Quilts and socks

I am home from Israel and eager to get back to my quilt.There were a lot of rip-backs, putting this puzzle together isn’t simple. Once I committed, that was it, even if the design isn’t that apparent because of the scrappiness of my fabrics.Either way, I am liking the result, this is very very different from most Storm at Sea quilts. I’m already thinking how the quilting will reinforce the tumbler shapes.

I ordered another ruler from Deb Tucker, it’s really two rulers. I had figured out a way to get the center economy block done with my regular ruler but figured that her precision would be better.This is a basic economy block. I don’t know why it has this name. The first one I made for the quilt – problem is, it’s too small. So I fooled around with my regular ruler and got the right size.When the measurements are accurate, everything fits in perfectly, notice how the points of the larger square meet up with the points on the diamonds. That is the desired result. Please don’t point out how it’s a millimeter off on the bottom, I’m a human, not a machine. This is as perfect as it gets in quilting.

So the rulers arrived and I read the instructions and got to work. I’m going to blame jet lag for the fact that I didn’t read the instructions well enough.Do you see how there is almost a quarter of an inch between the points! Not good! So after a good night sleep, I reread the instructions and now all is well. My economy blocks are fitting beautifully and yes, they are easier to make with Deb’s ruler. Am I tearing out this block and remaking it? Heck no!Can you see the problem now? If you can, good for you, but that really takes eagle eyes. I’m not replacing that block, I’m just going on and making sure the rest of the quilt is accurate.

Speaking of jet lag, it’s not a good idea to make things while jet lagged.

My good friend Vivian asked me to test knit some sock yarn for her. So I did.I knit one of the socks on the flight to Israel and finished it while there. Then I started the second sock on the way home and finished it while jetlagged here.Lovely right? Except I’m noticing that the right foot is a tighter knit than the left foot. You know those eagle eyes I was complaining about, here it is very obvious to me. Not to mention that the left sock is much looser.

Anyway, now I need to wear, wash and rewear the socks so I can give Vivian a report

Israel, miscellaneous

Out and about in Jerusalem, Miskanot Sha’ananim. The first neighbourhood  built outside the wall of Jerusalem in 1860 by Sir Moses Montifiore. Although these were larger and roomier than the warren of hovels inside the walls, it was hard to get people to move out here. Behind it is the famous windmill, built also by Sir Montifiore to provide work.  Today this is a guest house for visiting artists, authors and other creatives.By the 1890’s a newer neighborhood, Yemin Moshe was built next door. Also funded by Sir Moses (Moshe) Montifiore, it was named for him.

After the War of Independence, these two neighborhoods were right on the border facing the old city. Newly arrived immigrants from Turkey were housed there. After the Six Day war, they were moved out and the neighborhood was renovated. I spoke to some of the former Turkish residents, although they enjoyed their modern apartments – they did feel that they had been used.Today this is quaint and lovely, but I can understand the Turkish Jews, their plot in WWII wasn’t that bad and yet the did move to Israel only to be put in broken down buildings right on a very hot border.  Ahh, history.The area is known for its’ doors, blue has always been used in the middle east to ward off the evil spirits. I just noticed how this star of David is inside a cross, no I don’t think a Jew for Jesus lives there, I think it’s just a design choice.More blue.Brown. Fitting the doorway into the arch. I’m sure that today the office of Antiquities would be horrified that they included an old capitol in the building. In 1890 no one cared, you used what was available.An interesting arch with a door to match.Interesting, are these the homeowners?The cats are everywhere.On the road through the Jordan Valley, a camel. I remember as a child ‘riding’ a camel. It’s weird, they stand up hind legs first.Clearly there are still children around who want the experience.A new building in the Bauhaus style. I don’t mind when architects refrence back to older styles.I do mind when they make a very bad replica of Gaudi’s Casa Mila in Barcelona.  This is in Tel Aviv, yuck.I need to find who it is that makes these large buttons. So far I have seen this kind of sign in LA, (the button store), in Victoria BC and now in Tel Aviv.

Thanks for joining me on my trip.

Tel Aviv

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv aren’t just two cities 40 miles apart, they are worlds apart.Tel Aviv doesn’t have the restriction that Jerusalem does, to only build out of the local stone. So big glass sky scrapers are popping up like mushrooms after the rain. Like all modern cities, these bright towers overlook the decaying old squat buildings.

I need to spend more time in Tel Aviv, it has a lot to offer. I went with two girlfriends to Sarona.Sarona is a recreation of a German settlement in the area in the mid 19th century. In Jerusalem, we have the German colony. This was built by similar people near the coast. At the time, it was pretty far from Jaffa and Tel Aviv wasn’t even a concept.Many of these buildings were in The Kiriyah – the headquarters of the Israeli army and were used as office buildings. A few years ago, the city, moved most of them across the street and created a large open space mall and park.I didn’t see many old plaques, probably because major restoration was done on the buildings. What can I say, I love Israel, they preserve the old plaque from 1874. And yet, they still haven’t installed the light or whatever it is that those electrical wires are meant to support.Unlike Jerusalem, the buildings were stuccoed. The choice of color is probably new, I don’t think the Germans had time to think of bright colors in a desolate desert country. They came for religious reasons, they were good Christians who called themselves Templers. Interesting story, in WWI the Germans sided with the Turks, so when the British took over – they expelled these Germans. They went to New Zealand of all places.I wonder if originally they looked more like this?  Maybe the stucco is completely new. This is the Olive press, they even recreated the press itself.This being Tel Aviv, the new is surrounding the old.Each building is now a store or restaurant, but that isn’t enough, so the Sarona market was built as well.More retail and of course new apartments.

We then walked to the old port. The streets are full of people, busy going places or sitting around it coffee shops.Tel Aviv is known for it’s Bauhaus style buildings, what we call Art Deco. Luckily many are being restored. The heat and the humidity have really taken a toll on Tel Aviv, there is a constant need for updating.

One area, right by the beach that should be demolished is Kikar Atarim, built in the 1970’s in the Brutalist style – all fortress like and bare concrete. No wonder it has failed miserably. I had to capture some of the arrested decay, even though I hope it will be destroyed soon. This awful complex overlooks a fabulous Tel Aviv landmark.The ever popular Gordon swimming pools with the marina beyond.There is something very special about old friends, at my age I can use the word old without any irony. I’ve known Penny and Naomi for close to 40 years. It’s a pleasure spending time with them.This is the best image I captured of the sunset over the sea. Israel, Lebanon and Turkey are the only Mediteranean countries that face west.  It was a great way to close out the day.

Getting out of the city

For my mothers 85th birthday the whole family went up to a hotel in the Galilee.  Springtime is in full bloom.I brought my little camera, my phone camera would probably sufficed, since I didn’t do too well with the focus. Maybe it’s better this way. Fields of red. The anenome, or Calanit as it’s known in Hebrew is one of the floral symbols of Israel. Also one of the big success stories. By the 1960’s they were almost gone because people picked them. A massive education campaign took place. Now the countryside is full of thes poppy-like flowers again.They really are this red.Sometimes pale purple or white. What better place to take family pictures?or romantic ones?or my nephew taking a picture of my sister I law and my niece. Another famous flower is the Rakefet. Small and delicate, unlike the bombastic hybrids I buy at my local nursery.This is the way I remember them from my youth. Tiny pops of color showing up at the base of rocks. More purple, I don’t know the name of this flower, the beautiful carpet under the olive trees is a sight to see.

The almond trees are in full bloom right now. First come thepaper thin flowers, then the leaves and finally the fruit will ripen.

Spring is very short in Israel, ina few weeks these will all be gone, which is why people come out in droves to enjoy the flowers.

In Israel

My mother turned 85. We are having a large family gathering in the Galilee. Looking good at 85.

I haven’t seen everyone yet, but did have the pleasure of an evening out with niblings. (Nieces and nephew). All the hot new hangouts are in Mahane Yehuda, the open air market. The area certainly was hopping on a Tuesday night.

This time I just brought a small camera and am trying to find small unusual details. This is the advertisement for the restaurant we ate at Crave. Notice the plexiglass cat?Does a label make something art?or does it really need to be spelled out?Not art, just a funky planter.detail of ceiling from one of the older homes outside the walls of the old city. Ticho House, he was an eye Dr. she an artist. The second floor is a lovely restaurant. I don’t know if this or original or newly painted. The tile on the floor is original, you know me, always on the lookout for tile. Finally, a very healthy Jerusalem cat, she lives outside the restaurant, I’m sure she is well fed.

I love puzzles

I really do love to put puzzles together. I haven’t done so in a while since it doesn’t feel that productive. I end up with a complete puzzle, and after a few days, I take it apart and put the pieces back in a box.

I have found a way to combine my love of solving puzzles with quilting.  Two other friends and I decided to each make charity quilts for Quilts of Valor.  These are awarded to service men and women from all branches of the military.

We decided to use the pattern Storm at Sea. And now I have probably just lost you, since you are being amazed by all the ways this pattern can be interpreted.  I have recently been introduced to Deb Tuckers rulers, she has amazing tutorials on YouTube. I was lucky to see her demonstrate them in person at Road to California. Here is a sample I made using her rulers. I think I need to purchase one more, I’m having some issues with the center… I’ve solved it with another ruler, but still, her method rocks.  These aren’t the colors or the placement of darks and lights. The accuracy and the points matching are about as good as I could ever imagine I’d achieve. Patriotic red white and blue are the preferred colors. That gave me an opportunity to buy more of those colors as well as raid my stash. This is the design I came up with. Those pieces of fabric aren’t scraps, they are cut into the appropriate shapes for piecing.   A normal person would just start cutting the appropriate shades and chain piece. I am not normal, not only am I working one block at a time, I am slowly building up the pattern.Which is where my love of puzzles comes in. I want the placement of fabrics to conform to my design. Have I made mistakes? Yes, across the edge I’m letting them be, but as I work into the center of the quilt – it has to work. So it’s one small block at a time with a fair amount of ripping out mistakes.Does this take a lot more time? Yes A LOT! I’m loving the process, there is no deadline.  I’m not into speed when it comes to making things. This is what I do, I create beautiful things. I get as much enjoyment from the process as from the final product.

We have a term – quilt worthy. Most of my charity quilts are lovely, but I don’t put this much time and effort into them. Any Veteran of our military is quilt worthy, they deserve the best I have to offer.

Making the same sweater twice

I’ve never done this before, repeat a sweater pattern. There are so many patterns out there to choose from. So what prompted this repeat?Years ago I knit this sweater.  If it looks slightly out of proportion that is because it went through the wash by accident and it shrunk.  One thing the shrinkage did was make the neckline a better fit, it also made the design stand out a little more. Otherwise, it really doesn’t fit anymore.When knitting shrinks and felts it does so on its’ terms, not mine. When I got back into knitting 15 years ago, the felted bags were all the rage. But if a bag ends up with a different proportion than the original knitting – so be it.  Extra tight armscyes just don’t work.The collar wasn’t in the original pattern, I added it. Which means it was always a little big until the sweater felted.I don’t remember what yarn I used, clearly, it wasn’t superwash wool.So I reknit with Malabrigo yarn, which isn’t superwash either. So no machine washing. To be honest I have no idea how the sweater ended up in the machine. I always hand wash my sweaters. Oh well, life happens.Once again, the collar is a little too big. My excuse this time is that I am leaving for Israel and wanted to finish this quickly, so I rushed through. If I werentravelinging I’d come up with another excuse. There is a reason why I like well designed patterns, someone else does all the math.Years ago I used a similar Malabrigo yarn for a shawl. You can tell I really like this blue-green colorway.More buttons on this version. As I knit the button holes I hadn’t decided yet which buttons I’d use. I have the infamous box of buttons. (it’s more like boxes, but who’s counting!)These are vintage buttons I found at a show. Turns out I have exactly 7 of them.Impressive isn’t it, looks like hand embroidered buttons. Another reason to hand wash the sweater.Won’t remove them for the wash, with large heavy buttons I like to reinforce them with a small button on the back. They don’t match you say? Nope, they don’t, this is call using those mismatched button in a very productive manner.These, which clearly went through the washing machine without a hitch are from JoAnns. Like fabric, buttons come and go. I haven’t seen the like of these in years!

Splendid Sampler DONE!

Well, all the blocks are done. I still have to figure out how I’m putting these together.I am interested in doing some Hawaiian needle turn applique. Therefore I was pleased that we have a block with interesting instructions. Using freezer paper in a new to me method. The paper is ironed on the right side and then basted down. I have enjoyed a number of these Tulip needles. The applique ones are very thin and sharp. Perfect for needle turn applique. Leaving the paper in place as a guide. My understanding is that as you get better at this, you don’t need to leave the paper in place anymore.Tada! finished applique! Is it perfect? No. Is it really good? YES!  More practice with this technique will make it better. I deliberately used batik because it is a very tightly woven fabric, easier to manipulate.The final paper pieced block. I must say my paper piecing has improved immensely with this project.
I am getting more use out of Deb Tuckers Wing clipper ruler to make accurate flying geese.  Ah, the right tools make all the difference.This is it! Block no. 100! Thankfully it was pieced and not applique.The pretty box I bought a year ago is full! 100 blocks full!  So I counted, turns out I made exactly 100 blocks. I skipped quite a few, I made some of the bonus blocks and I added some of my own.Here they are, 100 blocks. Not a great photo, my design wall is cramped up into a corner in a room without great light. Here is my proof. I made 100 blocks.

So now I have to figure out the next step. I realize that I don’t want one big sample quilt. I find there is no place for my eyes to rest, I already made the yellow 100 block quilt. The blocks were all by Tula Pink, the color yellow unifies it all. So I’m thinking of a few quilts that will utilize most of these blocks.

…and it’s done!

I finished the very large Checkerboard, Dresden plate quilt!

11.5 hours on the longarm!Back home on my machine, attaching the binding. Now way could I have done the quilting on this one. Just sewing the binding on was hard enough. I even used the quilting pad to help move the quilt through the machine, it is that heavy.Even with the walking foot there was a lot of drag.Here I am hand sewing the binding. It took almost a whole yard of fabric to bind this quilt. I also used every single binding clip that I own.Normally I can stand on the ledge and take a picture of the quilt on the ground, this time I had to go get the ladder. Even then it wasn’t easy getting the whole quilt into the frame.I am thrilled with the result. Because I worked on the long arm the quilt lies flat and squaring off the corners was a breeze.I love the different fabrics I chose for the 1″ border and the binding.  I am very pleased with the three shades of green khaki. This is my strength as a designer, putting together a very unique quilt.
I also love the definition wool batting gives to the quilt. Sure, you can see that my ruler work is sorely lacking, but you can also see the different patterns I used. The different shades make the quilt look smaller, in a good way. I had orignally planned to have the plate segments on the sides of the bed. This way looks better, there is more overhang on the sides. I also like how the segments peak through the foot section of the frame.Yes, I need to make new pillows, or shams. And no, I don’t care that the blanket is visible on the side. I coudln’t have made this quilt any bigger! the skirt stays, no need to change that.We’ve had the pleasure of sleeping under this quilt.  Ahh! It is wonderful, so worth the time and effort. I spend enough time in my bed that it’s high time I had one of my own quilts to sleep under.

And now, on to smaller projects. Suddenly a twin size quilt feels small and manageble.

 

 

 

 

On the Longarm!

It took 1.5 hours to get the quilt top, backing and batting onto the long arm quilting machine.Ruth making sure that everything is in order to go!There is always prep work before one can start quilting. On a domestic machine, or if quilting by hand, one has to baste the three layers together. On the longarm frame, one needs to position the three parts of the quilt sandwich correctly. Doing the job right the first time takes time.I have to laugh at myself. Here I am using rulers and trying for those beautiful diamonds I’ve seen people quilt. The images I see are after many years of practice. This is my first attempt, I’m calling it a win.Oops, I got too close to the Dresden plate, I meant to do some echo- quilting, well I’ll do it anyway.It makes the Dresdens look like they are floating on top of the swirls.For the first time, I am using wool batting. It really makes the motifs pop.  Even better, since this section of the back is solid, one can really see the design.Moving out of the border into the center. Double shadow, and I”m stippling. I haven’t used this quilting technique in years. I had a broad idea of how I want this quilted. The only place I improvise is during the actual quilting stage.

I’m deliberately making my motifs large, this is a big quilt, it is intended for my bed. I want it soft and cozy, not hard like a piece of cardboard.

Another thing I have to get used to, travelling across the quilt in horizontal  sections. On my own machine (if I were crazy enough to quilt this on my own machine!) I would manipulate each dresden plate, here I have to work them in sections.  Three hours of actual quilting and I’m a quarter of the way done.  Time for a break, I’ll be back tomorrow.

And then there are the final few blocks of the Splendid Sampler.Block  98 is a needle turn applique in the Hawaiian style.  Interesting technique, using freezer paper.Needle turn applique isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes extra time to bast the applique onto the background fabric. It is so worth the effort.Not perfect by a long shot. I recognize that perfection comes with a lot of practice. For a first try this is very good. It helps that I used batik fabric, with it’s very tight weave, it holds it shape better.

Now that I am almost at the end of this year long project I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I think I will probably let the blocks sit for a while, it may become one quilt, the blocks may end up in a variety of smaller projects.

What I do know is no more year long quilt alongs for me!