Happy Holidays to all Service Personnel, Active Duty and Veterans.  Thank you for your Service! May Peace be with you.

K.D. Lang - "Hallelujah"

When the whole country seems to turn dark and cloudy, through the mist a soldier holds up our Flag and our souls.

And we also say Thank you to a civilian, not a soldier, but a true leader.

We will miss you deeply Mr. President Obama, Thank you For Your Service

Below is a photo of the next three Quilts For Veterans Tarp Totes (c) that I am working on.  I have changed my plan from a quilt for each Veteran to a Tarp Tote for each Veteran.  I have the three below set up for finishing, and each one will be given to hopefully, a specific Veteran.  Each Tarp Tote has a "theme" - the first will be geared for a Teacher that is a Vet, the second toward a Construction Worker who is a Vet, and I believe the third will be going to a Native American Vet.  Each Tarp Tote will include at least the following: A shawl, a quilt, facecloths, potholders, a copy of the poem "The Night Before Christmas" in book form, a key so Santa can find the Vet always, a pillowcase, a $10.00 bill for emergencies, a small ham, a copy of The Constitution, and a small sewing kit. I hope to also include a hand-inked American Flag on paper or board.

The fourth Tarp Tote I have started is a theme of the Turtle in the Garden, and hopefully will go to a farmer or horticulturist that is a Veteran.  The quilts in each are what display the particular theme of the set.  My Tarp Totes were developed after learning that anyone who goes to our local homeless shelter can only take a medium-sized bag.  So, now, my Quilts For Veterans are a medium-sized bag filled with Thank you gifts, with the personal wish the Veteran never becomes homeless.  

Each Tarp Tote set does take some time to complete, but I work on items as I can: for example, all the potholders are made for four bags, the quilts are cut out for three bags, the facecloths are made for three bags, etc.  Adding in a hand-inked American Flag allows me to share my 39 years as a Fine Artist.

I will be adding updates as I complete each set.

Distributed to date:
Quilt 2 - Traditional Red White and Blue Quilt
Quilt 3 - Traditional Red White and Blue Quilt
(cost was 85.00 per quilt)
Scheduled to be distributed:
Tarp Tote 1 (Quilt 4) - "Teacher" Veteran (expected cost $ 189.00)
Tarp Tote 2 (Quilt 5) - "Construction Worker" Veteran (expected cost $ 189.00)
Tarp Tote 3 (Quilt 1) - "Native American" Veteran (expected cost $ 189.00)
Tarp Tote 4 (Quilt 6) - "Farmer" or "Horticulturist" Veteran (expected cost $ 189.00)

This Veteran's Day, November 11, 2016, I joined a campaign of honoring our Veterans called "Green Light A Vet".  It entails lighting a green light and having it on every day, so that our Veterans know how we support them.  Buy a green light bulb, light a light, join us.

Green Light A Vet

I have been making Hankies for Vets (c), and for Police Officers to thank them for their Service. 

Thank You!

Real Warriors -Real Battles - Real Strength

Resources for Vets at Real Warriors

Yesterday I spoke with a very nice Marine at a service center for Veterans in the nearby town of Hyannis.  I had called to ask advice on the correct protocols for a donation idea of mine, and ended up finding out a great deal about the wonderful services this center provides for our Veterans on Cape Cod.

There are between 70 and 200 homeless Veterans on Cape Cod.  This Service Center runs two homes for homeless Vets now, and is building a third in the fall of 2016.

Currently they have enough quilts, but they exist on donations and some funding through the V.A.  If you like the idea of helping Vets, but do not quilt, this is an organization that can use your cash donations.

They provide 16 beds in their Hyannis house, allowing 16 homeless Vets to remain in a bed for up to two years, while the center gives them support with counseling, filing for benefits, assistance with PTSD issues, a safe haven to get back on their feet.  The second house is located in Mashpee, MA, another Cape Cod town, and the third house will be built in Dennis, Ma, which is the town next to mine.  Please help the Cape's homeless Veterans with donations if you can.

Cape and Islands Veterans Center
247 Stevens Street
Suite E
Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601

1-508-778-1590

Veterans Outreach

Thank you.

I have a new sewing machine that will be involved with the quilts.  It is a 1908 White Family Rotary treadle head machine.  I am in the process of cleaning it up and getting it to sew again.  It will represent the U.S. Army Reserves, which was founded in 1908.  My father served in the Army Reserves for a time after returning from Germany in the U.S. Army Infantry.

I hope to be treadling this machine soon.

Writing letters to Service Personnel is a wonderful way to contribute - 

Here is a link to Operation Gratitude and their letter writing information  HERE

USA.gov also has information about finding Military Members, or writing letters and sending Care packages at the link HERE

Movies About Veterans

According to Good Day "Manly Minute" in Sacramento, the following movies are accurate for the experiences of Veterans:


1978 Coming Home - no longer on YOUTUbe, but rentable

1978 The Deer Hunter (not available online except to purchase)  Amazon

1989 Born on The Fourth Of July (not available online except to RENT or purchase)

1958 It's Always Fair Weather (not available online except to purchase)  Amazon

1982 Rambo First Blood  (not available online except to RENT or purchase)

American Flag Timeline
Flag of The United States

I have a flag that has 42 stars.  It would have been made in 1889, or is a replica of an 1889 flag.  There were 42 states and 42 stars for 243 days of 1889-1890, but the 43rd star was added July 3, 1890, making the official version of the flag a 43 star flag and not a 42 star flag.

The flag I have is in poor condition, as it seems mice got to it.  It was with my grandfather's things.  Rather, my mother had some of her father's things and this was one of them.  My grandfather, Chester T. Fickett, was in WWII, and the Battle of the Bulge, and I do not where he may have gotten this flag. According to the the regulations regarding the flag, I should burn it if it is not in respectful condition.  I have temporarily framed it, while deciding whether or not it needs to be burned.

Pop-pop's Flag

Mission

The Mission Moves Forward

Where my quilts will be going:

To Deputy Chief of Police in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Stephen G. Xiarhos

Deputy Chief Xiarhos lost his son Nick to the fighting in Afghanistan.  Nick was a Marine, and ever since his death, in addition to his official duties with our local police department, Deputy Chief Xiarhos has been a dedicated advocate for active-duty service personnel and veterans from all branches of the military.

He told me, if I get the quilts to him, he will get them to veterans.  He gave me a few options - veterans that are homeless, veterans in nursing homes, veterans in V.A. hospitals, to Gold Star Families, or, that the quilts could be raffled off as part of his "Big Nick's Ride For The Fallen" (2015) which is held every July, with the proceeds going to our local high school's scholarship fund.

2016 Big Nick's Ride For The Fallen
2017 Big Nick's Ride For The Fallen

Nick was a good friend of my son's, and as such, my father knew all about Nick and his Sacrifice.

Thank you, Deputy Chief Xiarhos, I hope to have these quilts to you quickly.

UPDATE: June 13, 2016 Quilts 2 and 3 are received by Deputy Chief Stephen G. Xiarhos for presenting to Veterans of his choice. Thank you!! Deputy Chief Xiarhos!

A wonderful resource for all literature, manuals, trade cards for antique sewing machines is at The Smithsonian digital collection.  Use the link below to learn more, or explore their files.

Smithsonian Digital Collection - Sewing Machines, Trade LIterature

The Singer Model 20 SewHandy was made from 1910 through the 1950s, and then again in 1970.  A small machine, marketed mainly for children as a first machine, it is actually more like a miniature adult machine.  I found this out when I finally bought one to use for Quilts For Veterans.  I wasn't sure such a small machine would have any advantages over a full-size machine, but in actuality, its simplicity is its main advantage.

Like other "toy" machines of the time, it is a chain stitch sewing machine, has one thread lead that makes a looped stitch.  The model 20 sews a fine, delicate stitch, very similar to the quality of vintage Singer full-size machines.  It has a few more features than other brand toy machines, such as a stitch length regulator, a gear on the drive wheel instead of a cam, and on the 20-10 from the 1950s that I own, numbered threading guides.  It truly was and is a quality first sewing machine, and I am currently sewing the rows together for my Quilt 3 with one.

More information can be found at the link below:

Singer Miniature Toy Machines

and also at ISMACS at:

Singer Model 20 Toy Sewing Machine

Singer Model 20-1, 20-2, and 20-10 Parts List

I have purchased three of these, in keeping with being a child of a Veteran, and plan on using this simple machine in many, if not all of the future quilts.

During the history of sewing, the chain stitch has held its own place within the development.  Chain stitch sewing machines were manufactured for home use and for use as "first" machines for young children.  They also were used in the apparel industry.  For example, the hem on jeans is done with a chain stitch machine.  The first chain stitch machines were used in France by a tailor named Thimmonier, as shown in the documentary The History of Sewing Machines . Mr. Thimmonier used the machine he had invented to have a business sewing military uniforms.

Below is a toy model chain stitch sewing machine, the Gateway Engineering Junior Model NP-1.  Marketed to children, the simple chain stitch it creates is also able to sew seams for items other than for children.  I have posted two videos showing some minor adjustments I had made, as well as sewing with this small sewing machine.

1950s Gateway Child's Sewing Machine

Quilt For Veterans Quilt 3 Progress

My original plan was to make three quilts (to start with) for Veterans.  I felt if I could get three quilts done quickly, then three Veterans would have a quilt.  A lot has happened since I started.  On quilt 1, I used many of my machines and both machine-quilted and am now hand-quilting motifs.  Using all my machines was nice for the first quilt, but it's a difficult way to put a quilt together for consistency in stitches.

Quilt 2 has been machine-pieced and machine-quilted, and I will again be hand-quilting motifs in the blocks.

Quilt 3 may be both a challenge and more rewarding.  I am considering not only hand-quilting the quilt entirely, but hand-piecing it as well.  I am a little disappointed with the way the machine piecing came out on quilts 1 and 2.  I am experienced, and followed the correct methods of piecing, but some blocks just don't line up exactly.  This never used to happen with my quilts, and although, yes, I am getting older, I may just be being pushed in another direction.

When I think of the "best" (for respect, showing of appreciation, etc.) quilt method, it is hand-piecing and hand-quilting.  And through to where I am now with quilts 1 and 2, I am feeling that Veterans deserve "the best".  My grandmother had hand-pieced and hand-quilted one block that I have, and I have always been amazed by it.  I have put a photo of it below:

My current quilt pattern is much simpler in design, being a patchwork style, but that doesn't mean the hand-piecing will be very different.  Hand-piecing is going to take time, and perhaps a little study of expert hand-piecers, but it is the only way I can ensure all my blocks line up the way I want them to.

McCall's Quilting has a page on basic hand-piecing.   Hand Piecing / Lessons   It's a very good place for me to start with Quilt 3.

I have hand-pieced a 49-square piece that will be Quilt 4, a Commemorative Wall Quilt. For Quilt 3, I am using what I learned from hand-piecing to make a better effort at all blocks lining up for my original Quilt 3 in red, white and blue. I am using my 1937 Singer model 15-88 treadle to piece the squares of this quilt into rows, but will be hand-piecing the rows together. - Well, that is what I had planned.....

After going back to hand-piecing for a bit, re-learning, reminding myself of ways to be accurate in piecing, I have moved to using a chain stitch machine for piecing.  Instead of hand-piecing the row, I will be joining them using a Singer model 20 SewHandy chain stitch sewing machine for the rest of the quilt top assembly.  Below is a photo of this machine and the rows I have started to piece.  I will be posting more on this machine, but it is from around the 1953 time period, a time period when my father was in Germany during the Korean War.

Seven blocks of Quilt 3 were hand-pieced.  The rest were pieced with two Singer model 20 SewHandy sewing machines.  The machine-quilting was done with my 1937 Singer model 15-88 treadle.  It is finished, and yet I am considering adding hand-quilted flowers to each block.

                     This quilt was given to a Veteran through Deputy Chief Stephen G. Xiarhos.

The pattern I use for making pinwheel blocks is:

Missouri Star Quilt Co. "Fast and Easy Pinwheels"

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (Bagpipes)

Amazing Grace Celtic Woman

2015-2016 Brother LX3014 Online User Manual

A very interesting short article regarding American Quilting

Quilting In America

John Wayne "Taps" - A Tribute to Veterans

Taps with lyrics

"Taps" performed in Arlington National Cemetery

John Wayne Movies to quilt by:

Big Jake

Rio Lobo

Rooster Cogburn

War of The Wildcats

King Of The Pecos

The Man From Utah

The Desert Trail

The Fighting Seabees

Quilt 2 Progress

The second quilt has been started, April 19, 2016.  With this quilt I am making a few minor changes - I am not going to combine hand quilting and machine quilting, but will be machine-quilting only.  Another minor change is in my own assembly procedure.  I am not sure yet which machines I will use for this entire quilt, but I have re-started the piecing with my 1891 White Vs2b sewing machine.  I plan on using this machine for all the rest of the piecing, and perhaps the quilting as well.  I say re-started because the first three rows were pieced with my father's 1883 White Model Vs2 a (BS) sewing machine before it left for my brother's house.

Below: my 1891 White Vs2b sewing machine

Below: the first rows of quilt 2 are pinned to a planning fabric on the wall.  The top three rows that have red, white, and blue in them were pieced with my father's White VS2a (BS) sewing machine.  The machine on the lower right is my 1937 Singer model 15-88, and on the left is my 1952 Singer model 15-91, just as my father gave it to me, with the green cloth he used to cover it still in use.

The prints in this quilt are slightly different from those in quilt 1.

Update:  I have decided to quilt this quilt with my 2016 Brother LX3014 if I machine quilt it.  Not only is this the newest machine, and will represent all Veterans in previous wars and time periods, but having a grease or oil stain get on Quilt 1 from an antique machine, which ruined it, has changed my thinking.  I am also considering hand-quilting this quilt. I had originally started quilting many years ago by piecing quilts on machines and hand-quilting.  There are many reasons I preferred hand-quilting at the time, and I am re-exploring those aspects before I decide which way to complete this quilt.

Machines used in making this quilt:
Dad's 1883 White Model Vs2a (BS)
My 1891 White Model VS2b

Below: The 1891 White Vs2b treadle sewing machine that pieced this quilt

The accuracy of the piecing with this machine is shown below, and further below, the pieced quilt top

Below are some photos of the quilt layering- first, my quilt-board painted with the American Flag, then the muslin on the board, then the batting, finally topped with the quilt top and pinned for quilting.

This quilt has now been machine-quilted and is ready for the hand-quilted motifs.

I have completed the binding on the quilt, prior to hand-quilting any flowers.  It is in essence, finished this way, and I could present it to someone now.  I am considering, with this quilt and Quilt 3, whether to present them this way, this week of Memorial Day, or to add the hand-quilted motifs, which will take time.  There will be 198 motifs per quilt if I decide to add them.

This quilt was given to a Veteran through Deputy Chief Stephen G. Xiarhos.

The Battle at Gettysburg

I am finishing up a quilt, and have decided to let my 1937 Singer model 15-88 sewing machine take a rest from working.  It is a machine I use often, but I have so many machines!!!  :)  I am going to finish the quilt with my 1891 White Vs2b treadle machine.  My father had a White VS2a (BS) machine, and when that machine went to my brother, I bought a similar White for myself.  I would like this machine to be as comfortable to use as my Singer 15-88, and the only way for that to happen is to use it often.

Below is my Singer 15-88, now in repose:

And below is the 1891 White Vs2b, covered:

and uncovered:

There are a couple of differences between Singer machines and White machines, and in my case, the most notable is that sewing feet are not interchangeable between the machines.  I do have a set of White attachments, but I am more used to using Singer attachments, so there will be a small learning curve involved with the attachments.  In addition, on this particular White, the bobbin winder works a little hard, so winding bobbins will take a little longer.  Simple things to overcome!

Civilian Volunteer

A separate type of Service to our country is volunteering your time.  It is not like committing to being in the Armed Services, but it is very important.  I am very proud that my son volunteered when asked.  This past weekend, when asked by someone in Washington, for the trip when President Obama was visiting California, my son offered to help with any support The President's trip might need.  He ended up driving one of the vehicles in the motorcade for the weekend, and performing various similar tasks asked of him by the Secret Service.  He couldn't send me a photo until after the trip had ended, due to security restrictions, but when he did, I was both in shock and awe, that my son, a very down-to-earth (scientist) could have such an honor as to help the President.  No matter how we each vote, it is respect for the Office of President that ensures our Freedom and Democracy.  Thanks, kiddo, and wow- look what you did!!!!  (My son said The President was "incredibly kind".  Thank you Mr. President!, for the respect and dignity you showed my son.)

A wonderful video that reminds us all that the Service Personnel fight for us.

"I Fought For You"

My 1891 White VS2b treadle sewing machine- ready to quilt!  I have a border and ends to finish today.

Videos - The Revolutionary War - Part 1

and The Revolutionary War - Part 2

I have been to some of the locations involved in this war, including Fort Ticonderoga.

The Flag in 1959-1960   49 Stars

Currently I am finishing the border areas of a quilt.  I have been working by hand, but in order to incorporate my new 2016 sewing machine into this quilt, I may quilt the borders with this machine.  It is a 2015-2016 Brother LX3014 and represents our most recent veterans.  Below is a photo of the quilt, pinned, during hand-quilting.

Below is the Brother LX3014 ready for quilting

The Army Chorus and Lee Greenwood sing a capella " God Bless the U.S.A"