Happy St. Valentine's Day ~ In September

I could have waited to post this until February,

but that's just not how things work around here.

I'm a firm believer in cloth napkins, real plates,

sitting at the table to eat.

I know "gasp" right?

Mr. LB laughs at me for using 1/2 paper towel

which is actually pretty seldom.

These Valentine napkins have been cut out 

since before last Valentine's Day.

They are finally stitched up.

At least they are ready for next year:)

This time of year,

I tend to do the nesting thing.

Clean house, get some clutter out, organize a little,

and finish up 'little projects.'

It's amazing how after doing this,

the clutter reappears, more projects pup up, and 

there's more to be done.

Maybe there are little elves that come at night

and rather than doing work,

they create work.

 Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

A Quilt Show in January and Flowers

My favorites - yellow roses. 

I found these day before last so treated myself.  

They needed a little extra something so...

I added a piece of artificial ivy as filler.

I've had this little ol' picture for some time and love to use it for flowers.

I haven't seen it since last summer so

having it on the table just makes me smile.

It just seems so genteel.

I stated in an earlier post that I dress my table.

People kinda look at me funny when I say that.

That's what it is called.  Even though the majority of the time

it's just Mr. LB and me, there is a table cloth, place-mats, a center

piece, and of course cloth napkins.  Since they are my favorite,

when I found yellow rose fabric, I made napkins.  So my table 

at the moment is just a happy place.  These napkins look really nice 

with a soft blue as well.  I showed the foot and how I make them

in a post prior to Halloween here.  

The other exciting news is that there is a quilt show in January!

It is in Silverton, Oregon at the Oregon Gardens.

January 25 and 26.

We are heading out tomorrow to attend.  I have never been there,

but there are 80 acres of gardens, and the Stitches in Blooms Quilt Show

is in the pavilion in the gardens.  It is supposed to rain,

so I am thinking a lot of beautiful quilts will be a wonderful site.

I actually won this trip and will be sharing more upon returning - 

hopefully with lots of pictures.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Easy Peasy Gift Idea

I have made these for years.  This set is for my aunt from my mom & somehow I am the one sewing:)  Did you know that the average American uses 7 trees worth of paper napkins each year?  That's just napkins not counting all the other paper 'stuff' we use.  I am not a freak, but I do like to do my part in trying to produce less garbage and do what I can to help the environment.  The shopping bags are a blast, buuuuut something else that is just as much fun is a set of cloth napkins.  I have a set for every holiday as well as a couple of extra sets just because.  I seldom use paper towels or napkins.  It's great, I don't run out & I get to play with fabric.  I will work backwards here to show you how.

First, decide how big you want your napkins.  For my everyday napkins, I make them about 15 inches square.  That makes it easy as far as figuring - you can get three from about 15 inches of fabric.  The width of fabric varies a little so I just measure and divide by three.  Depending upon the fabric, sometimes they are only 14.5 inches square.  That's fine too.  More formal napkins are usually a little larger - maybe 18-20 inches square.  At that measurement, you get 4 out of a yard to yard and a quarter of fabric with a strip left over to put in a table runner - see a bonus either way.

Once you have decided and have your fabric cut into squares, it is time to sew.  I have a rolled-hem foot for my old machine (okay, I hear you - one of my old machines.)  This makes it easy.  I just continue one right after the other then snip them apart and move on to side two.  You do want your finished edge to be at the bottom of your sewing edge as you work.  The unfinished edge is easier to feed into the foot.  When you get to the last side, you have to make a little rolled hem and place it under the foot to get it started - at least for this very small one.  Some of the rolled-hem feet make a little larger hem, and they seem to be a little easier to feed.  If you don't have the presser foot, you can just make a small rolled hem as you would on most sewing projects.  I have made hundreds of these, so I love my foot!  Now that's something you don't hear every day.

I like to frey check the corners when I am finished just for good measure, but that is entirely optional. 

I don't quite have this set finished yet - I'm getting there, but it is really cute fabric so I am enjoying it.  Just think, another excuse reason that is to buy fabric (and help save a tree too.)  Have a beautiful day.

As always, Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.