1. tool-chatelaine, 2. Tools, Time, Talent close-up, 3. .CloseUp of the Featherweight, 4. Happy Times - Close up of spool Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Quilter:  Shout4Joy

tool-chatelaine

This piece was created in my Sewing Dungeon in Franklin, PA.

I chose to make a Chatelaine as that is the only direction my brain would take me when considering this challenge. I used the gold decal from my featherweight machine to give me the stripe detail down the center of the piece. I stitched on scissors, pins and a needle for my other tools as without these essential items I would not be able to create anything. I also can corral many other tools on the chatelaine, making my working time more efficient as I will not be leaving That Purple Thang, my scissors or other handy dandy tools at the wrong work station!

This piece is 4" wide (except for the neck portion) and 49" long

I blogged more of my process here:
shout4joy-shouting.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-three-p...

Quilter:  Sharon S

Tools, Time, Talent: Tribute to Dad by Sharon S in MI

I instantly thought of the tools - and TIME and TALENT - my father shares with us and many others. I decided to make a quilted wall hanging for his birthday, as a way of saying "Thank You" to him. He has spent countless hours helping us update our 90 yr old house!

Since his retirement 3 yrs ago, he has become a full-time volunteer as a painter, woodworker, and project coordinator for his church and local non-profit organizations. He's currently repainting most of our house, has made furniture for us (including 2 Captains Beds for my girls!) and indulges me when I show up with old furniture I want to restore. He loves to teach my daughters how to use the tools in his workshop, most recently using a jig saw to cut out shapes for bible stories for their church's kids programs.

I had a really hard time finding fabric for this. After searching 8 local stores, I finally purchased the appliquéd panels on Ebay and they arrived Saturday afternoon! The iron-on letters I had purchased did not work and I had to remove them and then cut these out by hand instead. The other appliqués were cut from printed fabric. Other than the 3 printed blocks, I used fabric representing oak wood, nails and hammers, and the binding is more tool fabric.

I wrote a note on fabric from a painter's drop clothe telling him how much we appreciate him. I also stamped images representing time.

I kept the quilting very simple with top stitching along the pieced borders. I used a satin stitch on the 3 printed blocks, and tried a new stitch on the letter. It measures 20" wide by 40" long.
I can't wait to give this to him! Thanks so much for this challenge!

Quilter:  WayMooreFun Quilts

Block Keeper

For this week's challenge, I decided to make a quilt block keeper. I wanted to make something that was useful and would perhaps go up for sale at our local quilt group's charity boutique during the next Christmas brunch. I have never tried red work and thought that it might go nicely with the background fabric from my stash.
I found online images that I traced onto tone-on-tone white and set my machine for a very narrow zigzag stitch. The appliqués were stitched with batting under them so that bunching would not present a problem. I then found wonderful red fabric that also coordinated with the background and used it for sashing. Once the appliqués were ready, I stitched them onto the backing fabric with the hemstitch setting.
What makes this Keeper unique is that I used Insul-Bright on the inside so that it can also be used as a pressing surface. The keeper also has foam core inside for maximum stability. I tested the foam core with very high heat for 90 seconds and it did not scorch or break down, so am feeling that it will be ok for the minimum pressing that may take place on it.
The over all size is 27 x 14". It has carrying handles which did not make it into the photo and there are ties on both sides to keep blocks from slipping out.
The only money spent was $1.50 on the foam core; otherwise all fabrics are from the stash here in Tucson, Arizona.

Quilter:  wolfgirl_28

Happy Times

This is my Entry for the 3rd Project Quilting Challenge, Season 3, called "Tool Times"

I created a wall hanging with fabrics from my collection at home and it was made in Heide, Germany.

The reason I called this 'Happy Times' and used sewing tools is because sewing helps me totally zone out, no matter how difficult everything else in life is. Sewing makes me happy, it just sets my mind free.

The tools I chose to display here, are the ones you usually need when creating something new.

Top to bottom from left to right: a jar with buttons, a spool of thread with a needle, a pair of scissors, a measure tape, a pin cushion and pins, a zipper, a sewing machine, an iron and a thimble.

I used Organza fabric on the jar and iron, several buttons for the pinheads and I did some free motion work on the thimble and spool, though I'm only a beginner on that level. Also I used a fabric pen for the details on the measure tape and sewing machine.

The whole project measures 86 x 140 cm (34 x 55").

Missed earlier Closer Look’s for the Tool Time Challenge?  No Worries!

• Tool Time - A Closer Look, Part 1