Softie ABCs

Here is a scrap buster project!  Use your fabric, batting and backing scraps to make this project.  

If you have an embroidery machine, you might take the time to find the correct font. However, here is a way to have your computer help.

These can be made with any simple straight stitch machine.

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Tuesday Tutorial

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First search the DaFont site for the "A Love of Thunder" font and installed it.
You might want to also install the free word processor offered by Open Office.

To install a font from DaFont:

• Download
• Save to desktop for easy location
• Open the file on your desktop
• locate the ttf file
• double click
• install
• done. (you may have to close and reopen your word processor for it to appear.

 For a little person's hand, 

choose size 200 to print the font.

It is a rustic looking font which will have nothing to do with this project.

Only looking for size and shape.

 

 Choose scraps of fabric just big enough for letter.

You may or may not want to piece the backing and batting.

For some I did piece for others I just used small scraps of batting and backing.

 Use scissors with "Paper" cutting purpose only to cut out letters from paper.

A pair of manicure scissors can cut out centers.

(Found these at yard sale.)

Only cut out centers so they can be traced with the

heat sensitive pens for stitching lines.

 For easier manipulation under the needle,

cut the letter blocks apart.

Laying them on a large piece as above,

does save space and use of batting and backing.

Use a

generic machine foot

and a 2.0 stitch

 for easier curve turning.

 For stability purpose, 

don't cut out centers.

Just stitch the centers.

 To remove heat sensitive marks,

lay out all at same time and press.

Quilt Shot ~ Grandma JP's Baby Quilt is Finished

A friend's Mother just passed away.

She found a quilt her Mother started in 1998.

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The outer border needed quilting,

and a binding added.

She asked if I could finish it.

When the mask request stopped coming in,

I jumped on this quick task.

I did some free motion hearts.

It was a very relaxing task.

Made me wonder if her Mother was a calm person.

 I'm told she was.

 It looked like her Mother wanted the quilt to be self binding using the backing

rolled to the front.

That didn't work out.

I had some yellow fabric to make the binding.

The tag made & hand stitched to the back of the quilt.

God bless my friend.

So sorry for her grand loss.

Fun Friday ~ Masked Blessings

While I have received a ton of thank-yous verbally and by card,

I don't think people realize what a blessing it was for me

to make masks during this terrible, scary, boring time.

It gave me purpose to get up every morning.

It certainly made 8 weeks stuck in the house fly by.

Because it involved sewing which was fun, pleasant 

and soothing.

I've listened to about 8 audio books thanks to my local library access to Hoopla.

Presently I'm listening to Gilbert Morris' Appomattox Saga Series.

I love Morris' touch on religion while telling the history of the Civil War

with love stories mixed in.

Masks were made for VA facilities, nursing homes, the local hospital, my mail carrier & sub carrier,

school bus drivers delivering food in the neighborhood,

folks going back to work at Toyota and other businesses,

and of course simply for family and friends to just go get food and meds.

 In return several of those people brought groceries to me.

 Both of my daughters are essential workers,

one being a nurse that wears a mask every work day anyway,

and the other daughter a rural mail carrier 

that travels dusty roads and needed multiple masks a day.

I added tags with information on how to use and maintain the masks

using information from the CDC.gov website.

Masks were made for cousins from my Aunt's fabric,

and from my Uncle's shirts.

It took a full 6 hours to make the first two.

Then the next day I struggled to get 6 done.

By about the 6th week, I had developed a slip knot that used a tie half the length.

I was easily making 20 masks from cut to finish in 4 hours!

Those are the ones you see in the first four pictures above.

 

 Masks were put in zip bags or pre-virus day shopping bags with names.

Then placed on my old rustic porch chair which became known as 

"The Masked Chair."

Via a text message folks were told they were ready,

and I was given instructions when to set out the masks.

People walked or drove by to pick them up.

Some of the times I was able to see people I hadn't seen in a long time

from the other side of my glass door.

It was so hard not to hug.

Some masks were mailed thanks to the help of a great friend, Shanita.

Several sent back a lovely thank-you card and message

along with a gracious gratuity. 

I didn't charge for the masks because 

Lenita, Patty, Nadine and Carol gave me fabric for the cause.

I was blessed all around.

 Through all of this,

there have been a lot of Fun Fridays

making over 600 masks.