Tuesday 21 June 2011

Keeping Records

Some time ago I was given a lovely little folder as a gift from the secret santa at my sewing group. It is a thimbleberries book and inside it has pages in which you can record the details of the quilts you make with a space on the opposite page for a photograph. I know with digital technology it is easy to store these things on computers but this is just such a lovely idea. There are pictures of quilts throughout the pages and at the back there are plastic pockets for storing bits of fabric etc.



In this photo you can see Sarah holding a little baby quilt. All the details are recorded on the page and is a great reminder of something made and given away as a gift. It is easy to forget dates gone by and as you can see this one was made in June 2003. It is also a visual reminder of what you have made and how your work has progressed over time.



My secret sister Nicky (we have so many quilty things in common that I think we must be related) asked me about quilt labels this week and I thought I would show you this lovely book that I have. It is by Barbara Baatz and is an American School of Needlework publication. It is full of lovely iron on transfers suitable for a variety of quilts. The transfers can be cut out and are meant to be ironed on to polyester or poly/cotton mix fabrics to make them colourfast and washable. What I tend to do is iron them lightly onto cotton fabric and then go over the outline with a permanent pigma pen and even do a bit of colouring in. You could of course embroider over the lines or add applique. There is plenty of space to record the essential details that are a must for future posterity. Think of how we long to know more details of who made those antique quilts and your ancestors or future custodians will be very glad that you gave them that information. You can of course make labels lots of other ways and keep it all very simple, after all, it is the information that is the important bit. All that work on the front surely warrants something interesting on the back too.



Camelot Block 10. The perfect piece of fabric for some lovely fussy cutting. The template was a perfect fit for this fabric and pattern.



Block 11. It looks very pale but isn't as pale as the photo. This means that there are 5 left to go.



My mum gave us two lovely rose bushes called Silver Wedding 5 years ago and they were duly planted. One flourished and the other became quite sad looking. My husband lifted it and replanted it and we thought that it wouldn't survive but the other day I suddenly realised that this lovely flower had appeared. I am so pleased. The other bush is much bigger and has produced a huge amount of fabulous, delicate scented flowers.



This beautiful chaffinch has been nesting in the hedge by the window and it has been a pleasure watching it flit in and out with tasty morsels for the baby. One evening I heard a thud against the window and stealed myself to look expecting to see a dead baby bird but no, it was just sitting on the window ledge looking at me as if to say "what happened". By the time I grabbed my camera it had recovered and flown off.



Happy Stitching

Love Shirley.

17 comments:

  1. More lovely camelot blocks Shirley, they just get better and better! Have tracked down the pattern and information, just need to order it now. Thanks for your help.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Really lovely blocks Shirley! It's always and honour when nature shares herself so closely isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely way to keep a record. You have also made me feel guilty now as I often don't label my quilts. Love the blocks. The rose is lovely, glad it has survived, and the baby chaffinch too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I do love your Camelot blocks such wonderful choice of colours. I am very good at starting records not that good at keeping up. I do label all quilts with a stitched label.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your Camelot blocks...your doing really well getting them done Shirley..
    I TRY to label all my quilts...I much admit there are some that need labels..

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great idea with the quilt record book. I should do something like that too. One forgets so easily, especially those quilts which were given away. Love your two latest Camelot blocks. I can't remember if you said you are sewing them by hand or machine?

    ReplyDelete
  7. So many lovely quilts! Especially Camelot - I read back until early this year but I can't find where you first got it etc. What is the pattern and where did you get it? Your colour choices are fabulous, thank you for sharing the photos.
    Hugs, Jasmine

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your record book and quilt labels both such a wonderful idea. Gorgeous rose and sweet little birdie too. Your blocks are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don't worry about Camelot - I found Lizzie and Broderie!!!! Silly me, and she is only down the road. Well down the road from my Best Sister Noela in Tassie but I know about her. I might get the pattern for Noela, she likes hand piecing and would love this in all those lovely colours...Thanks for filling in another day for me - though it is just getting cold (colder - has only been 7* tops here today) and dark and I am ready for another snooze...
    Jasmine, xxxx
    PS Blogspot isnt letting me post as me, silly thing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I still like to flick through books and photographs and it's such a nice idea too. Your Camelot blocks are gorgeous, I especialy love the butterfly fabric. Lucky you to have lovely roses and birds to enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What, no hexies yet? I think this is a great idea. I have mine on a photoshop on the computer, but seeing real photos is so much better.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful gift the quilt record book made and such a wonderful idea - I have a file with copies of all my quilt labels with notes scrawled on some of them but they would look much nicer in a book with photos. You have excelled yourself again with such wonderful fussy cutting and they are lovely blocks. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your Camelot blocks are always a joy to see. Every one is unique and so pretty.

    I'm always encouraging my friends to get those labels on the backs of their quilts, even ones they buy or inherit. It's never too late to put a label on. You put more love and time into your labels than I do. It wouldn't hurt me to put a bit more effort into them.

    I'm a tad behind on my record book--like by about two years. You've encouraged me to get caught up.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Shirley! Wow, beautiful work (or play!) as always. You are an inspiration!

    ~ Ronda

    ReplyDelete
  15. hey SS what a surprise! but thanks for showing your lovely neat journal and those whacky cute labels.

    I still have to finalise my ideas on labels but have embroidered on the most recent one on the front - bit daring!

    Your camelot blocks are gorgeous - so detailed and precise. love them!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your quilt book looks great Shirley. I agree with everything you said about documenting our quilts.

    Your Camelot blocks are "To Die For"!!! I love your fussy cutting and I am amazed at how different a piece of fabric can look once it has been fussy cut.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, these blocks just keep getting better and better. I absolutely love block 10. You are right, it's the perfect one for fussy cutting. Lovely rose. I'm a big rose fan but have to be careful about what varieties I pick as many don't grow well in my climate.

    ReplyDelete