I finally broke away from my desk late yesterday afternoon, and since the guys were off doing something else, I quickly loaded the table runner I had pieced last weekend and set into quilting it.
The fabrics in this thing just make me stop and stare.
Where did all of these blues come from?
So many that I recognize from projects over the past 30 years - including the baby quilt I made for Jeff before he was born to bring him home from the hospital in.
You've watched me work on these blocks over the past couple of months.
I've kept the main layout of the big blue monstrosity mostly vague - but here you can see what I did with the LEFTOVERS of my Rivanna quilt.
I wanted the runner to look like the Rivanna River was running through it.
That little neutral square with the brown flowers -
I was married in 1981 and bought that fabric in blue and in brown for some of the first quilting items I made.
There was no such thing as a "reproduction." I just knew I was drawn to things that looked vintage, or old fashioned.
It's right next to that rosebud triangle. Maybe later 1980s on that one. And then if you look around there are also many more current "modern" fabrics as well.
(The bee butt cracks me up - can you see it off to the left?)
It didn't take long to quilt at all!
And I love the quilting texture -
Like ripples in a stream!
Like this one!
I did another walk down Round House Road, trying to beat the rain yesterday morning. The rain never did really come other than a few sprinkles, but I was bound and determined to get my legs out there as much as possible.
I am shooting for 3 long walk/hikes a week starting NOW - weather permitting of course.
This is the little dam across Wilson Creek, the same creek that runs behind Quiltville Inn.
This little dam is what brought electricity to my area in 1922, and powered the woolen mill that is behind Quiltville Inn.
For these remote parts - having electricity that early was quite the feat, really. There were many places in this corner of Appalachia that didn't have electricity (or indoor plumbing) for quite a few decades yet.
Yeah, those clouds looked threatening!!
But - I made it back without getting soaked!
Yesterday's IG Quiltfest, day 12:
Pressing Matters!
The prompt was "We'd love to know about your current iron, and a quick pros/cons list! Any tips for ironing that have made a difference in your results are welcome too."
So what is your favorite go to? Are you a dry iron user, a steam presser, a "starch it stiff as a board" quilter?
Whatever you do that makes you happy is GREAT! Please share in the comments section below.
And as this is SATURDAY and I have been mostly keeping #mediafreesunday to give me more time with family, this is the last time I can mention a couple of things.
My recently released Sugar Top PDF pattern is marked 25% off along with Rough & Tumble - no coupon code needed! Sale price good through SUNDAY, 3/14/2021. Price reverts back to $12.00 each on Monday, 3/15/2021.
And if you do need a 60 degree equilateral triangle ruler for the making of Sugar Top, there are a couple of those in the rulers, notions and tools category of the Quiltville Store as well.
And pick up one of my new Quilter’s Tech Sets while you are at it!
The rain is holding off so far this morning - but there are no promises!
The guys are heading over to finish up the metal roof installation at the Quiltville Post Office.
If we get all of that done, there MAY be a hike up at Grayson Highlands, but of course, it is all weather depending.
On the quilty side - I hope to get that Rivanna runner trimmed, bound and ready for some hand stitched binding activity to happen this evening.
Pork chops have been thawing overnight in the fridge. It's nearly grill season - bring it on!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
3 easy things to make someone else's day, and likely your own in turn!
4th thing to make MY day:
4th thing to make MY day:
I think I need a simple 9 patch quilt project in my life!
(Adding that to the queue of other things in the want to make/finish list!)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone - I'll catch you back here on Monday!
I'm a dedicated steam presser but try to only use distilled water in the tank. Since we have a countertop water distiller in the house because of medical needs it's easy to run a gallon of distilled water for my sewing room. It really does extend the life of steam irons - no mineral clogging. It doesn't keep me from knocking it off the ironing board and killing it, though......irons need a safety harness like people use when working on roofs!
ReplyDeleteYes! a safety harness! would save not only the iron but my toes!
DeleteI love Magic Sizing when I iron. Makes flannel look brand new, smells wonderful and gives body to everything before cutting, etc. Enjoy your day! Marilyn Marks
ReplyDeleteYou made a dry iron convert out of me long ago! I definitely concur with you on that one. I keep a spray bottle of homemade pressing spray (aka Quilter's Moonshine) nearby, esp. for pressing recycled shirt parts.
ReplyDeleteYour runner is lovely! It's always fun to look at a close-up of one of your quilts and spy a fabric or two that I recognize from my own stash. ;)
The purchase of irons from thrift shops has kept me in good standing and leaves more money for other quilting gadgets. I need a heavier weight iron because of a wrist joint issue so the older ones are perfect for me. I do use steam sometimes and starch too but primarily a dry iron will do the job.
ReplyDeleteI have an inexpensive Continental dry iron (available at Walmart online). I use Best Press or just a spray bottle of water if I need it. I love the smooth sole plate and that there is NO auto shut off. I highly recommend it! Continental model CP43001. About $30
ReplyDeleteFor me, it depends on the task. I like steam for pressing yard goods, finished string blocks, and the final pressing of a quilt top. I like a dry iron for piecing. If a fabric is too soft or limp, I starch before cutting. I use an inexpensive Black and Decker lightweight which uses tap water if I want steam. It is inexpensive enough that if I knock it off the board, I don't have to sell the farm to buy a new one. I have a heavier retro-type when I need the weight.
ReplyDeleteRight there with you Bonnie ~ no water in my iron and NO to auto shutoff, yes to surge protector. Speaking of all things irons, I've meant to thank you for the longest time...your freezer paper over the ironing board tip has served me tremendously well! It gets dirty and I just peel it off and put down a new piece. Lifesaver for my ironing board cover - which I made myself for a 16" x 72" board - it sits on top of my cubicle storage units - and large enough that I don't knock my iron off!
ReplyDeleteP!ease tell me more about the freezer paper. I must have missed that blog.
DeleteI used to be a firm steam ironer, but have become a dry ironer! I read several blogs, subscribe to a couple magazines, etc. Over the course of a month, I read several times about pro quilters being dry ironers. So, I gave it a try. I liked it and moved over to the dry camp! I mostly use a travel iron when I stitch, and it had a pain in the neck filling spot, so it only had water in it a couple of times. That iron has now been with me for YEARS!!!! Thanks for your blog, I'm sure that is one of the ones that convinced me to go dry!
ReplyDeleteSteam all the way! I use purified water only. Most irons now say to use tap water but I have extremely hard water and that seems to calcify my iron. Purified water is better than distilled in my Tfal iron. I have the iron and a small lamp plugged into a power strip. If the light is on, my iron is on. Easier to see the lamp is on and that I need to turn power strip off. "Dancing with iron" is my tribe name!
ReplyDeleteI put about a tablespoon of liquid starch per pint in my spray bottle for those fabrics that have been folded forever or thick intersections. No liquid in the iron.
ReplyDeletei am a dedicated dry iron and have come to love working with starch fabric especially if it has bais. I do like my iron to have lots of wattage though. I have also tried to become a fix it person over throw away. i have bought irons at yard sales. last one for 2$. New irons have not lasted for me although I really want a cordless iron. Betsy k
ReplyDeleteCheap, hot dry iron.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all above. When I went shopping for an iron my husband insisted on a pricey one with all the bells and whistles, I used only distilled water and yep, in less than a year it was spitting and sputtering. It is now a heavy dry iron with all the bells and whistles😬. It has even survived a fall from the ironing board, there is no killing it, I really want a lighter one. I use a misting spray bottle and Magic Spray Sizing. Live and learn🤗
ReplyDeleteI have my iron plugged into a remote switch - the remote is hanging near the door so I switch it off when I leave the room. I need to add a lamp so I don't ever forget! Oooops!
ReplyDeleteI use a dry iron all the time now and have water in my IronEZ clipped on the ironing board!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone - Don't forget to Spring Forward tonight!!
Dry iron and no auto turn off (what a pain). My iron is 30+ years old (a Bernette from Bernina, no longer made). Had the plug replaced once, but otherwise it's a workhorse. Also have a Steamfast travel iron which I for small piecing on the wool mat by my machine (but don't use steam in that one either). It's great to finally be able to get outside in the fresh air for a bit.
ReplyDeleteHaha, steam me, baby! Love steam ironing, still have my original rowenta I spent $100. on at Costco in the mid-90s when I started quilting. I got used to the auto shutoff, and now have a habitual rythm of tilt the iron, clip the chain threads, start pressing. Works great. Never have knocked it off the ironing board... maybe cuz I have a big board, which I love! To each their own, and blessings to all!
ReplyDeleteBig Board is the lifesaver for me too. I killed an iron I had for over 10 years by dropping it a couple of times (it still heated up but I had no dial control- it was full blast all the time). Made a 2' x 4' board with batting and ironing board material and sat it on top of the skinny board. Problem solved, I have not knocked the new iron onto the floor yet.
DeleteI have had three Rowentas and all leaked. I have a cheap Black and Decker that works well wet or dry - has never leaked a drop over the years. Personally, I really like auto shut off on this iron as it reheats very quickly.
ReplyDeleteI was cruising my scrap quilt Facebook group yesterday, and someone posted a wall hanging of pieced tulips. It made me think about your quilt that is posting Monday...so I posted a link to it and quite a few people went straight to your sight to get a look at it. All were excited, and so was I...to see that they went to your site right away and came back and posted a comment, so I hope it sends some business your way. I’m always pointing ones to your tips and tricks or free patterns and books. You have changed my quilting so much and I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know! I want others to be able to benefit from your wonderful way of teaching and also all the things you share with us out of your love of the craft! Thanks for all you do for us!
ReplyDeletehave a reliable iron and bought the ironing board with iron holder on the end and no more knocked off irons. steam and auto shut off are my friends. have had it for at least 10 yrs. and no issues.
ReplyDeleteEstoy enganchada al seco, siempre puedes rociar y seguir planchado. Acabo de llegar de mi paseo por el rÃo, llevo allà a Patch porque lo conoce, y como no ve se siente seguro. Un saludo a todas
ReplyDeleteI never spend more than $30 on an iron and always use steam. We have an RO water filter and I’ve always used that in my irons. Never had one leak! I’m too cheap to buy an expensive iron. I’d rather spend that money on fabric—or wine! 😉
ReplyDeleteToday my plan was a sewing day with four other friends but that got postponed a week. The reason it was postponed is we have 14 - 18 inches of snow! Unusual for this area to get so much all at once and very unusual for this late in the season. And to think yesterday was the first day of spring break. I like a good steam iron. And some starch when I'm working on small pieces. I've dumped every Iron I've owned onto the floor so I go for cheap now after buying two expensive Rowentas. The first one the cord died on me and couldn't be repaired again and the other one died when I dropped it on the floor too many times.
ReplyDeleteI only like dry iron and keep the spray bottle handy to dampen my cloth. I have had too many incontinent irons to count and gave up using steam. Cheap irons are my fav cause they can be replaced easily and I have no connection to them.
ReplyDeleteRowenta steam iron all the way .... best steam iron I have ever had...when it dies I will switch to Panasonic iron....and then will use spray bottle...no water in iron.
ReplyDeleteRowenta steam iron all the way .... best steam iron I have ever had...when it dies I will switch to Panasonic iron....and then will use spray bottle...no water in iron.
ReplyDeleteDry iron now for me - no bits of lint dropping out of spray holes any more. I do have a steam travel iron but it is never used as such. That little spray bottle is good enough if necessary. I do use starch when initially cutting. I used to have the Best Press but prefer mixing starch to my own satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteI really like your walk pictures! The discussion on irons was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm a steam presser. The current iron I have is from Walmart -- I think its brand is Reliable or something like that. I bought it 'cause it has a billion holes on the sole plate. I was surprised to see the directions from the manufacturer said use TAP water in the tank. Not sure how long I've had it -- at least 5 years if not longer -- no problems. Maybe I don't quilt enough! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI use a gravity feed steam iron and LOVE it! I mainly sew apparel with a few quilt projects every year. Like you said - to each their own! Love your table runner with its memory fabrics.
ReplyDeleteIncontinent irons....love that description! I have not converted to a dry iron girl, but Best Press is a must!
ReplyDeleteI used that little rosebud fabric in a pink version to make ruffled curtains for my daughter's room after she was born in 1981! I kept the leftovers until we moved in 2015.
ReplyDeleteI use a dry iron only and have a spray bottle handy. I use starch for some things. I also have a mini Clover iron that gets very hot. It sits next to my sewing machine and gets a good workout when I am piecing. I always get your posts a day late but enjoy them anyway. We have at least 8 inches of snow and still falling. It is supposed to be a record breaker. Spring will soon be here though.
ReplyDeleteI have always been a dry presser. My mom's iron didn't a have steam function. I buy irons on clearance mostly. My last iron purchase was Rowenta, I picked up 4 for $2.50 each when my local Hancock Fabrics closed in 2013. I haven't used any of them yet since my older one is still working great after 25 years.
ReplyDeleteI tried steam function once but decided it was a pain to have to climb stairs to get the water so I went back to dry iron , a spray bottle of water and Best Press for the tough wrinkles.
I fill several empty liquid dishwashing bottles with water to keep handy near my iron to fill it. I like steam.
DeleteI have a Rowenta that I was using steam in, but stopped that because I would get a quick hit of the heat and it was not fun. So I have a spray bottle each of just plain water and Best Press. Love love love that table runner; looking forward to the pattern. I have always loved that when people can tell the individual story about a particular piece of fabric and the reason it was purchased. I am going to be spending the rest of Spring Break after quilting cutting up my scrap bucket once and for all. It's calling to me to be done. I look forward to hearing about more hikes almost as much as your quilting! Have a great and restful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI steam everything. I use the little bitty irons next to my machine. When they leak, I toss. I have an Oliso, a Rowenta Steamer (my fave) and a Reliable Velocity in the retreat area. I also have a few old sunbeams with no steam vents but get hot hot hot! I love them all. I also press every seam open and steam as I go. I also bought a wool horse blanket (horse.com - Mustang wool saddle blanket) that is just like the expensive ones sold in quilt shops but 20x30 and I cut to fit my big board. I used to be dressmaker and I know the importance of pressing!
ReplyDeleteI never use steam from the iron either. I like a nice, misting spray bottle if I need a little moisture. For piecing, I have to confess that I like a "stiff as cardboard" starch treatment. I hate the extra step to prep but my piecing has improved so much since I started that I can't/won't stop! Have a great day away from the electronics.
ReplyDeleteI’ve tried going ‘dry’ when pressing patchwork but always go back to steam on linen/cotton setting on a ‘cheap’ iron. They last me just as long as the high $$$ ones, which I have tried. I have my NON-auto-off iron on a strip which also has a lamp plugged into so that if I leave the room I know if the lamp is on then so is my iron. I RARELY, if ever use any kind of starch or sizing. I always prewash fabric in hot water with color catchers and dry in hot dryer. I think I’m a little bit of a maverick. Works for me.
ReplyDeleteI use a dry iron but use a vodka/water mix in place of Best Press. Works very well.
ReplyDeleteI love the little black antique irons found at Goodwill or other places. I just bought a Rowenta at Goodwill on vacation and paid 5.99. Can't beat that. You are correct about no water in the iron. I am loving a new purchase of the Wool ironing mat.... Paula in KY
ReplyDeleteI quilt adding water to iron because it always drip out while I was pressing or ironing. I use a spray bottle if needed. I keep it on cotton setting most of time.
ReplyDelete