Front Load Washers & Homespuns or Hand Dyes - NOT GOOD!

Blue Kindle 3 Cover

(Gorgeous new fabric line of hand dyes in aqua, teal and Mediterranean blue.  Also comes in magenta, red and purple. Couldn't resist making Kindle covers out of these.)

 I had a nightmare for a time surrounding my new front load washer.  I have never had a problem with fabrics bleeding as I am meticulous about washing fabrics before I work with them - particularly homespuns. 

However I learned a valuable lesson this past week that I'd like to pass along.

While all the fabrics I was working with were pre-washed, I had a blue nightmare when I washed the tops for the two baby quilts I have been working on.  Because front loaders are particularly "water" efficient - they use very little water.  And although all fabrics had been prewashed - the blue dye in the homespuns still bled out (as expected) - HOWEVER.... due to the lack of water volume in my front loader, decided to redeposit into the white fabric centering the nine patch blocks I used, as well as the white border. ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? 



Peace Sign Market Tote

 I have made these same quilts at least 3 or 4 times with absolutely no problem (using my old top load tub washer).  I was shocked and horrified. All of those hours upon hours of piecing and quilting.  Sheesh.  NOT a good week.   But with lessons learned and a fresh outlook unearthed - it's time to forge on. At first I had sworn never to make another homespun quilt again - but I just can't do that as the liquidity of those fabrics make for the most delicious quilts.  One bad (scratch that.... HORRIBLE) experience can not destroy the love I have for homespuns.  We just have to re-evaluate our relationship - and reassert that I am the BOSS and I will not be defeated. End of story.

NOTE TO SELF: Hand wash quilts made with homespuns in a tub FULL of cold water (at least twice) prior to washing in the machine - in SYNTHRAPOL.

UPDATE:  Thank you to all of those who commented with suggestions and sympathy!  Since posting this piece, I have ordered THREE containers of Synthrapol!

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night...

Take these broken
wings and learn
to fly
All your life,
YOU were only waiting
for this moment
to arise.

Sail Away......

In a Sea
of Blue....

Once again I find myself surround by a sea of blues and greens - both nautical baby quilts - one a sailboat and one a whale.   I so love working on these nautical baby quilts.  The colors are gorgeous and I love working with homespun linens.  They are very "liquid" and have such a lovely hand to them. Nautical baby items are very in right now and I can't keep these in the shop. If interested,  you can click  here to see any that are available in my Etsy shop.

Quality  tools really make a difference when working in the studio.  I treasure (and so appreciate)  my "good" shears, sharp silk pins and super thin, durable european needles.  I really do. They make stitching such a pleasure.  I don't indulge in frivolous items very often - but as  afterthought -  I picked up this charming handmade pin cushion at the Mid-Atlantic. It's got a little needled sharpener on top made with an acorn cap and the body of the cushion is filled with some type of shaved and dried conifer bark - it smells so good.  It's constructed with upholstery scraps and is really very cute and durable.  I could have probably made something like this myself - but who's got the time. I also bought the little needle vile up in the top picture (yellow and blue) at that show.  Love that, too!  Also, very useful.

What's on your worktable today?  On mine - two baby quilts, three bookstyle Kindle Covers, two envelope style Kindle covers, my Sketchbook and some bits of hand dyed wool.  It should be a productive weekend!

Next weekend we are heading out for our first boating trip of the season to the Outer Banks - no matter what the weather.... we're going!   

Book Style Kindle & Nook Covers and TWO Commissioned Baby Quilts.....

It's been a busy few weeks in the studio!  Finally found  some time in the studio over the last few weeks - which is a good thing because I needed to finish up 5 special order Kindle & Nook Covers,  and  get started on TWO commissioned nautical baby quilts.  Both of which  are due the first week in April.

 I'm really excited about my new line of Kindle & Nook Covers - that are now in book format with a pocket inside and feature a one of a kind art square on the cover.  So cool. I have been working on creating a pattern that I liked with just the right amount of protection - without bulk squares are featured nicely on the tab.  I have been on a buying frenzy - searching out bold summery batiks and embellishments for these covers - to make them unique and special.  I have my K2 in one of them right now.  My K3 is in a leather cover chillin inside of one of my tooled leather look envelope covers.   Click HERE to see covers just listed.

What's on your worktable today?   Aside from my comissioned baby quilts - I have my Studio Journal on mine.   I had signed up for Sharon B's Studio Journal class and while I have read all of the Lessons cover to cover, organized the supplies and sketched out a few pages - I have not had any spare time to devote to the class until now.  Today I plan on working a bit on my journal in between rows of aqua marine patchwork!

Gizmo......

....is very possessive of HIS Jeep.