Replies

1. 
   rjf | Sep 07, 2003 03:27pm | #1

   Terrific!  I looked at the other picture first but came back to find this one.  It's amazing how much movement you've generated with your choice of color placement.  The yellow blocks just call to each other and some blocks pop out while others lie discreetly flat.  If I had a design wall, I'd still be standing there trying to make up my mind.          rjf

1. 
   jscraphappy | Sep 08, 2003 12:11pm | #2

   Its very soothing staring at a wall with bits of "rags"as my DH calls my scraps(:thanks for your comments appreciate them.I am working on a smaller project at the moment,thinking of calling it "not quite square" as the pieces I am cutting out are not quite 2"square.they are working out at 1"&7/8ths in size.This is going to be a wallhanging.not too sure how this one is going to look thats the beauty of being able to "fiddle"on my wall.

1. 
   ehBeth | Sep 09, 2003 02:29am | #3

   Very nice. Great colour choices - layout is super!

1. 
   jscraphappy | Sep 09, 2003 01:31pm | #4

   thank you for your kind comments.Do you also patchwork & quilt? I notice the USA call the 3 diferent  types of work under the 1 umbrella of "quilting" Here in the UK.Applique/patchwork/quilting used to be taught as different subjects.I am a lone sewer nowadays as no-one in the village is at home,all working & do-not have the time to sew.I was told that they can buy everything so cheap it is not worthwhile making things. Which is a shame (I think) I also worked & sewed,now I am retired it has given me much more freedom & scope to play with my scraps.

1. 
   Tish | Sep 09, 2003 07:21pm | #5

   JS, here in the US some people will call anything with layers a quilt.  I've been to big fee-for-entry craft sales where the "quilters" have booths full of tufted comforters with signs saying "hand quilted."  Nothing quilted in the booth.  They will also call anything of patchwork "quilted."  There will be small pillows of patchwork squares marked "quilt pillows."  They may be very nice, but they aren't quilts.

   I don't know why so many people are so sloppy about the terminology, but back when I was making and selling quilts and quilted stuff, I had a big problem with people who couldn't understand why I wanted a lot more for a full-sized patch work quilt that was pieced and quilted by hand than someone sellling a "quilt" that was pieced by machine and not quilted at all but tufted every four inches.  I didn't last long in that business.  I went out and got a job.  I also wound up hating sewing for many years.

   One thing is for sure, though. There are people who do know the difference, and who do know the time and skill involved in making true patchwork and true quilting.  My SIL is a member of a quilting guild and they show spectacular work.  But they do it for fun, for their own homes, for charity, and not as a commercial enterprise.

2. 
   jscraphappy | Sep 09, 2003 09:50pm | #6

   oh how I agree with everything you have written.I have also trod that path of trying to sell my work years ago.With craft fairs etc.,I had lots of compliments & coments re:"Jumble sales & the charity shops must do well by you buying the 2nd hand clothing"They thought that I just bought old clothes cut them up & sat in front of the tv & stitched.I started out in the 1960's sewing "Cathedral Window"quilts(& still make small c.w.gifts)I also became very disheartened & had to go out & get jobs that I hated because people would not pay a decent sum for a quality item.I totally refused to comprise my standard of work when I also saw things that passed for quilted items.Thats why I am so happy now that I have retired & can sew for pleasure.

3. 
   rjf | Sep 11, 2003 03:40pm | #9

   ".......people who couldn't understand why I wanted a lot more......"  It's sad that people don't understand the time and expertise involved in producing a beautiful product of any sort.  But we've all seen some rather shoddy items go for big prices.  Is it that fallacy that if it costs a lot, it must be good?  Sometimes people want less-than-perfect because looking "hand-made"  is stylish.  They somehow equate "hand-made" with sloppy.  That is really annoying.  When I had a short lived dressmaking business, I had a customer who was amazed at the zig-zagged finish on the seams but who didn't notice the bound buttonholes.  Oh well.   The real problem is that those of us who care about good work are going to do it anyway and be happy that it turned out well.  We try to ignore the profit motive.  Too bad, isn't it?     rjf

4. 
   carolfresia | Sep 11, 2003 04:07pm | #10

   I'm equally amazed at how well-made some very inexpensive things can be. Or rather, I'm surprised when I see that expensive and inexpensive garments often have exactly the same kind of construction. I've bought pants at Target that have really  nicely interfaced and bound waistbands, real fly zippers, double welt pockets, and a great fit, too, for $20, and then find supposedly high-end trousers at nice dept. stores for 4-5 times the price, with skimpy serged seam allowances, serged waistbands that crease, threads hanging, seams opening up below an invisible zipper...you get the picture. The fabric in the expensive pair was much nicer, of course, but what good is that if the garment isn't going to hold up? YOu can probably guess that I'm annoying to shop with; I'm always trying to veto my friends' selections based on sub-par workmanship that they don't even notice!

   It is a good thing to be able to sew...

   Carol

5. 
   ehBeth | Sep 10, 2003 01:30am | #7

   I have done some quilting - the whole, authentic, thing.  I've also done some simple patchwork when I've had less time.  Now that I'm very focussed on dog training in my spare time, most handcrafts are falling aside.  Luckily (or regrettably?), I haven't slowed down much in my purchase of fabric and yarns.   Lately, I've been very lucky at finding enormous lengths of toile at second-hand shops.  Seems people have grand plans, buy gorgeous fabric and then say 'forget this'.   I'm buying the fabric with a plan. I don't intend to use it for a while yet - but when I do, I'm going to be deliriously happy.

6. 
   jscraphappy | Sep 10, 2003 09:11pm | #8

   toile ehBeth thats sounds like its going to something special(:I bet dog training takes a lot of your time.I wish you would come & train a neighbours dog for us.All she does is shout at the poor thing.And at the distance of our fair size garden a side road then her garden All though the summer we have been treated to the dog barking & her shouting.Any ideas, I no they are nothing to do with sewing but perhaps your toile would help.