Nothing New

yep. Not much quilting to report around here.

I took leave of my senses and entered some quilts in Road to CA for 2011. I'm not sure why I did it, since they're not my best work. I guess I hate to let a show go by without at least trying to submit something. Come December 1, I'll know if they're in or out. You never know. If you don't try, for sure they won't get in. ;)

In the meantime, I'm back working on a humongous Tennessee Waltz quilt-for-hire. It's very striking, done in brown and white. It will probably take me a week to wrestle it through the motions of quilting it. (For those who don't know, I only quilt on a Bernina.)

This morning I looked out the kitchen window and started laughing. If I ever wondered why Edgar has fallen into the pool, my wondering ended. All of the cats drink from the pool (I think they are attracted to the chlorine), but he's the only one who practically climbs into it to slake his thirst.






He kind of reminds me of the pictures you see of lions at the watering hole: looking this way and that, always keeping an eye on everything.

And that's all I've got for you today. I'm off to Hanford for some fun with my mini-group. I'm hoping there is hand-quilting in my future. :)

All Done But the Sleeve

Last night I stitched down the binding. um, umm good! I am still very happy with it.

"Tropical Stone Mosaic"
a Jan Krentz design
Suzanne Kistler 2010

Today I stitched on the labels, tonight, perhaps, the sleeve.

Want to see a close-up of the quilting? You should be able to click on the picture to make it bigger.

It quilted up nice and easy.

Now for the tough task. Due to an unexpected arrival, extra boxes that were put in the adjacent room have now been relocated back into the Studio. Which means that locating MYSELF back into the Studio is going to be quite the challenge.

I know what I'll be doing tomorrow: time for sorting and condensing my stash. oh my.

Productive "Lazy" Weekend

The first order of business was to get a new iron. This Classic Sunbeam (no Black & Decker available) came home with me for $19.99. So far, so good. Most of the controls are manual. yay.

The second order of business was to try it out. I've had this block, done in a Ruth McDowell workshop AGES ago, sitting on my desk, waiting for borders. Slap those puppies on, and next?

Not only did I get the Tropical Stone Mosaic quilt quilted, I attached the binding. All I need to do is stitch it down. I want you to look at that piecework in the binding. Slow and steady won this race - I don't think there is any room for improvement in the matching the seams between the quilt and the binding.

In case you missed it the first time around, here it is again. I know, I'm easily impressed. But really, it was a challenge. I mean, the first time I cut the angle, I cut it backwards. Translation: Where the quilt zigged, the binding zagged. It took some slicing and dicing and ripping and resewing to get it ready to go again. I am pleased, oh so pleased, with the results.

If I ever enter this quilt in a show, the narrative will instruct the viewer to "Please, look at my binding!"

Hopefully they will...and they'll completely miss the middle of the quilt, where the points don't match. Don't tell anyone, it will be our little secret...

A Flawed Design

Yesterday I decided to get to know the Shark. Now that I know it, I don't like it at all. Do you know why it wasn't getting hot? Some brainiac decided that instead of having a manual temperature adjustment, they should give it a high-tech electronic temperature control. I believe it has 4 settings, but I've already boxed it so I can't be sure. There's no way to make it just a little hotter or a little cooler. All temperatures are preset.

They've put the control button to change the settings in the handle. Have you figured it out yet? You can set it on high, and it will get hot. But when you pick it up and start using it? My hand contacts the control button and pop! It's turned off. Just like magic.

This is not something worth getting used to.

I went deep into the bowels of my cupboards for my old Black & Decker. And remembered that I'd given it to one of the boys when he went to school. He's probably still using it.

I found an old Rowenta. What was wrong with this one? Oh. The teflon has peeled off the bottom.

Today it's back to the store to return the "Shark" and look for something with manual dials and no blinking lights.

I've appreciated all of your comments and suggestions. I probably should have asked the first time around, doncha know?

Today's Treasure Hunt

I've gone out and am back again, toting "treasure." You know what they say about one man's junk...

yeah. It's now mine. :) I couldn't resist the "DCCA Tulare" logo on this beat up old milk can. I bought it for Pete. Will he or won't he like it? Milk can? Tulare? Can I really go wrong with this? Probably, but the price was right, so it's a gamble I'll take.

At the same place, I found this petit point purse. Lovely. It matches a purse that I inherited from my mom, only this one is twice the size. The red leather interior is in mint condition. $5. Do I need it? No. Did I buy it? Of course.

Finally, I bought these "real shell" necklaces for $1 apiece. If anyone is looking for shells to embellish their fiber art, I highly recommend checking out your local yard sales. There are plenty of people who have outgrown their Hawaiian souvenirs, and the price beats that of a craft or bead store.

I also liked the bright blue geode slice. I'm sure it's dyed, but it matches the blue/white corner of the living room. For another dollar? I'll take it.

The other treasure I have to share is a website. Yesterday I linked my SAQA quilt purchase to Susan Brubaker Knapp's blog. I should have linked to her website. This morning I had time to sit down and explore it. ohmygosh!!! If you are a fan of art quilts, and even if you're not, click HERE for something that just might take your breath away.

Coleus

First, a comment about the new iron. Shark? My foot. It has no bite. I tried using it, and it only got lukewarm, even on the highest setting. I'm going to have to sit down and read the directions - don't you hate that? I've been ironing since I was about 5 years old. I should know how to use an iron, for heaven's sake!! Anyway, if I can't get it any hotter, I'd better dig the box out of the recycling bin and take it back to the store. harumpf.

I may just go back to a Black & Decker, which I have had in the past, but for some reason I like the more solid feel of a heavier iron. Unless I drop it on my foot. But I digress..

Now, on to happier things.

You all know how much I love my garden, don't you? I love to go out there, especially now that it's cooling off a bit, and pull weeds and pluck deadheads.

For a long time it didn't feel like my yard any more - digging everything up and having professionals suggest plants and do the planting was quite the experience. But I'm coming to know my new friends, and we seem to get along pretty well.

One of the selections of the landscaper was Coral Bells, which is a variety of geranium. I've always had good luck with geraniums, but Coral Bells seem to be temperamental. Two just up and died, for no apparent reason.

Rather than replant the same, I planted something new to me. I haven't had a coleus since I was in college. Are they making a comeback?

Our neighbors down the street have them, and they're luscious. My sister did her entire patio with them. It looks like a velveteen sanctuary. I thought it was high time to see if they work for me. Guess what? They do.

This is the second one I planted. I think it's called "Chocolate Something-or-other." It's tripled in size in the two months I've had it.

This is the first one I planted. It's more than quadrupled in size, although it's currently under attack. I don't know what, but something is eating all of the red from the leaves. Does red taste better than white, yellow or green?

As you can see, I've got Coleus on the brain.

And I've just added a new Coleus to my collection. This one is quilted.

"Red Coleus"
Susan Brubaker Knapp

I bought it from the SAQA Benefit Auction that is currently in progress. That's me, "Anonymous." Last year, when I left the square blank, it showed up as "Suzanne Kistler Collection." For some reason I thought it would be the same this year. It was not.

Anyway, I LOVE this piece. I've been drooling over it since I first saw it, and have been holding my breath that it would still be available once it entered my price range. I haven't decided whether or not to keep it - I have two potential recipients, should I choose to gift it. We'll have to see.

The quilt is white cotton, painted with acrylic paint and machine quilted. If you know me, you know that I could never produce anything so wonderful, using such methods. The best thing I can do with acrylic paint is to roll it on the wall. :)

If you haven't seen the quilts available on the SAQA site, hop on over. They are quite a lovely bunch. I've got my eye on a few more...if they're still available in a few days, you might just see a few more posted here...

Out With The Old, In With The New

Years ago my mom sold me on Rowenta. It was her iron of choice - back then, the professional version cost mega-bucks. It now costs half what we used to pay. "If you use good equipment, the job will be much more enjoyable."

She was right. When my Rowenta worked, it was fantastic. When the second one worked, it was great. Same with the third. And the fourth. And...shouldn't an iron last more than a couple of years? Come on!

My current Rowenta gets hot. Really hot. Really really hot. TOO hot. I was a bit concerned when it started super-heating last week, but when it started leaking as well? It was definitely time to replace it. I was afraid I was going to electrocute myself. It leaks out the bottom, and only leaks when standing up. What's with that?!!

Today I was in Target, and looked at the Rowentas. And decided that I'm not going to plunk down the bucks for an iron that won't last. I'll plunk down fewer bucks for an unknown.

Say "Hi" to my new assistant. It's not out of the box yet, but I'm hoping that it will quickly become my BFF. If not, there's always another Rowenta out there, just waiting to come home.

One More Fair Quilt

Here's a last quilt made by "Sussie." I can tell you exactly what's wrong with it. The points are chopped off on the squares, along the borders. It is particularly noticeable on the top and bottom. How did that happen? Well...

I couldn't remember the right size to cut squares to make quarter triangles, and I asked a friend instead of hunting down the info. She had a "new and better" method: no measuring, less waste, etc. I cut as directed, and all of my set-in triangles came out 1/8" too short. All of my points along the edge were sacrificed to give the full 1/4" seam allowance to attach the border.

Why did I not cut a replacement set of setting triangles? It was because the "less waste" cutting method used up all my fabric!!

This old dog does like new tricks - they never work for her. Next time? It's back to the old-fashioned way. If if was good enough for everyone's grandma, it's good enough for me... ;)

Quilting At The Fair

These are some of the Valley Oak Quilters, busy working on next year's opportunity quilt. L to R they are Elaine, moi, Kathy, Barbara, Dyanne, Ann and Jerry. I hope I got the names right! I just got back from working a shift with them. The quilt is lovely, all hand-appliqued and hand-quilted. The blocks are coxcomb.

I came home to pick up hubby so we can head back to the fair. I won tickets for Beatle Majesty, and we've got a date. woohoo! ;)

Oh! I found my last lost little quilt, poor thing! It was hanging there, plain as day...sporting a red ribbon! I can't believe I forgot my camera. I'll go back tonight, and document it.

When we were kids in 4-H, we used to try to get a ribbon of every color, if we did, we were over the moon. I almost did it this year...I'm just missing a white one.

I wonder if I have any more entries that I've forgotten about? ;)

*** I did forget to mention that the above photo was taken by Linda Matthews. Thank you, Linda!!

More Fair Pictures

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, the highlight of my year was entering quilts in the County Fair. I started quilting in 1983, and discovered the Fair when we moved to Tulare in 1985. I discovered the quilt guild in 1987, and the rest, they say, is history.

I loved to enter the Fair. The sense of anticipation that maybe, just maybe, I might get a ribbon? I have to admit that I've always been a sucker for competition. If you've ever been to the Fair, or to Best of the Valley, you know that the Valley quilters produce some AMAZING work.

But not everyone likes competition, and several years ago they added a new category for Professional Quilters. At that time, I did not consider myself a professional, but within a year or so I was.

Professionals are not allowed to compete at the Fair, in the way that Amateurs do. The work by Professionals is judged by the Danish system, each on its own merit. It is absolutely possible for 100 quilts entered by Professionals to receive 100 blue ribbons. Not so with the Amateur. The Amateur quilts are judged using the American system of judging, with each judged against the other, within a category.

The only competition for Professionals comes with the awarding of Best of Show. At that time, all the blue ribbon quilts are considered, and from them they pick the Best. I think I won once, as a Professional.

Why the disclaimer?

Well, I'm going to show you the quilts that I have hanging at the Fair, and I don't want you to think I'm showing them because of the ribbons. I'm not. As a professional, I EXPECT to get ribbons. After all, I've been quilting for 27 years (has it been that long?!!) and if a quilt is not up to snuff, I don't enter it.

One more thing: there are no premiums for Professionals, but there are for Amateurs. Not much, but some.

Anyway, enough about that.

Oh wait. You might notice that the quilts all say "Susie Kistler." Never in my life have I been a Susie. (I pronounce that "Sussie.") I've been called Suzie forever, but as a quilter? My name always has been and always will be Suzanne.

Now that I've got that straight...

"Fish Dance"
Suzanne Kistler 2010
Hand-appliqued, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted

on the left: "Tradition Visits Heidelberg Castle"
Suzanne Kistler 2009
Hand-appliqued, Hand-quilted

on the right: "Encompassing Tradition"
Suzanne Kistler 2007
Hand and Machine Pieced, Hand-quilted

This little corner is a lot of fun. The dog on the left is...I won't try to tell you what kind of dog it is because I'll get it wrong. He was made by Ann Hinman (I showed her Best of Show, Professional quilt "Heartland" a couple of days ago.) "Little Squirt," the dog on the right, was made by Debbie Van Fossen (I showed her Best of Show, Amateur quilt on the same day.) My two quilts are in the middle, with "Buzz - NotMyCat" and "Adam at Glencoe." Mine are both hand-appliqued and machine-quilted.

In contrast to my attitude towards entering quilts in the Fair, I always get a thrill of excitement when I submit something to a National show. Knowing what kind of work is out there, the thrill comes with having my work accepted.

Then again, sometimes - not often, but sometimes - there is an added spike once the show begins. Yesterday I got one of those spikes.

I went online, to see the results of PNQE, and found my name listed among the winners. Yay!!!

This was the last show for my 2008 Hoffman Challenge before retirement. It's been to a number of shows, but never been a contender. To say I was shocked to be on the list is an understatement.

"Window of Tradition"
Suzanne Kistler 2008
Hand-appliqued, Machine-pieced, Hand-quilted

And that's all folks. Do you think it was enough for the day?

oh wait! It's not all!!! hahaha!! You know how I said quilts at the Fair is not a competition for me? I just proved myself right. I had another quilt there, that I totally forgot about! I didn't look for it, I don't know where it's hanging, and I have no clue how it did.

I'm going back tomorrow, so I guess I'll look for it then...

Fine Art and Photography

One of my favorite things to do at the Tulare County Fair is to enter the Photography competition. You may have noticed? I snap pictures of everything? I don't always work to make sure that the composition is perfect, unless it's the composition or a subject I'm really crazy about. If it's a picture of my latest Estate Sale find, what difference does the lighting make? ;)

Not that I would know how to adjust it if I noticed!

Anyway, I've been entering the photography competition for 14 years. My first year, I won a second place on a photo of my son, who is now 26. He was at the beach, covered with sand, grinning from ear to ear. I LOVED that photo. I still do.

From that point on, nothing. Until last year. I earned a fourth place on a picture taken at Best of the Valley. woohoo!!! Ribbons are few and far between in the Fine Arts/Photography building. The competition level is high, and any mention sends thrills up my spine.

Yesterday I entered the building, and found my first two photos. They were landscapes. Nothing.

Then I found the "People Grouping/Families" section. Woo!! Woo woo!!! See that?!!! That's my Committee!!! And they earned a ribbon!!! I looked around for someone to tell...A uniformed CHP officer happened to be strolling by. "Look! My photo got a ribbon!" I'm pretty sure he thought I was a nut case, but I explained to him that no one was with me and I had to tell someone! Poor guy. But if that's the worst thing that happened to him yesterday, it was probably a pretty good day.

I turned the corner, and, BAM!! The picture of Monica's fabric, taken at the quilt show, was also wearing a ribbon!!! Two ribbons? In a single year?

And then, BAM!! A THIRD ribbon. My third picture of Best of the Valley, and my third ribbon for photography in a single year. Wow! I should have taken a picture of the entire display, so that you could see the wonderful photographs and the limited number of ribbons.

oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!! I was like the cat who swallowed the canary, and I'm pretty sure I drove all the quilters crazy yesterday. "Guess what?!! I won ribbons for PHOTOGRAPHY!!" They were all very nice and congratulatory, but I think that by the time I left they were thinking, "Enough already!" ;)

The other picture I have for you today is from the County Building. They used to have a fierce competition between the various communities, but apparently people have better things to do these days than promote their communities. Tulare and Pixley were the only displays I saw. Pixley went all out, Pixley won. Yay, Pixley!!

You may be familiar with Pixley, if you ever watched Green Acres or Petticoat Junction. The shows took place thereabouts. As you can see, it's a farming community, and they are very proud of their produce. Congratulations, Pixley! Thanks for feeding us!

Tulare County Fair

Today was opening day of the County Fair. woo woo! It's always a highlight for quilters, with our work hung for all to see. In contrast to the quilt show, lots of folks who wouldn't go out of their way to see quilts come through the Home Arts Building.

The Fair folks always do a fantastic job of display. We can see all of the quilts, and they're hung high enough that no one can touch them. If you live nearby and have never been, it's high time you came to see. The Fair will be open through Sunday night.

Debbie Van Fossen once again won Best of Show, Amateur. Isn't her quilt lovely? It will also be at Pacific International, so if you can't make it to Tulare, perhaps Santa Clara is on your agenda?

Ann Hinman won Best of Show, Professional. Do you recognize this quilt? It was selected as Viewer's Choice at Best of the Valley, 2010.

I haven't seen this one before. It looks like someone took a class or purchased Jan Krentz's Diamond Quilts & Beyond book.

After taking a quick walk around the building, I sat down at the quilt in the frame for some handquilting. Every year the Valley Oak Quilt Guild demonstrates handquilting at the Fair. Our collection of handquilters seems to be dwindling. In past years we would have a dozen quilters, today there were four. For a while there were six, but the overlap wasn't for long.

That's what I've got for your viewing pleasure today. Stay tuned for some results from the Fine Arts/Photography building. I've got pictures!

Shopping Again?!!

"Starry Night"
Robin Ferrier 2010

Seriously. I'm going to have to stop blog-hopping. And I'm going to especially have to stop blog-shopping!

I've been a long-time lurker on Simply Robin's blog, fascinated by her color choices and processes. Our approaches to quiltmaking could not be more different, yet I'm absolutely enchanted with her work.

When she decided to offer some of her work on her Etsy site, I hopped over, never expecting to actually purchase anything. But, the price was right, and it was cheaper to buy her quilt than to attempt to fly to Maui and try to track her down. ;) That might be a bit creepy, don't you think? ;)

Mr. Postman delivered the box yesterday, and I am a happy shopper. She tags this as an "heirloom baby quilt," but until such time as we have need for it, it's a happy addition to our "guest" room.

Thank you, Robin!!!

Out of Control?

I was at a loose end today, trying to fill my morning without thinking, and so, I hopped in my car in search of treasure. Two of the "Estate Sales" weren't really, the last one was a winner. :)

The favorite thing that I walked out with was this piece of "Ironstone China," by Wood & Sons of England.

Both the seller and an older neighbor informed me that it was "a chamber pot," as though I did not know what I was holding. I knew EXACTLY what it was. However, unlike the two of them, I have never used one. The seller grew up in Iowa, with an outhouse, and the chamber pot was their best friend during the winter. Her neighbor moved to the Midwest from Holland when she was nine. She left a home with hot and cold running water, to live in a place with a chamber pot. Needless to say, she was convinced that the US was a third world country. ;)

I paid $10 for the pot, and $1 each for these bowls stamped "USA." I like their shape.

I also found these two plastic bags, filled with crochet. "$10 each." wow. I bought them just to see what they held.


Here are the contents of the first bag. There's actually a second, smaller bag, that was inside the larger bag. I haven't emptied it yet.

I have no idea what I will do with all of these doilies, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking that if I ever decide to start crazy quilting, I'll need some lace and tatting.

This is my favorite piece so far, unfortunately it is torn. It looks like a circle ringed with fir trees. Apparently Blogger is also attracted to it. Don't tip my picture, Blogger!

At noon I went to a memorial service for a long-time quilting friend. I am pretty torn up about her passing, and have a hard time talking. I knew her for 23 years. She was always there to offer whatever I needed, whether it be comfort or correction, a hug or a scolding. She even filled my mom's shoes, by periodically correcting my spelling or grammar in email. Now that they're both gone, who's going to read me carefully enough to proof what I write?

I'll miss you, Mary Schorr. You were a treasure.

Playing For an Hour

Thank you, everyone, for your positive comments regarding the quilt-for-hire. I'm glad to know that my fiddling with the quilt was a desirable action, not one that would offend. I've finished pin-basting, and it looks terrific. I know this quilt will quilt quickly, in that I know exactly how I'm going to quilt it, it's just finding the time to get it done.

This morning was guild, and we enjoyed a trunk show from Peggy Martin. Her work is quite bright and lively, and maybe I should have brought my camera along. I thought about it, and then forgot about it. I seem to be a bit distracted these days. Maybe it's all of my looming deadlines?

When I got home, I had a couple of hours to burn and a huge mess on my sewing table. Rather than start in on the for-hire work, I thought I'd sew up some of the mess.

Remember those scraps I'd trimmed from Fish Dance? They've been repurposed into a new little (very small) quilt.

I bought the large ceramic fish button in Long Beach in 2008. The stick is from Hartland, I believe the raffia was from a package I received for my birthday. Now if I could only find the copper wire that I bought to hang these stick-mounted quilts....It's around here somewhere!!!

No Pictures, Just Plugging Along...

I've spent the last couple of days basting quilts-for-hire. Did you forget that I do that? Yeah, so did I. ;) I haven't done many quilts this year, but since I've signed up for Asilomar in late May, I need to cover the expense.

Yesterday I basted three quilts. Two were medium-sized, the third is a biggie. I believe it's 85" x 106". I got to the very last corner, and saw that it was not square. The owner had admitted to some "issues," particularly in this corner, but I didn't realize how noticeable they were until I was almost done basting. Groan. I fussed over it for a good 30 minutes before deciding that this was how she'd given it to me, I shouldn't worry about it.

I finished basting the quilt.

I flipped it over.

That was about as much fun as flipping over "Fish Dance" and finding the bleeding.

This time I found a wrinkled back. This has only happened to me once before, and it was when I first started machine quilting. It hit me like a ton of bricks: I'd run out of masking tape, and had substituted painter's tape. Painter's tape doesn't stick well to fabric. It peels up.

Because the batting overshot the backing, I hadn't noticed that the back had pulled loose and had a party while I was merrily inserting and closing pins.

Vicki W? Did you hear me in your neck of the woods? I was NOT happy.

I removed a 15 x 106" swath of pins over the most offensive ripple and repinned it. It didn't make much difference.

This morning I went out and bought masking tape. Then I spent 2 hours removing pins. I am currently in the process of pinning the quilt again. I've been at it for two hours. It will be another hour or so before I finish. My fingers are tired, sore and getting stiff. whine, whine. I should have known better.

But now, you know. You won't make my mistake, and you'll know why. PAINTER'S TAPE DOES NOT ADHERE TO FABRIC. DO NOT USE IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

It doesn't matter if you've got lots of painter's tape in your house and Lowe's is 10 minutes away. Take the time, make the trip, and buy masking tape. You'll be happy you did.

You may now return to your more enjoyable blog-surfing.

P.S. I almost forgot. The reason I mentioned the goofy corner was that when I had to unpin the entire quilt, I had time to study it and figure out what had gone wrong. The quilter had inserted a wedge instead of a strip when she cut a corner too short. That made the angles of the miter wrong and everything went wonky from there. I took it apart and reassembled it. 1/2" made all the difference.

How would you feel about that? If you made a top and gave it to a quilter, and it had a corner that you knew was not right... would you mind if she fixed it for you? I hadn't planned on doing it, but since I had to unpin it anyway... Her parting instructions to me were to "make it beautiful"...

A Bit of Kitsch

Well, "Fish Dance" is finished and out of the house. whew! Silly me. I forgot to snap a picture. Hopefully I'll get one next week and will post it at that time. It still has some migratory blue, but it's not as offensive as it was at first. It helps if I take off my glasses when I look at the back. ;)

I've started doing something a bit odd, but it makes me happy, so I guess I'll continue. It happens when I trim a quilt into square. hmm. All that quilting? Going to waste?

Inspired particularly by Deborah, I want to make use of my snips and strips. Here is the leftover from trimming Fish Dance:


Later today I plan to zig-zag it together into a nice little piece of fiber art, like this one:

I added a pin in the frame, to give you a sense of scale. This one was leftovers from trimming "Buzz," the quilt I made in the Nancy Brown class. I didn't have a black and white cat charm, but the black and white button makes a fine substitute.

Now on to the kitsch...

Yesterday I saw Pat for the first time in months. She brought me a present, along with the declaration, "This reminded me of you!!"

I'm not sure what I think about that. "Glitzy Bird Brain"? "Gaudy In an Endearing Sort of Way"? How, exactly, did this remind her of me? ;)

She says it's because I like to go to Estate Sales. She says this is something to add to my Estate. Like I have one. ;)

And the kitschiest thing of all about this bird? It's a pill box!!!

and I thought I'd seen everything...

Thank you, Pat, you crack me up!!

Better, But Not By Much...

Oh, the frustrations!!

I went down on my knees, trying to get the blue out of the back of this quilt. I soaked, I scrubbed, I used Oxyclean. What did I get? Some of the blue came out, but not a whole lot. Look at this mess!!

My perfectly square quilt is no longer. The Color Catchers at the bottom of the frame show you how little dye was actually released. It is still right there, in the back of the quilt. I think the thread must have soaked up the dye, along with the fabric on the back and the batting.

After much coaxing and poking and prodding, I was able to reshape the quilt to this. Not as perfect as before, but better. See that blue streak? I think I know where the saying, "Swearing a blue streak" comes from. ;) Not that I did, but boy, my mind came up with words and phrases that I didn't know I knew. Shocking!

And that's all folks, or almost all. Still needs the labels and the sleeve, which have been waiting patiently since Thursday...

P.S. The reason it was wet the first time around was that the edges were a bit woobly and I wanted them nice and flat before binding. I spritzed it with water and patted it down. Blocking made it nice and flat, but as you saw in my earlier post, the side-effects of the cure were worse than the disease...

ARG!!!

Double Arg!! Stupid Blogger!! Twisting my pictures!!

And Blogger wasn't the reason for the title of the post!

I finished the quilting on Fish Dance, and trimmed it nice and square.

oooh. aaaah.

Then I flipped it over.

My brain started channeling Rex Harrison as 'enry 'iggins as he went on his D! D! D! D! Why can't a woman?!!! tirade. Only it went "Why can't the dye just STAY PUT!!!!"

I prewash EVERYTHING. I prewash batiks with Synthrapol. I wash twice. I use color catchers. I wash and rinse until the color catchers barely change color if at all. Still, I wet my quilt and BAM.

Dye, I hate you.

Okay, so I don't really hate you. You are a lovely shade of blue. However, I really do prefer you to stay on the FRONT of the quilt and leave the back alone!!!!

That is all.