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?
For extreme scrap quilters. See Etsy.com/Shop/KarenGriskaQuilts for fun quilt patterns.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
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.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Selvage Book Cover by Linda Robertus
If this was my calendar, I would be constantly tempted to quilt!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
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.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Julie Sefton's Elegant Gift
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."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wire Dress Inspires Creativity

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:)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
More Selvage Ornaments from Elena McDowell
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Fandango Quilt Imitates Selvage Quilts!
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.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Australian Postcards by Linda Robertus
Thursday, November 20, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Cheery Selvage Ornaments
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Framed Selvages
Take a look at this framed selvage arrangement made by Elena McDowell. This colorful rainbow of selvages is surrounded by a black and white frame made with newspaper, and upon close inspection: Chinese newspaper! This is a real treat for a font lover like me.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Seashell Encrusted Pillow
This unique pillow was displayed in a store window in Provincetown, MA this summer. The idea intrigued me. Who would ever think of attaching hard seashells to a soft pillow? I think the shells were first strung together, then couched onto the pillow. This really appeals to me; I think it would look very cool in my quilt studio.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Selvage Postcards as Christmas Greetings!


Friday, November 14, 2008
Log Cabin Pillow - With Selvages

P.S. Elena makes custom selvage items (like table runners, quilts, and pillows). You can contact her via http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Meet Linda Robertus of Brisbane, Australia!
I particularly like the selvage on a slight angle at the top of the bag in the top photo. It adds a jaunty touch near that bright colorwash. And I like the row of black stars on the white background. And that turquoise ocean color toward the bottom is one of my favorites. I really like this bag. Nice job Linda! Have a great summer!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Notecards for Extreme Scrap Quilters!

To go right to the etsy page where you can read about these cards, click on: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13953035
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Here is the Easier Way!
Have you ever said, "There's got to be an easier way!" Well now you know where it is! It is one of the choices when you want to descend Jay Peak, a ski area in northern Vermont. My sister and I climbed Jay Peak, and this "Easier Way" sign made us laugh.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Christmas Tree Ornaments!

They are 4" wide at the bottom and 5" tall (not including the jute loop). They are "selvaged" on both sides, and there is batting in the middle, so they feel nice and soft. A pretty vintage button at the top, and a selvage tree trunk at the bottom, and there you go.
You could whip up some of these for your quilting buddies (or yourself), or go to Elena's page at etsy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16311891.
Where does she get all these creative ideas?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Selvage Quilter's Field Trip to Block Island
I recently visited Block Island, a small charming island off the coast of Rhode Island near Connecticut. I was delighted by the abundance of stone walls, their sometimes "lacy" construction, and someone's clever method of preserving their wall from the wear and tear of foot traffic! The bottom photo was taken from the porch of a hotel near the ferry landing, now deserted for the winter season.
If you lived here you would have to quilt all the time because everything else is a one-hour ferry ride away! Sounds like paradise to me. Savoring the beauty of places like this "fills our tank" for artistic expression in our quilts, don't you think?
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Selvage Christmas Tree Skirt!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wonderful Font Fabric from Kaufman

Thursday, November 6, 2008
Cure for the Bland Selvage Stash
If your selvage stash needs a little perking up, consider adding strips of ribbon. Use them just like a selvage. Some ribbons have writing or dots on them, too. And remember, you can make a strip of fabric work in a selvage arrangement by folding one edge over and using it like a bound edge. (This pillow doesn't have ribbon strips in it, but I'm planning to try this soon. If you do, email a photo!)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
June Calender's Selvage Jacket!
I sure hope we get to see June modeling this fancy jacket at our next Empire Quilt Guild meeting. We meet at the Fashion Institute; how appropriate is that?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Nellie Durand Makes Art Quilts Using Selvages!
Nellie is also working on a "Lake" series which will have 100 quilts when she's done! She likes to use the selvages that have shaggy edges to add a nice touch to the water scenes.
Visit her blog, Nellie's Needles, to read about this quilt and see photos of it in progress. Also be sure to see the Lake series. Make a new cup of coffee now; this blog is fascinating.
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