Work Work Work

Work!  That’s all I’ve had time for the past couple of months.  Too bad that it’s the work I do I do to pay the bills and not to nourish the soul.  After so long away from doing any type of needlework, I really need a “fix” to restore my spirit.

I’ve been working on a Victorian Crazy quilt for longer than I care to admit.  I do love all the embroidery stitches but it’s not as portable or easy to just pick up and work on as a knitting project.  I’ve got the layout worked out and a theme going.  I’ve just got to have the time to sit and do some stitching. 

I’ve decided to include a central motif on each block that will remind me of a good friend or family member.   I’ve got about 3 16″ blocks finished and maybe 5 in the planning stages.  The layout will have 13 total I think (I’m going to do an on-point setting).  I’ve been collecting thread, charms, laces, buttons… all kinds of things that can be added to the quilt.  The shopping expeditions for this project have been a lot of fun.  My favorite places to get items for this quilt are vendors at quilt shows. 

Lee’s Lines is always a good source for items and inspiration.  At my guild’s last show she had a cute little antique stool that was covered with felted wool crazy patches and lovely embroidery.  I so coveted that stool.  I wished they were selling them as a kit.  The truth was though that they search for them at antique shops and flea markets.  I’ll be keeping my eyes open for something like that this summer.  You can count on that!

Another favorite of mine is the Stitching Post from Bay City Michigan.  She’s another source of inspiration and unique stitching items.  This year I got a seam ripper with a lovely turned wooden handle.  It was more than I usually spend on a ripper..but its a tool right?   Tools are an investment in your craft and last for years to come.  That’s how I justify it anyway.  I just love that particular tool. 

The basis for any Victorian Crazy quilt though are the stitches.  I’ve been using a set of 12 patterns from The Quilter’s Patch.  The shop used to be located close by my home but has since moved to Meers, Michigan.  The patterns are available on-line at The Quilter’s Warehouse.  Each of the 12 patterns has 26 unique stitches illustrated beautifully.  This series of patterns is a great place to start for a beginner and a great source for stitches for an experienced quilter.

Some other places for materials for this type of project are Victorian Purses by Sue.  I met this vendor at the Novi Sewing Expo.  She vends at beading shows too.  She has a complete collection of DMC and Presencia Perle cottons.  Another good source for threads is The Rocking Horse in Farmington, Michigan.  Their main focus is cross stitch and they have hundreds of samples all over the shop.  They also have a varied collection of threads, charms and buttons that work nicely for crazy quilting.  Worth a stop if you’re out there.

Happy stitching everyone and don’t work too hard.