With the month of November upon us, my thoughts turn to gratitude.
I am particularly grateful for my PIECEmaker sister, SHEILA!
Sheila may be #7 (out of 10) in our family's birth order, but I am the LUCKY one...look what she made me:
Sheila is SEW awesome! I love her (and my quilt) to pieces! 💗Since quilt making is a bit like storytelling, I thought it would be interesting to hear the story of my incredible gift.
Bridget: What was the inspiration for my quilt?
Sheila: I was inspired by your love of children's books and your talent as a poet. I also wanted to personalize the quilt to share what I see in you.
Bridget: What goes into making a quilt? Is there a story you are trying to tell?
Sheila: I started with the idea of your love of children's books. As I continued to think about how I wanted to personalize the quilt, I decided I wanted to include my perspective as to what makes you you, a sisterly biography of sorts.
I definitely wanted to include family - photos of your family and Smidge.
And I wanted to include some of the places you've lived: Southern California and Arizona. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to do a good cow or cheese for Wisconsin.
I included your love of Peanut M&Ms, VW Bug cars, your yearly celebration of Poem in Your Pocket day, and the color orange...lots and lots of orange.
I also couldn't figure out how to add gymnastics and I forgot about an apple for teaching until too late, but there was no room anyway.
Bridget: What process do you use? How do you organize such a huge project?
Sheila: I knew the big picture goal - to make a bookcase.
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Initial idea...
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I looked for a pattern - for dimensions rather than strict directions.
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Free pattern with other's quilts
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My research 😁
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Then I went
through my stash of leftover fabric (scraps) and found the ones that
screamed my talented sister (Bridget!) and a way to include a little of my taste.First I cut strips for the books: fat, skinny, tall and short.
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Testing where the books are placed without background. Realized I need a lot more books.
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Then I laid out the strips for color placement and made specialty objects to be distributed among the books.
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I laid out blocks before putting in shelves.
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Then I tested the background of inside the bookcase (white or black) and figured out the "grain" of the shelves.
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Layout of strips with shelves.
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I also created the
book titles (I went to our local library to check out every book they
had that was on your favorite list) I read the books and tried to
replicate the title font if I could. I used sharpie & fabric
coloring pens to survive the wash.
Bridget interjecting here...Sheila even included my 10.10 Poetry Anthology before it was even finished...she had faith I'd pull it off. And I did!
Sheila (continued): Then I assembled the books and objects
into 10"x10" squares so I could square up and string 5 across to make a
shelf. I had to quilt all three layers so I could handle it in a smaller
section.
Finally I added the shelves and background, then the binding. I chose crayons because color and you being a teacher!Bridget: How did you go about selecting materials?
Sheila: Fabric choice was another way I told the story of you. I included your "likes" in the fabric prints I chose: the color orange, fruit
(though I couldn't find any with arms & legs), dogs, paw prints, bees (from Maureen's
quilt) and a lot of vibrant colors.
I
also made the conscious decision to use leftover fabric from quilts I'd
made previously as a way to add the love that I put into them into
yours.
For
example, in addition to the bees, I added sage green and pale yellow
picture frames, and a flower pot that was on Maureen's quilt. Actually
the book shelves are made out of a green fabric that I purchased for her
quilt, but didn't quite work because it was too directional. It worked
perfectly for yours!
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Maureen's quilt.
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Same flower...
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I used the brown and green on the frame from Mom's quilt.
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(Checkout the needlepoint squares!)
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From Emerson's elephant quilt I used the gray for
your backing and the flying rainbow birds.
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Emerson's quilt...
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From
my Eddie's quilt I added the grey/black Scottie dogs, grey from the
back and burgundy. From my quilt I added in the light blue, royal blue and white on white.From Aisha's quilt I used the tan and browns. And from Jaiden's quilt I used the purple for the frame.
I also chose the wool batting (the fluffy stuffing) for warmth and so it would be light weight and soft. It also crinkles nicely after a wash.
Bridget: Are there sources that you consult regularly? Are there websites/stores that you recommend?
Sheila: I lurk on Facebook to see what others are working on: Quilting for Beginners, MSQC-All Stars. This
is where I first saw someone working on the bookcase style. And I saw how
some personalized theirs with cats, Harry Potter, sewing tools, coffee.
Then I went on Etsy and bought a basic pattern. I also found a free pattern on a blog (fabricatwork.com) and then used what I wanted from both.
On a side note: one of the patterns said not to use bright, solids, high contrast or novelty prints. oops!Bridget: What challenges did you face while making my quilt? (Orange you glad I asked?)
Sheila: Orange. Lots and lots of orange. Not one of my natural choices, but
each time I reached for it I thought of you. It kept you in my heart the
whole time I was creating and adjusting. The back is VERY orange.
The
other challenge was my deadline. I came up with the idea when I was
finishing Maureen's quilt and thought I could get it done by the time we met
in California this summer. All went well until I washed it the night before we left
for the airport. Washing is always scary - you pray your seams hold. They
all held except the book labels started to fray. I know now that I
should have fused them on. Lesson learned. The quilt will keep you warm
and hold up, but the labels need a little help...Bridget: Have you come up with your own unique way of approaching a quilting project and are you willing to share your secret?
Sheila: No real secret. When you come up with an idea you have to let it evolve
and grow. Let it become what it needs to be. Be flexible and let the
colors and shapes have room to shine.
Bridget: Is quilting something you consider a side business? Have you thought of selling your quilts?
Sheila: No. I don't think strangers appreciate the time and materials that
go into making a quilt. They can go to Walmart or Amazon and get a
comforter for $100. That would barely cover the material on the front.
As
for the time involved, one of my simple quilts took 45 hours, Eddie's
took 140 hours. You can do the math and know how the price would be
driven. I stopped tracking my time because I do it as a creative outlet
and you know, COVID. Look on Etsy to see how much an Amish handcrafted quilt can run.
Bridget: Who taught you to quilt? (and how did I miss this gene?)
Sheila: Funny story: I love embroidery and thought I could cross stitch Irises
on quilt squares and Mom could make herself a quilt with the squares.
Well, 20 (tax seasons and working in private industry) years later, I had only
finished 8 of the 12. By then Mom's eyesight and hands couldn't complete
a quilt.
SO she handed me everything back and asked that I finish it,
since I had just retired. Time spent on Google, YouTube and reading The Quilting Answer
Book led me to finish her quilt.
And now 8 and a half quilts later, here I am.
I have learned a lot with each one.
Bridget: When you're not quilting what do enjoy doing?
Sheila: My first love is embroidery. I am a tactile person. I love the feel of
threads and fabric. I also love to play with colors. After Mom's quilt, I
finished an old needlepoint canvas based on a quilt pattern I had
started in the 90's. After framing it, I thought making quilts was a more
useful product than a framed canvas on the wall. After I finish
Jaiden's quilt I may get back into the needlework until I find a new
recipient for the next quilt.
Bridget: What is your number one piece of advice for beginning quilters?
Sheila: I don't know if I have just one piece of advice. If you give a
quilt, it is a gamble to know if your choices are theirs. I knew you understood what went into quilts after we collaborated on Maureen's quilt. I also knew
you loved books, poetry, dogs and ORANGE so I made this quilt with you
in mind. If I make more, I will involve the recipient in color choices,
themes, etc.
Also, YouTube is your friend. Facebook groups are good
places for ideas and to ask fellow quilters questions and see the latest
gadget or tool. Also, get a reference book and use practice
pieces.
And lastly: Brush up on your geometry, fractions and math in
general!
Thank you, Sheila on so many levels! In addition to being my sister, you are also my bestest "Pin" pal.
Today's poem is a triolet* for Sheila, my sew-per star sister!
Quilting "B"
pieces of cloth, needle and thread
love infused in every stitch
cut and crafted to be read
pieces of cloth, needle and thread
displayed on my wall, then my bed
warm and soft, doesn't make me itch
pieces of cloth, needle and thread
love infused in every stitch
©2021, Bridget Magee. All Rights Reserved.
*A triolet is an eight-line poem (or stanza) with a rhyme scheme of ABaAabAB:
The first line is repeated in the fourth and seventh lines and the
second line is also the last line (the capital letters indicate
repeating lines). ~ source for definition here
Giveaway WINNERS: A few weeks back, to celebrate the release of my 10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 different ways I announced a giveaway of 10 copies to 5 lucky (and incredibly kind!) commenters (2 books per winner).
Using the gnome hat wet-felted by another one of my very talented sisters, Jane, a very scientific name draw took place.
(What would I do without my ever supportive and very photogenic husband, Joe?)
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Joe modeling gnome hat...
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...drawing names...
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...the WINNERS!
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Congratulations:
