Thursday, April 1, 2010

The big sleeve

My quilt guild (Stray Threads) is hosting it's first-ever quilt show this month. Woo hoo! It is not only exciting for my guild, but for me too-- I've never entered anything into a show before, and this seemed like an awesome opportunity. As it turns out, the show is taking place the same weekend the baby is due (April 24-25), so I have a feeling that I may not even get to go. But I decided to go ahead and enter a couple of quilts anyway, one of which is my Star Quilt Along quilt from 2008, Tyger! Tyger! Burning Bright:

Star Quilt Along quilt
It's not a judged show-- more of a showcase of members' works. Since I love this quilt and am still so proud of it, it seemed like a natural one to enter. Of course, had I known at the time that entering it would require adding a sleeve to the already completed quilt, I may not have done it. But, because the forms were already in when the committee decided they wanted sleeves on all of the quilts, I bit the bullet and did it...

the long sleeve
...all 85" of it. At least it didn't take too long. Less than hour to make it, and then a couple of hours to stitch it on. But, that's what I spent my sewing time on yesterday. Not particularly glamorous, but I'm happy it's done!

Another requirement for the show is to submit entries in a "securely closed and labeled fabric or clear plastic bag." Though I know a fabric bag would be best, I didn't want to have to take the time to make one. So, I headed to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and picked up a couple of those giant comforter storage bags. (I really wish they came in smaller sizes too.) Then I used some vinyl and single-fold bias tape to add a pocket for my contact info:

altered comforter bag
Simple but effective, I think.

The other quilt I decided to enter was a long lost UFO I was motivated to finish for the show. I think it deserves a post of its own, so I'll share it with you tomorrow.

4 comments:

  1. I hope you get to go to the show and I'm so excited that you are sharing some quilts that you made before I knew you! This one is a big quilt and really beautifully done, esp. with the edging (is it called prairie points?). The colors are so beautiful, too.

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  2. I want you to go to the show yet I want you to have that baby on time. Hmmmmmm, I guess I have to vote for the show. The baby can come the day after. LOL

    Love the quilt, I would show it off too had I made it.

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  3. That is very exciting and you sure picked a beauty to go in the show. Bummer you had to add the sleeve. Hope you get to go, as that would be fun to stand by and listen to what people have to say about your quilt.

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  4. Oh, that is a pretty quilt too. I do not like putting sleeves. Our quilt show is April 16 and 17. We put our quilts in pillow cases. I have some old ones and just sew on new information labels over the old ones. Hope you get to attend.

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