Frugality

The Holy Stitchers discuss frugality frequently. Crafting, especially quilting, can be a bit of an expensive hobby - so we are always comparing food prices, electricity bills, and urban homesteading is a big secondary interest for many of us. So I'm happy to share with you a $50 Amazon gift certificate giveaway, by Penniless Parenting - this woman makes us look like Imelda Marcus. Her blog's a good one - check it out.
http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2012/11/a-celebration-giveaway-free-money.html

Happy Birthday Eliora!

The remarkably multi-talented Roxy made the dress for her daughter, who just turned four. Edible.

Katie's recycled quilt

Some time ago, we had a challenge to use only recycled fabrics. This is Katie Wolicki's response, using primarily men's shirts.

Recent quilts

There's been a lot of terrific work around Beit Shemesh lately.

Rachel finished this Family Tree for her friend and coach, Rachel Brody. The pattern is Don't Look Now's Lilly Pilly.

And here's Roxy's quilt for her new daughter, Moriah.

Barbara Silverman's great work!

Barbara doesn't come to meetings, but she's definitely a Holy Stitcher of Beit Shemesh. Her Magen David Adom (Israeli Red Cross) bloodmobile, her Egged bus (with baby's birthday as the license plate number), and her first quilting project, a tefillin bag for her grandson. Fabulous work, Barbara! Looking forward to seeing the next one!

Challah Covers

I just finished a challah cover and have sent it to the giftee! (You'll be glad to hear I lined it - in navy - before I sent it off!)


Here are some other challah covers I've made over the years:

Ein Gedi

In January 2010, a good friend took my family to Kibbutz Ein Gedi for a wonderful Shabbat. The kids ran freely all over the kibbutz, while the parents and grandparents talked and read and enjoyed the lush greenery and mild winter weather. And so this wall-hanging was born.

I started with the "Children of Israel" block, in shades of blue and light beige, the colours of Israel's sky and sea, and of the sand and the Jerusalem stone with which we build.



I chose a border to reflect the amazing lush trees and flowers of the kibbutz, and also the happy energy we all experienced that Shabbat. I stitched swirls that started in the border into the main block to keep the energy moving.














And here's the finished piece, about 24" square:

Rachel's latest quilts

My first commission, a baby quilt for a Chilean student's new nephew, and a challah cover for newly married brother- and sister-in-law.

I loved finding the perfect color for the French knot grapes. The baby quilt is a pattern I've now used several times.

Michelle's one-hour quilt

Potential business idea? Or just really cute quilt?

Another studded Celtic knot

This is another one Rachel stitched - this one as a thank you gift for a friend. Held by Sara, 2 1/2, and DH Yehoshua.

Sorcha's quilt

An ocean quilt for her sons' room.

Roxy's hat

Roxy made this adorable hat for her adorable little girl.

Rachel's challenge quilt

Beading inspired by Elisheva. Gift for a new nephew.

More beads?

Can't upload photo right now. I'm not even sure that the photo would show what I want. I'm getting off the computer before I smash it.

Brocade

And more pix

I can't figure out how to upload more than a few per post. Here's a few more pix from the Batmi. The color is off, but maybe you can see the brocade clothes a bit better.

Adina's Bat Mitzvah clothes

Here's my parents, husband and myself, and our four kids at our oldest daughter's Bat Mitzvah. I am quite the novice clothing stitcher, but wanted to try to pull it off. All the clothes are made from Chinese brocade that I ordered over the internet. The pattern for my dress is an adapted nightgown pattern which screamed on the envelope, "Use only with knits!" Having zero clue what I was doing, I had to put in gussets (cursing), and futz around with the sleeves a lot. Adina's turquoise skirt, and little Sara's jumper were based on patterns I got off the internet, and I designed Atara Tiferet's skirt myself (if you call an A-line with a ruffle "design.") I had visions of making a tie for my husband, but ran out of time. I have a lot to learn about fit, but the homemade clothing played its role in an evening full of joy and significance.

-Rachel

Tikvah's bat mitzvah outfit

Tikvah fell in love with this pattern (McCalls 4246) and chose a pale mint green cotton with gold curlicues; I chose the ribbon to give the outfit some depth of colour.

I raised the neckline a little, made a couple of muslins to get the fit right, then sewed up this ensemble. For the shirt, I used a lightweight white cotton interlining and lining, hand-stitched down the seam allowances on the princess seams, finished the sleeves with narrow bias tape on the inside edge, hand-sewed the ribbon, and altogether had a great deal of fun making it just right!

A skirt for Ferri

Rachel sewed this one for her six-year-old. Fabric from sis-in-law, design by herself. DH was worried it would look weird, but it passed the DH test.

Michelle's new quilt

For her daughter, who loves it.