Barnside!

Our of our dearest friends was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He's undergoing chemotherapy at the moment and may end up having radiation sometime during the summer. My husband was adamant that I make him a quilt.

With all the preparations and excitement of opening the shop and getting ready for our local quilt show in 2 weeks, I just could not find the time. It was then that I remembered a handmade quilt purchased at an auction in 1998 waiting on the rack ready to be quilted. Unknown is the maker's name or what year it was done. Perhaps you have an idea by looking at the fabrics?

I can't tell you how often I've pulled this quilt out, looked at it, and returned it to the rack. I guess it just wasn't time to tackle it. You see, it has issues...

There is extra fullness in some blocks:

The blocks aren't all even:

The seams were sewn willy-nilly: I could not iron the seams in the same/right direction. It would have meant taking the whole quilt apart and resewing it. I did not wish to do this. 

 My wish was to quilt it to preserve it; in order to do that and to reinforce the seams, it was necessary to quilt it with an all-over design, one that would take care of some extra fullness. I chose Vanilla Cream panto by Anne Bright and it worked beautifully. Don't you just love these pinks?

I chose a Blue Hill fabric from the Captain Phillips Collection c.1860 by Carrie Quinn for the backing (available in the shop). It looks like a shirting which coordinates well with the top. Quilting was done with Glide Pearl on the top and Mocha in the bobbin. I just love this thread!!! Batting is 100% poly because I wanted the loft of the batting to help reduce the chance of tucks and folds.

This block pattern is known as Hole in the Barn Door. I'm calling this quilt Barnside! A special name for a special friend. I wish its maker could see it finished and be gifted to one who dedicated his life to helping others

The binding will be prepared later today and sewn over the weekend, at least that's the plan. I need to have something to do with my hands in the evening! This makes 3 quilt tops in need of binding counting the two from last month. Sunday will be busy!

Up next on Lolah is the De Deauville a Cape Cod quilt. Shivers... I hope I can do it justice! Wish me luck!

Toodles,

Lorette

Work in Progress... no longer!

Hello everyone from Spruce it Up Quilt Shop & Quilting Services!

The GRAND OPENING last Tuesday was fabulous! Women and men came in 2s and 4s all day and stayed for hours! My sister was here to help out and we had a great day chatting with the visitors and selling fabric.

Lolah was ready and as people came in, I asked them to sign their name on the sample piece. It seemed like everyone enjoyed the experience. The sample comes down tomorrow morning... one feature of the quilt shop is the ability to rent time on Lolah. My first rental day is tomorrow and Lolah will be put through her paces before the customer walks in. This client is very excited to try her hand at this and I believe she'll do really well if I use her practice pantograph to judge her skills. It will definitely be exciting for me.

Roxane from Scrap, quilt and stitch has forwarded the last block! Block 11 was a joy to stitch although it's bitter sweet since this means the end of stitching this beautiful quilt.

Once my client is done renting space on Lolah, this quilt top may be next in line!! Can't wait to quilt it!

It's been a busy week at Spruce It Up Quilting... opening day, shop duties, lessons on new equipment, brochures to design, print and deliver, finish some blocks and tops, household duties, Father's day... life goes on outside the shop doors despite the shop being in our own home. If  you're ever in the area, please stop by to say hello. We can sit on the deck (or the porch if it's raining) and we'll chat . Bring the quilt you're working on and we can share in our mutual pastime! I would love to see and hear about your projects. Remember, this is a friendly shop... I'll save you a chair!

Toodles,

Lorette

Announcing...

We are thrilled to make the following announcement on the blog: 

Spruce It Up Quilting is opening as a quilt shop!!

It's been a long time in planning and renovating and we feel ready to open! ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!! Come join us...

How do you get to Spruce It Up Quilt Shop??

Directions: Follow Highway 16 towards Prince Edward Island past the traffic circle in Port Elgin and turn onto Route 960 (Upper Cape Road)... No 2063 is on the telephone pole at the end of the driveway. The link button on the right sidebar will give you a view of the driveway.

Be on the lookout for this sign which can be easily seen from the road but isn't on the google maps linked button. I promise the sign will be mounted to tall posts before the opening.

Meanwhile, we've been making smaller signs to help with directions:

We hope to have these up along highway 16 too but we can't guarantee they'll be there in time for the opening. Must check provincial regulations!

Come see us soon!! 

Toodles,

Lorette