Beginning the tale of the Scholarly Stitchers

I didn't plan to start a library quilt group; it just happened.  Much of the beginning for the Scholarly Stitchers started out with no pictures but lots of email messages back and forth between the beginning novice quilters and myself.  This was the first message sent out to the entire library. This email was dated November 07, 2001 from my then supervisor, Julie Rashid.

Special Opportunity for Would-be Quilter!

To anyone interested, Gay has offered to share her vast quilting experience with me.  We have decided to do a series of lunch "tutorials" starting next week.  (Why the rush?? I am leaving for Pakistan on December 16th and wanted to have some skills in place to work on a full-size quilting project with my husband's relatives while I am there...thus the urgency.)  If anyone would like to participate, please let us know asap.  Come up to my desk if you would like a visual of what we are planning.
Julie :-)

This is the November 13, 2001 email I sent to 7 people who had decided they would like to learn different quilting techniques.

We didn't get quite as far along as I had planned, but we have started.  That, of course, is the biggest hurdle.  We talked about getting fusible paper, fusible interfacing, a 12" ruler (all our blocks will measure out to this size), a micron 01 or 05 permanent marker, and removable scotch tape for soon-to-come classes.  It was decided to move the classes to the Preservation Lab, since we can store things out of Marty's way and not have to take everything home each evening.  Someone offered to bring a small ironing board for pressing.  We used my Magic triangle ruler and cut out 4 4" squares (2 of one fabric/2 of a second fabric), All the Magic triangle does is mark a diagonal line from one corner to another.  Then a 1/4" line is marked on each side of this line.  Two different squares were put right sides together using this marking technique (it is easier to mark on the wrong side of the lighter fabric), sewed on the two outer lines and cut down the center line.  This makes one square with two fabrics (our triangles).  The finished size for the square is 3 1/2" squared up.  Remember to square up this 1/2 and 1/2 square with a diagonal line on your ruler (the diagonal ruler will be right on the center triangle).  You will have 4 of these 1/2 and 1/2 squares to form a pinwheel of 6 1/2".  This will complete the center of the Martha Washington Star block.  Since we cannot eat in the Preservation lab, let's meet at 12:00 and stop at 12:45.  Tomorrow we will complete the Martha Washington Star block, and I will bring a completed Crown block, Alice.  If you are doing this block, you will need to cut 2 different 2 1/2" strips and sew these together.  We will make the corner four patch with this.  Also, if you cut 4 4 1/2" squares (2 of one color/2 of another), these will form the triangles of the block.  When you are sewing remember to always sew a scant quarter of an inch.  For beginners, it is probably good to draw that sewing line with a pencil and ruler on the wrong side of the fabric.  The best thing to do, if you plan to make quilting a lifetime habit, is to buy a quarter of an inch foot for your machine.  I couldn't live without mine.

Gay

Just Beginning to blog

I really don't know where to start at this point; however, starting is a beginning. It is a beautiful day after a rather thunderous evening in the northern part of the Flint hills of Kansas. Just picked a bushel and a half of the most delicious and juicy peaches, and there are that many or more on the tree. This particular tree came from Stark Bros. in MO, and I wish I knew what kind I had bought. My biggest passion in life is quilting, so any advice for posting pictures or just general blogging will be appreciated. I belong to three quilt groups, so am always busy with one project or another. The Scholarly Stitchers have just finished a quilt for Chapman tornado victims-ours is just one of many to be distributed. We made made a tied crazy patch quilt and pieced the backing. I hope to get the binding on this weekend. If I figure out how to post the picture, I will do so when it is finished.