Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Midweek: quilt show haul and under the needle

 

When you take your own car on vacation you tend to pack more -- "I'll just toss this in since there's plenty of room."  Same goes with driving to a big quilt show.   I needed a magnetic pincushion (to replace the one that was badly cracked (about 20 yrs old)) and I wanted a needle-threader (the kind that sits on the table).  I got those.  

I also got a new cutting mat, half price.  My table (by Tracy's) is big and the 40 x 72 mat isn't carried in stores.  

The bright LED light has an articulated neck so it can be positioned in many directions when mounted on a sewing machine.  It came from the same vendor where I bought an LED bulb for my Featherweight. (What a difference LED makes -- you could use it as a slide projector!)   

Another set of Kai scissors because they are great.  

The wooden sign is just fun! 

 I splurged and bought a sterling silver open thimble.  I have had a hard time using a thimble; turns out the ones I've had are too big for my finger.  Maybe I'll be able to do more handwork now.



And, yes there was fabric.   I sought bargains, of course.  

Kaffe/Free Spirit for $10/yd and some FQs to spark up the stash.

Top:   The Most Beautiful Fabric in the World -- I found some of the last of it!  I'm referring to the bundle of half-yard Lida Enche prints I got from a vendor from Vashon, WA.  Enche is an artist from the Seattle area. The vendor said that Enche designed three collections for In the Beginning (also Seattle) and that was it.  He added that this was their last bundle of the fabric. Lucky me!

Bottom:  The second Most Beautiful Fabric in the World is from Serious Whimsey.  The designer, P. Carter Carpin, sells only at shows and through Etsy. I was not alone in mobbing her booth.  

# # # # # #

  


This is what I worked on in the hotel lounge.  A rummage-sale bounty earlier this year included a ziploc bag full of Free Spirit (mostly Kaffe) prints cut into wedges.  From the pinked edges, I deduced that they were cut from a layer cake (10" squares).  I had no idea what she had had in mind  (why do all that cutting and then give them away?).  

At home I found a 2-yard piece of a Marcia Derse print that worked perfectly for the sashes. There was exactly enough to cut seven lengthwise 6" strips.

The wedge bands are 8" finished and the sashes are 5.5" finished. 


And now it's under the needle! 

Linking up with Wednesday Wait Loss








16 comments:

  1. LOVE the sign! It says everything we are dealing with right now in our home.

    Happy stitching as you dive into your new finds!

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  2. Sounds like a great productive trip - you got some great goodies!!!

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  3. Your quilt from those "found" wedges is wonderful, if there was exactly enough this one was certainly meant to be! Good for you!! Your treasures are all terrific, more great finds; I know you'll enjoy them all.

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  4. nice haul and great finish with those wedges....i have wanted to try an open back thimble...maybe next show i get to? i've a few new kaffes coming my way soon too....can't resist them!

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  5. When I see the flimsy I'm immediately transported back to the recliner, your basement, and auditioning fabrics for those sashes (we knew it was perfect the moment it hit the design wall). Such a lovely memory.

    Bird 'Pie

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  6. I trust you to always find bargain fabrics and this score does not disappoint! What a great haul! Your wedges are making a bright and cheerful quilt. I hope you are enjoying the beautiful early fall weather that we've been having. The trees are changing color quickly here, it does seem a bit early for that.

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  7. Great sign. I have one of those projects going at the moment, about every 4th square I get something out of alignment and have to rip it out. Evidently it requires more thought than I have available at the moment.

    Ceci

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  8. Your wooden sign made me laugh! Fun to see what you brought home from the quilt show. Sewing in the hotel lobby with your friend sounded so fun, and the wedge quilt is a neat design! You are so good about finding ways to use your rummage sale discoveries!

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  9. What a terrific haul! I love to add fabric to my stash but I am not using it as fast as I want to -- so I'm trying not to buy until I finish a few more projects. I love your wedges -- you came up with a perfect look for them. Have fun with your new "toys."

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  10. Fun fabric haul from the show. Your wedge quilt turned out beautifully, what a fun idea for all those fabrics.

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  11. A fun time at the Madison show! Your garage sale find is looking awesome! :)

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  12. I discovered Serious Whimsy at Road to VA - love her designs. I invoked your sign sentiment more than once this week.

    Glad you enjoyed House on the Rock. I went several times when I lived in Madison.

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  13. I laughed out loud at that sign - it was the 'author unknown' that got me. I need me one of those!!
    As usual you scored some really beautiful fabrics. I am also curious to hear what you think of that type of thimble after you've used it for awhile. I'm not a thimble user but perhaps I might be if I found a good one.

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  14. What great finds at the show! Love, love that Kaffe wedge top. Another great find. Really, why cut up all that fabric and not use it? Well, you did and the result is lovely. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/09/10/wednesday-wait-loss-449

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  15. It was good to see you! I love your wedge quilt! Beautiful fabrics off set by a nice contrast. Beautiful! Hope you are enjoying your new purchases, especially the thimble.

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