Quilting Inspiration

I'm so glad I took the time this afternoon to attend the Lebanon Quilters Guild's 7th Annual Exhibition of Quilts at the Lebanon Expo Center. 

 

I was so moved by this exhibit of Memorial Quilts for Pennsylvania State Police Troopers.  Here's an excerpt from the write-up posted at the exhibit:

 

"One of our [Lebanon Quilters Guild] community service projects this year is to make quilts to be given to the families of Pennsylvania State Police Troopers who have been killed in the line of duty.  The tops of these quilts are made entirely from reclaimed State Police uniforms.  In addition to the fabric from the pants, shirts, sweaters and ties, may other parts of the uniform are used.  The uniforms were deconstructed in order to salvage every usable piece, including patches, epaulets, pockets, waistbands, buttons, zippers, ribbing and interfacings....  Guild members have been meeting since January to deconstruct, sort, press and prepare the kits needed to make each block....  540 blocks will be needed to complete the project.  The goal is to complete 60 memorial quilts to be presented to the families of fallen state troopers as needed.

 

 

The quilts are so artfully done! 

 

 

Nothing went to waste, including waistbands...

 



... and zippers!

 

 

Here's a display of how one of the blocks was created.  (Notice the jar of buttons at the bottom - not a single button was discarded!)

 

As an alterations seamstress who has seen the inside of many a pair of pants over the years, I was touched by how much respect was given to even the inner waistband and interfacings.

 

Such a moving exhibit....

 

Now, for some more inspiration!

 

 

A very, very nicely done t-shirt quilt,

 

a wonky quilt with wonderful machine quilting,

 

this fabulous quilt, and

 

my friend's lovely quilt inspired by Bonnie Hunter's approach to scrap quilting.

 

:)

Fall Harvest

 

Today

 

 

I had the fun of machine quilting two of these foundation-pieced table runners for a friend!

 

Here's a close-up view of the machine stitching.

 

I simply stitched in the ditch around the blocks, outlined the foundation piecing, did a small stipple in the background, then a larger stipple in the borders.  I used Aurafil 50 weight 100 % cotton thread - it was the perfect choice since we didn't want the thread to overpower the little quilt.  (I use the 50 weight if I want the thread to blend in or the heavier 40 weight if I want the thread to make more of a statement.)  I'm really coming to love that thread for machine quilting on my Bernina as well as for piecing.

 

 

Here's another shot - couldn't resist taking some more pictures since it matched my front stoop so well.  It was the perfect quilt to work on at this time of year!

 

:)

Antiquing Fun

 

I had the great fun of antiquing with my friend Denise at the Antique Marketplace of Lemoyne today.  It's the craziest thing - I have often stopped in at the PA Fabric Outlet (entrance under the green awning in the background), but had never ventured a few yards down the street into the antique mall - how sad is that?!  It took Denise's suggestion for me to actually make it there today. 

 

It's a great place - lots and lots of vendors...

 

...in the old West Shore Bakery Building.

 



Lots of eye candy...

 

 

It was fun to see these Ironstone dishes that I had already picked up at the thrift shop a while back for a MUCH cheaper price.  :)

 

 

Love the idea of displaying this cotton crochet thread in a glass canister....   I have a whole box of thread that belonged to my Great Aunt Mary that I didn't know what to do with; it's been sitting in a cardboard box in my attic, waiting to be rescued!

 

It was hard to walk away from this dear vintage dressing table (in fact, I just may have to go back for it....). It would make a perfect little sewing table for my Featherweight sewing machine....

 

 

I love the whole industrial chic look.  This $495 cart would make a fabulous coffee table, but not at that price point!

 

However, this adorable fan did fit the pocketbook - love it!!

 

 

My friend Denise scored this vintage tablecloth in perfect condition for only $12 - quite a steal as these are quite collectible and getting harder and harder to find.

 

I'll post pictures of the vintage quilts and fabric finds later!