Block of the Month - Fashion Labels

This year I'm designing the blocks for the Empire Quilters Block of the Month. The October block was a 6 1/2 inch foundation covered with labels from clothing. We meet at the Fashion Institute in NYC so this seemed especially appropriate. Also, labels seem to be going out of style as the info is being printed right onto the fabric. Like selvages, labels might otherwise be "wasted."

These are the blocks on display at the meeting before the drawing. They were won by new member Maggie Gordon from the UK.

To see our Block of the Month ideas (and use any you like) visit: http://empirebom.blogspot.com/. Next month is the Atomic Wedgie block followed by the Amish Buggy block in December.

Asymmetrical Car, Wow

I was driving in Connecticut recently and was amazed to see this asymmetrical car. It's a Nissan Cube. I whipped out my handy camera and took this photo through the windshield to show you. I think I like it; it looks kind of European. Someone was thinking "out of the box."

Have a creative day!

Meet Maria Clara from Spain

Maria Clara from Spain made these selvage pin cushions. Aren't they nice? She used a tight little zig-zag stitch to secure the selvages, a good idea! I like that. Take a look at her blog:

www.my-house-of-the-tree.over-blog.es/ Even if you don't read Spanish, we can enjoy looking at the great photos.

Greetings and hugs to our visitors from Spain today!

Kathy Wilcox Makes a Quilt Show Tote

Kathy Wilcox of Burnet, Texas has created this nice big tote bag! I'd call that Texas-size for sure. Here's what she had to say about it:

"Tomorrow I go to the Houston International Quilt Festival for 3 wonderful days of looking and shopping, so I made a big selvage tote bag to carry every day (20" wide x 18" long x 6" bottom). I stitched the selvages to muslin and then fused the muslin to fusible fleece to give the bag some body and then quilted it all. Lining is the black polka dot fabric like the straps. It should be a conversation starter in Houston."

Kathy, tell us how the show went. Was the tote big enough? ;)

This is Kathy's second project, she's finished her blue zinger top and is ready to quilt it! Stay tuned!

See Konda's First Selvage Quilt

Konda Luckau of Payson, Utah made her first selvage quilt using some pre-cut layer cake squares from "9 by Sanae." Her quilt is shown on a toddler size bed. Isn't it charming? I really like that busy block near the center of the quilt where all the selvages are red. It has a candy-cane look.

Konda is a long-time long armer, but now she is busy writing pattern books. Check out her blog and website to see her patterns and what she's up to now.

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/

http://moosequilts.com/

Sewing Machine Look-Alike

I've had sewing machines on my mind lately and it looks like I'm not the only one. What kind of a monument do you think that is? Photo is from a site called "Totally Looks Like." Here's their link: http://totallylookslike.com/2009/07/15/this-monument-totally-looks-like-this-sewing-machine/

Some Flowers for You

Thanks for reading the Selvage Blog and being part of this community of quilters. I enjoy sharing photos of our selvage art and things that inspire our creativity. Invite a friend to join us here!

Hugs to you. And these flowers too. Have a great day.

Selvage Pot-holder is a Quick Project

Kerry Katie Cakes in Alberta, Canada made this pretty selvage pot-holder for a swap. She made one big square then cut it into fourths and put it together like this. She recommends cutting your selvages wide so the project goes faster. Makes sense to me. Thanks, Kerry!

See Kerry's blog at: http://kerrykatiecakes2.blogspot.com/ especially if you like crazy quilt embellishment!

Selvage Harvest Machine

Just kidding! Lynn in Nebraska enjoys seeing where quilters live and she sent us this photo. Here's what she had to say:

"I attached a view of my world right now. It is harvest time in Nebraska and this photo is of my husband combining soy beans. I help in the field too during harvest time so don't get a chance to sew/quilt much until we are finished. I have a large collection of selvages now thanks to help from my friends but I am not sure what I want to make with them yet."

Sometimes I forget that our food doesn't originate in the grocery store. Thanks for that photo, Lynn. I hope you live near Lincoln so you can visit the new quilt museum at the University of Nebraska. Take a look at Lynn's blog at: http://nebraskaviews.blogspot.com/

I love to see where quilters live too. Keep those photos coming.

Barbara's Getting Ready to Take the Plunge

Barbara in Florida sent us this photo of her backyard. She's about ready to start selvage quilting, so I couoldn't help that little pun. This looks like the perfect place to have a Selvage Blog convention/quilting retreat this winter!

"I really like seeing where other people live. Attached is a picture of sunrise through my backyard. I live in Rockledge, Fla which is just south of the Kennedy Space Center so I actually get to see the shuttle lift off's from my house. It's a great place to live and to quilt. I haven't done a selvage project yet but I've got one in mind and I'm collecting selvages as fast as I can. Thanks for always making your blog so much fun."

You are very welcome!

Barbara's blog is: www.tinkquilts.blogspot.com

Selvage Tutorial From Amy

Amy made this charming scrappy armrest pin cushion and a tutorial for it too! Take a look at her blog: http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/2009/10/scrappy-armrest-pincushion-tutorial.html
She is a Mom of 3 (one's a baby), and this blog shows the creative things she makes during quiet time. Amy, what I'd really like are some time management lessons!

Waste Not, Want Not

Wendy in Chicago made this beautiful "woven-look" selvage wall quilt. It measures about 30" x 30." She also made the backing out of selvages and included them in the sleeve and the label as well. She calls it "Waste Not, Want Not." Wendy has more photos and talks about the making of this quilt on her blog:

http://marthamacgyver.blogspot.com/2009/09/waste-not-want-not.html Nice job, Wendy!

Columbus Day Treat

On Saturday I went to Manhattan for the Empire Quilter's guild meeting. Now that I live in CT it takes me 3 hours traveling time each way, but it's worth it. I never know what I'll see in NYC, but I'm never disappointed.

Curiously, the best part of the day was after the meeting. I walked from the Fashion Institute to Grand Central Station with Empire member (and Selvage Blog reader) Diane Schneck. We had such a good visit talking about our first quilts, urban myths, Sept. 11, and I forgot what else.

At Grand Central we saw this exhibit of Italian Glass and leather shoes in honor of Columbus Day. I particularly liked the glass NYC taxi (above) and the stars and stripes figure (below). They even had a wine and cheese tasting area. Delicious. What a nice surprise.

The collection of ornaments on this tree was truly amazing.

Most of the Italian shoes in the photos below are each about 4 inches long! The variety is incredible. We had fun savoring the huge variety.

Take a close look at the pink shoe below.

What kind of footwear were we wearing? Comfortable sneekers for walking!

Hanging out with quilters is so much fun!

Meet Junky Chicken

Jenny of Junky Chicken in the UK makes these delightful chicken door-stops. They are for sale on Folksy: http://www.folksy.com/shops/JennysTextiles (A selvage version might be nice.)

Jenny is a crafter at heart, and you can see many interesting projects on her blog: http://junkychicken.wordpress.com/. She made these flags (above) as a decoration for her wedding this summer. So festive! She also reports on knitting, wedding cake baking, papercrafts, and her first tatoo!

Nice work, Jenny! Best wedding wishes to you and Joe from quilters everywhere. :)

Blue Sewing Machine on Bing

I went to www.bing.com, entered "sewing machines" in the images box, and found this unusual antique blue machine, among many others.

So then I typed in my name and saw my portrait and a bunch of my quilts, Yikes! Search engines are scary smart.

Harry Berzack's Sewing Machine Collection

There is an interesting interview on Collector's Weekly with sewing machine collector Harry Berzack. He has one of the largest collections of sewing machines in the world. There are some amazing sewing machines pictured in the article (including the one above with the charming architectural structure). Visit this link:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/an-interview-with-antique-sewing-machine-collector-harry-berzack/

Couture Post Office

There is something special about my post office. Take a look in the window above; I think it's an apartment. Someone has taken it upon herself to dress this mannequin. The outfit changes frequently. One of my favorites was a wedding dress. I always check out this window and enjoy the exhibit. I think I'll leave a note the next time. I'll keep you posted.

Marky's Amazing Toy Sewing Machine Collection

Marky Kuba of Eau Claire, Wisconsin smiles every time she enters her quilt studio and sees her wonderful collection of 70 antique toy sewing machines. She bought them in the 1980's at tag sales and antique shops. One is just like the machine she had as a child. I wonder which one! Isn't this an amazing collection? I love how she arranged the colors. Thank you Marky for this photo. I'm inspired to start a little collection myself.

So That's How a Sewing Machine Works!

Click on the link below to see a moving picture of how a lockstitch works! You will love this.

http://inastrangeland.wordpress.com/2009/08/18/so-thats-how-it-works/#comment-5896

Hugs to the Charm Girls: Barbara, Helen, Ellen, Linda and Stephanie in Pennsylvania!

Selvage USA Flag

Diane Rode Schneck of NYC made this cheerful selvage version of a USA flag. I like how the color windows suggest stars. I also like how she used fringed selvages to add a shabby chic flair.

Diane is a talented quilter, quilt teacher and much more. See her website "The Virtual Quilt Diner" at: http://www.geocities.com/quiltdiner/