{Creative Guest} Meet Debbie

I asked Debbie a few questions. It was really fun to learn more about her and her beautiful work.

1- How did you get started in sewing/working with wool?

 I guess the answer to that question is that things come full circle in life and with me, that could not be truer.

My grandmother was an artisan who also hooked rugs and quilted. She would make wool quilts from my grandfather's clothing.

They were basically crazy quilts, with hand embroidered seams, and a few designs, but they were basically primitive in style.

Years later when I found myself creating, I became interested in applique art, using felt products. I loved being able to create pictures and art with hand stitching. Over the years I dabbled in different mediums and lost sight of my quilting enthusiasm. It was when I began to rug hook, that I fell in love with wools. An online rug hooking friend was also a quilter and got me thinking about quilting again. She sent me books and fabrics and I started quilting with fabrics.

Most of the patterns I used were primitive and wools were used in some. That got me to thinking about all of the wonderful wools I had in my stash and how fun it would be to create using wools and fabrics in my pieces. I found I loved working with wools and the naive look it gives. I also enjoy the ease of sewing smaller pieces compared to needle turn. It is more of a creative outlet for me, than a pursuit of perfection.

2- What inspires you?

Life inspires me, everything I see and do, each day, is a future idea to create. I am always taking pictures when we go out. I enjoy taking photographs of historic buildings and churches that inspire me and graveyards are a wonderful place to find folk art motifs. I also love sayings and verses and using them in my pieces. I often build a piece around a saying or verse. I also appreciate historical folk art and enjoy using the designs, in new ways.

3- What is your favorite project that you've ever made?

People have asked me that and usually it is the last piece I made. I always love what I am working on at the moment, even if it doesn't come out the way I envisioned. I guess the best way, is to show you some of the pieces I have made and what I loved about creating them.

This is my one of my first pieces. I based it on an antique quilt piece and used elements that I liked and made it my own. I love cats and I love antique cat pieces, so this one is definitely a favorite that I have hanging in my quilt room.

 A group that I belong to had a challenge, that definitely lived up to it's name. We each had a partner and we sent each other, fabrics, wool, embellishments and whatever we could think of, for the recipient to use in a quilt. This was a real challenge for me, I had to use materials, I had never thought, to put into a quilt. I basically worked from the rooster block and went from there. It taught me that anything can be used in a quilt, and the use of materials like chenille and lace are things I still use in my new pieces.

 

Another challenge was hosted by Sue Spargo. She gave us the tree and leaves motif to start with and we had to design a quilt around those elements. I decided that I wanted mine to be based on my fraktur designs, so I used my own designs and some new ones in unique ways. I loved working on this piece, it was fun to experiment with different mediums. I have also been experimenting with wool roving, so it was fun to use it in this piece.

 I enjoy making gifts for my friends too and have made pieces based on their likes and decorating styles. A friend had just purchased an old school desk, so I decided to make a piece to hang on the wall. This piece was fun because I used a material called tula, that is soft like cotton, but has large holes for needlework. It was not easy to sew the pieces on, but it was wonderful material for adding cross stitch to the background.

 Thank you for visiting Natalia's blog and reading about my wool adventures.

Debbie St. Germain 

Thanks again Debbie! Someday I when I have a little more time on my hands I really want to get into working with wool. Debbie you have inspired me! Now I want to start today!!  You can also purchase some of Debbies patterns over on her website. Don't forget to head over to Debbies blog to see what she's up to!

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~Natalia

{Creative Guest} Whitnee

Hello Piece N’ Quilt! My name is Whitnee, by day I am extremely left brained, I teach high school, business and marketing specifically, but by night I have a little bit of right brain that comes out where I can enjoy my creative hobbies of photography, sewing, and cooking! I often joke telling people that I don’t know how to sew, so when Natalia asked me to be a guest blogger, I told her I wouldn’t know what to share since I don’t sew!

I was the 4th of 5 children, but there is 11 years between me and number 5, so I was the youngest for quite a while, and my mom still refers to me as “the baby girl,” having two older sisters, I always wanted to copy everything they did, and I guess I kind of still do with my sewing! My first experience with sewing came while growing up; my mom was a custom interior decorator, she owned a decorating shop where I spent every day of many summers. I would always see my mom designing people’s entire houses, and mixing and matching fabrics to decorate every room. Later on in life I would always see the beautiful quilts my sister, Natalia, and mom would create, so I would decide I wanted to sew beautiful things also, but mine never seemed to turn out so great… In fact, I would be embarrassed to show anyone these things I had made.  After growing up with a mom and sister that are so creative, and amazing at sewing, you can see why I joke that I don't sew!

I do have a couple sewing confessions.  I don't own a sewing machine... When I sew, I drive to my parents house to use my moms industrial sewing machine, or I use my sisters Bernina.  I don't know how to thread a sewing machine, or bobbin.  I hand appliqued all my applique until recently when my sister showed me how to applique on her Bernina.  I love precut fabrics, somehow my fabric doesn't turn out straight when I cut it myself, so I really love using precuts!  I only learned how to sew ruffles and yo yo's in the last couple weeks.  I do not piece anything that is not in a straight line!  I love to make baby quilts!  Also all reasons I tell people I can't sew!

I made my first “real” quilt when I was 17 years old, as a junior in high school.  The youth in our church were asked to express their talents for the Joseph Smith 150th birthday celebration.  With the help of my mom, I designed and made this quilt representing the Sacred Grove.  My quilt ended up being displayed at a region competition, where it was chosen to be displayed at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City for a week during General Conference.  I was also so excited about this quilt because it was the first quilt I had machine quilted! 

As a beginner, everything I made was from Buggy Barn patterns, I loved their patterns, and loved how my quilts looked harder than they actually were! For the next couple of years I became busy with school and getting married.  I would make a small project here and there, maybe one quilt a year when I had a chance.  One day while looking at different patterns on the internet I came across Zig Zag Shangri La, I loved the fabric, and I loved the pattern and decided I'd find some time to make it!  Zig Zag Shangri La was my first experience with precut fabrics, all but the borders were made from 2 jelly rolls!  I ended up putting this quilt in the local fair and won a blue ribbon!

My favorite thing to make is baby quilts or table runners.  I love that they are quick, cute, and I can finish them before getting burned out on the project!  I haven't used many patterns before, I usually find an idea, then consult with my mom and Natalia for an easy way to make that idea that will only include straight lines!

I graduated from college last spring, since then my sewing has become a little out of control!  I almost always have at least one project in the works.  Natalia has also been busy quilting away, so I have become the designated piecer!  I joke that I should buy beds to put in our extra rooms so I have somewhere to display my quilts!  A couple of my favorite projects completed in the last year were:

Simply Authentic, I made this quilt for my 16 year old sister in law for Christmas!

Gobble Chain

Simply Denim, I made this quilt for my husband for Christmas! I think I like it so much, because he truly loves it! (I also like the bright colors mixed with the denim)

Figgy Christmas Quilt

And my very favorite thing that I made during the year were these Christmas stockings!  I really loved the Figgy Pudding collection!

Currently I am working on some projects using Authentic by Sweetwater, Whimsey by Fig Tree & Co., and Verna by Kate Spain!  I can't wait to share these projects!

Thanks for letting me share my story, and sewing experiences!

~Thank you Whitnee for being a guest blogger today! If you didn't already figure it out Whitnee is my sister. She is amazing at what she does. I love her attitude towards sewing and quilting. It's just a hobby and she's just going to have fun doing it! She didn't mention in this post but she also spends a lot of time helping me by playing ring around the rosies, taking Chesney potty and being her second mom. Thank you so much Whitnee, I couldn't get half the work accomplished that I do if it wasn't for you!

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~Natalia

{Creative Guest} Kim

When Natalia first asked me to be a guest blogger at Piece N Quilt, my initial reaction was “Me?!  Really??”  But here I am, flattered beyond belief!
I wish I had some grand history of learning to stitch on my mother’s lap or watching my grandmother piece quilts in my childhood.  But how I came to stitching and sewing is much less romantic, and only a recent development at that.
As a new mom staying at home full time with a fussy baby, I found myself feeling very isolated.  Not long after my son’s birth in 2006, DH picked us up and moved us from my roots in Arizona to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.  I have never felt so alone or so out of my element!  Realizing I was on the brink of an emotional breakdown, I made a special trip to the craft store in search of something creative to occupy my time.  I stumbled upon a “Learn to Cross Stitch” kit.  I was immediately bitten!  That was a little over 2 years ago and I’ve been stitching ever since.  It’s relaxing, it’s portable, and it’s something I can pick up or put down at a moment’s notice.

 "Poinsettia House" designed by Littlehouse Needleworks, stitched on 28 count linen using Crescent Colours floss and DMC floss

My husband frequently makes comments that he loves my stitching as much as I do.  Having a creative outlet and something “just for me” makes me a better wife and a better mother – some I’m sure most moms out there can understand.
I only took up sewing this past summer.  Using my mother’s old Kenmore sewing machine, I started with a dress for my baby girl.  It’s hopelessly flawed, but looks okay at first glance and I was very proud of it.  Since then, I’ve continued to practice, learning new techniques and gaining confidence.  In December, I made DD’s dress for her first Christmas and I must say it is a huge improvement from that first dress this summer.  It was first time sewing in a zipper, and I even improvised the ruffles on the diaper cover!

LadyBug's Christmas dress and diaper cover - Butterick 3782 in red corduroy 
Building a relationship with my sewing machine, I signed up for a beginner’s quilting class in the fall.  I only made a small table topper, but I think most quilters will understand when I say that was all it took!  I knew I needed to do more quilting!  Just a few weeks ago I started work on my first lap quilt.  I finished the topper and backing last week and am working up the courage to attempt quilting it.  Assuming this turns out as I envision, it will be DD’s birthday gift when she turns 1 on February 10th.  It seems fitting - her first birthday, my first actual quilt.   I am thankful for all the quilting blogs out there that offer so many amazing tutorials and tips, including Natalia’s!  They make learning this new craft not only easier, but also more enjoyable!

My first lap quilt topper - Wild Thing pattern by Thimble Blossoms using fabrics from Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom line
Craft time is what keeps me sane in between changing diapers, tantrums, and teething.  I get to focus on something just for me every time I pick up a needle to stitch or lower the presser foot on my sewing machine.  I exhale, shut the world out, and have a little “mommy time.”  And I know from reading so many amazing craft blogs out there, I’m not the only!
Thank you Natalia for inviting me to be a guest blogger, and for all your help and tutorials.  And thank you to all the crafty bloggers out there from whom I have learned so much and been so inspired!  Happy stitching to all!
-Kim

~Thank you Kim, I really enjoyed reading about you! I love all of your stitching projects and your fist quilt is darling!!

You can read more about Kim on her blog Stitchful Thinking.

FYI... I get to be a guest blogger today over @ Sew Inspired. Head over to Vicki's blog and you can read a little bit about me! Thanks Vicki!

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~Natalia

{Creative Guest} Meet Mary!

~Meet Mary! I've enjoyed reading her blog for quite some time now. She has beautiful work and it has been so much fun getting to know her through her blog!

Me, a guest blogger??  You’ve got to be kidding!!

 Hey, thanks Natalia for the invitation to share a little of my story with your readers.  You know I admire your blog, your designs and your store.

Now for my meager story…I was raised on a small dairy/crop farm in Minnesota and am one of nine children.  My grandmother on my mother’s side was an incredible seamstress.  I have many memories of her making matching dresses for at least five of us girls.

Me – second from right with my kitten

Since my grandmother sewed everything for us and we all wore uniforms to school, Mom didn’t need to learn how to sew. But Grandma passed away shortly after this photo was taken and I started wanting my own wardrobe by the time I was ten.  I found fabric Grandma had left and saved my allowance for new fabric (that still hasn’t changed). 

By high school (no more uniforms) I was sewing most of my clothes and my younger sister’s clothes.  This continued after I married into maternity clothes, then baby clothes, costumes, snowsuits etc. Then one day I got together with two of my sisters and we had a quilting bee and as they say…the rest is history. 

Bitten by the quilting bug was difficult when I was working full time and commuting 90 miles round trip to work.  I still managed to put this quilt together over a year or so:

I plugged along and made this quilt too over nearly a year while I was working:

And then three years ago, the most wonderful thing happened….my husband and I retired!!  I love having the time to work on quilts, table runners or handbags every day with no deadline! 

Here is what I’m working on right now:

I want to add what great pleasure I have found in quilting bloggers around the world.  I don’t know where I would find my inspiration and encouragement without all of you!!

Thank you and thanks to Natalia for the honor of being her guest.

Thanks again Mary! Don't forget to stop by Marys blog to see more of her beautiful work!

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~Natalia

{Creative Guest} Amylouwho

Hi everyone! I'm Amy from amylouwho and I'm so happy Natalia asked me to be a guest today!  Thanks for having me!

I started sewing when I was. . . well, I can't remember how old I was, and I just asked my mom and she doesn't remember either.  I think I was around 8...  I do remember I had a little beginner chain stitch machine.  Some of my first projects were little drawstring bags.  I distinctly remember using a little yellow calico with red and blue flowers and some red satin ribbon.  I've actually had a hankering to make some more drawstring bags. . . . but I digress.

I grew up with a mother who sewed.  She made a lot of my clothes and I distinctly remember the year she made all of us our bathing suits for swim team - all of us being 5 boys and me.  I don't think she slept much.  I sewed through junior high and high school making drawstring shorts and easy things like that.  I worked at a fabric store my last 2 years of high school and started venturing into more garment making.   At that time my mom started quilting a lot more. In fact, I took a quilt-in-a-day class with her and we made a trip around the world quilt that I still love, but needs a little TLC.

I sewed a little in college, but I didn't have a machine readily available and I grew up (read: filled out) and didn't easily fit most patterns without some tricky alterations.  So aside from a few easy baby quilts, I had a good 10 year hiatus in my sewing.

This is the first quilt I finished as a re-born sewist!  You can read about it here.

About 4 years ago, I met a good friend and amazing sewist who got me back into it.  I acquired (thanks mom!) a great basic sewing machine and have caught the sewing fever again.  Part of the allure, I have to admit, is that fabric has come a LONG way since that little yellow flowered calico I used.  Amy Butler is my fabric muse.  This is the fabric that changed me.

I designed and made this bag shortly after my son was born 2 years ago.  Since then I have made over 20 of these as gifts and for sale.  I really enjoy the process of choosing fabric and making something for someone that I know will enjoy it.

So there's a short (or not-so-short) history of me and sewing.  How about a top ten list?

Top Ten Things I've learned Since I Started Sewing Again (in no particular order)
10.  If you are going to spend quality time making something beautiful, it's important to use quality materials.
9.  Make what you like, even if it's for sale.  That way you will enjoy the process every time.
8.  Sewing and gifting to people I know is THE BEST.
7. Your mom may have thought she taught you everything she knows, but might have left a few things out...(maybe I just wasn't paying attention).  Don't be afraid to ask or google whatever it is you are trying to figure out.
6. As nice as ordering fabric online is, it's good to touch it and see the actual colors in person.
5. Teaching people to sew and watch them get excited about it is so fun!
4. The sewing-blogging community is amazing, and I love the motivating, supportive and creative outlet it is.
3. Amy Butler is my idol.  I would be more star-struck to meet her than anyone.
2. Beautiful fabric can transform your home in the form of pillows, quilts, curtains, and wall art.
1. Creating really is an integral part of who we are and is so satisfying!  There's nothing like that point when you have just finished a project and you see your vision, the fabric and pattern all come together - Bliss!

I host a weekly Sew & Tell on Fridays where you can link up a sewing project you finished during the week.  I'd love to have you participate tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!  Come on by, I'd love to meet you!

~Thanks for your guest post today Amy! I really enjoyed reading about you! I think I first came across your blog from your Sew & Tell. I love the Sew & Tell, it's very inspiring to me! Thanks again Amy!

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~Natalia