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.)