March 2015 UFO - Still a UFO

Here it is, March 31st, and I have not finished my UFO challenge for the month.  I was trying to finish quilting this top, Mulberry Square.  It's pretty big, 99" x 99", and I have a few other projects happening at the same time.  I'm about halfway done with the quilting.  Here's a bit of it:

Swirls.  I'm swirl quilting the whole center of this top.  I've been experimenting with different styles of swirls.  I'm using my favorite thread for quilting, King Tut, by Superior Threads.

More swirls appear in the gold border.  The pieced border features a leaf type design.  

More swirlies in the green border.  The yellow has some flowers, but it's really hard to see.  The thread I'm using in this border matches the fabric so well, I had a tough time quilting it.

More swirls...

and more swirls.  Maybe I will get this finished in April.  Did you have any March finishes?

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Cutting It Close

This is all I had left after cutting for a new project.  Now that's "cutting it close".  (I'm so punny!)

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Busy, Busy Sleep Pants

Trent asked me to sew a pair of sleep pants with the above fabric I had leftover from the back of his 100 Blocks quilt.  I had to piece the fabric together a bit to make it work.  Then I modified a boys 

pull -on pants pattern, and Voila! - super cute sleep pants!

It is not easy to get a 5 y.o. to be still long enough to get a good picture of  his new pants, but here's one from this morning.  He's busy collecting supplies to be a spy.  Apparently you need binoculars, a rolling backpack, some stickers, a mysterious looking tracking device, and a couple of art clips for holding paintings to an easel.

Here's the other wonderful photo I got of him watching a movie last Friday night.  Looks comfy, eh?

For great sewing patterns like this one, please visit the Curlicue Creations shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Persuasion Quilt Homecoming

My Persuasion quilt returned home yesterday.  It's always a special day when a quilt comes back home from the magazine.  I'm a little bit nervous and critical of my work when I send them off, but when they return home, and I unpack the box, I think, "Wow - that actually looks pretty good."  Ha!ha!

Here's the Persuasion block.  Complete directions and pattern pieces appear in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 10.  My block is #954, on page 45.  I feel honored and excited to have another block in the upcoming Volume 11, due out in May. 

If you haven't got your copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 10 yet, I still have a few available in my online shop.  You can purchase one by following this link:  100 Blocks, Volume 10.  These usually sell out when the new issue appears, so get yours now.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Treadles: One, Two, Three.

Treadle machines, one, two, three.  This is what my front porch looks like this morning.  The third treadle is in a wooden coffin case, behind the azalea bush.

Treadle number one is a Burdick, made for Sears and Roebuck.  These machines were only produced for a few years, between 1899 and 1901.  Pretty decals.  The cabinet is made beautifully.  The treadle mechanism has one piece of broken wood that needs to be replaced.  Otherwise this machine appears to be in working order, but obviously needs restoration.

Treadle number two is a Singer.  From my limited research yesterday, I'm not exactly sure what model this one is.  I looked up the serial number and found it was manufactured in 1910.  It says it's an 85, and only 100 were made on that particular day.  I couldn't find any information on a Singer 85.  It looks like an older model 15 to me.  This one is in bad shape.  Currently frozen.  The treadle mechanism works well and the cabinet is in beautiful condition, although someone has painted it a dark brown.

Treadle number three is a Wheeler and Wilson, #9.  This is the oldest of the three machines, made in the 1800's.  It's not pretty, but seems to be in working order.  The cabinet has beautiful details.  The treadle for this machine actually has a brake - cool! 

The coffin cover.  Unfortunately someone did a terrible paint job on the cabinet and cover.  

I found lots of interesting goodies stashed away in the drawers.  An old raisin box full of antique buttons, many old spools of thread, bobbins, machine accessories and feet, antique needle books, a small can of oil, and a few mysterious items.

This partially sewn garment was stuffed into the fourth drawer.  It appears to be the bodice to a girl's dress.  I'm not sure if I should keep it or toss it.  It's interesting from an historical sewing viewpoint, and has no evidence of mice or moth damage, but it is a bit yellowed.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Quilt Rescue

My husband spends a lot of his time out vintage shopping.  I've got him trained to bring home orphan quilts.  Here's the latest one.  I love the way the wind kicks up whenever I try to take a photo of a quilt on the clothesline.

This quilt came equipped with a label - Hooray!  It was sewn by the Capital Quilter's Guild in Raleigh, NC.  I wonder who it was made for.  They washed it without a color catcher and all that gorgeous bright red bled into the checkerboard sashing.

With a little love and a little luck, I was able to get most of the red out.  

I believe the quilt is happy to have a new home.

Here's the most wind-free pic I was able to take.  Very nice.  I like it.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Springtime Sewing

Spring is officially here today!  Time to do a little Spring sewing.  Here's a few ideas to get you started.

McCall's Jumper, Jumpsuit, and Belt Pattern

McCall's 7434 Jumper, Jumpsuit, and Belt pattern, size 12. This sweetly charming pattern makes a beautifully fitting jumper or jumpsuit in two lengths with a tie belt. All views feature scoop neckline, button or snap shoulder closure, elastic waistlines, and patch pockets. Tie belt is optional.

McCall's Dress and Tie Belt Pattern

McCall's 2977 Dress and Tie Belt pattern, size small (10-12). This sweetly charming pattern makes a beautifully fitting dress with a tie belt in six different views. All dresses are pullover style with shoulder pads, elastic waist, gore skirt, side seam pockets, and self tie belt. Options include square yoked neckline with button closure, contrast neckline, buttoned shoulder openings on one or both sides, keyhole neckline, or front button closure.

McCall's Skirt Pattern

McCall's 5729 Skirt pattern, size medium (14-16). This sweetly charming pattern makes a beautifully fitting skirt in four different views. The skirt can be sewn in two lengths. Views A and B feature back zipper closure and patch pockets. View C features a string drawn thru eyelets in the waistband forming front pleats. View D features a drawstring and self gripping fasteners under side front pleats. 

For more fabulous patterns like these, visit the Dress Patterns section of my Etsy shop.  All patterns are in like new factory folded, uncut condition.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Sneeky Peeky!

I'm working on something new...but I can't yet reveal what it is.  I've cut out a lot of gray squares...

And some super bright and modern strips from Moda's Poems from Pebbles fabric line...

And a few million triangles.  How do you organize your cut pieces for a quilt?  I put mine into little zipper sandwich baggies with a note explaining what color, how many, and which piece it is.  In this picture I have 9 each triangles A from Red #2 fabric.

Look at this fabric - crazy!  All together, this is going to make a vibrant quilt. Stay tuned for more.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Thread LOVE!

March seems to be a month of love for me.  Vintage sewing machine love, Spring is finally here love, and since my Superior Thread order just arrived, thread LOVE!

From left to right, we have King Tut Canaan, a gorgeous variegated thread in soft grays for quilting my next project, Masterpiece, in a sweet baby pink color, and Superior's titanium coated needles, which I'm also using for quilting.  I just tried these needles recently, and I can't believe the difference.  Just taking them out of the package, they feel different, smoother than a regular needle.  The quilting experience was lovely.  They are not expensive, either.  This is my second pack, and I'm never going back!

Time to go sew.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

The White 614 - More Vintage Sewing Machine LOVE!

HELP!  My husband is out of control with the vintage sewing machine shopping.  He just loves to shop, for anything, for anybody. Point him in the direction of something you are interested in, and he will find it.  So...I didn't really need this White, but he brought it home anyway.  It is a lovely blue color, and in amazing condition.  I believe it is a 1972 model, barely used.  No scratches. Very clean.  Almost no lint.  I found a free manual for this machine online and went through it. After a little bit of cleaning and maintenance, it is sewing beautifully.  I sewed a little bit on Trent's sleep pants last night with good results.

This machine has three feed dog options, lots of decorative stitches, and can sew with a double needle.  The needle position is adjustable.  Buttonhole stitching is built in.  It came with a few presser feet, the regular foot, a zipper foot, and an open toed foot.  That sounds like a shoe - haha!  

I'm not sure how much I'll be sewing with this machine, but it is a lovely addition to the my collection.  Someday I'll have to have a massive vintage machine sale, I suppose, but for now I'm thankful I have a sewing studio, a storage building out back, and a little log cabin down the road.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

The Rocketeer - Vintage Sewing Machine LOVE!

Yes - the last thing I need is another sewing machine, I mean really, you can only sew with one machine at a time, and I've been so enjoying the Singer 301.  It's excellent for piecing.  But yesterday...my husband texted me with this picture of a Rocketeer he found at the local thrift shop.  It was only $18.00, in the cabinet.  Plus he offered to use his $18.00 to purchase it.  How could I say no?  I've always wanted one of these machines, just because of the great design.  That is how they got the nickname "Rocketeer".  Singer did not come up with the name, the sewing public did.

This machine is completely gear driven, no belt.  It has a number of different stitches available on the front dial, plus it takes cams.  The needle position is adjustable, and the feed dogs can be dropped (actually the plate comes up).  It appears to be in good working order, but very dirty!  After some cleaning, maintenance, and a little love, I'm sure this will be both beautiful and fun to sew with.  I'll post more pics and info about this machine when I get her cleaned up.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

It's Beautiful Day...

...in the neighborhood.  Won't you be my neighbor?  My little neighborhood is up to 20 Home Sweet Home 3" blocks.  Here are the new houses from last night's sewing:

House One

House Two

House Three

House Four

House Five

House Six

House Seven

I'm not sure how far I'm going to take this project, but I'm having fun on the journey.  If you want to stitch a few Home Sweet Home Bitty Blocks, here's a link to Quiltmaker magazine's blog tutorial:  Home Sweet Home Bitty Blocks.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

New Neighbors

Five more new homes in the neighborhood!

I've moved my Singer 301 into the living room. It's wonderful to be able to stitch a bit while watching television.  This house looks like it's about to go up in flames.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I've been watching The Bachelor.  I saw one of the early episodes this season and became hooked!  My oldest son has been watching it with me.  I just knew Whitney was going to be the winner, but I had to watch anyway.  

At least I did get a little sewing in while it was on.  This one could possibly be a farm house.  What do you think?

And the fifth new home in the neighborhood.  This one has a fun personality, with all the dots.  It looks like they are having a party with lots of confetti, or blinking colored lights, or maybe floating flower petals.  What a delightful fabric.

Here's an aerial shot of the neighborhood, taken from my helicopter - (HaHa).  It looks like there are at least three more empty lots.

Again, if you want to join me in making these cute little houses, here's a link to the free Quiltmaker pattern:  Home Sweet Home Bitty Block.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Bitty Blocks House Blocks

Have you seen Quiltmaker's new Bitty Blocks?  They are going to have a free Bitty Blocks pattern available on their blog, Quilty Pleasures for each month of 2015.

 The block for March is called "Home Sweet Home".

Isn't it just too cute?

While I was sewing the little houses, and arranging them on my design wall, my little artist got busy with a design of his own.  Looks kind of modern to me.

These house blocks finish at 3".  Adorable!

Plus they are addicitvely fun to sew...like chocolate chip cookies.

I really like the roof fabric on this one.

I was easily able to cut all the pieces from a jelly roll.

They look like cute little beach huts to me.  I could maybe sew a few palm trees to set them off.

Or a bright pink flamingo.  Hmmmmm....

Here's the eight blocks I made all together.  They are just so cute!!!

Here's the link, so you can make some, too.  Bitty Blocks Tutorial.  Have fun.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas