These are all (well most of them) quilts plus at the Deerfield Fair this year (2024). I think they are really well done and beautiful. 

I used my phone to take the photos. My phone has a really great camera in it. It has done a lot better than my previous phones. 

This was a part of the fair, a small part since the fair was really big. I had a lot of fun and did a lot of walking. I had food there too (another post in my Big Guy Eating blog). These quilts were in a building that provided shelter from the outside. I got to vote on the quilts. I chose one that I liked the best (forgot which one it was) but it wasn't easy since there were so many really nice ones. 

Not really a quilter guy but still interested in it.

 

I am not a quilt guy but I still have an interest in it. I might not make a quilt but I do like to check them out at fairs and the Row by Row Experience (which seems smaller than the last time I checked them out). I still have my sewing machine and some material for it. Perhaps in the future but not currently.

I do admire those who create these works of art called quilts. My sisters are into quilting (perhaps not so much anymore since they are getting older) but they have in the past. I admire all the work they put into what they do. 

I also admire all that others do in making quilts and other things related to it. Having tried to make some things (not necessarily a quilt but other things), I have a little bit of understanding of what goes into making them. 

The Row By Row Experience; 

I had not been able to get to do the Row by Row Experience this year but it seems a lot less than it was in the past. There was a lot of listings but now it seems not so much. I hope they have it next year and that there are more places to be part of it. 

In 2023, it was June 1st to August 31st. There was none for my home state of Massachusetts. There was few for the state of New Hampshire. I tried other states near me but either none or few. I hope this improves for next year or it could be the end of it? I hope not. While not really quilting myself, I do like to go to the different stores to check them out and get things for my sisters. 

I found the Row by Row Experience shop. I like to shop; either online or offline (I guess this seems unusual for a guy). I think they have some neat items at the store with some being on sale (I do like a sale). I will be checking them out.

TomLeeM

2023 / 10 / 01

The Quilts on Display at the Big E Fair in West Springfield MA

My brother and I went to the fair in West Springfield MA called the Big E Fair. It was huge. It was a lot of walking. It took a couple of days to recover. It was fun.

One part of the fair had a display on quilts. I think they were really good. It was all in one location. I took photos and they are shown below. As one can see, there are a huge number of them. I took wide photos so I could get as many in a photo with the fewest photos taken.

I think they could be an inspiration for quilters; give them ideas to future quilts, an incentive to create a quilt, etc.

Big Goofy Guy

(I am big, I like Disney's Goofy and I am a guy).

My Art Store at Cafe Press

where one can buy my art (some of it with more being added in the future) on things for sale.

No Quilts Yet But Getting Into Sewing Things!

I have not started sewing any quilts yet but I will be working up to that. It is on my list of things to do in the future; gradually working up to that. I want to get more used to my sewing machine.

I have found lots of books on quilting; both printed and e-book. I have a couple of e-books on my Kindle but it is not easy to see since the screen is monochromatic. Fortunately there are e-book apps for phones, tablets and computers that show the photos in color and one can easily (IIRC) turn the pages forward and backward.

I have found some apps on sewing and quilting. Since I can print from my phone or my tablet, I can print the patterns on my printer - don't have to transfer them to the computer to print them (might anyway to save the patterns to my computer and a flash drive).

There groups that one can get help with too. One is on Facebook; Quilting For Beginners. One can not only get help there but also be inspired by what others have done or questions they have asked.

I have found some sewing apps and some apps with patterns. I want to try some of these before advancing to quilts.

Big Goofy Guy

My Art On Things For Sale

Quilting for Beginners at Facebook

There is a group at Facebook called Quilting For Beginners. It is free to join.

Even though it indicates it is for beginners, it seems it is good for all levels of quilters. I have seen quilts that are very well done. Quilts - photos posted to the group - that look like they were done by those who have been quilting for quite awhile.

I have found there was a lot of good information on quilting. There are a lot of quilting question answered. I have learned a lot and think there is much to learn from this group.

It is not just on quilting techniques but also on the machines and tools used to create quilts; all kinds of quilts, from small ones like mug rugs to big ones that cover ones bed to all sorts in between.

I joined the group to learn much. I am just beginning to learn to sew and one day to learn how to quilt. With the knowledge of how to use the sewing machine, there is a lot that one can create with it.

Big Goofy Guy

My Art at Cafe Press

Folding Adjustable Sewing Crafting Computer Table at Walmart?

I was looking for a folding sewing table. I have to gone to sewing stores and the prices are usually higher than what I wanted to pay. I was given some ideas as where to look for table. One of the places was Staples and another was Walmart. I have bought small folding tables at Staples but the legs were crossed underneath. That might be a problem in placing the sewing machine pedal. It would also be a problem when stretching my legs when I use it with my computer. 

I found the tables below at Walmart. There was just over twenty five dollars each. Other tables I saw were at least one hundred dollars. I also like the look of the tables too. It has straight legs that are height adjustable. It not only has legs that folds up but also the table folds in half. I can take both of them in the back of my little car - a Smart Fortwo Passion - plus the box that has my sewing supplies. 

Here is the table I found being used as a computer table. I can stretch my legs out underneath while on the couch. It shows that one can place a pedal underneath it when I put my sewing machine on top. The sewing machine is portable and I carry it in a case that folds and has a handle. I can tow the sewing machine with one hand and carry the table with the other one.

This shows it being folded up. It has a handle to make it easier to carry. I did not notice it when I transported it home but will use it when moving it. Since I live in a small house, being able to fold it and store it would be a plus. I plan to do more sewing since I have a great table to use it on.

It will help me to really get started doing sewing and eventually quilting. 

Big Goofy Guy

My Art On Things at Online Store

Took A Sewing Class!

I took a sewing class. It was one that was held at a Joann Fabric store. The store is at a mall in Middleton MA. It seems there are many Joann Fabric stores but only a few that hold classes; at least in my part of the country (which is Massachusetts).

The class started at 6:00 pm and ended at 8:30 but actually ended at 9:00 pm just before the store closed. The instructor did quite a good job. I learned a lot from her. She helped me learn about the sewing machine I bought (an inexpensive one from Walmart). I learned about using my sewing machine. I learned about the settings and how to thread the machine, and tips on using it. We made a small pillow. It was fun.

It is not big but nice and fluffy. I chose the fabric, sewed it on my sewing machine and and stuffed it with filling. It is a nice feeling seeing something that I made. 

I have been at a couple of Joann Fabrics. They are really nice stores and have a lot of fabric and items for a variety of crafts. The stores are well laid out and well stocked (at least for what I was looking for). I was able to purchase some of the items I needed for the class that I went to.

I have been to a couple of other fabric stores but they were more for curtains and furniture. They were really nice but the fabric was thicker than I needed. They were also farther than I hoped to travel. They were big with a lot of variety of fabrics. 

Big Goofy Guy

my personal website

a work in progress

My Art On Items For Sale

images of my art that is printed on a variety of items