Snips of Thread!

Well, judging from the date of my last post, it's been quite a while since I've written here! Perhaps it's because I've been very busy with my quilting these days, working on several interesting projects! A few months ago, I joined a Dear Jane Signature Swap along with 160 other fellow "Janiacs" from around the world! I've since sewn and decorated the same number of "Siggie Blocks" and they've now been swapped amongst all these wonderful ladies! It was a fantastic experience, especially when I received a Special Delivery package last week with all of those beautiful blocks in return! I think that every colour of the rainbow is represented, as well as an unbelievable number of countries and states in the US.

Here is a picture of the blocks arranged upon my design wall. After starching and pressing each individual block, I then trimmed them to five inches, which took the most part of a whole day! It was great fun, though!! It was like getting to know each quilter individually, working with their wonderful little creations! I kept the scraps, as I thought they were so pretty, all lying together in a pile of colours! I'm still expecting a few more Siggies to arrive from some private swaps I've been in, but am looking very much forward to piecing this top together! Different layouts have come to mind and I may try to use some contrasting fabrics to create a rainbow effect!

Speaking of rainbow effects, this picture of a Signature Quilt made by a fellow quilter in Germany,

is a unique layout utilizing all of the different shades! I really like the way this lady made the colours work together...it's so harmonious! I have several different ideas in mind as to how I will piece my Siggie Blocks together, but this one is high on my list!

Another project I'm working on these days is a flannel quilt for my Dad. He will soon be transferred to a care facility from the hospital where he is now, so I want him to be warm and cozy. This quilt is a very easy pattern, consisting of blocks sewn first into nine-patches and then cut into four sections and sewn together again. The quilt will consist of five by three blocks of twelve inches each. Quite a simple technique which hasn't so far required too much concentration!!! Working with flannel was a new challenge for me, though. I used lots of spray starch, made sure I cut exactly on the grain of the fabric and was very thankful that my dear Pfaff machine is equipped with a wonderful, built-in walking foot system!!! I plan on adding a dark red border and backing the quilt with the same and using, perhaps, one of the greens to bind it with! I'd like to hand-quilt this project, too, but I'll have to decide that when the time comes, after seeing how my arthritic fingers are holding out! Anyways, I'm sure it will be a while before I reach that stage!!!