You Can Find Quilters in Unusual Places

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Quiltmouse

A group of students at Virginia Commonwealth University are having an unique learning experience in one of their engineering classes.

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A recent article on the VCU website shares the assignment that some engineering students were given.  To read the entire article, Click Here.

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The students were divided into teams of two and were to explore the quilt-making industry and to try to design a kit that would allow a beginner to create a quilt 30” x 42” in less than eight hours without any sewing experience or access to a sewing machine.

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Local Richmond, VA, quilt shops, including Sew Refreshing in Mechanicsville, VA, & quilters were involved in sharing the quilting experience with the students.  One student observed that “We realized that we don’t think like [quilters] do.”  The team with the best quilt will be sent to visit and share their experience with the Missouri Star Quilt Co. in Hamilton, MO.

The finished quilts will be used in a fundraising event for a pediatric cancer patient at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and then will be donated to the hospital.

I wonder how many of these students will continue quilting?

Happy Stitching!

 

Quilt Mouse

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The Finishing Touches–Preparing the Binding

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Quiltmouse

Though not as exciting as piecing a top and watching a quilt develop into something pleasant to see, preparing a binding is an important part of making a quilt.  It is the finishing touch.  Ok, except for the label, but that’s for another post.

Here I have pressed the Economy Binding (1-1/4” strips) for the Fabric Café Pinwheel Top I just finished.

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Continue reading →

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Friday Finds–4/25/2014

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Quiltmouse

Browsing the Internet is kind of like a Scavenger Hunt.  Only on this Scavenger Hunt you don’t start out with a list of specific items – you end up Making a List.  You start reading about something and something else catches your eye.  Then you click over and see something else.  It can go on forever.  And you will probably end up with more projects than you will ever have time to do!

I enjoy reading what other Bloggers are doing, and most of my Facebook is linked to either Quilty sites or Food sites.  So here are some of the things I’ve found this week.

Suitcase Table:

Ok, this isn’t quilt-y, but it is so cute!  If you or someone you know is handy in the woodshop, this project would be a great way to up-cycle an old suitcase.

Continue reading →

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Pin Wheel Quilt Top Finished–4/24/2014

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Quiltmouse

Yesterday was a mostly not-sewing day.  I played “Neighborhood Grandma” to a 6-month old.  Both parents work and Day Care was closed so I had a “Play-Date.”

I mentioned in my last post that I am working on a top for Fabric Café.  Donna is teaching a class and needs this one in a hurry.  The nice part of her 3-yard Bundles & patterns is that they do work up quickly.

The top is finished and it will head to Tyler, Texas, this morning.

SewingMachine-Service

First things first.  I’ve been doing a lot of sewing, so before starting a new project I give my sewing machine a ‘Spa Day.’

Continue reading →

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Tuesday Tips–4/22/2014

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Quiltmouse

Just a quick post.  I’m Busy, Busy, Busy!!

I have a quilt top I’m working on for Fabric Café – My favorite 3-yard Bundle shop!  I want to get this done and back to Donna by the time she’s back from the Quilt Show in Paducah, KY.  If you are going to the Show, stop by Booth #1722 and say hi to Donna & Robert!

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Here’s the computer graphic of the top I’m making.  I’m planning a post about the process with a couple of tips.  But first the sewing must be done. Continue reading →

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