I hope you have a fantastic week.
TUTORIALS & DJ Links
10.21.2025
Trimming Fabrics & Moving Cubes
I hope you have a fantastic week.
10.20.2025
The Unboxing of My Dearest *JANE*
Here she is, in all her fancy zip-top bag glory! It’s been far too long, dearest 30s TATW — Trip Around the World — Rainbow *JANE*.
Its construction was a gift of time that I desperately needed, while also connecting me back to my great-grandmother, Gladys, who loved all things textile-related — especially linens. I recall admiring fabrics with her as a very young child. I also embroidered when I was young, inspired by her beautiful antique pillowcases. Despite my modern minimalist taste, I collect milk glass, vintage and antique Christmas ornaments, and have a feather tree that reminds me of her.
Many gorgeous linens and glassware items were tucked away forever in her hall closet. I always felt that was so sad — she loved them so much but was always saving them for another time. In the end, they were still brand new and sold by my maternal great-aunt and grandmother.
Not me! I am living my best life, sleeping on the softest embroidered-edge 100% cotton pillowcases and gladly bringing out glassware for the pure enjoyment. I’m likely drawn to shell collecting because of her as well. She had the most gorgeous pink conch shell in her restroom with a thriving asparagus fern planted in it.
With her help, I learned to propagate violets, trim climbing roses for the best growth, identify various plants — all while playing with antique toys kept in a box at the bottom of her linen closet.
She was patient and kind to me; I felt so cherished in her presence.
I think my memory of her is what sparked the idea for my 40th birthday. I know the quilt choice certainly was. For the longest time, I’d buy bits of fabric that reminded me of her, without realizing they were all 1930s reproductions. When I saw a 30s *JANE* at the Chicago (Rosemont) Quilt Festival, I found the perfect design to showcase those fantastic fabrics.
At the time, I was so busy raising babies, working, baking, and cooking that I kept prioritizing everyone but myself. The priceless time leading up to that milestone birthday was exactly what I needed to claim as my own gift. Afterwards, with encouragement from my online friend group, I worked on the triangles and kites — and then we needed a long break from one another.
Jobs changed several times, the kids grew older, my volunteer work slowed, and I was no longer running to soccer games with bags of snacks in hand. Still, my time was dedicated to the education of others, balanced between working on graduate degrees and meeting family needs.
I’ve been busy being busy, and my health has finally required a pause — a forced break, if you will. It’s helped me put things into perspective, including the importance of rest and my favorite activity: sewing. I’m still working on my formal education but am consciously choosing to make time for creative ventures along the way.
First on my list is revisiting my dearest *JANE* project. Seeing all that work just waiting for the last bits — some redos and the final top construction — feels like a moment of progress after an incredibly extended hiatus. It’s about time we get reacquainted.
I’m a little nervous about continuing this beautiful project, as I’m still not fully recovered from wrist and forearm surgeries, but I’m learning to be patient. Just revisiting the fabrics feels amazing.
The latest quandary? Whether or not to construct a second version in the process of completion.
Piece & Appliqué,
Heather
10.08.2025
Liberty of London Stash
10.05.2025
Tula Pinks Found a New Home

10.03.2025
Aneela Hoey & Tula Pink Fabrics
I also have some more Aneela Hoey embroidery and organizers to get to one of these days. I used to sew outside the house frequently before COVID and have done so little traveling the past few years that I'm in no rush, maybe that's a project for this winter. The smaller rolling carts were just filled with polka dots - my favorite basic - but they've only been sorted by color. I'm leaving the basics folded as is for now. Other prints and the Essex Linens were moved from their cubes to the small, solid cabinet in the back corner of the sewing room.
The Spring International Quilt Market will be in St. Louis, MO - my hometown this coming April. That means I'll be in for a good week and will have time to sew a bit after visiting with friends and family. My first big show, the International Quilt Festival, was at Rosemont (Chicago, IL). There's another post with some highlights, if you're interested.
10.01.2025
The Last (so far!) of the Heather Ross Fabrics
9.30.2025
Sewing Room Makeover: Part I
Heather
9.20.2025
Folding of Heather Ross Fabric Continues
There are quite a few white and cream background fabrics and I'm considering placing them in a rolling set of drawers to make space for the vividly colored focus fabrics. This plan requires some rearranging, but I have some willing helpers, thankfully.
I am looking forward to getting to some actual sewing and piecing soon.
9.15.2025
Heather Ross Fabrics
9.13.2025
RF Readers, Organization & School
It's great to see that readers have increased quite a bit lately. Welcome!! The US is back on top and Brazil has fallen to last place while France is no longer listed.
9.10.2025
Cabinet is Complete!
I've just finished folding of the 30's reproductions and couldn't be happier with the results. There were so many green fabrics that overflow had to go into the bottom drawer. There are still black, brown and multicolored FQs to move, but there's still room in the 'shoe box'. Now I'm wondering if I should go back to the box and refold all those FQs, too. I'm in no rush to commit to that tonight.

Heather
9.06.2025
Starting to Shape Up

9.01.2025
Folding Continues
Heather
8.30.2025
Folding Method
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Folding at WOF or half WOF (FQ) |
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FQs can be folded several ways |
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