QUILTS OF VALOR AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE

 I took some time this morning and ventured into downtown Columbia, SC. This is my hometown and I love driving around to see what's going on. I knew there was an event happening at the State House today and law enforcement would not be necessary. 

This is the sight that greeted me as I drove down Main Street toward the capitol building. This was what I was looking to see. 

I am so humbled to know that I was a part of this tribute to our veterans. What you are looking at is almost 500 quilts of valor AND presentation bags that have been stitched over the last few months. Several years ago the South Carolina Longarm Group did this:

Since that time, this event at the State House has been a dream. A dream that Anne Mixon and the SC Quilts of Valor Foundation has made real. If not for Anne, I am not so sure this would have happened.

While I sat at that stop light, tears just flowed. I am so proud to know so many of the men and women that made these quilts. So many hands worked on these quilts. From the collection of fabric, the cutting of the patterns, the stitching of the blocks, the quilting of the quilts, the binding of the edges,the sewing on on the labels........and don't forget the construction of the presentation bags. So many steps. So many hours. So much love. 

I personally want to thank the members of the South Carolina Longarm Group that really stepped up and quilted over 100 of these quilts. Many donated not only their time and expertise, but batting and thread and so much more. Doing this would have been more difficult without your help. Every time I ask for your help, you are right there and give freely of your time . Thank you so much. 

So, now I am going to over fill this post with pictures. Every picture that I have been able to capture/steal from facebook since I left my camera in my car. It was a beautiful day!! I really hope that many of you could see this 'live and in person'. 

It was a beautiful day and a outstanding event. Congratulations to Anne Mixon for a job well done!!

A Long Journey Comes to an End

 Well, it is finally over! I logged this quilt top into the Studio on February 14, 2019. I'm sure that Sally intended it to be shown at one of the Guild Shows in Aiken. That didn't happen. It hung for quite a while before I actually loaded it on my machine. 

As you can see, it didn't start to load until July of 2020. So many things had happened in my personal life that somethings had to wait and Sally was kind enough to allow this to wait too. 

So, it was loaded and I started the Stitch in the Ditch to stabilize the quilt. Everything went well. Stitching around ay type of applique' takes time and ditch stitching is one of the most difficult things to do on a longarm machine. Anyway, I worked through that over a period of time. Then it was time for the backgound fills on each block..................and she sits and waits..........and waits.........and waits. 

There are days that I can walk up to a machine and just start stitching. Other times it will not let me take control. So I waited..........then I finally figured out what I wanted to do in the background. Something simple that would showcase the applique' and not just jump off of the quilt. 

So, now I had all of the backgrounds locked down. There were some blocks that had interior areas that I would decide on later.........much later. Time for the sashing. 

And she waits..........and she waits...........and she consults with a quilting mentor..........and she waits. Finally, I decided to do something a little unconventional. I set up my Statler and placed this design in the sashing areas. 

This is the only part of the quilting on this piece that was computer assisted. So, the sashings are done.

Time for the borders. And, she waits........... and she waits...........and she draws........and she thinks........and she again consults her quilting mentor...........Then one day, she stitches.

Don't pay attention to the white lines. That didn't happen, but, it got me started and soon the border was complete.

Then I still had some blocks where the centers were open and those need 'something'. And she waits.....

Do you see now why it takes me so long to complete a custom quilt?........

At any rate, yesterday February 4, 2021, I took the last stitch in this project. Pulled it down so that I could actually look at it and I just cried. That happens to me when I am so into a project like this and then get to the end. It is done. I am really happy with the end results. And, I can't actually believe that I did it. 

So, here it is. It will soon be on its way to Virginia, because Sally moved recently. Lot's of life changes for both of us, but, now we can put this one project aside. 

If Sally will allow, I hope to take this to Quilt Camp in a couple of weeks for 'Show and Tell'. Then I can get it on a rack and get some really good pictures. 

For now, it's off on another adventure. I have custom clients listed for the next few months, so it's off to start on another exciting journey!!

Have a great day!!

A Plan for the Future

 I had lunch with a fellow longarm quilter yesterday. We do that periodically just to touch base with each other and to talk about our chosen avocation. It's always good to bounce ideas off of each other, share thoughts on different subjects, and possibly work out joint projects.

While we were talking the subject of my quilt retreats came up. I think I have convinced her that she needs to come join the fun really soon. We have all been so confined, more so than usual, and getting around other quilters will always raise your spirits and help with getting the creative juices flowing. Seeing what others are working on always jump starts our creativity. 

One idea that came out of our lunch was for me to re-start 'May Mester' in 2022. I have had requests for that type of retreat where we are in class for several days and then have the option of staying around to sew for a few more days. I have also set this as a split retreat where some are there for the instruction and some to work on UFO's.

 I have actually missed this 'teaching' retreat. My opinion is that we need to stretch ourselves to do somewhat more difficult designs so that life doesn't become dull and boring. Here lately we tend to do alot of  really fast quilt tops. Now, don't get me wrong, as a longarmer I love those types of quilt tops as they keep me busy. However, I love seeing someone tackle something that they thought they could never do, and then see it to completion.

So, I have added a poll to my group facebook page to test the waters as to the type of quilt that you might like to 'tackle'. For about 4 years we did Judy Neimeyer quilts, and I am not against doing them again. Many of us thought we could not do those quilts and I have seen many of them completed over the last couple of years. (I have a few myself that need to be quilted) A similar quilt would be one from Jacqueline de Jonge. I have always wanted to work on one of hers, but, have heard that the instructions are somewhat convoluted and difficult to follow and understand. That said, I have someone who can carry us through that maze. With either of these choices we could pick a specific quilt or two and all work together to learn how to put them together. If you didn't want to pick your own fabrics, Batiks Etc. is always a great place to have a kit made up. I have used them often and always happy with the results. There are several local quilt shops that might want to step in and help with this too. These are just 2 examples of the designers. These are not the actual quilts that we might choose to work on. 

This is one from Jacqueline de Jonge.

This is one of the many Judy Neimeyer quilts.

Well, that's as far as I have gotten with this idea for now. It does add a little spark of excitement to the coming years at One Loose Thread. I do love doing retreats. I do love the planning stage. It's like I can invite everyone to my home studio for several days of sewing and the joy it brings. Add to that the peace that we feel when we go to Gravatt for several days, it makes all of the work worthwhile. 

So, think about it. Let me know what might interest you. But in the meantime:

LET'S  GO  SEW!!!

It's a New Year!!

I cannot believe that we are more than half way through the month of January!! 

I haven't done a 'true' blog post in a long time. I can remember sitting at this computer in the evenings and doing some pretty good writing. With Covid, keeping up with Mr. OLT's health issues, trying to keep a small business running, I just haven't found the time or the energy. However, it's time to get back to 'real living'.

Quilt camp is coming up in a few weeks, so I am working on getting ready for that. Letters with supply lists and forms have been mailed to everyone. This is the retreat where we do an optional mystery. I say optional because everyone gets the clues and they decide if they will be participating. The mystery, again this year, is one from Deb Caffery. She writes great directions and I have always been pleased with her quilts. Sometimes not my fabric choices, but, that's not the quilts problem. 

I haven't really come up with a theme for this camp. In November we did 'Purple'. In August we did Dr. Seuss (that was really fun!). Last February we did Mardi Gras. I'm thinking that 'Spring' will be a good idea for this February. Nice bright colors. Lots of flowers. Keep it light and fun.

I have been working on some client quilts. Here are a few pictures of those. Some, I can't show you for one reason or another. 

I do have a couple of custom quilts in the works and a couple of commissions that I'm working on. I have a few personal projects, but, we'll talk about them another day. 

I hope this new year finds you healthy and happy. We have to make the best of the situations that we currently have, that's for sure. 

Have a great day and LET'S GO SEW!!!

Questions Answered about Quilt Camp

 

I have been asked about how I operated my retreats during this terrible time of Covid-19. This is how it works.

Even with all of these precautions, I cannot guarantee anything.

This is the way things stand TODAY..............

 1. All rooms will be singles charged out at the rate of a double. No one may share rooms.

2. Everyone will have 2 6 foot tables to work with. There will be no 'pods' as we usually have.

3. I will only supply one ironing surface per building, so everyone will be allowed to bring TRAVEL irons and their own ironing surfaces.

4. I will not supply cutting surfaces..........everyone will need to cut on the extra tables that I have provided.

5. Masks will be worn whenever you are out of your chair and moving about the room.

6. Temperatures will be taken at check-in and every morning at breakfast.

7. All meals will be plated. There will be no salad bars or buffets.

8. Masks will be worn into the dining hall and as you move around in there. Once seated at a table they can be removed.

9. The number of people seated at a table for meals will be limited.

10. You must bring your own pillow.

11. Once on site, I ask that no one leave and no one is allowed to visit. That limits the possibility of exposure.

12. I also request that everyone limit people contact for at least a week prior to camp, in a effort to keep everyone as safe as possible.

 We will be in 2 buildings, so, you can imagine that the number of campers will be reduced. At this time there is space available.

Hopefully you can tell that I have done everything to keep everyone as safe as possible. We still find it necessary for all attendees to sign a disclaimer for both Gravatt and One Loose Thread.

 This is the way I have operated my last 2 retreats and it has worked well. We do the best we can.

 Joyce Greer-One Loose Thread, llc

November News!!!

 I am getting close to filling the November retreat, however, I do have some additional slots available. The magic number would be around 20, but, I currently have enough registered for us to have a great group and work within Covid guidelines. 

Something has been added that is not on the registration form. It is a special offer from Gravatt and one that I just could not refuse. It goes like this:

Special Invitation from Gravatt Conference Center:

Continue the fun of your Quilt Retreat with One Loose Thread

·       Sew all day Friday

·       Dinner by Gravatt Kitchen on Friday night

·       Sleep in your same room Friday night

·       Sew all day on Saturday

·       Bruch by Gravatt Kitchen on Saturday morning

·       ENJOY THE BIG DELISH with food prepared by our favorite chef Brandon Viele from Juniper!! ( This is included in the cost)

          This event will be held on the Camp side of the Lake!!

·       Sleep in your same room Saturday Night

·       Pack and leave on Sunday morning

·       Sunday breakfast on your own

Cost will be an additional $125.00 over your retreat fee.

So, this would allow you to extend your relaxation and sewing time by 2 extra days. You won't have to change rooms or move machines.

Think about it. The registration forms are available by clicking a link at the top of this page or on the facebook page. The special Invitation has not been added to the form, but, can be noted or you can just email me. 

I'm off to work on a beautiful wool Halloween quilt for a client. Hope you have a great day!

Time To Move Some Fabric!!

 One day last week it occured to me that this studio is a DISASTER!!! And, it was contributing to my mental state, not being it's usual up beat self. Sooooooooooooo, I decided that I would sell off my stash. Well, I really don't have the time to measure, cut, package, mail, sell it myself. Wouldn't you know that an elf stepped in and said that she would do all of that!! So in comes Sharon Sisson from Treadle Pushers Quilt Shop in Sumter!!! YEA!!!!! SHARON!!!!!

These pictures show what I started with each shelf is 2 layers deep in fabric. Most of which I have not seen in at least 5 years, probably more. 

So, I have started sorting. I know I want to keep the precuts (more on that later). I really like to have a lot of neutrals. Purple, orange, hot pink, and lime green are my favorites. For some reason I have A LOT of Halloween fabric. I have a dozen or more of the big blue Ikea bags and I have borrowed more from friends and I am moving fabric. 

I have told myself that I can have one.....ONE....stack of each color family........... well maybe the whites, creams, and tans can have two..Then there is my collection of black and whites that I have worked on for over 20 years....... I think it will also have 2 stacks....but these must be side by side so that I can see everything. Halloween gets a stack. Christmas gets a stack, and POLKA DOTS!!!! they get a stack!!

The rest MUST GO!! and it will. This is all first quality, quilt shop quality fabric. There is NO JUNK... now, I'm not saying that it is all beautiful..........there are a few 'What were you thinking' pieces....for sure. 

On Sept. 20, 2020, Sharon and her husband will be here to pick it all up and take it to the shop. She will get it ready for the BIG SALE.......... so you need to watch our facebook pages to see when that will happen. I have added several bags since this picture was taken.

In the meantime, Alexis Greer spent several hours today reorganizing my fat quarter bins. They really needed it. I think that sometime after all of this I am going to cut all of that up into Bonnie Hunter's Scrap System and use those drawers for that purpose. But, that's for another intervention!!

Alexis is doing a great job. Those white drawers have been buried under at least 2 feet of fabric for at least 8 years!!! What you see on the longarm table still has to be filed once she finishes the reorganization. That should all happen tomorrow.

Once this side of the studio had been cleaned out, I have the other side to do. I will get all of the 'hidden' fabric out of there before Sharon picks up and then I'll have a lot of STUFF that will have to be disposed of. The fabric on the other side of the room has a lot of what would do very well for One Block Wonder quilts.At least I think that's what's over there. 

Then there are the project boxes........... I have a TON of them and each one has a project in it and some have 2 or 3 projects in them. I don't think I will be  sending those to Treadle Pushers for sale....I'll deal with them another way. However, as I type this, I'm thinking that maybe I 'might'...and send box and all. We'll see.

Oh yes, I said I would get back to the precuts............ I have far, far, more that I ever thought that I had. Therefore, I am going to have to rethink what I will do with those. I imagine that quite a few will go into the fabric sale, so stay tuned.

So, that's what's going on at One Loose Thread. The dust is flying!! This studio is going to look soooooo much better and it will be a much happier place.......Mr. OLT even suggested that we change out the carpet............YES!!!!!!!! It is a dirty tan piece that has been on the floor for years!!!

Olivia Statler will reappear on the 20th of this month, so I need everything ready to rock and roll. I am 3 weeks behind on my clients quilts...........to me, that is totally unacceptable and I need to get back on schedule. 

I am still registering for November Quilt Retreat!! It's a great deal, so register soon. I have a limit of 20 for this retreat!!

In the meantime!!! LET'S GO SEW!!!!