Mary Covey Designs

Sew Retro

Like many of you, I really enjoy vintage things - quilts, glassware, linens, etc. After giving my "Mother's Memories" program recently, I received numerous questions about how to use old handkerchiefs in quilts.  Here's a great way to incorporate them into a quilt.

Step one:  Wash each handkerchiefs by hand in a mild soap.  Next, lay them out flat  to dry. Gently press them with low heat/steam.

Step two:  Hand appliqué each handkerchief to a plain background square. 

Step three:  Set the squares together with sashing strips (shown here in blue).

Step four: Add border and quilt.

What a beautiful way to show off your collection!

 

Independence Day

 

Found this great fabric in my stash.  It pays to clean out your closet every now and then.  What a perfect center for a patriotic wall hanging.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Dust Bunnies

From fabric to thread to batting, as quilters we are always in contact with fibers. Whether it is piecing a quilt or machine quilting a quilt, the fibers we work with create particles of dust. Over time those small particles become larger bundles of dust. These bundles can cause all kinds of problems for both you and your machine. From skipped stitches to machine malfunctions, it is not a pretty picture.

 

 

Here are a few suggestions to prevent these problems:

 1. Start with a clean surface. Wipe the outside of your machine and working area off with a lint free cloth.

 

2. Check your bobbin hook, bobbin case, and bobbin to make certain they are free of dust and lint.

 

3. Oil your machine according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

4. Start each new project with a new needle. A dull needle can cause dragging and puling in the fabric.

 

5. After each project is finished ( or in the middle of a big project), blow the dust that has collected in the machine out using compressed air, the same kind you would use on your computer.

 

Happy Sewing!

Doing What Matters

My friend Christa Knecht is making the quilts for an orphanage (website below). She first heard about the orphanage from a friend of hers who goes there once a year to do mission work.  The story of children living around a dump and hoping for a bed in the overcrowded orphanage broke her heart and inspired her to take action.  

Christa is making 70 quilts to send back with her friend on the next mission trip. She has generously donated her time, fabric, and other resources to make this happen. From piecing to quilting, her friends have done the same to help make this happen.  I am proud to be a part of this loving effort to help those in need.  This is a good reminder for all of us that there are a lot of different ways that we can help be a part of the greater good.

http://www.whatmattersmm.org/orphanspics.php

Bee Happy

 

In honor of mother's day, my daughter sent me some fun photos of my grand-dog, Parker.  In this one, she is wearing a bee hat at a baby shower to get into the spirit of things.  Isn't she a good sport? Hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday.  Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

Take a Peep

 

This week, I'm sharing a free pattern for this adorable peep pillow.  Become a follower of this blog or send me an email at MCovey@marycoveydesigns and I will send it your way.  Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday week!

These are a few of my favorite things

Some of you know that my granddaughter Ella is a little quilter-in-training.  Today is Ella's birthday (the wise old age of 6).  Her sweet sister Abby was such a good sport in the festivities.  I'm going to use all these bright colors as an inspiration for a project --- now, if only I could somehow have half their energy...

 

 

Art of Quilting

I had a great time teaching in Grand Junction recently.  This picture is from my Best Bag Ever workshop.  Thanks to all the ladies for your hospitality and special thanks for the wonderful article, Sherida!

Download Art of Quilting

 

 

Sno-klahoma

Last week, we survived blizzard conditions in Oklahoma.  It was one of those boy scout moments where being prepared saved the day.  I made a lot of progress on some sewing items that I'd had on my list since before Christmas.  It is always good to have a quilting project or two on hand for those long winter days where you don't want to (or can't) leave the house. 

Hope everyone is staying warm out there!

Quilt Guild Lectures

 
Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be teaching on March 8, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at the Sunset Slope Quilt Guild (Lecture: Christmas Club Account) and March 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Colorado West Quilt Guild (Lecture: Possibilities with Pre Cuts).  I will also do a one day workshop for members of both guilds on Wednesday March 9th from 9:30 to 4:30 on the Best Bag Ever.  

Check out our lectures and workshops page on the website.  I'd love to come to teach your guild something new!