Have you seen this???

[wendywombat]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/pGHxCgI6yx/ritas-quilt

I think this is amazing. What people will do to honour a lady and finish her quilt!

It does the heart good to see the kindness of people in these troubled times.

[richardandtracy]

Absolutely gorgeous. Absolutely wonderful.
And such a shame that it couldn't have been done during her lifetime, so she could have seen it herself and felt the community for herself. That I feel is the saddest and most poignant part of what is a very heartwarming story.

Are there similar stuck projects that anyone knows in relatives of those on CSF? If so, maybe we could try to replicate the effect before the originator needs to be remembered, and they could then give their own opinions, rather than have people put their own spin on what the originator would think.

Regards,

Richard.

[rcperryls]

Thank you so much for posting this. I had not seen it or heard anything about it until now. I read through the whole piece and loved it!! What a fascinating and fantastic story! Bringing so many women together for such a special project reaffirms my belief that it truly is possible that people can and want to get along. I'm sure Rita is delighted to know what a positive effect she has had on so many women (and maybe a few men helped out too) from a project started decades ago. Love it!!!!!

Carole

[Garnet]

WOW! This brought a tear to my eye. Reading the whole article and seeing the finished quilt at the end was so moving. Reading the women's stories of why it was so important to each woman to contribute was very moving too.

What a wonderful thing to do, how wonderful so many got together in one place to finish it, I don't think there is anything like a quilting Bee in the UK. That reminds me of the film "How to make an American Quilt" from years ago - does anyone else remember that film?

I am certain Rita is looking down with approval and would be touched to see so many busy hands.

It's so great to know it will be displayed at the Quilt Museum - now there's a place I'd love to visit.

Thank you so much for posting this Wendy.

[Serinde]

Yes, I had. It's always reassuring to be reminded how kind people can be.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I'd seen it mentioned - a lovely project! (But as Richard said, how wonderful if we can do this for loved ones - or others - when they are still with us!)

[DLG]

This is really interesting, This is what I have been working on for years finishing/ making kits and such like from previous owners. Today I was working on the border of Margot de Paris Verdure Tapestry Du Pont Siecle XVII having finished with the main body stitching done in basketweave stitch wherever possible and tent
stitch for smaller details.
Except for the bottom left corner of the picture which had been done by the original owner in half cross stitch. DMC Colbert tapestry yarns supplied with the Penelope 10 count canvas sufficient for coverage in half cross stitch only! So I blended in with Anchor tapestry wool skeins taken from my stash to make up the shortfall.
But even if I would like to have completed the whole thing with basketweave stitch and tent stitch, I would never pull out the original owner work since I believe it would be disrespectful.
PS
I have just joined the forum with the help of Richard... thanks again Richard and many happy returns,
Denise
I have tried to put in a link to my craft board by way of introduction

https://pin.it/okyqqqazqriiv7

[rcperryls]

Hello Denise and welcome to the forum from South Carolina! I did look at your craft page and you are definitely the creative one! Is there any one that you especially enjoy more than others? Looking forward to getting to know you.

Carole

[Squirrel]

Thanks for posting that Wendy it truly is amazing.

Welcome Denise from me too in hot Brisbane (Aus) You certainly are very creative and I look forward to seeing more of yourwork.

[DLG]

Thank you, very much appreciated Sally and Carole.
I enjoy working with my hands but I have a Pfaff crafter sewing machine too. I have made all the curtains for the house and most recent garden room, pictured in the Pinterest my craft board.
https://pin.it/j6hcikvl6yr4w3
But my curtains are very large and heavy due to the type of fabric that I have a preference for. Woven fabric with good body and then the lining fabric too. And I make them all full length. We used to have a proper shop here that sold the bolts of fabric and back then no one wanted the old style heavy duty woven fabric and I was lucky enough to get five different bolts. Ironically enough it was harder to get a good quality lining fabric! But my husband's cousin sold me two bolts. She makes for country houses and castles (High end) and schools (contract work). Her high end fabrics and trims are hand embroidered in Spain! But I got her to do the three staff rooms for our school on contract before I left. Having run various events to fund raise to refurbish the three rooms. My predecessor did up the kitchen! Once the curtains are up I don't be changing for the sake of change...
So I prefer to do other things, finishing rugs and tapestries from the kits that were sold in the seventies would be my favourite. Very clear that the quality of the materials was way better, rug wool yarns and cotton canvas etc. The Norwegian lopi long pile shag rugs rya style would be the best quality of those that I have done.
But for transitory things like labels and tags and cards;
I really like sizzix die cutting too, good quality machines and dies. I have the old red original die cutting machines and one old big shot and many deep steel dies that can cut leather and old vertical blind fabric and thin died that are able to cut up to 300 GSM cardstock and papers.
Perversely I also use craft foam in paper crafts to cut bitty people and dress items for tags and cards.
I enjoy painting (basic) and colouring and working on printing my own background papers with a gelly plate that I made for myself.
I like to make marmalade the old way and jams jellies and cordial and dress items up for gifts with the tags and cards...
I was in Brisbane many years ago and my daughter is currently in Flagstaff USA on a roadtrip in a mini camper off season deal with the boyfriend and he's going down the grand canyon in a canoe for a month.
Apparently they have a lottery tickets system to allocate slots for groups of people who want to do the three hundred miles or so! But Lydia is driving back from Flagstaff on her own to get the plane back home to Northern Ireland for Christmas
Best wishes to you all for Christmas
Denise


https://pin.it/j6hcikvl6yr4w3

[fccs]

It is a great story, and Richard, I like your idea of finishing things for people who can’t do it themselves, while they are still here.