My Juki machine

Veronica has been sewing away on her beloved Juki sewing machine.  She started with a challenge last Wednesday.  Her friend Carol said they were going to use up some fabric!  Veronica told Carol she was in.  Veronica decided she wanted to get rid of her yellow fabric stash.  She doesn't like yellow, but she sure does have a ton of it.

So she cut cut yellow till she had over 100 2 1/2" strips for the pattern Carol said they were working on.  Then off she went to the sew-in that Dayton Quilt Guild had.  They sewed all day, they raced sewing fabric strips.  They were maniacs!  But they were having fun.  They talked about all the memories in these fabrics strips.  A few came from some friends who have passed away, but there were still some great memories of shopping trips and "what the heck possessed me to buy this fabric".  At night she came home to work on her mini stars.  She says they're a beast, she has so many seams using her tiny scraps, but her Juki sews right thru them like shes sewing butter.  Butter, Yum!  Sorry, this bear loves to eat.

She's been working on a lot of stuff, she even sewed mini yo-yos on the drive to Louisiana for her granddaughter's birthday party.  Then she worked on hexies going the other way.  Shes says she's cleaning up fabrics, using them up, putting them in quilts so they'll leave her house.  She does have a lot of fabric.  She's challenged herself to get it done. 

Shes' s got the orange challenge going with Mattie, Quiltsmart's owner. If you're interested in joining the Bitty Lone Star Challenge, you can find that on Bear Thread Design's Instagram at BTDQSFall Lone Star Challenge.  You've got time, it doesn't start till October 1st.  She's thinking of new challenges.  We'll see how long she keeps this up.  Stay tuned for more adventures with Veronica and Jaggie.

Sample making

Well, this may not be a subject that everyone is interested in, but I thought for those of you that are, I would sprinkle in a little advice.  Do you ever wonder where all the samples at your local quilt shop come from?  Sometimes the employees make them, sometimes customers make them.  Different shops have different formulas for calculating how you"get paid" for the samples. 

Some stores have you pay half of the cost, some give you the fabric and pattern, you make the quilt and after a certain amount of time, the sample is yours.  Sometimes the stores pay you to make them and the samples are theirs. 

Well, I've been making samples for local shops for years, probably 20 years or so.  I've never had a problem, I usually get the quilts after about 3 months, they like to rotate every quarter or so.  I agreed to make 6 quilts for a local shop that I had not made samples before, so I asked how long they would keep them.  I was told about 6 months or so.  That was fine, I was in no hurry to get them.  I guess I should have gotten that in writing. 

I delivered the quilts to them June 1, 2017.  Every time I asked for my "quilts", I was told I couldn't have them 'yet'. So yesterday was September 11, 2018, I thought it's been long enough, it's been 1 year, 3 months and 11 days.  I wanted my quilts, so I called and said we were coming to get them.  My daughter fell in love with 2 and so those were hers.  On the way out, my daughter was stopped and told that the quilts she had were not what me and the "person in charge had agreed on" me taking home. Apparently, we were only going to get half.  Huh?  Nope, too late! 

I will not name the shop or the "person in charge" who by the way is no the owner of the shop.  Not really sure what her position is, she acts like the person in charge, but I don't really think she is.  I will never make samples for this shop again.  I will get everything in writing from now on, I used to just believe that a persons word was their "word:. 

I've learned my lesson.

A Look in "The Box"

Where has the time gone?  Oh, yes, we've been busy quilting away.  Trying to empty "The Box". Well, let me tell you about "The Box".  It's just an ordinary white box that says UFO'S 1990's.  At first, I thought it was from outer space, but then Veronica explained that it was a box of unfinished objects.  So why isn't it called UO?  Right?  Even this bear knows that unfinished is one word.  Silly humans.  So, anyway, in this box there were lots of unfinished quilt projects.

Veronica pulled out something she called a watercolor quilt.  Looked like a bunch of squares to me.  She said it was a bunch of squares but when she finished it, it was a really cute wreath quilt.  She said it's a little more yellow than she wanted, but she's happy that it's done.  Well, at least the top is done.

She also found some quilts partially completed from a week of classes with Trudie Hughes, way back in 1993!  Now that's like a thousand years ago.  She said one only needed the border, so she got that one done.  She said it was already cut for her.  She had 4 others that were partially sewn together and some that were cut.

She found some paper piecing papers, she said they would be little stars when put together.

She's been happily sewing every day, and half the night on her Juki DX7, she's in hog heaven now that she's got her Juki to sew on.  She says her Juki is the gift that keeps giving.  It gives her hours of fun, fun, fun.  I hear her singing I love my Juki, I love my Juki, I love my Juki.  Every once in a while, I hear say, I love that the thread cutter is on the foot pedal.  She says this saves her so much time.  And the light is so very bright. You can see everything! Oh and that presser foot that comes up when she stops sewing, it's amazing!!!  She was up to 4 this morning sewing.  I even took some pictures, they were kinda dark, but she's at it again, so I'll get some more this morning.

Stay tuned to see the rest of the quilts from "The Box" as she finishes them.

Traveling Adventures, Visiting Mama

Well, here it is, a week since my last post.  I had to go babysit a human baby for a week.  They sure do cry a lot!  I'm hiding every chance I get!  Do you see me?  Where am I?  Why, I'm under the pile of course.

Veronica and I get to stay in the RV at night, it's nice and quiet.  We set up the most fabulous quilting area.  She says it's called "Glamping", hmmm, not sure, but ok, I'm game, I'll go with it.

So our first night here, we pulled out all the quilting goodies that Veronica brought.  Here is every Deb Tucker ruler and Technique Sheet that Studio 180 sells.  Boy, are we gonna have some fun!

Veronica brought enough fabric to equal the local quilt shop.  We'll be going over there one day this week to check out all her new stuff.  It's called Mama's Quilt Shop, in Independence, Louisiana.  The owner, Brenda, is fabulous, we just love her.

Once we got everything set up the way we wanted it, Veronica decided she needed to get the last 12 blocks made for the charity quilt she's working on.  She found 30 Grandmother's Fan blocks in "the Box", that's what she called it, honest.  (Next week's post will be all about "the Box").

 I was really confused, looked like a regular box to me and it was full of fabric.  So anyway, she set to work getting the blocks finished.  She worked on them at Lakeview Quilt Guilds Sew-In last week and got 18 done.  She got the other 12 finished now, so all she has to do is put them together and quilt it.

The whole time she was sewing I heard her  muttering about how she wished she had her Juki machine here, seems it has a "foot" that comes "up" when she stops sewing for a sec.  She said it sure would be easier sewing curves that way.  Then she explained that she brought her "mechanical" Bernina that is 30 years old.  Said she felt comfortable leaving it in the RV when we're not around.

She said it was a workhorse, but I didn't see a fluffy tail on it like my horse has.  Anyway, she managed to get them finished even if she did use her workhorse.  So, I guess that's good.

Next up is finishing more stuff from "the Box" using her Deb Tucker rulers.  Ooohhh, I can't wait...

 

Those pictures will get posted on Instagram as we get them done.

Quilting on the Island!

I'm back!! I have been on many adventures since my last post. We've had so many changes in the past few years its had to keep up with, but I'm back and ready to talk quilting and traveling!

I went to a Mardi Gras party a while back and I really enjoyed the atmosphere, so I kept the party going, moving poolside for the summer.

Last week Veronica and I had a Quiltsmart Mondo/Midi/Bitty Class at the Island Quilt Guild in Galveston, TX. I say "we", but once we crossed the bridge onto the Island, I left Veronica to go check out this "blue water" they've been having while she headed on to teach the class. Lucky for me, I had already gotten a base tan at our home pool, so after a little sunscreen, I sat back to enjoy the sunshine while she and the class attendees made some awesome bags. (I really should have had Veronica make me one to hold my beach towel and sunglasses).

If you haven't made a Mondo/Midi/Bitty bage yet, what are you waiting for? Veronica teaches classes, so if you are interested in having your Bee, Guild or group host a class you can email her at VLCox@live.com. We've made many over the years, but these are some of our favorites.

Have you made a Quiltsmart bag? What's your favorite style to make?

Investigative Reporter Jaggie on "My Dresden Plate"

Here it is, my Dresden Plate.  My one sad little Dresden Plate.  I took several on the cruise this past week, I thought I'd have it all done, a whole quilt, but sadly no, I barely got one block partially done. Yes, we took both grandchildren, they're 4, we had a great time, we marched in Dr. Seuss's parade, went to the puppet show with all those towel animals that they make and put on your bed.  Santa was on the cruise, we took pictures with him, had a pirate party, went swimming, ate ice cream, hung over the balcony, well, not too far, as I'm pretty short.  More like I looked over the edge.  We had a green eggs and ham breakfast, I ate normal food, like an omelet that was yellow, not green.  But the kids had fun.  Dinner was exciting, those waiters spoiled those kids to no end.  The waiters sang and danced for us every night except the first night.  It was great!

Next cruise is coming up in 3 weeks, and I'm sure I'll get much more quilting done on that one.  It's a quilting cruise and so I'll have a machine in my room and no parades, no green eggs and ham and no pirate parties.  Sounds kinda' dull to grandma after this great family cruise.  Well, the next family cruise leaves Dec. of next year.  I guess I'll leave the quilting home.  
 

Veronica, as told to 

Here's the quilt

or rather, what's left of it.  I love this quilt, and now I NEED  to re-make it.  I liberated it of it's other borders, by simply pulling....

I hate black fabric!!!  So for those of you who wanted to see the whole quilt, here's what's left.

As told by Veronica Cox to 

Black fabric

I've often told friends that I don't like black fabric.  I know a lot of people do, I just never seem to have any luck with it.  I've had 3 different quilts that have had black in them and they just shred and go away.  All three were made at different times, all the fabric was good quilt shop quality fabric, nothing cheap.  The first one was made by my mother-in-law for us and the black just shredded.  What do you tell your mother-in-law?  Good thing we're on pretty good terms.  It took me a few years to tell her, but I did.  And no, this quilt was never used or washed, it was small and just thrown up on the wall in front of the sofa.  The sun never hit it.

Next, I made another one with my friend Pearl.  We were working on a Strip quilt.  I had half of it sewn together and I had to rip it all out.  Made me ill.  Now all I have are squares, geez..........

Next I made a Trudi Hughes pattern, and Yes, the whole top was made and now I'm ripping that one, it's real easy though, you just pull on the fabric and it falls apart at the seam!

Yep, I don't like black.

As told by Veronica Cox to

What did I do???????????? Jaggie interviews a UFOaholic

Investigative Reporter:  Jaggie the Bear

So Sunday morning I woke I feeling great.  I was going to get a UFO done, finished, quilted and put on the bed.  I had most of my blocks done and sewn into strips, but I wanted it a little bit bigger.  I was so excited. Today was the day!  I pulled out the pattern, pulled out the fabric, started cutting and sat down to sew.  I sewed and sewed and sewed.  I got up and pressed my blocks.

I went downstairs to lay these new blocks down and realized I had made 9 blocks too many.  So now the dilemma is do I make more and make it bigger or do I just use the 9 I needed and keep the other 9 that I "over" made.  Decision made, I set my 9 blocks down on the ends of my row and then, OH NO, the new blocks are too big.  Poooop!  I grab the pattern, check the sizes on the blocks, yep, they're perfect,hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, must have made the original blocks smaller.

Yes, they are 7 1/2 finished.  Great, now I've added another UFO to my list with 18 new Ohio Star blocks that finish at 9".

So have any of you ever done anything like this.  I think I was just over excited and so eager to get it done, that I never even thought to look at the blocks to check the size.  This is what happens when you're "sure" you know what you did before. You think I'd learn, I did this when I started working on my UFO's 2 years ago as well.  (But I only did it once.)

What happened to those UFO's anyway?  Well, I did get 25 of those UFO's done and then I gave up.                

So here it is, I ripped 8 of the blocks and here they lay.  Then of course, the next thing I wanted to do is put those other blocks into something, but now I don't have enough.  In my brain, I had 8 left, not 10.  So I made one more of the "bigger" size so I could put 9 together.  Then I counted and I had 11, geez, let me go make one more...

I know we're supposed to measure twice, cut once, but who says count first and cut second.  I think my sugar levels are out of whack.  I need a cookie.    

Actually, I tell all of my students that they can ask any question, none of them are dumb questions. If something can be done wrong, I've done it and they should learn form my mistakes.  I actually do learn from my mistakes, maybe not the first time, but I do eventually get it.  Sometimes I come up with something great after I've made a mistake, so they're not all bad and sometimes I get a great laugh at what I've done.  Laughing is good, right?

Veronica Cox, as told to

Jaggie interviews a UFOaholic

Investigative Reporter: Jaggie the Bear

We were at Dayton Quilt Guild Wednesday morning and the members presented Veronica with a beautiful quilt as a thank you for being the guild's President for the past year.  Here is a picture of it, isn't it wonderful?

She was also given the extra fabric that was left over from the quilt.  There were a lot of triangles, so I guess this will now be added to the list of UFO's.  Do you ever stop to wonder why we have UFO's? I've never really stopped to think about it, but today I decided to sit back and think about the reason or reasons.  I guess I ran out of time and went on to something else, or I didn't like the technique or class and just quit.  It was never that I ran out of fabric, fabric is something I never run out of. Sometimes I just got bored or lost interest in a project.  There were a couple that I decided were ugly, especially when I let someone talk me into a fabric.  I don't like florals, and sometimes my friends decide I need florals.  There are a couple of quilts that just had their borders ripped off because I just couldn't make myself quilt them.......the borders were florals.  So now I know that I will never let my friends talk me into buying floral fabric again.  I don't think the reason I have UFO's is because I don't have the right ruler, either, I've got tons of rulers.  I think there are just too many patterns out there that I want to make.  I just keep starting new projects and toss the old ones aside.  Well, no more.  I've got my list made, I actually wrote it at the airport Tuesday night as I sat and waited for my flight that was delayed and delayed and then cancelled and then I was moved to another flight and then that was cancelled, and then I got moved again, and on and on, so anyway I had lots of time for my UFO list.  I got 51 UFO's on my list just sitting there that I pulled out of my head.  Now I have triangles to add, that's 52 and the list goes on and on and on.....

I'm thinking of taking pictures of 6 quilt UFO's at a time, work on those and get them done.  I'm also thinking about getting that much needed, yes, NEEDED quilting machine.  I had one, but we sold it as we needed the space in the warehouse.  Here are my 6 pictures, if I show you what I started and left, I'll feel like I have to show you the completed top, and once I get a quilting machine, the completed quilts.

This was a birthday block that we did for each other in a bee back in the 90's.  Yes, 1990's. and a very long time ago.  I received 9 blocks, but decided this was not enough for the size quilt that I wanted.  So my blocks sat and waited.  2 years ago a small group from my local quilt guild decided we were going to do a block robin.  There were 6 of us, so we decided that we would make 2 blocks for each person and trade the "boxes" every two weeks.  Well, we all know that you can't really make a quilt of any size with 10 blocks made for you by your friends, so we went around again.  I'm not sure how I got 19 blocks, but I did.  So armed with my 9 and 19 I set off to retreat last week.  I had to make 2 more blocks (yes, this is the quilt you saw hanging the other day) and I was ready to put my top together.  Why did I pick this one to be my number 1?  Well, it's simple, it only needs a border, but it seems that borders are the hardest thing for me to add to a quilt to finish the top.  This one will get a border, you just wait and see.



Here are some 5" finished blocks that did not really measure 5".  This was an exchange (again from the 90's) that I started but never got done.  I was semi new to quilting and I just couldn't figure out how to make a 5" Sawtooth Star.  I could figure a 4" and a 6", but that 5" was elusive.  I tried and I ripped and ripped and sewed and ripped some more.  Now I look at it and think, geez, this is so easy.  So I worked on these for a bit at retreat, but then I ran out of white on white for the background.  I had tons of purples cut out, so I guess I had 2 reasons to stick this one in the corner and leave it there.

This one was another exchange between 3 of us.  I remember is quite well, it was my idea, I loved it and I had to have it.  This one is in Fon's and Porter's For The Love of Quilting July/August 1999 issue.  We actually only exchanged the little Aunt Grace flower squares.  I needed 49 flower blocks, but overachiever that I am, I made 64 blocks.  I worked on some of the green stems and leaves at retreat, and I needed 80 for the 49 flowers.  Now I realize I need way more than 80 and each stem has 4 leaves.  That top leaf has one leaf turned wrong, but I'm not changing it, it's going to stay "wrong". It is my humility block.  

 This one is only 7 months old, and it needs a borders, what can I say, I don't like putting borders on,  but now that you've seen it, I have to finish it.

  
This one is 8 months old.  I had it all put together, didn't like it, ripped it apart and put it back together in rows that will be on point.  I worked  on it a bit at retreat but realized I didn't have background fabric for setting triangles.  So back to the box it went.

Yikes!!! Another 1990's exchange.  And what does it need?  Well a border of course.

Ok, I'm on it, I'll work on it as soon as I get that Round Robin quilt done.....


Veronica Cox, as told to

                                                Investigative Reporter