How to Hoop Background Blocks for Jenny Haskins Quilt

Last weekend I had the most wonderful time at our Third Annual Embroidery Retreat with Sew Many Blessings and Calico Patch. We spent three whole days learning how to multi-hoop large embroidery projects and worked on a several blocks from Jenny Haskin's Heritage Quilt book.



As usual, I had issues with my background blocks for the Jenny Haskin's project. So I decided to take detailed notes and pictures, in hopes that I could finish the project when I got home. I hope you find these notes helpful too. Hopefully, I'll get in gear and actually finish a block that I can post.

These are my first two background blocks that weren't right...I decided to make them a sample.
Here is a link to the notes that I put together. I really hope that they are beneficial.

Hooping Instructions for Jenny Haskin's Background Blocks

Sleep Over & Sew in

Last Sunday, my niece spent the night with me which means we MUST work on a sewing project. My niece is a wonderful child, she is always quick to help and follows me around when I'm running a mile a minute in total disorganization. After we cleaned up diner for the boys (my nephew, son and son's best friend were also spending the night). I asked Brittany if she would like to pick a sewing project. She is anxious to make a Lazy Girl Chelsa tote (back pack), but we didn't have the materials on hand. Instead, we decided to work on a couple of in the hoop embroidery projects.



After careful consideration, we decided to make a cell phone case and chapstick holder, both designs from Embroidery Garden, the site has the most addictive embroidery designs. Brittany

spent several minutes searching through my stash for the perfect fabric for her projects. She finally decided on black, white, poca dot fabric with a coordinating hot pink stripe print. She definately has an eye for coodinating fabrics. I don't believe she could have selected a better combination.







We decided to flee from all the boys and we went down the hill to my mom's house to stitch out the projects. In no time at all, she had two very cute accessories to go with her Mudd pocketbook. I decided that the chapstick holder would make wonderful party favors if she ever decided to have a sleep over of her own (I may have to work on her mother about that one).



We ventured out to our local fabric store and selected fabric for her backpack. I guess that will be the next project we tackle. I honestly can't wait! I hope that she enjoys the time sewing together as much as I do.

A Visit to Amish Country...

Mom and I boarded a bus early on Friday October 3 for a wonderful tour of Amish Country in Ohio with the Putnam Quilters Guild. The ride was so relaxing and there was much excitement in the air. Everyone was anticipating a day of shopping in this quaint country side. The rolling countryside provided view of many farms, cows and horses. On several occasions we noticed farms working their fields using their giant teams of work horses. The Amish homes were not that much different from homes located anywhere, other than there were not power wires running to them. Each home had multiple lines of laundry out to dry. These people must get up early to work, because we came through around 9:30 or so.

Our first stop, was a quilt shop called Millers Dry Goods. I thought I had died and gone to quilters heaven. There were two buildings full of patterns, fabric, quilts and crafts. I was so overwhelmed. We only had about an hour and a half to shop. I think I could have spent the entire day. They had bolts and bolts of any color or collection you could possibly imagine. I was able to find some fabric that I needed for a project, but was able to resist taking more than I needed home. Mom was able to find a belt for the Treadle Sewing Machine that she was given. I think this find, made the trip worth while.

Next, we proceeded to a local bakery, I can’t even begin to describe the tasty treats. I did manage to buy a few things to bring home to my boys. Let me tell you, it was hard to keep from eating the variety of fry pies that I had purchased. Yum-O!

Finally, we made our way to Berlin, I was just so amazed at the number of shops available to check out. We were rather limited in our time, so we concentrated on shops that were fairly close to the center of town. Believe me, we skipped a lot. We did visit two more quilt shops. My favorite was The Country Cupboard, they had two stores devoted to the needle arts and also had a bottom floor dedicated to scrapbooking and stamps.

While we were in town, I was able to see several Amish folks and horse drawn carriages. I was amazed at how well behaved the horses were. The obeyed all the rules of the road, even stopping for traffic lights. The main road through town was a VERY busy street, with tractor trailers passing occasionally. The horses never faltered or startled. At one point, we saw several carriages parked at the bulk food store. Do you think the horses were chatting with one another?
Our last two stops was at Grammie Fanny’s Quilt Shop and the Apple Orchard. Grammie Fannies was amazing. It was a two story barn style building with quilts draped over every square inch. What a beautiful sight. Each pattern more intricate than the next and each quilt hand quilted. They were amazing works of art.

The end of the day came soon enough and Mom and are were absolutely warn out. We’ve decided that we must plan a road trip for the Aunts next year. Aunts Marretta, Jane and Mary would enjoy the sights, sounds and shopping of this area. I can’t wait.