That's All Folks

 

 

One way to finish the month with a smile.....

A trip to Hamilton, Missouri!   

 

YES !!!  THAT Hamilton, Missouri!!! 

 

 

 

Every year (most every year) about this time I go to Lincoln, Nebraska for a software conference.  (Look back through the posts and you'll see.)  This year I decided to drive rather than fly...it just made sense.

Stopped in Kansas City to fetch Arita, another conferee.

 

While in Lincoln Arita and I visited the National Quilt Museum, which is always a pleasure.  Arita is a knitter but she enjoyed the Museum.

 

Driving back home, I dropped Arita off in Kansas City (Thank you, my friend, for the lovely lunch) and it was off to Hamilton!  After all, I was only one-hour-and-a-bit from Kansas City, so why not?!

 

 

And, it was a "Special Weekend".... I think it was the Birthday weekend?  I honestly don't remember.  It wasn't too crowded, though, and that was nice.  I visited every single store. There was a lot to see. (There are about 30 store fronts in Hamilton....I'll bet 20 of them are MSQC.  There WAS a Dollar General!)

One "store" was dedicated to the husbands....

 

 

 

 

AND, I did acquire a few Flat Chucks with my purchases.** 

  

I've said it many times and I'll say it again...MSQC has a GREAT marketing person!  I hope they are well compensated because they deserve it! 

 

 

Even with all the wonderful shops and give-aways, I must say my favorite site was the Quilt Museum and the Giant Spool.

I did add my little piece to the Giant Spool.

This was not so much a Quilt Museum as it was

a museum of all things sewing.  I enjoyed it sew, sew much.  
(See what I did there....)

Especially all the old sewing  machines!   
I am a sucker for old sewing machines....
If I had more room..... 

 

 

 

 

 

AND the miniatures!  Just, WOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was such an enjoyable weekend.  This trip sparked my interest in small, regional museums.  
My next trip will be searching for and visiting the various museums in Kentucky.

 

**You would have thought I'd go crazy with the credit card....there was A LOT of beautiful fabric and SO MUCH inspiration!  But, it can be a bit overwhelming, too.  I only spent about $50.  My recommendation:  when you visit, have a plan...what do you need to finish a project, or what quilt idea do you have floating around in your head? 

 

 

Progress

 

I remember playing with Barbie when I was young.  I wanted to BE Barbie!!
I had dresses and shoes AND the Barbie Dream House ... The Original Dream House.

(Photo plucked off eBay)

Now I have a Barbie Quilt and the top is done.

65 X 73

 

 

 

Three borders and binding will be added which will make this quilt 94 X 103  
...big enough for a bed quilt. 

 

I'm preparing to take a short road trip to Nebraska so it will have to wait until I return. 

 

And, I will have a BIG surprise when I return!! 

And Here We Are

 First Fall

The weather has been beautiful....warm days, cool nights....but we have not heard the last of Summer, I'm sure of it. 
Even so, I love Fall and I will take what has been handed to me!

I'm taking a break from the UFO clubs for September.  There are two things I just MUST do THIS month.

Finish Barbie 

I did start the  Falling Charm quilt using Barbie Fabrics....sewing on Miss Ellie.

It has been a pleasure the past few days.

 

Designed in EQ8...I even imported the fabrics from Riley Blake's website.

 I've numbered each of the blocks and will follow this layout....

As simple as this pattern looks, it can get confusing, especially if you're using directional fabrics, as I am.  

I'll admit, I'm only a few blocks in and Jack and I have already had a date. But, you know the saying...It isn't really a quilt until Jack shows up.

 I'm taking it one-diagonal row at a time.

 

The other item I want to finish for September is Ana's Pullover. 

Ana asked for this a year ago when I was in Seattle at Thanksgiving....It's going to be pretty easy.  My hesitation has been cutting such a beautiful piece of fabric...and messing it up.

I will do a "practice piece" first...using some inexpensive fleece, which I've already purchased...so no excuses.

 

I've been wanting to get back into garment construction....have been following a couple YouTubers, and purchasing vintage patterns from Etsy and eBay. 

 

Did you know the four big pattern companies, Simplicity, McCalls, Vogue and Butterick will no longer be producing clothing patterns?  Here is the latest scoop.  While sad, it kind of makes sense....with fast fashion being as cheap as it is and fabric being as expensive as it is....not as many people are actually sewing their own clothes...too bad.  It will certainly be a lost art if it dies out.