THE QUILTER'S ALLEY

We’ve been watching the Martha Stewart Blog all week, waiting to see when the photos from the VIKING Convention would appear.  Well, if you scroll way down, you’ll see us, but I’ve taken the liberty to borrow a couple that we are very proud of. Meanwhile, Martha did a great job capturing what we experienced at the convention.

This has been the most amazing week!  Going to the Husqvarna VIKING Convention is lots of work, but loaded with fun and excitement.  The sky in San Antonio, TX is big and blue.  Our hotel was luxurious.  Most of all, the Designer Diamond and other new products that were introduced made it an inspiring trip, with lots learned and much to share now that we’re back.

Here are a couple of highlights:

This is a view from our hotel room window.  18th Floor.

A conversation with Martha.  It was like being on her TV show.  We were among the group who met her earlier, one on one, as well, and then got front row seats for this part. She has created a new line of embroidery designs which we will be carrying.

Husqvarna Viking and Scott Fox giving Martha the 1st Designer Diamond as a gift.

What I find most interesting are the events and objects that come in series during a week, even when they’re hiding among my own work.   See the coincidence post . When a customer asked me to make her an altar cloth, I accepted the commission gladly, but had no idea that when I looked back over prior work or work-in-progress, I have several pieces that  work as centerpieces for meditation areas.    I think she had a great idea to use a quilt for this purpose.

More than the sewing project itself, what this customer brought me was something new to explore.  She provided the fabric for this project and talked about the recipient as someone who “drums” and has an interest in Sacred Geometry. I had never heard the term before that I can remember, but when I looked it up, I was surprised to find out that the principles of design (which I use all the time)  are based on Sacred Geometry. 

I get all philosophical when things like this happen. 
I love how ’students’ inspire ‘teachers.’
I love how things just present when I’m just minding my own business.
I love how I find that I’ve been doing something right all along.

We are going to San Antonio, TX for the Husqvarna VIKING Convention on Sunday.  The new TOL sewing and embroidery machine will be unveiled on Sunday evening. We return on Thursday.  More…

This time of year it gets really quiet around the shop.  Everybody, including us, have graduations, weddings, wrap-up-school stuff, etc. We even have a business trip to San Antonio –  got heat?  The quiet always gets me thinking, noticing things and celebrating the obvious for lack of alternatives.  It’s an opportunity.  I found this great Japanese print and made a skirt. I only bought a yard & 1/4 so I inserted a cool, coordinating strip which left opportunity for the skirt to fit and a place to do some embroidery.

This is a better view of the cute line drawing print and my handiwork.

Then I was feeling so adventurous, I draped some muslin on myself and drew a pattern for this top.  It even has darts.  The sleeves were a little tight, so I developed a slit detail that gives me room to move my arms. 

The bolt I’m holding is fabric for the matching skirt.  The fabric is cotton, but feels like a breezy linen, which I love to wear in summer.  I’m planning to try a lining this time, now that I’ve made the skirt pattern (Simplicity 4236) a few times.  I think I know how I’ll do it.

I’m in a purple mood, and finding pieces that blend together is my current preoccupation,  I plan to build out from here with either other colors or grays.  It looks better in person.