what the pattern looked like!  It was called the Secret Square!  Don’t you just love secrets?  I know I do!

The event was held at the historic Brookstown Inn in the heart of Winston-Salem and the Ballroom for our cooperative sewing was beyond terrific.  We each had our own banquet-sized table, there were many cutting-height tables available, many pressing stations, lots of lighting, lots of treats, and more sewing enthusiasm than you can ever imagine in one room.  The event pricing was very affordable because it included the room, fabric, several meals and lots of goodies!  We had a wonderful wine and cheese reception on Friday evening.  They served the best little pumpkin turkey bites ever, hummus, veggies and cheeses.  And on Saturday we were served a yummy Turkey Pot Pie, salad and a White Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert that was absolutely sinfully delicious – the best I have ever eaten! Kudos to Cathy for being a hostess extraordinaire.  

Each participant had selected unique fabrics, brought different sewing stories and came from near and far.  We were given our cutting instructions and then the real fun began.  The ladies in my bank of tables were a hoot.  A special shout out to Anita, Chris and Debbie!  Y’all are now officially my “Sewing Sisters”! We laughed and giggled like little schoolgirls.  We stayed up into the wee hours sewing, un-sewing (code for seam ripping) and laughing.

The Swirly Girls presented a trunk show of their totally new Swirly collection of fabrics called Poppy Love for Michael Miller and all the Quilts and Projects that are part of the 2013 Michael Miller Clubhouse.  They gave a demo on a new ruler they have created in conjunction with Creative Grids and Karla Alexander…. that cuts circles like no ruler I have ever seen before!  Wow.  They have also developed these fun, easy patterns that utilize circles in creative ways that seem fresh, fun and modern.  Saving up for my CircleSavvy Ruler!

I have already signed up for next year’s Clubhouse at Wish Upon A Quilt and believe me, so should you!  Each month you work on a block for a gorgeous, ambitious quilt that will be completed in 12 months.  As you know, I am working on this year’s Weekend Clubhouse Quilt in the Cabana color way, and it is my most ambitious project ever.  The great thing is that I haven’t been stressed about it all – I’m doing a little at a time and that makes it awesome and very doable.

Throughout the weekend, ladies worked on projects they brought and the Mystery Quilt too.  Some of the speed quilters finished theirs while chatty quilters like me got about half way through.  I had the absolute best weekend I can remember even though the quilt was full of Flying Geese (see my previous post about my conflicted relationship with Flying Geese)!  I am sew happy I bonded with lots of new sewing friends and felt great about all I learned.  I came home energized, inspired, and looking forward to attending my next retreat.   Here's a little video with some highlights from the weekend.

Hugs and stitches,

What I Know For Sure

Dear Lola,

As you know, I was always a big Oprah fan.  I loved watching her ask her guests her signature question, “What Do You Know For Sure?”  The answers that people give when asked this question are amazing windows into their minds, hearts and souls. 

I recently got to thinking about what answer would I give when asked this question about sewing.  After 5 years of winding bobbins, rotary cutting, sewing classes and throwing my whole creative spirit into all things fabric-related –

What Do I Know For Sure?

Top of the Line Machines

Sewists discuss this topic often.  Many that don’t have a top of the line machine aspire to own one and then there are those who have one and know it’s probably more machine than they need 99% of the time.  There are also plenty of folks out there who are absolutely satisfied with the machines they use – top of the line or not! I firmly believe the sewing machine you use doesn’t have to be the top of the line.  I say this not to make any sewing machine manufacturers unhappy.  I say it because it’s true.  This is when I insert a disclaimer – I own a Bernina 830 – their top of the line machine.  It’s a rock solid piece of artistry in motion.  It will last me until the end of time and then be passed on to my heirs!  It has every bell and whistle, but to be honest I don’t ever touch most of the amazing functions.  Knowing I could use all the features is comforting though.  So if you are thinking of taking up sewing – you can do a perfectly wonderful job with a solid machine that doesn’t have it all.  I find that my “go-to-stitches” are straight, zigzag, blanket stitch, satin stitch, free-motion, and a one-step button hole.  If your machine can do these stitches – you have most everything covered.  Never let your "machine-envy" hold you back!  Sew and grow – it can be done inexpensively!

Tables Matter

The table where you do your sewing and cutting is as important as the machine.  For the 4 years that I have owned my big honking sewing machine, I had it sitting on a banquet table I purchased at Costco for $50 bucks.  This is clearly an oxymoron right off the bat – machine worth thousands sitting on a $50 table!  I knew I wanted to upgrade to a “real” sewing table, but let’s face it – I shot my entire wad on the machine!  I came into a little inheritance when my beloved Mom passed this year and decided to finally get a serious table for my serious machine.  This was the single best big-ticket purchase I have made for my sewing space - EVER.  My machine no longer vibrates; my arms and back no longer ache; my stitches and cutting are straighter; and my bigger projects are just plain easier to manipulate.  So if I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now – a solid table with a place to sink your machine so it sits flush is at least as important as the machine you purchase.  In this chicken/egg - which came first argument – I think rock solid table should come first!  Make room in your budget for a solid sewing/cutting table no matter what!  Mine is a Koala.

Small Things Create Success

It’s the little things that count!  Change your needle, clean your machine and oil it if necessary.  These little things make a huge difference, cost little and secure a lot!  They are sewing insurance.  Everything just comes out better whenever I do these things.   Treat your machine as though it is a beloved child or even better – a beloved pet!  Give it what it needs to stay maintained.  My machine has a program that allows you to enter the type of needle currently loaded – which is great – but it’s not enough.  I keep a VERY high tech Post-It note pad right next to machine and attach that magic little sticky to the top of my machine with the date I changed the needle on it.  I look at this note every time I turn my machine on and I am reminded when I last changed my needle.  I like to change my needle with every project – I know that makes me a needle junkie – literally, but I buy them whenever JoAnn’s has their 50% off the notions wall sale and stock up.  For literally just a few cents, I am sure my needle is pristine and my project is more likely to come to a successful end.

Be A Groupie

I love my solitary “me” time in my sewing space.  I accomplish the most when I am alone and if it’s not too late at night – I make far less mistakes when I am sewing by myself – I am less distracted!  Yet there is no substitute for sewing in a group from time to time.  The juicy tidbits of knowledge you can pick up from your sewing friends are invaluable.  The collaborative spirits of the classroom, block of the month club, or quilting bee make my overall sewing experience better.  Seeing what others are doing during show-and-tell sessions opens my mind in tons of new directions.  Recently in my Michael Miller Clubhouse, I learned I could sew over floral wire and organza!  I love that my class neighbor’s supply box will almost always have some ruler, cutting tool, or notion in it that I have never seen before.  I adore it when I learn some new way to work a tool I already have too! You will never regret the knowledge you can cultivate and grow from being in a sewing group.  There are lifelong friends out there to be made too!  Even virtual groups like Craftsy give you a great sense of belonging. Sewists are friendly and supportive toward one another – definitely be a groupie!

Avoid being the Subject of a Future Reality TV Episode

In the time I have been sewing, I have created lots of little projects:  baby quilts, burp pads, bibs, bags, totes, notebook covers, and aprons.  Yes, most of them are easy to sew projects that require little real serious sewing skills.  I know without a doubt, my finished products are not heirloom items destined for a showcase or museum.  I have created lots of gifts that have been given away, but I still have many of the projects I have completed stored in big Rubbermaid plastic bins.  After buying yet another bin this week for my quickly growing collection of learning opportunities, I now realize my sewing projects are not meant to be stored away in boxes!  It’s time I sort them, keep a few, photograph the rest and then give them away or even sell them!  Yes, they are reminders of wonderful sewing experiences – but just like life – we can’t carry all the moments in our pockets with us forever. It’s time for me to send my projects on to destinations known and unknown!  Besides, if I don’t part with all these finished sewing projects very soon; I may find myself featured in an episode of “Hoarders”! 

Hugs and stitches,  

Lori

The Alternate Universe of Flying Geese

Dear Lola,

Flying Geese - I can honestly say, I was trying to avoid them.  The only geese in my personal experience are the Canadian kind.  They honk noisily, leave deposits in the most inopportune locations and stand in the road aimlessly whenever I am in a hurry to get somewhere.  My feisty grandmother used to tell me to go slow, follow the rules of the road and if no one is looking – run them over – there are too many of them!  It was one of those things grandmothers say to us that produces a nervous giggle.

Flying Geese of the sewing kind are legendary.  I have never heard a sister sewist lovingly refer to Flying Geese as a personal favorite.  I’m sure they are out there – quilters who enjoy constructing them, but I have never met one.  When Nancy, the leader of our Michael Miller Weekend Block of the Month group at Wish Upon A Quilt introduced this month’s block – her first words were, “This month’s block did not go together as quickly as last months block.  It was more difficult to cut and yes, it does contain 8 flying geese units.”  My heart sank immediately.

Could I survive in the alternate universe of Flying Geese?

The parallels between the two types of geese are glaring.  The honking (cussing) had begun, the nasty deposits (rejected and misshapen units) ensued and there I was standing in the road aimlessly going nowhere!  Help, someone please run me over!

I tuned my senses into this month’s set of directions.  I can read, ergo, I can win against these ghastly geese.  I read and re-read my instructions.  I constructed the blocks that were easy.  Saving the geese units for last – I had nothing standing in my way of success except 8 Flying Geese.  Believe me when I say – I was the underdog in this battle!

I measured twice, cut once, sewed a precise seam and still was not able to get my “Geese Unit” to match the unit in the instructions.  The clean smooth lines in the illustration were impossible for me to duplicate.  8 failed attempts ensued and I decided – to give up.  By the way, the giving up part was a good idea – it was midnight and I could no longer see straight, let alone sew straight!

I vowed to return in the morning with my “Geese Face” on – ready to take on these 2½ x  4½ inch beasties and their  2½ x  2½ inch minions.   The following morning after a hefty intake of coffee, I methodically approached my geese.  Sewing, trimming, pressing, and sewing in the same precise order.  My units still did not match the illustration, but I was confident I had followed the directions perfectly.  I began sewing my rows together and voila – my block was complete.

I had to laugh out loud though.  All the rejected geese units – lying discarded in my scrap bin – had been fine!  The difference in how my units looked versus the illustration – was the seam allowance!  The illustration shows an individual geese unit – as though it was already sewn into the row.  The honking (or cussing) that I had been doing – was for naught!

In hindsight, I was afraid of how to handle Flying Geese for no good reason.  As grandma had told me: Going slow, following the rules of the road and running right over them when no one is looking – is still good advice!  And by the way - it’s okay to giggle nervously!

Hugs and stitches

Sew Sleepless