It's the small discoveries

For a while now I've been trying to figure out a way to standardize the way I make letters for my challah covers. In the past I've improvisationally pieced them like this one:



I love this design, but it's pretty much impossible to make two that are the same or even similar. That might be part of what makes them attractive, but it's also what makes them not the most cost effective item to make for my store. I want to be able to offer beautiful, handcrafted items, but the items can't be so labor intensive that they're not affordable for the customer. The alternative is to price them so I think they'll sell, but the price is such that I'm essentially working for nothing.
I don't know that I have the solution for every item I'd like to offer, but I think I've come up with the solution in this case.
First, I found a way to print the letters using Hebrew letter cookie cutters, potato stamps, and wax resist.



What's sort of amusing is that I have been trying to puzzle out how to use these cookie cutters for a while. I planned to press the cutters into potatoes, slice away the non-letter parts, dip the potato stamps in wax, and print. My problem was that the sharp end of the cutter yielded wrong reading letters. I really couldn't figure out how to get the letters to read in the right direction. And then it dawned on me that the fabric is the same on both sides. Unlike many commercial fabrics, there is not right or wrong side to a batik. Eureka! All I needed to do was use the opposite side of the fabric and I would instantly have right reading letters. By the way, this would apply to English letters as well. Can you see that the wheels are turning.
Anyway, with the letter quandary solved, the design really started to come together. I decided to combine the letters with the 2 1/2" patches of hand dyed fabric that I accumulate as I make fabric and voila:



I'm officially dubbing this design the Patches Challah Cover.
I've made a few for a Hanukkah Gift Bazaar I'm participating in this Sunday and I've already come up with a variation that uses shibori created symbols instead of letters. Anyway, after this weekend I'll definitely be adding these to my store. For those who live in Austin and would like to see them in person, they'll be at the Jewish Community Center on Hart Lane from 9-5 this Sunday.

Reason # 1,565,232...

...that it's good to have interaction with other crafty people: they often have great suggestions. Take, for example, a recent request by a customer for fabric in a chartreuse/red/white color way.
She specifically asked for a couple patterns in those colors. So, I created this:



and this:



based on her suggestions. But then I also made this:



because I felt that the pattern really lent itself to this color combination.
Now I have three new fabrics to offer both to her as samples and to you as quarter yard pieces.



Which I guess brings me to reason #1,565,233 why it's good to have interaction with other crafty folks: someone to share with.

A Change of Pace

As much as I enjoy making quilts and dyeing fabric, I have to admit that the occasional out-of the ordinary custom order helps to keep things exciting.
Most times the request is related to something I already make, but involves a bit of a twist.
A while back, someone contacted me about making her a pillow cover. Now, that isn't unusual; I make pillow covers practically every day. It was the pillow she wanted to cover that made this a new and slightly challenging project. She had an already existing bench cushion that she wanted to brighten up. She selected the fabric on this pillow and requested that the sides of the bench cushion cover feature that fabric as well. She also wanted a coordinating hand dyed solid along the bottom and a contrasting edging for the sides.
Before I continue with the images I should mention that when I was in eighth grade I took an aptitude test where I scored well on standard academic pursuits like reading, writing, and math, but failed miserably in the section that determined whether you had a mind for engineering. Ever since then, whenever I manage to "engineer" something, I stick out my proverbial tongue at that stupid test. So, it is with great pleasure that I show off this bench seat cushion.




The customer also wanted a wee little round pillow to match the cushion.



The round pillow did not require any new engineering as it is a lot like this pillow.



I designed it for the Spring 2009 issue of Stitch. So, though it was fun to sew, I didn't have that chest-swelling feeling that comes from proving something wrong. But I did get to enjoy doing something just a little out the the ordinary.

Too Tired To Blog...

...so I'll just upload some images of the newest items in my shop.







These are just a sampling of the quarter yard cottons I'm now offering.

But that's not all. I've added quite a few new Patches camera straps.
Like these:





And a hard copy version of my Strips and Bricks pattern.



I worked with a terrific graphic designer, Eryn Chandler, to create a professional looking pattern that includes two views of the quilt as well as a fully illustrated pattern. The whole thing is printed on a lovely card stock, so it's sturdy to boot.



OK. That's it for the shop talk. I'll be back soon with new projects and a new sponsor.
Nighty-night!

Changing Gears

That's the name of this year's Austin Area Quilt Guild Show. I'm having a great time there meeting lots of crafty people. I was there yesterday for opening day and today had my wonderful neighbor and friend run my booth so I could "enjoy" all that Yom Kippur has to offer. I'm just going to put it out there: though many find this holy day meaningful and I applaud that, I'm always happiest when it's over.
Tomorrow is another day and I'll be back at the Palmer Events Center in booth 412. Come by and say hello.

Super Quick

Just popping in to announce the winner of the tickets to this weekend's Austin Area Quilt Guild Show.
Our winner is Skye. She commented:

I would LOVE to go as your esteemed guest!! I am looking forward to seeing your beautiful work in person.


Skye, I would love for you to come as my guest too, so please email me (malka@stitchindye.com) your first and last name before Thursday the 16th and your tickets will be waiting for you at Will Call.

Thanks to everyone else who played along and I'll be back tomorrow with a preview of something kind of new, but oh-so special that I'll be offering at this weekend's show.

I Don't Even Know Where to Begin

But, I'm going to take Julie Andrews advice and,"start at the very beginning," because it's actually a very good place to start. I have been super busy the last week. Correction. I have been super busy for weeks, but last week I was super busy in Cleveland, Ohio. This can't possibly come as a shock to anyone because is there any other way to be in Cleveland? But, I was particularily busy in Cleveland taping a couple segments of Quilting Arts TV.



The lovely and talented Judy Coates Perez took this shot of me on the TV in the green room during my taping. The segments will appear in next season's Quilting Arts TV.
I also shot a little promotional video for my new book. See it over there! I am really excited for you all to see it.
The busyness continues, albeit in Austin rather than Cleveland. As I've mentioned before, I'm going to be a vendor at the Austin Area Quilt Guild Show, September 17-19. I should mention that I'll only be at the show on Friday, September 17 and Sunday, September 19. As anyone who owns a Jewish calendar already knows, Saturday, September 18 is Yom Kippur. I have arranged for my very crafty neighbor to run my booth. So, stop by on Friday or Sunday to say hello to me or Saturday to meet Rachel the neighbor. Either way, I hope you'll make it down to the Palmer Events Center because I'm making quite a few new things just for the show.




Loads of stitch in dye bundles.




My Patches Camera Straps.



Quarter yard pieces of my hand dyed and patterned fabric.

Add to these items, I'll have copies of all my patterns plus a new, amazingly professional version of my Strips and Bricks quilt pattern. I'll also be debuting the coaster kits I mentioned previously and showing off some of my favorite quilts, including The Cupcake Quilt.
And, frankly, much more.
So, if you live in Austin, or nearby, or are planning on visiting Austin, you should definitely stop by and not just because I'm giving away two free tickets. Oh, I guess I hadn't mentioned that. Well, aren't you glad you stuck with this post. Yes, indeed, the lovely folks at the Austin Area Quilt Guild have given me two free tickets to this once-every-two-years event to giveaway to one of you. Leave a comment and I'll announce a winner on Sunday, September 12.