Susan’s Sewing Box

My friend Nicole at Sister’s Choice Quilts blog gave me this idea for today’s post. Nothing world shaking. I bet most of you have a box or basket or some kind of container that holds your hand-sewing tools and materials. As you can see, mine isn’t very neat. I am, after all, not a neat quilter--just an enthusiastic one.

It isn’t totally visible, but my sewing box also serves as a place to hold my Wifi password (on a yellow siicker on the box’s lid). I can never remember it when it’s needed. 

I have, over the years, used a lot of different containers to hold my needles, thimble, scissors, and what-not, to keep them in easy reach beside my couch when I sew and watch tv. For the past few years, I’ve used this beautiful Whitman’s candy tin that daughter Cait gave me. It’s just the right size: big enough to hold the crucial tools and supplies, but too small to be a catch-all for the unnecessaries--or at least not many unnecessaries.

I’m getting a slow start this morning. This weather makes me very sluggish. I wish it would rain. I have three more quilts to sew the sleeves onto. I have the sleeves constructed, just have to sew them on. I didn’t sew anything yesterday. Instead I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies that I’d been promising Jesse. Then I went for a hair cut. Then I stopped by our local Chinese eatery and picked up dinner for me and Jesse. I spent the evening binging “Sopranos.” I never get tired of that show. 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/30/2019, Nicole said ...

I love your box Susan! And it is a heck of a lot neater than mine. I only sort mine out when it gets so full of random spools of thread that I can't fit the lid on anymore. Not sure why I think I need to keep six packets of needles in there either.

---

On 05/30/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

I like your sewing box, too. Mine is tin but it doesn't have a hinged lid which would be nice, but, oh, well! I works!

Hugs!
-----

---

Guess What!

In my search for the “Wiggles and Giggles” instructions, I wrote directly to Country Woman magazine to see if they could provide a copy. This morning, I received an email from Jennifer Ziegler of Country Woman with a copy of the instructions attached. I’m as excited as a “wiggle worm in hot ashes,” to borrow a phrase from my late Mama.

The material is copyrighted, of course, by Country Woman, so I won’t share it here, which would be illegal. But if you would like a copy, I’m sure if you send Jennifer an email (Jennifer.Zeigler@TrustedMediaBrands.com), she would send you one. She says this is one of their most requested patterns. Or send me your email and I think it’s ok for me to share, just not publish.

I’m so excited about getting started on this happy quilt. I’m almost finished preparing my quilts for the quilt show, and I’m trying to decide whether to get right to “Wiggles" or finish the “Crown of Thorns” quilt before I start. I don’t think I’m going to be able to wait.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/29/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Most excellent! SO glad that the magazine sent you the pattern you needed and wanted so much. Happy dancing here!!

Hugs!

---

On 05/30/2019, Stephani in N. TX said ...

So glad I stopped by your blog today. The phrase "wiggleworm in hot ashes" was just too fun, good start to the day. Love your quilt, so darling. When I moved away from our home of 30 years, I came across an old quilt magazine from my pre-quilting days and I remember there was an article written by yourself in it with your photograph. I was a regular blog reader of yours by then, and I smiled over the connection to your past.

---

On 06/03/2019, Sandra Clarke said ...

I would like a copy, thanks for your efforts in retrieving the pattern.
Sandra
-----

---

HOT!

But my red geranium really loves this weather.

Temperatures have climbed well into the 90s here in our part of the world. And I hate it. I am sitting here now, in my air-conditioned living room with the ceiling fan working overhead, and I’m sweating. Skipper can’t understand why I will no longer walk him to the corner and back. He gives me a good tongue lashing every afternoon at walking time. But dealing with the back pain for a brief walk is hard enough. Add to that horrendous heat and humidity, and I just have to say no. Sorry, Skip. We’ll walk again in October.

Moving right along with quilt show tasks. All quilts are bound and labeled. Still have to make and attach sleeves for five of them, and get the pillow cases labeled that will hold them. With two weeks to go until Quiltfest 2019, I think I’ll make it. 

Developments in the search for “Wiggles and Guiggles” quilt pattern: Thanks to those who have tried to help, but I’m losing faith that I’m going to be able to get a copy of the pattern. Thanks to friend and blog reader Barbara, I have found a copy of the magazine, available on Etsy for $10 plus shipping. But, as it turns out, the pattern/instructions aren’t in the magazine. Instead, there’s a web link that you follow to the pattern. And the web link has expired and is no longer there. So having the magazine wouldn’t help. I have sent an email to COUNTRY WOMAN magazine asking if the pattern is available, but haven’t heard back. It’s possible that I downloaded the pattern when my friend brought me the magazine; but if so, I can’t find it on either one of my computers nor a printed copy anywhere.

I have come to realize, however, that I should be able to draft this simple block pattern myself. After all that was part of what I did in my career as a quilt book editor. I’m pretty sure I can still do it.

As you can see from this closeup, the block consists of one half-square triangle square, two rectangles, and a square. Pretty simple. Four semicircles for the heads and that’s it. I think I can do it.

Stay cool, friends.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/25/2019, Nicole said ...

Ugh. Still unseasonably cold here in California. I am wishing for heat now, but when we get it I will not be so happy. Good luck with the quilt show!

---

On 05/25/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Did someone else buy the Country Woman issue that was on eBay? As you say, you can probably make the quilt without their pattern.

Well done on all you've accomplished in getting your quilts ready for the show! Wish I could come see the quilt show as the quilters in your area make some wonderful and glorious quilts - and you do, too!

It's hot as blue blazes here in Virginia, too, and awfully humid. Gotta love lemonade but even with that I cannot tolerate heat like I could when I was younger.

Hugs!
-----

---

Guess I’d Better Say Something

So I think I'll do a blog post this morning, lest you think I’m dead. There’s really nothing new going on. Still trying to get quilts ready for the quilt show. I’m working on stitching the binding down on the last unbound one, “Gypsy.” Then it’s on to hanging sleeves for five of them. “Happy Holiday” has a sleeve, which I added so I could hang it in the foyer during the holidays.

I’m looking to the future and life after the quilt show to decide on some projects. I have the quilt “Crown of Thorns” that I started for my bed before I got off track on “Gypsy,” that I plan to finish. But other than that, I think I’ll spend the summer and fall working on Cuddle Quilts, which is what the guild calls our charity quilts. We make and donate them to children’s hospitals and charities, nursing homes, etc. Each guild member is asked to donate at least one cuddle quilt a year, and I’m behind a year. Below are some designs I’m thinking of stitching for this purpose.

This is a design by Pat Sloan, the instructions for which she offers free on her website, PatSloan.com. I have made several quilts, using different versions of the “hidden star” technique. (The stars aren’t really hidden, but it’s often called this.) These quilts are fun to make and can be made scrappy or with a more controlled color setting.

This quilt, “Wiggles and Giggles,” appeared in Country Woman magazine’s April 2009 edition. A friend of mine saw it, tore out the pages, and sent it to me, thinking I might like it. I do, but I never got around to making it. This is one of the designs I want to use to make a cuddle quilt. But, naturally, I have lost the pattern. Somehow the photo of the quilt survived, downloaded to my computer, but not the instructions. If anyone has a copy of that magazine and would share the instructions with me, I would appreciate it very much.

Many different quilt designs can be used to make an “I Spy” quilt, and children just love them. If you aren’t familiar with this concept, it’s usually a one-patch quilt (although not always) in which each pieces is cut from a different fun print showing animals, plants, buildings, cars, trucks, etc. In addition to being a great quilt, you can also use it with your child to play “I Spy."

I have a large collection of 4-inch and 5-inch squares, garnered from several swaps I’ve taken part in, that will be great for “I Spy” quilts and other designs.


I have templates (both traditional and Accuquilt) for a large and a small tumbler pattern. This is a quick quilt to make and fun as well.  And it can be adapted for the “I Spy” quilt concept.

I have many other patterns and books with plenty of material for my cuddle-quilt-making project, and the internet is a treasure trove of more fun quilt patterns. And in addition to my squares collection, I have quite a healthy stash of novelty and juvenile prints to work with. So it looks like I have my work cut out for me for the summer months at least.

Note: Photo source is Pinterest. I made none of the above quilts.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/22/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

It's good to know you're still chugging along and your coma was not long lasting. :)

Cheers that you're making good progress in getting your quilts ready for the upcoming guild show. Well done!!

Your cuddle quilt patterns and plans are just perfect, too. Sorry, but I don't have any Country Woman magazines at all so cannot help with sending you this cute pattern.

I'm hand sewing binding on the eternal Over and Under wall quilt I made in autumn colors.

Hugs!

---

On 05/22/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Back again to say I found that this pattern was in the April/May 2009 issue of Country Woman and on the same forum was this:
"Go to google and put in country woman pattern wiggles and giggles Click on Blackberry Creek Home Arts go down to the quilt picture and click on "Here it is" it will take you to the pattern." so perhaps the pattern is here on your blog in 2009 or 2010?

Hugs!
-----

---

Forty Winks That Turned Into a Coma

“October Song” is my donation to the quilt show’s silent auction. This year’s proceeds go to Meals on Wheels.

This week has got itself off to a roaring start. I met another quilt show deadline: turned in my silent auction mini quilt yesterday at guild meeting. After the meeting I picked up “Gypsy” from Lena, totally quilted. The quilting is simple (channel quilting) but beautiful. I’ll show wit off later.

After all my running around, I returned home to find Andy and Jesse ready for our Mother’s Day celebration that was postponed on Sunday. Long story, but I’ll try to make it as short as possible. I woke up Sunday feeling awful. Totally exhausted, joints and muscles feeling like they were on fire. However, I stumbled around and managed to get ready for church and attend with sister Ramey.

But back home after church, I collapsed. I can’t remember what we had for lunch, if anything. But at some point shortly after I got home, I went to sleep on the couch while watching tv. I slept until 10:00, got up and went to bed, then slept eight more hours. I can’t say I woke up totally rested (I never do) but at least it was a  lot better than the state I woke up in on Sunday morning.

I asked Jesse if he knew I had slept all Sunday afternoon. He said he did and that he came down and checked on my from time to time to see if I was still breathing. Not even my alarm dog Skipper was able to rouse me. I remember hearing him barking a couple of times, but was totally unable to get myself awake to see to him. He survived though.

The celebration isn’t over, though. Kathryn and Cait are coming today--or maybe it’s tomorrow. My mind is muddled.

My Mother’s Day tulips and pretty pink kitty card

Taco dreaming of munching the tulips. The mantel is the only place we’ve found where he can’t get to plants. He has never met a vegetation that he wouldn’t eat.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/14/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

"October Song" is a delight and some lucky someone will be happy to take it home after the silent auction. Well done!

What a treat it will be to see Gypsy since she's been quilted!

I'm so sorry you felt so horrible on Sunday but glad you were able to sleep it off by Monday morning. I hear you on never being rested when you wake up as it's the same due to lupus and is so very annoying.

I love the photo of Taco looking longingly at your lovely tulips. Our dearly departed tabby, Tom, also considered all indoor plants his personal salads.

Hugs!

---

On 05/14/2019, Pat said ...

Looking forward to seeing "Gypsy!" I've looked at many collage quilts but not enough nerve to try yet. So sorry about your Mother's Day crash. Your body evidently needed the sleep. I'm there, too, with fitful, unrestful nights except when I take something which I don't like to do... I had a pacemaker implanted a week ago; I can tell so much difference as to my light-headedness and fatigue, but of course there's surgery and sitting around recovering tiredness. I'm just glad it's done and looking forward to having recovery time behind me. Everyone I ever heard say, has made so much difference in their lives. I'm hoping for the same. Blessings to you. As I've said before, your creative output amazes me!
-----

---

No More Black

I spent a large part of today using black thread to sew black binding to the back of the “Witch Hunt” quilt, whose backing has areas of black. Most of the time I had to work by feel and guess. It was like sewing with invisible thread. If the needle had been black too, it would have been a lost cause. So that’s it for me and black fabric. I’ve never used much black anyway, so I don’t think I’ll miss it. 

Yesterday, I machine quilted and bound my silent auction donation mini quilt. It has a black border, but I didn’t have a problem with it since I was using grey binding and grey thread. 

So I’m making progress. There’s light at the end of the quilting tunnel.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/09/2019, Linda Enneking said ...

I have pretty much sworn off black backings and bindings. Any time I work with black, either quilting or sewing, I do it in my sunroom on a bright day, or use my Ottlight to help me see what I am doing.

---

On 05/10/2019, Judy Cloe said ...

Yesterday at my bee my friend Lorrie told me a good hint about sewing on black fabric. She says to use navy blue thread on black and black thread on navy blue fabric. Just that bit of difference helps to see what you are doing. I am going to try it the next time I make something black.

---

On 05/10/2019, Nancy Morey said ...

Yesterday I sewed black binding on a quilt. Had to put sewing machine on kitchen table and turn on all lights. Glasses off. Nose two inches from needle. Add me to the list of "no more black"!

---

On 05/10/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

I've come to the same conclusion about black on black sewing. No way! I may try Judy's friend Lorrie's suggestion about using navy thread on black and vice versa.

Well done on making good progress in getting your various quilts ready for the show!!

Hugs!
-----

---

Progress

I made it to the May meeting of my quilting bee yesterday. It was at Sally’s house, and she lives just a little way down the road from me, so I even made it on time. I had camera trouble, the trouble being that I didn’t take my camera again and had to rely on my cell phone, which refuses to give me a decent photo. The one above is the only one that is even close to in focus. The others I took are blurry as heck. Martha made this lovely black-and-white masterpiece.

Yesterday afternoon and today, I made quite a bit of progress in getting my quilts ready for the show. I created the last label, one for “Happy Holiday.” I sewed the binding onto the front of “Witch Hunt,” and created the binging and sewed it to the front of “Bow Wow Bunch.” So now the tasks that remain are: Sew down binding to back of both those quilts, sew on all labels, create and sew on hanging sleeves for all six quilts, label pillow cases that will hold the six quilts. In addition, “Gypsy” will be coming back from Lena in a couple of weeks, and it will have to be bound. I’m considering making the binding and taking it to Lena to sew onto the back. She will do that, and as June is creeping up on me, it might be worth the fee to have her do it.

I’m really really tired now, so I think it’s time to settle in on the couch with Skipper and do some reading. 

By the way, sister Joanne is out of the hospital and doing fine. Anything and everything serious was ruled out. 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/08/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Martha's quilt is a delight - Z&L would love it as it's "their colors". Z reminds me that black is the presence of every color so I should love it. :)

Applause and well done on getting all the labels made for your show quilt, two of the bindings made and sewn on, and having the stellar idea of having your quilter sew the binding on Gypsy!!

For your consideration, something called a "flange binding" is sewn on completely by machine.

Glad you got to your bee to enjoy the eye candy, friends, and food.

Hugs!
-----

---

Cinco de Meow-O

Hola and Saludos from Taco and Bella on this beautiful day. They had planned to celebrate this Mexican holiday with a little trip south of the border. But I caught them when they had got as far as the front porch and made them come back inside. So now they’re celebrating by dreaming of being in Cozumel and playing with some iguanas.. 

Me, I had planned to celebrate with the eating  of some Mexican food after church. But I’m feeling a bit whupped this morning. No energy at all, to speak of. So I didn’t go to church. Maybe I’ll send Jesse to bring home some Taco Bell. Not really what one might call authentic Mexican. But it might have to do. Jesse must be feeling a might out of sorts too. He was planning a day on the golf course, but stayed home instead.

Buenos dias, everyone!

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/05/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Hola, mi amiga!! Que lastima that you and Jesse are both feeling under par on a pretty day. Taco and Bella seem in fine form and certainly look happy with their lot in life even if they're still at home instead of being in Mexico.

We have a stormy day and am finally about to get back to machine quilting those outer borders on the O&U wall quilt as they didn't quilt themselves while I neglected them.

Adios and hugs!
-----

---

Summer Is Here

First label finished

And my usual sluggishness has gone even sluggier. Temps have been close to 90 or over every day this week. This weather squeezes out the small bit of stamina that I carry in cool weather and turns it into sweat and lethargy. 

But in spite of the tropical onslaught, I got one quilt label finished yesterday. This one for “Star-Spangled Summer,” so named by friend and blog reader Barbara. 

“Star-Spangled Summer” before it was quilted. I don’t seem to have a photo of it after quilting.

It’s already midmorning, and I still haven’t made it to the sewing room today. I also haven’t got my bed made. But I did get a shower and get dressed, so I’m ready for most eventualities, if not all.

A mousie to help with cooking

In news from earlier in the week, sister Ramey and I made our monthly trip to our favorite thrift store in hopes of finding a treasure to two. I found the mouse spoon rest above. I just love it. And it’s large enough to hold more than one utensil, which my other one isn’t. I  can’t remember what Ramey found.

OK, let me see if I can make it up those stairs to the sewing room and get at least one more label completed. Mid-June fast approaches.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 05/03/2019, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the new label, the Star Spangled Summer quilt, and that adorable mouse (with cheese!) spoon rest!

Wishing you all the energy you need to make the quilt labels and the other tasks involved in finishing quilts. Perhaps you could call in a quiltie friend or two to assist with the binding and hanging sleeve cutting and pressing? Standing for the time it takes to press binding in half can be wearying.

Hugs!
-----

---