GLORIOUS CREATIONS: January 2011

RAG QUILT FROM RAGS

After the blogs I wrote on "shaggy"quilts, writing about the one that got me started,

I realized I had to make another trash to treasure.

Literally this is another Shaggy quilt from rags. The work shirts I used were in the use for paint clean-up and car washing box. They were so worn they could not be given to Good Will or worn again. Now they are re-born again into a quilt. The next step for them when the quilt gets old and worn is to become

a dog bed and possibly a cover in the garden for frosty nights.

It will be a while before it is headed to the trash again.

The shirts yielded buttons for the button box, 8 1/2 inch squares and 6 inch squares (yes there is another trash to treasure in the box.) Even the pockets were useful. If you look at the top row the squares contain the pockets. This quilt is to be used in the den for cuddling under it while watching TV. The pockets can hold the gizmos and tissues and even snacks.

The back was also pulled from the trash box.

It was a flannel sheet and a flannel blanket which were torn beyond repair.

The batting inside was poly batting that I knew I never wanted to use again for anything. It was medium weight not thin. Only recommendation I can make if you go with medium poly is to use a even feed foot. It will keep the wrinkles to a minimum.

The original "Shaggy" was made, I think, in 2000. It was made with 6 1/2 inch blocks and a tremendous varieties of battings. It is still very much a quilt and hasn't made it to the dog bed (although the dog does sleep on it). It resides every night on our bed. (even through the summer).

This pix was just taken of the original.

As you can see I had no plans for how this would turn out. I added pairs of rows at a time. Not a very appealing pattern (I only wanted to find out if I liked making these quilts.) I really thought the result would end in the dog house. It makes up for its lack of beauty in its utilitarian self,

providing the most soft comforting covering.

Is there a trash to treasure in your future?

I can't think of a better way to go green or to keep something out of a land fill.

Another "Trash to Treasure" blog:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-mans-trash.html

New Article on my blog:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

Other blog sites by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

ANOTHER SHAGGY SAGA:

I spent the week caring for the grands in Florida. I was prepared with hand projects to do on the plane (I can't stand to do nothing during the interminable waits at the airport.) I also brought projects for when the kids went to bed . One was an orange rag quilt I had cut out from the stash.

When I arrived the granddaughter said she wanted to sew while I was there. When she was 6yrs and 4 months we purchased a 3/4 size Janome for her. She made her first quilt (at least the top).

Granddaughter sewing the border on her quilt.

She is standing on the dining room table holding her completed top which she had basted and started tying. She pulled out the tying. She wanted me to quilt it on the machine.

It is made of four patch (6 1/2 inch squares) and 12 1/2 in white squares. Her border is 6 1/2 inches. She did all her own pinning and stitching (and sandwich basting). She nested her seams like a pro. She did not do the rotary cutting or the pressing. I quilted it for her on my short arm Gamill quilt machine.

I decided she could probably make a shaggy quilt. (She is now 8 years and 5months.) I handed her the 8 1/2 inch flannel squares and the 6 inch batting squares and showed her how to sandwich them. She completed stacking the 49 blocks and said, "What do I do now?"

"You have to sew an X over each block and join them together in rows."

We proceeded in using Baba's system of Xing the blocks and joining as we went

(see previous blog http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2010/12/raggy-or-shaggy.html ).

It also works to keep the attention of an eight year old. She was so pleased with her accomplishment of a row finished after Xing 7 blocks. She did not act bored and couldn't wait till the completion of each row. She was literally dancing around after finishing two rows. She couldn't wait to sew them together and run to Mom and show her what she did. In less than 6 hours she completed the 58 x58 inch quilt.

Xing blocks for second row.

Still working on second row

Finishing the last seam.

She discovered the heavy fabric needed a little tugging assistance to keep it straight under the presser foot.

A very happy granddaughter with a quilt for her mom in Mom's favorite color. Baba clipped it for her.

Notice the machine is on a small kid's table and is just the right height for her. To keep the foot pedal from sliding away from her during use we moistened a washcloth and put it under it. (It wasn't wet enough to hurt the hardwood.)

She learned how to wind bobbins and thread her machine. I took apart her machine manual and placed each page in a clear sleeve. (It makes it easier for little hands to hold and turn the pages.) Showed her how to look in the back if mom wasn't around to help and look up for what to do if her machine knots up and other stuff. Before I left I cut out 4 1/2 inch strips of soft ball fabrics she had picked out. She will be attempting a 5 patch block on her own, with Baba emailing the step by step.

Encourage your little ones to sew. Shaggies are the best for learning control of the machine. Seams don't have to be perfect. If you get a wrinkle no need to chastise. When they are washed all the mistakes will be hidden by the natural flannel wrinkles. A small doll quilt version of the shaggy would be a perfect starter quilt. BTw..Grandaughters first Shaggy experience was as a six year old. This one she even clipped herself.