Fabric Dyeing and "Boys"

Today we had a day in the sun as the CFAC group and friends learned ice cube dying from Carol Ludington and confetti dyeing from Carol Eaton.

I was so tired when I got home that I just floated around the swimming pool in an inner tube listening to "Selected Shorts" on WNPR. One of the stories by Rick Moody entitled "Boys" was particularly poignant. Here is the link to one of the first times it was broadcast back in 2010.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2010/jun/27/

Did anyone else hear it? It made me think of my sons and with the younger leaving for college later this month I was rather melancholy.


The following are photos from today's hand dyeing workshop.

Carol  demonstrating how to layer ice cubes, fabric and dye.

My cooking pots

Carol V. in uniform

Confetti dyeing

Confetti dyeing

There was even some crocheted pieces that made it into the vat!

Class of 2012

 "Cabin Fever" for Clark

I have been finishing graduation presents for my son's friends these past few weeks. James has a close set of buddies and they all graduate from high school today! Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

"3 More Hotels Please" for Zack (who has beaten us so often in Monopoly that we won't play with him any more)

"Poppy Garden" for Lili

"Yeladim Days" for Adena

"Starry Night" for Griffin

"Touche' " for Joe

"Autumn Batik" for Matt

Come to the Gallery on the Green in Litchfield

I am stitching like crazy in preparation for the 39th Gallery on the Green Arts and Craft Show in Litchfield this Saturday, June 9th from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.

For those of you who have never been there, Litchfield is a great day trip and when combined with the art show it only gets better! There will be food, ice cream, kids activities, and of course the art show/sale.

Here are a few things that I have been making---pincushions and table runners!  Hope to see you there.

Early Morning Time

I woke up before the alarm today and coffee in hand headed to the studio...and yes it is a mess. So what else is new?

The cutting table this morning

Here is a piece I am working on....destined to become a table runner. I am in a table runner phase at the moment. Maybe that is the result of my thrill of mastering mitered corners.

Project in progress

"Eye of the Storm"

This is my completed Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective 1st Anniversary Challenge piece. We were each given a bag of scraps (below) containing the same fabric and fibers. We challenged ourselves to create art from these items.
Please go to http://www.ctfac.blogpost.com to see the works of other members!

The contents of my Challenge Bag---from whence the storm came!

Old Maine Class - May 12th

Saturday, May 12, 2012 I will be teaching "Old Maine" and my original variation on this scrap quilt  at the Levi Coe Library, 414 Main Street, Middlefield. The class runs from 10:30-12 noon.  The class is suitable for beginners and experienced quilters. Please register by calling: 860-349-3857 x 204.  The cost is $15, supplies not included. Please bring a sewing machine, scrap fabric and join us!

Old Maine Variation, designed and pieced by Mary Lachman

How to Make Mitered Corners on a Quilt with Double Borders

Mitered corners are beautiful and elegant.  This past month I decided to get serious and learn to make a proper mitered corner. I hope this mini tutorial will help you put them on your next quilt.

Let's get started!   

Step 1: Sew your double border fabrics together lengthwise.  (Sewing multiple borders on one-at-a-time is not efficient and the end product is not as nice as if you do it this way.)

Step 2: Sew double borders to adjacent sides of the quilt top. Stop stitching before each piece intersects with the other. In this image the vertical border is on top of the horizontal border.

Step 3: As you look at this next image, the vertical border is folded back onto itself and the horizontal/top  border is turned down on the vertical border. Press the seam between the 2 fabrics in the border so that at this corner, the  seam between the 2-fabrics of the border is pressed down toward the inner fabric. (In this example, my inner border is the multi-colored fabric).  Remember the mantra "top-down" and "bottom-up". 

Step 4: Return the horizontal/top border to the original right-side up fashion and place the vertical border on top of it. 

Step 5:  Turn the vertical border under (and free-edge out) at a 45 degree angle. The inner border on the vertical border should be pressed up toward the outer strip (or "up" in this image).  Again, recall the mantra, "top-down, bottom-up".  (Remember the "top" is the horizontal border and the "bottom" is the vertical border in this image.)  Because you placed the seams in opposite directions at the intersection of this corner, when you stitch the mitered corner from outside free-edge in to center the fabric will nest itself perfectly and you will have a beautiful and elegant corner!

Step 6: Press the corner seams with a hot iron.  Option: pin the fabrics together at the free-edge near the pressed crease.

Step 7: Turn the vertical border strip on top of the horizontal strip. You will be able to see the crease in the fabric made by the iron. 

 Step 8: Stitch in the creased area from the outer free-edge in toward your quilt top.

Step 9: Clip excess fabric from seam and corner.

                         
Step 10: Press right side of top.

Step 11: Press underside. Pressing the seam open at this point will reduce bulk.
Repeat all steps at the remaining corners of the quilt.

Quilting Demystified

 On Saturday, March 24th, I demonstrated basic quilt making techniques at the Levi Coe Library in Middlefield, CT http://www.leviecoe.com/.  It was such a great space for a workshop---lots of tables and comfortable chairs for all the attendees. Thanks to all who came and asked questions! Thanks also to Loren Weber and her staff for help setting up.

Here I am demonstrating how to make a basic 4-patch.



Here I was discussing the best alignment of a strip so the seams interlock nicely. 

There was quite a bit of interest in my Old Maine variation. We hope to have a second workshop where participants can bring their own machines and sew along with me.