questions & answers

I had to steal this from the kids file.

I went back a few posts and pulled the questions that I remembered.

Quilting & embroidery
NYTESONG wanted to know about transferring designs without smudging or how to make sure all the transfer was transferred.It is a nerve wracking job to be sure.  I always use a thick bath towel on my ironing board when I iron any patchwork or do any iron-on transfers.  The extra padding will give you better contact between the layers and make up for any irregularities in your ironing board.  I also use steam, which is controversial depending on who you ask.  This quilt in the post was a do-or-die transfer job.  I had to make sure it was drafted perfectly, and I had to make sure that I didn’t screw up.  I was very relieved when that part of the job was finished. 

 

TANSY  was curious about how to attain even stitches on the edges of the motifs.

On the cleavers, and most of the motifs on that quilt, I used one strand of floss, and I use the stab and pull method which helps me to stay on the line.  To do the stitch you stab downwards from the top and pull with your underneath hand, and repeat from the bottom.  Each motif on that quilt took me a week of winter evenings.  It takes a long time with one thread to make a dent in a design.

BILLIE, wanted to know about wash out markers, and quilt marking.

I’m fairly unconventional, I mark as I go, and my quilts are usually dark, inspired by pre-1940′s Amish quilts.  If the quilt is dark, I use a NONCE silver pencil, and if the fabric is light I just use a very sharp #2 pencil and if the marking still shows after I have quilted, I erase with an art eraser.  Other than that, I use masking tape, for straight lines.  I quilt with a square or rectangular PVC hoop and only will mark what I need for that day.  I do a lot of feather quilting, and find that the lap quilting in a square hoop gives me the freedom and comfort of turning the quilt, and allows me to draft elaborate designs that are hard to quilt in a stationary frame.  I also rarely baste my layers together.

And as for offending me about the machine work, you didn’t, and I’m sorry I offended your work.  I piece with a machine and hand quilt and embroider, so I’m not a purist.  I just like the look of the hand work.  But, I have made many machine pieced quilts that I tied, for volunteer fundraisers.  And I agree the recipients were glad to win them.  And I would be equally excited to receive a quilt of any type as a gift, machine quilted or not quilted at all.

Wood cook stove

PAULA wanted to know about cookware for the wood cook stove top.

Paula I use cast iron and stainless steel.  We invested in Vollrath stock pots for HD’s beer making endeavors, and for cooking, cheese making, and preserving.  We have a 20 qt, 12 qt, and 5 qt stockpots, and they are supposed to last a lifetime.  Lately have I bought 2 of Martha Stewart’s stainless steel pans, and they have been wonderful. (and frightfully inexpensive at Macy’s)   I also have some copper clad Revereware that is indestructible. (don’t ask) 

The other must have is good (thick) potholders!  The metal handles get hot, and you have to turn the pan to get it to cook evenly. 

The other essential is a tea kettle.  Our’s looks like the Wreck of the Hesperus, since it goes out to thaw pipes and spigots sometimes, but it is always full and ready for duty, plus that provides needed humidity.

Cookies

Pamela wondered about the cookies having raspberries in them, and they are actually cranberries. 

Here is my go to dried fruit cookies recipe, reconstituting the fruit in water makes the cookies soft.

SOFT RAISIN COOKIES  (substitute any dried fruit)   4 dozen

1 ½ cup raisins 
1 cup water 
1 cup butter
 1 ½ cups sugar
1 T vanilla
3 eggs
3 cups flour
1 t cinnamon
1 t soda
½ t salt
1 cup chopped nuts

Boil raisins with water until dry.  Set aside to cool.  Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cream butter and sugar, add vanilla and eggs, mix well.  Add dry ingredients, mix well, add cooled raisins and nuts, mix well.
Bake for 10 -12 minutes.

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