Art, Craft and Needlework, July, 2026

[Harriet]

Oh, anyway, Nancy, I'm happy for you that your shoulder was feeling well enough to let you start a new project, even if that one needs to be put on hold. Aprons just generally are cheerful things - cheerful to work on, cheerful to use, cheerful to hang up to be pretty. But I sure don't need to talk myself into that now, need to keep plugging along.

Sorry there was frustration about a purchase, Gma. But great that you got those seams sewn and backings ready so others can be helped.

Kittykatt, that's true, online shopping might help Gma. And I found the wedding quilt fabric online back when I needed to hustle to make the calendar date (can't believe they've had their 2nd anniversary).

I was able to go to a quilt shop for the first time in years (they all go out of business). We drove for an hour or so to a town I don't believe I've ever been to, but HRH had. It is not the charming kind of shop, no cubbies or homey displays - sensible with lots of light. We got there just as a group of shoppers were saying goodbye and leaving in a big van, so they must have considered it a destination. HRH was happy to have found the way there with no trouble, but didn't want to stay, so I sent him off into the world to see what else was around.

There was plenty of fabric, good names, very nice. You could look around and see a new project everywhere you turned, but that wasn't the point. I had brought scraps of this current project with me and mostly tried to find a binding fabric. I did buy one yard with that in mind, but I'm not sure I'll use it for this. It's a good basic fabric that works with another project too. They had fat quarters and I found two - an international theme and one from the batik shelves. Both of those will go right into particular project boxes and I know what I'll do with them, they have a purpose. So altogether 1.5 yds of fabric and I avoided any new patterns or gadgets. I really tried to find something in their sale area, but I couldn't. Then at the register it turned out the one-yard cut was on sale 25 percent off because of a promotion.

If it were closer, it would be a nice place to frequent. They sometimes have visiting quilt teachers or lecturers who draw attention. I'm on their email list now, so if they do something really amazing, I could try it.

[Gma]

I guess any time we learn something, it's progress of a sort. Even if it means take another route.

[Nancy]

I was talking to DD about zines I saw on YT a guy was making them like a booklet with a journal
essence. It inspired her to think of a different use for her scrap booking pretty papers and doing some of those.
I came across some fun supplies when I was cleaning and organizing too. Just wanted to share in case it might inspire some
of you in this thread too.

Though about on my walk today.
I seam to have resistance in or with sewing.... so I can write about some of the early years and
previous projects. That might help inspire me. Like the 1st quilt I made for LH when we were engaged & I was in high school.
Learning to sew from my granny. Making aprons for me and my daughter and her doll one year at the holidays!

[MysteryWoman]

Got one (of nine or ten) done! (Yesterday, the hostess said that her extra guest would not be able to make it to the girls’ night, but in texts this morning, she was still mentioning the other woman as being invited, so I don’t know.) I’m not sure how long the whole thing took — the wreath was less than a week, but I’d already prepped things and embroidered the words.

https://imgur.com/a/bLRFt9s

Trying to get the picture to work isn’t showing, so I’m just adding the naked link.

[Nancy]

MW it's working and I saw it those are cute!

I was frustrated with group stuff projects as I had my own thing I needed wanted to work on
I remember back in the day when I went to a knitting group. meeting.

[Gma]

I used to belong to a crafter's group, years ago. We rotated hostesses; each brought our own hand project. Knit, embroidery, needlepoint, crochet, or may be even hemming to the home of the hostess who provided beverage and dessert. We sat and worked and visited, admired, consoled, raised our children, and now we are old! I think we met monthly; I don't think we had time to meet weekly.

Finished my own white lacy cape shawl. It was 90F this morning, so I didn't wear it to church

[Harriet]

Mystery, that is really charming - love it. Group friends will cherish this. You probably couldn't go by how long it takes to make the first one of a series anyway. You'll see how long it takes when you are in the swing.

Gma, congratulations on a cheery finish. No, it's not for 90 degrees, but ideal in cooler weather.

I think of the sewing I've done for (or with) family members, too, Nancy, and yes, it does seem inspiring. I don't know why I sometimes have resistance, except that I look at small chunks of time and think it's not enough, so I don't start until there is more time. Your idea of just having a personal retreat day sometimes to spend on creativity is inspiring - I did that one day a couple weeks back!

This quilt is sort of a long-distance group project - a "swap" of blocks between people from states that had been Colonies, and we wrote or emailed to each other. I wanted blues in 12-and-1/2-inch, but everyone asked for something different. I'm including 2 blocks my dfirstmil made, so that they do get into a quilt before more time passes. She lived in two of the states (Navy WAVE). I only had to add to the size of one. Maybe my children will appreciate it.

In general, the times in my life I sewed with groups at churches/community were good experiences - some was donating - but we did have to work at getting along a few times. (smile - thinking of Cathy and her talkative co-stitcher.) I guess that's always the way.

[Nancy]

I have been in the sewing room briefly.
Mended a nite gown.
Then made a quilt block looking piece for a pocket, or part of an apron top or pillow who knows.
It was good to get the stitches on the right length too!

[It's raining and cooler out so not as much outside stuff to do may be the key.]