tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68648474370207656672024-02-22T13:19:00.450-08:00Needle Me NowThe semi-official blog of the Colonial Needle Company and fans of the needle everywhere.Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-61033179734449888612012-12-06T14:05:00.000-08:002012-12-06T14:05:08.254-08:00Think Thread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of the companies in the Colonial Needle family is<b> Presencia Thread.</b> Manufactured in Valencia, Spain, <b>Presencia</b> thread uses long-staple cotton from Egypt and is truly a superb-quality thread. Sewing thread in three weights, perles from size 3-16, embroidery floss, crochet cotton, thread on spools for home sewers and thread on cones for the pros--<b>Presencia</b> has it all. Big news: the new revamped and colorful <b>Presencia </b>website is now up and running--tada--presenting <a href="http://www.presenciaamerica.com/">www.presenciaamerica.com</a> ! <br />
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One of the coolest things about this website is its accessibility and usefulness. And it's going to come in mighty handy this Christmas. You now have the ability to send a gift certificate via email to a friend anywhere in the world with a computer! Very, very cool. So you're stuck trying to think of a gift for a sewing-minded friend and she lives in, oh say, Alaska but you're in New York and though you're both quilters, you haven't seen her in a while and want to send a gift. What says "I'm thinking of you-" better than thread?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfPSRfXHJAup8HBnmuzwxny6eonAy3cFm4feUEb-iC_fdO0PVBm0-j701kz3ygVTnnlRZhxo4GncMnsKs5VL973CTZeLexnc9j_SU0weScu-rq0oQqjB24jvp3GuH-p0u0-oPFphnysw5/s1600/presencia+blues+JOMORTON_CADET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfPSRfXHJAup8HBnmuzwxny6eonAy3cFm4feUEb-iC_fdO0PVBm0-j701kz3ygVTnnlRZhxo4GncMnsKs5VL973CTZeLexnc9j_SU0weScu-rq0oQqjB24jvp3GuH-p0u0-oPFphnysw5/s1600/presencia+blues+JOMORTON_CADET.jpg" /></a></div>
Maybe she'd like a sampler of sewing threads in her favorite color?<br />
These six spools are the Cadet Blues sampler chosen by Jo Morton.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPKIsVfvvLvDg9-5ilsg6btUMKU_DcEOK3p9O_TwZWB_i9CBgwEujlpzuiXyvpMUzu2QBmYSMcepxx-tRZqoRQwYlN2Uolc2Ozw2M5l6Z1hBq49UFdBmSv3kquUpeVxs366b0gle8NHia/s1600/TAUPE+COLLECTION.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPKIsVfvvLvDg9-5ilsg6btUMKU_DcEOK3p9O_TwZWB_i9CBgwEujlpzuiXyvpMUzu2QBmYSMcepxx-tRZqoRQwYlN2Uolc2Ozw2M5l6Z1hBq49UFdBmSv3kquUpeVxs366b0gle8NHia/s200/TAUPE+COLLECTION.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Or perhaps she's intrigued by all those Japanese-inspired taupe fabrics that are the rage?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIZOFCs-kCTFYEQWR6d5FALpZVYj9AW260hTJNwapIp4iLPmv_-P0hfJQTUse2xKYMnVCNqp8kN4aLSt9n2eMzBKZiqMA4KjDt3ieR1fgaC6bjvTHs_6rcnNWq6q9ccLK5R4HoxjkI4no/s1600/Sashiko+grouping+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIZOFCs-kCTFYEQWR6d5FALpZVYj9AW260hTJNwapIp4iLPmv_-P0hfJQTUse2xKYMnVCNqp8kN4aLSt9n2eMzBKZiqMA4KjDt3ieR1fgaC6bjvTHs_6rcnNWq6q9ccLK5R4HoxjkI4no/s200/Sashiko+grouping+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Or perhaps she's having a go at Sashiko? These samplers show the antique indigo range, basic Sashiko blues, and an Imari palette of colors of #8 perle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sIA59bpxg5m0ePvwM3Fklw03k1JAzQMPsJDHG9Q2ZmaeKSkga1TSy8ep-NiKQJpuJ17B53RY7l_6Asjyts2-_PpST1QQu_KVH7PlVqMOe-R9z4oOj4lY09mIA_eoUHGUhic8K358xEM3/s1600/presncia+floss+redwork+0530S-SCARLET-MOULINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sIA59bpxg5m0ePvwM3Fklw03k1JAzQMPsJDHG9Q2ZmaeKSkga1TSy8ep-NiKQJpuJ17B53RY7l_6Asjyts2-_PpST1QQu_KVH7PlVqMOe-R9z4oOj4lY09mIA_eoUHGUhic8K358xEM3/s200/presncia+floss+redwork+0530S-SCARLET-MOULINE.jpg" width="93" /></a></div>
Or perhaps she loves Redwork? Every shade of red is represented in this sampler of embroidery floss.<br />
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You make out the Gift Certificate form and pay via PayPal. Then your friend gets an email notifying her of your gift. If you order an email Gift Certificate by noon on Friday December 21, the staff at <b>Colonial/Presencia </b>will make sure your friend gets the notification by Christmas.<br />
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Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-69442546065706801302012-10-20T19:09:00.000-07:002012-10-20T19:09:15.853-07:00Perles of Wisdom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXBOqUZineDsQrkAMLv6UwI1uAYEyyJZpdWq3ERDSqX2aWYiGukvUZHRVyQZCm8luT64gU0xHsvm14sN7uZg2jax1PFJ2pMocriTfM6w308JFtWRasXwVc3jJtuP3hKTG-wywvhK_n37d/s1600/craftsy+beautiful+blue+perle+cottons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXBOqUZineDsQrkAMLv6UwI1uAYEyyJZpdWq3ERDSqX2aWYiGukvUZHRVyQZCm8luT64gU0xHsvm14sN7uZg2jax1PFJ2pMocriTfM6w308JFtWRasXwVc3jJtuP3hKTG-wywvhK_n37d/s320/craftsy+beautiful+blue+perle+cottons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
No, the word 'perle' isn't a misspelling. Perle cottons are a species of embroidery thread that comes in several weights. Perle is a two-strand thread, not meant to be divisible like floss. The term perle came about when thread makers were trying to market a cotton embroidery thread that would compete with more expensive silk threads. They finally got it right after mercerizing cotton fibers (treating the thread with an acid and heat) and the result was a glossy, strong, and affordable thread. Embroiderers and quilters loved the stuff. The word 'perle' was all marketing. The shiny thread was said to have a pearl-like finish. So the French and most Europeans spell it 'perle' and Americans label it 'pearl.' Same thing.<br />
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The thickest perle is #3 and then the sizes become thinner. You'll often find the #3 weight perle used together with thinner weights in dimensional embroidery stitches. The most popular for crazy quilt embroidery is #5 and that's also the easiest to find size of perle cotton.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQKbbd2ODZ96-4bO6vGcX-N8-IbNpW35gyfxNaStFTawfpfGTSLrhnxSPPpVsmvmOqEaUpZ1o_nfZplxvbHKB19lMEuU6qoSpL4cY_P2o-6r8fRv6bHL93KdzKXaRN4YvFXdIdMKzl-ej/s1600/Imari+thread+sampler+presencia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQKbbd2ODZ96-4bO6vGcX-N8-IbNpW35gyfxNaStFTawfpfGTSLrhnxSPPpVsmvmOqEaUpZ1o_nfZplxvbHKB19lMEuU6qoSpL4cY_P2o-6r8fRv6bHL93KdzKXaRN4YvFXdIdMKzl-ej/s200/Imari+thread+sampler+presencia.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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The next size is #8, used for Big Stitch quilting and for sashiko.<br />
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Then there's #12, a finer perle that I use for both embroidery and some hand quilting. Quiltmakers who love wool use all three weights (5, 8, and 12) when doing buttonhole stitch or other applique techniques in wool.<br />
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Lastly #16 is the finest of the perles, loved by knitting fanatics and tatters who work with super-delicate thread. A few hand quilters have also discovered that #16 also works for quilting. Presencia is the only company to make the complete range of sizes of perle cotton.<br />
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You can leaf through the Presencia catalog online here <a href="http://www.presenciaamerica.com/files/Presencia_America_catalog.pdf">http://www.presenciaamerica.com/files/Presencia_America_catalog.pdf</a> but you won't find Presencia thread in chain stores. Look for Presencia perles being sold by independent retailers and needlework specialists.</div>
Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-5882333849120196932012-08-31T12:04:00.000-07:002012-08-31T12:04:28.895-07:00Celebrating Handmade Quilts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If I hadn't met a handmade quilt long ago, I probably wouldn't be a quilter today. As a very young woman, I was a cash-strapped college student and had no extra cash for something as expensive as a sewing machine. While visiting a yard sale, I found a battered handmade quilt, paid $1 for it, and thus a lifelong love affair began. I examined the old quilt closely and found every stitch was made by hand--the piecing, the quilting, and even the binding. That discovery cheered me immensely and gave me hope. I thought: "If this whole quilt was made by hand, no machine needed, then maybe I might learn to do this..."<br />
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Don't get me wrong--I love my sewing machine and use her almost every day. Her name is Jessica. She's a 1951 Singer Featherweight, named after my grandmother who gave her to me. But I still enjoy doing handwork and belong to a group on Facebook that promotes hand quilting.<br />
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When the Colonial Needle Company started to award the prize for the prestigious Handmade Quilt category at the International Quilt Festival, held once a year in Houston,Texas, I knew I'd hooked up with the right folks. By recognizing excellence in handwork, Colonial actively supports the craft while awarding a handwork artist.<br />
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This year, the awards ceremony, called The Winners Circle, is Tuesday evening, October 30, the night before International Quilt Festival opens. The event is a Very Big Deal and lots of people dress up and show up. It's probably the only Quilt Festival event where high heels are normal footwear! A number of prizes in twenty different categories are awarded that night and vary from art quilts to miniatures to digital imagery to traditional to handmade and of course Best of Show.<br />
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With great fanfare and a beautiful bouquet, Terry Collingham of the Colonial Needle Company will present a prize check of $1,000 to the quilter whose quilt is the best handmade quilt. Here is a beaming Michiyo Yamamoto from Chicago and Terry standing in front of Michiyo's gorgeous quilt <i>Spring Full Bloom</i>, the 2010 handmade category winner.<br />
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At the awards ceremony, no one knows they've won until her/his name is called. You can cut the tension in the room with a knife. The show starts with an emcee (Stevii Graves, the president of IQA, will host the event), a draped stage, spotlights a la Hollywood, and even mood music. Here's a shot from the 2011 ceremony where, as the outgoing president of IQA, I got to do the honors. However, I did not wear heels! Seeing the audience from the stage was a wonderful experience. You could track the yelps of surprise and ripples of laughter in the crowd as one by one, as each prize quilt is announced, the quilt is revealed as a golden curtain rises. The crowd gasps, then applauds and a stunned quiltmaker makes her way to the stage and stutters a few words as photographers take pictures. The Winners Circle ceremony is indeed the Oscars of the quilt world.<br />
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To enter a quilt, the quiltmaker must be a member of the International Quilting Association (that costs $25) and make out the entry forms, pay a $20 show entry fee, and provide digital photos for the jurors. But if you win, it's well worth it. Winning a top IQA prize is like adding PhD in Quilting to your resume.<br />
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Just what is defined as 'handmade quilt'? Here, quoting from the IQA Entry Form:<br />
<i>Quilts in this category must be sewn by hand with the exception of the first stage of the binding and the</i><br />
<i>backing seams. Quilts may be any style except wholecloth, which must be entered in Merit Quilting. Quilts</i><br />
<i>in this category may be any size within the rules except miniature. </i><br />
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You'll be able to download the rest of the form in mid-January since of course, the quilts for 2012 have already been juried into the show. Here's the link to the International Quilt Association website: <a href="http://www.iqa.org./">www.IQA.org.</a> . Shortly (in September) four judges will gather to award all the prizes and ribbons for 2012. This is done in Houston at the IQA/Quilts Inc. offices and is top-secret. The volunteers who help are sworn to silence thus adding to the mystery and tension of the upcoming event.<br />
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Here are photos of the Handmade Quilt category winners from 2010 and 2011. (photos by Jim Lincoln.)<br />
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<i>Spring Full Bloom </i>by Michiyo Yamamoto <i>Tenderly Embraced</i> by Mieko Kotaki<br />
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Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-12276366585010964252012-07-24T18:39:00.000-07:002012-07-24T18:39:02.196-07:00Taupe Tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In spite of seeing the beautiful quilt win a major prize at the International Quilt Festival, I still didn't understand the attraction of the Taupe color scheme. I stood in front of this quilt and pondered the pattern and its subtle colors. The beautiful quilt, by Yoko Saito of Japan, was an eye-opener for me. Maybe if I expanded what my idea of 'taupe' was, I could work in those shades.<br />
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What I started to comprehend was that Taupe was a whole range of greyed soft colors. From the traditional taupe (grey-brown) to soft greens and blues, even lavender and plum, 'old' gold and blue-reds, the sensibility was reminiscent of nature. Think forests and fog, wood worn smooth, stones of various shades and textures, mist rising from a marsh.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDd0AJJuVip43Jxn6qrtXPquoytPh4rHKKXgMVS78R6HStgbAp1n4OX6MOwlssFPcwsLkNqeVluDyo-HesrLCMMlRuvoEmqA5gI2H-V080g2Dtgvujqc-BqAul5yS4PgPfT3UZXfYRvgM/s1600/stones+taupes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDd0AJJuVip43Jxn6qrtXPquoytPh4rHKKXgMVS78R6HStgbAp1n4OX6MOwlssFPcwsLkNqeVluDyo-HesrLCMMlRuvoEmqA5gI2H-V080g2Dtgvujqc-BqAul5yS4PgPfT3UZXfYRvgM/s320/stones+taupes.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ic2-bYB-uokNA3if2RaHZ-HCpIgxZvCoaHO8iGuxmMVxz7-eTIwTXqX6YBTA5AXASdEnx2XUv2_J5m_IVJAwUAxy-a5KtAKl5obawqGvj5f9KTXhmy2r6S5GeM4tCD0qqaTfl0dKQfX/s1600/wood+floor+taupe+Ft.+macon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ic2-bYB-uokNA3if2RaHZ-HCpIgxZvCoaHO8iGuxmMVxz7-eTIwTXqX6YBTA5AXASdEnx2XUv2_J5m_IVJAwUAxy-a5KtAKl5obawqGvj5f9KTXhmy2r6S5GeM4tCD0qqaTfl0dKQfX/s320/wood+floor+taupe+Ft.+macon.jpg" width="320" /></a>Stones of many colors embedded in a concrete walkway and a tile in an ancient wood floor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg49c-nkapzK2XMWz62Q1KNF1C84G2a7bvgTdCdmQTld6_TDCbSkXznqgJB6uwg6Dox80GCu-HknHvJK1DMkTwUadnCQL55xffTRLPO_5qyvfhjbArFPHkIs-tcMbny4SgR1g23hzEm18/s1600/casual+taupe+threads+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg49c-nkapzK2XMWz62Q1KNF1C84G2a7bvgTdCdmQTld6_TDCbSkXznqgJB6uwg6Dox80GCu-HknHvJK1DMkTwUadnCQL55xffTRLPO_5qyvfhjbArFPHkIs-tcMbny4SgR1g23hzEm18/s320/casual+taupe+threads+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">The folks at <a href="http://www.presenciaamerica.com/">Presencia Thread </a>are supporting the Taupe tide and collected six shades that meld beautifully with most taupe colors. The fabrics behind the spools are my choices to start working in this interesting palette. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAzbBP-ZLcd_IyyENwLTVN8qO1EqoG7-tgxtUZ662jHgTk11TVbheLYleYLUbeRL6Viri4yR-AAkBmF-TJYdGIrs8YGr-WGORln6e96Os6Exqm71SR1caYP_r33kFqwMegIyND_zTfV3E/s1600/steve+taupe+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAzbBP-ZLcd_IyyENwLTVN8qO1EqoG7-tgxtUZ662jHgTk11TVbheLYleYLUbeRL6Viri4yR-AAkBmF-TJYdGIrs8YGr-WGORln6e96Os6Exqm71SR1caYP_r33kFqwMegIyND_zTfV3E/s320/steve+taupe+quilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Some people "got it" long before I did. Pinwheels, an American quilt store, brought Japanese taupe fabrics into this country as early as 2003. A friend from Oregon, Steve Lennert of </span><a href="http://www.oneworldfabrics.com/" style="background-color: white;">One World Fabrics </a><span style="background-color: white;"> has based his whole mail order business around the taupe theme. He offers packs of taupe fabrics in different shades from grey to green to lavender and a light category he calls 'pearl.' He made this beautiful round Star quilt and even offers it as a kit. He carries the taupe thread sampler too.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Maybe taupes are a way of taking a 'time out' from brighter graphic prints. For those of us who quilt obsessively, it's nice to have a calm color scheme every once in a while. It's as close to Zen as I'll ever get.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-11380373050500153682012-02-26T16:39:00.000-08:002012-02-26T16:39:55.993-08:00New Handwork in February<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7urwJF9rFhLCBDU6yVpSDj5AkaJQ9DTRBJ2N0dbKKuCAhSp048bKT4CMBvHZpOzie4vZhooYPfcRKN6jxrVFODxZemykVcPHNP4Bbyg0s-Z5-ZXfIDiVBgSH7nBv5xqXCfdiJA9sYXCm5/s1600/Museum+of+Indian+Arts+&+Culture+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7urwJF9rFhLCBDU6yVpSDj5AkaJQ9DTRBJ2N0dbKKuCAhSp048bKT4CMBvHZpOzie4vZhooYPfcRKN6jxrVFODxZemykVcPHNP4Bbyg0s-Z5-ZXfIDiVBgSH7nBv5xqXCfdiJA9sYXCm5/s1600/Museum+of+Indian+Arts+&+Culture+garden.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqPSZ1fX73s5Hrwg71sj2bNwasVNiC1jhul_NvEL00P1tJfgNnMCQOxS8CH9C_SaG0HUiYRFzH4Tzc5VrEimd1nOWtoVfl4luNQmtlMbOeTrH17MIWJTlFi0G4ly-2NDPEC8byKS9Jju0/s1600/detail+log+cabin+by+Pepper+done+by+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqPSZ1fX73s5Hrwg71sj2bNwasVNiC1jhul_NvEL00P1tJfgNnMCQOxS8CH9C_SaG0HUiYRFzH4Tzc5VrEimd1nOWtoVfl4luNQmtlMbOeTrH17MIWJTlFi0G4ly-2NDPEC8byKS9Jju0/s320/detail+log+cabin+by+Pepper+done+by+hand.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Don't get me wrong--I love printed fabric--but recently I've been experimenting with solid fabrics and even a totally different color scheme. I've been exposed to new things and to new places.<br />
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Two weeks ago I flew to Santa Fe and got to film a segment of The Quilt Show with friends Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. The all-morning session was set within the exhibitions halls of the Museum of Indian Art & Culture. How could you not get inspired surrounded by beautiful art, baskets, weaving, and pottery? The Museum is a magical place but you can even see some of the Museum's exhibitions on the web-here's a link <a href="http://www.indianartsandculture.org/online-exhibitions">http://www.indianartsandculture.org/online-exhibitions</a> .<br />
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In the filming we talked about, and I demonstrated, two different hand techniques: sashiko (Japanese quilting) and the folded patchwork block called <i>Roof Tile </i>on the Isle of Man but better-known as <i>Log Cabin</i> here in America.<br />
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In preparation for the filming, I made a whole wall hanging by hand. The centers of the blocks were squares of bleached vintage linen and the strips various cottons and linen-cotton blends.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE1kJQ2IQmg6n48DL7R9ZN4jvpmIxM_XCavE2lRGzgydW6-M9FdHfdJOmNtMBH_CO35RfogWfX_wkgtfhJQEbTeh6R2X-tjwAj-zdwIHsZLtVW3FkLMFKYX4eCNvdApeX_CbCmItqK_cd/s1600/big+Stitch+needlepack+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjE1kJQ2IQmg6n48DL7R9ZN4jvpmIxM_XCavE2lRGzgydW6-M9FdHfdJOmNtMBH_CO35RfogWfX_wkgtfhJQEbTeh6R2X-tjwAj-zdwIHsZLtVW3FkLMFKYX4eCNvdApeX_CbCmItqK_cd/s200/big+Stitch+needlepack+photo.jpg" width="136" /></a></div><br />
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Using the center large needle from the Big Stitch pack and ivory #12 perle Presencia cotton, I knew the hand stitching would show well on the dark backing fabric. After completing sixteen blocks, they were sewn in rows and all back seams appliqued together with #60 (thin but very strong) indigo thread.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ0ycqPYLslyI1DHLwWRJt2aiIGPGNpX1BqUz8ikh97LTsJ2UjklCMY6YyYnfxLGzVGEXIiwnyhCo9LYS_-WZ7NZLcnA24G6Au83VpHDpFpGepBgF_pXAePUfbNRiqfkj2Klqo1M9DsPA/s1600/backing+log+cabin+Pepper+stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ0ycqPYLslyI1DHLwWRJt2aiIGPGNpX1BqUz8ikh97LTsJ2UjklCMY6YyYnfxLGzVGEXIiwnyhCo9LYS_-WZ7NZLcnA24G6Au83VpHDpFpGepBgF_pXAePUfbNRiqfkj2Klqo1M9DsPA/s200/backing+log+cabin+Pepper+stitches.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>On the back of the wall hanging, you can clearly see the spiral of white stitches against the indigo fabric and don't even notice that the block backings are seamed together. In researching the pattern, I've learned that the continuous spiral of stitches was considered good luck and that this trail of stitches, and quilt-as-you-go technique, is one of the primary difference between <i>Roof Tile </i>and <i>Log Cabin</i>. Other differences: the strips are folded back 1/3 at a time and there's no batting needed in this quilt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvg5pXbZoV_p4kmca74SzcW1LN9hruphlIE3cGcrsAT5XBGnf-wwwz8NdSXfl5JiGPogP9wreFKlJi-A7g4JS5KzE-JM8dbwvx4Gf6PQ9wXatdFCZmBQC5qroxu13JtT6FDkcLy0fMrCn/s1600/wall+hanging+log+cabin+Pepper+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvg5pXbZoV_p4kmca74SzcW1LN9hruphlIE3cGcrsAT5XBGnf-wwwz8NdSXfl5JiGPogP9wreFKlJi-A7g4JS5KzE-JM8dbwvx4Gf6PQ9wXatdFCZmBQC5qroxu13JtT6FDkcLy0fMrCn/s320/wall+hanging+log+cabin+Pepper+cropped.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>Some quilt historians theorize that <i>Roof Tile</i> is actually the English ancestor of <i>Log Cabin </i>and the fact that we can't accurately document any American <i>Log Cabin </i>quilts older than the late 1850's does indeed suggest <i>Roof Tile</i> might have migrated with settlers to the United States. Many people from Ireland, the Isle of Man, and northern England arrived here between 1820 and 1860 and brought their skills and culture with them.<br />
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What Americans added to this quilt pattern is typical--we turned it into a one-layer patchwork pattern like the other quilts we were used to making and gave it a familiar name. The log cabin was already an American icon by 1850 and several presidential candidates, from Harrison to Lincoln, would use the log cabin as a symbol in their campaigns to illustrate their humble roots. "Born in a log cabin on the frontier-" offered proof of a candidate's humble beginnings and even suggested that he would bring a fresh non-politician's view to the office. Sometimes I wonder if times have really changed that much!</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-67064156587792581402011-11-11T14:02:00.001-08:002011-11-11T14:58:03.903-08:00New Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpPNv81PNVf_7SJ0f4VqZpx3E6soquiCsjnc76wR1Gm1Jl_XZqi_if4nbOZK24t8mnoxYkbgpWRAV0nQH-6uqi2hOMuFgcazpmnpJ2rlmXhyf2W0RP5xqzXbkpzY-7BmIdtvpBetalmow/s1600/linen+sashiko+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpPNv81PNVf_7SJ0f4VqZpx3E6soquiCsjnc76wR1Gm1Jl_XZqi_if4nbOZK24t8mnoxYkbgpWRAV0nQH-6uqi2hOMuFgcazpmnpJ2rlmXhyf2W0RP5xqzXbkpzY-7BmIdtvpBetalmow/s200/linen+sashiko+detail.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Quilt Market (a trade show held every year in Houston, Texas) and its adjunct event, the International Quilt Festival, usually wears me out. It stretches into ten solid days of talking, exhibiting, selling, teaching, looking at the quilts, and meeting people from all over the world. I get home totally knackered and need a week to get right. But somehow this year, I came back strangely energized. Among the trends I noticed was the use of textured fabric in quilts, especially linen, and I was eager to try it myself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0yK-amE68UEjO4mf6QItoJTLOTsSuA3zBd__ntjoktDrVdYj6I-oebb1E2Vi__rX5aX-clo3AMThm09AYSLkUUBG4SewvOAcaaQVJorhhOmJ2Qeyt7qR7Ju5JpPID4zIUgpVM3rADzMt/s1600/sashiko+valentine+stencil.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0yK-amE68UEjO4mf6QItoJTLOTsSuA3zBd__ntjoktDrVdYj6I-oebb1E2Vi__rX5aX-clo3AMThm09AYSLkUUBG4SewvOAcaaQVJorhhOmJ2Qeyt7qR7Ju5JpPID4zIUgpVM3rADzMt/s200/sashiko+valentine+stencil.gif" width="197" /></a></div>Sashiko, the traditional quilting of Japan, looks especially appropriate on linen. And this year I had new sashiko stencils with Quilting Creations International as well and couldn't wait to try those in stitches.Here's the link to that page-- <a href="http://www.quiltingcreations.com/store/category.asp?CategoryID=146&Page=2">Quilting Creations</a><br />
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Among the new stencils is a Sashiko Valentine (PCW113). When I drew the Valentine, I'd been careful to use traditional sashiko patterns that convey good wishes. In the heart, the waves represent eternity, the hexagons (tortoiseshell) long life, and the asanoha (the six-point star shape) stands for good health. The rabbit is a traditional symbol for love and the heart is, well, a heart.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp6R4Fny6f56TFJUMxCvWcgnGRkQZzX7vGRe4pnGFwyXEhlzjNHBqc26rywBvVicML61FPaltboePO8vZmZKU5STTjPE_tp8qE70bXAQEogCPrZ5ZA1ka8CZXGkhyphenhyphenNgID_8UGKE2vyis2/s1600/linen+sashiko+supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp6R4Fny6f56TFJUMxCvWcgnGRkQZzX7vGRe4pnGFwyXEhlzjNHBqc26rywBvVicML61FPaltboePO8vZmZKU5STTjPE_tp8qE70bXAQEogCPrZ5ZA1ka8CZXGkhyphenhyphenNgID_8UGKE2vyis2/s200/linen+sashiko+supplies.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>I got some lovely oatmeal-color textured linen from my friend Patti Brown who owns <a href="http://albfabrics.com/">ALB Fabrics and the Quilted Butterfly</a><br />
then marked the Valentine stencil with a white Roxanne pencil and sat down to stitch. The needle was the largest needle from the middle of the Sashiko Needle Sampler from Colonial Needle <a href="http://colonialneedle.com/">Colonial Needle </a>and the two threads both #8 perle cotton by Presencia. The red is #1166 Bright Red and the blue is #3327 Dark Navy.<br />
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After stitching, the piece was trimmed and I machine-basted a line of large stitches about 5" out from the perimeter of the design. Cutting a 10 x 14 piece of thin batting, I glued it to a ready-made canvas, positioned the sashiko piece, and stapled it around to the back of the canvas. Somebody very special is going to get a stitched Valentine this year.<br />
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I signed it lower right with an X and O for hug and kiss--that's not on the stencil--you'll have to add your own!</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-50745562476373750802011-10-26T10:23:00.000-07:002011-10-26T10:23:30.301-07:00Two for the Show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0wMqpJCJBp_LfqwQBLejtgeKF5h9QVfNin231vxV2eYNmYfaoKIp6pZ8YmClfpwJpQ47Kj4v0OSoEOmrZff7mRAe4k36YnHQptPDGjKABpAzI0XrToY6ydsxvCiLJcj7zp1_thNItTk8/s1600/precensia+threads+Oct+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0wMqpJCJBp_LfqwQBLejtgeKF5h9QVfNin231vxV2eYNmYfaoKIp6pZ8YmClfpwJpQ47Kj4v0OSoEOmrZff7mRAe4k36YnHQptPDGjKABpAzI0XrToY6ydsxvCiLJcj7zp1_thNItTk8/s320/precensia+threads+Oct+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The past month I've been getting ready for the International Quilt Market which is held annually in Houston, Texas. Quilters, teachers, stitchers, shop owners, manufacturers of thread and fabric from around the world will be in attendance. Last year over 3500 people attended and that's not counting the hundreds of exhibitors! Preparing for this event almost always means making some new samples and I have a couple to share.<br />
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The first is outline embroidery of a chrysanthemum. Outline embroidery is done in the <i>stem stitch. </i>When worked in red thread, the technique is called Redwork but here there is a combination of red and green suitable to the flower design. The mum is a classic design and I found it in a reprint of Ruby Short McKim's <i>Flower Garden </i>series which ran in the Kansas City Star newspaper in 1930. Ruby's granddaughter heads the McKim Studios website today. The whole series for the <i>Flower</i> <i>Garden </i>quilt is available from the website in a beautifully printed little book. <a href="http://www.mckimstudios.com/04treasures/quiltspecial/flowergardensamples.shtml">http://www.mckimstudios.com/04treasures/quiltspecial/flowergardensamples.shtml</a> .<br />
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The thread? Both the rusty red (color #1490) and deep green (color #4371) are worked in double-strands of embroidery floss. The brand is Finca Mouline by Presencia and you can see the floss color chart at the Presencia online catalog <a href="http://www.presenciaamerica.com/">http://www.presenciaamerica.com/</a> . There's also a handy conversion chart for Presencia/DMC so if you know your DMC color #, you can find its equivalent in Presencia <a href="http://www.wonderfil.net/dmc.htm">http://www.wonderfil.net/dmc.htm</a> . The fabric in the chrysanthemum stitchery is vintage linen and the plaid is upcycled from a linen shirt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Yc3sBefUpecVrwIZ2wt8zO6kUQT6EXHmXKZ6tf3TY4J8N4o9tNxOSlw9s-GdkrwuC4Tj1Tv7jUN_j1ryMtqozYQ90y69B-i2zxR6X2A6a-qZt-MoaQudXhgIPe4dB2LgUEecrYGUlRYa/s1600/crazy+Oct+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Yc3sBefUpecVrwIZ2wt8zO6kUQT6EXHmXKZ6tf3TY4J8N4o9tNxOSlw9s-GdkrwuC4Tj1Tv7jUN_j1ryMtqozYQ90y69B-i2zxR6X2A6a-qZt-MoaQudXhgIPe4dB2LgUEecrYGUlRYa/s200/crazy+Oct+2011.jpg" width="157" /></a></div><br />
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The second sample is a Crazy Quilt block out of my imagination. Fabrics include silk, cotton, homespun plaid, and a batik. Threads used were the Presencia floss in ivory (color #3000), palest sage green (color #5051), and bright gold metallic floss (color #0009).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANST5_i82Kye3NxW0uh4XI1xRT2vJABCcNAqbbGYihUIualVAYBJzGbhvuD2tXaCfgDzgzJyOTajRZT7jbtMJOahJgMpUZXPBc1yBuBXs2lP5zTM3E_XG4lHfmRokNDlGQtNRA4WlfHoR/s1600/john+james+embroidery+needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANST5_i82Kye3NxW0uh4XI1xRT2vJABCcNAqbbGYihUIualVAYBJzGbhvuD2tXaCfgDzgzJyOTajRZT7jbtMJOahJgMpUZXPBc1yBuBXs2lP5zTM3E_XG4lHfmRokNDlGQtNRA4WlfHoR/s200/john+james+embroidery+needle.jpg" width="89" /></a></div><br />
For both of these embroidery works, I used embroidery needles by John James. The picture here is only of size 7 but for multiple threads ,try the 3-9 Embroidery needle assortment since you're sure to find the right size needle for most embroidery projects.<br />
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Quilt Market's around the corner and with hundreds of vendors and thousands of people coming from around the world, it's sure to be a great time. Stop and say hello if you're attending. The Colonial Needle Company and Presencia Thread will be in these endcap booths: 608-708 and across the aisle, 709-809.<br />
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</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-82323425650067743262011-09-02T15:26:00.000-07:002011-09-02T17:49:51.217-07:00Utility Stitch, Long Stitch, whatever--it's still Big Stitch!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0u3JNEuCmbiepg7OChMR-SH7marAxtBQsuI_wC9JZolgfVPdZpafr-IWeGHj5s3QzXX5KWZ_PzlFN59F68xwRYioXQESG_IkwOAd_hBORzjYHEXsq4eEfnfBXT21YvcxhIxAU1LMgm72/s1600/wool+string+quilt+Big+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0u3JNEuCmbiepg7OChMR-SH7marAxtBQsuI_wC9JZolgfVPdZpafr-IWeGHj5s3QzXX5KWZ_PzlFN59F68xwRYioXQESG_IkwOAd_hBORzjYHEXsq4eEfnfBXT21YvcxhIxAU1LMgm72/s320/wool+string+quilt+Big+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
We usually do Big Stitch quilting today because we like the visual effect of the larger stitches. But in the past, when making a quilt from very heavy materials, Big Stitch was likely the only way to hold thick layers together. Recently I bought this old wool scrap quilt on ebay--talk about thick! If this quilt was on your bed, you might have trouble turning over.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRS-vivQaVOPfopbKOwPqnea-FELKIuoFeKqEEK-kt_6WD3voqX42Nvn1hU9TPuj96VjcGEj-qB7-YKGvnx8lorcujX-YFAQF49bmT0bC3WRKMyD_mNNtPDoCAIiW6pdcfhXV9uMrp0oT/s1600/wool+detail+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRS-vivQaVOPfopbKOwPqnea-FELKIuoFeKqEEK-kt_6WD3voqX42Nvn1hU9TPuj96VjcGEj-qB7-YKGvnx8lorcujX-YFAQF49bmT0bC3WRKMyD_mNNtPDoCAIiW6pdcfhXV9uMrp0oT/s320/wool+detail+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This must have been a bear to work on--notice how super-frugal she was--she even pieced the taupe center square--twice!<br />
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The quilt is all very rough wools, a few bright colors, and even some old army blankets. The top features string-pieced long hexagons between the squares. Most of the squares have this simple four-leaf shape stitched in them and then additional quilting between the squares--certainly enough to hold the piece together. The thread used was heavy perle cotton in multiple colors. She likely used what she had on hand.<br />
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But Big Stitch can also be embellishment and this summer, I finished a quilt top that needed just that touch--a line of black Big Stitching around the border. You know you have a lot of fabric when you can make an all- green charm quilt and never have to ask your friends for donations! While a wild bias-stripe in olive-and-black seemed just the right frame for the piece, I'm happier now with Big Stitching that helps define the outside wavy edges of the Apple Core shapes appliqued onto the border strips.<br />
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Here's the whole quilt against the back fence as my friend Fran and Mary try to hold it down so I can take the picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexoRIbU-9Qyjjs52KZVHCbvOKeDk86v3lxQwgdhcCs0TFkY8wlXG1TahR3JAkdPsADYQNdOAJJLo4j71HKXtX4pfHsm7oY5_MIljx2RW0Wj-_4Dkl0FVw8l3xmgHMHm_CrlFNxZrBLCxV/s1600/getting+ready+to+Big+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexoRIbU-9Qyjjs52KZVHCbvOKeDk86v3lxQwgdhcCs0TFkY8wlXG1TahR3JAkdPsADYQNdOAJJLo4j71HKXtX4pfHsm7oY5_MIljx2RW0Wj-_4Dkl0FVw8l3xmgHMHm_CrlFNxZrBLCxV/s320/getting+ready+to+Big+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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And here are my supplies for a session of Big Stitch quilting on a heavy quilt. The right needles-check. A ball of #8 perle cotton-check. On my middle finger my heaviest thimble (a silver Roxanne) and to better grasp the needle, two little dots of Needle Grip-Its are stuck to my thumb and forefinger. I can stitch through steel now!<br />
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</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-5603986676363370762011-05-21T13:15:00.000-07:002011-08-25T09:14:44.513-07:00Sew Happy Together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqjVG0ro0cywghCMq1nmHqwmhsRZl5KdJNJr-LWYkgTekIfStR3wrYAtMhwKok9FmFVaCHVAeYJ_dbhRzX75Ma02VxqE_U6ZLayYqnp6elCTSZNpCeCzU5HYtOcJdYHGDvVJ3xBJsJedj/s1600/thread+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqjVG0ro0cywghCMq1nmHqwmhsRZl5KdJNJr-LWYkgTekIfStR3wrYAtMhwKok9FmFVaCHVAeYJ_dbhRzX75Ma02VxqE_U6ZLayYqnp6elCTSZNpCeCzU5HYtOcJdYHGDvVJ3xBJsJedj/s200/thread+collage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
In a marriage made in needleworker heaven, the Colonial Needle Company is happy to announce that it has bought the Presencia Thread Company USA. Be still my heart! Less than four weeks ago while teaching in the Denver, Colorado area I went to Presencia in Evergreen with my friend Cindy Brick. It was a courtesy call to see my friend Karlin Allen who has been my designer liaison whenever I needed #8 perle cotton for Big Stitch kits or to do sashiko. Somehow, Karlin didn't let the cat out of the bag when I was there although she knew the sale was imminent.<br />
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The Presencia warehouse holds thousands of skeins and spools of thread. Envision the ironic last scene from the movie <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark </i>where the guy's trundling the Ark off to storage and you get the picture--thread, as far as the eye could see.<br />
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While I didn't give in to my animal instincts--to run in circles and whoop for joy--you'll have to believe when I say that's truly how I feel about this sale. Needle-plus-thread. Wonderful. Both companies will get better but most of all, needleworkers will benefit since their beloved supplies and notions will be available from one source.<br />
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The timeline's still in play but if all goes right, Presencia Threads USA will move to the Colonial Needle Company's home address in White Plains, New York by the end of June and hopefully be up and integrated into the Colonial family system in July. It's a big job--storage units in, dropped ceilings out, offices moving to the second floor as the first floor fills up with thread.<br />
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FYI: Presencia USA is the American office of Presencia Threads from Valencia, Spain. The company has been in business since 1949 and is acknowledged as the supplier of superior embroidery and sewing threads. You know their products even if you've never bought a spool of their thread. Presencia Threads are used in many high-quality clothing lines.<br />
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</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-37583998211067123172011-05-10T17:15:00.000-07:002011-05-10T17:15:04.885-07:00Big News! And what you'll want to put on your Christmas wish list this year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCkMeecc3QQrP3ok30frjdWrf9_BcuOKgsWqscAfsXAleEBUQmmx6wfFzL471alAAgrtZ4WLL3ban52HhTPjKZeoXE54xKAwanJWRuI0YJFQBA6eE73Qej5lwZX4-wvYmBB42D5P5v8cN/s1600/front+of+Big+Stitch+pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCkMeecc3QQrP3ok30frjdWrf9_BcuOKgsWqscAfsXAleEBUQmmx6wfFzL471alAAgrtZ4WLL3ban52HhTPjKZeoXE54xKAwanJWRuI0YJFQBA6eE73Qej5lwZX4-wvYmBB42D5P5v8cN/s320/front+of+Big+Stitch+pack.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>Big Stitch needles are here--yippee--I have been waiting for this one! The boxes of Big Stitch needle packs arrived from England and Colonial Needle is shipping them out to distributors and shops ASAP. There's fourteen needles in the pack and represent four different sizes of needles. The pack retails for $7.30. Ask at your local quilt shop or if you cannot find them, try the Colonial Needle's website store at <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">www.colonialneedle.com</a>.<br />
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Why the variety? People like to use different thicker threads to do Big Stitch and we wanted to offer needles for them all. You can use doubled quilting thread, a #8 perle cotton (the most common thread used). a #5 perle (thicker for a really visible stitch), or even a #12 perle, a thinner but still a "make a statement" thread. Our feedback finds that lots of people are first quilting by machine along easy to follow seam lines in their patchwork but then coming back and adding Big Stitch quilting where it shows best. No sense in hiding these stitches--it's quilting with an ATTITUDE.<br />
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Also upcoming is a sweet little zippered box from Lee's Needle Arts. I predict that <i><b>The Elegant Sewing Box </b></i>will become your favorite take-along sewing accessory. It comes in either classic black or red faux croc-grain leather and you get to personalize the box cover with your own needlework. The inside of the box is lined with ivory flannel and large enough to accommodate even a full-size pairs of scissors, your needles, thread, and a small project. The box retails for $49.95.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-ayTIaS-z1L3W0eNBUkabcsMyVTHXYWRhCGwEgmbONhB31CpozsL7B3Jq97HHU9sxLGy1lyl-Yy9j-TydJRWyEyj2rJunozj4fDJyDDIAEVBpj6w1NnsG3QPk3NlcYpBZD5QqJyVIOdO/s1600/Elegant+Sewing+box+with+log+cabin+crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-ayTIaS-z1L3W0eNBUkabcsMyVTHXYWRhCGwEgmbONhB31CpozsL7B3Jq97HHU9sxLGy1lyl-Yy9j-TydJRWyEyj2rJunozj4fDJyDDIAEVBpj6w1NnsG3QPk3NlcYpBZD5QqJyVIOdO/s320/Elegant+Sewing+box+with+log+cabin+crazy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtAHpQ20QmHzza6c7VFP4JFc_3t1j57pJE3tewgCMAzE0tBfKRvqxjFVHWPlkREmDH6v8eshXnh_OyTahzgG9qC2yNMnS9yz5MaTHXynCQ195pfRXJZXFqvYyiiXW7a7VoCk11N3DXaHp/s1600/Crazy+quilt+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtAHpQ20QmHzza6c7VFP4JFc_3t1j57pJE3tewgCMAzE0tBfKRvqxjFVHWPlkREmDH6v8eshXnh_OyTahzgG9qC2yNMnS9yz5MaTHXynCQ195pfRXJZXFqvYyiiXW7a7VoCk11N3DXaHp/s320/Crazy+quilt+red.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If you're a little OCD, you can make a Log Cabin insert with less than 1/4" wide strips of silk. Or try the Crazy Quilt patch that comes as a free pattern when you buy the box. Of course you could also do any sort of needlework such as needlepoint, sashiko, or cross stitch in the top.<br />
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<i><b>The Elegant Sewing Box</b></i> would be an excellent addition to your wish list. What list? You know, that list you hand a family member the day after Thanksgiving or when your spouse says, "What would you like for your anniversary?" Much nicer than an anonymous gift certificate but cheaper than the latest Bernina. Your family members will appreciate your thoughtfulness!</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-44689022547151160262011-04-01T14:47:00.000-07:002011-04-01T14:47:31.092-07:00More of the Colonial Needle Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_CIyGGmo-6Jf0dph9fsV5mbX3Lfpt5TdM084suUaDPHGzzSkc19A5Ff7OzHIUqau8Llqipi-EelmRis4LpkqoTE-nTl6jlquI0WaNRQplJDlM_wXS-KmtZ693XvCvT8V_bMaHxKA_j5H/s1600/Colonial+back+door+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_CIyGGmo-6Jf0dph9fsV5mbX3Lfpt5TdM084suUaDPHGzzSkc19A5Ff7OzHIUqau8Llqipi-EelmRis4LpkqoTE-nTl6jlquI0WaNRQplJDlM_wXS-KmtZ693XvCvT8V_bMaHxKA_j5H/s200/Colonial+back+door+view.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><br />
White Plains, New York, headquarters for the Colonial Needle Company, is not especially noted for its balmy weather. But both Terry and Jim Collingham are gardeners and try to keep a cheerful blooming appearance at the company's back door. The picture was taken last July.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubDisxyeeAOOTpswAU4YQNwu3NFxBoK6uzpL3hCY-3vXWiAjGdSv7KBLb-HtDolS6JJjxrGKhjAJlwLNUdbNi3GuFh3WmGpnxqPGmkWlIQmMfVG4ZTLr0UC1OoHtcy0rHvb94-1R18obf/s1600/Colonial+blizzard+31+inches+Jan+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubDisxyeeAOOTpswAU4YQNwu3NFxBoK6uzpL3hCY-3vXWiAjGdSv7KBLb-HtDolS6JJjxrGKhjAJlwLNUdbNi3GuFh3WmGpnxqPGmkWlIQmMfVG4ZTLr0UC1OoHtcy0rHvb94-1R18obf/s320/Colonial+blizzard+31+inches+Jan+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>However this past winter the unusual snowfalls at times kept deliveries from the door. Jim snapped this picture after a record blizzard dropped 31 inches of the white stuff and you can tell he's disgusted. When I visited Colonial in February however, Jim was confident that there'd be no more snow because he'd purchased a monster snow blower. Today is April 1 and snow's on the way--sorry Jim!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi842KdGQDyUrgh4sOUFVIj7OTnzU-Cy3plfi9Svt-YjOxOdl0hiiigSikGvBX5C8Ucttb0kTMEl2W8KUXGPpDI-D8Kuh3cKtj7UuZ7vxQYHw7tsQyAAPfgQriDDvKHQ5rc2sRXm4tT8Htn/s1600/Colonial+Tom+at+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi842KdGQDyUrgh4sOUFVIj7OTnzU-Cy3plfi9Svt-YjOxOdl0hiiigSikGvBX5C8Ucttb0kTMEl2W8KUXGPpDI-D8Kuh3cKtj7UuZ7vxQYHw7tsQyAAPfgQriDDvKHQ5rc2sRXm4tT8Htn/s200/Colonial+Tom+at+work.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb7arP907GmFdkDqtsTZdqedQkQZzWJdmjlHbWLDTO6XHUVXHzC_vu3eR8FI5FjDyBD1_jq5EIPgm6n7ZOX4NB3pPpgs0DlW-9O6gSdvhTyTeYNJ-UVb9kDRMOAjwNNIiyjIpgz2cUNA0/s1600/Colonial+above+Toms+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb7arP907GmFdkDqtsTZdqedQkQZzWJdmjlHbWLDTO6XHUVXHzC_vu3eR8FI5FjDyBD1_jq5EIPgm6n7ZOX4NB3pPpgs0DlW-9O6gSdvhTyTeYNJ-UVb9kDRMOAjwNNIiyjIpgz2cUNA0/s200/Colonial+above+Toms+desk.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
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Jim and Terry have three sons and of the trio, Tom is the one who's entered the business. Tom primarily deals with <a href="http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/">Lee's Needlearts </a>, a Colonial Needle company specializing in hand-painted needlepoint canvases and lovely leather accessories. From purses to wallets and jewelry boxes, Lee's Needlearts products can be personalized with your own needlework.<br />
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By the way, the Lee's Needlearts website only sells wholesale but you can open and look at the color catalog and then check at your local needlework shop.<br />
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Here's the only picture I could find of Tom--as usual, he's on the phone. Above Tom's desk hangs another of Ralphie's handmade quilts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH_M8M11uuBD_hG9TJ7ztypn2C4-cz8V93aAY6hA0YAWCBh-amGx6dzQF9DESU268JWYfTYr5ZSRUAnvftFRPgjzIWtcvwAkNSgnqrlveKiU7RgjykakhyphenhyphenCJZ38_7Nz1vxlamAzVOzHmr/s1600/Colonial+Luciles+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH_M8M11uuBD_hG9TJ7ztypn2C4-cz8V93aAY6hA0YAWCBh-amGx6dzQF9DESU268JWYfTYr5ZSRUAnvftFRPgjzIWtcvwAkNSgnqrlveKiU7RgjykakhyphenhyphenCJZ38_7Nz1vxlamAzVOzHmr/s200/Colonial+Luciles+desk.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br />
Works of needle art hang everywhere on the walls in the Colonial Needle Company's offices. In Lucille the book keeper's neat-as-a-pin office another one of Ralphie's quilts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TOaU59Oe2fXY6yq8r-8XyIt410nGdLcEcjdzB_LX2h307MB8pxde7tRh6jNV2qnZhymRrYIRwA1rbw2xU3fQAlW4u-fkOVk9fumkLMgWrrBnGyEejNjaZB5f1adFHqMHlblydXnEQYe_/s1600/Colonial+above+the+snack+counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TOaU59Oe2fXY6yq8r-8XyIt410nGdLcEcjdzB_LX2h307MB8pxde7tRh6jNV2qnZhymRrYIRwA1rbw2xU3fQAlW4u-fkOVk9fumkLMgWrrBnGyEejNjaZB5f1adFHqMHlblydXnEQYe_/s200/Colonial+above+the+snack+counter.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
A hand quilted Double Wedding Ring quilt hangs above the snack counter in the hallway that's always stocked with chocolate, pretzels, nuts, and fruit.<br />
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And these masterpiece miniature needlepoint kimonos, a Lee's specialty, on the top of the shelf over Laura's head. My apologies: Laura was busy talking to overseas customers that day so this is the only view I got of her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_sBvajTz0xOg__j1ZeBLEOJ1PBzrrebPHl7tDoa98AUH3N_987HNDo_kwqd3ZaS0Xo09_FGj_havaH6Gg5wTvcZE9hbr5o9-BvZsBxdiiR1NEswJZUJDP-dSePKOdD3SPzhggBeBuDFQ/s1600/Colonial+kimonos+above+the+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_sBvajTz0xOg__j1ZeBLEOJ1PBzrrebPHl7tDoa98AUH3N_987HNDo_kwqd3ZaS0Xo09_FGj_havaH6Gg5wTvcZE9hbr5o9-BvZsBxdiiR1NEswJZUJDP-dSePKOdD3SPzhggBeBuDFQ/s200/Colonial+kimonos+above+the+desk.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Remember, if you're in need of needles, first check your local sewing supply store but if you can't find what you need locally, you can always go to Colonial's website: <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">www.colonialneedle.com</a>.<br />
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</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-2438684985206312632011-03-27T15:58:00.000-07:002011-03-27T15:58:39.557-07:00Meet the Colonial Family!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IVccxnVllCRfRPYT7wq5zhTEVI-VQY2FhdstAuMbdDNKfo9e2stme3LpIkNlhd2a_yUi2CLRiJrA0-Qj9QobWQsT9_uE35p8vyBXovUQ8b4SpYyZ9Umt3Qt-4K5nS7m0xaVLCtFS5zoh/s1600/Colonial+violet++stitchery+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IVccxnVllCRfRPYT7wq5zhTEVI-VQY2FhdstAuMbdDNKfo9e2stme3LpIkNlhd2a_yUi2CLRiJrA0-Qj9QobWQsT9_uE35p8vyBXovUQ8b4SpYyZ9Umt3Qt-4K5nS7m0xaVLCtFS5zoh/s200/Colonial+violet++stitchery+cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Colonial Needle Company is the sole source of English hand needles in the United States. All the English needle brands you know--Richard Hemmings, John James, Milwards--come through this family-owned company in White Plains, New York. Primarily selling to distributors and wholesale, Colonial doesn't have much of a public face. I thought you might like to meet some of the people who make all those needles available to us and get a glimpse of what Colonial's offices are like. The little violet needlepoint picture hangs on the wall above a file case. In fact, almost every wall, with the exception of the warehouse, displays needle-made artwork.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfR1sH3-cIwEVNaS8cejeTHQXOEO-7VeVigeVbwc_fm-vsd5L8MAspNdjyVqfgO1PvIdokkiAxClDL-ZkHVwZw4YeM9NxyCrLS-jvAdboUKAKMH4BCvpmoI3OfCSIyaLCTYROWSFQtgdQ/s1600/Colonial+mailman+better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfR1sH3-cIwEVNaS8cejeTHQXOEO-7VeVigeVbwc_fm-vsd5L8MAspNdjyVqfgO1PvIdokkiAxClDL-ZkHVwZw4YeM9NxyCrLS-jvAdboUKAKMH4BCvpmoI3OfCSIyaLCTYROWSFQtgdQ/s200/Colonial+mailman+better.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Jim Collingham is the CEO. While I'd love to picture his office, Jim has blackmailed me NOT to show how messy his desk is. Here's his wife Terry, president and general overseer of the office, as she greets Jimmy the mailman who delivers the mail dressed for nasty wet weather. The quilt hanging behind Terry was made by her mother Ralphie and is hand-pieced and hand-quilted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uv-HVXP-9DuBOuSKB-qP9GYX7b4O0ieem83giT2AGzRJ3WsNLBWlCm3qw2iaZz7e33QUvGUeFn6B-8nKsY2etqQC5l2aKjwzxPz7vK-oviPoL_CCN96_74fYiac5lD5uVH1VIGeJPNhC/s1600/Colonial+president+and+ceo+in+conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uv-HVXP-9DuBOuSKB-qP9GYX7b4O0ieem83giT2AGzRJ3WsNLBWlCm3qw2iaZz7e33QUvGUeFn6B-8nKsY2etqQC5l2aKjwzxPz7vK-oviPoL_CCN96_74fYiac5lD5uVH1VIGeJPNhC/s320/Colonial+president+and+ceo+in+conference.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jim and Terry are often in conference. And since Jim's office is totally jammed, this means they meet in hers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUOZJ45tcwuOm-4IueAoOO4I-JvXer1UjW-jWwLJURHQ-qUowJVVzoqXPG5p3bVWvghMsChcHQWW4EY45mGL_pt7xXqEvBou3EBPUdUoaXTtGY0akDL5EhjZpCv11p4LuSLsIGBHRowHG/s1600/Colonial+its+all+about+the+needle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUOZJ45tcwuOm-4IueAoOO4I-JvXer1UjW-jWwLJURHQ-qUowJVVzoqXPG5p3bVWvghMsChcHQWW4EY45mGL_pt7xXqEvBou3EBPUdUoaXTtGY0akDL5EhjZpCv11p4LuSLsIGBHRowHG/s200/Colonial+its+all+about+the+needle.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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If you call the Colonial Needle Company, the cheerful voice you'll hear might be Denise Rivera who often seems like she has more than two hands as she juggles phones and paperwork.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-FUrGGsL3RkTjy4xFMR8vKdJy83IzAGUcPDkRhU3rLLRjILL5qwjJDM2i7smxgmEvnNcg85mo4O_dfMnM9IK4lIvhJ6H-poI5jbz2fZ2b8-FSK5ogQeY_dOBESdeAuSH706hF_AQTdEw/s1600/Colonial+worker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-FUrGGsL3RkTjy4xFMR8vKdJy83IzAGUcPDkRhU3rLLRjILL5qwjJDM2i7smxgmEvnNcg85mo4O_dfMnM9IK4lIvhJ6H-poI5jbz2fZ2b8-FSK5ogQeY_dOBESdeAuSH706hF_AQTdEw/s200/Colonial+worker.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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In the desk in the warehouse, Mike Fitzmaurice is the one who will fill your order.<br />
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And then there are the needles--millions of them! This is needle heaven.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN7z8k9q17_qoc07LQik_HmokzvDyyAr4Yf8wFSYHIGEaJUTscwLIb61RbpAT1O7vhxvSTiKE1-4OnFywVGJtkM2aAuOku6UG0CEARvnqQTSPGHLtvQMeKq4acjzc-Q4-ANylrGOqcLod/s1600/Colonial+millions+of+needles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN7z8k9q17_qoc07LQik_HmokzvDyyAr4Yf8wFSYHIGEaJUTscwLIb61RbpAT1O7vhxvSTiKE1-4OnFywVGJtkM2aAuOku6UG0CEARvnqQTSPGHLtvQMeKq4acjzc-Q4-ANylrGOqcLod/s320/Colonial+millions+of+needles.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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In the next blog posting, I'll introduce you to more of the Colonial Needle Company family such as Tom Collingham, Jim and Terry's son, who heads up the Lee's Needlarts division plus show a few more pictures of the beautiful artwork around the company offices. </div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-34341411763415513472011-02-06T14:08:00.000-08:002011-02-06T14:08:31.782-08:00Black and White and Red Everywhere<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyA-EsfIny-tgtiMbXNqAeCofuQDxx4KPTKCshZsTJz3e9YrCQ9fYUSDZWySEeFzYDHEiqOthmUNlmkravYXbAeEt867uvZAPFBdqyS4Nq7573FdtCxWazrqmF8aCzU-D0yYQv-Tu5nGA/s1600/bcp+cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyA-EsfIny-tgtiMbXNqAeCofuQDxx4KPTKCshZsTJz3e9YrCQ9fYUSDZWySEeFzYDHEiqOthmUNlmkravYXbAeEt867uvZAPFBdqyS4Nq7573FdtCxWazrqmF8aCzU-D0yYQv-Tu5nGA/s200/bcp+cats.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>Work the past few days has been black and white with a spot of red. Seems those are the only colors that make sense as I put my hand to sewing projects. The picture here is Skinny Cats Valentine, a patchwork piece I drew and sewed over tracing paper. Last night it was auctioned off to raise money for the Beaufort Cat Project. The BCP's a worthy cause and keeps us from being overrun with feral cats. As a seaport city in a temperate climate, we are faced with whole colonies of ownerless kitties that are cared for by kindly folks. BCP traps, neuters, and vaccinates the wild ones who are then released and live out much healthier lives. Why not just get rid of the cats? Again, seaport with temperate climate--these guys keep down the mouse, rat, and nutria population so we're not overrun with rodents!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFk1o0Qv5wdCUoYkyG1zuRm4g1VRIY5jsi8bPtj3SY5vNJfaHORev6_GC3BRoQYITqbeawjJK4-rurV0RdsWkX6RTltMc6BKkaS3ayqPq2O4Pk8UgfW2XWFdOUcy6CpYHS5i_XkA7yCC0/s1600/Kindle+wrapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFk1o0Qv5wdCUoYkyG1zuRm4g1VRIY5jsi8bPtj3SY5vNJfaHORev6_GC3BRoQYITqbeawjJK4-rurV0RdsWkX6RTltMc6BKkaS3ayqPq2O4Pk8UgfW2XWFdOUcy6CpYHS5i_XkA7yCC0/s200/Kindle+wrapped.jpg" width="200" /></a>Valentines Day is on the brain and after talking to a friend who got a Kindle (ereader) for Christmas, I knew this sweet red leather ebook cover would be just the thing for her new toy. If you've been thinking, "I'm crafty--I ought to be able to make a cool cover for my Kindle..." look no further. Lee's Needle Arts <a href="http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/">www.newleesneedlearts.com</a> has ebook covers in smooth red, black, and rich brown leather and some other colors (blue, tan, and hunter green) in a stylish faux-croc finish. The stock number is BAG52. The ebook covers retail for $70-$72 and if your local needlework shop does not stock them, get in contact with Tom at 1-800-963-3353 and order one for yourself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy-K95wHj8GYAV-OUIui_8s21Xe0J_nAWZR3F9KpSGzKpzhhWwtwZ-1vj-O6LqZDKFjEc5DKgvU6MwaDysdYgG7-RWY0dpQsfFwEq707UaGy4A0ycGYVLeBUFnVWSOVIhBP5hPDBVdZ0v/s1600/Kindle+with+letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy-K95wHj8GYAV-OUIui_8s21Xe0J_nAWZR3F9KpSGzKpzhhWwtwZ-1vj-O6LqZDKFjEc5DKgvU6MwaDysdYgG7-RWY0dpQsfFwEq707UaGy4A0ycGYVLeBUFnVWSOVIhBP5hPDBVdZ0v/s200/Kindle+with+letters.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Each cover comes in a nice blue and white presentation box and wrapped in pretty rice paper. Put your creative urges to good use and design something spectacular for the 3" x 5" opening. Then carefully peel off the paper covering the insert, center your art work and tuck the seams (make sure to leave about 1/4" extra all around) under the stitched opening sides. I sewed my friend's initials over tracing paper 2" square blocks.<br />
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The interior of the ebook reader cover is just as nice and features a little pocket for a business card or notes plus handy elastic straps and a ledge to keep your ebook securely in place. Now you'll have the best sort of Valentines Day gift: the color you want, personalized with your own hand, and it always fits. Plus, I promise, no calories with this one!<br />
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</div>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-27307665956615450332010-11-24T14:25:00.000-08:002010-11-30T13:26:43.276-08:00The A-Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycOf2ccKgtM3K3WDei0eGY_OCTlK66vcTVLCrB4TNrJx4mp97hPDdZPvC6-7-WK3ACbFLDD-jzn_Eq1qoSsbSczCibqHvh3jDnIhHFbENHRI6_qrFTEgazenARVtjtt9PLqqY1HpWe6cF/s1600/NC+Lily+how+to+applique+stems+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycOf2ccKgtM3K3WDei0eGY_OCTlK66vcTVLCrB4TNrJx4mp97hPDdZPvC6-7-WK3ACbFLDD-jzn_Eq1qoSsbSczCibqHvh3jDnIhHFbENHRI6_qrFTEgazenARVtjtt9PLqqY1HpWe6cF/s200/NC+Lily+how+to+applique+stems+detail.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzmrE2Lc3r-fyq8gMETIBrysNhyphenhyphenvM8lD2MqVwW5YTiEH2bgXNNP6o8Y6WTcHgSD4e_kX-2zUbjVFl-qBHmNtU7RWGp_pVPF1rSK3I840R8ETRzHQEyr2dX6bXTA1jD04iNu2VdlDCEtdi/s1600/JJMilliners+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzmrE2Lc3r-fyq8gMETIBrysNhyphenhyphenvM8lD2MqVwW5YTiEH2bgXNNP6o8Y6WTcHgSD4e_kX-2zUbjVFl-qBHmNtU7RWGp_pVPF1rSK3I840R8ETRzHQEyr2dX6bXTA1jD04iNu2VdlDCEtdi/s200/JJMilliners+10.JPG" width="87" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Occasionally in a class I get a die-hard student who resists the idea of attempting any and all handwork. She calls hand quilting "a four-letter word" and applique "the A-word." Honestly, chatter about the difficulty level of these quilting skills is way over-rated! Both are quite do-able, especially if you just relax and don't hold yourself to an impossible degree of perfection. Progress, that's all I want--not perfection! That said, I did the A-word yesterday as I worked on a new class sample. Just two points of advice: use a nice strong thin needle, like a #10 Milliner (also called a Straw needle) and thread that absolutely, exactly, matches the color of the to-be-appliqued fabric. Can't miss. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDTMzmTfboQYU-_iO6kdzkGutgQLsBp73ALzn1s6ZnSD771kD1PZeYLRLg9likuEOu2VBjtQa3P29o3AECGUlXOg7GZvapxNXTy7oDuSGF5CUTQDhfMxJdJ2SIwC0M7OrML5JOVOmM4qD/s1600/Antique+NC+Lily+plaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDTMzmTfboQYU-_iO6kdzkGutgQLsBp73ALzn1s6ZnSD771kD1PZeYLRLg9likuEOu2VBjtQa3P29o3AECGUlXOg7GZvapxNXTy7oDuSGF5CUTQDhfMxJdJ2SIwC0M7OrML5JOVOmM4qD/s200/Antique+NC+Lily+plaid.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last week in January 2011, I get the opportunity to teach quilting on Ocracoke Island. We're making a variation of the classic North Carolina Lily pattern in our three-day workshop beginning Wednesday January 26 at the Ocracoke Community Center. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My block is more of a tribute to the common Day Lily than any fancy flower. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't heard of Ocracoke, this small island is about 22 miles from the mainland of North Carolina. Famous for its wild ponies and its pirate history--Blackbeard was killed there--Ocracoke is a magical place. I'll drive to the ferry at Cedar Island and about two hours, fifteen minutes later, will arrive on Ocracoke. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXGVIJuQH5sSgd2tRpQoMMtWFXLBu_hKt8ZGeHlY2mdYOz2z645OzwTx0oizIy1QQMjydYea4gBtOxS9ylTHAbyAbHLqTC59ubL9XDXAX6AnId8RKKbSUwRLGx_MN8FLvZerUBtNqMvBN/s1600/nights+in+rodanthe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXGVIJuQH5sSgd2tRpQoMMtWFXLBu_hKt8ZGeHlY2mdYOz2z645OzwTx0oizIy1QQMjydYea4gBtOxS9ylTHAbyAbHLqTC59ubL9XDXAX6AnId8RKKbSUwRLGx_MN8FLvZerUBtNqMvBN/s1600/nights+in+rodanthe.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For info on the upcoming class, re-named the NC Island Lily, contact Marcy Brenner, at<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:info@coyotemusic.net">info@coyotemusic.net</a>. Marcy, a quilter and member of the Ocracoke Thread & Needle Club, is a musician with her partner Lou Castro. Together they are the duet Coyote and she's also the newest member of Molasses Creek. You've heard Marcy sing if you saw the movie <i>Nights in Rodanthe</i>. Please also email Amy Howard at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:wayfaringamy@embarqmail.com">wayfaringamy@embarqmail.com</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> as a back-up since Marcy is often on the road singing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, if your local quilt store doesn't stock #10 Milliner needles, don't despair. They're available by mail order from the Colonial Needle Company at this link <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">www.colonialneedle.com</a> .Go to 'Hand Needles' and scroll down. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iDEq8FLsn4L4elDnFF8dlppIE4ZxnJTlguXH0X5AMbtRM0_euwtpPtWKYb0sXyhF66H41c3iYQBaL-y46P-zFeqVpJNXmfaR_unupemUcBiIvIktLyAWfoHRuSmZRAR15iEhcZHnC6fA/s1600/Antique+NC+Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iDEq8FLsn4L4elDnFF8dlppIE4ZxnJTlguXH0X5AMbtRM0_euwtpPtWKYb0sXyhF66H41c3iYQBaL-y46P-zFeqVpJNXmfaR_unupemUcBiIvIktLyAWfoHRuSmZRAR15iEhcZHnC6fA/s200/Antique+NC+Lily.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just for fun, I've included some pictures of other North Carolina Lily quilts, most vintage but a few modern. The red, white, and green one is from my collection and is the "ancestor" block of the pattern we'll be sewing on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ocracoke</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the collection of Kathy Sullivan. This one has lots of leaves.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a huge 1850s Lily quilt that I found in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southport</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, NC and saved from being cut into pillows! In the picture it's hanging sideways.) This antique quilt </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">begat</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the piece below. I call it 'Wild Lily.' No, I am not an applique expert--will leave that to my friend </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinky</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Porter, who followed my pattern and did the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">needleturn</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> work expertly and now it's a wall hanging. </span><br />
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</span>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-37448205966203014532010-09-20T14:32:00.000-07:002010-09-20T14:32:36.534-07:00Permission to Work Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHg-GYbNv-iZmDRoK64dxK8X5ald-g2vjAKQ2R3f38QHbwnJlEnMc4y5p2It4chzKjqkGho-nHVd3nF3RH1-8pVpifS4IVeL8lToTjy3TAYXT6qC-FEGAFwnoiQHDzEWwginD7r8mMRx8/s1600/Victorian+Blues+unfolded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHg-GYbNv-iZmDRoK64dxK8X5ald-g2vjAKQ2R3f38QHbwnJlEnMc4y5p2It4chzKjqkGho-nHVd3nF3RH1-8pVpifS4IVeL8lToTjy3TAYXT6qC-FEGAFwnoiQHDzEWwginD7r8mMRx8/s200/Victorian+Blues+unfolded.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANpLkvim6ZizejW8l_tNzvCOvSamb6GMyW-Q51selpdoxnbbUSkySRhYu_bs4zGio3Csa7D2QO_vtdUdKlubwoEk5vO4tot4qCLUflpgRigMmVzzKY6ljq9RhQC19ejWFYNK3OhKTJEj-/s1600/tiny+quilt+victorian+blues+overall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANpLkvim6ZizejW8l_tNzvCOvSamb6GMyW-Q51selpdoxnbbUSkySRhYu_bs4zGio3Csa7D2QO_vtdUdKlubwoEk5vO4tot4qCLUflpgRigMmVzzKY6ljq9RhQC19ejWFYNK3OhKTJEj-/s200/tiny+quilt+victorian+blues+overall.jpg" width="200" /></a>Back in 2003, I designed some lines of fabric for the Michael Miller company. At one trade show I went a bit overboard. I constructed a whole doll bedroom vignette featuring wallpaper, curtains, a bed, bed ruffle, pillows, a stuffed animal in nightdress and, of course, a miniature quilt.<br />
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The tiny fussy-cut hexagons in the quilt measure only 1/2 inch on a side (finished) and I hand-pieced it using the size needle I usually use for quilt, a #10 Between. I hope I've gotten that out of my system!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JRPALUy4s2WPjJBOFwkoSg90nuiQKvNLqRnmxuB6GYDxnCVY9BcEpMPSM90s4etMKsV92ULEICcHufpR8UErAZ5BdtX8_pmOl_QfBoaS947trgm6ETCVlk1JbqrIR-dGEBD6BmwgMJLZ/s1600/victorian+blues+tiny+quilt+w+ruler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JRPALUy4s2WPjJBOFwkoSg90nuiQKvNLqRnmxuB6GYDxnCVY9BcEpMPSM90s4etMKsV92ULEICcHufpR8UErAZ5BdtX8_pmOl_QfBoaS947trgm6ETCVlk1JbqrIR-dGEBD6BmwgMJLZ/s200/victorian+blues+tiny+quilt+w+ruler.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vHz_I9XDF5rcYGSiqYXZHhaLKQltN9AE1aWqSiGHcaPS0v-kZ-f6iyZ2cJ_9xSH0pv6Uc1wWnrJSTMSZiCE-rN8ugrNaW7D7hXcx6tCdU9-elKSXpNkNWNrrq3AJgx9G48RKVB-WrxNJ/s1600/bear+in+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vHz_I9XDF5rcYGSiqYXZHhaLKQltN9AE1aWqSiGHcaPS0v-kZ-f6iyZ2cJ_9xSH0pv6Uc1wWnrJSTMSZiCE-rN8ugrNaW7D7hXcx6tCdU9-elKSXpNkNWNrrq3AJgx9G48RKVB-WrxNJ/s200/bear+in+chair.jpg" width="158" /></a></div> Well, maybe not. Last week I finished a tiny quilt for a stuffed teddy bear. I am NOT, repeat, NOT a doll person. But somehow I have accumulated some charming stuffed animals (I prefer to think of them as 'silent friends')) and they occupy the shelves of a cupboard here at the studio. Had no intention of making a toy quilt---it just happened. The bear was sitting in a chair and needed a quilt.<br />
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I usually make big quilts, quilts large enough to wrap up in, but these toy quilts are very appealing. There's just enough work to be interesting and yet small enough that they're portable. As in, stuff the piece in a pocket and take 'em home to work on. Small may be good. It fits my life right now. FYI: the Colonial Needle Company is coming out with an assorted pack of needles just for Big Stitch enthusiasts! Watch this blog and Colonial on Facebook for upcoming details.<br />
Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-24572118594006705122010-08-25T13:00:00.000-07:002010-08-25T13:00:22.677-07:00The Elegant Sewing Kit (How To Keep Your Sewing Stuff in Style)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPFH0aHFUsk0u_pbT02Xlda848EQdNB0YCqp3_up1347e7x7XCIXl6j5ubiZe6f2jHLlqA1aMpWEvqQK1V6X9O_3IYxTl3FPiDuU4z_s4yen9B-IaUSTCCjhAMRGeRwLPF4ERx8lNNK3E/s1600/sewing+box+thimble+bag+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPFH0aHFUsk0u_pbT02Xlda848EQdNB0YCqp3_up1347e7x7XCIXl6j5ubiZe6f2jHLlqA1aMpWEvqQK1V6X9O_3IYxTl3FPiDuU4z_s4yen9B-IaUSTCCjhAMRGeRwLPF4ERx8lNNK3E/s200/sewing+box+thimble+bag+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Upon laying eyes on this beautiful little box from Lee's Needle Arts, I knew it would make an elegant sewing kit. Since I love to do handwork, I'm always searching for the best box for the job. You know, something neat to keep my threads, needles-n-pins, little scissors and bits-and-pieces in. And as a frequent traveler, a well-stocked sewing box and a patchwork project in-process makes my time in-flight productive. Rather than leafing through a ratty magazine while listening to my seat-mate snore, I can get a lot of stitching done.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGglx4giy2QkxMEBUdwIzQb1dJb9NYpT8kBmfw3QA0IHUiiPA7VJITmsTKFf-uT3iSWPEwBQfoN7vr1-WQqNdL-x1KxKsaGz4f1kEThvhCgyP1LSh-gcYNy4Xf9n0RIGPvk5FhgW66oC/s1600/sewing+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGglx4giy2QkxMEBUdwIzQb1dJb9NYpT8kBmfw3QA0IHUiiPA7VJITmsTKFf-uT3iSWPEwBQfoN7vr1-WQqNdL-x1KxKsaGz4f1kEThvhCgyP1LSh-gcYNy4Xf9n0RIGPvk5FhgW66oC/s320/sewing+box.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The box itself measures about 2.5" deep, 4.5" wide, and 9" long. A zipper around three sides ensures all your precious stuff stays put. The "window" of the box has a paper insert in place to cover its adhesive surface until you're ready to apply your needlework. I took out the paper cover and used it as a template. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfGD66bvHuS5tIIJyoaNRWyGPCTXfIOBkfLaK5P3znMa154sZ0v3v4LOpApgFbxoKllep8HAJF8DJo1r5WLSqnHBa41lBzklj3ikIhwa-hHnpSkQKPHAF0pt1-m3t-BQDdoGlKJNCpb1q/s1600/sewing+box+pineapple+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfGD66bvHuS5tIIJyoaNRWyGPCTXfIOBkfLaK5P3znMa154sZ0v3v4LOpApgFbxoKllep8HAJF8DJo1r5WLSqnHBa41lBzklj3ikIhwa-hHnpSkQKPHAF0pt1-m3t-BQDdoGlKJNCpb1q/s200/sewing+box+pineapple+block.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Being very conventional, I could only think of square quilt blocks and ended up drawing a pattern for a 2.25 inch Pineapple block. I traced the Pineapple twice onto thin white fabric, cut strips .75" wide and then sewed the little jewels by hand (used a #5 Between needle) because frankly, the starting and stopping of machine sewing just wasn't worth it. After two Pineapple blocks were joined, I framed all four sides of the rectangle with red fabric and finished the work with parallel lines of Big Stitch (a #24 Chenille needle used) on either end. Then carefully, locating the exact center of the adhesive window and the exact center of the Pineapple piece, I laid the patchwork into the window and carefully tucked in the extra fabric on all sides. Beautiful.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I couldn't leave well enough alone! I fashioned a book-like inside that could unfold to be lifted out. And then a little star-shaped pin cushion...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I made the tiny drawstring thimble pouch (photo at the beginning of the blog) I knew it was time to stop. </span>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-55723781712694724712010-07-11T11:02:00.000-07:002010-07-11T11:02:21.241-07:00Basting with Thread and Needle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEUFWwqaog0Gcn3363NbDE2UAuCbQFAVS1gteCKMh8KeFm6DuamS8xfz1aA6rriFipwYz4ISTp-Adr9vCLbB3c_PSUCNFkQuB3XemK6ICGyznifU4SG4R4cXn2kccAvejoyWa_rjbxtCl/s1600/RoastTurkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEUFWwqaog0Gcn3363NbDE2UAuCbQFAVS1gteCKMh8KeFm6DuamS8xfz1aA6rriFipwYz4ISTp-Adr9vCLbB3c_PSUCNFkQuB3XemK6ICGyznifU4SG4R4cXn2kccAvejoyWa_rjbxtCl/s200/RoastTurkey.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Food analogies come naturally to me...must be time for lunch! Basting is a term most folks associate with turkey--not today. When quilting, whether by hand or machine, I fall back on thread-basting. For me, it's the best way to ensure that all the layers of the quilt "sandwich" stay together and exactly where I want them. Basting thread is white and thus won't impart any color to fabrics as it is pulled through. Plus it's thin and when the job's done, basting thread is easy to break and pull out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you're a cook (still with the food thing-) thread-basting can be likened to beating cake batter: you can only rarely baste (beat) too much but you can easily not baste (beat) enough. No more lumpy quilts or cakes! Don't skimp on basting even though the process is boring. Just crank up the radio and put your brain in neutral.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4hSYy7lGYZj-aiCL2b43WTsfa0wAm4NqKmX8OkYS4ZX-kpbAoa1DFvKRa11IXkksiWTyAmCrOvcLKVKNb0Cl0FNEYdoZjfSSn85z4FojuH_si9yH0cTnYjIKlgyEL6Qlvb4UvFRLVYwF/s1600/Shadow+Leaf+quilt+before+basting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4hSYy7lGYZj-aiCL2b43WTsfa0wAm4NqKmX8OkYS4ZX-kpbAoa1DFvKRa11IXkksiWTyAmCrOvcLKVKNb0Cl0FNEYdoZjfSSn85z4FojuH_si9yH0cTnYjIKlgyEL6Qlvb4UvFRLVYwF/s200/Shadow+Leaf+quilt+before+basting.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When basting a quilt, the easiest method is to tape the smooth and ironed backing to table(s). Obviously, if it's a large quilt, you're going to have to shove several tables together. You can crawl around on the floor at home to baste but fortunately last Saturday I didn't even have to do that. My friend Patti, who owns ALB Fabrics, cleared her workroom and we basted my latest quilt on her tables.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pv5pGaoOyuWxmnZ-x5kK870Sa0hyE2_aYR1DYqPHnbRfsnhvAJovbaOksJgwCMY9y19nQS8QjYwM3U_ZHqSZ6QyIyAbJeqSRoSTKTdk8K0MpUpP_6oJ-m4x3tw5K2WlHrwcmCEhXybY5/s1600/Basting+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pv5pGaoOyuWxmnZ-x5kK870Sa0hyE2_aYR1DYqPHnbRfsnhvAJovbaOksJgwCMY9y19nQS8QjYwM3U_ZHqSZ6QyIyAbJeqSRoSTKTdk8K0MpUpP_6oJ-m4x3tw5K2WlHrwcmCEhXybY5/s200/Basting+tape.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First down was the blue painter's tape that holds the backing nice and taut. Next the right size batting, cut to size and smoothed over the backing. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6r_6X-4JbK-Nanh0jV4HpP-sKxugMO4jRafOsQRQcL5YBDxWymOQ4Q0aF6oVKRZ7kQCgGaXFAPPq8USBI2D6xjNxbYxBLieOSBPGJ8mdv59YTQoayPHt0bHHsF_dFJSyEQvKqzMqrjnw/s1600/basting+pins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6r_6X-4JbK-Nanh0jV4HpP-sKxugMO4jRafOsQRQcL5YBDxWymOQ4Q0aF6oVKRZ7kQCgGaXFAPPq8USBI2D6xjNxbYxBLieOSBPGJ8mdv59YTQoayPHt0bHHsF_dFJSyEQvKqzMqrjnw/s200/basting+pins.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Followed by the quilt top, first pinned and then basted by hand using thread and needle. Finally, pins can come out and now there's a lovely soft sandwich that's much easier to handle.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFtD-CvgSP3eaokt0DblMh-Qegan5B76Hji2sxl9w7FRpgBuWEpAI8dcJ7doUCdfoz3DYZtGBZDpMBu_aRtKJZj7JMsvZCwlIWxO4wcgNOYpw2XMCM8TfO6bqyPdtyE278lqIoP_ipYwj/s1600/Basting+8+trimming+batting+after+basting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFtD-CvgSP3eaokt0DblMh-Qegan5B76Hji2sxl9w7FRpgBuWEpAI8dcJ7doUCdfoz3DYZtGBZDpMBu_aRtKJZj7JMsvZCwlIWxO4wcgNOYpw2XMCM8TfO6bqyPdtyE278lqIoP_ipYwj/s200/Basting+8+trimming+batting+after+basting.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After basting, the batting is trimmed to size. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha0wBsT5ZsKy5mY3Kt0-phVPftZwUuneqprHWtMW8yilHII3aM8TKelYc6nP9Jmq-eWUmkJ9xi0vFpDy45A7DqQNmMlXLd3YnH3kusK2llL8C6m_dpEYNykW73pSRyk3FzqqVDd9KuOOe/s1600/Basting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha0wBsT5ZsKy5mY3Kt0-phVPftZwUuneqprHWtMW8yilHII3aM8TKelYc6nP9Jmq-eWUmkJ9xi0vFpDy45A7DqQNmMlXLd3YnH3kusK2llL8C6m_dpEYNykW73pSRyk3FzqqVDd9KuOOe/s200/Basting+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We both worked at the job but used different needles.My faves are shown left. Patti preferred an enormous needle, well, more of a spike let's say.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpqpgJsKc_WRp0YeXUBnt3zQti1HUqiQgT0mBRnxqxcNhHauoKi79a7pLw0RbjiuqHRK90lVKYHXNNi6kG-A3yKjcu_sJ-srSUIO6SwNjOQCcg9MnkRqJ-K1Zhf7QJogCKxYOVapH_EGJ/s1600/Basting+7+comparing+needles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpqpgJsKc_WRp0YeXUBnt3zQti1HUqiQgT0mBRnxqxcNhHauoKi79a7pLw0RbjiuqHRK90lVKYHXNNi6kG-A3yKjcu_sJ-srSUIO6SwNjOQCcg9MnkRqJ-K1Zhf7QJogCKxYOVapH_EGJ/s200/Basting+7+comparing+needles.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">See the comparison photo here. My #7 Long Darner needle is about 2 1/2" long while Patti's choice, a Doll-making needle, is at least 5"! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Both of these basting needles are available from Colonial Needle Company mail order <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;">colonialneedle</span>.com</a> but as always check first with your local fabric store</span>.<br />
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</span>Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-54863354811369470842010-05-16T12:16:00.000-07:002010-05-16T12:19:39.297-07:00Use batiks? The right hand needles for the job are here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxegrdsfFRTpaV7pCWNd79FEQ56xvP6YQonfcjo3LWM8A2ijX68psM0kU3CFL28nx5JRFOjv9pcvNISReGK8DNa9uRj4epmTWpoe2vVHHD5l6rgF6wDZQHkr9yDllQaaGq5b4fHuA3CR83/s1600/kathys+des+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxegrdsfFRTpaV7pCWNd79FEQ56xvP6YQonfcjo3LWM8A2ijX68psM0kU3CFL28nx5JRFOjv9pcvNISReGK8DNa9uRj4epmTWpoe2vVHHD5l6rgF6wDZQHkr9yDllQaaGq5b4fHuA3CR83/s200/kathys+des+book.jpg" width="161" /></a></div> <br />
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I love it when someone with experience and knowledge does research for me! This is the case with quilter/author/teacher/judge Kathy Delaney. If you don't know Kathy's work, check out her website at <a href="http://www.kathydelaney.com/">www.kathydelaney.com</a> . The picture on right is the cover of her latest book.<br />
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The Colonial Needle Company is bringing out Kathy's new needlepack at the upcoming Spring Quilt Market. What's special about this assortment of needles? Kathy is an experienced hand sewer and often uses batiks. The firm weave and denser feel of batik fabrics can give hand appliquers and quilters problems. You're going to appreciate the assortment of needles Kathy's found that make working with batiks a joy instead of a grind.<br />
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Warning: if you're reading this and you're a quilter but not involved in the business end of the craft, sorry to say that this is a wholesale show only. Vendors of notions, fabric companies, quilting machine manufacturers and all manner of folks who make the sewing industry tick are converging this coming weekend on Minneapolis MN for a three-day show-and-tell and hopefully buy celebration.<br />
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Colonial Needle will be there too. You can find us in booths 3014 and 3016. Stop by and say hello and take a look at the latest in needle notions!Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-64306365091094568762010-03-03T12:41:00.000-08:002010-03-03T13:29:22.402-08:00Hand Quilting Then and Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QkDRhGgHB4_oFjGyvHnqr8nck_upJdOKhGTbaonnwBLaGACMLd2zFMcttInVZ6mxL6OxN5fLk62godqkhhkKrayMl7i6Fx5NAdcFjPG_I9x_g2kzqCTsZrmy74su4fuvkL816gW7tdt9/s1600-h/detail+bigstitch+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QkDRhGgHB4_oFjGyvHnqr8nck_upJdOKhGTbaonnwBLaGACMLd2zFMcttInVZ6mxL6OxN5fLk62godqkhhkKrayMl7i6Fx5NAdcFjPG_I9x_g2kzqCTsZrmy74su4fuvkL816gW7tdt9/s320/detail+bigstitch+quilt.jpg" /></a></div>Falling in love with a quilt is easy. Maybe the fabric has special meaning---"Look, there's a piece of Mom's apron!" or perhaps you received a quilt as a present from someone who loves you. Or maybe you are a quiltmaker and having spent hours and hours stitching are now convinced that this is the prettiest quilt you've ever seen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UT_9PCYFvhIJcnaSOHDOQ91SC_Oro-aPUJ-svxc6ELfoboT9EdZCLLeA1DukLgcQpRgieuuFShWae6D_Lk7wHIkBEVChU1UQkAMWKjBa1US3DXItQuB0pnk74I1L-Jws64uReyjstFV-/s1600-h/quilting+needle+assortment+Colonial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UT_9PCYFvhIJcnaSOHDOQ91SC_Oro-aPUJ-svxc6ELfoboT9EdZCLLeA1DukLgcQpRgieuuFShWae6D_Lk7wHIkBEVChU1UQkAMWKjBa1US3DXItQuB0pnk74I1L-Jws64uReyjstFV-/s320/quilting+needle+assortment+Colonial.jpg" /></a></div>While some folks are enamored with a quilt's color scheme, I love the stitches. I want to see the stitches! Whether by hand or machine, quilting stitches for me are as indicative of the maker's personality as an artist's scrawled signature. The stitches connect me to that quiltmaker and the time in which she lived. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The needles generally used for hand quilting are called 'Betweens' and their sizes range from #1's (the largest in the above illustration) to #12s (the very tiny needle on the left). (Note that this illustration shows needles slightly smaller than real life.) The eyes (holes) on Betweens are round and must be well-polished so thread slips easily through them. People often start quilting with a #5 or 6, go on to a #9 and then after some time and experience, end up using a #10-12. They swear they can get the tiniest stitches with the tiniest needle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmIoy2d5j7WgP6JQ2Qt8ifw7FT0_qaYkmjUFp7jE6DeBZO1mpPHkK9ubE67ftY59xg3iqYHsl2CDrWjHYEqUmIe7VDbU8epq5wKCngsiQJpAXdOI7WzEf3wl-1TGoZTXjqaAyvO0hjBlO/s1600-h/quilting+betweens+hemmings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmIoy2d5j7WgP6JQ2Qt8ifw7FT0_qaYkmjUFp7jE6DeBZO1mpPHkK9ubE67ftY59xg3iqYHsl2CDrWjHYEqUmIe7VDbU8epq5wKCngsiQJpAXdOI7WzEf3wl-1TGoZTXjqaAyvO0hjBlO/s200/quilting+betweens+hemmings.jpg" width="96" /></a></div><br />
Well and good but I'm aiming for even stitches first and then think about how small they are! And I'm not going to obsess over the size of my stitches--not any more. My favorite quilting needle can vary from day to day although I generally find "the" needle somewhere in the Richard Hemmings Betweens assortment pack. These needles are sleek and shiny and strong and unless I lose them, they last a long time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhEZ1QkI9rp0QGg5cUO9vkgLlsLHJGEEEzHbbSFwHwv6mR0-NzfSi4vgnbtKjvwGo_y7DtZOWD8N66YdXGexA-HKEXsr30fd0Xzs1BS49PQ91cRn3MKuPrOIzhQklAgHtp2dRd48hsnIR/s1600-h/pin+cushions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhEZ1QkI9rp0QGg5cUO9vkgLlsLHJGEEEzHbbSFwHwv6mR0-NzfSi4vgnbtKjvwGo_y7DtZOWD8N66YdXGexA-HKEXsr30fd0Xzs1BS49PQ91cRn3MKuPrOIzhQklAgHtp2dRd48hsnIR/s200/pin+cushions.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>Speaking of losing a needle, long ago I started to collect handmade pin cushions. Here are two my sister Mary Frances made for me. She's a knitter and used wool felting techniques to make these. One is a mushroom and the other a sashiko-theme spider in her web. <br />
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If you'd like to try hand quilting, ask at your local fabric or quilt store for an assortment pack of needles, such as the Richard Hemmings Betweens that I use. Or you can order straight off the web at the Colonial Needle website <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">www.colonialneedle.com</a> . Click 'hand needles' in the left hand menu and peruse to your heart's content.<br />
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Thank you Jo Glover for letting me photograph your beautiful Scrap Star quilt with Big Stitch quilting.Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-1991890381853460752010-02-08T13:19:00.000-08:002010-02-08T13:23:21.965-08:00A Holiday to Mark on the Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WxkhPSpMqZWOaTZZb29f3i7VuMxLiCZeanr1aOTraiGcSoXdWjSOsBN9kziNeOThRvYG0r2kfTYvirZrXAQ-dg5zkFlYF1dkq25_RS7_NlScgIggoXKOHp0E90iOSLZI3aue-PF_386-/s1600-h/vintage+photo+harikuyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WxkhPSpMqZWOaTZZb29f3i7VuMxLiCZeanr1aOTraiGcSoXdWjSOsBN9kziNeOThRvYG0r2kfTYvirZrXAQ-dg5zkFlYF1dkq25_RS7_NlScgIggoXKOHp0E90iOSLZI3aue-PF_386-/s200/vintage+photo+harikuyo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Happy Harikuyo! February 8 in Japan marks Harikuyo or The Festival of Broken Needles. This ceremony, a blend of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, is thought be over 1500 years old. Harikuyo is observed at temples all over the country as kimono makers, seamstresses, and needle wielders of both sexes lay their broken or bent pointy-headed little friends to rest in huge cakes of tofu.<br />
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Reasons for the ceremony are rooted in ancient beliefs that inanimate objects, such as needles, have souls too. To simply trash a bent or broken needle, a tool that has worked for you and given you its all, dishonors the tool and might invite that needle's anger. Can anyone say 'pricked fingers'? As they leave their old needles in the tofu, festival attendees also say prayers for a successful coming year of sewing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTMOkdMU9POXBR4fKyl2m42pLo0SCxApob9zh6s9mJDeLm8rBaMKmm7XjaYDC408GkxgEuomuouF12M0Ezum42xoF8IgdqyfGuPBIVIsCj0VsQlbJHdbQSHkHABEJEkLUgbbCnS7SRZ0E/s1600-h/needle+mass+1+sashiko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTMOkdMU9POXBR4fKyl2m42pLo0SCxApob9zh6s9mJDeLm8rBaMKmm7XjaYDC408GkxgEuomuouF12M0Ezum42xoF8IgdqyfGuPBIVIsCj0VsQlbJHdbQSHkHABEJEkLUgbbCnS7SRZ0E/s200/needle+mass+1+sashiko.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Sashiko ('little stab') the hand-sewing embroidery/darning/quilting stitch from Japan is getting a lot of attention from modern sewers. Everyone likes the classic sashiko style, a clean geometric pattern in even white stitches against an indigo background. The woman on the right, laying her old needles to rest at last year's harikuyo in Tokyo, wears a jacket with what looks like a sashiko-stitched tortoise shell pattern.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhNhxjbceQ8YVhB1LT7hRVFSpzEl4qD1o16BvHxBwZsxX_XswE-g0dMLoGVEDjK_HCw8Oeg7DfxUdmwvceE5o7gR9fVbr3cAzpZxAVNQ8dta-hLo8C90moH86HPLZGxYaT-WU8AJOtaQS/s1600-h/bag+with+sashiko+insert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhNhxjbceQ8YVhB1LT7hRVFSpzEl4qD1o16BvHxBwZsxX_XswE-g0dMLoGVEDjK_HCw8Oeg7DfxUdmwvceE5o7gR9fVbr3cAzpZxAVNQ8dta-hLo8C90moH86HPLZGxYaT-WU8AJOtaQS/s320/bag+with+sashiko+insert.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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But sashiko is being done in interesting new color combinations in addition to the historic blue and white. At a recent CNA (Craft and Hobby Association) trade show in Anaheim, California, the folks from Colonial Needle exhibited a market bag, one of their new leather accessories from their <a href="http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/">Lee's Needle Arts</a> division, that displayed a sashiko embroidered insert. I stitched the sashiko insert in the <i>asinoha </i>(hemp leaf pattern) on traditional indigo fabric and used four different colors of perle cotton.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs8_I8lRDl68bPMNSSW9z60Y4kUcTOpw1K_9TyXiX0jZlUrg8wt68sx25w4nfvaZv0zLBFiLZKvKpfCAQs9ZJnu3ynE_-BXDnVr1EUGeaMwTwmbsXXneL75OBwIsMK2QilsojnkY1494I/s1600-h/sashiko+bag+closeup+stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs8_I8lRDl68bPMNSSW9z60Y4kUcTOpw1K_9TyXiX0jZlUrg8wt68sx25w4nfvaZv0zLBFiLZKvKpfCAQs9ZJnu3ynE_-BXDnVr1EUGeaMwTwmbsXXneL75OBwIsMK2QilsojnkY1494I/s200/sashiko+bag+closeup+stitches.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.presenciausa.com/">Presencia USA </a>sells the #8 perle cotton in an amazing color range. The colors used in the bag insert are Medium Blue Delft, Kelly Green, Medium Golden Brown, and Dark Topaz. While the indigo fabric is imported from Japan, both the bag and the sashiko needles can be found at the <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">Colonial Needle </a>site.<br />
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Who says people with ADD can't do needlework?Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864847437020765667.post-18953388465420214652010-01-21T06:41:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:24:06.705-08:00Needle Me Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCpbHC9chzE9mMqOfW0gFOM7C8nASZb5bvgxyf1Fsh1lJ_YYh82nnZj-GomVL73VhkLUFHLdMqXT8pwW5BYIjUFZGQXEo4LY5FdJ9mQmmR-OAv3-z70fZL0oUMnFVjcPMmGeVco_EGWzR/s1600-h/Hand+quilting+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCpbHC9chzE9mMqOfW0gFOM7C8nASZb5bvgxyf1Fsh1lJ_YYh82nnZj-GomVL73VhkLUFHLdMqXT8pwW5BYIjUFZGQXEo4LY5FdJ9mQmmR-OAv3-z70fZL0oUMnFVjcPMmGeVco_EGWzR/s200/Hand+quilting+closeup.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>This blog begins a new year for the Colonial Needle Company and for me. I love hand sewing. In my case, it means piecing, quilting, sashiko, and embroidery. I first got to know Terry and Jim Collingham, the owners of the Colonial Needle Company, from meeting them in their booth at trade shows. Their enthusiasm for needlecraft and their products is contagious. They handed out samples of needles and encouraged people to try their needles and report back to them. How could I refuse?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCugEqPN2E2JPCZJp5a2V6_MruaQ2mAPVhnXWUeRHhELAdWWu7K3wqWg26o8ZN2dmbEeHjSGazVclXOyCTYmk3FVIkx9xLx0WN9BeJBTGhmMBut-JbNhNv6-goK7G9WGzmxDGl2WtDgElG/s1600-h/Needle+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCugEqPN2E2JPCZJp5a2V6_MruaQ2mAPVhnXWUeRHhELAdWWu7K3wqWg26o8ZN2dmbEeHjSGazVclXOyCTYmk3FVIkx9xLx0WN9BeJBTGhmMBut-JbNhNv6-goK7G9WGzmxDGl2WtDgElG/s200/Needle+Museum.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
</div>Years ago I visited the <a href="http://www.forgemill.org.uk/">Forge Mill Needle Museum </a>in Redditch, England and enjoyed myself immensely. You know you're a nerd when an afternoon spent looking at tiny tools like needles is the high point of your visit overseas. The gift shop at the Needle Museum had the world's best selection of needles...until I encountered the Collinghams and realized all those wonderful needles were available here in the US!<br />
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</div>This blog celebrates all the different work we do with needles and I encourage (request, beg, etc) that readers and commentators send me lovely clear close-up photos of their hand needlework. Who am I? I'm Pepper Cory and you can send pictures to me at this address: <a href="mailto:pepcory@gmail.com">pepcory@gmail.com</a>.<br />
To define 'hand needlework': quilting, embroidery, huck weaving, heirloom sewing (think gorgeous christening gowns), knitting (Colonial sells knitting needles and tools too), and anything else that a creative person wielding a needle can do. You can add your comments at the bottom of this blog, visit us on Facebook, or go to the <a href="http://www.colonialneedle.com/">Colonial Needle website</a> . We hope to hear from you!Pepper Coryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840312463631790831noreply@blogger.com1