Hobby Thread - March 15, 2025 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread.

We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin. Turns out, the Wheel is fond of fabric. It said QUILTING. It wasn't done though. It also said that quilting skills often get shared and passed down from others, so we should honor those who taught us hobbying or skills (not just quilting).

[Photo: Fabric of the Air Force Quilt, National Museum of the US Air Force, Dayton, Ohio]

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The Wheel of Hobbies sounds a lot like fd and Ben Had:

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Top photo: A giant quilt hangs in the National Museum of the US Air Force. It was created to honor the 50th anniversary of the Air Force in 1997. All 85 Air Force installations at the time worldwide responded to participate in the project. It contains 100 hand made squares. Each installation provided a 16 by 16 inch square reflecting its mission. If you were wondering why a quilt square shows an F-117 Nighthawk, now you know.

Here is the full article:

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Let's be honest. A dinosaur with a tiny brain and small arms is not well suited to quilting. But TRex is impressed with anything he can't do. TRex is also now even more impressed knowing that quilts can include stealth bombers.

Need some help from the Horde on quilting. Favorite projects? Materials? Groups? Traditional hand sewing or sewing machine? Do you have a giant pile of material scraps just waiting for the right project? Do you hide your initials or signature in a completed quilt?

Are there unwritten rules in the culture of quilting?

Does anyone collect quilts? Do you have a favorite that was handed down from an ancestor?

Does anyone collect sewing machines or equipment?

The premise of this post is that quilting is a shared activity. Someone likely showed you how to sew and an experienced quilter likely showed you how to assemble a quilt. Do you have someone in your past that showed you the way? Quilting itself is often a group project in the form of a sewing bee or quilting bee.

Many Hordelings have skills and knowledge that was passed down. Those could be quilting but skills could be life skills, professional skills, or hobbying skills. Could be a parent but does not have to be. We often learn best from people that don't come with the additional duties of being a parent. Do you have stories of learning something from a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, neighbor, etc.? Does not need to be limited to quilting.

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What are you hobbying these days? As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Your participation does not need to limited to the theme. All hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls. Pants, as always, are optional.

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I have never seen this many sewing machines in one place:

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Jenny says this is the Ultimate Quilt Binding tutorial and binding is a skill that every quilter should know. Jenny and 5.3 million viewers would not lie, right?

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Apparently ladies involved in quilting are VERY well endowed. Didn't think about quilting extending to bras, but these look to offer impressive support with style.

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A somewhat related derivative to quilting is barn quilts. If you like quilt patterns, why not put a square on the side of your barn?

Some rural communities come together to display their quilts as part of the American Barn Quilt Trail. The first quilt trail was established in Adams County, Ohio in 2001. A short driving tour shows off the artwork for curious tourists.

The Timeless Art of Barn Quilts: How to Pick the Perfect Pattern for Your Home or Barn

A Brief History of American Barn Quilts

Iowa's Barn Quilt County Capital: Washington, Iowa

Does anyone have a quilt pattern on their house or barn?

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Mandatory tools for the quilter?

Cutting mat? Rotary cutter? Ruler? Seam ripper? Tiny scissors? Iron?

Quilting Tools 101 (aka, the must haves, the very useful to haves and the nice to haves)

My Favorite Quilting Supplies

Apparently there are all kinds of different threads too. Who knew?

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Is this the kind of quilt supply storage that only exists in magazines?

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Random hobbying in a quitly and crafty sort of way:

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week with a theme of road trips and scenic drives? The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Guten Abend!

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different theme next time. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things but do not stab yourself with a needle. AoSHQ medical coverage does not cover quilting accidents.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at March 15, 2025 05:31 PM (fwDg9)

2 A lot of hobby content today! Thanks TRex.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at March 15, 2025 05:32 PM (muwun)

3 My mom and aunt are the quilters.

Posted by: Skip at March 15, 2025 05:33 PM (fwDg9)

4 2 A lot of hobby content today! Thanks TRex.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at March 15, 2025 05:32 PM
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Thanks counselor!

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

5 I made each of my babies a quilt, and one for my niece and nephew. Those are the only ones I've ever made. I have most of a queen-sized top that I've been "working on" for a good 20 years. I might finish it someday.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 05:37 PM (OX9vb)

6 Howdy, Hobby people,

My mother had a classic Singer sewing machine and used it to make me a Batman costume, a couple of years before the TV show premiered. Nobody when I went trick-or-treating that year knew who I was. My brother wore the outfit two years later, 1966, and was a big hit.

Mom pretty much gave up sewing a few years after that, and she draped the wooden case with a nice tablecloth and it became a sleeping spot for our cats.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 15, 2025 05:37 PM (omVj0)

7 In hobby news, I finished my animation project. I don't have any solid ideas for a "Part Two" so who knows.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 15, 2025 05:39 PM (CHHv1)

8 My aunt has some kind of special quilting machine, but I couldn't tell you what it is or does.

Posted by: Skip i at March 15, 2025 05:40 PM (fwDg9)

9 There was a quilting store in one of the Denver neighborhood shopping sections. Denver proper has, or had, this deal where you'd be driving along a quiet residential street, and suddenly for two blocks there were businesses -- coffee shop, a restaurant, a bar, an antique store or bookstore -- and then residences took over again. I always wanted to live in a neighborhood like that.

There is a quilting or yarn supply store down the main avenue from me here in a strip shopping center. It's next to an Anytime Fitness, and with a local tavern on the other side.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 15, 2025 05:42 PM (omVj0)

10 Thanks TRex! Top 10?

Posted by: jayhawkone at March 15, 2025 05:42 PM (9rPx3)

11 I have inherited some nice quilts, and can appreciate the time and skill it took to make them. Sewing on a button and mending a torn seam is the limit of my sewing abilities.

Some friends of mine are mad about quilting. Their sewing room looks like the picture above.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 05:42 PM (i/l90)

12 I love to quilt. I began with hand quilting, then my husband bought a fancy sewing machine for me and transformed my life. It started a quilting frenzy. After we moved into the rv, I gave my machine to my daughter and gave up quilting because of space. I cross stitch and crochet but I miss quilting.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 05:45 PM (wCr+o)

13 I love quilts and admire the folks who make them. I have the one that was on GranMammy Eromero’s bed when she passed away in 27.

Posted by: Eromero at March 15, 2025 05:47 PM (LHPAg)

14 7 In hobby news, I finished my animation project. I don't have any solid ideas for a "Part Two" so who knows.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 15, 2025 05:39 PM
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Congrats! Is it on the YouTube?

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:47 PM (IQ6Gq)

15 10 Thanks TRex! Top 10?

Posted by: jayhawkone at March 15, 2025 05:42 PM
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Just!

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:48 PM (IQ6Gq)

16 I truly admire the talent it takes to produce a quilt. Picking a pattern and the ability to keep the fabric taut and square is a hard job.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 05:49 PM (j6NlC)

17 Well, you hit the jackpot today. From a quilting friend: "It's national quilting day! I am so honored to be part of the quilting community. Quilts are my art form. The satisfaction of finishing a quilt is fulfilling to me as a creator. It is my way of giving love to someone. All of my kids and grandkids have a quilt from me, as well as my siblings and many others who I love. I tell them the quilt is a hug from me every time they use it. And when I'm gone, I'll have left behind a little piece of love.
Each quilt has a story, too, unique from any other.
I also make quilts for charity."

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 05:51 PM (xekrU)

18 Thanks TRex! Top 10?
Posted by: jayhawkone at March 15, 2025 05:42 PM
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Just!
Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:48 PM (IQ6Gq)

A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse!

Posted by: jayhawkone at March 15, 2025 05:54 PM (9rPx3)

19 KT, what a beautiful way to express the joy of quilting.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 05:55 PM (j6NlC)

20 17 Well, you hit the jackpot today. From a quilting friend: "It's national quilting day!

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 05:51 PM
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The Wheel of Hobbies knows all.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:55 PM (IQ6Gq)

21 Furthermore, one of my aunts had a quilting machine, and my Mom had an over-edger which could finish hand-quilted quilts.

If you didn't want to get the gang together to quilt around a frame, you could concentrate on piecing the quilt, then quilting the top and bottom together on the big machine.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 05:55 PM (xekrU)

22 18 A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse!

Posted by: jayhawkone at March 15, 2025 05:54 PM
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You've got a point. Can't argue with that logic.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:57 PM (IQ6Gq)

23 I made a quilt top for my little sister with 12 panels of cross-stitched flowers (they were all in a booklet with that as the ultimate goal). I made it for her college graduation, but once the top was assembled, doing the quilting was quite a daunting task.

Paul's grandmother quilted, so a few years later - with daughter #1 in tow - I journeyed down to her house, where she had set up a big quilting frame in her living room.

I had done some of the quilting already on each individual assembled square, so all we had to do was quilt the joining strips and the border. I found a pretty pattern for the stitching parts, so it took us about a week to complete the rest of the quilt.

She had a girl who came in from the county aging services, and she helped us. I got to hear all of the nefarious plots of her favorite "stories" (soap operas) that she watched every day. The Young and the Restless was her favorite 😂

When my sister passed away in 2012, I got the quilt back. It is now on the bed in our guest room, and I have already promised it to daughter #3 and her husband in lieu of a big cross-stitch wedding sampler. They were both very honored that I wanted to give that to them!

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Plucky Comic Relief, AoS Ladies Brigade - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at March 15, 2025 05:57 PM (SRRAx)

24 Ben Had at March 15, 2025 05:55 PM

My friend goes to quilting retreats with other quilters. They have a good time. Sometimes they finish the quilts on a big on-site quilting machine, sometimes they gather around a quilting frame.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 05:57 PM (xekrU)

25 Evening, Hobby Folken. Spent the day "logging" at Osprey's place in Saluda. Winched an already-cut log from a large fallen oak tree up from the dam spillway to the parking area. Very heavy wood, it is. And wet! The little Chinesium chainsaw ran fine, but the chain must have been badly made, since it continually wants to cut in arc to the left. Cutting through a log more than 2 feet in diameter was a real chore, and the cut deflected about 15 degrees. I did not try any more cuts on these big logs, but did manage to clear some smaller deadfall from a small cat road, so his contractor can bring in a trackhoe to pull the upper part of the fallen oak out of the pond.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 15, 2025 05:58 PM (MqtqS)

26 It amazes me that people can sew something as big as a quilt, even a small one, and have it look so good. I'm about at the stage where I can sew a button back onto a shirt or a pair of pants. And I'm not sure I'm doing that right, meaning, well enough so that the repair lasts.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 15, 2025 05:58 PM (omVj0)

27 21 Furthermore, one of my aunts had a quilting machine, and my Mom had an over-edger which could finish hand-quilted quilts.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 05:55 PM
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My knowledge is limited to say the least, but I've never heard of a quilting machine.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 05:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

28 Wow, Teresa, I bet that's beautiful. Would love to see a picture of it!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 05:59 PM (OX9vb)

29 Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Plucky Comic Relief, AoS Ladies Brigade - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at March 15, 2025 05:57 PM
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{waves vigorously to Teresa}

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

30 Dad made a barn quilt for Mom. It's about 4 ft. square and hangs on their little storage barn. I keep thinking making a barn quilt would be a fun project for Hubby and I to do together. He could put it together, and I would paint it. We have a perfect place for one on the shed.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 06:00 PM (i/l90)

31 25 Evening, Hobby Folken. Spent the day "logging" at Osprey's place in Saluda.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at March 15, 2025 05:58 PM
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Good evening Sir. Sounds like you're doing a lot of helping Morons on your trip. Well done.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

32 One of my aunts sets up a quilting frame with a quilt ready to tie with yarn (not stitch - takes too long) at wedding or baby showers instead of playing stupid games typical of such gatherings. Then she finishes the edges of the quilt after the party.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 06:02 PM (xekrU)

33 The severe weather here has pretty much affected the northern shore of the lake, not here. No rain that I've seen, but lots of wind blowing humid, warm air and leaves around. We might see some showers in a little while.

Supposedly it will be less humid and less hot tomorrow.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 15, 2025 06:02 PM (omVj0)

34 26 I'm about at the stage where I can sew a button back onto a shirt or a pair of pants.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 15, 2025 05:58 PM
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Worry about the shirt before the pants. Pants are optional on the Hobby Thread.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

35 Cutting mat? Rotary cutter?

Band-Aids.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 15, 2025 06:05 PM (yRoFh)

36 TRex at March 15, 2025 05:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

Some quilting machines can now be programmed to do really intricate, fancy stitchwork. The quilter concentrates on piecing the top and bottom of the quilt together before the two sides are quilted together.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 06:06 PM (xekrU)

37 36 Some quilting machines can now be programmed to do really intricate, fancy stitchwork.

Posted by: KT at March 15, 2025 06:06 PM
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Seems like cheating. Do quilting machines offend the purist quilters or do they know machines are just a different thing?

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

38 I have one of the large sewing machines. I used it to repair horse blankets when they were made out of canvas.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:09 PM (j6NlC)

39 My stepmother has a quilting machine. I should just finish piecing this top, and ask her to quilt it for me.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 06:09 PM (OX9vb)

40 Some quilting machines can now be programmed to do really intricate, fancy stitchwork.

Like with many other things, technology has made it easier, more efficient, and more accessible. And less of an art.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 15, 2025 06:10 PM (yRoFh)

41 13 I love quilts and admire the folks who make them. I have the one that was on GranMammy Eromero’s bed when she passed away in 27.

Posted by: Eromero at March 15, 2025 05:47 PM
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What a treasure. Good evening, Sir.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

42 28 Wow, Teresa, I bet that's beautiful. Would love to see a picture of it!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 05:59 PM (OX9vb)

If I could figure out how to get images from my phone into a postable format, I would post them here!

If anyone would be willing to do that for me, let me know - teresa.hamilton.koch at the gmail thingie. I can send the images over the phone -

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Plucky Comic Relief, AoS Ladies Brigade - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at March 15, 2025 06:10 PM (SRRAx)

43 Not hobby-related, but storm-related: for our friends who are weathering the big storm system in the Midwest and the South.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Gospel according to Mark, chapter 4, King James Version

Posted by: Beverly at March 15, 2025 06:10 PM (Epeb0)

44 I'm at a vintage RV rally with my dad. Lots of other mentors here too. Some of these guys are over 80 and we are losing them, and their knowledge, too quickly. You can learn a lot from a bunch of old guys standing around looking into an open engine compartment.

Posted by: fd at March 15, 2025 06:11 PM (GhQvH)

45 You have a big industrial machine, Ben Had? That would be so great. Can sew canvas, leather, any heavy materials.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 06:12 PM (OX9vb)

46 If you make your significant other drive you to another town to get quilting materials, would that be putting a "quilt trip" on them?

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 15, 2025 06:13 PM (CHHv1)

47 We want to see your animation, BC. Do you have a link?

Posted by: fd at March 15, 2025 06:14 PM (GhQvH)

48 Open offer - send me photos of your favorite quilts or quilting projects and I'll include them on next week's Hobby Thread. Include a sentence or two of description.

Email address in the nic and at the bottom of the thread content.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:14 PM (IQ6Gq)

49 46 If you make your significant other drive you to another town to get quilting materials, would that be putting a "quilt trip" on them?

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 15, 2025 06:13 PM
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Ha! I see what you did there.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

50 Like with many other things, technology has made it easier, more efficient, and more accessible. And less of an art.
Posted by: Oddbob at March 15, 2025 06:10 PM (yRoFh)

Depends. Most of the art is in the piecing--the color arrays, the patterns, and the like. Hand stitching can be very artful, but machine stitching doesn't take away from the art of the top.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 06:17 PM (OX9vb)

51 I come from a long line of quilters, on both sides, but I just don't have the patience for it. The closest I come is telling my nieces and nephews that if they save the baby quilts my aunts make, I will make a Christmas stocking from them.

I have many beautiful quotes, my favorites probably being the ones my Aunt Belle made. She was also a lifted embroidered, and made me a quilt with panels of each state flower, and then one with each state bird.

All hand done, no machine quilting.

Truly a treasure and I grab them when we get tornado warnings!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:17 PM (Vvh2V)

52 Dash, yes. It's an amazing piece of machinery.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:17 PM (j6NlC)

53 Good lord. Quilts, not quotes, and Aunt Belle was a gifted embroideress.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:19 PM (Vvh2V)

54 53 Good lord. Quilts, not quotes, and Aunt Belle was a gifted embroideress.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:19 PM
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The glitches add character. Just like a handmade quilt.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:20 PM (IQ6Gq)

55 48 Open offer - send me photos of your favorite quilts or quilting projects and I'll include them on next week's Hobby Thread. Include a sentence or two of description.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:14 PM
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One entry already received - and it is lovely!

Anyone else?

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:22 PM (IQ6Gq)

56 KT - can you send me an email? Thx

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:22 PM (IQ6Gq)

57 Mom's a quilter. She had a long arm quilter, too. Her fabric supply is huge, more than she can ever use.
And a mess.
She made us a Jamiacan flag quilt as a wedding present.

Posted by: Accomack at March 15, 2025 06:24 PM (oERdd)

58 Teresa, I am forever in awe of your talent for needle work and knitting so there is no doubt how beautiful your quilts are.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:26 PM (j6NlC)

59 I would love to learn to quilt...even have a machine ready to go....but no "mentor" to teach me. Will have to find a local store and see if someone there can help me.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:26 PM (IQ6Gq)

60 My wife is a quilter, I dabble in the older machines as a result.

That White in solid bronze is an amazing machine. The condition is perfect.

I got a White Rotary, a little newer than that style, for $5 at a thrift store. Basically only required a good deep cleaning and a new electrical cord to refurbish.

Amazingly nice stitch on that machine. Straight stitch only in that era, but the various attachments showcase how much engineering went into these old machines.

Posted by: PMRich at March 15, 2025 06:30 PM (eh5ud)

61 Grateful, youtube is your friend!

Ben Had, I think an entire Hobby Thread could be devoted to Teresa's handiwork!

Beckoning Chadm had a youtube channel and a blog. He would undoubtedly enjoy some views!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:31 PM (Vvh2V)

62 Grateful, start with putting some pieces together and then find a mentor. Having a piece to look at will give them a point to reference.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:32 PM (j6NlC)

63 Posted by: Accomack at March 15, 2025 06:24 PM (oERdd)

That sounds epic!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:32 PM (Vvh2V)

64 My grandmother made her grandkids afghans. Is that... "quilting" or something else... like knitting? I think it's like quilting... they're made out of squares.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 15, 2025 06:33 PM (Q4IgG)

65 Thanks Ta-T, then youtube it will be! I have no idea why I didn't think of that since I use it for so many other things.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:33 PM (IQ6Gq)

66 That reminds me, this year the Rim Country Quilt Roundup is back. It happens once every other year in November. I've been voluntold to help set up for the last two. Big show, lots of quilts, lots of work to set up and tear down.

No, I will not have an entry nor do I quilt or sew.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at March 15, 2025 06:33 PM (lUFok)

67 62 Grateful, start with putting some pieces together and then find a mentor. Having a piece to look at will give them a point to reference.
Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:32 PM (j6NlC)

And check the bulletin board at the library or the grocery store, there may be a quilting group near you that would love to have a new member.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 06:34 PM (OX9vb)

68 My grandmother made her grandkids afghans. Is that... "quilting" or something else... like knitting? I think it's like quilting... they're made out of squares.
**********
If they are what I think they are, they are probably crocheted granny squares.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

69 Granny square afghans. That is crochet. My Grandma taught me how to make one of those.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 06:37 PM (i/l90)

70 AOP, you are certainly one person who would have NO difficulty listing 5 things you did last week. On any given week. One very busy man.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

71 59 I would love to learn to quilt...even have a machine ready to go....but no "mentor" to teach me.

My wife follows several YouTubers that freely share their methods . Also look around for any quilter guilds.

Posted by: PMRich at March 15, 2025 06:38 PM (eh5ud)

72 Since I am way over 29, and no grandkids, I've started using my fabric stash to make quilts for cousins and their kids, and eventually their grandkids I hope. Just small lap quilts, table runners, etc. They may be a little puzzled when one shows up, but maybe they will like it, or regift it to someone who does.

I TRY not to buy new fabric and just use what I have. But sometimes you just know if you had a certain kind it would make it perfect! And off to the quilt shop I go.

Posted by: skywch at March 15, 2025 06:38 PM (uqhmb)

73 Now, crocheted afghans I can make. Started with granny squares and progressed to all types and styles - and all sizes. I find crocheting and counted cross stitch very relaxing.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

74 But in no way am I in Teresa's class...she is the queen of crocheted afghans

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:40 PM (IQ6Gq)

75 One of my buddies from church has a quilt made from Harley Davidson t-shirts. It's pretty wild, as he's been to most of the HD dealerships represented by the shirts.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 15, 2025 06:41 PM (7fElN)

76 75 One of my buddies from church has a quilt made from Harley Davidson t-shirts. It's pretty wild, as he's been to most of the HD dealerships represented by the shirts.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 15, 2025 06:41 PM
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Born to be Wild!

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

77 Do you quilters use muslin on the back side of your pieces?

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:42 PM (j6NlC)

78 A quilt story:

My Mom made prayer quilts at a small little Independent Methodist church in Ajax Louisiana.
Just 5 or 6 ladies taking scraps from Joanns and Walmarts with some store bought batting and a solid color. They would make squares, patch them together, and then sew them to the solid backing. They were then batted and prepared to be sent off to family, friends, sailors, soldiers, and those in need of a little extra help.
Sunday morning usually before the sermon the quilt(s) were brought down to the first pew. The pianist would play a soft song and members of the church would come to front and tie off the quilting knots. The thread had been looped and half-hitched, but not tied completely. Member came and prayed for a person, called by Name, called by disease or issue, and called for needs.
At Mom's funeral 3 years ago we knew she had helped make over 500 quilts.
The preacher that gave her eulogy said it was now over 700.
At a small church, on a small road, with a small congregation, they decided to pray for real people.

Amen

Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM (gbOdA)

79 I like to crochet pot holders. They are easy to make and beyond the first chain, I don't have to count or change yarn.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 06:46 PM (i/l90)

80 Ben Had, it's more fun to use a coordinating print or solid. You can even buy wide fabrics that will back a large quilt with no seam.

Posted by: skywch at March 15, 2025 06:46 PM (uqhmb)

81 At a small church, on a small road, with a small congregation, they decided to pray for real people.

Amen
Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM (gbOdA)
Amen indeed.

Posted by: Eromero at March 15, 2025 06:47 PM (LHPAg)

82 > One of my buddies from church has a quilt made from Harley Davidson t-shirts. It's pretty wild, as he's been to most of the HD dealerships represented by the shirts.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 15, 2025 06:41 PM
***
Born to be Wild!
Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:42 PM (IQ6Gq)
------------
These days.... more like "born to be mild." Not one Harley rider around here is younger than... 70. And they've got handicapped placards. Which unto itself is laughable.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 15, 2025 06:47 PM (Q4IgG)

83 The Amish do a lot of amazing quilting.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 15, 2025 06:47 PM (RIvkX)

84 Yep, good old granny square afghans! My mama loved crochet, and had a beautiful tight...stiitch? Not sure what the word is. She was more apt to do other patterns than granny squares, though. She was known for her baby blankets and bridal throws, but she had a pattern that I'll call a flame stitch that was often requested, too.

Crocheted baby blankets don't translate well to Christmas stockings, unfortunately. A pretty hood representation of our relationship. 😂 A constant, futile effort to find common ground. We love each other very much, but have nothing in common. I am my father made over, and her complete opposite. C'est la Vie!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:49 PM (Vvh2V)

85 At a small church, on a small road, with a small congregation, they decided to pray for real people.

Amen
Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM (gbOdA)
Amen indeed.
*************
I simply love this story, thank you so much for sharing it.

And Mr E, I love that you have GranMammy E's quilt. That is so precious.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

86 Probably the most valuable skill passed down in the family was from my grandfather. He taught all his grandkids safety with power tools and how to use them. It might be an electric drill or drill press or, most importantly, using a power saw safely. The things he taught me as a kid have stayed with me and been useful all these years. I've never injured myself using power tools. The one injury came from changing blades on an unplugged table saw. That required a few stitches. The family joke is I would have been safer if it was running.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 06:49 PM (yTvNw)

87 rhennigantx, that is a sweet story. What a blessing that little church was.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 06:49 PM (i/l90)

88 I am crocheting a German shells afghan with #10 thread. I have every color i could find and am changing colors every 4 rows. It's turning out very nice. I enjoy crocheting with thread. My grandma was from Ireland and she made beautiful lace tablecloths and dailies and curtains with such thin thread. My eyes can't do that.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 06:49 PM (wCr+o)

89 78 At Mom's funeral 3 years ago we knew she had helped make over 500 quilts.
The preacher that gave her eulogy said it was now over 700.
At a small church, on a small road, with a small congregation, they decided to pray for real people.

Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM
***
Think we've found a post of the week.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 06:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

90 Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM (gbOdA)

And now I am crying. Thank you for sharing that. You must miss her dreadfully.

Nice to see you, by the way!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at March 15, 2025 06:51 PM (Vvh2V)

91 I have a friend that made crocheted snowflakes as Christmas ornaments. Gorgeous

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 06:51 PM (j6NlC)

92 Here is what I put in Mom's Obit.

In September 2006, she helped found the Beulah United Methodist Church Prayers and Squares Ministry. That ministry continued when she moved to the Bethel Congregational Methodist Church. The Prayer and Squares Ministry served those who were sick or recovering from surgery or injury. The ministry handmade over 1500 prayer quilts and Rose Ann touched every one of these. She cut, pinned, hemmed, tacked, washed, and delivered the quilts. The final step for each quilt was the congregations’ members tacked the quilt while praying over each thread when it was tied. The Prayers and Squares Ministry was her calling from God; to use her talents and time to support and care for others during their greatest times of need.

PS it is now over 2000.

Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:53 PM (gbOdA)

93 Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM

I am so in awe of that. How truly amazing. I hope they are loved forever by the people that have them. They are priceless.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 06:54 PM (wCr+o)

94 Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM (gbOdA)

What a lovely story of the artistry of guilts, the prayerful guilting ladies and their connection and the nice service around the work. Thanks so much!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 15, 2025 06:54 PM (B+L5B)

95 I just realized I have to go out to get a Valentine for somebody Special.

Posted by: Eromero at March 15, 2025 06:57 PM (LHPAg)

96 Megthered, I am not familiar with a German shells afghan, much less with thread. So I looked it up online, and it's beautiful. I had a Grandmother I never met who was very talented with cooking and needleworks. My uncle felt my "talents" were genetic from her, so I really wished I could have learned from her. How did I learn? During Nursing school, a group of us in our Maternity rotation decided to teach ourselves as we waited for the babies to arrive!

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 06:57 PM (IQ6Gq)

97 TRex,

Thanks for including all those videos, especially on the treadle sewing machines. We inherited one in its cabinet and with all the accessories that supposedly was used to make items for the troops during the Spanish American War. It is the right age. And while I don't know how to use it, it does still work perfectly. If I ever try it would be to make leather items for muzzleloader shooting and it has the leather needles to do so. One problem is it was not designed to be use by someone well over six feet tall. (Another reason I'm convinced the world was made for underweight Munchkins.)

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 06:59 PM (yTvNw)

98 Bob's Burgers has a funny episode on quilting.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at March 15, 2025 07:00 PM (VofaG)

99 Amen
Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 06:44 PM (gbOdA)
===

b"h

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 15, 2025 07:03 PM (RIvkX)

100 97 Thanks for including all those videos, especially on the treadle sewing machines.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 06:59 PM
***
Thanks for letting me know. Always a guess what video content the Horde will find interesting.

Good luck learning how to use your munchkin vintage machine.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 07:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

101 Megthered, it sounds beautiful!

Did you ever do your white angora blanket? You mentioned that awhile back and I always wondered.

Posted by: skywch at March 15, 2025 07:06 PM (uqhmb)

102 I'll get one sent tonight yet, TRex.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at March 15, 2025 07:06 PM (Eo96p)

103 Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady

My grandmother taught me how to crochetand i always loved it. My mother knitted and I have taught my daughters how to crochet. They are so much better than me, but they still call for advice on colors and patterns. They have taught their girls now so it's continuing.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 07:06 PM (wCr+o)

104 Related kinda to quilting is using a loom. If I had time to try every thing I would like to try,weaving would be it.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:07 PM (j6NlC)

105 59 Grateful - the range bag lady

Grateful, there are lots of youtube videos with great step by step teaching, and there are very good and not expensive how-to books available. It really isn't hard to get started. You don't have to have all the accessories, but you do want a rotary cutter, a good mat and a large quilting ruler.
Start by making a simple quilt of all squares, 6 inches, say, and you'll be surprised how easy and quickly a nice picnic blanket or throw comes together.
And it doesn't have to be perfect.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at March 15, 2025 07:11 PM (Eo96p)

106 105/ Thank you, I will absolutely be following up on these suggestions.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 07:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

107 skywch at March 15, 2025 07:06 PM

No, I didn't because my daughter wanted to do it. She thinks it will be done when we visit in June. I started my thread afghan instead. I finished my interlocking columns crochet afghan and it turned out great.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 07:13 PM (wCr+o)

108 I took a weaving class in college. I loved it! If I had room for a loom, I'd get one.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 15, 2025 07:13 PM (OX9vb)

109 Dash, one thing about it is does take up.less room than a quilting frame.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:15 PM (j6NlC)

110 So many things to create and learn, and so little time! I need more hours in the day!

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 07:18 PM (IQ6Gq)

111 Geek alert: I fabricated a common (current) mode choke to place on my coax cable feeding my doublet ham radio antenna this morning. I used a mix 31 ferrite toroid and wrapped 10 turns of the cable around the choke. It has reduced ambient noise by about 4-5db and it seems to have no affect of transmitted or received signals. I'm so excited to get rid of the static from my awful neighbors Koi pond heater. Lowlife bastard.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at March 15, 2025 07:18 PM (/U5Yz)

112 rhennigantx

What a wonderful ministry that church has. People often equate ministry with what a pastor or trained people do. But it's the small things that add up. Prayer, caring, meeting real needs, even as simple as a casserole to a family in need.
Thanks for sharing about your mom.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at March 15, 2025 07:19 PM (Eo96p)

113 Grateful, Amen to that. The excitement of learning something new.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:20 PM (j6NlC)

114 My grandmother was a trained seamstress in Vienna. When she married Grandpa, one of the first things he purchased for her was one of black Singers with the foot treadle. She still had it until they moved from the farm.

Posted by: mrp at March 15, 2025 07:21 PM (rj6Yv)

115 Meg @ 107, that's nice that you and daughter share that interest!

Posted by: skywch at March 15, 2025 07:21 PM (uqhmb)

116 Time to say thank you and good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for being here and talking hobbies. Y'all are a special group.

Remember - send photos of your quilts (or other hobbying) my way. Oh yes...hello to the lurkers!

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 07:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

117 I would like to learn the basics of quilting but on a small scale. Since most of my cooking is with cast iron, good pot holders are needed. (I don't like the silicone pieces that fit over the handles and I find oven mitts unwieldy.) They need to insulate well enough and be big enough. Commercial pot holders often don't fit the bill.

Learning to crochet would be to make dish cloths, ones that actually hold soapy water. Yeah, they are inexpensive but it would be a fun skill to acquire.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 07:23 PM (yTvNw)

118 I almost forgot to wish everyone a Happy National Quilting Day!

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 07:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

119
I'm so excited to get rid of the static from my awful neighbors Koi pond heater. Lowlife bastard.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

EVERYTHING generates noise these days.
I sometimes wish the transistor had never been invented.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at March 15, 2025 07:24 PM (63Dwl)

120 the treadle sewing machines

Trouble up t'mill. One o' t'crossbeams gone out'o skew on treadle.

Posted by: Scottish Mill Worker at March 15, 2025 07:25 PM (CHHv1)

121 TRex, Thank you.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:25 PM (j6NlC)

122 112 What a wonderful ministry that church has. People often equate ministry with what a pastor or trained people do. But it's the small things that add up. Prayer, caring, meeting real needs, even as simple as a casserole to a family in need.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at March 15, 2025 07:19 PM
***
Amen. Well said.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

123 My daughters and I laugh when we see the AI generatesd patterns and how complicated they are. They are really beautiful but no one could realistically finish one in a lifetime. We call them generational patterns because it would have to be passed down for future generations to finish them.

Also the people on reddit who show a beautiful perfect afghan they say they did. It was their very first project and only took a week. Probably a week to order it from Amazon.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 07:26 PM (wCr+o)

124 JTB,I can help you learn to crochet to make dish cloths...I understand that we are in the same state and located not that far from each other. Send me an email (in my nic) and we can make that happen!

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at March 15, 2025 07:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

125 BTW, treadle sewing machines are still made as well as some that are hand cranked. No electricity needed.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 07:28 PM (yTvNw)

126 The fetching Mrs Beartooth is a quilter. I converted one of the bigger bedrooms into her sewing room. Like any good quilter the room is overflowing with material and uncompleted quilts. She even has a "I break for Quilt Shops " license plate bracket.

At last count she 32 quilts behind on her to do list.

We go to quilt retreats in the PNW where she quilts and I usually work from the hotel room.

Posted by: Beartooth at March 15, 2025 07:30 PM (KC/UH)

127 Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 07:23 PM (yTvNw)

JTB, double-sided crochet potholders are easy to make and work great with cast iron skillets.

https://tinyurl.com/hz7brdh4

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 07:30 PM (i/l90)

128 Sewing... not knitting or crocheting, was a prerequisite in middle school.

Part of Home Economics.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 15, 2025 07:30 PM (Q4IgG)

129 Sewing... not knitting or crocheting, was a prerequisite in middle school.

Part of Home Economics.

It was for me, as well. The problem I had was my grandmother, a very talented seamstress, had taught me to sew before I got to middle school. Wouldn't you know that she didn't know a thing, and that everything I did in class was wrong? I hated that class.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at March 15, 2025 07:35 PM (Eo96p)

130 129 Sewing... not knitting or crocheting, was a prerequisite in middle school.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at March 15, 2025 07:35 PM
***
I took HomeEc too. Think my monkey pillow still exists somewhere. It would not win any ribbons at the fair. My problem was that I was a middle school boy and really wanted to be outside playing kickball or dodge ball. And I had no skills which didn't help either.

Posted by: TRex at March 15, 2025 07:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

131 Home Ec was a choice between sewing or cooking . I chose cooking.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:41 PM (j6NlC)

132 127 ... "JTB, double-sided crochet potholders are easy to make and work great with cast iron skillets.

https://tinyurl.com/hz7brdh4"

ScaryMary,

Thanks for the link and good to know such pot holders work well with cast iron.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 07:43 PM (yTvNw)

133 119
I'm so excited to get rid of the static from my awful neighbors Koi pond heater. Lowlife bastard.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

EVERYTHING generates noise these days.
I sometimes wish the transistor had never been invented.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr

I agree. This chum eater's pond thing must have a Chinee switch mode power supply or temperature sensing chip in it because it emits a hellacious noise cloud. I can here a block over.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at March 15, 2025 07:44 PM (/U5Yz)

134 Home Ec wasn't required when I was in school. I started cooking as a kid. Sewing...wish I had learned.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 07:44 PM (i/l90)

135 Thanks for the link and good to know such pot holders work well with cast iron.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 07:43 PM (yTvNw)

Happy crocheting! They are easy to learn. If I can do it, anyone could.

Posted by: ScaryMary at March 15, 2025 07:45 PM (i/l90)

136 I do dabble in sewing, repairing clothes

Posted by: Skip i at March 15, 2025 07:46 PM (fwDg9)

137 124 ... Grateful, Thanks for the offer. Email sent.

Posted by: JTB at March 15, 2025 07:46 PM (yTvNw)

138 I learned stitching by sewing leather with a saddle tree and two needles.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:47 PM (j6NlC)

139 I also learned another type of stitching by sewing banana skins back together.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 15, 2025 07:49 PM (j6NlC)

140 My lil sister (she is no longer here) took Home Ec in 7th and 8th grade. The Middle School was about 2 blocks from our house.
So 1 year was Mexican and I must have been home from college as we were 6 years apart.

So we had a guac salad at 1 class, then a enchilada and a tamale, then flan.

Just remembered that.

Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 07:49 PM (gbOdA)

141 I am not a quilter, although I bought a quilting frame for $5. I have the two most coveted treadle machines for quilters. I have a Davis Vertical Feed. This was the original walking foot machine and quilters love to use it for binding. The second one still needs a base, but I have a National Two Spool. This machine uses a small wooden spool of thread for the bobbin. Holds a bit more thread which is why quilters like them. Replacement spool holders are hard to find and I bought the first one I found. We do have a new quilting shop in town. At some point, I should find the right owner for these two.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 15, 2025 07:49 PM (7PR43)

142 Nood

Posted by: Dr. T at March 15, 2025 07:50 PM (jGGMD)

143 I just found this

This is the preface to my Moms Memorial Service about the quilts.

“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society — completely forgotten, completely left alone.”
Mother Teresa

Amen

Posted by: rhennigantx at March 15, 2025 07:51 PM (gbOdA)

144 I bought the Dark Souls board game, and a few expansions, and I opened them all at once. I am painting the models, and going hog on the gloomy washes and chalky dry-brush. Matching the game aesthetic as best I know.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at March 15, 2025 07:51 PM (lhenN)

145 The Wheels of Hobbies and mentoring.
My hobby as a kid was airplanes and flying. I grew up at a small airport in SW Washington State. I washed airplanes and ran the gas pump and generally did odd jobs just for a chance to fly. One old timer there was Les. He was like the grandpa I never had. Les was a pilot in WW 1. Les, my dad and I rebuilt an old airplane together, an old Tiger Moth we found in a barn in Canada. I learned a heck of a lot from him, as much about how an airplane comes together as about flying and history.
I think of him from time to time. So much change over his lifetime and mine. He was a kid before the Wright brothers, and if I'm lucky, I will seem a man walk on Mars. I have not flown in years, but some days I wish I still did.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 15, 2025 07:57 PM (W/lyH)

146 I taught myself to quilt after grad school, from a book at the local bookstore. I fell in love with the feel of the cloth and the sound of the needle pulling the thread through the 3 layers of the quilt, making something both beautiful and functional. It’s quite meditative. Forty years later, I’m still loving quilting, but I use computer designed patterns instead of books, cut fabric with a rotary cutter instead of scissors, and use a computerized sewing machine to quilt it. During Covid, quilting and Zoom/YouTube allowed me to take my mind off the fear, worry, and craziness of the outside world, meeting with kindred spirits to be creative, quilt together, support one another, laugh, and socialize. Today I belong to a local quilting guild and meet weekly in person and via Zoom to sew with my quilting bee friends. They are my mentors and I learn so much from them. Working with your hands to create something is a lot of fun and a great stress reliever.

Posted by: Annie Rose at March 15, 2025 08:01 PM (NzF2S)

147 Diogenes
My brother is a pilot and he flew F-4s in Vietnam. He wanted to be a Marine pilot forever. I remembered him talking about it when I was little. He said there's nothing like flying, nothing in the world.

Posted by: Megthered at March 15, 2025 08:14 PM (wCr+o)

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