Scissors UP, everyone!
Let the shirt de-boning race begin!
Each group that has come to retreat at Quiltville Inn has definitely brought their own round of fun times – and a shirt de-boning race was one of many highlights happening this weekend with our retreat hosted by Yadkin Valley Quilts quilt shop of Elkin NC!
With a bit of explaining and demoing the process by shop owner Andrae, the quilters set in to see who could finish first, second and third!
Cut it up faster, ladies!
She’s a pro at sleeve removal!
Quickly removing those flat-felled seams!
Go, ladies, go!
(I am coveting that yellow plaid! LOL!)
Down to the wire!
We had had a couple of rounds of pouring rain through the day – but at 6pm on the front porch it was WONDERFULLY cool. Gentle breezes were blowing and the after-the-rain smell was just so nice.
Once the shirts were cut apart, instructions were given to cut the back into quarters, the two fronts and the sleeves into halves – and everyone passed their pile to the right, each person taking one so everyone ended up with a piece of everyone else’s shirt with the encouragement to make something wonderful with the pieces.
Yes, it’s okay to mix in regular quilt shop fabrics with your shirts – it’s your quilt!
I still love working with my recycled shirt fabrics, and I mix them in with everything else, because after all its – FABRIC!
You can find out more about working with recycled fabrics in my two books on the topic, Scraps & Shirttails, and Scraps & Shirttails II both available in the Quiltville Store which is now back up and running! HOORAY!
Evidently the midnight fairies were doing their best in the wee small hours because it wasn’t working when I went to bed, but it was when I checked first thing this morning.
I now feel like I can breathe fully!
The food has been FABULOUS!
And I have learned some kitchen tricks that I definitely need to implement in my home life.
While Andrae and I were chatting yesterday morning she was prepping for lunch, and I watched her slicing and dicing with lightning fast speed using her favorite slicer mandolin.
I just fell down the rabbit hole and ordered one for myself!
I have used many different kinds of slicer/shredders but never one with a V blade – this thing is SLICK! And you get all of the different blades with it for crinkle cuts, juliennes and more.
It's on sale for $29.97 with Prime and free returns.
And talk about FAST slicing. I’m all in. I can’t wait for this thing to get here.
And I have a correction to make – when I was sharing where to find the big rolls of freezer/butcher paper, I had said they were in the Quilting All the Time category, but they were actually in the Paper Goods category. So now they are in both.
And while those big rolls may be too large for your use, once in the category you can also use the search feature to find a smaller more manageable amount than the industrial size I am using for the inn.
And in between it all – all of the activities and wonderful meal times and gorgeous 5 o’clock somewhere bevvies and appetizers before dinner on the porch that has been LOADS of sewing happening!
We’ve planned tonight as fire-pit night with marshmallows -
This afternoon you are likely to find me on the porch appliquing more hexie star blocks to string foundations – it just didn’t happen last night as when I got home it was a bit late, and well -
Zoey and popcorn took precedence!
So here we are at Saturday – how is your weekend shaping up where you are?
Is there time to stitch anything?
I just realized that today is 7/11 which in my childhood meant that we’d celebrate by going out for slurpees at 7/11.
My how the world has changed. I miss it.
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
I really don't want to do the adulting thing today! How about you?
Be very careful with that mandolin, especially when washing it. Ask me how I know😊. Think new rotary cutter blade sharpness x 10. But it is the most amazing slicer/dicer EVER.
ReplyDeleteYes, lucky for me it was just the tip of my little finger, still wrapped in a bandage.
DeleteHaven't used it since I cut myself! Ouch!
DeleteHosting a virtual small group quilt meeting for my Hawaiian quilting friends. We haven’t seen each other since March and it doesn’t look like we will anytime soon. So virtual will be better than nothing. We only sew on Hawaiian quilts when we meet, so lots of hand stitching!! Very relaxing and peaceful sewing!! ♥️ We also do Bonnie mysteries at other times.
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn how to do Hawaiian quilting. Where are you?
Deleteright behind you in the rabbit hole, i HAVE simple straight blade mandolin... this is gonna be so much more fun... thanks, it's the impulsive non-adult celebration!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna be 80 next 5.21,21,,, would you believe? I've never had a s'more??? see what being an adult gets you??? Thanks for all you do for us, Cats in Carlsbad CA
Heard on NPR this morning: Too bad our kids will never know us as kids." No adulting for me either today, enjoy your time with creative, like-minded people, it is such a gift, especially now.
ReplyDeleteDo you know that "special" after rain smell is called "petrichor"? I learned that from our local weather lady. love that smell after a summer rain. Keep on being you.
ReplyDeleteShirt deboning, what a great idea for a guild activity! Looks like ya'll had a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young and 7/11 was very new, they had "curb service". You pulled up and left your lights on to show you wanted curb service. Someone came out and took your order, bread, milk, and a candy bar, please!
ReplyDeleteBe super careful with that mandolin slicer. I had nine stitches to prove just how very sharp they are. Doctor stitched the end of my finger back on! I now have no feeling there.
ReplyDeleteAs always, we can learn something new every day. I often wondered how you were able to do everything you do. I am busy but with your travel etc. I would be falling down! I tend to think that a secondary effect of this lock-down we all have been forced to slow down, enjoy the lives we have and learn to smile again, even in times of adversity.
ReplyDeleteOur guild did a similar share idea. Each person bought batik we did the cut in half, quarter, etc pass and ended up with different fabrics and then there was a quilt challenge to use the pieces (plus some stash) to make a small quilt.
ReplyDeleteMy niece said she not only didn't want to adult but she was going to goat. Eat all day and head butt anyone who tried to stop her or take her food. Sounds like a good way to spend the weekend.
ReplyDeleteGoing to be 103 degrees today. I’ll be in my quilt studio!
ReplyDeleteDo be careful, Bonnie, when you are using your slicer. I've had one for years and it works wonderfully. Once, I sliced open my finger by mistake and it wouldn't stop bleeding...stitches at the emergency room worked. That being said, I still use mine and love it. :)
ReplyDeleteMy Mandolin is over 30 years old (I've always called it a V-slicer). I love it for making pickles and dehydrating fruits and vegetables. I've always been careful to use the protective holder and I've never cut myself. You do need to pay attention to what you are doing but they are great. Enjoy your new time-saver in the kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteSo far today it's been a race to get 2 mask made for myself and a co worker with grandkids about. Then make it to work on time! I made it! But forgot to eat and meds... Boss will give me time. She's just happy to have me back at work. I'm happy to be back to work and sewing! Happy Stitching 😎
ReplyDeleteA local retirement home takes all the residents who want to go on a field trip to get slurpees on July 11. It is so sweet to see the groups of 10 or so walking the three blocks there and back. The good is still active in the world when you slow down to see it.
ReplyDeleteEvery mandolin should come with a guard glove. They are so fast and crazy sharp it takes just a tiny slip and you have an injury. The gloves aren't expensive and usually available on Amazon and the like. Even my friend who worked at a cooking school uses one. Just thought I'd mention since you might not have heard of them since the mandolin is new to your kitchen arsenal. Happy cooking!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon some "cutting" gloves one time at Meijer's store. I usually use a "klutz" glove for rotary cutting because I met 3 people within 2 weeks that sliced their fingers very badly. The thinner chef's cutting gloves are much more comfortable.
Deletealways wear cutting gloves.
Deletebeen there, done that! ouch
I just love piecing with recycled shirts - I might never have thought of quilting with them if not for you, Bonnie! I've slowly built up a great stash of shirts over several years, and I enjoy working with them almost more than I do new fabric. Almost! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy deboning the shirts, as well. It makes for a mindless project while watching TV with the family. Calming and methodical.
Enjoyed watching your deboning a shirt video, and I picked up some tips - ripping being the main one. Therapeutic exercise, too. This would be a fun retreat activity. It's been too hot here the past few days for me to sew - no a/c, high 90s, but thank goodness no humidity. It's wonderful to see quilters enjoying your inn. So nice of everyone to share with us their visits.
ReplyDeleteI bought a Pampered Chef mandolin years ago that I've never used because I can't figure out how to change the blades. It cost a lot more than the one you bought on Amazon. I should just give it away instead of letting it take up space in the cupboard.
ReplyDeleteThe Pampered Chef website may show you how to change them. Hope you try it out again.
DeleteA tip for the mandolin - I bought a butchers stainless steel glove to use with mine - so much safer.
ReplyDeletethank you Bonnie, for sharing not only your quilting life, but your everyday trials and tribulations in such a positive way. Your latest leaders and enders project kept me grounded this past week, 123 blocks complete, and loads to go. Thank you.
ReplyDeletethat yellow plaid is pretty fabulous alright. I just picked up a couple of shirts that had some great colored plaids in them, I think maybe I will do the deboning later this afternoon when I have a chance. But that yellow plaid, just scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am coveting that yellow plaid! What fun!
ReplyDeletewow! I have made deboning a shirt so difficult. Great info!
ReplyDelete