Fiber Artists for Hope's 9/11 Exhibit

Today I attended 9/11 Primer: The Epoch of the Peacemakers organized by the Human Thread and co-sponsored by Chicago Fringe Festival. The Fiber Artists for Hope's 9/11 quilts, titled Reflections on September 11th, A Decade Later and curated by Jeanette Thompson, were on exhibit. I apologize for the fuzzy photos but the lighting made photography difficult and I did not want to use a flash. I'm drained from all the activities today so I'll post some tonight and more tomorrow.

September 11, 2011 Blue and September 11, 2011 Yellow by Bonnie Smith ($95 each).

A Time for Everything by Michelle Flamer (NFS) and Homeland Security by Betty Colburn ($100)

Frozen ($100) Susan Levering whose quilt was a favorite of several people I talked with after the program.

Painted Chair

When I had my jeep (sometimes I still miss it and this is one reason), I picked up treasures from the side of the road. This chair, a road side treasure, has been sitting in my basement for several years waiting for me. Originally I thought I would put it outside when one of my other chairs fell apart. Instead I decided to try my hand at painting it. Tanner, my son's dog, had chewed the corner of the pillow (not once but twice!) which is now the seat cover (I like it better as a seat cover anyway). I bought a few cheap acyclic paints and used painted that I had so this chair cost me less than $5.00.  The chair is in my kitchen at the desk and makes me smile every time I pass it.

Tote Bag Next Steps

Once the sewing is done and you have squared up your pieces, measure and cut your lining the same size.

Next, it's time to cut some notches so that the bag has a bottom. I cut 1 3/4 inch notches. Sew the sides and bottom of the bag. I sew these 1/2 inch and have to remind myself because I'm so use to 1/4 inch seams with quiltmaking.

Do the same for the lining EXCEPT you're going to leave a 6 inches opening on the bottom so when you sew everything together you can easily turn it inside out. You can simply sew the opening closed with your sewing machine once it is turned.

With right sides together and matching the seams, sew the notches to create the bottom of your bag. Again remembering to sew a 1/2 inch seam.

I love pockets so I always make sure the bags I make have at least one. When I started I did not line the pockets and quickly learned that lining them was worth the time and effort. Remember to place you pocket lower that the time of your lining or you might sew your pocket shut! You can add a zipper to your pocket if you like or add a button closure.

Reflections on 9/11

I have three pieces (including the one shown) in an exhibition called Reflection on 9/11: Ten Years Later by artists in the Fiber Artists for Hope group. Most of the quilts are 9 inches by 11 inches. Be Peace is 11" by 11" because I couldn't get it to work in the 9" by 11" format. Jeanette Thompson, the curator, asked for the piece and I was happy to send it. The quilts are on display at the Meridian Stage, 1932 S. Halsted, Chicago until September 11. This is part of the Chicago Fringe Festival. On September 11, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  will be the 9/11 Primer - The Epoch of the Peacemakers. I will be there and hope to see you too! I can't wait to see all the quilts in the exhibition up close and personal. I'm also curious to see if any of them sell. I promise to share about the event and the exhibition.

Tote Bag Details (one)

Okay! I had not planned on sharing more about my tote bags, but all the questions I've received have made me realize this is what a lot of my readers want. I live to serve! You're lucky too because I have begun making a new tote bag for my new daughter-in-law Sang. I first choose the umbrella fabric to build from in both color and design. I'm pleased so far. I like fairly large tote bags, but not so big that it becomes too easy to overfill. The size of this piece is 15" by 20". I'm also trying something new. Instead of using batting, I'm using a wool and rayon blend piece of felt. I spray baste the back to the felt then sew the pieces directly onto the lining (also the umbrella fabric, but for this part I'm using muslin or other fabric that is light in color) and felt. I usually use 7-8 fabrics, but this one seemed to work for me with fewer pieces. I originally had a green piece of fabric included, but it just didn't work for me so I used the blue one instead. I'm also not sure that Sang would like more. The next step is to do some machine quilting, but this is not necessary. It's just something I like to do. My friend Barbara does not quilt her tote bags at all and they are marvelous.

I realize you'll have to enlarge the photo to see that I have quilted two sections (the circles and brown fabric). I think it's fun to just play around on tote bags. You could quilt the entire piece too. If there is any distortion, you simply cut it and make it square. No one will know that you made it a little smaller. Personally, I just want to add interest and not make it look like a quilted bag. More tomorrow!

I'd also like to thank everyone for their sympathy and suggestions for my handle problem. You are the best!

Stitched the film Coming to Chicago

Stitched the film will be premiering in Chicago at two venues. Jena Moreno, the director, will be present and selling the DVDs after both viewings.

Stitched is a fun-filled documentary following three quilters racing to complete their entries for the International Quilt Festival, the largest quilt show in the nation. The Houston show draws more than 50,000 quilters including three artists who created some controversy with their work. Quilting legend Caryl Bryer Fallert was the first to win a major prize for her quilt made with a sewing machine. She mentored Hollis Chatelain who caused a stir when she won an award for a painted quilt. And Hollis mentored Randall Cook who sparked controversy with his quilt of a male nude. In this 72-minute documentary, these quilters create their pieces to compete in the 2010 quilt show.

Saturday, September 17, 1:00 p.m.
Forest Park Public Library
7555 Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park, IL 60130
708.366.7171

Sunday, September 18, 2:00 p.m.
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W. 19th St
Chicago, IL 60608
admission to the museum is FREE

I'll be at the NNMA viewing so I'd love to meet up! If you can help spread the word, I know Jena would appreciate it. We need to support efforts like these!

Tote Bag Handle Problem

Christmas 2009 I went crazy making tote bags (15 in all).  You can see them in my post of December 1, 2009. For many of the bags I purchased vinyl for the handle. I thought it would hold up better and was worth the extra cost. The bags were a hit. Unfortunately, friends and family who have used their bags a lot have found that the vinyl handles have separated. This weekend I've spent my time trying to repair one friend's handles. This has turned out to be much more of a challenge than I expected. FabricTac glue did not hold which was a huge surprise. I finally used Gorilla Glue but even with it I had to use bulldog clips used it dried. I had a moment of panic when one of the clips got glue on it and resisted coming off. Hopefully the glue will hold it together. I was going to make some more bags (only 1-2, the obsession to make many has passed) but will pass on purchasing vinyl handles.