My Sewing Room

I couldn't find something in my sewing room so while looking for it, I did a complete cleaning.  I know it doesn't look like much but I'm grateful to have a room to keep all my quilting goodies.  It isn't fancy but it works for me.

This is my cutting table which my hubby raised to a good height so I don't hurt my back.

 This is our groups library of magazines and quilt books.  Also fabric that is donated for our comfort quilts.

 More fabric and quilts to be finished.

 My design wall with my Mom's sewing machine underneath.

 Storage for batting.

 Two closets for fabric.  Bedrooms in Israel do not come with closets so we have to improvise.

 My doll house that my hubby made for me.  Not much time lately to play with it, but I like having it near me.

 My sewing machine with iron close by.

   It still looks a mess but I know where everything is.  I found what I was looking for and now I have a clean sewing room.  Hooray!

A Quilt For The HaBayit Shel Benji Project

A few months ago we donated a quilt top to the HaBayit Shel Benji project.  This was a new building with 50 beds for soldiers that have come from all over the world to be in the IDF Army.  They have no family here and this building was dedicated for them to use when they are off duty.  Each bed has a one of a kind quilt.  Our top has been quilted and is now ready for a young soldier to enjoy.  We are grateful to have participated in this Mitzvah.

Happy Passover

A New Quilt Group

First I would like to give a big Mazel Tov, congratulations, to Rina on the engagement of her son.

 Susan, Bracha and Sahra all live in Neve Yaacov and have decided to make their own quilt group there.  They are looking for names for their group and will be looking for other quilters in the area.  They were together a few weeks ago and had a show and tell.  Susan posted these pictures on her website.  Just in case you missed it, I'll put the pictures here.  They are talented ladies.

 

 

 

Gone Shopping

I came home with some delightful fabric.

 

New tools to be lent out to the ladies in our group.

 And more batting for our comfort quilts. This was another great day at Budrutz.

Also a surprise!  Budrutz has been saving scraps for us to use on our comfort quilts.  They are wonderful!

Pissott-Pesach 2013

Shifra's Letter

I received this letter from Shifra the other day.  She is an excellent quilter and does things with ease.  This was probably her most difficult quilt.  As you read her story you will come to understand why. 

 

BS"D

I finally did it!! My husband's quilt is finished and in use. He really likes it.Just in case, I'll tell you the whole story. It's been almost a year since I bought the fabric at Pissott. It was last Pesach, at the Chol Hamoed event. I had a completely different idea in mind and bought enough fabric for the other idea. When I searched your books and magazines for the pattern I couldn't find it. Ettie, you mentioned Storm at Sea, so I diligently went home and Googled the block. I found the following www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/storm-at-sea-quilt.html 

There was a great explanation of the block and many interesting variations. The website included paper piecing templates. I was awed by the variation that included a snails trail block incorporated into the storm at sea block, but alas, the website did not have a pattern for it. So I made my own for that part of the block and used the rest of the paper piecing blocks provided on the website. It was pictured in just 2 colors so I figured it would work with the fabric I had and I got busy making blocks. I wasn't too thrilled at first because my colors did not contrast enough and it was hard to see the pattern emerging. Then I ran out of fabric. Fortunately, Ettie, you had a remnant of the Peacock Paradise fabric which helped, but then I ran out of the Robert Kaufman fusion evening blue fabric. I sent an email to Pissott to see if they had any fabric left and if not what could I use instead. Unfortunately none remained and Nurit made some suggestions but I wasn't satisfied. she also suggested I go to the Robert Kaufman website and see if I could find the fabric and where I could buy it. I found a shop out of California that had it and had my daughter order it and it was shipped to her. She then sent it to me in Israel. Boy the expense to ship it here was outrageous and more than the fabric itself. In the mean time, while waiting for the fabric, I took apart the blocks I already made and added a third color, the light blue. This fabric came from Budrutz. It really helped the design, but I ran out of that too and they did not have any left either. Now what? I found the light green at Budrutz and mixed it with the light blue and the quilt improved dramatically. Being that I only have one day a week to quilt and do everything else I need to do, it took me forever to get all the block made (39 pieces of fabric in each block!!) but it was finally made and put together. As posted previously on the blog, my husband got down on the floor and helped pin the quilt. He did a great job but I didn't have enough pins and when I started to quilt it the fabric shifted too much and I was ready to quit. I ripped it all out and re-pinned it with your help on your table. Then the task of quilting it again. I'm not thrilled with the quilting but it was the best I could do. I really wanted it done.I ripped out and fixed the really bad puckers. My poor husband has waited so long for it. Back to Ettie for her marking pen and an enjoyable visit where I made the label. I attached the label and bound the quilt. It's only 4 month's late for my husband's birthday but maybe I should call it a very early birthday present for this year's birthday.

Ettie, thanks for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you. Attached are the pictures we took before it went into use.

Shifra

Final Comfort Quilt

This is the third comfort quilt made for one family.  It goes to a boy 4, a girl 2 and a baby girl of 1.  Their mother was killed this past fall in a rocket attack.  This final quilt was made completely by our newest quilter, Yehudit.  She has never made a quilt before and she did this on her own.  She did a fantastic job.

 

This is the back.  Yehudit had two extra blocks and decided to put them on the back. That was a great idea.  All the squares are made by Bonnie Hunters method of Leaders and Enders.

 

All 3 quilts were delivered Friday morning and the children were very excited and seemed to be happy to have new quilts made just for them.

 

Boys Comfort Quilt

We've been making progress on our comfort quilts.  These pictures were taken of a quilt going to a young man that is in a coma.  The first is of me trying out the layout.

 

 

 

New From Sara

Sara has a new magazine.  I always enjoy seeing. that latest quilt creations.

And she has some new fabrics.  This one may be another Yellow Brick Road and it will really have yellow in it this time.