Stamp Out Folding!

I NEVER fold my quilts. How many times have you seen a fabulous piece ruined by huge creases right down the middle of it? Once those deep wrinkles are there, no amount of effort can get them out. I'm on a one-woman campaign to keep quilters from folding their quilts. Roll them instead!

Because my work is usually not huge, I have an easier time with storage than if my quilts were all full-sized. I have found swimming noodles to be the perfect size around which to roll quilts. The noodles are long, lightweight and can be cut easily. And they're cheap - $1.50 or so at the dollar store. Right now is the time to stock up, as they'll disappear once pool season is over.

If your work is large, try to store your quilts flat. My Aunt Alda layered her antique quilts on a bed in an upstairs guest room. The Princess and the Pea pile was protected from light and dust by a cotton Martha Washington spread.

Below are photos and instructions on making drawstring quilt storage bags. They can be whipped up in very little time from those '80's fabrics we all have lying around. I have many of them in various sizes to fit my work.

Begin by measuring the width of each quilt. This piece is square.

Place quilts face down for rolling, and then roll from the bottom up. Swimming noodles can easily be cut to fit. Just use an old kitchen knife. Note: I've used the noodles "as is" for years with nary a problem. If you're concerned about "off-gassing" you might consider covering the noodle with muslin.

I use selvedges torn from cottons for tying rolled quilts. These strips are also perfect for tying tomatoes in the garden!

I add a drawstring closure to each bag I construct.

Make sure your bag is roomy enough for your rolled quilt(s). I add 6-8 inches for the length and 3-4 inches around. This bag is large enough to hold several quilts at one time.

To save space, several quilts can be rolled together and tied.

Placing the end of the quilt roll into a plastic bag eliminates friction and makes it slip into the bag easily. After placing in bags, store quilts horizontally if possible, and away from direct light. Tagging each bag with a list of its contents is helpful.

Each Day is an Adventure.

Darby, a Great Dane and one of our two 'grandpuppies' greets each new day with optimism, enthusiasm and unconditional love. Oh, to be the kind of people dogs think we are. What a wonderful world it would be. Photo credit: Matthew Guerrant

The Urge to Purge

I'm addicted to old things, so much so that I've been in the business of buying and selling vintage treasures for over 20 years. I'm a collector and hoarder, filling up the nooks and crannies of our 80 year old home. Every once in a while tho, I get the "urge to purge." It is so liberating!!! Last Saturday was the day!

In addition, our son and his bride cleaned out their attic (I think seeing ours made them nervous, so they nearly emptied theirs after only 18 months of marriage). And a friend brought his Grandmother's fainting couch.

Over thirty people were waiting in line when we opened our now famous semi-annual garage sale Saturday at dawn. Above is a photo my dh took of the opening crowd.

All in all, we took in over $800! Some of that money will go towards my studio revamp. I can't wait to get started!

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

I have been astonished watching the testimony in the ethics trial of Durham NC DA Michael Nifong. Over the last few days, many details of his actions have been revealed. Today, he was disbarred by the NC Bar Association.

What happened to the three Duke University lacrosse players who were accused of raping an exotic dancer at a frat party is frightening. Their actions were portrayed as "rich, privileged boys who think they can get away with this. Well, they can't." They were kicked off the lacrosse team, dismissed from the university and defamed everywhere in the press. Nearly everyone assumed they were guilty. They were tried in the media as they proclaimed their innocence. Their lives and the lives of their families were ruined.

The handling of the case against the boys was so prejudicial that the NC Attorney General took it over, calling Mike Nifong a "rogue prosecutor." He also dismissed all charges against the players. Today's action by the NC Bar is just the first step toward restoring the lives of these young men.

The entire saga has all the trappings of class, privilege, racism, prejudice and injustice. An article in today's Charlotte Observer asked what would have happened if the players had been minorities without means. I ask what would have happened to any of us?

The bigger question is: How did this become a country where the accused are assumed to be guilty without benefit of trial, without benefit of evidence? All because a disturbed young woman said, "They did it."

The lacrosse players were very, very fortunate to have parents who could afford excellent attorneys. Even then, with the suppression of DNA evidence, they easily could have spent 30 years in jail.

Let us remember to tread lightly. Let us not be quick to judge. This could have happened to any of us.

Rusting Fabric

I had seen examples of fabrics beautifully patterned by intentional rusting. My first experiment last April was a complete failure. I decided to try again and really learned a couple of things.

Here are a few things ya gotta know:

1. Check your local thrift store for the rustiest cake pan you can find. Buy it.
2. Wrinkle your scarf or fabric in the pan. Place pieces of steel wool pad onto the fabric - use LOTS!
3. Pour plain white 5% vinegar over the fabric - enough to get it good and wet but not enough to submerge it.
4. Try to make sure as much of the fabric as possible is exposed to the air. This is what causes the oxidation. (Accordian pleats did not work for me, as the air could not reach the inner portions of the fabric.)
5. Check your fabric daily for oxidation, turning it if necessary to expose other areas to the air.
6. The reaction will be faster in warm/hot weather.

When your scarf/fabric has attained a nice amount of rust, take it out of the solution and rinse it off - outside. Wash in gentle suds, rinsing well. Dry. Press. Please dispose of the vinegar responsibly.

Tip: Some artists wrap vinegar soaked fabric around old rusted tools and leave them for days. Shibori, anyone?

My first successful rusting experiment.