Sew On The Go by Michelle Renee Hiatt

This has been a crazy couple of weeks; I had the flu 2 weeks ago, followed by two back-to-back retreats.  Therefore I didn't get as many block samples completed as I would like, but I think you will get the idea from my two selections below.   I hope to have a few more completed this weekend and will share on the weekend.  Be sure to follow my  Sew On the Go Facebook Page  to keep up on mid-week posts! Block 6 - Eight Hands Around Block 6!  Can you believe we are an eighth of the way through the 48 Blocks?  Eight Hands Around, first appeared in the Ladies Art Company’s catalog in 1897.   In that same year, also appearing in the Ladies Art Company , but without the half square triangles in the corners, it was also published as Stars and Squares.  Through research, I discovered that it is believed this quilt block derived from Square Dancing.   I personally remember my grandmother placing this block in her com...

In preparing to travel to the AQS-Grand Rapids Quilt show, of course I looked through my “to-do” list and it started me wondering if summer is a Quilt motivator or deterrent? I think for me, I net less sewing time, due to a variety of activities; fabulous summer Quilt Shows, gardening, boating, friends/family visits, mini-breaks (one for my UK friends), etc.  However, I believe those exact activities are what inspires me in my quilting, whether it be flowers in my garden inspiring a quilt design, or colors on the Sound horizon inspiring a color palette for my next quilt…  Therefore, I guess it is a motivator however it fuels my actual quilts and quilt making later in the season.  How about you?  Do you feel summer helps or hinders your quilting? I’m getting ready to fly out the Grand Rapids, MI for the AQS-Grand Rapids Quilt Show, so it is only a short post today.  I will be working alongside Deb & Haley Tucker this week at the Studio 180 Desi...

I've been traveling so much these last few weeks that I haven't had a chance to post my newest tools (Toys) that I recently picked up to  improve my sewing time and quality even more! The first is my new Big Board from my Sewing Sun Room.  As you know I have a sewing space downstairs on the lower level with my long arm, 2nd Pfaff Creative Vision, huge cutting table and iron table.  However, we have a beautiful sun room that I like to sew in on the main level.  I was using a normal ironing board upstairs and it was so flimsy and small.  Plus not very dog friendly.  I've heard from several friends over the years that they had their husbands make them Big Boards... well my husband doesn't do woodwork, so I went looking for them on the web. Big Board in the Sew Sun Room I found it at Nancy's Notions  and a great deal.  It was on sale for $109 from $139 the day I got it (I believe it is on sale again).  The down side is ...