News From The Pine Tree
Pine Tree Quilt Shop, LLC
175 Wade Street
Waynesburg, PA 15370
724-833-9147
ljanejo@windstream.net
www.ptquiltshop.com
Good Morning, I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! I spent the day sewing with my "Furever" girl Tess. I understand that the temperatures this week will be a little below normal. Let's get started and see what is going on this week at the Pine Tree.
JANET HENSHAWE WILL BE AT THE SHOP TOMORROW!!
Janet will deliver and pick-up quilts to be long armed quilted tomorrow, May 11. She will be at the shop from 11-12. So many of you like to come early and see everyone's quilt. Last night I was hand sewing a binding on a quilt Janet had finished for me and I do so much appreciate that she trims my quilt so all I have to do is sit down, sew on the binding and then do the finishing hand-stitching!! Her next time at the shop will be June 15.
What we accomplished last week....
Karen worked on a small version of "Elephant Maze" a new pattern at the shop. This pattern uses a panel and extra yardage. The borders around the individual panel uses a partial seam that was easy to do. Karen really liked the pattern and she is using the same idea in another quilt she is working on.
With this "Elephant" collection I also have an overall polka dot that is not pictured here. For the additional colors in the quilt we just pulled fun fabric from our fabric in red, purple, green and blue.
"Liberty Smile"
This is what I selected as the backing for the quilt...Red, White and Bloom.
This is the binding that is in the kit.
I finished "Liberty Smile", the kit from Maywood Studio that I wrote about last week. I really enjoyed making this 70" x 70" quilt top. Last week I only had to do the applique blocks and the borders. The applique blocks were stars and swooshes that had points. To be truthful with you, I was not looking forward to navigating those points with applique. The directions said I could use a small blanket stitch, a zig-zag stitch or a straight stitch about 1/8" around the edge. I selected the small zig-zag and after a few "OOPS" because I dropped the needle in the wrong position, I got on the right track and finished the four blocks in no time. The quilt is set on point. It will also leave with Janet in the morning.
I would recommend this kit because the directions are easy to follow and very accurate. And there is more that enough fabric to complete the project...blocks, border and binding! The fabric cuts are generous and you will have some scraps left over.
What are we up to this week....
I received some new patriotic fabric in this week from Riley Blake. When we left on Saturday, Karen is planning on making a table runner with this one from "Let Freedom Soar".
I also received another line of fabric from Riley Blake named "Gnome for Christmas". This is a collection made from flannel that includes a panel and yardage. I shall be working on this project this week. I shall let you know about this pattern next week and how much the kit would be for this quilt.
Some New Looks at the Pine Tree...
I have been pretty traditional quilter and carried that over to my fabric selection. For the most part you have enjoyed my fabric selection both color and design. I have hesitated in purchasing some of the more vibrant color and designs by such designers as Tula Pink and Kaffe Fassett. My reps would tell me that I would need to make a big investment and I just couldn't do that, but last year Lisa S., my rep from Free Spirit Fabrics, showed me a line of fabric designed my Tula Pink called "Linework" that I feel in love with. I purchased fat quarter bundles and yardage. I selected a pattern called "Craftsman" and Karen made the quilt top. This has been quite popular and I have sold out of the fat quarter bundles.
Since then I have added some more of Tula Pink's fabric. Randy has used one of the 10" packages from Tula Pink's "True Colors", background from her "Essential Solid" line and binding from "Hexy Rainbow" to make a quilt called "Big Charmer". This 63" x 72" quilt is beginner friendly.
This is the background and it is really a light green and not as blue as the pictures. I like the green but you can select any background for this project.
This is the binding and I love, love, love it. I did cut it by the WOF, but think it would look great cut on the bias.
Janet quilted it for me in this great Hexie Design that I love. You will be able to see the quilt at the shop tomorrow.
New Trick...
Did you try the pressing technique from last week? I hope you give it a try.
The tip I tried this week involves my hand stitching. This tip is about threading your hand stitching needle from your spool of thread. When you thread your needle to do hand stitching, do you cut a length of thread before you thread it or do you thread your needle, pull a length of thread off the spool and then cut it? I have used both techniques, but the lady presenting the information said she was told by her mother and grandmother that you should thread your needle from the spool and then cut the thread from the spool. This method will cause fewer tangles in your thread as you stitch.
So last night as I was sewing on my binding I was very aware of using this technique and do you know what...I had very few tangles!!! The other thing I do when I am hand stitching, I cut my thread in manageable and comfortable lengths. I find that if I cut my thread too long I will get tangles and the thread begins to look a little worn. Give this a try.
Remember, if you have a tip you would like to share just email it to me it to me at ljanejo@windstream.net. When I use your tip in the newsletter, I will add $5.00 to your account.
Have a "Sew-Sew" Week
Linda