A Perfect Solution For Binding

In my search for methods to make bias binding for my quilts and seamlessly attaching it has led me down rabbit holes to many solutions, tactics, videos, instructions and methods to get the job done. When bias binding is prepared and applied to a quilt it fits around the corners and lays beautifully on the back of the quilt.  A miracle method has alluded me and has become a dreaded part of quilt making, until NOW!  

The miracle method to make bias biding is explained in the YouTube video by SewVeryEasy,"How to Make Bias Binding - The Easy Way". The video explains how to make bias binding without folding, sewing or putting pieces together.

It starts with a single piece of 1/2 yard fabric. By cutting off a 45' degree corner and using the new straight edge to cut 2 1/2 inch strips of fabric. The strips will fit together when sewn with 1/4 inch seam allowance. After sewing enough strips to round your quilt, press the seams open and fold the strips wrong sides together. Begin attaching the binding to the quilt by leaving a generous tail on the bottom left side of the quilt. Sew biding to the quilt with Bernina Foot #97.  The #97 foot has a metal piece that keeps the 1/4 seam exact. Making Bias Click Here  

When you are ready to attach the binding ends together, this miracle method is explained in the YouTube video by Michelles Patchwork, "Joining a Binding". Woot Woot!  It's so easy to use a piece of the binding to measure where to make the perfect cut, then simply sew the last few inches of binding to the quilt top. Joining Binding Click Here  

Now, it's time to hand sew (or machine sew) the binding to the back of the quilt. In my humble opinion, hand sewing is the most relaxing part of the quilting process. The stitches are almost invisible and it gives a personal touch to your hard work.

At last, a perfect solution to binding is just what I needed to add to my bag of tricks. 

The Why And The When

My heart aches after hearing of Gene Loveridge's passing.  Geno was my boss when I turned 18 years old (1981 until 1991).  We worked together at Loveridge and Associates, and I was the associate.  There are so many things I can tell you about Geno and you have probably heard them all after reading the obituary (below).  But, these things happened directly to me.  He taught me how to be honest, he taught me the gospel, he taught me how to pray, he taught me to expect more from myself and from others. 

Geno shared his generosity with me and taught me how to give and share all that I have.  Geno taught me to be a loving spouse, by example and how to work hard for an end result.  Geno, taught me some of his 'ism's including how he wouldn't ask me to do anything that he didn't already know how to do himself, but could be using his time to be making money elsewhere.  

He lived his 'isms, when he said, "If I have a job, you have a job".  Wow! the woman I have become is in part, or whole because of Geno.  Heck, even one of my nicknames, is Deeo as stated on my desk plate that he bought for me.  Gene treated me to more lunches than I could ever repay.  He was a great traveling buddy, while commuting from Tooele to Orem and our occasional trips to Winnemucca Nevada.  

His home was always open to me and my children and he made that sacrifice when I actually moved in.  I still use the scriptures engraved with my name, he purchased for me in Orem, Utah.  We walked together to the bookstore to pick them out.  Geno baptized me !  He made sure my children had Christmas, he never had a problem advancing my pay and understood when the Grantsville to Orem commute took longer than expected.  One Christmas he gifted me a trip to Hawaii.

Geno taught me to analyze life, spreadsheets and numbers.  He taught me trust.  He trusted me with his clients, his car, home, and bank accounts.  I trusted him while flying in his new Cessna.  He taught me it's ok to have fun,  stay up late and watch a movie, even when you should be going to bed for an early work day.

What a joy, pleasure and great blessing it was for Geno to be in my life, at a time when I didn't even know I needed him.  Only our Heavenly Father knows the why and the when, and Geno fulfilled the why and when in my life. 

Thank you Geno!

Geno 

If You Like That Sort Of Thing

We live on a dreamy one acre plot of land in Erda, Utah and it is heaven for me. It has grape vines, a strawberry patch, trees, weeds, dust and sometimes flies. My doors are always open for family and friends. The back yard is ready for a kickball game where first base is the shade tree.  The picnic table, rocking chairs and hammocks are ready for a lazy afternoon in the shade.

 A flock of chickens produces eggs for my kitchen. The fenced garden area is filled with zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, corn and flowers.  The storage room shelves and freezer are filled will fruits and vegetables to enjoy all year long. The horses graze in the pasture and the goat roams free.  

Quilts drape the chairs, stair railing, the walls and beds. My sewing room is an oasis of color and comfort. The wood burning stove in the basement is ready to warm the winter chill. My awesome husband spends time in the man cave and his newly created gun reloading room or tinkering in the garage.  

My love for old bottles is showcased on top of my kitchen cabinets. The farm house look inside and out is what we live for.  This is a place where more often than not, we are stepping over, or around a dog.   

Taking walks on Liddell and Rabbit Lane is like stepping back in time.  Cattle calls are in the crisp air and sprinklers shower the hay fields, and that is the heart of Erda.

My heart is full of love and appreciation for the world I have created for me and my family. It's a great life and it's perfect, "If you like that sort of thing". 

Fantastic Finishes

A well known secret aparent to most quilters is their ability to start projects.  And another secret truly unknown to anyone, is when they will actually be finished.  I say this with all thoughtfulness and I, myself am fully ingrained in the process.  At every turn a quilter is met with new fabric choices, new thread, machines, rulers, shears, videos, classes, including patterns and we want to try them ALL.  

During the COVID-19 issue of 2020 I have finally been able to come up with some finishes.  Spending more time at home has been a blessing to me and my family.  The biggest blessing has been in my relationship with my dear husband Scott.  We have be spending our time working on projects in and around our home that have bore more fruit than the project itself.  We spent several weekends tearing out a 20 foot unused garden area to straighten out the drive way and blacktop the entire surface.  Scott is thrilled he can now park his trailers, camper and truck in an area that is straight, level and has more functionality.  That project was a huge win and finish for him.

We worked for several weekends to improve the garden area with a more efficient sprinkling system to allow watering and buried the lines for ease in mowing.  I spent another two weekends tearing out an overgrown weed patch and turned it into a flower garden, which I am still in awe at the beauty and change it will make to my home for years to come. 

Scott has worked diligently on his new room downstairs.  Who knew we'd need to move a furnace line and get a new central furnace and air conditioning system to get the room built out.  Another great finish.

I finally took the time to measure for window-blinds for the entire house.  Our home faces east/west and the blinds were three years over due.  And just like that with a little extra time to measure, the blinds arrived and were installed.  

With restrictions put on many of the places we were supposed to go during this year; Richfield, Reno,  Hawaii, Vernal, bowling tournaments, weekly bowling, sporting events, restaurants, and quilting retreats, we found ourselves with no where to go. This change has given us the time and money to truly invest in our home, and enhanced the ability to come together to get projects done.  

Last but not least, it has given me the time to slow down and finish some quilting projects started weeks, months and years ago that were started with a new ruler, a new book, new idea an old memory and a new baby in mind.

With the fantastic finishes in my rear view mirror, I am truly thankful for this time taken to make the best of my own world during a bad world wide situation. The biggest reward has been my relationship with Scott and the ever growing love we have for each other.

Signed, home with COVID-19.

My Dad's western shirts sewn into a heart quilt.

Chic Country quilt made with the quick curve ruler.

Farm Girl Vintage and a representation of my heart and soul.

A sweet quilt made for my grand daughter Nova James Johnson using quilt as you go and paper piecing.