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Embellishments or Hardware?!

2/4/2018

If you have a hubby or a partner who has hardware stored within a garage or a workshop, maybe, just maybe, it is time to go on an expedition to said garage or workshop to find an embellishment or a tool for your next quilt. Whether your quilt is an art quilt or a traditional applique, there is probably something readily available close by or at your local hardware store.

Row By Row 2018 will begin on June 21.
New theme - Sew Musical.
From June 21 till Sept. 4 the FibreChick shop will provide one copy of a of a Sew Musical pattern for free to anyone who enters the store and requests it.
Added fun with Row By Row Junior. Kids aged 6 to 14 years old can visit the shop, in person, and receive one of six complementary Row By Row Junior patterns.
Can't wait for summer sewing to begin!

In the past, in desperate need of an embellishment for a last minute quilt that had to be completed, I have dragged my husband John to the hardware store. This is how the eyes of my 2015 row for the Row By Row Experience was completed. I felt the beady fishy eyes needed a little enhancement. Discovery - lock washers. Lock washers added the needed bling around the beady eye and I supported a shop by buying locally. 2016 and another row. Theme: Home Sweet Home. The houses needed door knobs. During a visit to the local Home Hardware I found the perfect wee brass door knob - brass finish washers. Lo and behold, the right sized bead will hold a wee brass door knob nicely in place.

Past rows featured in this blog write up are from 2015 and 2016. Piecing, fun stitching and interesting uses for "hardware are all a focus for any patterns produced at the FibreChick shop.

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Tool kits for Quilters

1/29/2018

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In 2017 myself along with my shop were invited to a quilt getaway at the Canadian Ecology Centre in Mattawa, Ontario. When I had time to sew I was sitting across from two well-travelled quilters. They had state-of-the art toolboxes that held all of their sewing necessities for the weekend.
From that point on I had portable tool kit envy.
A tool kit on wheels has so much potential. But what to buy and why did I really need one?
It took my husband John to figure it through for me.
At Christmas 2017, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a Husky connector tool box with cool connecting tool box tiers.

The rolling class-on-wheels stores a sewing machine, my monthly Wednesday and Saturday Sampler kits and sewing supplies for said samplers.
We will start at the bottom compartment and work our way up. The bottom bucket fits my Bernina sewing machine, table attachment, and any extra feet I might need for teaching or just out-and-about sewing. My biggest concern was the machine shifting about and being damaged, but no fear, John to the rescue. He made a foam cut out for the bottom of the "bucket box". This box has no lid and sits on the wheels. It can stand alone, but will always be attached to the wheels and the handle. It is an easy lift to pull out the sewing machine.

Next is the middle storage. It is a deep box with a set in ”tool tray”.
For my purposes, it is used to tote about an iron wrapped in a towel, Sampler pattern kits, lesson binder, samples and square rulers, such as the Tuck Trimmer III. This part of the travelling tool box sits on top of the "bottom bucket" where the sewing machine is held. It is a unit unto itself, in that, it has a lid with a handle and can be easily detached from the wheel assembly.

The top tool kit is shallow and has a see through lid though which can been seen assorted sized containers. These containers hold wee bits from my shop that I use to teach various techniques or the basics. Various threads, hand and machine needle packets, basically, the basics for quilting that I speak to when teaching a class.

With all the boxes snapped together all that is needed is to push a large button and to pull up the handle - just like a suit case on wheels. Once handle is up a extension cord and an extra bag with extras is slung over the extended handle.

But wait this quilting kit on wheels has more to offer. Since each tool kit is an entity unto itself you can hook up different boxes. In my case, I teach traditional quilting basics monthly or a dyeing class on occasion. With the Husky individual boxes one can be detached and left home and replaced by another that suits the needs of the day.
Curious. Drop by the FibreChick Shop and check out my tool kit. Or on May 4, 5 & 6, 2018 join us at the FibreChick Crafters Retreat at the Canadian Ecology Center in Mattawa, Ontario where the travelling tool kit will put to good use
Till next time, all the best, Kim.

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Redefine. Refresh. Renew.

1/7/2018

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Redefine. Refresh. Renew. My three R's for crafting.
Happy 2018!
My New Year's Resolution is to not make any New Year's Resolutions, but I do have one goal. My goal is to become a Blogger.
Wintery Wednesdays are on again at the FibreChick Shop.
January 10, 2018 will feature Paper Piecing Basics and January 17, 2018 is called Paper Piecing Plus.
Buttons or French knots for my snowman below...
Next Sunday the wee snowman will be able to see either through buttons or floss. Have a great week!

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