Barbara's Selvage Layout

During a recent meeting of the Charm Girls in Doylestown, PA at the home of Barbara Harrison, I spied this arrangement in her quilt studio (which is appropriately called "The Cave of Wonders"). She is working on a stunning quilt, and while the blocks are still on the design wall, these selvages are already lining up in anticipation of becoming a bag to go with the quilt. I love that green and black fabric!

Selvage Christmas Stocking by SueR

SueR made these delightful ornaments with her quilting buddies at Casey's Quilters and Capitol Quilters in Maine. Sue wanted to try a small selvage project first, but this was so much fun she is planning to do more selvage quilting. Nice job, Sue!

You can read more about SueR and her ornaments on her blog: www.northwindsquilting.blogspot.com.

Design Lesson from Nature

Look at this amazing tree in the Botanical Garden in Bermuda. Notice how the branches grow. They are neither identical nor symmetrical. I think quilts that are arranged "by eye" can have more charm and be more interesting than precise quilts. Precision is admirable, but not always preferable. So the next time you are struggling for precision, ask yourself if that might be the time to take a cue from nature and do a little improvisation.

Take a look at the recent post showing the tote bag with the slanted selvages at the top. That is a nice effect, I think.

Christmas in NYC

Christmas time is so pretty in NYC, especially here at Rockefeller Center. Left to right: David, Jason, me, Brian. I love all the glitzy decorations. It always makes me want to start a new crazy quilt. I hope you are enjoying the season.

Helen's Little Selvage Stocking

Helen Wolf of Doylestown, PA made this sweet selvage stocking. Just remember, if you whip up a couple of these little ornaments, you might get hooked and have to make a pile of selvage quilts. If that happens, we're here for you.

Seeing ALL the Leaves on a Tree

Sometimes I like to look at the world through the lens of my camera. Then I see things I would otherwise miss. Like the shadows of these maple leaves on a tree trunk. This photo appeals to me. This practice of "really looking" feeds the creative process for me!

Meet Rachel, A Creative Quilter in PA!

Rachel made these pretty pot-holders. She has also designed and made quilts, aprons, purses, tote bags, and many other delightful items. Sometimes she uses patterns from books and magazines, but other times she just makes it up as she goes along. Rachel favors bright colored fabrics, and fabrics featuring animals. She does beautiful work.

A Flower for You!

Take a look at this amazing flower! This is growing at the New York Botanical Garden. When we savor such beauty, our capacity for creativity is increased, don't you think?

Some Fabrics are Perfect in Selvage Quilts

Some fabrics seem like they were designed specifically for selvage quilts. Take a look at this fabric with the ruler pattern parallel to the selvage. Even the printing on the selvage is nice and clear. I love that old "pica" font too.

Selvage Book Cover by Linda Robertus

Linda Robertus has made a charming selvage cover for her 2009 calendar. As you recall, Linda is a talented quilter and blogger from the Netherlands, living in Brisbane. See more of her creative projects in her blog: http://q-linda.blogspot.com/.

If this was my calendar, I would be constantly tempted to quilt!

Thanksgiving Wishes to You

I wish I could write like Robert Frost. I would invite you to stand here with me on 42nd Street in NYC and see how majestic the moon looks as it travels across the sky about to balance on the needle of the Chrysler Building. I would also say something thoughtful, like the Psalmist: "I lift my eyes to the hills (the skyline). Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord."

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Selvage Potholders

If you are taking a break from your Thanksgiving dinner preparations, I thought you'd enjoy seeing these selvage pot-holders. They are quick and easy to make, perfect as little gifts for your quilting friends.

Start with a 9-inch square of muslin, and attach selvages. See http://www.selvagequilts.com/ for step-by step photos of this process. Then sandwich with backing and 3 layers of Warm and Natural quilt batting. I machine-quilted mine a little bit. Bind just like a quilt. Add a crocheted loop if you like.

Julie Sefton's Elegant Gift

Julie Sefton used selvages from the beautiful backing of this quilt to make a 4 x 6 card insert. The card will be a special keepsake for the recipient of this quilt. Inside the card she'll add a haiku written about the quilt, the name of the quilt ("Bittersweet"), and "Gifted Christmas 2008." What an elegant idea!

Make a cup of tea or coffee and take a look at Julie's blog: http://www.quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com/. There is so much to see at this "thinking quilter's" blog. She even quotes my favorite doctor, Dr. Seuss. "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

Wire Dress Inspires Creativity

I thought of you, "Would-be Occupants of the Onion Chair" when I saw this wire dress in the window of an art gallery in Provincetown, MA. (That's at the tip of Cape Cod, east of Boston, for you gals in Australia. It's an artsy/tourist/Portugese fishing/gay/beach resort/hippie town. My husband and I spent a weekend there last summer.)

It is so inspirational to soak in all the creativity in a place like that! I come home with more quilt ideas than I could ever use in a lifetime:)

More Selvage Ornaments from Elena McDowell

Here are two more versions of Elena McDowell's selvage ornaments. She is so creative, it blows my socks off! Don't you just love these cheerful ornaments. There's still time to whip up some of these for your tree or to use as gift tags or to give as little gifts to your quilting buddies. Check out her etsy listings and her website to see more of her creations. (See "labels" below.)

Fandango Quilt Imitates Selvage Quilts!

UPDATE: Finally, here is the pattern for the Fandango quilt.

I just finished this fan quilt and noticed that it looks a lot like a selvage quilt. First I cut a ton of one-inch strips from my 1940-1970's era stash. Then (without using a foundation) I sewed the strips together starting with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, then gradually increasing to a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Doing this with each added strip produces the fan effect. After piecing, press flat then using a square template, trim. The border is made of small fans. I love this busy quilt.

Australian Postcards by Linda Robertus

Linda Robertus (from the Netherlands, living in Australia) featured her Australian fabrics in these pretty postcards. I love the Aboriginal designs made up of all those dots. Her selvage arrangement produced two postcards, both equally interesting. Nice idea to use red thread for the edging. See more at her blog: http://q-linda.blogspot.com/.

Selvage Quilt Inspiration at the Home Depot!

Even at the Home Depot you can find selvage quilt ideas. These tiles look like a selvage quilt to me. With a box of markers and a little time, I could fix up this display:)

My selvages usually run the whole width of a block, but it might be interesting to butt two or three selvages together like these tiles.

Cheery Selvage Ornaments

Elena McDowell of NC has made these beautiful selvage star ornaments. I think the bright colors and the white selvages would stand out nicely on a Christmas tree, but I'd display these year 'round in my quilt studio to feed my creative spirit. Pinking the edges means no binding. Nice job, Elena!

Inspiration in NYC's Garment District

After my guild meetings in NYC I like to browse the Garment District and feast my eyes on the huge inventories of buttons, trim, lace, and fabrics. I'm not usually looking for anything special, just "filling my tank" for future creative endeavors. I thought you would enjoy this beautiful wall of upholstery trims, and this unique tape dispenser that was sitting on the cutting table. Whoever made this would definitely sit in the Onion Chair!