Category Archives: Uncategorized

About Darcelona

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I work a full time job as a fire prevention specialist.  My job entails going to existing buildings and checking to make sure all systems are still operational – fire sprinklers, alarms, and other safety items.  It is sometimes routine, sometimes exciting and sometimes creative.

While walking through some buildings, you will notice artwork that is unique or an office that is painted with a variety of colors (instead of beige and brown) that will inspire a new quilt.  One office has a terrific painting that looks 3D that is in the mental file to create one day.

The name Darcelona came to me when I was taking flamenco dance lessons (flamenco, not flamingo).  After watching Carman, the flamenco dance version, I decided to find a class and try it.  Whereas my background is basic Celtic, my inner  desperately wanted to be a raven-haired dancer with long dresses and castanets clicking in rapid fire.  Whenever the studio put on a recital or did demonstrations at local events, everyone participated.   My co-dancers decided I could be Darcelona from Barcelona.  The nickname stuck and I use it for fun.

I don’t dance flamenco anymore due but still greatly appreciate the artistry of the dance and music.

So, that is me – Darcelona Quilts.  Thanks for reading.

Items that would make great quilts

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While visiting a dear friend, I saw her chess board set up.  I thought, what a great  pattern that could be turned into a quilt.

I do have other projects waiting-a few UFO’s (unfinished fabric objects) or PIGS (Projects in a Grocery Sack) but this photo will be placed in the “I will get to it”

I figure I could just fussy cut one set of squares for one block and then square in a square for the other.  This could be either a bed quilt, wall hanging or a cloth chess board.  Keep a camera handy for that unexpected design that beckons you.

Thanks for reading.

ABC 123

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I love this design.  J Frisch takes each letter and does a fabulous job.  The first time I made the quilt, the colors were a bit more subdued with pastels.  Last time, it had a circus theme.

This year, it is bright and colorful.  I put a red minkee backing and did the quilting on the longarm.  Minkee fabric is so soft and inviting.  The nice thing is the quilting really shows up.  The longarm pattern was ABC 123.  Some quilt stores carry this line – I bought mine online

Even if the nervous parents don’t use it as a blanket, it makes a nice wall hanging so add a sleeve on the back or offer to add one.

Thanks for reading.  I may just have to make another one.  So many babies at work.

Long Arm Quilting Machines

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When I started quilting, it was on my Great Aunt Margarite’s 1957 Singer.  It must have weighed about 40 pounds.  Straight stitch and zig zag and a lot of attachments.  I then purchased my first Featherweight (weighs about 2.5 pounds). What a joy to take to classes with the Featherweight. 

To finish my quilts, I just did Stitch in the Ditch.  Occasionally, I added some hand quilting but I really wanted  more.  At a Road to California show, I met a long arm quilter from Astoria (I was a white glove lady-wear white gloves and pull the quilt up so people can see the back).  I took the plunge and asked Linda to do my next quilt.  I would bring it up to her in Oregon when I did my annual trip to Seaside, Oregon.

Linda did a fabulous job.  She is still in Astoria quilting and teaching.  You can see her work at Homestead Quilts on 10th in Astoria.

Back to the picture – yes, I tend to wander sometimes.  I found a local quilter in Orange County. Diane Beachamp, who like Linda did a great job on custom quilting.  Diane opened up her own quilt/fabric store.  She put her Gammill long arm machine in the store and advertised classes on the machine.  If you wanted to rent it, you had to take a class.  I was in the first class and was immediately hooked and frustrated.

It takes time to get use to threads breaking, running out a bobbin thread, finding the right pattern for your quilt, the right thread color, etc.

But once you get the feel for it, it such a treat to watch your quilt just pop.  You the backing on the right roller, add the batting and then the top.  Baste it so that it doesn’t move, add the clips on the side, check for any pins, and hit “Start”.  There is a lot more to it but if you want to learn, find a store that rents the machine and take a class.  I have been very fortunate that Quilter’s Garden has 2 machines and a terrific staff that is there to assist you.

Now when I want to quilt my quilt tops, I can schedule time on the machine, peruse the store for more fabric, meet new people (there is always someone asking about the machine) and just relax.  There are many long arm machines but I really like the Gammill.  You can order one with a computer or without.  Without the computer, it is easier to do freehand quilting.  If you decide to buy a long arm, go to a large quilt show like Houston, Paducah, Chicago, Road to California, Long Beach show and try out all the machines.  The ease of working the machine and the cost vary.

Thanks for reading.  The quilt on the machine is called “Dressed to the Nines” by Lynn Mann.  The top quilt is Road to Oklahoma (I think.  It was made in 2002)

Puzzle and all you need are 10 fat quarters

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I found this pattern (and it’s free) on http://www.jukeboxquilts.com.  The owner, Kelly Gallagher Abbot taught a couple of classes at the Crazy Quilt Conference in Omaha a few years ago.  She is a wonderful teacher and very giving.  She also has cool quilting/craft items for sale.

This pattern is super easy but you have to pay attention to the colors.  Otherwise you’ll get a purple dot where a yellow one goes.  This pattern can be done with a prepackaged fat quarter bundle or just bust into your stash.  It has an easy template (use freezer paper).

I read somewhere that kids that are diagnosed with autism really like puzzles so if you have someone in your life with autism, this is a perfect quilt for them.

Thanks for reading.

Shop Small Store Saturday

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To help small businesses stay in business, there is a movement to get people to shop the smaller stores on Saturday.  Even though I was here at Center Diamond, Cannon Beach, OR, on a Sunday, I had to buy at least 5 yds of fabric along with some buttons.

I found Center Diamond’s ad in a quilt magazine and they offered a scrapbuilders special.  Each month, you would receive about 8-9 4X4 swatches of fabric from their newest lines.  I hoarded these swatches for about 10 years using some occasionally.  Finally, I made the decision to donate the swatches to my church so we could make prayer quilts.

But back to Center Diamond – look at those fabulous colors.  Makes me wish I could retire now and just sew.  But if you ever get up to the Pacific Northwest, check out Center Diamond on Hemlock St.  There is a quilt run in November and they are listed.  Happy sewing.

Basketweave – Sampler

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Okay, it’s not a quilt, but a quilt design.  While attending classes in a local college, there was a needlepoint class listed.  Thought if I was going to school to learn, why not include a fun class.

This project gave us lots of stitches to learn and it made a nice wall hanging.  It is currently hanging in the Linkey Art Museum, i.e. at Mom’s house.  Arts should always be taught in schools and at all levels.  It’s good to use both sides of the brain.

Thanks for reading.

Another Race Quilt

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I have written about other quilts where you take identical 4 1/2″, turn them around and make an interesting pattern.  The best  pattern to use is either a large floral print or even really ugly fabric.  The pattern takes on a different view.

Here are some of the squares.  You can see by the border fabric, there are large flowers. However by fussy cutting, you get the same block and you can make swirls with little buds, leaves or portion of flowers.

The nice thing is you sew the rows straight across, slice it, resew it in different spots and at the end, the quilt looks like it was sewn on the diagonal.  Truly a fun pattern.

Thanks for reading.

 

First Class Christmas Quilt

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I was going through the mail about 18 years ago and found a City Services Class schedule.  One class was for quilting, cost was free and it was held down the street from my house.

Nothing more than a nice size wall hanging and we could all get it done before Christmas.  I finished it but never quilted it.  The top was always just around waiting to be finished.  I had too many other techniques to learn and the need to build up my stash of fabrics was calling.

Finally about 18 months ago, I put it on the longarm and quilted it with ornaments and bells pattern.  It still needs binding but I’ll get to it soon. 

Quilting for me is the most calming thing I can do (besides just sitting and playing with the cats) but I know not to start a project when my mind is filled with problems.  The cuts are wrong, the seams don’t line up and it generally turns into a disaster. 

So when you are starting or working on a project, set your timer for 20 minutes and then stretch – move to another room – step outside and take a deep breath.  Then go back to the project.  Things take on a new perspective.

Thanks for reading.

 

Drunkard’s Path variation

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I met this quilter at the Anaheim Convention Center years ago.  She was selling her book and plastic templates to make Drunkard’s Path.  Unfortunately, the book is at home.  I’m writing this at lunch at work and can’t give you her name.

The photos and directions were so easy to follow, that the curves didn’t bother me a bit.  I did 4 different squares using 2 templates.  A co-worker was practicing on her new long arm and quilted it for me. She apologized because she used a slightly damp cloth to erase the blue marker.  Well, as we all know, reds can run (not this redhead but red fabric is very iffy). 

It was not a problem because it was just a sample piece and I had the secret weapon – Color Catcher.  These wonderful sheets get tossed in with the wash and any color floating out there gets trapped by this cloth.  No red bleed – no problems.

Thanks for reading.