SLOW STITCHING

I love the term, Slow Stitching.

When I began quilting, in 1984, we were all, Slow Stitchers.

We cut with Scissors.

We pieced by machine, but not in strips.

We hand quilted, or tied our quilts.

And our bindings were done by hand.

We were quilters.  

Then there were rotary cutters.  

And rulers.

My first set of rulers were clear acrylic. 

I believe there were 6 in a set.

Each was 1/2" larger than the next.

If you wanted to cut a 6" strip, you would use the 2 1/2" and the 4" next to one another.

They did not have any markings.

The first ruler I purchased with any markings was a Nancy Crow ruler.

It wasn't very accurate.  But, it was a start.

Then there were patterns, for sewing strips, cutting them apart, and resewing.

And books!  Lots of books.  Template Free Sewing.

Then we were making quilts faster than we could quilt them.

Enter the Longarm quilting machines.

You would never have to quilt a quilt by hand again!

And finally, lets figure out how to stitch the binding down by machine.

Now, there is a New Movement.

SLOW STITCHING.

I feel like I am back to my roots. 

Hand basted, dresden plate blocks, that I started in the 90's.

I have taken them out before, but they have been put aside.  

Usually, I needed to get something done in a hurry.

I really can't do that right now.  

So, I am enjoying the process.

Slow Stitching to my hearts content.

xo j

2016

The start of 2016 has been busy, busy,  for me.

I have worked in the Shop, a lot.

I have spent a lot of time with new employees. (Yay!)

I seem to spend a lot of time on Face Time, with my grand baby, (Hip Hip Hoorah!!)

Physical Therapy twice a week, takes a lot of time, and a lot of recovery.

It is hard to believe we are nearly 1 month into the new year!

I am still not sewing.

I had a big fall in September.

But, I love to look at quilts, and search for new projects and ideas online.

Today, I was looking at a little quilt I bought in July.

There is a great 'Tail Gate Sale' in Country Village each year.  I love to dig 

around, and find a vintage treasure or 2.

This child's quilt is so sweet.  Lots of love in those patches.

It is stained, and some of the fabrics are frayed.  I like to think it was well loved.

Most of the fabrics on the front look like late 1800's era cloth.

But the back looks a bit more like the '20's or '30's.  

It is tied with yellow yarn.

The inside batting is very lumpy.

I always try to imagine the life of the Quilt.  Where it started, what it did along the way, 

and how it ended up at a parking lot sale, on a beautiful summer's day.

I've missed you.  I will be back soon!

xo j