Getting Stitching

    Today we are in the sewing room preparing our machine and stitching our strips for the summer picnic quilt. Hop on over for a few video tutorials as we work this project together. Remember, if you have some helpful tips or need some assistance let us know.

Let's Play in the Fabric

     Any one who knows me knows I love to sit in the middle of the floor surrounded by fabric. Today we are meeting in the sewing room to gather our fabrics for a summer picnic quilt and play with the layout. 

Join Me

    Come join me in the sewing room for a special introduction. We are gathering supplies and looking into a new project. Join me, won't you?

In The Matter of Thimbles

   When I sit down in my favorite place for a time of quiet stitching, nothing seems quite as familiar as my thimble. My thimble shares my journey through the stitches and styles that form the quilt. Together we write a memory and draft a treasure. Hours and hours we spend together..and with all that time logged we better be a good fit. Many thimbles have found my fingers but few have stayed to weather the tasks. Let's open the old wooden sewing box and take a peek at the thimbles that share creative space with me.

 

Join me in the sewing room to peek at the thimbles in my sewing box.

My Hand Quilting Journey

   Long arm quilting, machine quilting- these are the trends of today. Many quilters and consumers firmly stand by the machine movement..they have their reasons. Some say the machine work is much stronger and gives durability and long life to their projects. Others believe it is faster and more efficient making hand made quilts more available to the consumer. Me? Well. Machine work is fine and I am working through a class to improve my machine quilting skills, but it isn't my favorite method. I have my reasons.

   Years ago when I started my quilting journey my heart longed to connect with the women of my past..those strong, sturdy women who's creativity and love of family was translated to and preserved in their beautiful hand made quilts. My heart yearned for the same lack of idleness..the same flowing creativity to preserve and pass on to my friends, family and loved ones.
    My journey began with small simple 'sandwiches' printed with random designs..a Noah's ark, for example. Hoop and needle, thimble and tread became my 'down time' friend. On a bench by the playground or the table during lessons..even while my husband and I watched the news my hands worked busily at this new task giving purpose to my time and a pace to my whirling thoughts.

     I started with the basics: hand positions, the rocking motion. My stitches were long and wide spaced, but as each little project came to completion my technique became second nature..like breathing. From the motions to the meanderings my next focus was stitch length. Careful to concentrate my attention to loading the needle with tight concise stitches with as little spacing as possible. Piece by piece it came to be  more consistent and routine. The familiar rhythm brought relaxation and contentment.
     Several years of simply stitching random fabric sandwiches were the basis for my work. I bought cheater cloths preprinted with designs and taught my children the skill of hand quilting. We made several and gave them as gifts to loved ones and friends. It wasn't until much later..only about five years ago that I found my way to actually piecing quilt tops. That journey took much the same path..simple and slow gradually finding my way to more complicated designs.

     The urging of my husband and a few dear friends gave me the courage to take my work online, creating a shop stocked with hand made things...all representative of my love for those skills so quickly fading in our hurried world. Every so often I still question that decision..hand quilting is not in high demand it seems.
     Admittedly, I do list machine quilted items..I am even taking a class to improve my skills. Why? I can. The reality is, I love to learn and explore new things. Will my shop change? No, because my passion lies in hand quilting...that will not change. It is a journey I have enjoyed traveled and will continue to connect with as the years press on.

     Have you dabbled in the hand quilting journey? Would you like to? Currently I am pondering a series of tutorials and possibly videos to teach the beautiful art of hand quilting. Let me know if you are interested in working a project with me.

New Shop Listings

   Two new items are listed in our shop today.

A playful pink Dresden plate quilt top....

as well as a warm fall Dresden plate quilt top.

For more handmade items from Simply Scaife Handmade please visit us on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplyscaife?ref=pr_shop_more

 Simply Scaife Handmade on Etsy

What's Growing On...

   Gardening season here in the south really never ends- it may slow a bit, but it never really ends. With no real winter weather our gardens are bursting with growth keeping greens a part of our daily diet. Rows of kale and chard, even bright head and leaf lettuces are bright and vibrant in production.

   Cole crops are bountiful and heavy. Cabbage heads are swelling with growth as broccoli florets rise on their stalks; tasty, hearty ingredients for stir fry's and soups.

   Beets make their beauty know alongside carrots; red radishes peak from the soil beds near rows of tall green onions.

   New crops are starting to peak through: pea shoots are stretching toward the trellis as fresh greens and root crops peak through the layers of mulch. Already soil is turned and amended; just waiting to nourish new plant life.

   The greenhouse holds seedlings for the upcoming season. Tomatoes, beefsteaks, cherry in yellows and red, are snug in their home.

   Trays hold cell after cell of pepper sprouts, both hot and sweet. Chilies, banana and sweet green are popping through the soil and stretching toward the light.

   New cole cops are getting ready for planting out: cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Even kale is almost ready to go.

   Rows are ready, greenhouse is full - seems to be a whole lot growing on these days!!