'E' is for Equality . . .

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

 

‘E’ is for Equality . . . a Quaker belief that all people are equal in the eyes of God. That no one person is above anyone else – no one is better than anyone else. Among Friends everyone has an equal voice or say in the decision making process. Friends believe that we’ve all been created equal by God and that there is ‘that of God in everyone.’

Friends don't tend to use ‘titles,' such as Mr., Mrs. and such when addressing one another – Friends address everyone by their first name or first & last name only. I’ve even known Friends to just address another simply as ‘Friend.’ I found that this was based on their understanding that there is no hierarchy, based on one’s standing – whether that is age, position or wealth. I expect that my parents and grandparents are all rolling over in their graves over this - they brought me up to respect my elders. Imagine the fits they're having over my children and granddaughter calling everyone by their first names!

There are other ways that Friends expressed their belief in equality, one is  ‘hat honor,’ the practice of taking one’s hat off or bowing to another person. This particular practice isn’t practiced now like it once was.

Men & women are equals – both can be found in various ministry roles among Friends. Friends played important roles in the anti-slavery movement, many freeing their slaves and supporting the ‘Underground Railroad’ – becoming conductors and turning their homes in to ‘safe houses.’ Friends worked for prison reform, and are still very active in this ministry. Treating all people equally and with dignity – regardless of race, gender, age, orientation, religion, job or rank, etc.. I suppose that one could, in some cases, substitute the word inclusive in place of equality.

What other ways do Friends practice equality? Is it easy? Are there other ways that that we can practice equality as Friends? As individuals? As a Meeting?

 

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‘E’ is for Echo quilting and Embroidery . . . a couple of different quilting ideas to share with you in this post – echo quilting and embroidery. Both can be used to actually ‘quilt’ the quilt, hold the layers together, and both add some ‘decoration’ to the finished quilt.

Echo quilting is when your quilting lines follow the shape of the applique or design. It can be done with a regular presser foot, a free motion foot or a walking foot – this depends on what you’re quilting and personal preference. Echo quilting can be done any distance from the design – from 1/4–inch to 1-inch distance, the distance would be depend on the design you’re quilting around and the look you’re wanting to achieve. It’s like the ripple effect when you toss a pebble into a pond or lake.



'Echo' quilting

The example I have is a pillow that I helped my youngest daughter make this last Christmas as a gift. She sent me a picture that she found online and asked me to help her make it. I created the pattern, grabbed fabrics from my stash for her to choose from and helped guide her in piecing it. The echo quilting just sorta happened - the photo she sent me was quilted with 'stippling,' which I haven't done. To keep the stitching as straight as possible, I marked stitching lines with a disappearing marker on the fabric. The echo quilting is done around the tree. She picked a simple wave stitch to do the quilting.



'Crazy Quilt' stitching

And then there are quilts that contain embroidery like the Crazy Quilts I talked about in my ‘C’ post. Back when I was in college I purchased a package of quilt squares to embroider with some animals on it – the plan was to embroider them and sew them together to make a baby quilt for one of the girls on my floor that was pregnant, I didn’t get it done in time for her but I did finish it and was able to dig it out and use it with all four of my kids several years later. Disappointed that I couldn’t find it to share with you all here . . . my first quilt.

Embroidery can be a part of quilting stitches or designs stitched in the blocks OR the embroidery can be the quilt. It can be done by machine or by hand. I have a couple more ‘quilts’ to share with you that are embroidered . . . actually they are quilt patterns that I have done in ‘counted cross-stitch.’ I have a counted cross-stitch computer program now that creates the patterns for me - from a photo if need be.



'Wedding Ring' quilt
in Counted
Cross Stitch

The first embroidered quilt I made was a Wedding Ring and I believe I made that for one  my cousins. I had a pattern that was two rings by two rings and was for used on the front of a wedding photo album. I liked it, but it was way too small for what I wanted. So, I made several copies of the chart cut a few of those up and taped them together until I had created a new pattern that was big enough. I then decided to add a border to it and some ‘binding’ to create the illusion of a quilt. The finished cross-stitched quilt is then matted and framed. I made quite a few of these over the years, choosing floss to match the wedding colors. One was black, grey and white with red binding and another was peach, mint green and white. The one I have here was done with dark orange spice, light tangerine, very dark avocado green and ultra-dark coffee brown with dark garnet for the binding. This ended up being one of those 'addictions,' that is the first one was so much fun and turned out so well that I made quite a few of them as wedding gifts for family members.



'Single Irish Chain'
quilt in Counted
Cross Stitch

Second is an Irish Chain quilt pattern that I did using pastel variegated and white embroidery floss. A Single Irish Chain quilt is made up of alternating Nine-Patch blocks solid blocks. I experimented a bit using the variegated floss instead of a solid color when I made this one. Stitching a row of white and two rows of variegated around the edge is like putting borders on a fabric quilt.



'C' is for Community . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV



‘C’ is for Community . . . Who OR What is community? OR What is it about community?

In Scouting, both Girl Scouts and Cub/Boy Scouts, we talk a lot about doing community service. When it comes to defining what the community is, I always find myself having the same conversation with leaders and parents that I had with the Scouts, and there was always someone in the group that just never seemed to get it.

When talking about community there is not just one quick or simple definition that I could give, as your community is always changing. Community is where you are at any given time or place . . . your neighborhood, school, Church and workplace are all communities. Scouting itself is made up of many communities, too – our Units, Service Units, Districts, Councils, National organizations and International organizations.

So, when talking about ‘serving our community’ OR doing a ‘community service project,’ we always have to start out and first identify which community we’re talking about. We might even list several of the above mentioned communities, and think of projects that fit each one. Sometimes it seemed that this part of the process took longer than the project itself.

The same can be said among Friends as we also have many different communities among us: our Monthly Meetings (congregations), Area Meetings, Yearly Meetings, the various Branches of Friends, the United Society of Friends Women/United Society of Friends Women International (USFW/USFWI) and Quaker Men International. All of these smaller communities are a part of the wider circle of Friends, aka Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC).

But, even Friends have to stop and define which community they’re speaking of – is it one of the Friends’ communities? OR is it some part of the local community? Some part of that geographical area around their Meeting? It does make a difference in the work that we do, just as it does for the Scouts.

We’re all part of the community of Friends and many of us are part of multiple Friends communities because of the various positions that we hold or jobs that we do. Community members need to be unified, take pride in and learn to work together for the health and well-being of the whole community. The members need to support and encourage one another and help the ccommunity stay strong and grow.

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‘C’ is for Cathedral Windows and Crazy Quilts. As I was working recently to finish up one of the Cathedral Window projects and the Crazy Quilt, to feature in this blog post, I realized that I had taught both of these quilt blocks to our quilting group at Mooresville Friends Meeting. Interesting that both of the blocks I have taught begin with the letter ‘C.’ It’s about time for me to be teaching another block to the group . . . wonder if it will also begin with the letter ‘C’???

Ornaments

Cathedral Windows are made using “a technique in which squares of fabric are folded and sewn together in such a way that small pieces of contrasting fabric may be inserted to form a design of interlocking curves when many squares are sewn together.” Cathedral Window quilts have no batting because of the thickness due to all the folds of the base fabric. The first few rows of stitching can be done on one’s sewing machine, but then the blocks must be finished by hand. I think it’s easier just to do it all by hand.

The first Cathedral Windows I made were double sided single blocks with a bit of stuffing or filling in them – some with ribbons attached turning them into ornaments and others that could be used as a small pin cushion or as a sachet.

Hanging block!

My second Cathedral Window project, just completed, was done from a photo posted on my Facebook page by one of my younger cousins, over a year ago. This was shortly after the National elections, here in the US, where there were issues in several locations with ‘hanging chads’ on some of the paper ballots – those little punch-outs that didn't completely separate from the ballot.

This was made without a pattern or instructions, so there was a lot of ‘trial & error’ involved. After finishing, I thought of another way I could have done it, which might have been a bit easier and quicker to do. This little quilt doesn't have a name that I’m aware of. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Crazy Quilt blocks

Crazy Quilts are a form of patchwork in which irregularly shaped pieces of fabric are attached to a cloth foundation. These pieces of fabric can be totally random or follow a specific pattern. These quilts are usually embellished with embroidery stitches and this stitching can be all over or just over the seams or both.

I have years of fond memories of a crazy quilt made by my step-great grandmother. It was made of a variety of fabrics, textures and embroidery stitches. The backing, which was rolled over for the binding, was blue thin wale corduroy and was perfect for snuggling under on cold days and nights.

During the Victorian era crazy quilts were very elaborate and contained satin, velvet and lace embellishments. Today crazy quilts are still popular some are planned and the quilters purchase fabric for them much like any other quilt they might make, while other crazy quilts are created as a way to use up fabric scraps. Modern crazy quilts may be made out of all cotton fabrics or a variety of washable fabrics.

'Stack & Whack'

The first crazy quilt blocks I made were done using the ‘stack & whack’ method. This involved deciding how many ‘pieces’ each finished block would have and how big the beginning squares would be. Then picking out that many fabrics and cutting out the same size square from each fabric. Stacking the fabrics on top of each other and then using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut out the pieces. The next step involves taking each ‘stack’ of fabric: stack #1 - leave it alone; #2 - take the top piece of fabric and move it to the bottom; #3 – take the top two pieces of fabric and move them to the bottom and so on taking one more piece of fabric off each time and moving it to the bottom, so each ‘layer’ will have a different fabric in each shape. Beginning with the top layer, sew the pieces together, repeating with each layer. One needs to pay attention when sewing these pieces together as there is a proper order to sew them in so that they will fit together.

I used six fabrics, so I ‘whacked’ my squares into six pieces, which gave me six finished blocks. I cut and sewed my blocks together individually, not sure what I’m going to do with them. Thought is to cut some move squares and ‘stack & whack’ them, in different designs and then put them together and quilt them with the decorative stitches on my machine.

The next three crazy quilt projects I made were completed in a short period of time, then again they were smaller projects. First was a ‘walker tote’ for Aunt Sylvia, I've mentioned her in several of my blog posts, most recently ‘B’ is for Bibles . . . and ‘B’ is for Bow Tie Quilts. I made the walker tote for her for her 101^st Birthday/Christmas while she was in rehab at one of the local nursing homes in 2009.

Aunt Sylvia's
Walker Tote

Aunt Sylvia like pink, so I dug through my stash of fabrics grabbing pink ones I could find. I had found a set of four crazy quilt templates online, which I used as the foundation for the blocks that formed the pockets on this tote. Four extra-large snaps, two on each side, kept the tote securely fasten to the front bar of her walker. This was a HUGE hit at the nursing home and one of the residents asked me to make her one in purples, she pestered me every day until I finally did. The third one was for member of my Meeting, Doral. Doral like earthy tones, so I used an assortment of brown prints and tonals. Doral's was made to fit over the arm of her wheelchair with just one pocket.

Group Crazy Quilt

When I taught the crazy quilt block to the group at my Meeting I used the same templates that I had used for the walker and wheelchair totes. Each of the quilters was able to take two of the sheets I had drawn out the templates on, so they could make two blocks - one to give me and one to keep for themselves. Eleven of the quilters returned blocks to me, one gave me both of hers, so I had a total of twelve blocks to make something with.

The blocks are arranged in a 3x4 arrangement, trying to keep from having two blocks from the same template next to each other, which was really hard as most of the blocks received back were from the same one. Some of the blocks got twisted so they don't look alike. A dark green inner border and a tan tonal outer border. Embroidery stitches on my sewing machine to do the quilting - changing the top thread often, but using cream thread on the bottom, to match the unbleached muslin. When I got all the blocks quilted, I then quilted the seam between the blocks and the green border - using cream thread and changing the stitch every time the fabric changed. For the binding I used a dark chocolate brown tonal.

Using the same templates I made mini pillows, six-inches square, for the girls in my cabin up at Quaker Haven Camp in June 2011. The girls loved them!

Four of the 20 mini
 Crazy Quilt pillows for camp

"X" is for X-Stitch . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

 

"X" is for X-Stitch . . . so I got a bit creative with this one . . . haven't we all done that a time or two?



Cross stitch
our of frame

More specifically this post is about one specific piece of cross-stitch. It’s a framed cross-stitch that I first saw back in early July 1984. It was, and still is, hanging on the wall in Great-Aunt Sylvia’s family room. Aunt Sylvia, my husbands’ Great-Aunt, who died in October 2010, just two months and three days short of being 102 years old. Aunt Sylvia was an absolutely amazing Quaker woman whom I feel so blessed to have known and known so well. Her home is now a place where our out-of-town family members can always find a bed and share meals and conversation when they come to town for visits.





corrugated backing

I'm sure at some point I asked Aunt Sylvia about this stitchery, but I don't recall what she told me. I’ve looked at it and whoever stitched it didn’t ‘sign it’ – that is she didn’t stitch her name or initial on it or date it. I did take the back off the frame (it just slid off) and found a piece of corrugated cardboard and when I removed that I found that the stitchery was just taped down to the piece of paper that had been in the frame when it was purchased!





Back of cross stitch

I’m nearly 100% sure that Aunt Sylvia stitched this piece. I won’t however try to guess when it was stitched . . . but a good guess would be before 1950. The fabric appears to be linen as it has a sheen to it.

 

I don't know what it is about it that strikes me the most:

 

Is it just that I've done so many cross-stitched/counted cross-stitched pieces myself, over the years?

 

Is it the story about it that I'm sure she shared with me?

 

Is it the saying? "Everyone is queer but Thee and Me and sometimes I wonder about Thee."

 

Is it the way that it makes me feel?



I just can't explain it . . .

Cross Stitch

As someone who learned how to embroider as a young child and became quite an addict of the counted cross stitch rave as a young adult I have always admired this piece of stitchery at Aunt Sylvia’s house.



What do you admire? Why do you admire it? Is it because of what it is? Who made it? What makes it or the person who made it so special to you?

 

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Alright, it’s recipe time, and recipes that begin with the letter “X” are nonexistent in my files, so since this post was about Aunt Sylvia’s x-stitch I’m going to share with you a few of Aunt Sylvia’s recipes. These are recipes that she shared in the Mooresville Friends USFW’s (United Society of Friends Women) 1998 cookbook, and I shared them in our 2014 cookbook that was just released this last weekend at the USFW Fall Bazaar – fundraiser to support missions.



The first of Aunt Sylvia’s recipes I’m going to share with you is Conversation Salad, much like the Applesauce Jello recipe I grew up with but with a few additions. Second is Simply Ham and Potatoes quick and simple and easily adjusted for any size family! And lastly something for dessert Grape-Apple Crumble, so you have a complete meal.

 

Conversation Salad

½ cup red hots (candies)

2 cups hot water
2 (3 ounces) packages raspberry Jello
1 cup ice water

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

2 cups applesauce
½ cup nuts
2-3 ounces cream cheese or cottage cheese



Dissolve red hots in hot water. Dissolve Jello in candy water. Add ice water. Add lemon juice and applesauce. Mix thoroughly and cool until slightly thickened. Add nuts. Mix cream cheese or cottage cheese and mayonnaise and swirl through Jello mix. Turn into mold and chill until firm.

 

Simply Ham and Potatoes

Slice of smoked ham, uncooked
White potatoes, quartered or eights, as preferred
Milk

Place potatoes in oven-proof skillet. Place ham slice over top. Pour milk over to cover completely. Bake in moderate oven until potatoes are done.

This recipe can be adjusted for any size family.

 

Grape-Apple Crumble

3 cups Concord grapes (less seeds)

1 ¼ cups white sugar

3 Tablespoons tapioca

3 Tablespoons margarine

1 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups apples, diced

Separate washed grapes from skins. Put pulp in pan and boil for 5 minutes, stirring. Press pulp through sieve to remove seeds. To the pulp add the skins, sugar, tapioca, butter, lemon juice and salt. Cook stirring until it thickens. Remove from heat. Add diced apples. Pour into buttered baking dish, about 9-inches. Cover with topping.

TOPPING:

7 Tablespoons cold margarine

7 Tablespoons sugar

¾ cup all-purpose flour

5 Tablespoons nuts, chopped if desired

 

Mix above as for pie crust. Mix in nuts. Sprinkle over grape mixture in baking dish.

 

Bake at 375˚F for approximately 20 minutes.