Sunday, August 30, 2015

ATCs: You won't find this job on my resume

"Never a high rise window washer."
by Liz Armstrong
I laughed out loud opening the envelopes from this month's Artist Trading Card [ATC] swap. The theme was "You won't find this job on my resume," a sequel to last month's ATC swap, "My first paying job."

Some jobs suit our skill sets, our sense of adventure or our interests. But some career paths we have no desire to pursue. Then again, there might be a job (in your distant past) that just doesn't "fit" on a resumé.

Can identify with one or more of these?

"You won't find this job on my resumé."
by Marilyn League

Cathy says she's got two left feet, so you won't find "ballet dancer" on her resumé.
"Two left feet" by Cathy Dillon

Several traders want no part of the "friendly skies."
"Hot Air Balloon Pilot" by Judy Parton

"You won't find Flight Attendant on my resumé"
by Patti Moreland

"You won't find "Space Cadet" on my resumé"
by Sharon Griffith
"Dog Walker" by Dawn Spagna

"Domestic Goddess. So, who marries a "house"?"
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

You won't find this job on Karen's resumé, but she says it was the best job ever —math tutor to college athletes!
"You won't find this job on my resumé!
But it was the best job ever!"
by Karen Downer

"You won't find this job on my resumé."
by Diane Pineschi

"A job you won't find on my resumé is a traveling musician."
by Debbie Joyner

Nursing is probably not a good choice of profession if you faint at the sight of blood.
"You won't find this job on my resumé.
(I faint at the sight of blood.)"
by Bonnie Stevens

I also find other wonderful surprises from traders when their squishy ATC envelopes come in the mail. Thanks, ATC artists! I enjoy every bit.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Presentation: "From Field to Fabric" at Quilters Etc. guild

Recently, two quilt shop owners (from Sew 'n So Quilt Shop and Lana's Quilts and Sew Much More) asked if I could give a talk on the difference between "quilt shop quality fabrics" and the "fabric" [term used loosely here] one can get at big box stores.
"From Field to Fabric" presentation
The shop owners, in conjunction with the Quilters Etc. quilt guild, put out a great spread and hosted a delightful—as well as educational—evening for shop customers, guild members and their quilting friends at Lana's quilt shop. Here are some highlights from the evening.

In preparation for my talk, I did a little pre-presentation investigation at non-quilt shop locations where I purchased several fabric samples. The unmarked samples were presented to the attendees for inspection. 
Can you tell the difference between quilt shop fabric and others?
Attendees were asked to look at the fabrics . . . feel 'em . . .
Checking the fidelity of the designs and the softness and hand of the fabrics.
shake 'em . . .
Determining the differences in fabric.
light 'em up . . .
Holding fabrics up to the light provides insight
into opacity and weave structure.
and vote for the ones they thought were the better quality.

Unwashed vs. washed: how much shrinkage? does it ravel excessively?
surface qualities? any bleeding? fading?
The better quality batiks have a good hand, a smooth, soft finish and
crisp, detailed designs. After washing both brands, a noticeable distortion
and shrinkage was revealed with the lower quality batiks. 
The difference in the depth, detail, color palette, and richness of the prints
was very evident when comparing fabrics from different sources.
All in all, the quilters could identify the quilt shop fabrics from the "others." But why is there a difference?

My presentation continued with an overview of the steps and processes—from field to fabric—and the whys and wherefores that affect the quality of the finished product. From the planting, growing, maintaining and harvesting of the cotton crop, . . .
Bales of cotton.
the classification, drawing, carding, and spinning of the cotton fibers to the weaving of the greige goods (pronounced "grey goods"), . . .
Drawing the cotton fibers.
Spinning cotton fibers into the yarn for weaving.
the singeing, de-sizing, bleaching, washing and drying of the greige goods in preparation for printing, steaming, finishing, drying and final inspection of the printed fabrics that get rolled on tubes (ROT) for shipment to a fabric company's warehouse.
Prepping the greige goods.
Printing the fabric.
Fabric finishing.
There are a multitude of processes—and steps in each process—that go into the manufacturing of the first quality, beautifully designed, limited edition fabric collections that are delivered to your local quilt shop (YLQS).
Geo Flow fabric collection by Blank Quilting.
These fabrics are designed, manufactured and supported with project ideas and patterns specifically with you, my dear fellow quilters, in mind.
Quilt top made with the Geo Flow collection by Blank Quilting
by Anna at Sew 'n So Quilt Shop.
Visit and support your local quilt shop. In addition to top-quality quilting fabrics, their value-add includes:

  • you're greeted by friendly, knowledgeable shop owners and associates 
  • who are interested and invested in your quilting and sewing success
  • and can assist you and answer your questions
  • and are a resource for instruction and education through classes, demonstrations, presentations, programs and events
  • and provide you with a pleasant shopping experience
  • to offer the quality fabrics and tools you need to make your quiltmaking experiences enjoyable and fun!

Can you get this (and more) elsewhere? I've not.

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Between the design wall and the sewing machine

"A funny thing happened on the way to the… sewing machine." This ever happen to you? Look closely…
Fabrics featured: Brushstrokes by Pepper Cory
Shadow Weave by StudioE Fabrics.
Corrected version:
"Nine Patch Puzzle" pattern by The Franklin Quilt Company.
Is it the quilting gremlins? How does this happen?

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

ATCs: My First Paying Job

"Chores" by Dawn Spagna
It's interesting how our introduction into the workforce can shape our careers and our life journey. "My First Paying Job" was the theme of the July FiberAntics ATC [Artist Trading Card] swap.

Knowing a little about some of the traders in my swap, what these artists illustrated as their "First Paying Job" made perfect sense. It's funny how life comes full circle, isn't it?

A few of the traders indicated the hourly wage for these first jobs. My, how times have changed… Possibly you can identify with one or more of these jobs. What was your first job and how much did it pay?

"Babysitting" by Sharon Griffith
Karen's babysitting job paid 50 cents an hour.
"Babysitting" by Karen Downer
Diane earned 35 cents for vacuuming the carpet at the dress shop. She was age 6 at the time.
"Vacuuming the carpet at a dress shop."
by Diane Pineschi
Bonnie retired from a career in the accounting field. This is where she got her start.
"Summer Secretary at South Church"
by Bonnie Stevens
 Liz is an amazing quilt maker and quilting instructor—with appliqué as her specialty. She got a taste of needle and thread sewing costumes for the college's theatre department.
"My first real paying job!!"
Sewing costumes for the theatre department while at college.
by Liz Armstrong
Marilyn, an accomplished seamstress and art quilter, worked at a tailor shop at age 16.
"Working at a Tailor Shop"
by Marilyn League
I remember the video training tapes my friends/co-workers had to watch at my first job at McDonald's. One of the topics was Suggestive Selling. "Would you like fries with your burger?" This job paid $1.90 an hour. I recently saw a "Hiring" sign outside a McDonald's which read: $8 an hour.
"McDonald's—Home of the Big Mac"
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega
The hamburgers aren't 30 cents anymore, either.
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