The box was moved from place to place at the old store, then moved to the new store, where it was moved several more times! I decided it was time to finish the quilt and get it out of my way. It took me one afternoon to piece the blocks back together correctly and to insert them into the quilt again. There were also two rows that needed to be pieced and added to the quilt as well, which took another afternoon. The pieced border was very pretty, but as I started piecing it together, I realized it was not going to fit the top, so I used a black for the border instead. Done!

      After completing this UFO, I began remembering about a lone star quilt sitting in a box – unfinished. I had used it as a sample to teach a class on lone star. All of the strip cutting for the points was already done, and all I had to do was piece 3 more points. That part took the afternoon to finish, and by the time I was ready to go home, the whole star was together. The next day I chose the background, and had the center done by the second day! I could stop now and call it done… but I think I want to add a border. This may take another five years. The star goes back in its box so it can age to perfection; I am happy to have one top FINISHED!

I have also finished a stack and whack that I found the pile of block for. There was another pile of striped fabric ready to be cut into triangles for another quilt top I have cut them and sewed them. There are also two more tops hanging in the store, and at least one more completed top in my sewing corner. Oh yes, and there is a double wedding ring top that is 80% done, and a lone star top half done. The block of the month, blocks will be done soon, so that top will be able to be completed too. I am sure there are a few more that we haven’t found simply because of the depth of the piles. It feels good to know that some of my projects are getting finished., and I know where the other ones stand. Now I won’t feel bad about starting a few more.

Taking inventory is not a bad thing, especially if it makes some of your previously started projects useful by simply backing and quilting them.

All of the pieces were from before 1930 and some were from the mid to late 1800s, one was from the late 1700s. Brenda, Eddi and I just stood there looking at and marveling over these garments. Oh yes, there was also this beautiful tatted jacket. The thread was as fine as a spider’s web. It was so beautiful and delicate. What a treat we had.

In the afternoon another customer stopped by to show us here English paper pieced hexagon quilt she was working on. She was using fabric from the 1960s that someone had given her. It will be interesting for people 50 years from now trying to date that quilt!

There was a new student (Barbara) at Open Sew. She had a new machine that she needed to know how to use and then wanted to know how to hem a pair of pants on it. We accomplished both! Today was a great day!

To make the most beautiful garments and quilts all you need is a strait stitch. I look at the dresses Eddi has stitched – with a strait stitch Singer from the 1940′s – and marvel at how beautiful they are. Not a zig-zag or serge to be found… Of all the machines that people bring in to class, I am most impressed with the Janome machines. You get a lot for your money and they stitch well. They hold their tension and have quite a number of features for under $500. Chris at the Auburn Sewing Center gives you as many guide instructions as you need when you purchase from her. I also find it easy to instruct students in their basic use.

So please do not buy a new machine for under $200, because you will probably not enjoy sewing with these flimsy machines and you may not be able to get the machine to sew. Last Fall I had a student bring a machine she had purchased at Wal-Mart to class. We threaded it up and began to sew on some cotton muslin. Everything looked o.k. so she got out her project. She was working on polyester flannel PJ’s as Christmas gifts. We got the seam pinned and started sewing. There were skipped stitches so I had her change to a ball-point needle. No luck. I sent her down to Chris to get a Janome and told her to return the other machine. She spent about the same amount on the Janome as she had on the other machine. The difference was remarkable… The Janome actually sewed!!!

Word of advice, if you cannot afford new, look at yard sales for older machines from the 50′s and 60′s that still work. Kenmore, Singer, Brother are worthy of mention here. Remember you only need strait stitch, everything else is want.

     It is my hope and dream that we will abandon the notion of quantity for quality again. Since Eddi has joined our staff I have started thinking more about the fit of garments. As a fashion designer, Eddi has brought to our attention small details of construction that add to the quality of garments. Some of these steps take only minutes longer yet add so much to the fit and durability. Even though I have been sewing for a very long time, both for myself and for other people, there are quite a few construction techniques that I had not been practicing. Some I did not know, some I skipped for speed of construction, never realizing what a difference they made! After a couple of classes with Eddi I realized most of the things I was skipping didn’t take all that much longer.

     Now I am thinking, what’s the big hurry? I want these clothes to fit me for a long time. Now I want quality.