It has been such a nice sunny day today and, for the first time in a long time, I have been able to spend most of the day working on my newest quilt. This is another for the green line show and uses the little 2" blocks I showed the other day. I am happy with the way it is progressing, but I had one unpleasant surprise. I discovered that the dark browny-green fabric I used for the top section seems to be a polyester blend. Ugh. I grabbed it at Jo-Ann's the other day because it was just the color I wanted. It was in the quilting department so I assumed it was 100% cotton, without checking the label. As I was quilting that area I became suspicious. Polyester gets unpleasantly poofy when quilted and doesn't sink as nicely into the stitching as cotton. I did a burn test and confirmed my suspicions. It is really too late to change it out easily, so I think I will live with it and learn my lesson about reading labels. I am really loving those greens though. Makes me think of spring.
There has been a way-too-long conversation about Jo-Ann's fabrics going on the QuiltArt list. It seems they made a decision to not sell a quilt magazine with racy quilts in it. Such silliness, but really Jo-Ann's is a silly, junky store. I'll probably go back because it is convenient, but I hate the place and should support the nice local stores instead. Polyester in the quilting department—that's just wrong.
A friend of my son posted this little video on Facebook. It is an amusing ode to my favorite store and though not filmed at my local Trader Joe's, which does not sell liquor, it all looks very familiar, right down to the too small parking lot.
I haven't shopped at TJ's for years, but I loved that cute video!
ReplyDeleteI wish you'd made a little video of the burn test.
Can't wait to see the finished quilt.
Thanks for the TJ video, the tune is now stuck in my head! We don't have one nearby, so we make periodic pilgrimages; this captured the vibe well.
ReplyDeleteAfter 8 straight years, I'm finally back in the US, and I'm STILL not near a Trader Joe's! I probably wouldn't even recognize the products anymore. Well, except for the Two Buck Chuck ;-) Catchy tune!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing in this age of world branding that none of those particular food products are familiar to me in the UK! I must check out the mango lemonade when I vist though.
ReplyDeleteFun video. I'm loving your quilt...bummer on the polyester.
ReplyDeleteThis is turning out really well. Love the springy feel to those colors. I have little choice around here for fabric shops even though I really dislike JoAnn's. There fabric is often poor quality and the store is always a wreck, the coupons are un-useable since everything is on sale and you can't use one for those items. Lately, I've been using the Fat Qaurter Shop and am soooo happy with them. Great service, excellent fabric, and nice people.
ReplyDeletelovely panel you made out of these miniatures!
ReplyDeleteAh, and the trader Joe's video is a lesson on US life style, I understand. I'll hum the tune on the way to our EDEKA.
ReplyDeleteScrabso.
(Decided to mention the word verification whenever it fits with the comment.)
Love the panel. Beautiful colors I love too.
ReplyDeleteTime to head to Trader Joes! That film was exactly how it is.
hahaha I Love TJ's too. And what is UP with the too small parking lots? I have been to many TJ's all the same except the one in Glendale California. Studio City - Yup. Ventura - Yup Camarillo well no but in shopping center with very poor parking.
ReplyDeleteSorry to bore you. You caught me thinking
Yes! The parking lots are all too small! Not just not enough spaces, but also hard to get into/out of the spaces that are there. Maybe it is a secret plot to make us want to ride our bikes...
ReplyDelete