Sometimes we just lose our “sewjo”, don’t we? Mine took a little hiatus recently, and I have been struggling to find it.  Well, this past weekend I did just that. Now I am energized to make beautiful things and get them finished!  “How?” you may ask.  Let me tell you. My formula for recovery is to select a pattern that is intriguing and simple, find a fabric that lights your creative fire, and then sew as much of it as you can in one day.  That is correct, set aside a chunk of time that is just for you.  It also doesn’t hurt to have a virtual quilt along (QAL) with ..read more

Wow!  It has been a long time.  I retired in May, took a trip to Handi Quilter Academy and a short tour of Utah in June, had Covid in July, took a trip to Vermont in September, and have had numerous gatherings, invitations, and all the windows replaced in my house since then.  It has been a whirlwind, and I am ready to settle in for a long winter's rest--well not really.  I am ready to get back to writing, creating, and doing those stitchy and quilty and fibery things. I have said it before and it bears repeating--I am a YouTube junky.  Consequently, I have developed ..read more

My Apologies! I am sorry for the little break we encountered in the trail, but I had a hot date with Handi Quilter Academy 2021.  Oh, my stars!  The things I learned.  Watch for more pictures and fun to come. Missouri Highway 36 Quilt Trail Continued Not a bad start for day one, but we had a little more time and energy, so we ended day one at Missouri Star Quilt Company.  If you have never been to MSQ, it is worth a visit. MSQ is like the “superstore” of fabric and all things “quilty” and creative.  During the pandemic, they closed their doors to the public but maintai ..read more

If you have never done a shop hop or quilt trail, it is important to pace yourself and figure out your course before you start, or you might end up elsewhere and broke before you get halfway finished. Because of our location, we started our travels going west on Highway 24.  After our stop in Salisbury, it was time to go north toward Highway 36. In order to get on “trail,” we headed to Rosie’s Quilts and Things in Marceline.  Rosie’s is a small shop in the basement of a residence.  It is small, but there is plenty to peruse, and the owner is kind and helpful. In addition to gene ..read more

  Show Me Heritage Quilt Trail How do you kick off a fresh retirement?  You take a road trip to quilt shops with your friend and best “quilty.”  In my case, this is my dear friend, Delores.  We very recently retired from the world of public education.  Our first order of business was a trip along the Missouri Highway 36 Quilt Trail. We live near the east end of the trail and can make quick trips to the shops nearby anytime, so we started in the middle and traveled westwardly to St. Joseph.  Our timing was off a little, so we missed a few of the shops, which w ..read more

I know every state has its own set of wonderful quilt stores, but I must take a minute and brag about Missouri.   The 110 quilt and fabric shops in Missouri make this a mecca for the quilters and makers of the world.  We are home to many wonderful shops that line Highway 36 and enhance the main streets of towns and cities over the entire state.  Missouri is home to popular, established shops such as Missouri Star Quilt Company, Quilting is My Therapy, Hickory Stick, Satin Stitches, and Sew Sweet Quilt Shop.  If you and your friends are looking for a great shop hop trip ..read more

WORDS! I love to read about quilting almost as much as doing it.  Recently, I found the book, Inheritance, by Riane Elise.  My first impression was that I needed this book because I loved the soft colors of her quilts and their modern appeal. At one time I was strictly a hand quilter and have been thinking I might return to it over time.  The big stitch quilting she shows us was another draw for me. I did it; I bought it.   I am certainly delighted with my purchase.   Riane Menardi Morrison goes by Riane Elise in the world of quilting.  She learned ..read more

I remember as a child thinking that 2020 would be some date so far in the future that I could not fathom what it would possibly be like at all.  I can tell you in all seriousness that even in my wildest imagination in the 70s this past year of 2020 was not what I thought it might be. The Covid-19 Pandemic and very negative election cycle created a need for us to find ways to keep our chins up and minds looking for the positive.  Nothing has helped me do that more than my sewing studio and technology! In recent years my students have been asking about my life as a kid.  Most of t ..read more

  I think the back of a quilt is as important as the front in some ways.  If you piece a very intricate design on your quilt top, it is important to consider a backing that coordinates, does not detract from the front, and isn’t too heavy with seams.   Over the past 19 years that I have been quilting, most of my backs have been of the “whole cloth” variety.  However, in recent years I have started piecing my backs for a little more excitement in my life!  Sometimes I do something simple and sometimes I do something a little extra. I am forever watching other quilters ..read more

What do you do with the patterns you purchase? Are you so in love with the pattern that you carefully purchase the same or very similar fabrics and follow the directions to the letter? Or, are you someone who takes a pattern or idea and steps into your own world of creativity to create something with your own flair, or which allows you to attempt a new way to produce the same blocks or develop your own process? This is not a set of trick questions or meant to imply one way is better than the other, just questions to get our thinking in motion. Not a Covid Quilt, but one of Gudrun's that I am ..read more