Path of Faith Quilt

I’m reading a book right now, “Super-Charged Retirement” by Mary Lloyd, her Site. I think with Husbands personality and work ethic, for the past 37+ years, I/we better have a plan going into retirement in the next few years.  But, on page 68, there is the paragraph that made me understand what I did years ago in a quilting group.

“Groups take you in and expect you to remain who you were when you joined. When you grow, they don’t know what to do with you. Eventually you will either revert to your old ways to fit in or be pushed out of the group.”

This sentence rang in my ears and I had to put the book down. I rolled it over and over for a couple of days, then went and unpacked a box.

This quilt was the catalyst that made be rethink my quilting.  These little ladies walking in a row, did a lot for me ! Funny...... a quilt did that.

 I was awarded a ribbon, my first and was thrilled, but what I didn’t except were the comments from some, “Powers” that be in the group.

To me this piece said, I was changing, I was doing what I liked, not what was traditional or expected. I was looking at things different. You know when things are said with a raised eyebrow and not sincere.  I never felt the same in that group again, it was not the whole group just a few, but I was not the same. And, did not remain in the group much longer, I was not push out, I walked out very happily.

 

My  “Path of Faith” quilt changed my way of thinking about quilts and my way of doing things. I love traditional quilts and patterns, but these "Ladies" made me outside the box, before outside the box was normal. 

Thank you too, Mary Lloyd, you put into words what I had done years ago. All I knew at the time, my late 20's to early 30's, was to remove myself from the group, today??? I think it would be a whole lot different, I'm just a "Bit" older, wiser  and a lot grayer ! 

And, OH BABY, do I love my  path.

Lessons learned:

• 1)      It’s just fine to see things different
• 2)      Finding people in your life who say, “OK……” and mean it
• 3)      “Power” was not the real word I wanted to use
• 4)      Put a label on your quilts
• 5)      It’s just fine to be yourself !

 Husband, 34 Years ago TODAY, on a blind date we met, what a ride ! 

The Quilt Ladies Store



Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE 

Packing up our home for Retirement Phase of our Lives

The Basement is all packed up and upstairs.
To My 3 "A's"  We still have them ! 

These are Husband's animals, I dislike them, I cover them.....

BEFORE

AFTER, carpet will come up if we see water coming in ???

Idea boxes, all moved and all safe.

Photo albums from grade school on of mine, what to do?

Say a pray....

The physical part of all this is one thing, the mental is terrible too !

Hand Quilting - Quilt Tips from The Quilt Ladies

I love hand piecing, usually a small project, but there is something about it that makes me happy. When you hand piece  do as you would do on the sewing machine, using a continuous stitch, make a knot at one end of the thread, stitch your sew allowance to the end, do a back stitch and start stitching again on the next patch.

bethanndoing.com

Quilting Tips from The Quilt Ladies

When designing and drafting your own patterns, remember to add ¼” inch on each side of the block before cutting:

2 inch finished square will be cut 2 ½” x 2 ½”

3 inch finished square will be cut 3 ½” x 3 ½” 

and so on !

bethanndoing.com

Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection

Spring Table with Red Table Topper

Spring Table

A simple square is always a good thing in quilting. I cut 2" x 2" square.

A good wall hanging and table center piece.



Be Kind to All,

Beth

The Quilt Ladies Store

Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection, See her books, eBooks and quilt pattern series, Little Quilt Ladies - HERE       

How to make a Square Quilt with ONLY Squares

Received a phone call from a very dear friend who’s taken the plunge and is learning how to quilt.  HERE – is how she started. The next question is, “How do I do a quilt top? ”

I know when you see a finished quilt it can seem very overwhelming. I’m going to walk you thought making a quilt top over the next few weeks.

Remember, “It’s Only a Square”    Finished Quilt Size:  46”x 46”  1 yard of each color will be more than needed to do this project.

Cut  160 – 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” in assortment of colors (I used a dark, medium and light) approx. 1 yard of each color !

Lay out each block before sewing it together, there is no right way or no wrong way. I’ve included some examples of color placement, these are examples, have fun move colors around and you will need 16 blocks.  Use a ¼” seam allowance and press your seams to one side. 

Lay out 3 in each row

And do 3 rows.

You will need a total of 16 pieced block, so have fun, move color around, here is just a few examples:

Take a few weeks and I'll walk you through putting the block together with sashing and borders, let's say 2 weeks ! Keep checking back !

So, get the fabric out, get cutting, piecing and let's make a quilt top  !

Be Kind to all,  

Beth

Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book on Kindle and Nook, nothing is possible without your purchases, Beth

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The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOU

Cutting off Points - Quilt Tips from The Quilt Ladies

When sewing a quilt block row together there is nothing worse than opening it up and seeing that you chopped off the points of your triangles, make sure to pin your rows and sew on the side that you can see the most points, if you need to fudge your 1/4” seam allowance, now is the time to do it, and when I say fudge I mean by 1/32 or 1/16, just a bit !

bethanndoing.com