Adventures of a Novelty Fabric and Selvage Obsessed Quilter

Glad you stopped by!

I am a busy wife and the mom of 19 year old twins, a boy and a girl who are Sophomores at Syracuse University.

I have been quilting since the spring of 2008. I love novelty fabrics, colorful and unique.

Selvage quilting is addictive! Who knew the "junk" we cut off and threw out would be what I now save! I started a new tradition when I travel--visiting quilt stores! I particularly enjoy going to stores that have been named in the Quilt Sampler Featured Shop Lists-




Sunday, February 28, 2010

Stratagizing again

I sewed the bottom piece on today,
but I think I may be stitch ripping
it off and starting again.
I also think I need to work on
the left side of the curve again.
I am not happy that the bottom edge isn't
straight and still contemplating how I
am going to quilt it.
Also, need to decide how much
 background I want to have.
It is going to be a wall hanging in the living room.
ny opinions would be appreciated!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Organizing 2.0

Back in January, I organized my sewing area,
with shelves and bins:
By making a few adjustments, I have alot more capacity!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Becky's star challah cover!

Finished challah cover!
Paper piecing sections
2 pieces
Sewn together
batting and backing
quilted
binding on
backing and quilting detail

Last pieces pinned!

left:
right:
I am hoping to start sewing the pieces down today
since we are in the midst of yet another
foot of snow snowstorm!
What is up woth all the snow this year????

Thursday, February 25, 2010

More chair progress!

I cut the muslin and batting, and then
traced the shape with a sharpie.
The entire back is pinned, and I love it.
From left to right:

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Fabric for Becky's star

My sister in law Becky asked me to make a challah cover
from one of the stars from my star quilt pattern.
I showed a photo of the quilt on January 20th.
I headed to Mouse Creek Quilts today, and love
the fabric I found to coordinate with the dots.

A challah cover is a special cloth used to
cover the two braided loaves of bread (challah)
set out on the table at the beginning of a Shabbat or holiday meal.
Its appearance lends a decorative touch to the set table.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Selvage Pin Cushion

Melinda had a giveaway last month if
you left a comment on her blog.
I love the pincushion, and will think
of her generosity whenever I use it!
I follow her blog daily, and she is so talented!
I have learned so much from her!
If you haven't visited her blog, do yourself
a favor and clink over and take a look!

I was able to get the muslin for the back of the
chair pieced together this afternoon.
Tomorrow, I WILL get more done!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Ebay finds!

I won 2 auctions last week, and the fabric arrived today!
The hearts are a Loralie fabric, Hearts to you,
and the circles fabric is Alexander Henry, bangle dot.
Each is close to a yard, and the selvages are awesome!
Hopefully, I will have time tomorrow
to get back to the selvage chair project.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Wicked!

Today my family had tickets
to see Wicked on Broadway!
We loved it and had a great day in NYC!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Quilter's Apprentice

Being relatively new to quilting, I learn about
"new to me " things everyday!

I just finished The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini.
I loved the book and have already started
the second book in the series, Round Robin

Friday, February 19, 2010

She loves the bag!

My daughters friend Lauren was at the house today.
Her birthday was yesterday, and we gave the bag to her.
She loves it, and I am thrilled!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Spring Fever Charm pack by Moda

Since we have well over a foot and a half of snow outside,
I was in need of some brightness.
I was drawn to this charm pack!
I love the bright colors, and it
certainly brightened my day when it arrived!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Chair progress!

First I cut muslin and batting for each side:
Pinned on the selvage strips:

Then the center panel:
The front is all pinned!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mail Call!

Kathie , who is a follower of my blog, and correctly guessed
that I was making selvage valances a while back, emailed me
to say she wanted to donate her selvages to my chair re-do.
They arrived today, and I was amazed!
What a wonderful thing for her to do.
She uses mostly reproduction fabrics from the 1800’s,
which is so different from the novelty fabrics I
am drawn to, but I love what she sent me and her fabrics will
add a different layer to my project and I am so
thankful for her gift, generosity and friendship!
They more than covered the island in my kitchen!
When I spread out this pile, this is what was there!
It filled its own selvage bin!
I will get to work in the morning piecing some together!
Kathie, thanks from the bottom of
my heart for sharing with me!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Novelty fabrics

(sorry for the weird camera angle,
I had to use my phone)

This only is a small slice of what they have to offer.
 I am fortunate to have an amazing fabric
store the next town over from me.
I went by the other day to take a look,
and somehow didn't buy any fabric.
I guess there is a first time for everything.
If you find yourself in Ocean County, NJ,
you must stop by:
Stitch N' Sew Centre
123 E. County Line Road, Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-2220

Sunday, February 14, 2010

66 Selvage strips!

This morning I sewed together 66 strips,
but judging from the pile that is left, I still have many more!

Enjoy your Valentine's Day!!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Selvage seat pinned!

Not alot of time available today,
but I did get the seat pinned!

I am contemplating if I want the
selvages to run vertically, horizontally
or some combination across the seat back.
Hmmmmmmmmmm

Friday, February 12, 2010

Sorting Selvages

I spent some time today sorting thru my selvages.

I ended up with a bin of more "sedate" ones,
lots of long pieces:

and 2 bins of shorter
pieces that I will sew together.
I really want your opinions.
Would you match the pieces by color,
or just randomly sew them together?

Overall work table view, which I
like to refer to as organized chaos!