Friday, April 29, 2011

Handwork--it's catching!

     In March I taught at the New Jersey Quilt Festival. As one of several teachers, we were paired with a roomie and that's when Laura Wasilowski and I got to know each other. If you looked at our work, you might think we'd be apples and oranges but we have lots in common it turns out. Both of us try not to take ourselves too seriously. We found we could trade paperback books (for airplane reading) but the big news was that we discovered we both liked hand sewing. 






Laura's latest book Fanciful Stitches, Colorful Quilts had just come out and to my surprise, the book features hand sewing touches.


     In addition to being Professor Emeritus of the Chicago School of Fusing, Laura loves hand embroidery. We got to talking about needles and here's a mini-interview I did with Laura. 


Pepper: " What type of needles did you use when stitching the quilts in your new book?"

Laura: "You'd never know by looking at me but I'm really fussy about the embroidery needles I use when stitching my little fused art quilts. Most of the
stitching on the quilts is done with  my hand-dyed Size 8 threads. My favorite needle for a size 8 pearl cotton is a size 4 Richard Hemmings embroidery needle. These excellent needles are from Colonial Needles http://www.colonialneedle.com/ and they slide through the fabric like
butter. (Not that I've ever sewn butter.)"

Pepper: "Do you use a hoop when adding embroidery stitches?"

Laura: "No, Pepper, I am a totally hoopless stitcher. If you place a raw-edged
fused quilt into a hoop, it may stretch the fabric and fray the edges. So I
avoid a hoop and add embroidery stitches just through the batting and quilt
top. If you'd like more fascinating tips for stitching a fused art quilts
on my blog under Thread-u-cation.
http://artfabrik.blogspot.com/p/thread-u-cation.html."


Pepper: "Thanks Laura!"

To my blog readers: you might not have known it but you're on a blog tour. So, if you comment on this blog posting, your email will be put into the pot and you'll have the chance to win a copy of Laura's new book. The offer lasts until 9 PM this evening April 30. Good luck!


46 comments:

Linda said...

I have taken classes from Laura and Melody - both profs at the Chicago School of Fusing. I would LOVE to win the book!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love all kinds of hand work and would certainly love to have the book
Ellen in Mass

stichnRN said...

love your applique tips.

Sharon Stroud said...

Hi, Pepper! Thanks for the great interview with Laura! She is a dynamic speaker and her quilts are just fabulous!

I would also like to say that your "Mastering Quilt Marking" book is a go-to resource for me and my students. Any more books in the works? Inquiring minds want to know!

Sharon

Elaine said...

I do want her book. I love her quilts and follow her blog. I really liked your interview also.
I enjoy handwork also, embroidery or needleturn. It's very relaxing.

Susan Whatley said...

Like the looks of Laura's work. Thanks for sharing. Book will have to wait until after the move.
Susan

Shirley Goodwin said...

Hi Pepper, haven't caught up with you for while. Interesting teaming with Laura! Are you coming to NZ for Symposium 2013?

Catskill Quilter said...

I do not think of myself as someone who does hand sewing, but I do love to embroider!

antique quilter said...

I really enjoy hand applique, just getting into using wool and embroidery stitches, would love to win and learn more! Have always admired Laura's work and use of color! LOL! Saw you at the NJ quilt festival, you were getting lunch and didn't want to bother you!
I was hoping to run into you again
Kathie

Edith Bieri-Hanselmann said...

It would be great if I would win this book.
Edith

Cedar Ridge Studio said...

Thanks to Laura for introducing us to a new name.
Fabric & threads means lots of fun

Melissa said...

Nice to know a new brand of embroidery needles to try with Laura's thread! And the book to go along with it would be fabulous!

Gene Black said...

Ah, thanks for sharing Laura's interview. I don't do a lot of hand work, but it is good to know what needles to use when I do -so that the work is more play than "grrrr" work! I would love to win Laura's book.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I have known Laura for years and love her sense of humor and her hand stitching. I'd love to have the book.

Diane said...

I am new to fusing and hand stitching and love Laura's work. I'd love to win her new book.

Deb G. in VA said...

I love to do hand work and would love to win a copy of Laura's book. Thanks!

A's Mom said...

roadhomequilting@yahoo.com
Thanks for the link on needles :)

WoolenSails said...

I love laura's work and do enjoy hand sewing and embellishing my pieces too. Enjoyed readying the interview and now I will have to check out more of your blog, as well.

Debbie

gatheredthreads said...

Thank you for the interview! I will be looking at your Mastering Quilt Marking book too - it sounds like just what I need right now.

Kathleen said...

I'm HUGE on handwork! And I would love to have a copy of Laura's book....

Marybeth said...

To learn the techniques from the book would work at my house!!

GerryART said...

The to the blog tour I've found your blog. Your interview with Laura gives me inspiration to get going with more hand embellishment using hand stitching.
Would be wonderful to win a copy of Laura's new, new book.
hugs,
Gerry

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

I would love a copy of this book! Thanks.

Jennifer Martin said...

I have really enjoyed this blog tour and the many opportunities to win Laura's book.

Sandra said...

First time on your site, but love to do hand work!

Hannele said...

You don't mention if this giveaway is for overseas as well, so I try my luck and enter :)

Sewgirl said...

I love Laura's work. I've been drooling over the new book! Thanks for the chance to win!

Marsha said...

Love Laura's work and her blog. This book would be a wonderful addition to my library.

Gill said...

Thanks for the interview!
I love Laura's work!

sbsudbury said...

Hand stitching brings me to a zen place. I would love to win this book to expand my horizons.
Thanks for the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Suzanne Morin suzanne.morin@persona.ca love Laura and love your site as well sure do hope I can win her book if I do it can be sent to me daughter in Connecticut thanks

Debbie said...

I enjoyed all the posts on Laura's blog where she shared projects from the book. I'd love to own this book! I have a New Jersey mailing address. Thanks for counting me in, Pepper!

Cathy said...

I have been a big fan of both you and Laura. And I am an avid hand quilter and applique fanatic. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of her book.

Dotti said...

I just love Laura's colorful whimsical patterns and she is so inspiring. Would love to win this book.

Gamma said...

I really do love to do any kind of handwork, applique and embroidery

Madalene Axford Murphy said...

Would love to win this book and thanks for the great interview!

Lori said...

Laura's work looks very interesting, I'd love to get a close-up look at her book :)

Donna Becker said...

Pepper, I enjoyed browsing your blog, and am a fan of Laura's, too. My Mom taught me simple embroidery stitches. She liked to make embroidered pillow cases, and gave me several sets when I went out on my own. Thanks for reminding me of that!

Joyce said...

I have taken classed from Laura, had a wonderful time. Hope to take some from you too, very soon.

Wendy said...

I would LOVE to win Laura's book!!!
I hope i'm not too late; you didn't say which time zone... It's only 6:30 in California. =-)

Thanks for doing this blog-hop give-away.

Cheers!

Carolyn said...

Thanks for the chance to win Laura's new book!

crowkeeper924@yahoo.com

Monika said...

time zones - urggh - don't know if I'm still in time. Greetings from Germany - Monika

Pat said...

I love your work since I have seen you on tv. What an inspiration you have been to me and I am sure many, many other people. I would love to win your book.

Dawn said...

Fun interview - I'm going to check my needle inventory today! Looks like a fabulous book.

Donna Laing said...

I adore handwork. I'll be joining you for some hand sewing of pineapple blocks at Quilt Odyssey in July, Pepper!

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