Have you ever wondered what to do with a worn and tattered old quilt?  It’s not worth repairing…there are too many worn and torn pieces.  However, you don’t want to throw it out.  Perhaps you decide to cut it up and convert whatever is usable into pillows, toys, or wall hangings.
Why not use it for the filling of another quilt?  It wouldn’t be a quilt you sell, but one for your own or family use.  The older quilt, even though it isn’t seen, would still have more years doing “undercover work.”
Lisa at her Lisa’s Sew Fun blog, tells about doing …read more

Utilizing scraps and old garments for quilts and even for clothing was a popular practice among the pioneers.  In the early days of our country, homemakers usually either made their own fabric or recycled what they had on hand.  Rarely did they have the money to purchase new fabric from the general store.
Nowadays, in our stressed economy,  recycling garments has become popular once again.  Not because fabric is scarce, but because people can’t afford to purchase new.
I used fabric from old garments for quilts and for my daughter’s clothing many years ago.  It was fun to pour over the quilts …read more

“Where do crafters find ideas?” beginning craftspeople often wonder.
Here are a few resources for crafting inspiration:
Books and magazines – There are any number of ideas on the printed page.  They can act as a springboard for generating your own.
Classes – You’ll find workshops in many crafts at senior centers, continuing education departments, town recreation centers, public libraries, and guilds to name a few.
The world around you – Crafters find inspiration from daily life and the environment around them.  Often they take photos of nature, people, animals, objects and textures that inspire their work.
Family activities – Incorporate family activities, sports, and …read more

Giveaway
I’m holding a giveaway/random drawing, here at Quilting and Patchwork, for the mini book by Patricia Mainardi, QUILTS The Great American Art.  This book explores the women’s role in the decorative art of quiltmaking.
To enter, leave a comment below and share something about quilts, quiltmaking or quilters in your life or family. 
(This giveaway will run from  today, Saturday, December 20 through midnight of Sunday, December 28.  Duplicate entries will be disqualified.
Unfortunately I can open the giveaway only for residents of the US and Canada or those who have a US or Canadian mailing address.  I plan to have something soon that everyone can …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
FRUGAL  or  “GREEN” QUILTING TIPS
Since “green,” recycling and frugality are buzz words these days, I’m collecting tips from quilters and fabric artists that reflect these.  I think quilters have always been frugal and used and re-used their supplies. 
However, it’s fun to see how others are using up and re-using.
Jean Murray, quilter and b5 blogger at Small Business Boomers,  gave a tip when she commented on my post, Great Tutorial on Binding a Quilt.  (I give you this link so Jean’s tip is in context!)
This is a great tutorial. It also answers my question about bias vs straight binding, and the …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

Finding space for your quilting and sewing is a challenge for many of us.  For instance, in our multi-generational household, my daughter has one side of the living room for sewing machine, cabinets and bookcases, along with cutting table.  When she does her dyeing, it’s at the kitchen sink and counter, or in the bathtub.
Some quilters have ample space…an entire room, or even a small building on the premises.  Others may have an attic or basement space converted for their own use.  Then there are those who make effective use of whatever space is available. 
Quilters will find ways to quilt …read more

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I mentioned in a previous post, Christmas in July as Quilters Get an Early Start on the Holidays, that Quilting and Patchwork, as well as All Holiday Cafe and several other Lifestyles bloggers are posting periodically on this topic throughout the month.
Here are a five ideas for early holiday preparations:
1. Many fabric stores run special sales and bring out their items with Christmas motifs.  These may be “brick-and-mortar” stores or those online.  I’ve noticed several advertising that their Christmas/holiday fabrics and patterns are in.
2. You’ll find patterns for gift ideas.  The stores and online sites will be bringing out patterns …read more

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 Dating fabrics, old and newer, can be a fascinating project.  Do you have fabric, either in your stash or in quilts, that you wonder how old it is and where it came from?  
 I’ve come across fabrics, quilt pieces and whole quilts in my mom’s accumulations and those of my husband’s grandmother.  Checking out those fabrics can provide family history and that of an era.
One of the books my daughter uses is Dating Fabrics, A Color Guide 1800-1960 by Eileen Jahnke Trestain.  In addition to color pictures of the fabrics, there is information about each era into which the book is …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
 The recent announcement of Tasha Tudor’s death, at age 92, brought back memories of my meeting with her years ago.  Perhaps some of you have her enchantingly illustrated books, have read them yourself or to your children.
Apparently Tasha didn’t make many quilts, yet her lifestyle was condusive to it.  She was involved constantly in the crafts of days ago and lived her life midst them.  The cover of the book jacket on Tasha Tudor’s Heirloom Crafts, (at least the edition I have) consists of a photo of Tasha working on  a quilt in her rocking chair before the fireplace.
Within the book, there are …read more

  Do you know the value of your quilt(s)?
*The quilt or hanging you just made
*The quilt you purchased at a yard sale or auction for a low price
*The quilt Grandma or Great Grandma made
*The old quilt in the attic that has holes, but still has good sections, too, with intricate hand quilting
*The quilt that a child in the family made
Some quilts have monetary value while others are nostalgic.  Then you have some that include both.
You may want to have your quilt(s) appraised by someone who’s an expert if you think they have monetary value.  For insurance purposes, too, this is a …read more