QUILTING NOTES: What I have learned and Making my first hand made quilt

 

Making a quilt is not that hard it just takes a lot of time, patience and the ability to disregard other people’s opinions.

I am in the process of making a quilt for my daughter, in shades of yellow, by hand not the sewing machine. I officially started the project around June 29, 2026, my daughter bought the fabric in 2020. I started the preparation work in 2020. I cut the two solid yellow fabric pieces in 4x4 squares and the white and yellow print fabric in 5x5 squares, clearly, I was not thinking when I did it.  Since 2020 life happened and I did not continue working on that quilt but I have made at least 4 quilts since then.  In June, I decided I would make The Yellow Quilt, as I call it, by hand.

I have made over 10 quilts in the past nine years and the recipients have not complained. With my first quilt I tried using a pattern, it was a pattern with a twist! As I begin making a quilt I have no idea what it is going to look like until I start sewing the squares together; I do have something in the back of my mind that might match the drawings of what I want it to look like. The quilts I make are not perfectly made but they are made with perfect love. 

I have read books, watched videos and joined social media groups to improve my skills. In the nine years I have been making quilts and the decades of me sewing I have come to the conclusion: In order to be successful at what I do, all I need to know is the foundational principles of sewing. 

The principles:

 A Quilt is 3 layers: fabric, insulation and, another layer of fabric. 

Quilting is the process of sewing the 3 layers together. 

What is unique about quilting is the top layer. It could be one solid piece of fabric but historically it has been scraps of fabric pieced together to make the quilt top. 

My understanding, over the years quilters have discovered how to take the fabric they had and place it in such a way that it created designs.  Today we have quilt kits and precut fabric which makes it easier and faster to make a quilt, that is not what I want to do.

A quilt kit to me is like going to a restaurant that serves foods to customers in which the establishments food items are delivered already portioned; all the cook has to do is open the package and heat it and serve it, no real culinary skills are necessary. The purpose of eating out is the individual not having to prepare, cook or clean in order to have a meal. Buying a quilt kit or using pattern created by someone else results in a quilt being made faster; that is not what I do.

I have spent quite a bit of money purchasing the tools I need to quilt and wasted a few dollars purchasing what “they” said I should have.  I have wasted money on thread because “they” said a particular brand was the best, only to learn that the brand cost a few dollars more but did not work any better than the brand I had been using for decades. I did not buy the $50 plus pair of scissors because the $15 scissors I had purchased 30 years ago were still working well.  I did not buy the new computerized sewing machine because the Singer 301A, that only goes forward and backward, works better than “their” over priced machines.  

I remind myself frequently: my great grandmother and my grandmother made quilts and they did not have all of these modern tools. They made beautiful quilts out of scraps! 

Buy a quilt kit if you want. I would suggest you not take any short cuts for your first quilt, make a lap quilt, using 3 to 4 colors, purchase the binding or don’t bind it.  Once you get your first quilt under your belt then you can move forward if you decide you like it.

I write all of this just to say: You can make a quilt if you have: fabric, needle, thread, batting and patience. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

FIBERS Natural versus Man-made

I sew more than knit or crochet but I do knit and crochet. I  prefer natural fibers but I  do use man-made fibers. Selling items made with natural fibers cost more.

I found this video, a must share.  https://youtu.be/z5VWgFz8j5Q?is=lQzT_nOU7ytNJ60c

QUALITY COST! And important YouTube video on pricing your product!

 

 I do sell my products but I do not advertise because they are one of a kind items and most  people do not want to pay what they are worth. I currently am commissioned to produce 2 quilts in addition to one I am working on for personal use. I am completing a carry-all bag with a request for one when i have time. I have one pair of pants cut out and ready to sew for someone. These projects will take me into 2027. Last month I gave away two mint plants. Last week I shipped off 6 bars of soap 

For most people buying products at the store is cheaper,  Many people sell their products cheaper but then again, many sellers have more than one of the item, If you purchase a quilt, a carry-all bag, a pouch, or even  a rag doll  they are different. 

This video is an overview on why the cost! And the prices she quotes are not 2026. 

Please like, comment and share this video after you watch it.

GROWING, SEWING, KINTTING, CROCHETING, EMBROIDERING AND COOKING - SOLO

 

I don't wear make-up or wigs any more
but I sill have this sewing machine!

Sunday, June 28, 2026

I have books and YouTube as my primary sources of information and I do know people who do what I do: grow, sew (by hand and machine), knit, crochet, embroider (by hand and machine), garden and cook. A century ago many women possessed these skills, not any more. Not having a craft partner or someone who can help you when you get stuck can be discouraging.

How many women do the things I do solo? I suspect many.

I have a lot of failures, in my garden, in my sewing projects and especially with cooking. I see them as learning lessons, I began seeing myself as self-taught. I realized I also had to be self-motivated.

In addition to making things I created this blog to share my experiences, so far I have failed at that. This morning, I was considering shutting this blog down; if it doesn’t make sense to me it can’t make sense to other people.

I never wanted to write a “how to” blog, there are enough of those out there. And then it occurred to me: I need to share my journey of making stuff.

My desire is that I will have comments in this post of other solo makers. Unlike, YouTube, Facebook groups and the other social media sites that I am not a part of, this blog is not dependent on algorithms, just people sharing and talking.

NOTE:  I will proceed using an unedited journal format because, I have 3 other blogs and I am in the middle of finishing up a carry-all bag, starting a hand sewn quilt, designing a family tree quilt, thinking about making a quilt, gardening, and taking classes for the upcoming tax season in addition to house chores!

Let’s talk!
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Marsha L Floyd

 Yes, I have a cricket maker!😊

 

 

BOOK THOUGHTS: THE STITCHES OF CREATIVE EMBROIDERY

 

THE STITCHES OF CREATIVE EMBROIDERY by Jacquelin Enthoven was published in 1964 which is why you may not be able to find a copy of it. I purchased my copy from Ebay.

I purchased this book on hand embroidery stitches because when I purchased a sampler book there were no instructions on how to do many of the stitches.  I could not find them, based on the name the image was listed under thus YouTube and Google did not help, nor did the newer books I owned have these stitches listed. I have since purchased at least 3 other classic books on embroidery stitches to which THE STITCHES OF CREATIVE EMBROIDERY is the best purchase yet.

This book is not a “how to” with detailed instructions on how to do each stitch but an overview of various stitches. Though it only has 2 pages (front and back} of pictures in color, this was a luxury in publication during that time, the black and white pictures are worth the price. According to the partially age book cover, this book cost $7.95! Based on the table of contents, see above image, and the 210 pages less the Index of stitches, it is apparent to me that this book is more for information and inspiration and not “how to”.

I appreciate the samplers presented; this book is full of samplers.

I purchased this book for $21.86 USD, it was worth it. I am convinced, if you are going to really become a hand embroidery sewist it is important to explore what they once did years ago. I do own an embroidery machine and I will use it for various projects BUT my desire is to create unique embroidered items that require the nuances attributed to hand embroidery. I have no desire to seek the status of the artisans that created the work seen in museums but I would like to be as good as some of the young sewist that have samplers presented in the videos I have viewed and the classic books I have read. 

I cannot say I will not purchase any other books on hand embroidery but if I don’t I am really glad I purchased this one.

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

EMBROIDERY STITCHES : ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITHCES

ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITCHES – published COATS & CLARK’S BOOK No.150-B, published 1979, original cost 60 cents. 

A few months ago I purchased an embroidery sampler book with a wide variety of stitches, I want to finish the book BUT many of the stitches I did not know and could not find a lesson on how to do them. I have searched YouTube and purchased books to no avail, until I discovered this used book. 

ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITCHES my not have all the stitches I need but it has many of them. What I am discovering is the best book for learning how to do various stitches are often out of print books. Thus, sources like WORLD OF BOOKS and THRIFT BOOKS, there may be others will have books for how things used to be before machines took over. I have found this to be true with quilting and applique as well.
ONE HUNDRED EMBROIDERY STITCHES arrived encased in a plastic envelope, my plan is to have a printer duplicate the booklet, 33 pages, to preserve this classic book. WHAT A FIND!

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

GARDENING FAILURES

 

I THINK THIS IS FROM 2021 
NEW PICTURES PENDING

I do not believe in spending a lot of money buying things to grow That my ancestors grew without. Such things as store bought raised beds, fertilizers and even pre-built greenhouses, these items can be a budget buster or a waist of money if you decide you don’t like gardening.  I have always loved gardening, when I lived in Maryland, Florida and now North Carolina, and have had varying success. Even farmers have failed cop!

One of the best lessons I learned from my gardening failures, the first lesson,  is the type of gardener I am.

This gardening season Grok has become my new best friend. I have quite a few gardening books and my favorite seed catalogue: The Whole Seed Catalogue. Lesson number two: research, research, research.

This year I chose to order plants not seeds because, work and those hand embroidery projects have kept me very busy.

In preparation for having a flower and vegetable garden,  I coordinated ordering my plants with the work my yardman was commissioned to do.  The plants came, days before he was scheduled to work,  but he did not show up for over 3 weeks; he is scheduled to cut my grass every two weeks.  I fired him, this was the second time he canceled his services with me in exchange for another job.  Lesson number three motivated me to not depend on the new yardman to do what I need to get done in a timely fashion.

The new yardman prepared my ground as requested and I went out and purchased plants.  It is important for the reader to understand; I have to coordinate my work schedule with yardwork and an embroidery project. I ordered plants for the raised bed flower area, and then on my day off I went to two places too purchase the plants I wanted from a customer I trusted.

My plants are in their proper containers. Unlike the first time I planted vegetables, when I lived in South Florida, I used soil specifically for container vegetables, my ancestors grew everything in the ground and used homemade compost- I don’t have time for that, not this year. With each plant I double checked with Grok as to: what size container, the number of plants per container, and were two different plants compatible. Grok said no to one but yes to the rest!

As I was winding down, I was very excited to discover there was ginger in a container. I had not harvested the ginger last year even though I knew it was ready because I did not know what to do with all of it.   Lesson number four: Know what to do with what you produce before it is time to harvest.

I am looking forward to my potential harvest. I have already decided to use what I deem necessary to be successful, knowing my ancestors will be proud. After all, I am living in my grandfather’s house, he was a successful gardner,

Written by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

I WANT TO QUILT

 

A QUILT I MADE FOR MY GRANDDAU

Friday, January 23, 2026 2:31:24 PM

I am watching SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL QUILT COLLECTION:AN OVERVIEW, prior to this I was watching a video on hand embroidery: HAND EMBROIDERY ART-Step by Step Design and Embroidery, because I want to quilt and embroider.  In my perfect world I would write and hand craft but in reality I do those things but I also must work. 

The reason for this blog: MARSHA SEWS AND GROWS AND COOKS, is to chronicle my journey, my struggles and my successes, but mostly struggles. I am ever learning because I often do something that doesn’t work, it is in those errors that I learn the most.

What I learned today, from this video, the basics are better than the trends.  I had long since turned away from quilting trends and amd doing those things according to how my instincts and desires lead me. Once upon a time people did it “that” way. 

For example: About 2 years ago, I started piecing fabric remnants together thinking I would just add pieces to the ‘thing’ until it looked like a quilt top. I learned in the video that in 1897 EDNA FORCE DAVIS started working on a CRAZY PATCHWORK QUILT that she completed in 1929  That is 32 years of sewing every now and then, I don’t know if they were called crazy patchwork quilts, patchwork quilts or just a quilt. Today they have precut pieces and books that tell you how to make a crazy patchwork quilt in addition to instructional videos.

No, it is not that I am not making a quilt incorrectly I am just not doing it like them. Today I learned what I knew instinctively, I have a unique style but it is not an original style. It is confirmation, validation that I am on the right track. The way I want to quilt is the way quilts have always been made but, like the quilters of the past, with my own unique style.

WRITTEN by Marsha L Foyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

FOOD NOTE: HONEY

 

In my first FOOD NOTE post I shared information on sugar, which I am trying to decrease my personal usage. I have not been a fan of honey until I tasted “real” honey. I consider real honey as the stuff I get from a beekeeper not a store.  

The following videos share: what is at the store, the difference between store bought and farm sourced , how honey is made and e different types of honey.  I now know why I do not like store bought honey and I understand why the honey I purchase from farmer’s markets are different colors. 

At the store: 

The difference between store bought and beekeeper bought: 

How honey is really made

Why "natural" honey comes in different shades of yellow

WRITTEN by: Marsha L Floyd

Friday, January 16, 2026 8:06:36 AM

FOOD NOTE: SUGAR

My 2017 container garden! 

I am determined to not just grow foods but store them as well, as part of my getting healthy journey. Because I am learning I think it will be best, for now, for me to share information from my sources. 

As my first post on the series, I will call, FOOD NOTES I will discuss sugar. I no longer use white sugar but cane sugar. White sugar is cane sugar as you will see with a unique difference.  My next episode will be about honey

WRITTEN  by Marsha L Floyd
Friday, January 16, 2026 7:49:14 AM

GIVING IT AWAY

 

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 3:53:08 PM

The oversized doll is over 35 years old 
3 Rag-dolls I made (not for sale)

Today I attended a workshop related to writing, of the many take aways there was one that applies to everything I do: Be true to yourself. 

I have been knitting, crocheting and sewing for decades now, and I rarely sell what I make.I have made a few things for profit but, the pressure of having to mass produce what I do is discouraging.  I did make money selling soap but that is because my batches were so large that there was more than I could use. 

Crafting ain’t cheap, the cost of equipment, fabric, threads, and other supplies add up.

I have a Cricket Maker: Cost $300, Heat Press $100,  starter kit $70  and various accessories (card stock, vinyl, t-shirts, caps, and other items needed add up!

Machine Embroidery - The machine cost $350, my supplies include thread, stabilizer, patterns, and the medium I am going to sew on, 

Machine Sewing and Quilting- My machine was a gift the Serger cost around $250 - 

  Hand Embroidery and quilting - I have hoops of various sizes starting around $2 and up

      The supplies for sewing, quilting and embroidering  by machine or hand include: 

          Fabric  $5 a yard and up

        Thread various types depending on the project cost $5 and up 

        Needles various types depending on the project cost $2 and up 

        Stablizer

        Interfacing

        And other miscellaneous items depending on the project example: buttons and zippers  

Knitting and Crocheting Knitting needles and Crochet hooks

                        Yarn

The biggest expense is the cost of my time. I spend days, weeks and months on these projects because I do original, one of a kind pieces. From planning, purchasing supplies, execution to delivery, on any given project, if I charged what many crofters charged most people would not want to pay. The truth is store bought often cost less than homemade.  The lowest hourly rate that I am aware of is $20. 

Example: If it takes you seven hours to make a baby quilt using 3 yards  of fabric I could charge $250  I have gifted over 5 baby quilts and the fabric each with original designs, one special order with 4 different fabrics needed. 

So why do I give it away? Because I like blessing people. I enjoy when I gift something I made and someone appreciates my work. There are a few individuals who offered to pay me and I declined.; a gift is a gift. 

However, if you are going to sell your products, you need a to know what each item is worth and what you are willing to do to market it. As I enter 2026, I have request for 3 carry-all bags, that include hand embroidery, a ragdoll and a pair of wide leg pants. I do not like making clothes for other people but this is for my great aunt, she is 95 years old, and what she wants she will get! I also have to put a zipper in her carry-all bag, that was gifted to her by someone else. I have at least 3 individuals who want me to make them quilts. Yes, some will pay me! 

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.