New Sewing Machine - Bernina 570QE

I was sewing late last night and the spring holding my throat plate broke.  (Oh, and the day before, my walking foot stopped doing zig-zag stitching.)  It's the second time the spring has broken off, and the last time I tried to get a replacement, I had to buy a whole new throat plate.  Luckily, I kept that old one, so I had one more spare spring.  But, that was a huge clue to me that it was way past time to get a new sewing machine.  I am a dyed in the wool Bernina sewing machine owner.  I've had my model 440 for over 10 years and the last time I took it in for service, they told me it was just about worn out.    

So, the very next day, I headed down to a nice Portland dealer, called Modern Domestic.  They've been advertising all kinds of specials, and I knew that most of them had expired.   But I was ready to look seriously and perhaps buy a machine.

They showed me all of the models they had, some of the used ones, and then told me that they had recently received classroom machines that could be sold at a discount off their normal selling price.  Wouldn't you just know that it was the exact model that I was looking at!

I selected the model 570, which is the quilter's edition with an 8" throat space, which is slightly larger than the standard machines.  Its not as huge of a space as you would get on the huge machines, but since I have a quilting machine, I no longer need the huge space.  This one is more portable, meaning that it's not too heavy for me to carry.  I was able to bring it home and I'm over the moon.

I'll work on it a little bit, then take my intro class in October. 

Here's to new sewing machines!

Shadow Selfie #3 - Bubbleishous

This is the 3rd quilt in the shadow selfie series.  I wrote blogs about the previous 2 quilts.  The shadow selfie is from a picture I took of myself on a walk early in the morning to get that long leggy look.  I positioned myself to make it look like I was holding a bouquet of daffodils.  Well, actually, they look like they're coming out of my belly button, but you get the gist.

I found a wonderful new-to-me ombre fabric at a quilt show in Portland.  I knew that I was making the shadow selfie series when I bought it, and it was put into the quilt within a week.  I loved the bubbleishous (made up word) feel of the fabric.  Doesn't it just make you happy?

"Shadow Selfie #3 - Bubbleishous" by Joanne Adams Roth 2018

The quilting was done with circular templates and free form pebbles.  It complemented the fabric really well, and is hard to see unless you looking at the quilt in person.  One of the things I like about going to quilt shows is when you get drawn into a quilt to look closer.  I think this one will make people do that. (p.s. My sister days my butt is not that big!)

I hope you like it.

Shadow Selfie #2 - The Adams Stance

This is the second quilt in my shadow selfie series.  I wrote a blog about the first one previously.

This quilt started with shadow selfie photo that I had taken on a walk.  In April, I took a picture of a field of blooming daisies.  I loved the idea of putting this shadow selfie onto the field of flowers.   So those 2 photos became the inspiration for this quilt.

I started with a blue ombre fabric as the background.  The shadow selfie was appliqued, then the piece was quilted.  White, pink and yellow embroidery threads were used to embroider the lazy daisies on the bottom of the quilt.

"Shadow Selfie #2 - The Adams Stance" by Joanne Adams Roth 2018

I was tickled pink when our 5 year old granddaughter noticed right away that it was a shadow!  She drew a picture of the quilt.  Don't you love it?

I named this quilt, "The Adams Stance" because many of us in the Adams family (no...not the show, my real family) inherited a quirky knee bend from my father.  There are so many pictures of him like this, and of me, and of my son.  It's really quite funny because we don't know we're doing it.  Then we see the pictures and have a great laugh.  Do you have family characteristics that show up in pictures too?   Like perhaps squinty eyes?  And you know who you are, right?

I hope you like it.

Blue and Light - Sister's Delight - The Design

I realized with an almost horrific reaction that I haven't made a quilt for my sister Colleen.  When she sent the quilts back to me for my solo show, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Like my mother before me, I've been making quilts to give away as gifts, and haven't considered the equanimity of giving quilts to my relatives who also make quilts.  Shame on me!

So, I called her up as soon as I unpacked the box of borrowed quilts and apologized for never making one for her.  I asked if she wanted one, and if she did, what would she like.  She immediately knew!  She took a picture of a comforter she has on her queen-sized bed that is in shades of blue and light cream and tans.  It has paisley motifs all over it, so she said something that goes with that in the same color scheme would be great.  I'm thrilled that the serendipity of this request matches exactly the theme of my quilt guild's show theme for 2019.  Do you pay attention to serendipitous events in your life?  Makes the hair stand up on your arms and at the back of your neck.  I love it when it happens.

Here is her picture and some of my sketches for ideas:

She liked the one with the hexie background and paisley applique.  I liked it the best too, because it's more modern.

On the Hunt for sewing supplies

I'm back to sewing some clothes again.  I made a pattern for a loose carefree top based on a top I purchased recently.  I've been testing out my pattern and have made a few adjustments here and there..  Perhaps by the 3rd or 4th time I sew this top, I'll get the pattern just right.

The collar on this top is really interesting.  It looks like it's ruffled and it stands up quite nicely.  The secret is 1/4" wide flexible boning sewn between the collar and the facing.

Here's a picture of the top:

I went to a local bridal supply store and bought the only boning they had.  Way too stiff!  Then I went to a local discount fabric store and found some 1/2" flexible bonding.  I decided to cut it down the middle to give me the 1/4" wide flexible boning that I needed.  It's not quite as pliable as the original, but I think it works just fine.

It's been really fun to use my serger and quickly sew up new clothes.  This material was some of the cheap stuff I bought at the stash bazaar; when my friends ambushed me at the door with stacks of green fabric.  I think this was just the right pattern to use that fabric.  What do you think?

Shadow Selfie #1

I've been taking shadow selfies for about 4 years now.  I don't know why I like them, but I do.  Perhaps it's because I don't care if I have make up on, what I'm wearing, or how many wrinkles are on my face.  My shadow always looks good.  Since I post so many of the shadow selfies, many of my Facebook friends do it now too!  I think they are having as much fun as I am.  I've taken them at rodeos, on hikes, on bike rides, and on many of my daily walks.  I especially like the ones taken early in the morning, when my shadow is long and leggy.

Sometimes, when you're drawn to something, you really can't put your finger on the reason.  Artists get their inspirations from many sources, and I'm no exception.  Are we getting a message from the universe that we should pay attention to?  What do these pictures say about me?

Since I like to turn pictures into art quilts, I decided that a series of my shadow selfies would be really fun.  I decided to make them 12" x 12" and to try to make 10 to start with.  All of them will have black shadows and black binding.  But the rest will be whatever inspiration strikes me at the moment.

Shadow selfie #1 started when I picked one of the shadow selfies for this quilt.  There was a really great batik that I had with ombre dying in it plus some strong horizontal lines.  So with these 2 things as my inspiration, I sketched up a design that would be quick and that would convey my photo.

I traced the wedges and put them on top of the fabric, matching up some of the horizontal lines.

These were pieced, the shadow was appliqued to the background, and it was simply quilted with teal thread.

Shadow Selfie #1 by Joanne Adams Roth  March, 2018

I hope you like it!  And have fun taking shadow selfies too!

Arizona wall quilt

My sister retired from a job in Alaska and didn't want to spend one more winter freezing.  She and her husband actually both retired and headed to Arizona, where they found a nice home.  She sent me a few pictures of bare walls and asked for a quilt (or two) to help decorate her home.

Here are the bare walls and color preferences.

I used to make Native American themed quilts and thought that perhaps I could do that.  But I then started thinking about other desert motifs and how they are more prevalent in Arizona vacation homes now.  I showed my sister some of my ideas and she sent me more pictures.  We settled on a sunset scene.

The background was made using freehand cutting and sewing with some strips inserted.  My sister likes the Kokopelli motif, so I sketched this one onto steam a seam light and fused the black fabric to the background.  It was quilted and faced.

I hope you like it.