The Quilt

~ The Quilt ~

As I faced my Maker at the last Judgment,
I knelt before the Lord along with the other
souls. Before each of us laid our lives, like
the squares of a quilt, in many piles. An
Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt
squares together into a tapestry that is our
life. But, as my Angel took each piece of cloth
off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty
each of my squares was. They were filled with
giant holes. Each square was labeled with a
part of my life that had been difficult, the
challenges and temptations I was faced with
in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had
endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such
squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there,
the other tapestries were filled with rich
color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.
I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth
together, threadbare and empty, like binding
air. Finally the time came when each life was
to be displayed, held up to the light, the
scrutiny of truth.

The others rose, each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had
been. My Angel looked upon me, and nodded
for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground
in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.
I had love in my life, and laughter. But there
had also been trials of illness and death, and
false accusations that took from me my world,
as I knew it. I had to start over many times.

I often struggled with the temptation to
quit, only to somehow muster the strength
to pick up and begin again. I had spent many
nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help
and guidance in my life. I had often been held
up to ridicule, which I endured painfully;
each time offering it up to the Father in
hopes that I would not melt within my skin
beneath the judgmental gaze of those who
unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face
the truth. My life was what it was, and I had
to accept it for what it had been.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined
squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air.
I gazed around at the others who
stared at me with eyes wide. Then,
I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes, creating
an image. The face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth
and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time
you gave over your life to Me, it became My
life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each
point of light in your life is when you stepped
aside and let Me shine through, until there was
more of Me than there was of you.

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn,
allowing Christ to shine through.

The Family Quilt

Our family quilt was started
generations in the past.
Designed with love,
its pattern's rich
in values that will last.
Each person sews another square
of memories that endure,
While challenges add strength
that makes our family life secure.
And stitching it together
threads of closeness,
warmth, and caring
Make it cozy and more comforting
with every year of sharing. Enjoy

Enjoy a few of "Brenda's Crafts" below.

~Tips On Organizing Your Supplies and

~Setting Up Sewing Space~

It is good to have a personal place to sew and be organized. Also it gives a chance to be surrounded by your hobbies. You can run in a and sew ten minutes with everything all open and not have to be concerned about cleaning up.

All sewing rooms need a place to--

Cut, Stitch , Press ,and Storage

1. Cutting area is of prime importance. A 30'' folding table is what I use with mats for rotary cutting. You should be able to work easily without excessive bending and back strain or upward arm movement. It is good to have a 48'' long surface cutting to accommodate fabric of long lengths. An island in the middle of room is ideal because you can move all around the unit. Also it can be used to make craft items, such as flower arrangements stuffed dolls, wreaths, baskets etc. Several ready made cut surfaces are available. Many will collapse into smaller units for storage

Cover the table with a large cutting mat ( a forgiving surface designed for use with a rotary cutter and ruler) Mats will protect the surface from being marked by either the rotary cutter or shears

A bulletin board is a good thing to have nearby for penning pattern pieces etc.

All cutting tools should be kept nearby for easy access in a basket A basket for waste fabric is handy too.

Storage area is a must . I use a small file cabinet with shelves to store my fabric. Know what you have and where to find it.

Lots of electric outlets are nice to have. and good lighting is a must. Also a good chair. I use a rotating chair.

Thread racks are good to put thread on It keeps them from getting tangled.

Rotary cutters are one of the greatest tools for quilt-making. A cutting mat protects the surface of the cutting table and the blade.

~Hints and Tips for the Sewing Room~

Attach your tape measure to the sewing table so that you won't have to rummage through all your equipment to find it.

Keep small magnet in your sewing basket. When needles and pins drop on the carpet while you're sewing.

retrieve them quickly with the magnet.

Sewing needles can get rusty and dull. Tub off any rust with an abrasive soap pad or steel wool.

To keep you thread needles, keep a magnifying glass in your sewing basket.

Make a habit of leaving a length of thread in a needle before storing it in a pincushion (or whatever you use as a pincushion). You'll be able to see it more easily, and the needle will be less likely to slip all the way into the pincushion.

A bar of soap makes a perfect pincushion. As well as storing pins and needle, it lubricates the tips so that they slide easily through stiff fabrics.

to keep scissors from damaging other items in your sewing basket, cover the points with the rubber protectors sold for knitting needles.

Use a chair that is adjustable and designed to support the back when sewing.

File your clothes patterns by storing them upright in a shoe box.

Egg cartons make convenient storage containers for spools of thread.

Store tiny buttons in empty pill bottles or a decorated old fashion quartz jar. Also spools of thread can be kept in a see thru gallon jug, and it quite attractive for your sewing room.

When throwing out clothing you no longer wear, first stock up on notions by saving any usable zippers, buttons, or decorative trim. These can come in handy when you're trying to replace a fastener.

Thread looks darker on the spool than it will on fabric. Choose a thread a shade darker than the material you'll be using it on.

SEWING MACHINE TIPS

Take care of your machine. Keeping it clean, well oiled, and protected will extend its life. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for oiling.

Always keep a supply of replacement needles on hand.

Use a small paintbrush to clean dust and loose threads from your sewing machine.

After you've oiled your sewing machine stitch through a blotter to soak up any excess lubricant that might remain in the machine and leak onto your fabric.

Rejuvenate a blunted machine needle, at least temporarily, by carefully rubbing it at an angle across the fine side of an emery board.

If the foot control of your portable sewing machine creeps on the floor when you sew , glue a piece of foam rubber to its bottom surface.

When you embark on a large-scale dressmaking protect, fill a number of bobbins before you start. Then you won't find that just when you've gotten into the swing of it you have to stop to rewind the bobbin.

Hints For Quilting

~When life gives you scraps make quilts~

If you prefer not to mark up your quilt face with a pencil, "draw" in the straight lines with strips of masking tape.

Cardboard templates become worn quickly. Edge templates with tape so that repeated use won't change the size.

Keep track of patchwork squares by storing them in large-size coffee cans. Note the number of pieces on the lid.

Make a sturdy master pattern for patchwork pieces from an iron-on mending patch. it won't slip or fray, and it will hold its shape for a long time.

Iron some fusible bond onto the backs of lightweight quilting appliqués. They'll stay flat and keep their shape. You can get the same effect by treating them with spray starch and then ironing.

After sorting patchwork pieces, slip a doubled thread through a pile of patches. leaving the knotted end of the thread at the bottom of the stack. With the top end left unknotted, you can peel off each square as it is needed.

Tips for Sewing Room

Make simple curtains to cover the front of wooden book cases. Use the long thin spring curtain rods attached to the inside of the top edge of the book case for hanging the curtains. You now have enclosed cupboards for storage.

Clear Boxes

Clear stackable boxes are great for storing sewing supplies. Clear shoe boxes are great for notions. Larger boxes are great for projects; keeping fabric, pattern, and notions stored together. Covered boxes are great because you can stack them up to save space and they keep the dust out.

Organizing Buttons

Plastic floss boxes work great for storing buttons and closures. There are several rows of small compartments for separating and storing buttons, snaps, etc.

Storing Patterns

Patterns can be stored in a filing cabinet or boxes. Cardboard file boxes work great for patterns. If your pattern collection is large, sort the patterns by style (dresses, separates, children, etc.) or by size. Be sure to clearly label the outside of the boxes.

Storing Thread

Thread gets brittle and breaks when it gets old. Storing thread in airtight containers, such as Ziploc bags, will keep it from drying out as quickly. Thread exposed to sunlight and heat will break down more quickly.

Sewing Definitions - From Your Guide

Baste - a method of temporarily joining fabric using large stitches which are easily removed.

Bias Tape - strips of fabric which are cut from the bias of the fabric .. usually folded on two edges and sometimes folded again for edging... the bias allows it to smoothly follow curves.

Clean Finish - stitch 1/4" from the edge and press to wrong side. If the raw edge will not be stitched down in another step, stitch down.

Contour - with a curve - for example: a pattern may be described as having a contour waistline. This means that the waistband is cut on a curve verses cut out as a straight band. This usually lends it self to a better fit.

Ease - a way of making one piece of fabric fit on to another by evenly pulling in the extra fabric with out making any gathers or tucks in the larger piece of fabric .. this is necessary in may areas of garments in order to have proper fitting and ease of movement in the finished garment. Fabric diagonals - A fabric that is printed on a diagonal, many patterns state "not suitable for diagonal fabrics, this is means that due to the pattern design it will be impossible to match diagonal prints or designs.

Grade Seam - trim one layer of the seam allowance shorter then the other layer to eliminate bulk. For example: a facing seam allowance would be trimmed shorter on facing part of the allowance and longer on the body seam allowance.

Hair Canvas - a form of interfacing - high quality which lends itself to molding for areas such as firm blazer rolled collars. Hair canvas is a woven interfacing available at any quality fabric store.

Moderate Stretch Knit - usually found in the suggested fabrics area on a pattern envelope. There is usually a ruler type diagram on the same envelope which demonstrates the amount of stretch the fabric will need to have. For example: A lycra spandex fabric in comparison to a tee shirt type knit.

Notch - A small cut into the seam allowance which will allow fabric to bend at curves and corners.

Pile - the nap of the fabric - when the fabric is brushed in one direction it looks like a different color - velvet and corduroy are classic examples. Lay all pattern pieces so that the pile is going in it's natural direction... for example... the down pile would be down the leg.

Rolled Hem - fold raw edge under 1/4" and then 1/4" again, enclosing raw edge. Topstitch to hold hem.

Selvage - the edge of raw fabric which is unable to fray... usually has company info +/or color matching dots.

Seam Allowance - the area of fabric that is between the seam stitching and the cut edge

Separating zipper - A zipper which completely separates, such as for a jacket or sweater. The bottom of the zipper has metal tabs for starting the pull, while a regular zipper it clamped together to not separate.

Stitch In The Ditch - a method of under-stitching - press seam allowances to one side and top stitch as close to the seam as you can to hold the seam allowance down and cause the piece of fabric to stay folded under. For example: When you are attaching a facing, if you stitch in the ditch on the facing side of the seam, the facing will stay turned into the garment and give you a clean edge.

Top Stitch - A row of stitching, visible on the finished product. Can be functional or decorative.

QUE YO YOS

Yo yo's of any size can be used as appliqués. They can be grouped together as berries, used as flowers on a stem, put into an appliqué basket, or stacked in various sizes with buttons for embellishment.

Appliqués. the yo yo's with a hidden stitch, a decorative blanket stitch, or a featherstitch. Use embroidery floss or pearl cotton (size 5 or 8) when attaching the yo yos with the blanket or feather stitch.

Blanket Stitch. Bring the thread up from the underside of the background fabric. The tip of the needle should come out exactly at the edge of the yo yo. Insert th4e needle down 1/4 inch into the yo yo. bring the needle back up through the base fabric 1/4 inch away from the first stitch. The needle should come out at the edge of the yo-yo over the thread. Pull up the stitch to form a loop, and repeat around the yo yo.

Feather Stitch. Work these stitches with the left half of the stitches placed on the yo-yo and the right half of the stitches placed on the background fabric. Bring the needle out at the top center. going off the yo-yo. Hold the thread down with the left thumb and insert the needle a little to the right on the same level and into the yo yo. Take a small stitch down to the center keeping the thread under the needle point. Next insert the needle a little to the left on the same level and take a stitch to the center, keeping the thread under the needle point. Work these two movements alternately.

~Dream of Quilts~

~When life gives you scraps make quilts - Just give Jesus all the pieces and He will make a pretty quilt~

~Quilters Beatitudes~

Blessed are the quilters for they are piece-makers.

Blessed are the quilters for they make ends meet.

Blessed are the quilters for they know how to cut corners.

Blessed are the quilters for they keep you in stitches.

Blessed are the quilters for they make great comforters.

Blessed are the quilters for they patch things up.

Blessed are the quilters for they cover you with warmth.

Blessed are the quilters for they pick up the pieces.

Blessed are the quilters for they save you energy.

Blessed are the quilters for they put color in your life.

THE PATCHWORK COVERLET

I have a treasure hid away
In that great chest above the stair.
Three generations held it dear,
As if were gold or jewels rare,
Then passed it on to me; and I
Must keep it save, until the day
When my small daughter shall attain
The years of her majority.
Then she, in turn, will treasure it -
Great-grandma's patchwork coverlet!
Full many an hour the maker sat,
And plied her needle in and out,
The while her mind was busy, too,
With many a happy dream, no doubt,
Of when the finished quilt should lie
In all it's splendor, wide outspread -
A covering fit for king or queen -
Across the great four-posted bed
In her "spare room;" too fine 'twould be
For aught to use, save 'company!'
Day after day the pattern grew;
Each block was deftly set in place,
And rows of tiny stitches tell
A tale that time cannot efface -
Of patience, skill, housewifely pride,
Of woman's love for pretty things,
Of fingers trained such work to do
By those who knew the joy it brings,
Of time within the home well-spent,
The heart with homely tasks content.
So, when I'm weary of the strife
Of living in this modern age,
Softly I steal awhile away,
And thoughts of bygone days engage
My mind, as o'er my lap I spread
This emblem of a vanished past -
For me a magic carpet gay,
Whereon I ride -- until at last
I find relief from cares that fret,
There with great-grandma's coverlet!
...Doris Wheeler Blount
...Needlecraft magazine,
September 1928

LIFE IS LIKE A QUILT

Life is like a patchwork quilt
And each little patch a day
Some patches are rosy, happy and bright
And some are dark and gray.
But each little patch as it's fitted in
And sewn to keep it together
Makes a finished block in this life of ours,
Filled with sun and rainy weather.
So let me work on life's patchwork quilt
Through the rainy days and the sun
Trusting that when I have finished my block
The Master may say, "Well done."
...unknown

Quilting Instructions

for "Yo Yo" quilts or Coverlet

Yo-yo's are decorative flower forms that create a textural effect. They are made from fabric circles that are hemmed and gathered into small rosettes. Yo-yo's can be stitched together to make a bedcover or a vest or appliquéd as an embellishment. Yo-yo quilts were very popular as scrap quilts in the 1930'sThere are no batting or backing involved, so you may want to try this as a first project.

You can use a selection of Christmas fabric as I did and create something beautiful for the holidays.

Instructions for making the yo yo quilt.

To make a yo yo, draw a circle for a pattern at least twice the size of the finished yo-yo onto cardboard, and cut it out. The end of a large spool of thread makes a good pattern for a small yo yo.

Trace the circular shape onto the right side of the fabric, and cut out the fabric 1/4 inch from the line.

Since the thread will have to support the tension of the fabric, use quilting thread or regular sewing thread doubled. Holding the circle wring side up in your hand, turn in the edges of the circular piece on the line so you see it appears as you stitch. Make sure the hem falls over the wrong side of the fabric. When you begin stitching, bring your needle up from the underside of the 1/4 inch seam allowance so the knot will be hidden when the yo-yo is completed. using a short running stitch, sew on the folded edge all the way around. Your stitching must be continuous, with no backstitches.

the yo yo is formed when you pull on the thread forcing the edges of the circle to pull together and leaving a hole in the middle. Stitch evenly around the perimeter and then pull smoothly to gather the circle into a yo yo. If the hole is too big, try taking larger stitch

To make the yo yo's into a quilt or a vest they need to be accurate for joining into even rows. Join the circles together in strips or blocks in the desired color sequence by holding the circles with their gathered sides together and taking several overcast sewing stitches close together. Open this unit flat and add another yo yo to the opposite side. Continue in this manner to make a row of yo yos. When the row is the desired length, add the yo yos to the other side.

Arrange the folds evenly and fasten with a few backstitches. Finger press and primp the yo yo's to flatten it. The yo yo can now be appliquéd or sewn together with others.

The Needle's Excellency

Here practise and invention may be free.
And as a squirrel skips from tree to tree,
So maids may (from their mistresse or their mother)
Learne to leave one worke, and to learne another.
For here they may make choice of which is which,
And skip from worke to worke, from stitch to stitch,
Until, in time, delightful practise shall
(With profit) make them perfect in them all.
Thus hoping that these workes may have this guide
To serve for ornament, and not for pride:
To cherish vertue, banish idlenesse,
For these ends, may this booke have good success.

By John Taylor

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