Quilts get Lost, yo.
I was reading a blog post by
about labeling your quilts.
Good idea.
But you should also keep track of them!
There was a link to
lostquilt.com
in the blog, so I followed it.
Then I started reading, and looking at all of the quilts that have been lost.
I'll now summarize some of the ways quilts can get lost and what you can do to keep track of them!
1. Shipping
Sometimes things just get lost or misplaced along the way. It happens.
But...people who work for the shipping company DO steal.
Packages left on doorsteps get STOLEN.
What can you do?
Well, hand deliver when possible. Research the carrier (UPS seems to be the worst at losing stuff).
Firmly attach the label to the box, AND put the recipient's address in the box. Best thing is to put your quilt in one of those huge ziplock bags and put the sender/recipient address inside that - clearly visible. (You want a see-through bag and imma tell you why later).
Also, DON'T put what it is on the outside (quilts destined for quilt shows are targeted), but don't reuse boxes (mis-delivered coffee pods box might be put in someone's pantry for a while until they need some coffee!).
If your quilt does get lost during shipping, call, call, and call again. It does help. This includes quilts lost in luggage thanks to airlines. If it was lost en route between hubs, call both hubs to ask after it. Don't just rely on the someone in an office nowhere near the hub. Get someone who's there to go look. It does work!
2. People STEAL.
And you know that your beautiful quilt is going first!
If there's a TV in the house that gets stolen, folks will wrap it in the quilt.
Roommates and their friends are notorious for taking things that don't belong to them. A quilt is NO exception.
Do not leave a quilt at a rental property. Folks will move out and take it with them.
Put EVERYTHING out of sight when you park you car. This includes quilts, machines, WIPs, everything!
If you must wash a quilt at a laundry mat, do NOT leave it ALONE. It'll be gone when you get back, fo sho.
Quilt shows are no exception. There is no lock keeping that quilt, especially the small ones that are just displayed on tables, from walking away. Larger or more expensive quilts should be insured (and these will probably be shipped, too, see tip #1).
Displays at professional businesses, quilt shops, or libraries, etc. are also no exception. People see something they like, an opportunity, and it's gone. Have insurance, don't get attached, sell it to the business, as you may never see it again at some point.
3. Relatives don't know what they got and people DIE.
Grandma passes and relatives clean out the house. You get there and the quilt(s) has been donated, probably, who can remember?
Educate your family about the worth of a quilt, even if it's just sentimental. Don't be afraid to speak up! Even if they end up keeping it themselves, at least it's still in the family.
4. Relatives die in NURSING homes and stuff disappears.
Don't leave relatives with anything too expensive or sentimental or explain to management that you will want the quilt back.
5. Stuff gets lost when moving.
Movers mistake your sentimental quilt for one of their "moving quilts." Movers steal all your house goods. Things get stolen off the back of moving vans.
Put your quilt in a box. Label it "kitchen". But inside, put your new contact details, just in case!
Or pack your quilts in your car instead of the moving van.
6. Stuff gets lost when moving.
No, not a typo. You're driving across the state and junior has his wubby. In and out of the car for bathroom breaks, lunch, etc. and the quilt goes missing. You move things around in the back and don't notice something falls out. You stop at the Best Western at night and don't do a room check in the morning. You put something on the roof of the car and drive off.
CHECK that your STUFF is still there. Do a quick walk around the car (check the tires, too, while you're at it). Don't skip the last minute room check! (Move the bed sheets/pillows as well to check.)
This is all on you.
7. Do NOT put quilts in BLACK PLASTIC BAGS.
Black plastic bags are automatically seen as trash.
Trash gets thrown out and ends up in a landfill.
Quilts should not be in landfills, so DON'T ever EVER put them in BLACK PLASTIC BAGS!
NEVER!
8. TAKE A PICTURE (or five)
If you do lose a quilt, you'll want to have a photo of it, so TAKE one or several. Keep a photo of the top until the quilting is done. Then, if it does get lost, you'll have a picture to help other people help you find your lost quilt.
9. Sell your house, not your quilts
PUT AWAY all quilts when selling your house. Things walk away; you don't want your quilts to be one of those. Would you leave out your jewelry box? Then don't leave out your quilts! Buy a few cheap ones from a chain store to decorate for re-sale, and keep your precious quilts!
10. Last but probably the MOST important -
LABEL YOUR QUILTS
Van Gogh signed his name to his works, and he had very low self-esteem. You are proud of your quilt, so label it!!!
10. Last but probably the MOST important -
LABEL YOUR QUILTS
Van Gogh signed his name to his works, and he had very low self-esteem. You are proud of your quilt, so label it!!!
Lost Quilt also has a Facebook page, so check that out if you're on Facebook. You might see a quilt you know and can help reunite a person with it!
Also, here's an article on the Quiltcentric site written by the keeper of lostquilt.com, with additional tips.
Now, to the pictures!
I took a workshop through the West Houston Quilter's Guild with Winnie Fleming called Borders Galore! She's also a teacher on Craftsy, so if you want some easy tips for pretty pieced borders, go check out her classes! Yes, she uses math but it's simple addition and subtraction. Easy peasy!
Here's what I was able to accomplish at the workshop:
Also from the same magazine is Slice of Pi Quilts' Homecoming block. Set in seams are a piece of cake, y'all. Try them if you haven't! The results are stunning.
Linking up with:
Now, to the pictures!
I took a workshop through the West Houston Quilter's Guild with Winnie Fleming called Borders Galore! She's also a teacher on Craftsy, so if you want some easy tips for pretty pieced borders, go check out her classes! Yes, she uses math but it's simple addition and subtraction. Easy peasy!
Here's what I was able to accomplish at the workshop:
There are also some flying geese that I got sewn up that are not shown. I look forward to coming back to this one and adding to it!
I also finished up blocks for the American Made Brand Mystery BOM:
Love this sunflower!
Wouldn't it be pretty to do a whole quilt of them?
I have a plan to put them all together, and I'll put up a pic of the finished top when I get it done. I have the fabric from my LQS to tie them all together, as well as a retreat coming up, so I'll get it done soon!
Coast to Coast Traveling Bee:
I've joined a traveling bee and for the first month, I was sewing up some blocks in teal, black and white:
This is a paper-pieced block designed by Nancy Mahoney.
She's my favorite paper-pieced block designer. I can just pick out her designs without looking at the designer name!
This block is called 'Tilted Tile' and is in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 14.
For a simple block, I love the economy block. Lots of impact and no waste (if you don't do flippy corners, of course).
