Thread Tales (Book Club) Exhibit at Guild Quilt Show 2025

"Use It" made by Angie L.

Goal number four on my April list was to share our Thread Tales exhibit at our guild quilt show with my readers. Every year, we read four books. We discuss the book the first month. The second month, we may have an activity or another discussion. The third month, we reveal our projects. Unless the maker wants help with their project, we don't know what people are making until the reveal.

Our group has few rules, we don't have to read the book. We don't have to be a book leader. We dob't have to attend the meetings. We don't have to make a project. We don't have to finish a project to share it. If we choose to be a book leader, we need to have read the book before we choose it! Currently, there are sixteen members in our group. New members are welcome at any time.

"Crazy for You" made by Kathy L.

For the book, Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas, we had two entries. Of course, more quilts were finished; but, they may have been given away or were shown in other categories of the show. Angie L. recycled men's shirts to make an improv style log cabin block. She measured the three inch centers but didn't measure any of the remaining "logs." She sewed the quilt on her featherweight and it was one of the first quilts that she long armed on a friend's machine. She named her quilt "Use It."

Kathy M. used silk ties and fabrics from Africa to create a crazy quilt. Enlarge the photo so you can see the trims and embellishments that she used to trim some of the blocks. In the book, the matriarch likened the ladies gathering to quilt to a crazy quilt in that the members come from a variety of backgrounds yet combine into one cohesive group. She earned an honorable mention ribbon for her quilt.

"Slow Stitching" made by Angie L.

For the book, "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders, we had two entries. Angie L. used minimal color to represent pairing things down. 

Work, Play, Rest made by me

I was struck by the amount of clothing the author "released." So I made a tiny sized wall hanging to represent clothing worn for work, play and rest. 

"Quilt and Stout" made by Angie L.

For the book, "The Lager Queen of Minnesota" by J. Ryan Stradal, we had four entries. Angie L. said the browns looked like beer colors to her. A transparency block class was the basis of the design.

"mmm...Apple Pie Lager" made by Rosanne H.

The chemistry/recipes that went into the beer was Rosanne H.'s inspiration. One of the characters baked award winning pies. Other characters brought their own flavors to creating a beer flavor.

"Pale Ale" by Dianne K.

A bag of glitzy, silky, ravely yellow fabrics were Dianne K.'s inspiration. She cut the fabrics into odd shapes; covered the fabrics with netting and stitched them to the batting and backing. 

"Transparency" made by me

If there had been transparency between the characters there would have been a totally different outcome! That was the inspiration behind my project. I was awared a third place ribbon.

"Long Lasting Effects" made by Rosanne H.

For the book, "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, there were four entries. Rosanne H.'s husband served in Vietnam. She used his service to inspire her project. She wrote, "The Vietnam War left lasting injuries to so many--physical, emotional (PTSD), and the effects of Agent Orange. With the focus on Vietnam, the other countries are blanked our using orange. Both flags, the DMS, major cities and the base hubby was stationed for two tours are also marked. She was awarded a blue ribbon.

"Stars Like Spaghetti" made by me

After reading the first chapter, I knew that I wanted to make a Quilt of Valor. I got lucky when a blogger that I follow had a QOV mystery sew along. This was the result!

"We Were There" made by Kathy M.

Kathy M. used a print that contained three nurses. The print represented the three nurses in the book as well as fabrics to represent the era during the war. Her wall hanging was designed to honor the women who served and endured the horrors of war that they faced during their time in service to our country. 

"Thank You for Your Service" made by Sharry O.

Sharry O. leads a group that makes Quilts of Valor for servicemen and women. She used a panel to mark the struggle the military nurses serving in Vietnam during the war as well as the lack of acknowledgement that these women were given.

To track the quilts I have made for past books, I have a page of Thread Tales quilts. Feel free to visit the page. I have been with the group since 2007. I often would incorporate a new to me technique or I would practice using a technique I wanted to play with more. Currently, my goal is to create a piece using supplies from my stash.

I'm linking up with Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Indigo Way at the Quilt Show

Of the 34 people who participated in our guild mystery challenge last year, nine people exhibited their Indigo Way projects at the guild show. A number of quilts were finished and given away before the show. Some projects are still under construction. 

Please, enjoy the parade! 

Sharleen R. used cheddar as her main color. She ran short of time so she altered the setting.

Sharleen R.'s entry

This was the first mystery for  Viv A. She said she learned to take a victory lap at the end of the piecing. (Stay stitching the edge so that the seams don't pop while the project is being longarmed.)

Viv A.'s entry

I so enjoyed watching other people work through the clues and watching their fabrics make beautiful projects. My goal is to finish the previous mystery before the next mystery begins. Had Bonnie started her mystery the day after Thanksgiving, I would have made it; but, she released the fabric amounts a week early!

My entry

This was Jeff B.'s first time to work on a mystery quilt. He had never worked with so many pieces with such precise points! Our small group watched his progress every week. He said had we not had that Zoom session, he wouldn't have finished because we provided him so much support! Our guild has an open sew time from 10 in the morning to 11 in the evening on Fridays as way to connect with other quilters. People come and go throughout the day. We had a help session for this project at 7 in the evening.

He ran out of his dark red fabric and added the brighter red. He was concerned that it was too bold a step. We told him it was the perfect add. Later, he agreed! He exhibited in the first time entrant category since this was the first quilt he had exhibited in a show.

Jeff B.'s entry

This was Corrie C.'s first time to stitch a Bonnie Hunter mystery. She has a longarm business and managed to stitch her clues; but, had to wait for a break in business to put the clues together. She used a different technique in the corners of the border.

Corrie C.'s entry

Shannon I. created three tops from her mystery. Each was a different layout. Two tops she donated. This was the one that she kept! If you click on the link, you can see other tops that were created or in progress. 

Shannon I.'s entry

This was Sarah N.'s first time making a mystery quilt. While she enjoyed getting the clues each week; she tired of point after point after point! 

Sarah N.'s entry

Linda P. created this entry, She enjoyed using her stash to create her quilt. I like the setting triangles she used  as well as using more an additional border. You are going to learn more about Linda P. in a later post.

Linda P.'s entry

Kathy S. used leftovers from previous Bonnie mystery projects to create her project. 

Kathy S.'s entry

Each entry was amazing. I'm glad I got to see them all hanging together! Sharing the exhibit with my readers was goal number three on my April list. Linking up to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday.

Strings From A Scrap Bag--post 1

Bag of scraps

Goal number six on my April list was to sort a bag of scraps. Chantal, At the Corner of Scraps and Quilts, often posts about scrap bags that have shown up on her doorstep. Cynthia, Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework, is the queen of turning scraps into amazing quilts. They inspire me with every post. My challenge is that I ALWAYS have way too many projects in process to stop and play. I tell my little inner squirrel, Gertie, to wait until I FINISH a project.

When I wrote the goal, I had envisioned tackling one of my large bags that came from my friend Martha. I thought I could get started on sorting the bits into what were strings, strips and bits as well as by color. This is not what happened.

Laying out the chances

Instead, I came across a bag that was left from a string project that I finished in 2022. The pros to the the bag was that it was a small and came from a project. A small bag wouldn't overwhelm my efforts to empty it. Because it was project leftovers, the pieces would go together.

I opened it. Of course, there were a few pieces that didn't belong so those were put where they can be used in another
project. There were also some string strips of various widths. I thought that these might work as a border and as blocks. There were a lot of HSTs of varying sizes so I started piecing those together.  

Auditioning background fabrics

Once I had a few pieces together, I started laying out the project. I kept going until the only remaining scraps were small triangles from the neutral fabric. My goal is to make a piece about 40 inches by 60 inches. Right away, I realized I needed a filler fabric or fabrics.

I went to my stash of solid fabrics and chose a purple. I liked it; but, knew that the yard of fabric wouldn't be enough. So I selected a blue fabric which is okay; but the value is a little too dark. I did have a little leftover piece of orange that I decided would work great as an accent. I decided that this might be my book project for "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana" by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon instead of the panel that I had identified last month.

In the book, Kamila is about to complete her studies to become a teacher. Unfortunately. she has to abandon that career option because the Taliban take over and women lose their freedom. Kamila ends up helping many other women and families in the process. The strings represent all the people she touched. The various patterns the leftovers became represent the girls she trained. It is interesting how projects present themselves and the journey they take!

It's been quite the week. I took Old Town to the quilter on Tuesday. Friday, I received word it was finished and I picked it up. I have it to bind as well as my 2021 Temperature quilt so I will be working on being able to report on a couple finishes soon! 

Tuesday, I wanted to sew the ruffle to the Santa Tree skirt. My Bernina 790plus acted like it was possessed. I had it on straight stitch; yet it was trying to vary the width of the stitch. The stitch length and width dials stopped working. It is back at the repair shop. I hope it will be repairable and that the repair is affordable.

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Old Town--At the Longarmer-post seven

Backing fabric

Monday at my Mystery Mavens sew day, I trimmed the threads from the back of my quilt. I also ironed the backing to the project. That evening, I trimmed the back and cut the batting. These It is a boring task which was made so much better with the laughter and conversations of my fellow friends/quilters. 

We've been together since the fall of 2019. One of our members moved from Oregon to Kansas, so now our sew days are hybrid meaning one can attend in person or via Zoom. Some of our members who live nearby choose to Zoom. They may not want to drag their supplies and machines to our sew day. They may be providing care to a loved one or they may recovering from an illness or surgery. We are glad that we can meet this way and still be "all together" in spite of where we are! That evening, I trimmed the back and cut the batting. 

Tuesday, I went to the Gresham Senior Center and dropped off my "bundle" to be quilted. I picked a computerized quilting design and the thread for the project. I don't know when I'll get it back; but I'm not in any hurry! 

The senior center has a huge area for dedicated to quilting which includes a longarm to quilt projects. Volunteers learn how to use the longarm. The fees in turn support the center. Of course, when I returned home, I realized that I hadn't taken a photo of the bundle or any photos at the senior center. Oh well. . . .I'll share the fabric for the back! 

Trimming the threads and making an appointment with the longarmer were goals one and two on my April list.

Santa Tree Skirt--pieced--post 2

Santa's boots and belt buckle

Goal number eight on my April list was to continue piecing the Santa Tree skirt. Last month, I got off to a rough start. This month, I'm making progress! I did celebrate with a happy dance after I correctly pieced the boot sections this time!

Four Santa sections ready to piece into a block 

There are a lot of pieces in this project with a lot of marking squares on the diagonal and sewing the line, trimming the excess. There is also a lot of matching of angles. It is not a fast project! The finished blocks measure 12 and a half inches.

Face details

After the blocks are finished, I add the details to the face: the eyes and the mustache. I use fabric marking pens for the eyes. I add stabilizer (fusible backed interfacing) to the wrong side of the mustache pieces. I use a narrow reverse blind hem stitch to attach the mustache pieces to the face.

Pieced top

I always struggle with putting the blocks together. The layout is a little funky with parts of the block needing to be trimmed.This time, I had no issues with the "Y" seam at the bottom of the top. the seam at the top will be opened. The pattern has you cut it; but, if you do that, you will lose the points on the arms. I'll be adding a ruffle to the edge and ties. The step after that will be to add the batting and backing and sew around the edges leaving an opening to turn it. 

I may continue working on this project until I get it "birthed" and ready to quilt. I'm happy to have this much of it done! My niece is getting married in July and this tree skirt will be her wedding present.

I'm linking to Frédérique and Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

March ReCap and April Goals

Free motion motif for Temperature quilt

My two annual goals are:

1. Have a net loss of 100 yards of fabric from my stash.

2. Finish six UFOs

✒ a. Temperature 2021--pin basted and ditched quilted started in January,  progress made in February. Almost finished the quilting in March.  

b. Temperature 2022-2023

c. Martha's House blocks

✒ d. Positively Grows--pin basted in February

e. Maze top

f. Butterfly number four 

Fabric Summary:

Fabric in this month: 6 yards    

Fabric in year to date: 14 yards

Fabric used from stash this month: 0 yards

Fabric used from stash year to date: 6 yards

Free motion motif around the circles/highs of the day

Net loss/gain this month: 0 yards

Net loss/gain year to date: +8 yards

I did purchase a wide back fabric for Old Town. 

My March goals were:

✔1. Document my progress with the Sweet Tooth Mystery.

✔2. Continue quilting my 2021 Temperature quilt. The first three photos are the free motion quilting that I did.

✒3. Baste and begin quilting "Love Makes a Family."I basted but didn't quilt!

✔4. Begin piecing the Santa Tree skirt. After a rough start, I'm making progress.

✔5. Continue making progress on the Old Town mystery. -- It's now a top!

Lines in the piano key border

✔6. Continue making progress with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks. 

✒7. Paper piece an average of two blocks per day for the 2025 Temperature quilt. I have January pieced and some of February.

✔8. Figure out what to do for the next book club quilt.

✖9. Complete the August bonus lesson and the September embroidery lesson. Since I'm still unable to sit in my chair, I didn't work on this assignment. I'm taking it off my list until I can spend time in my chair!

✔10. Continue with the knee PT. The last two sessions of PT took me four days to sort of recover. For now, I'm giving PT a break. I can do the exercises, walk and swim. I will have weekly acupuncture appointments and a monthly massage. Let's see if I have more extension and less pain at the end of next month. My flexibility is good now; but, I'm thinking it could be a little better.

One section of Santa pieced for tree skirt

Last month, I made progress. There were times when I thought much less would have been achieved! I am especially excited that Old Town is a top! 

My April goals are:

1. Trim the threads from the back of Old Town.

2. Schedule Old Town quilting with the longarmer.

3. Share the Indigo Way quilts that were shared at the guild quilt show.

4. Share the book club quilts that were shared at the guild quilt show.

5. Share the judges feed back about quilts that I entered.

6. Sort a small bag of scraps.

7. Finish the 2021 Temperature Quilt.

8. Continue piecing the Santa Tree skirt.

9. Continue with knee rehabilitation. 

10, Make progress on Love Makes a Family,

11. Make progress on Fleur.

12. Make progress on Sweet Tooth.

13. Share the story of "As Noted."

14. Make the Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.

I'm linking to Carol at To Do Tuesday and Alycia at Finished or not Friday.

A Germ of an Idea--post one

Panel for the project

Goal number eight on my March list was to figure out what to do for our next book club quilt. We are reading "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana" by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon. I had read the book a couple years ago. RecentlyI listened to it through my library's Libby app. I tried to become inspired. Some books are easier than others. This story is about a woman who figures out a way to thrive under the Taliban rules for women in Afghanistan.

I was inspired by the color green because it was the green gate that was outside their home. Crossing through it meant they were safe at home. I was also inspired by the tiny flower the dressmaker made on her first project. I thought about all the handwork the women did. Perhaps, I could incorporate some beading and embroidery in this piece.

I'm trying to use from my stash. A couple years ago during a Zoom sew session, a friend shared some panel prints that she hadn't done anything with and was ready to let them go. I said I would like them. She gave them to me. It cost me the trip of driving into Portland to pick them up. 

Backing fabric for panel

At first, I was going to use them all in one piece. . .then, I thought of other options until nothing came to me and I stored them . . .out of sight, out of mind. . .until, I thought about a project for this book! This print with the green background is "it."

I have a backing fabric and will need to quilt it as the beading and embroidery will be embellishment. I was going to use a Warm and Natural type of batting. Instead, I will use wool batting because it will be easier to add the embellishments. I may call it "Fleur." I have other projects in the works---as is usual for me--so I may need to let the idea percolate for awhile. At least I have the germ of an idea! 

While I'm on the subject of books, my two favorite reads/listens this month were "Good Night Irene" by Louis Alberto Urrea and "Women in White Coats" by Olivia Campbell. I am reading/listening to Patrick Taylor's series which begins with "An Irish Country Doctor." 

New York City--Rockefeller Square

On another note, Blogger may have changed something which makes commenting on my blog impossible. I'm sad about missing your comment. I did goggle the issue. What did we do before google? I tried changing my comment settings which had no effect.  You might try emptying your cache to see if that works for you. Please let me know if it does! Thanks in advance!

A stuffed bear

We did enjoy the granddaughters' visit last Thursday. They didn't arrive until 11am as they wanted to sleep in! I was the one who baked the cookies and the sourdough rolls to go with my homemade chicken noodle soup. They did enjoy lunch and there were enough leftovers that I could put together a care package for my friend Wendy who had come down with a nasty cold bug.

The Eiffel Tower

The younger granddaughter and I did go for a swim at Wendy's pool; but the older granddaughter had time with Papa because she was getting over a cold. We did some art. We were prompted to find an inspiration. Miss K chose a photo from her trip to New York. Miss J chose a stuffed bear. I chose a piece of pottery.

We drew a resemblance of the inspiration. Then we played with taking a shape and making something else out of the shape. We added words. It was fun and a great way to journal a trip or an activity. We spent about half an hour on the activity. While we worked independently, we chatted as we worked which was fun too!

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!

Santa Tree Skirt--piecing begun--post 1

One and two are incorrect

Monday was an in person sew day with my "Sew Happy" group. I went with my Santa tree skirt kit that I cut last month. I started stitching the sections for the boots. 

Wouldn't you know it. . .I stitched the wrong size square to the end of the first section I stitched. Because I trimmed the excess fabric, I couldn't reclaim it. 

In the photo, the sections labeled one and two were incorrect. It was back to the studio to recut the pieces that I had sewn. . . .sigh. . .I had made little progress. 

Replacement pieces cut

That afternoon, I managed to recut most of the fabrics. Friday, I'll spend some time stitching them. I will be sure to mark the pattern as to the size of that square so I don't make that mistake again! Because I did actually sew on this project this month, I've met goal number four on my March list.

This week, as I've had free time, I've continued adding motifs around the appliquéd squares on my Temperature Quilt. I'm getting closer to finishing the quilting. I plan to work on that project today.

Tomorrow, the oldest granddaughters invited themselves to spend a day with us. it is spring break. We are looking forward to their visit. They are 11 and almost 13 years old. We will likely play with making some art in the morning with a swim session scheduled in the afternoon. 

I have had a request for chicken noodle soup for lunch which I'll serve with some sourdough rolls. I've an acupuncture appointment in the morning and while I'm away, I plan for them to bake cookies for dessert. It will be a full and fun day.

Basting Love Makes A Family--post 3

Filler stitch on the right completed. Shape on the left begun.

Goal number three on my March list was to baste and begin quilting Love Makes A Family. I spent my free time last week quilting my 2021 Temperature Quilt. While I'm getting closer to a finish, I've hours left to quilt! I plan to be working on it this weekend. I'll be making the wonky shape around the appliquéd centers in the photo on the left. Friday, I finished quilting all the blank squares with the filler on the right.

Taping the backing to the table

I view at my monthly goal list almost every day. This month, I am not making the progress that I had hoped. I decided that I could at least meet half of goal number three which was to baste and begin quilting the top "Love Makes A Family" that I pieced in February. I pulled the supplies and taped the backing to my table. Usually, I would use some clamps but this backing is smaller than my table so tape it was.

Batting in place

The batting of choice for this project is a leftover piece of wool batting that I pieced together. I layered it on top of the backing and lightly smoothed it in place. I wish that wool batting wasn't so expensive as it is a favorite of mine! I like the puff it gives when quilted. I also like how it drapes around a body.

Ready for quilting

I smoothed the top on the batting and pinned. Once pinned, I trimmed the excess batting and backing. When I finish quilting the temperature quilt, I'll begin quilting this project. . .although, it might not be this month. This is okay, I'm making progress and that is what counts!

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Sweet Tooth Mystery--post 1

February 14 was when Bill and Weeks of Modern Quilt Studio dropped the first clue. We were to make different recipes for the size of top we selected. The recipes should illustrate transparency. I struggled with this step. I rejected some options and wasn't sure about the options I chose!

A rejected option

The directions were to stitch the recipes together so we would remember which fabrics we chose to group together. We were to press the seams open. I generally press the seams to one side; but, I decided that I would give pressing the seams open a try. What I learned was that I needed to sew an exact quarter inch rather than a scant quarter inch. Pressing the seams to one side takes up some space!

The recipes

We were to make two different units using the fabrics from our recipes. On my first go, I didn't get the transparency effect that I had envisioned. I should have chosen a green that was closer in hue to the blue and yellow fabrics to have made the transparency effect work.

A failed recipe

Back to the fabrics, I decided to try to get a brown transparency. I had better success. It was also better to layout the fabrics and step back. Viewing the fabrics that way made it easier for me to see if I achieved transparency or not.

Better attempt at transparency 

I continued with the process until I had made all the blocks in the first clue. There are some additional blocks to make. I haven't felt like playing with these fabrics to make the blocks. I want to enjoy this project so I'll likely wait until I finish quilting my temperature quilt before I work more on this project.

More blocks. . .some blocks are subtle transparencies

These blocks are better. These will work. I didn't take a photo of the second set of blocks. They are stitched and labeled, however! Stay tuned. I'll post about as I work through the clues. Goal number one on my March list was to document my progress on this project. 

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday.

Quilting the 2021 Temperature Quilt--post 2

Quilting the month strips close up of the stipple

I greatly underestimated the amount of time it would take me to finish quilting the strip of fabric containing the month and the spacer strip at the end of the month. Part of the underestimation came from my left knee. 

View of both the top and bottom strips. . .lots of pebbles

Since the day it took me 2.5 hours to drive home from work because of the snow, I've been experiencing sciatica pain in my left leg. Some days, I can't sit to quilt because my leg goes numb! Piecing is okay because after stitching a seam, I stand up, walk a few steps and press. UGH!!! I am so over the knee and now sciatica issues!!!! Am I improving? Maybe, I'm doing the exercises from physical therapy and have had several acupuncture treatments. I don't have the extension of my knee that I had before that drive; but, I'm working on getting it back!

More pebbles. . .these are part of the legend

After I had completed the month strips, I moved on to the legend sections. I stippled around the temperatures. I pebbled the open areas as well as around the rain and snow section. It took me half an hour to quilt a seven inch by three inch section. It took me about three minutes to stipple around the temperatures. 

Then it was back to the invisible thread and stitching in the ditch. Stitching in the ditch is necessary; but it is also so boring!!! I chose to take on this task during a couple zoom sew sessions. Doing a boring task while people are talking and laughing is so much better! Goal number two on my March list was to continue the quilting of this temperature quilt. I've made good progress so that is a win!

Quilting the legend

I've about half of the months to complete the ditch stitching. What will be left is the free motion squiggle around the circles and the straight lines in the border. I had hoped to finish the quilting this month; but, it may not happen. 

The sciatica pain in my left hip/leg is causing me a lot of discomfort. Sitting is uncomfortable. Walking to begin is hard; but, after a minute or two gets easier and a few minutes after that walking gets hard again. The pain radiates from my hip to the middle of my thigh, to the outside of my knee and down my shin to my ankle where the pain pulsates! If I don't stop and rest, that pain moves to throbbing. Tylenol or Ibuprofen don't even take the edge off of the throbbing. I quilt in short stretches and not more than an hour in total.

Friday, physical therapy gave me a few more exercises to do for pain relief. The session itself was painful and all day yesterday I still felt the effects of the session. I've decided to give physical therapy one more week. If I don't feel better, I'm giving it a rest. Perhaps, my body will heal better using massage and acupuncture. I know that I will get better. I have to find what will work and I need to be patient. . .sigh!!!!!

I did work two and a half days this week. At the end, I wasn't as exhausted or in as much pain as I was last month so I know that I am getting better. 

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.