I promised

Liebe deutsche Freunde, Ihr könnt oben rechts "Translate ... German" wählen und dann alles in Deutsch lesen. Viel Spaß!

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Sigh, no time for blogging lately. Something has happened though and I HAVE TO write about THIS.

I got mail!
Yesterday I received the complimentary issue of the latest book from DEUTSCHER KLÖPPELVERBAND. On the front page is a photo of my quilted Adventcalendar with the 24 Chrismons in bobbinlace.

I wrote about this project several times. It looks like I had started this project in the beginning of 2014 but I had wanted to do it for a long time. I had started designing the pearls and beads Chrismons (Christian Symbols Christmas tree ornaments) in the early 1990s and would have also liked to design bobbinlace patterns ... but decided that this was over my head.
First blog!
Second blog!

It's a long story how it came about but here it is. I like the under-title "the little bit different advent calendar". The letter which came with it moved me because Maria thanked me with the words that without my idea this would not have happened. Oh how I like to emphasize why we celebrate Christmas and that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season!"

To be honest, I can't remember how I made those 24 "disks" to mount the lace ornaments on but I had promised Maria I would blog about it. In the meantime I have made more advent calendars. Those ornaments are square but the technique is the same. I think it is very easy this way and works well. Much less stress and fiddle work.

You need:

Pellon Flex-Foam 1-Sided Fusible Stabilizer (Style # FF78F1)

Double-sided Iron-on (I use Hotfix Adhesive because the raw edges don't unravel)

Fabric for the front and for the back (cotton is best)

I cut the foam circle 4 inches across. I think I made the lace patterns a little smaller.

Tip: I use the rotary circle cutter. I cut a circle from scrap paper first and make a cut from the edge to the middle (so you can pull it away). I use this circle to find where to place the needle for the middle ... to find out whether the piece of fabric is large enough and to go close to the edges to save fabric.

Lay the foam adhesive side up on the ironing surface and lay the front circle face side up over it (so the foam is on the back side). Mist with a little water and press with the iron. (Only press so you don't move the fabric off the foam.)

Make a cut in the middle of the back side and layer front (with foam) and back right sides together.

When I made this sample I forgot that you might also want to add the ribbon or cord into the layering (loop in the middle with ends sticking out the side)

Sew around with the zipper foot.

Turn! You can trim the seam allowance first if you feel that it needs it. 

With your finger or a turning tool make sure the edge looks nice. 

You might want to take the same back fabric to cover the back with the slits. Iron on double-sided adhesive in the size you about need. Cut a circle, pull paper and iron it on. Done ... except for may be adding the number of the day.

I had made another advent calendar for my church to raffle off this year (similar to another one couple years earlier). Still have to write that blog. Here the ornaments are square but done in the same technique. To hide the cuts in the back I had printed the meaning of each ornament on fabric, added the iron-on and used that. Very effective. In this case the numbers 1 to 24 are in the place the ornament is placed. The advantage is that you can select which one you (or somebody who has a turn) choose for that day and each year the calendar is different. Since you have the explanation there might also be a little discussion. So many possibilities!

Enjoy!

Of course, if you want to know more about Chrismons you should look HERE! This blog is only about Chrismons. Remember you can select the German language in the right top corner.

And now I have time to look at the book. There are 31 of Brigitte Bellon's wonderful Christian Symbol patterns with explanations of their meaning. Also included are the patterns for the numbers 0 to 9. I have always appreciated Brigitte's generosity sharing her patterns. I have already treasured my special advent calendar for some time and will for years to come. It is a big part in our Christmas celebration. 

Thank you, Brigitte Bellon! 

Thank you, Maria Steur and Deutscher Klöppelverband for helping to put Christ back into Christmas.

Christmas in a week

It's not too late. There is still a week to Christmas this year. And then there is always next year!

I have already made several of these ... and given them away. Now here is one I am going to keep. I also wrote a bit of a "How to".

Traditionally Fröbelsterne  (or Moravian Stars) are made with paper. I have made them since I was a child in Germany. Paper doesn't always last that long, but last year I decided to make them with fabric. I think they turn out pretty good. People seem to be excited when they receive them as gifts.

Fröbelstern

You can find something about it HERE.

In Germany you can buy 'kits" of precut paper strips to make these stars. This year I even found some kits before Christmas time at our new Lidl here in Richmond.

HERE IS A LINK which is very informative. It has a step-by-step drawing but also u-tube links etc.
I found out that the star is called by at least all these names: Advent Star, Danish Star, German Star, Moravian Star, Nordic Star, Pennsylvanian Star, Polish Star, Swedish Star or (!) Froebel Star.

Long time ago I also used stiff ribbon. But here is how I did it with fabric.

I cut a piece of HEATnBOND LITE 30 inches by 4.5 inches.

Iron on the back of a piece of fabric. I like this bonding material because it is used with a dry iron, no steam.

Trim all around, peel and iron on another piece of fabric. It can be the same material or different. The selection of front and back material or even different strips make a lot of difference.

Cut the fabric-sandwich in 4 strips each 1 inch wide.

In the internet instructions they say to cut slanted to the tip but that makes the tip week. I do it like this which makes it much easier.

Follow the online instructions. There are many. If you don't like one, there is another you might like better.

Tweezers are my most important tool. Instead of trying to stick the strip through I enter with the tweezers where the strip is supposed to come out and then pull it.

The next two photos show front and back ... different because my front and back fabric was different. I could have used two strips folded the other way ... etc etc.

I like thin gold or silver elastic and make an overhand knot taking the two ends together. A bit of glue into one of the tips and insert the knot-end.

Done! (see photos in the beginning)

October + November threads

I think I came to a screeching hold on this site. Now I try to decide what pictures/stories/happening concerning "Threads" I should share.

October 10  - - -  We went to the Homeplace 1850s in the Land between the Lakes in Western Kentucky. Helen and I of course where very interested in the quilts and the samplers. Loved studying those.

November 2  - - -  The Hospitality Richmond Quilt Group meeting had an interesting program. A couple showed a vast number of quilts they have made together. Difficult to decide which ones to show. I liked the interesting setting of the cathedral quilt, something modern, interesting quilting.

November 8  - - -  CR quilters meeting

Janet's Row x Row

Some of my fabric ornaments (for gifts)

Wreaths I made for the St Martin's bazaar. Both sold. Can be hang on doors or used as table center pieces with candles in the middle.

Phoebe is a hand quilter. Impressive work.

Joyce showed us an "old" quilt with a very interesting label.

November 14  - - -  Colonial Lacemakers' meeting. Our newest member Anneli has only started to learn making bobbinlace a few weeks ago. Very impressive. 

Some progress by others!

December  - - -  All the meetings are party, party, party! You find those on my main blog (top right tab).