Civil War Fabrics on the Cheap?

Some of you may have heard me mention that I found a fat quarter bundle of Civil War fabrics on ebay (from Frank's Bargain Center) for $1 each.  Shipping was $5 for 40 fat quarters.  Before purchasing, I read some reviews on a few quilting forums that mentioned Frank's Bargain Center that said the fabrics were of good quality.

When I got home from January's meeting, the bundle of fabric was waiting in my mailbox!  Here's what the bundle looks like (I ordered 40 fat quarters):

Not one of the selvages had any identifying information, although I was told that the manufacturers included Moda, RJR, Northcott, etc.  Also, more than half of the fat quarters had the selvage completely removed.  After reading Judy's Civil War handouts (the page about Chain Store fabrics vs Quilt Shop fabrics), I have come to the conclusion that these fat quarters are most likely from the beginning or end runs of a fabric print, where colors may be slightly off or the weave may be crooked.  Is this purchase a complete waste?  No.  I think I will still use these fabrics for either the Civil War quilt along, or even the Saltbox Sampler.

Here are 4 fat quarters out of the bunch that I wonder whether they are really Civil War reproduction fabrics:

Anyway, that's my review of the fabrics I received from Frank's Bargain Center.  CLICK HERE to see the fabrics Frank's Bargain Center has available.  Just remember that you'll probably be getting beginning or end runs of a fabric print.  I'll bring my fabric next month so you can feel it and see it.  

January Round Tuits and Show & Tell

Isn't it "mice" to start a new year?

Beth, Kaye, and Marilyn finally got "around to" finishing a project or two:

 

Many members showed projects they are currently working on or have completed:

Rose, Carla (demonstrating a thread separator), Malia, and Gayle:

(Rose & Gayle are new members!  Welcome!)

Crystal, Sarah, & Katie:

Betty & Kaye:

Good work, everyone! 

We can't wait to see the projects completed next month!

January Meeting in Review

Tooele County Quilters met Tuesday, January 15, at 9:30 a.m., and it was standing room only for our first meeting of the year!  Welcome to all the new members!  We hope you enjoy making friends and learning many new things, as well as sharing your talents with us.

First on the agenda was meeting the new officers and chairpersons (click on the CONTACT US link above, for a detailed list and contact information).

Our librarian, Dianne, introduced two new books about machine quilting.  Many books are available in the Tooele County Quilter's library, and any member may check out a book.

The Bear Lake Quilt Retreat will be held March 25-29, and costs $100.  You'll need additional money for shop hopping all the way there and back as well as for a few meals (lunch on the way there and home, as well as one or two meals out while in Bear Lake).  Be sure to let Kaye know if you plan to go as soon as possible, because she will assign meal preparation groups next month (you'll only have to cook once the whole week!).

We hope none of you felt overwhelmed with the information that was presented.  Remember that all of the projects presented are optional.  Participate in one of them, none of them, or if you're ambitious, all of them! Here are the projects we will be working on throughout the year:

INTERMOUNTAIN RESEARCH

& MEDICAL FOUNDATION

(formerly Deseret Foundation)

Every other year, we make a quilt to be donated to the Foundation, which is then auctioned at the Holiday Quilt Show (November 4-8 at Little America in SLC).  The Foundation has been dedicated to funding medical research for more than 40 years, and we are honored to participate.  This year, our quilt is called "All Things Utah," and Crystal Zierenberg is spear-heading the project.  The paper-pieced blocks (apple, bee, beehive, and birdhouse) and embroidery blocks (variety of Utah scenes) were distributed at our meeting.  The blocks are due no later than the March meeting.  Additional help will be needed throughout the year, and I will post more information as it becomes available.

CIVIL WAR BLOCKS QUILT ALONG

from Barbara Brackman's Civil War Blocks of the Week 

We will complete 2 blocks per month.  The cost is $5 for the entire year for copies of the stories and block instructions.  This is a great project to learn about the history of the Civil War and to sew many traditional blocks. The first two blocks are (both pictures from Barbara Brackman):

Catch Me If You Can

Note:  there is a slight typo in the instructions.  Step 4 says to square up the units to 2" (if making an 8" finished block) or 3" (if making a 10" finished block).  If making an 8" finished block, you will need to square up the units to 2 1/2" (NOT 2").  The 3" measurement is correct for the 10" finished block.

North Star

Saltbox Sampler

from Amy McClellan (Under the Garden Moon)

Mary and Jeanine will be teaching and directing this project. The blocks are grouped into similar techniques.  This is a great project for learning foundation quilting skills. This month's assignment is to complete blocks 1 through 5:

• Off-Set Shoo Fly
• Pinwheel & Greek Square
• Scrappy 16-patch
• Double Framed 4-patch
• Improved 4-patch.  

2012 Christmas Luncheon: I Believe in Santa Claus

This year's Christmas luncheon was held on Tuesday, December 4 at 11 a.m.  

Entertainment was provided by a group of ladies who played beautiful Christmas music for all to enjoy.  

The theme was "I Believe in Santa Claus," and all the decorations had something to do with Santa.  

A special thank you to all those who participated in the 2012 Christmas Challenge (make something with a Santa on it):

The luncheon menu included:

• Pear Pomegranate Salad with Sweet Red Wine Vinaigrette (recipe below)
• Rolls (tip on cooking Rhodes rolls below)
• Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Mixed Vegetables
• Cheesy Potatoes
• Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake, Brownie Bite, Ice Cream and a Hershey Kiss!

After the luncheon, we enjoyed a trunk show and presentation by Amy McClellan, owner of American Quilting in Orem.  Here she is explaining one of the quilting techniques she uses, but unfortunately I can't remember exactly which technique she was describing!  Her quilts and patterns were beautiful and we're so grateful she was willing to come and share her quilting talents with us!

Pear Pomegranate Salad

Combined mixed greens (or baby spinach) with romaine lettuce.  Add pomegranate seeds, sliced pears or apples (use lime or lemon juice or fruit fresh to keep from going brown), crumbled feta cheese, and sugared nuts (pecans or almonds are good).  Drizzle with Sweet Red Wine Vinaigrette.  Serve immediately.

Sweet Red Wine Vinaigrette (from Savoring the Seasons with Our Best Bites)

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1-2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

1/2 cup canola oil

Combine vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender and process on high.  Lower speed, and while blender is running, add oil in a steady stream.  Dressing may be stored in refrigerator about 2-3 weeks.  Shake well before serving.

Sugared Nuts

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup sugar

Combine pecans and sugar in a small nonstick skillet.  Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts and coats the nuts (about 15 minutes).  Place on parchment paper to cool.

Rhodes Rolls Tip

Rhodes Dinner Rolls were served at the luncheon. To check to see if the rolls have had enough time to rise, gently press your pinkie finger into the side of one of the rolls.  If the dough bounces right back, the rolls have not yet risen enough.  If the finger impression stays indented, then the rolls are ready to bake.  If the rolls collapse when you press with your finger, you've obviously let them rise too long.  Oops!

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!

Join us for more friendship, fun, and quilting in 2013!

2012 Completed Block of the Month

From the Delectable Mountain book by Eleanor Burns:

 

Pillow Case Pattern

Click HERE for a downloadable and printable version of the instructions.

Fast and Easy Double Wedding Ring Technique

Fusible interfacing. . .

a pilot frixion pen. . .

and a Dritz Quick Turn tool. . .

made Double Wedding Ring magic today at the Tooele County Quilter's Meeting!

The traditional method for piecing a Double Wedding Ring block is challenging, even for advanced quilters.  Take a look at this traditional pattern at Free Spirit Fabric and you'll see what I mean.  Andrea, our instructor, made the Double Wedding Ring block easy enough for even beginners to complete!  The easier method involves the tools above as follows:

1. Use frixion pen to trace arcs on pellon.  Cut out pellon arcs, leaving approximately 1/4" seam allowance around the edge of the arc.
2. Cut 2 strips of six different fabrics (2 1/2" strips for 9 1/2" block; or 3" strips for 11 1/2" block).
3. Layer strips as desired and cut the strips into wedges using template pattern or plastic ruler (contact Andrea if you would like one).
4. Press seams to one side.
5. Place cut out pellon arc on top of sewn fabric arc, right side of fabric to bumpy or rough side of interfacing.  Be sure to line up centers and end dotted lines. (Note: wedges are wider than interfacing to allow for different seam widths and will be trimmed later).
6. Stitch on solid traced line along the top and bottom of the curved edge; do not sew the lines around the "wings."  You are making a tube.
7. Use Quick Turn tool, or another method of your choice, to turn the fabric right side out.  Now the iron-on part of the interfacing is on the outside of the tube.
8. Finger press the arc, making sure all interfacing is turned to the back.  Be sure NOT to press with an iron at this point; because you are using fusible interfacing, the arc will stick to whatever surface you iron on!
9. Place arc on a background block (either 9 1/2" or 11 1/2"), with the pellon wings in the corners of the block. 
10. Press and fuse arc to background with hot iron.
11. Applique arcs with stitch and thread of your choice.
12. Cut a square (jewel) of fabric (2" square for 9 1/2" block; 2 1/2" square for 11 1/2" block).
13. Mark wrong side of jewel square diagonally from one corner to another.
14. Place jewel in corner (over wing) and stitch on diagonal line.  Trim off extra fabric, if desired, and fold remaining fabric toward corner and press.
15. Sew blocks together.
16. Quilt and bind.

Templates

Click HERE for the downloadable and printable 9 1/2" block templates

Click HERE for the downloadable and printable 11 1/2" block templates