Thursday, March 7, 2019

How it goes

This is my new favorite wonky log cabin square ...

And I confess, when we bought the flower-sprigged romper for P's first birthday last spring (yes, we really do call her "P" as well as Parker Mae), I knew it would end up on the cutting room floor.

Anyway, it's been a while since I documented process, so here's where I am at this point in my patchplay evolution.

I start by ironing about a 1/4" edge on two pieces of cloth, then line them up, right sides together ...

and overcast stitch them together with a single strand of floss on a #10 John James big eye quilting needle ...

I know that's overkill, but I love stitching seams this way and I'm in no hurry.

After seaming, I iron the pieces ...

seen here from the back ...

Next I turn under a new edge using a piece of cover stock to hold a straight edge on the pieced section ...

and on the strip of cloth that will adjoin it ...

ending up with strips like so ...

When I want to get wonky, I press some of the edges at random angles ...

which necessitates some trimming after the fact, usually done with coverstock tucked under the seam to protect the pieced square ...

What I especially like about this process is the flat seams that result ...

And I'm fast becoming a fan of cotton cloth patchplay ...

which is a good thing since P doesn't have any linen hand-me-downs ... yet.

18 thoughts on “How it goes”


  1. Mo Crow

    your stitching is so beautiful!
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    • What an adorable little girl! She must bring you and Don so much joy, along with your other beautiful grandchildren. This particular log cabin square is especially engaging. I can feel the memories pooling within it.

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      1. Dana – thank you … yes to the joy of grandkids and so happy you are about to embark on that wonderful journey (and I don’t know if you’re an Anna Quindlen fan, but I am so looking forward to her new book entitled Nanaville)

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      1. Nancy – thank you … we love our P … and tiny stitches do so make me happy (and I believe it was a gift from the universe that I am extremely nearsighted, which helps immensely)

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    • LA – that is so much work – bit like my hammer strokes – nobody realises just how many stitches goes into the work. Go well. B

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      1. Barry – I quite agree with you on the similarity between stitches and hammer strokes … and while the term “work” certainly fits completed pieces, I do love using the term “patchplay” to represent the joy I experience in the process. However, it’s a good thing I’m not in production mode … we’d starve given the long time-frames for my projects … ha!

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    • I love this post Liz – thank you for sharing how you manage those stitches and straight, yet wonky lines. I had no idea. I love the way you stitch them together!! The fabric in this one is bursting with personality – like Miss P herself I imagine. Go well.

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      1. Fiona – I was never properly schooled in quiltmaking, so when I discovered Jude Hill’s Spirit Cloth 101 workshop online, my mind was the proverbial blank slate. Still, as I’ve often said before, “I never follow recipes.” Jude certainly isn’t prescriptive, but early on I found myself riffing on her paperless patching technique. The resulting “patchplay” gives me ample opportunities to stitch and stitch and stitch somemore … all the while recalling fun times with Miss P.

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    • Oh this video of Miss P is so delightful. There is something so joyful when out little ones engage in conversation, Pop Pop’s quiet voice, responding, Parker’s exuberant conversation and her yah! just melts my heart. Videos of our little ones learning to roll over, walk, dance, speak, etc. are the best movie reels to hold in our heads and hearts. Your wonky, colorful, memory filled squares made from Parker’s clothes are happiness in cloth…

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      1. Marti – mobile phones and social media get a bad rap, often well-deserved … but the incredible up-side for me is the increased contact with our kids and grandkids. Whether it’s texting with 15-year-old Logan, FaceTiming with the families, or making (and receiving) videos that capture snippets of real life, I do believe we are all closer as a result.

        And then there is the simple old-time pleasure of stitching patches of cloth together as a tactile memory-holder.

        The best of both worlds …

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      1. Thanks Joy … so glad you found your way here. I think I left a comment on your Second hand sheets blog, but I’m not sure if it “took”

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Monday, March 4, 2019

Joy to the world

Addendum: Fiona Dempster wrote a beautiful post about the opening:
https://paperponderings.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-dream-of-world.html

It finally arrived, the opening for Mo's vision of the collaboration I dream of a world where love is the answer ...

Artsite invitation

which includes a beautifully photographed catalog of the contributions from around the globe ...

canvas 3

I am honored to have been a contributor  ...

[caption id="attachment_1842" align="alignnone" width="920"]canvas Link to read how the pennant came to be[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1841" align="alignnone" width="918"]canvas 2  

Link to see the making of the torn and tattered heart

and am so looking forward to seeing even more pictures from the opening, while wishing there was a way to fly around the world to see the exhibit in person.

16 thoughts on “Joy to the world”


  1. Mo Crow

    (((Liz))) we really need a Matter Transfer Unit!
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    Joy is just the most apt description for Mo’s exhibit of I Dream of A World Where Love is the Answer for joy abounds in the vision that brought us all together all over the world. Your pennant Liz with words of such deep meaning just sings…for me, this experience was a once in a lifetime journey of connection, caring and sharing.

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    1. Deb – that might be because the shell was made at the beginning of Jude’s Considering Weave class … it was, quite literally, when I let go of careful, measured stitching and embraced the wild side of cloth

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    1. Connie – thank you … your kind words mean a lot. And yes, we are both doing better every day … hoping likewise for you all, too

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    Liz , it is a wonderful feeling to be with you and the many others in this exhibition. With my small talisman I feel part of a awesome group. I´m impressed by your pennant and your talisman. Remember well Jude´s weaving class. I didn´t follow your blog yet but I will in future. Doris

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    Being part of Mo’s project really was a gift, wasn’t it? Your beautiful pennant and mended shell led the way.

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    1. Dana – it was so amazing to look at the pictures from the opening and say to self, “look, there’s Dana and Dee and Jude all in a row … and oh my, I’m next to Bronwyn and Judy and Fiona” … as if each pennant stood in for its maker.

      I’m still surprised that my contributions arrived first, but less so when I think back to how incredibly motivated I was once the way forward became clear.

      So now we have blog posts and video and that amazing catalog … food for much future thought, a joy to return to again and again.

      You’re absolutely right … it was, and will always be, a gift …

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    LA – I love the power of these global collaborations. It was touching and inspiring to see your’s and Marti’s work there. Made the community of love and peace seem more tangible and real. Go well. B

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    Barry – thank you for taking so many pictures at the opening … they truly brought it to life for me (and many others, I’m sure). What most intrigued me was the one of Fiona reading the words of “I dream of a world where love is the answer” … that’s when I realized Mo’s brilliance in making the pennants so accessible, front and back!

 

 

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Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Problem solved

When last I posted about the wonky herringbone pillow square, I was trying to figure out how to tame the bias edges.

Here's the solution I came up with ...

I pieced strips of cloth together, cut them perpendicularly into new strips, and sewed them onto the bias edges. There is still a bit of waviness, but overall I'm happy with the result ...

The quilting also helped, and I had fun alternating #12 variegated pink perle cotton with #8 off-white perle ...


14 thoughts on “Problem solved”


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Sunday, February 24, 2019

What fun

I am having way too much fun making wonky log cabin squares from P's outgrown baby clothes. Since I've not really patchplayed with cottons before, each new square is a kick ... 

I also indulged myself in a look through the photo roll on my phone, hoping to find pictures of the original outfits, with much success ...

So fair warning, there's far more to come ...

 

11 thoughts on “What fun”


  1. Marti

    The last photo, you with P, love in action. I miss having a little one to cuddle so I will vicariously enjoy your times with Parker. While I enjoy seeing your wonky patches from P’s clothes, it is terrific to see her in the clothes; she has the most wonderful soulful eyes. She’s a little Texan through and through with her jeans and her raring to go stance in the first photo!
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    2. Loving the love in all of these Liz – Parker is quite the cutie and her clothes suit her so well; and the ongoing patches are fabulous memories and smiles.

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    5. Oh my lands!! This is just the best…she is just the sweetest! Love the teeny pony  At work when the littles wear jeans, I always remember, and sing that line from an old country song, “Baby makes her blue jeans talk” I daresay it was a different kind of ‘talkin’ meant! lol That is why I love the little joke to self

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    6. Adorbs, as my elder son would say. I hope you supply pix along with the quilt. For provenance. It adds so much.

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