Stash Enhancing, and Gifting

While taking it really easy these past five days, I've managed to at least set foot inside my sewing room to admire the lovely stack of modern fabrics added to my stash when in Kansas City, including some pieces picked up at the Sewing and Quilt Expo - the same expo (different vendors) that I attended in Lakeland, Florida earlier this year! 

It's not typical for me to buy fat quarter bundles, but in this case, it was the best way to get a nice range of colors. 

At the top - 23 new colors of Kona

at 3 o'clock - the first Kaffe Fasset shot cottons I've ever owned

at 6 o'clock - the entire Botanics collection by Carolyn Friedlander (oooh)

at 9 o'clock - Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House. They're almost classic now, aren't they?

Since I'm a pre-washer - always will be (you really don't want to hear my two fabric-bleeding stories) - I couldn't officially add the bundles to my stash until they were washed and, in the case of the shot cottons, pressed - all 112 pieces of fabric! Oh yes. I'm really that bad spoiled.

On top of the pile is a bundle of 12" zippers purchased from the Etsy shop, ZipIt. What an economical way to buy zippers! Besides, who doesn't like to have a zipper on hand for a spontaneous bag project? There's a Tula Pink's Acacia charm pack there too. I also never buy charm packs, but a Craftsy sale was too good to pass up. (I think I'm learning I should never say "never.") 

Here's a close-up of the Botanics prints that have a smattering of gold metallic thread. I'd read about these pieces, and thought you might like to see them too.

While at the Sewing and Quilt Expo I recognized and then introduced myself to this quilting celeb. Yep, that's Victoria Findlay Wolfe of 15 Minutes of Play and Bumblebeans fame. Back in 2011, Victoria and I were in block swap together - One Block Over - so it was fun to meet her in person.

As for the sewing that's happened the past few days...

On Saturday I finished these ten, hand sewn thread catchers, but needed to keep them secret until our MQG meeting tonight. Though I showed pics on Instagram, only two of our modern quilters are IGers so there's been minimal risk that they'll be seen too soon.

hand stitched thread catchers

I made them for quilters in our Central Florida MQG chapter who have helped organize and lead our fledgling organization since we began meeting in October 2012. 

Twisted and collapsed thread catchers

Thread catchers in the untwisted, stand-up position

I think they're just the cutest things! So practical to take along to a sew-in or retreat.

Here's the link to the free pattern, though instructions were fuzzy when it came to assembling them. More and better pictures would have helped.

Fair warning: making these thread catchers is pretty time intensive. Because they're formed around the inside ring of a 4" wooden embroidery hoop (just throw away the outside part, unless you can think of a reason to keep it!), this is an entirely hand-sewn project. Actually, it takes six trips around the 4" hoop before you can call it finished. A lot of hand sewing.

I changed mine up a bit by using perle cotton to attach the bag to the hoop. Gives it a decorative touch.

These are given, meaning to convey my thanks and appreciation for the time and good efforts these CFMQG leaders have given to our chapter. After tonight's meeting, I'm stepping down as leader. In 2014, it will be great to see the chapter continue to flourish under new leadership. Linda