Cuddle Party

[ysabetwordsmith]

Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.

We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!

Enjoy some picnic foods and red-white-and-blue foods for the 4th of July.  If you dislike artificial food coloring, consider these natural options.  Here is a collection of firework videos.

Comments

*goes flop*

[fuzzyred]

*hand waves a greeting, grabs an ace pride coloured blanket, a "she/her" sticker, a "cuddles when awake" sticker, drops the project bag in a corner, then curls up in a corner of the couch for a nap*

Very very tired Fuzzy J today.

Re: *goes flop*

[ysabetwordsmith]

Sweet dreams!

Re: *goes flop*

[fuzzyred]

Thanks! I've been so zonked lately and I don't know why. Hopefully my energy returns soon.

Quietly

[dialecticdreamer]

Dialecticdreamer shambles in, puts on a she/her sticker, and looks for some corner where she can see people but not interact much. In her hands she holds the last four blocks of her current quilt project, and a tiny chatelaine to hand stitch the blocks into the last row.

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

<3 quilts.

Re: Quietly

[dialecticdreamer]

I got a box of random scraps, sorted through them, and set up several themes. I've finished the animal print attic window quilt, a sports themed "Turnwheel" block, and I've been sorting the pieces for a tropical-colored gingham nine patch.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

Those sound like such lovely quilts! I'm toying with the idea of trying to make one myself, but I've never done one before and my sewing skills are almost non-existent, so I don't know if anything will come of it.

Re: Quietly

[dialecticdreamer]

Start by looking at videos. Do you like the look of a "crumb quilt" -- irregular pieces put together in random ways (formerly called a crazy quilt), or something that blends a pile of different pieces using orderly, predictable shapes (traditional quilt blocks), or the modern look of matchy-matchy pieces made from only a few lengths of fabrics cut and sewn together to make the quilt top.

Once you know what you like to look at, then you'll know where to start. HINT-- simple blocks sewn together have very little wriggle and give (bias), and are a good starting point. Look at both "four patch quilt" and "disappearing four patch" to see how the very simple former can be made to look wildly complicated in the latter.

You can always PM me with questions.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

Thanks for the idea of looking at videos to see what I like. :) I've looked in some magazines, and I think I prefer the idea of an orderly, coordinated quilt. I will definitely look for more examples though.

Thanks for the suggestion of the four patch quilts, and the offering to answer questions :)

Re: Quietly

[dialecticdreamer]

On You Tube there are some lovely videos with the general title "Three yard quilts" -- you need one yard each of A, B, and C fabrics, plus three yards of fabric for the backing, which makes a lovely size, straight lines, and easy patterns. Her website has a freebie that is dead easy to make, and it will look fantastic because the idea of the quilts is the focus fabric (a large floral print or something), a medium print, and a small print or solid.

Here's a video that goes through making "Sew Fast," a free three-yard quilt pattern from Fabric cafe. It's a lovely video for the total noob, without talking down to anyone. The basic instructions are for a lap size about 44*59".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-9TyyKzeTs


At local prices, it's about $100 to make a quilt with batting and backing, but I've got a quilt that my great-grandmother made a year or two before I was born, and I make quilts expecting them to last at LEAST that long.

I can't knit right now, so quilting is my go-to meditation now.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

That definitely sounds like something to look into. I like seeing pretty craft things, even if I can't do them myself.

I'm on a crocheting kick myself right now, working on a temperature blanket for the summer. I'm glad you have something that works for you.

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

I still think that summer temperature quilt is awesome. Do you have a recent picture?

Also I feel sorry for people on the West Coast who are making temperature blankets and suddenly it's 20F higher than their chart really covers. If you're working with wide ranges and few colors, it's not such a big deal, but if the top band is 3x the size of the others, that's bad.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

I haven't gotten around to taking a picture yet, but I should have my third row finished very soon (I'm a little behind), and I'll take a picture then.

O.o Ya, that would be challenging. Thankfully, my chosen range and colours seems to be enough so far, with no unexpected surpises.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

I haven't made a post yet but I have a few pictures of the blanket for you.

The first row:


This first three rows:

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

Wow! The different block patterns pop right out. Those muted colors, my mother likes those.

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

You might like:

https://quiltindex.org/

http://www.americanlegacyquiltindexes.com/

https://www.blockcrazy.com/

There are also many hardcopy books, but the online resources are usually free and bigger.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

Oooo! Those look like great resources. And yes, books are nice but more limited and definitely more expensive. The internet is great for some things.

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

For most purposes, I greatly prefer paper books, because I already stare at a computer most of the time and don't need more reasons to do that. But online really beats hardcopy for things you want to print or reprint, like recipes (doesn't matter if you spill on it) or quilt patterns (can print and cut out, including on cardstock). Online is also frequently easier for looking things up, unless a paper book has a great index.

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

Minimum skill required:
Cut and sew straight seams (by hand or machine).

Helpful expansion:
Cut and sew curved seams.

Basic instructions:
https://weallsew.com/how-to-make-a-quilt
https://www.instructables.com/How-to-sew-a-quilt-Quilting-101
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Quilt

Patterns:
It is easiest to start with a simple pattern using squares or rectangles of moderate size. Nine-Patch and Log Cabin are good examples. If you want a little more interest, consider a Cat Quilt or Sunbonnet Sue (the original).
https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/25-free-beginner-quilt-patterns
https://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/free-quilt-block-patterns.html
https://www.quiltingdaily.com/free-quilt-patterns-by-size

If you're hesitant about the actual quilting part, where you sew 3 layers together, consider using knots.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have to save the instruction pages to look through later.

Re: Quietly

[ysabetwordsmith]

I'm happy I could help. It's fun to look at quilt pictures whether you plan to make any or not.

The basics of quilting are easy. Then there are some highly whimsical variations, like popcorn quilts.

Re: Quietly

[fuzzyred]

I always appreciate the links and help you give :) Looking at quilts is fun, people can make some fantastic things.