Rearranging the Deck Chairs

So, it is less than a week until Christmas.  I should be organising things for the big day, or I should be doing some housework, or I should be tidying my sewing room, or doing some sewing.  But I’m not. 

I seem to be in a bit of a slump.  This is mainly due the fact that Monique is still not playing nicely, despite her visit to the spa.  I want to finish quilting the Three Yard Dog quilt, but it keeps getting put back.

What is a girl to do?  My equivalent of rearranging the sock drawer.  I’ve been organising my sewing threads.  Such a high priority….not.

This is my little set of drawers that sits beside my sewing table.  We bought them at an auction years ago.  They were originally lever arch files.  My Dad enjoyed making little timber boxes, so for one birthday I requested he convert them to drawers.  He did a lovely job of them and even made little divider boxes for a couple of them.

The top drawer houses my cotton threads and the second drawer houses the polyester ones.  Yes, I have way too many threads.  In addition to mine, both my Mum’s, Mick’s Mum’s and ones that have accumulated from various other sources are all crammed in.

Oh, what a mess.  Every now and then I tidy it, but it doesn’t take long to get out of control.  I knew there were duplicates of some colours, so my main aim was to get those duplicates removed and stored separately, so that I would shop for them before actually going shopping.

This is the great setup that Dad made.

Now, doesn’t that look better. I do use lots of colours when I do my machine appliqué, so can justify such a variety of colours.

These were all duplicates.  I didn’t realise the problem was quite that bad.  Removing them has created a bit of space.

These older threads are still fine, and are now kept separately, but in the same drawer.  My aim will be to use them first, where possible.

I seem to have a collection of hand quilting threads, that I didn’t buy.  The other tiny bits left on spools are now sitting beside my machine to get used up in piecing wherever possible.  I have two reels of monofilament, which I have never used.

Now onto the drawer of poly threads.  I forgot to take a before photo, but you can picture it.  It may have even been more out of control than the cotton drawer.  For the record, I very rarely use or buy poly threads.  I occasionally buy one if there is a colour I want for appliqué that isn’t in the cotton range.  Mum did buy me a box of a large collection of Gutermann threads for Christmas one year, so that is where a lot came from.

This is how I ended up.

If I want to use a poly thread I generally just look for a reel in the appropriate colour with no rhyme or reason.  I figured, if I sort them into reel and brand styles, I could try to actually use one sort up first and eventually empty some reels, rather than using a bit off lots of reels of the same or similar colour.  That’s the theory anyway. Also, the little bag at the front of the drawer holds duplicates of poly threads as well.  They will be put aside.

My other plan is to actually use some poly threads for piecing quilts.  I know a lot say you should always use cotton, which I have in the past, as the hot iron can cause the stitches to come apart.  Well, I figure that my clothes are sewn with poly thread and they don’t fall apart when I iron them and I don’t use the hottest setting on my iron.  It just makes sense to get some of these threads used up.

That looks so much better.  Wish me luck in keeping it tidy.

Now to put those duplicates somewhere that I will remember…….

EDIT: For when I can’t remember, the duplicates are in the top of my cream chest of drawers.

Here There and Everywhere - Braidwood Airing of the Quilts - Part 2

In addition to the quilts hung outside there were a couple of exhibitions that we visited.  The first was an Apron Challenge.  The entrants made and adorned an apron, all using the same pattern.

There was such a variety of ideas.  Here are a few.

The Christmas apron was a collaborative effort by a craft group.

The two in the top right consist of squares created by primary school children and their teacher added the to the aprons.  Apparently, there were quite a few made by juniors.

This final one was made from a beautiful cross stitch table cloth and then intricately machine quilted.

The other exhibition was the quilt show.  

Oh my!  There are some talented quilters out there and such a wide variety of styles.  Here are some for you to drool over.

The winner of the best traditional quilt and best hand quilted. Beautiful.

I had to add this one for my Kiwi friends.  It is entitled “Extinction” and depicts the Moa and includes various Māori symbols.

I always love quirky Sue Spargo quilts.

This started as an unfinished top purchased from an op shop.  The maker finished piecing it and then hand quilted it.  I feel the quilting really makes it, as the blocks are so simple.

This beauty was the maker’s first attempt at hand appliqué, completed in a series o Katrina Hadjimichael workshops. The colours are perfect.

This was my viewers choice vote.  It is a Sue Cody pattern.  I just love it.

I always enjoy seeing the various versions of the Field Journal blocks.  So much work in them.

Great use of colour.

You can tell this is a Chris Jurd pattern.  I love the pickle dish block, but don’t know if I will attempt it.  All those curved seams.  Maybe one day.

This one is so simple, but so effective.

Such fun.

This was so effective on the darker background.

So much work in this one.  There is nothing nicer than a traditional medallion quilt.

Mick is always drawn to the Sashiko style quilts.  This one is a beauty.

What a gorgeous treatment of a stunning panel.

And finally, a beautiful African inspired quilt.

By then it was lunch time, so we found a nice cafe and enjoyed a delicous, huge, sandwich.  So big we shared and were still full.

As it was so hot, and we had seen everything that we wanted to, we made the decision to start heading home a day earlier than planned.  We decided to aim for Crookwell, where there is a nice little caravan park, with power - which meant AIR CONDITIONING.  There was no point in sitting for another night in the heat for no reason.

On the way, we drove past some new wind towers.  They seem to be getting taller all the time.

The following morning we got an early start, travelling through the picturesque countryside.  You feel like you are on top of the world.

Crossing the Abercrombie River.

We were home by morning tea time, so plenty of time to empty out the van and get some washing done.  

We don’t expect to use the van for the next few months, as it is too hot, too busy and the garden needs looking after.  Hopefully, we will do some more exploring in the autumn.

Here There and Everywhere - Braidwood Airing of the Quilts - Part 1

We had no sooner returned home from our trip to Lake Cargelligo, waved our friends goodbye and it was time to set off in the van again.  You can see why I set rather minimal stitching goals for November, can’t you.

This time we were heading south east to Braidwood - back on the 22nd of November.  Yep, I’m running a bit behind with this post.  It was lovely to see the gentle rolling hills all nice and green.

Once again we free camped, this time in the car park of the Braidwood Services Club.  It was very convenient, being only a couple of blocks away from the main street and rather picturesque, being situated next to the golf course.

The weather was very hot.  After a wander around town on the Friday afternoon, including the consumption of a delicious cold milkshake, Mick adjourned to the Club to watch the cricket and I settled in with my stitching, sitting in the shade beside the van, beside a honeysuckle plant, which was rather fragrant.

In the early evening we had quite a sharp storm pass over.  The weather now looked rather different from earlier in the afternoon.  We enjoyed dinner at the Chinese Restaurant located within the Club.  You must support them, seeing as they allow you to camp cost free.

Saturday was the big day and the organisers had obviously been very busy in the early hours getting all the quilts hung on the balconies, after the previous night’s rain.  

Our first stop was the markets.  These are always well worth visiting and we usually find some little treasure.  This time I found a vintage table cloth for $5.  It is one printed to be embroidered, but never worked.  It is like new.  My plan is not to stitch it, but to use it, in conjunction with some extra fabrics, as the backing of a quilt.

One stall was doing a big destash for a lady who has developed dementia.  She had purchased a long arm machine, but never used it.  Therefore, all her threads were for sale.  I bought a few to try with Monique.  We will see how they go, but they weren’t expensive, so worth trying.

I also bought a few fat quarters from another stall.  Some feature blue wrens, as Mum loves blue wrens, and a couple are more blokey.

There was a lady with some miniatures on display at the markets.  I love how she had included quilts in them.

I also bought a fun jigsaw at Vinnies.  That should keep me occupied after Christmas while the cricket is on the tele.

I’ll just give you an overview of the main street. Braidwood is such a pretty town and lends itself so well to displaying the quilts on all the balconies.

I love the three quilts above.  They are all so effective.

I’m always drawn to a Wagga and this had a great backing, including an old flour bag.

The puzzle quilt certainly created quite an impact on the corner.

How cool that Vinnies have their very own quilt to hang out the front of their shop.  it is so pretty.

The famous Braidwood Bakery had some show stoppers as well.

Don’t you love the contrast between the modern quilt and the rustic building in the above photo.

The quilts on show this year were terrific and so many of them.

In addition to the quilts on display in the street, there were a couple of exhibitions.  I will give them their own post.