Nearly all of the 24 of the quilts she showed are really big.
The designs look very complex but when she showed how the blocks fit together they didn't seem so intimidating.
Though I've owned many of her books I admit that I've never made any of the patterns. I keep thinking I'd like to make Shakespeare in the Park (which was not in this trunk show).
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She used her embroidery machine to create clever sewing-room 'encouragement'. I used a Villa Rosa pattern for stars and rail fences.
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I was in the car rather than on the trail yesterday. In March when Stevens was having increasing difficulty standing up we got a lift assist, a contraption that does just that. We bought it, nearly new, half list price, from a woman who was one of our caregiver's other clients. S used it less than a week before he was hospitalized and it's been in the garage ever since. FB Marketplace wouldn't allow the listing because it is 'medical equipment.' I looked up "where to donate medical equipment" and found Devices 4 the Disabled. I called and, yes, they would take the lift assist. The suburban drop-off is in Algonquin, 40 miles but an hour and a half away but that was better than driving into Chicago. Good to get that out of the garage and, hopefully, on the way to someone who can use it.
I'm planning an adventure for today. Come back on Monday to find out.
Linking up with Finished or Not Friday
Oh You should make Shakepeare in the Park - its a cool looking one ( i do have that book haha) Love the trunk show - too fun!
ReplyDeleteWasn't Judy Martin the quilter who would have her young daughter hand the paired pieces to her as she sewed, so there wasn't a need to pause or cut thread between each? Seems to me she "invented" chain piecing, and when a friend complained that she didn't have a young assistant as Judy did, Judy simply reminded her that it was unnecessary to cut the thread after every seam.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there were several of her books in my early quilting library. There may still be one lurking about--her ideas were both revolutionary and accessible to young/early quilters.
Bird 'Pie
I found the story (I still have a couple of her books, including the very first quilt book I ever bought). In Pieced Borders written with Marsha McCloskey, Judy says, "I've learned a thing or two from Marsha, as well. I often tell the story of how she introduced me to chain piecing. That may be the most valuable patchwork tip I ever learned, but I hesitated to try it for months. You see, Marsha described how she would sew one pair of patches together and then, without stopping to lift the presser foot, continue right on stitching the next set of patches. She said that her daughter would ready the pairs of patches and hand them to her. 'Fine for her,' I thought, 'but I don't have a helper. Who is going to get my next set of patches ready while I'm holding on to the one I'm sewing?' I know this sounds really dumb, but it didn't occur to me that I could take my foot off the pedal and stop stitching while I readied the next pair of patches myself. As soon as I figured that part out, I was sold on chain piecing."
DeleteRight elements, wrong attribution!
Bird 'Pie
Fun guild exchange. Glad you find a place for the lift assist. Medical equipment is so expensive, so there needs to be a place to share.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts - I bet that was an amazing trunk show! I had to look up Shakespeare in the Park because I'm not familiar with the design, and it's really something! I hope you do make it. Glad you found a place to take the lift assist, too. Have fun on your adventure today!
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of Judy's books too and have never made one of her quilts but used a couple blocks from one of her block books.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up Shakespeare in the Park. Having just finished 63 Snail Trail blocks, and telling myself I never need to make another for as long as I live, it looks as though that pattern will pass me by.
ReplyDeleteBird 'Pie
Sorry for the scatter-shot commenting here. Just took a closer look at your exchange top--such cute quotes! I especially like the "I don't like to brag..." block.
ReplyDeleteAnd yay for a repurposed piece of equipment and more room in the garage!
Bird 'Pie
Lucky you to see Judy Martin's quilts in person. I have many of her books and have made a few of her patterns. They aren't quick and easy, but the results are worth the effort. It might be time to look through those again.
ReplyDeletei made shakespeare in the park....2-3 of them actually...i get her newsletter....great donation, feels good to pass along stuff that is usable...i like what you did with your yards...
ReplyDeleteShakespeare in the park is on my bucket list, but as long as that is I'll probably never get to it. So glad you found a great place to donate the lift. I've been decluttering and friends have helped me find good places that will benefit from all the stuff I'm trying to move out of the attic. The best one was the organization that recycles used Lego kits for disadvantaged kids. That big tub of loose Legos Grad Girl had in her closet will make lots of fun kits.
ReplyDeleteI had to consult with Mr. Google to see Shakespeare in the Park and I can see why you have it on your wish list. Good that you could find a fairly close place to donate the lift - someone else will definitely benefit from it.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your guild was able to host the legendary Judy Martin IN PERSON!! My husband is running into the same situation with you trying to rehome the medical equipment left behind at his parents' property so we can get the house sold. Wheelchairs, lift assists like yours, walkers, hospital bed... It's a shame the reselling sites ban any medical equipment because these items are SO expensive and so important to families that need them. Refusing to let you advertise them for sale not only prevents people like you from recouping some of the cost of equipment that was barely used, but also forces other families to pay more for new equipment because they can't find the people who have gently used items to sell or give away. And anyone needing medical equipment at home is already dealing with an expensive healthcare situation that is straining finances. So frustrating. Sending you a big hug.
ReplyDeleteI made a Shakespeare in the park when the old Stashbusters yahoo group had a quilt along. One of my favourite quilts. My quilt is what I call the Wucher variation, as list-mom Sandra offered a nine-block configuration, which made it rectangular.
ReplyDeleteSusan (UK)
Shakespeare in the park. . .definitely, make it! Good for you to donate the lift assist rather than having it take up room in your garage. Someone is going to be thanking you every time they use it--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDelete"Shakespeare in the Park" is gorgeous but wow, looks super complicated! I think I'll just admire from afar.
ReplyDeleteI had walkers, canes, etc to pass along and had the same problem - then I found a nearby church that collects and donates medical equipment. It felt good to think of someone else benefiting!
Ceci
I came to quilting from garment sewing in the 70s. But I don't think I will ever make any quilts as fabulous as Judy Martins! hooray for moving the lift forward!
ReplyDeleteI love Judy Martin quilts; I think I have made one! Love that you were able to get the lift to somewhere where someone can use it!
ReplyDelete