Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Second post today.........

I had several emails asking if I press/iron my fabrics before cutting.
YES, YES, YES!!!!
There is nothing worse than an inaccurate cut, which really means cutting twice.  Once to cut the shape from wrinkled fabric, and once to trim it to the size it should be.  I never cut wrinkled fabric which includes fabric with fold marks.  I am always after my students to press before cutting.  The group of fabrics above is from my 'quarter yard or less' box of blues, purples and greens.  I will now go press all of it and then cut as many squares as I can.
Every year I intend to make a quilt from these fabrics, and I never get around to it.  I think this is the year it might get done.







I am a sucker for prints with hearts.  In this box are mostly the red and white ones.  A lot of multicolor ones are sprinkled through my stash.






I have a few prints that really say 'Valentine' and not just hearts










As I was walking through the kitchen I noticed one of the bigger brown squirrels on the 'squirrel resistant' feeder.






No I phrased that wrong, not on the feeder, IN the feeder!
I watched one of the little gray squirrels open the top a couple days ago and they easily fit inside the tube.  I had no idea the big brown squirrel would fit too!

21 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

I have/had that black & white valentine print in blue... I wish it was black...

floribunda said...

wow -- how does the squirrel get onto the feeder in the first place? is there a tree overhead?

Susan Entwistle said...

Ya' gotta give him credit. If he's smart enough to get inside the feeder, he deserves a free pass to the all you can eat seed buffet.

Coloradolady said...

That is one smart squirrel. I do hope after he fills himself up, he is able to get out again!! Squirrel resistant.....maybe so, but for some they are not squirrel proof!! That was too funny!

Pat said...

There is nothing like cutting through freshly starched & pressed fabric with a sharp new blade. I'm also a stickler about changing blades.

Julia said...

Love your heart fabrics! I think an iron is as important as the sewing machine! Are you sure that squirrel was able to get out?!?

Gypsy Quilter said...

LOL, I can see your squirrels are just like mine, can't "resist" a good feeder.

Cathi said...

Those are such lovely Valentine's fabrics!! I would love to see a photo of your stash in its entirety! :-)
Those are very smart squirrels. I'd be tempted to send a photo of the squirrel in the feeder to the company who made it and claimed it was squirrel resistant. They might just have to change their advertising! LOL

I always press my fabric before cutting it.

stitchinpenny said...

Rodents can squeeze into amazingly small spaces. The biggest scare I got was when one of the pet hamsters went under the door into my room and then crawled up the bed and snacked on my hair. The space umder the door was about a quarter of an inch with a little extra available because of the carpet pile.

Susan Tidwell said...

that squirrel is too funny, I agree with Cathi - send this picture to the manufacturer, you might get a refund!

Do you starch your fabric? Any thoughts on that one way or the other?

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

so much for squirrel proof - they have wrecked some of my feeders.
I learned long ago to press, press before cutting including the fold marks - it can ruin pieces if you don't.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Sunny said...

Wow! I have some of those same heart fabrics. One day I will make a Valentine quilt with them also.

Gene Black said...

I am happy to know that I am following a great quilter when I press before cutting.

Vicki W said...

I am pretty sure that the only squirrel proof feeder is one owned by someone with a gun.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

We have a pet squirrel, they can fit wherever they want to. It is amazing!

dls said...

I have been known to shoot at the squirrels (pellet gun) when they get into my tomatoes. I think you should seriously consider this! :)

CharlotteP said...

Wow, those blues are fantastic...what a Wandaful selection! I'm sure there is no such thing as a squirrrel proof bird feeder!

hetty said...

I love watching the squirrels! They are such acrobats. There is no such thing as a squirrel proof feeder. I watch my squirrels as they frolic around my backyard - along the fence, up and down the trees. It is very cold out (-13C) at the moment. They must need a lot of food to keep their body temperature up on days like this. I usually throw them a handful of peanuts in the hopes that they leave a few seeds for the birds at the feeder.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Cheeky squirrel! Talented...but cheeky!

Rebel said...

Oooh... I'd love to see you do a Valentines quilt!

Rosie1925 said...

http://consumerist.com/2011/01/ward-off-squirrel-raids-on-your-bird-feeders-with-a-slinky.html

Just saw this and thought of you!