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Kathy's having a sale - Polyneon 40 1100 yd spools - $2.85 for plain colors,

 $4.80 for variegated

Diane's hint for this newsletter

Take two squares of material you want for your design. Place right sides together. Put water soluble thread in both the bobbin and on top in your machine. Trace the design you want on the back of one of the squares and stitch the squares together on the line, leaving about 1 1/2 in to turn the shapes. Trim a generous 1/8 inch from the edge of your stitching. Turn the piece  right side out and finger press the edges where the opening is. Press the turned shape with the highest steam setting. This either weakens the stitching or completely dissolves it.

Then you have two prepared shapes with nicely pressed under edges.

You can hand applique the pieces in place or use any number of ways of machine appliqueing them. The traditional way is with a buttonhole stitch made with invisible thread. I have gotten away from doing that. Partly because the older machine I had did a nice perpendicular stitch that looked very nice. The more recent machines do a slightly angled stitch that I find less pleasing as well as less subtle.

Some alternatives are: a buttonhole stitch, a simple running stitch close to the edge, a narrow zigzag stitch, satin stitch or a decorative stitch all with invisible thread, matching thread or contrasting thread. For a really neat effect try a variegated thread in a satin stitch. See appliqued flower below.

Featured Products - Hand-dyed Threads

June's Project

We have a real treat for those who like to embellish their work with hand dyed fibers. We received a whole box full of Oliver Twist Threads. Oliver Twist threads are cotton threads, hand dyed by an artist in England. They come on spools for hand quilting or in hanks for machine embellishment or  hand work. Nice subtle colors..

Also, we got another box of hand dyed threads from Farm Fresh textiles. No one ever accused Cherie Eklow of being subtle. Her colors are wild and exciting. She uses a variety of exotic threads, like fiber made from soy beans or banana peels, as well as silk and cotton.

So no matter your taste we have some great hand-dyed threads for you.

June's project is an embellished silk Purse. Complete directions are included. You will learn how to couch the yarns and do bobbin work. Details here

 About our Fur babies

Announcing a New Forum

OK, I will admit it, my kids grew up and moved away and had their own kids. I was left with the family pets. I love my 10 grandchildren and thoroughly enjoy my time with them, but it is not the same as being a full time mother, so the animals became my full time mothering job. As those animals passed over the rainbow bridge, new ones came into our lives. Now we are at a point where we have 3 elderly dogs and are dreading the inevitable parting.

My pets usually grow to unusually old ages. My last 2 cats were 22 (or 24) and 21 when they died.  My last retriever dog was a month short of 16. The cats were part of the left over generation and I said no more cats. A new cat would outlive me. Every time a dog dies, I say I cannot go through it again, but sooner or later I do. I always mean to make a memorial quilt to my dear departed friend, but sometimes it is too painful. So this time, I made the quilt of our 3 dogs while we still have them. I love the result. The light colored dog is blind, thus the white eyes. We got all of our dogs except the Golden Retriever through animal rescue programs.

About the cat. One morning I woke up and told my husband that I was going to go find a cat. I had not thought I wanted another cat. I think Oliver was calling me. I was looking for a cat whose owner had to go to an assisted living situation or died, an older cat. I walked into my third PetSmart where they said they had several cats like what I was looking for in the Adoption Room. I even walked past 25 little kitties. When I walked into the room, this big cat said Meow, like he was waiting for me and reached out and grabbed my arm. I told the volunteer, that the big cat just chose me. He came home with me and has followed me everywhere ever since. He even loves the dogs. Below he is helping me quilt. I named him Oliver as my grandson had just played the part of Oliver in a community play. He is known as Ollie, Ollie, Ollie. He is 5 years old.

So you can see my empty nest is filled.

My  "Around the Dog" quilt. The pattern is Around the World, it is made completely out of dog motif fabrics. A lot of fun to make and to finally use the special fabrics I was collecting.

My husband and our girls.

You will find the link on our home page.

Coming Next Week

We also replenished our green pen supply.

Dear Aunt Lil

Another Hint From Diane

Question : I sew from 8 -9 hours on the weekend. Do I have to clean every weekend?

Answer from Aunt Lil:

Dear Sewing Lady,

If you are sewing dark, thick drapes, I guess you could get away with cleaning about every 4 weeks or so as if they are thick enough and dark enough, you won’t see any dust. You won’t see the daylight either but on the other hand, if you are sewing clothes, imagine what your laundry load will be like even before you can get to wear anything you are sewing! Of course, I am not an expert on sewing as my hems are not always straight and the buttons are stubborn little things and simply do not stay on! Perhaps you consider that mending not sewing? You might want to look around your neighborhood for the local “cleaning expert” such as the well known Mrs. Nevermessy. You may have met her, as she’s known for her signature earrings---the ones shaped like miniature dust pans?

Have fun and if things get too much to cope with, just take a nap, which always puts a new light on things!

This was an actual question on an email list. It turned out she what she really meant was did she have to clean her bobbin area every weekend. The answer to that one is yes. It is a good habit to get into to clean your bobbin area before every major sewing session. Some machines need to be oiled this often too. Use a stiff brush for cleaning out the areas around the bobbin case, followed by a little oil on a Q-tip to pick up the extra lint.

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