Tip #8

It is always nice to add a label when you make a quilt.

The label can have any information you like on it.

I usually write the date I finished the quilt. Other options are:

Made by
Made for
City, Country it was made in
Reason it was made
A special message for the recipient
If you name your quilts, you may want to include its title.

You can embroider the information on by hand or my machine.

You can write it out using a fabric marker that will not wash away in the laundry. Available at art supply stores. They come in different point thicknesses.

When writing on fabric, it is a good idea to lay the fabric on a piece of sand paper so it doesn't move and stretch as you write.

More great tips to come.

Tip #7

#7

Consider a label on the back of your quilt.

The label can be an extra block that was sewn into and integrated into the back.

The label can be an appliquéd piece that is attached using the blind stitch after the entire quilt is quilted.

This label is a star block.
It was appliquéd onto the back fabric after the quilt was quilted.
The background fabric of the star block is the same as the back fabric
 making it melt into the back fabric and accentuating its 8 dark blue points.

It can be appliquéd onto the back before quilting, making the quilt stitches go through the label and holding into place forever.

I have also seen labels on the front of quilts! As a diagonal corner piece of fabric in one corner of the quilt.

Remember, it's your quilt. You can do it how you want.

Isolation

Since the corona virus broke people have been self isolating. I have had many people call or email and 'check' on me and that's nice but I do tell them that my life hasn't really change that much.

I normally work from home, isolated in my studio, alone. That part of my day is the same. I have had no "adjustments" to make. I chose to work this way because for me sewing is meditative. I want to be by myself.

If these restrictions are new to you you are probably saying, "How does she do it??? I am going crazy and it's only been a week!"

The home has many distractions! Beware.

One thing is for sure. I am very disciplined. I wake up at the same time every weekday. I either run on my elliptical or go outside (could be a walk or a viewing of the garden) then I "Go to Work". That idea of "Arriving at the Studio" is a good one. I enter and start working. It helps you feel you are not still at home. I close the door and work. Note: never work in your PJ's :-)

I vary my activities. I work with fabric so I section off time for cutting, time for sewing a particular project for my artwork or my quilts, time for designing. Then I may write up class notes for a new idea. (I have so many ideas!! Too many for my lifetime, I fear!!) I also stand up often and do some stretching or movements so my body doesn't cramp up.

I am a big believer of timers! Especially when I have to do something I don't like. I give myself a time limit and a "prize' after the time is up even if the entire job isn't finished. The prize could be a tea or some knitting time, small stuff like that.

Normally, I squeeze in some teaching and I guess that is my way of connecting with people. I have so much experience and sharing my expertise and empowering people is something I love to do. It's exciting to me to see students, even beginner ones, soar after they have been given an opportunity to create their own quilt design! If you have taken a class from me you know there are no set patterns. You do not need a teacher to read you a pattern! You need a teacher to teach a technique and inspire you to create your own quilt and tell your own story.

The Spring classes I had booked at Artscape Youngplace in Toronto have been postponed. The landlord has given me a credit for the 2 rentals and I hope to reschedule the classes in the late Fall.

I have made so many new friends while teaching all those years.  That's such a nice part of teaching. Some of those friends have accompanied me to Italy and enjoyed a real (authentic) Italian experience, meeting quilters, socializing with my neighbours, having classes taught by Italian artists and immersing themselves in the culture. Those trips have been postponed as well.

DING!! My time to write to you is up. Got to get back to my sewing.

Think positively.

You are in charge of your day. Make it a great one.

Ideas

There are times when I have no ideas.

Then I sit quietly on a train

and ideas fill my head

and I realize there won't be enough time in my life to make everything I want to.

Stock Up

The works going to France have all come in, except one. Some came hand delivered, some came rolled up, most came folded in boxes.

A quilt from the Fogo Island ladies peaking through.

Four quilts from Newfoundland, all snuggled up
in their own labeled bags.
These are off to France!

The best way to store, ship or transport your quilts or textile art is to ROLL the work.

Reflect and Repair all rolled up. My work is also going to France
 to be part of Tradition in Transition
but will have to be folded up for transport.

I use what we call here, Noodles! The kids use them for swimming, helps them float. They are light weight and can be easily cut to the size you need.

$1.99 each at Canadian Tire

You can label them. You can pin a protective fabric around the "noodle" before you roll your work around it.

Jayne Willoughby-Scott covers and labels the "noodle".
The work seen is Night Drawing #3. It is going to France.

The only thing...if you need some and it isn't summer time you can't buy them anywhere. So now is the time to STOCK UP!