My biggest hurdle when working on a project is getting the fabrics cut. I’ve had my fabrics selected for Pulsar (that I shared earlier this week) for a while, but sharing my fabric pull was finally the push I needed to overcome the inertia and get everything cut out. After that, I’ve had a fun week of piecing.
Pulsar – Piecing
I learned this week that I can pull out my nesting ironing table and have it just to the left of my sewing machine without interfering with my husband while he is also at work. Excellent! I can only sew at the slowest speed setting on my machine when he’s doing a video call, but hey, we’ve learned that we can make it work.
Pulsar – Piecing
I’m testing the lap size version for the upcoming pattern release, and the big test of the pattern is how the sizing of the angled chevrons come together. With my first angled chevron pieced, I have notes for how to improve the pattern and I’m guessing that I’ll have the quilt top pieced soon. At which point I’ll need to pause to consider how I’m going to quilt this 72″ square quilt.
Downstream and QuiltCon Together Ribbon
2 weeks ago I was delighted to receive the ribbon that Downstream won for placing 1st in the Negative Space category at QuiltCon Together. The ribbon was beautifully made by Nicole @modernhandcraft. Here’s the thing: I’m a minimalist. I don’t know what to do with the ribbon. I don’t make quilts to win ribbons and haven’t kept any of the small ribbons I won at local state fairs. My mom has offered to take the ribbon and put it in a dresser in my “room” in her house (note: they built this house after I graduated from college), which made me giggle: nothing like kicking the can down the road for me to deal with later.
Memory Beads
My husband suggested that he could turn it into a memory bead for me. That idea has good merit. He took memorabilia and sentimental objects that had been sitting on shelves or tucked into my jewelry box and turned them into beads for us a few years ago. Puppy the cat’s hair encased in some epoxy, a piece of my grandmother’s crochet hook, and bits of the aerospace projects that we worked on together over the years condensed down into beads. I guess I’m just not quite ready to cut apart this handmade ribbon. But it feels weird to wrap it on top of the quilt and just tuck it into storage (no, I will not be hanging this ribbon on a wall).
I might be in the huge minority here, but are you or anyone you know in the minimalist camp with creative ideas (storage or otherwise) for what to do with something like this handmade award ribbon?
not to belittle your award, but maybe take a picture [which you wither will for will not print!!!], and then find some child who will absolutely love having a blue ribbon. the quilt looks beautiful, i especially love your color choices!
I have one ribbon, and I did put it on my wall, only because I don’t anticipate any more. I would enjoy it for awhile, and when you are ready to dismantle it, use the fabric to make the mini minis for your patrons?
Hi Yvonne, that is a gorgeous quilt!! And your quilting is fabulous. About the ribbon, I understand where you are coming from. Maybe, when and if you are ready to take the ribbon apart you could make a label with it for the back of the quilt? You wouldn’t have to take that much of it apart.
I’m more of a minimalist than most so I understand what you mean. I’m also sentimental about things so what I do keep has meaning, or is serviceable.
I am not a minimalist but I try not to keep a lot of excess. I find there are just some things I can’t part with – right now. I like Lea’s idea about making a label out of the ribbon.
You have great ideas here. Enjoy it however you feel ❤️
Beautiful quilt & quilting. Maybe you could make a small “pin” to wear? Or you may could make a “necklace” out of the long pieces? I really like your memory beads. Very neat! Enjoy your day!
Your discussion about the ribbon and the epoxy beads is interesting. I am not a minimalist but after two downsizing moves, think this would be a great solution! Meanwhile, I think I am tossing my ribbons (not handmade) from some time ago. So, I am thinking a picture of it with your quilt on your blog is a very good record of it.
You could snip off the long bits and use them in a mini quilt. Then have the top encased in block of clear epoxy, put some of those non-slip thingies on the bottom to prevent sliding and you have a paperweight and/or a fabric weight. Just my two-cents!
Congratulations on the ribbon win! I like the thought of the minimalist pile of beads. Looking at it, it reminds me of fond memories like the buttons in the button tin.
Future generations may be interested in knowing the quilt was a ‘winner.’ Keep them together
I like the idea of making a quilt label for that quilt with the ribbon parts–taking a photo with you, ribbon and quilt would be enough of a memory-jogger for me. I can relate–I’ve always felt that trophies are a bit excessive, but you deserve to be reminded of your efforts and unique creativity.
Congratulations! I really like the idea of the memory beads – how does your husband make them?
Thank you. He makes them using different methods. Sometimes he encases things in epoxy, sometimes he has to melt them down in a crucible and cast them into shape, sometimes he can just cut and mill and turn (via a lathe) them down to size. It all depends on what is being transformed. 🙂
Figuring out how both of you can work in a small space is no mean feat. Last year’s work from home took some getting used to, especially with zoom meetings. I really like the memory bead idea, but maybe not for the ribbon. The label idea or making a mini both sound like fun ideas.
I am not at all sentimental, so mostly I look at something, enjoy it, then bin it. Your husband’s memory beads, though, are an excellent idea.
I find it interesting to learn more about living in your small space and having to slow your sewing speed to create as little noise as possible! What about using some of the fabric that is part of the ribbon to make a small quilt? You could even frame the mini.
Congrats again on your quilt winning!
I grinned when I read that you have to sew on the slowest speed when Michael’s on a video call. I can relate, but in other ways, too long to get into. Pulsar is coming along beautifully. The ribbons I have are in a drawer or container somewhere…I don’t hang them either.
I am so not a minimalist that I cannot advise. I would pin it up on the wall behind my sewing machine.
I would describe myself as a tidy and organised person but not at all minimalist. I regularly declutter, but instead of grey, streamlined interiors, I am drawn to comfortable and cosy. Think of a combination of Victorian decorating (velvet upholstery, wallpaper, fringes on lampshades, Persian carpets) with Hobbit-like comfort. 🙂
Saying that, I love the idea of memory beads. It is not practical to keep everything, but they are a great way to retain the essence of something that has sentimental value but that you really do not need. I would have to write myself a list of what each bead means or I would forget!