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| Today I'll be appliqueing a copper roof (a little change from the original pattern) onto the bird feeder for my Primitive Garden border three. It's thrilling to be so close to the end of this project. I can hardly wait to see it all together although I am kind of dreading doing the quilting. |
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| As I was appliqueing the white pumpkin on border 2 last month, I noticed my thread was collecting tiny globs of dark lint. I had just prepped the border, otherwise I would have just figured it was dust from sitting idle like a lot of my other projects--lol! It took a while, but I finally solved the mystery. |
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| I love using my felted wool mat for pressing my applique and piecing, but while at one of my October retreats, I began to notice I was doing a lot of sneezing. I do have a wool allergy, but as long as I'm not wearing the wool, I am usually okay. Sometimes, if I am doing a lot of wool applique, my eyes get itchy too, but not enough to deter me from my wool-y therapy! Anyway, yes, my wool mat was the culprit. Upon close inspection, I could see my white pumpkin was covered with wool fibers. Probably all the other applique was too, but it's not so apparent on the darker colors. I had been using a press cloth on my wool mat whenever I would use Best Press or sizing just to keep it clean, but now I have made a little "pillow" case for it--super simple since I used the selvage edge at the opening, so no hemming! Problem (and mystery) solved. |
Friday I was invited to help present some Quilts of Valor to a group of WWII veterans at the Brainerd High School. A couple of quilts that I had donated for QOV's had been chosen to be given out at the ceremony. so I was extremely honored to be there at the presentation. There's a short video HERE of some highlights. Marcia Steven's organized the quilt presentation and did an awesome job! If you ever have an opportunity to particate in a QOV presentation, do it!
Yes, tears were shed!
I'm hoping my Slow Sunday Stitching today will calm my nerves. I'm pretty hyped up due to a course of Prednisone from an allergic reaction to a laundry detergent switch. My usual brand (that we've used since the early 1970's!) has been taken off the market and it's been a struggle to find a replacement.
If it's not one thing it's another--yeesh!
Linking with Kathy at Slow Sunday Stitching HERE
If it's not one thing it's another--yeesh!
Linking with Kathy at Slow Sunday Stitching HERE
Beautiful appliqué! The bird and I love the fancy copper roof! Fluff flies everywhere in my sewing room too...it makes me sneeze but does not stop me from sewing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful block to work on ; love the roof ! Oh I remember one of my kids being on prednisone once and yes you are probably ready to go bouncing off the walls!
ReplyDeleteWonderful stitching and good luck with the allergy stuff. I am sensitive to a number of things and have to take some precautions but so far not allergic to felted wool or fabric, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteI have had that Primitive Gatherings pattern for a long time. I see that you are doing it in cottons and have often thought that I would like to do it that way. I have not studied the design to see if there are a lot of little parts that would be more difficult in needle turn applique.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Great solution for your wool mat too!
ReplyDeleteLoving your white pumpkin...and the embroidered twisting vines--just lovely hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your applique today! Hope your allergies settle down so you can feel more comfortable and don't need the Prednisone.
ReplyDeleteWhat an honor to be able to do that....
ReplyDeleteLove your applique
Poor you. Lovely projects going on.
ReplyDeleteYour applique is so pretty. I love that copper roof and the white pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteGreat pumpkin design. The color red in fibers can be a real nuisance.
ReplyDeleteLovely appliques. How interesting that the wool mat could cause a problem. Hope your solution works.
ReplyDeleteLove your pumpkin!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing such a marvelous job on your applique! It makes me smile to see the carefully chosen fabrics. It all comes together so well.
ReplyDeleteYour description of your wool allergy fits me to a "T"! In fact, I took Benadryl with me to my first wool applique class, because I wasn't sure how I would react to working with it.
And I also have to use laundry products that have no scent or color added.
AND I get hyped up on Prednisone, too--usually spending a night or two without sleep.
Were we twins separated at birth? :)
What a mystery novel, lint, wool fuzzies, a laundry detergent hunt and figuring out quilting designs. Your appliques are beautiful. What an honor to to participate in the Quilts of Valor for the WWII vets.
ReplyDeleteI love the copper roof. I'm sorry you're having a hard time finding a new detergent and wish there was another way to find out if a new one works besides trial and itchy error. The QOV assembly was a special thing, glad you got to participate.
ReplyDeleteYour bird feed block is too wonderful, Karen, and I love your pumpkin block with all the little spirals. It's too bad about your allergies. What kind of laundry soap did you use in the past that was discontinued and what did you recently try that caused a reaction? The one I use is still available but I don't know for how long. These days people seem to want soap that fragrances a room instead of cleans the clothes. Though maybe they clean the clothes, too. I don't use them because they're so strong and I react to them.
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