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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: Sancin
Date: 03-05-2007, 08:54 PM (1 of 16)
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My life and sewing and quilting is more than a little disorganized and slow moving. I plan more than I am capable of doing or at least am doing. Sound familiar? I do like applique. I love McKenna's work and wonder if I had a block arrive monthly it would give me some incentive to finish before the next one arrives - and perhaps start and/or finish some of my other projects. McKenna's quilt kits are very expensive, $500 for the In Full Bloom one that I love. Has anyone made anything of hers or used one of her kits? Is it worth the money? One can buy the pattern only but the fabrics in the kits seem to be truly luscious.  Help?!
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: MaryW
Date: 03-06-2007, 05:42 AM (2 of 16)
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Her kits are awesome from what I hear. A friend of mine has done a couple. Expensive, yes but you have the perfect fabrics all picked out for you. That means a lot if you want the results she shows.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Patty22
Date: 03-06-2007, 11:11 AM (3 of 16)
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Nancy, that is a very beautiful pattern, but $500 for the kit.... (my eyes popping out of my head)..... which all the online stores sell at about the same cost. Notice it doesn't include the backing or binding. If what you need is the motivation to do the project so it is finished, why don't you get a group of friends together and all meet once a month. Is this the only pattern that you want to do? Otherwise, you could buy a pattern or book, go out on a shopping spree and purchase all the required fabric and then make up your own block to be completed each month. I purchased the Celebration of American Life book as a Christmas present to myself in December and I can't believe that I've completed all twelve blocks and I'm putting the borders on already. I believe it went together so fast because of the following reasons: 1. the weather has been horrible (today is no exception) 2. I bought the freezer paper for the copier and made my templates (cut out all the tracing time...a step I loathed) 3. did I mention the weather stinks? oh, .... well, I made up a block and put it in a bag so it was ready for me when I had 15/20 minutes to work on it (like lunch time at work) 4. I talked about the progress on another forum and the other applique lovers really got into the project. 5. I would give myself imaginery deadlines.... sounds crazy, but I would tell myself I would like to have a block finished by the end of the week, and somehow I was able to get it finished..... maybe I worked a little faster on my other chores, or didn't procrastinate. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: CherylinQ
Date: 03-08-2007, 11:50 PM (4 of 16)
| I love McKenna Ryan patterns..The first one I did was "At Home in the Woods". I live in a small town and had to go out of town to buy most of the fabric..by the time I did that and figure out the colors for every thing it took me 2 years to finish it...since than I have brought more of her patterns and have been able to use most of the fabric that I had..I did order the "In Full Bloom" has a Block of the Month because I know I do not have some of the flower etc.fabric that I would need to do this one...It's looks like this one will have plenty of tracing and cutting to do...the Bali fabric are sooooooo nice to work with! I alway found that they give you more than you need....also it comes with her thread...I'm hoping the kit will be in the mail tomorrow..can't wait... |
User: CherylinQ
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: Patty22
Date: 03-09-2007, 06:48 AM (5 of 16)
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CherylinQ - Be sure and let us know how the blocks are coming along. Did you start yet? I can see how not having fabric close to choose from can make it extremely difficult to complete a project. I have to admit that I am very spoiled and live 5 miles from a LQS that has an incredible batik/oriental.....any kind of fabric you want. In addition, if they don't have what you want, they will order for you. So Nancy, are you going to purchase the BOM series? Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-09-2007, 10:22 AM (6 of 16)
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I had never heard of McKenna Ryan so looked up the patterns. They are wonderful. I'd love to try one some time but for me I would love chosing the fabrics myself as I like the decision making process and seeing what I can come up with. I would never buy the kit...but that is my way. Nancy...I too am interested in knowing your decision.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: SherilynJC
Date: 03-09-2007, 10:47 AM (7 of 16)
 I did a McKenna Ryan pattern and it hangs over my fireplace. :Her designs are AWESOME. When I first looked at the pattern I was horrified and after getting all my scraps together (I used all scraps!) I proceeded and it amazes me every time I look at it. She is brilliant.Sherilyn |
User: SherilynJC
Member since: 12-09-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: Sancin
Date: 03-09-2007, 05:26 PM (8 of 16)
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Nancy here I told you I was slow moving. I spent a few days after writing doing some budgeting and looking at my stash and UFO's. I did email all my quilter friends and got 'go for it', 'you only live once', 'do you have the patience?', 'oh, my God' and 'be sure to show us' which may be the incentive as some of them nag. I have not ordered the kit but I have the order form on my desk top. Later this afternoon I am going to see someone who has the kit and has started it. I am a little concerned about the work of the 1st block. I have had a couple of family crises in the past month. I also checked out a number of Canadian sources. One sells the pattern and fabric, but not in batiks and is cheaper by a little, but somehow those batiks are just too wonderful to substitute and I fear the pattern would end up in my wish pile. I know I would never get around to searching for the fabric myself as there is sooo many small pieces. I have baby quilt pattern with only 1/2 the fabric found and the baby is not a baby any more. While the kit is expensive (and as Patty says "pretty well the same everywhere") I do have a little money set aside. So I will decide this weekend yes or no. I may end doing hospice caring and visiting so may in fact end up doing it by hand, once I hear the word. I will let you know. I had thought of purchasing as a BOM till I started to calculate postage and shipping. Sherilyn What pattern did you finish? They all seem to be around 50x50 which is fairly large and finding a place for it could be a problem but I have a huge brass bed and I envision sleeping in a garden. Cherilyn I did consider the At Home in the Woods and the one with the ducks in it. For the rest of you. Search for Pinewoods or McKenna Ryan site to see the rest of her work. She has some neat 'meal and wine' patterns and a couple of beautiful Christmas ones - one of which I may make if I live long enough to finish what I have. McKenna sells only the patterns herself but a search shows what online stores sell which. I am going to purchase from Hamel's here in BC, which does include the binding and embellishment kit. Our local quilt shop tells me it is too expensive for her to carry all the fabrics required as some pieces are very small. I don't usually buy kits but the amount of different fabrics stumped me thus decided on the kit. I want to get it done if I buy it. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: CherylinQ
Date: 03-10-2007, 01:37 AM (9 of 16)
| I order the kits from Hamel's also...they given you lots of extra fabric...when I did the "A Fresh Cup"..."Cucina Italiana" ( one block done) and "Giraffic Park" (very cute and easy because most of the pieces are big) I all most had enough to make two of each block...I hope that block #1 will be in the mail next week..I think that will be the hardest one to do... |
User: CherylinQ
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 03-14-2007, 09:19 PM (10 of 16)
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Oh that is so beautiful! I can imagine the hours and hours it would take but wow!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Sancin
Date: 03-15-2007, 03:41 AM (11 of 16)
Well, I did it. I looked at the kit another person had purchased - and had not started yet. It was just too delicious to not to purchase. I was right, the first block seems to be the most complicated. What I thought had been part of a panel, is not - even the pieces in the little bag are tiny. The person whose kit I looked at did as I did and ordered the whole kit rather than by the month - some money saved on postage. She also had another Ryan quilt she had made up in the shop. It was the Fresh Cup one and the fabrics were all warm and soft. Apparently there are a lot of tips and suggestions with the blocks so I look forward to learning as well as sewing. The thing I do like about the kit is that each block can be a hanging in and of itself and there is enough fabric contained to do this. So if I die before I finish at least something will be finished!  Now don't you all nag me as to how I am coming along. I don't need guilt as well as frustration involved with this project!  PS Off the topic - any of you Canadians remember the name of the female comedy singer who used to be on CBC about 10-15 years ago? Nancy...... songs of political nature. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-15-2007, 06:37 AM (12 of 16)
Now Nancy...how were you able to read my mind...I was gonna mention that you will have to keep us posted as you go, but.... (maybe some of Jan is rubbing off on me :shock I will just say that it is a beautiful project and I'm sure you will enjoy doing it.  PS: And I don't remember the comedy singer.... TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-15-2007, 09:41 PM (13 of 16)
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PS Off the topic - any of you Canadians remember the name of the female comedy singer who used to be on CBC about 10-15 years ago? Nancy...... songs of political nature. Was it "White"? That's what my colleague told me when I asked around at lunch today. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: Sancin
Date: 03-16-2007, 02:30 AM (14 of 16)
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"Was it "White"? " YES, it was. Thanks! I wonder if she is still around. There were some records out of her songs and her singing. One was called "Pierre and Me" so I guess it was awhile ago. Also one call 'Leonard Cohen will never carry my groceries!"
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-16-2007, 11:22 AM (15 of 16)
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Hey Nancy...did you google for Nancy White. I did and found she has a web-site. Here's the link... http://www.nancy-white.com/ TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: eva9561
Date: 03-17-2007, 10:15 AM (16 of 16)
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I never hear of Mckenna Ryan until I read this thread and when looking for her patterns which are awesome. I would love to be able to purchase "In Full Bloom", but, my quilting budget can't afford to.  Sometimes shipping from the US to Canada can be really expensive also. Maybe some day yet.Eva |
User: eva9561
Member since: 08-12-2003 Total posts: 1 |
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