Happy 2012

Wow hard to believe that it is 2012 already, so Happy New Year everyone! This year will hopefully be filled with new experiences/adventures for all of us. I hope to learn more about free motion quilting and  overcome my fear and actually use my Pfaff Grand Quilter this year. I know what you are thinking…”Why is she writing on a blog about quilting if she has a fear of using her machine?” I have been sewing for over 10 years now and I think that I am pretty good when it comes to piecing a quilt top (see previous post titled Million Piece Quilt). I even think I am pretty good at binding a quilt, I stitch the top by machine, and hand stitch to the back. The hard part comes when I have to add the backing and batting and decide just how to quilt it. I have purchased quite a few books on this subject, but have decided that my fear won’t be overcome by reading about quilting, I just have to sit at the machine and use it! I know that I can do it and that all I need is practice, lots and lots of it.

Until next time…Mary

Sewing and quilting for the holidays

Every year I tell myself “next year everyone will get a handmade gift!” I start off with a lot of planning in my head as to what I will make, their favorite colors, styles, will they use it, ect. I always have every intention of working on these items, and well, every year it turns out the same…all the plans just remain in the back of my mind, and nothing gets completed. Ok I shouldn’t say nothing gets completed, because “some” of them do, but “some” equals a very small number on my mental list. Does anyone else have this similiar problem?

I think that my biggest issue is that I do not write my list down so that will be something that will be the first thing I will change. Then I will make them in an assembly line fashion since some of my items can be gifted to many people, I just have to personalize them. This will also help to use up some of my wonderful stash of fabric so that I can buy more… If I keep that in my mind that just might be the motivation I need to get my but in gear to make those gifts! Yay for more fabric!

After reading this, it sounds a bit like a New Years resolution, but its not. Who would make a resolution to buy more fabric? lol

Until next time…Mary

Quilting Rulers

I am totally amazed at how many different types of rulers that are available for quilters. I think they can be compared to potato chips…”you can’t have just one!” Many rulers can be used for multiple purposes, while others have specific uses that are meant to save the quilter time. Many of the specialty rulers have the instructions printed/engraved on the ruler which is a great idea, no possibilty of loosing them (the instructions that is). I was surprised to find rulers for log cabin blocks. This is definately a ruler that is geared to save time by having the lengths needed printed on the ruler. You could cut up enough pieces to make a large quilt in an afternoon.

I think that the most used ruler is the 6×24 acrylic. This is what I use for at least 95%, if not more, of all of my cutting needs. Its a great size for someone just starting out because of what it has to offer. Most of the rulers this size show 1″, 3/4″, 1/2″, 1/4″, and sometimes 1/8″ markings, which are pretty much the basics of quilters. They will also show different degrees, which is helpful when cutting triangles, diamonds, or the like.

The square rulers are perfect for keeping blocks squared up. Although you can still achieve the same results with other rulers, this one allows you to do it quicker. The ruler has markings so that you can center your block  and see where you need to trim.

There are rulers, or templates, that allow you to cut certain shapes/blocks to save you from having to do the math. The first one that comes to mind are the flying geese rulers. These allow you to cut the pieces, then after sewing you put the ruler/template back over the block for trimming. These are available in different sizes so all the math is done for you. There are rulers for circles, diamonds, geometric shapes (octagons, hexagons, ect.), and the list goes on and on.

There are many, many more rulers available, but as you can see just from the few that I have mentioned, they really can be compared to potato chips…” you can’t have just one.”

Million piece quilt

    This all started about 4 years ago, my sister in law and I were in a quilt shop ( Christmas Goose, in Las Vegas, Nv.) and saw a few quilt blocks on the wall that we both really liked. We decided to sign up for the block of the month. They were out of the actual pattern, and were expecting more very soon. We both got our first 2 blocks, and were very eager to get started. I finished my first 2 blocks and waited anxiously for next month’s patterns.

Well imagine my surprise when I received not only my next few blocks, but the actual pattern for the whole quilt. I was speechless! There were many blocks, with lots and lots of small pieces. I was not sure if I was up to the challenge of making this quilt, but I didn’t want to have my sister in law finish hers first, so I found this somewhat motivating for me.

This was a 12 month program, and halfway through I received all the fabric for the alternating blocks, I felt totally overwhelmed! At this point I decided to name this quilt “Friends Don’t Let Friends Sign Up For Million Piece Quilts!” I was still trying my hardest to stay dedicated to complete this quilt, still keeping in mind that my sister in law would finish first if I didn’t keep going.

I took a few of my completed blocks to the quilt group I am in, and they all loved them, and thought I might be a bit crazy (if you will), to be working with so many small pieces. This actually inspired me to keep going! I believe it took me about 15 months total to complete the top, and boy was I relieved when it was done. By the way, there really isn’t a million pieces in this quilt, but it sure felt like there was.

Next came the hard part, how was I going to quilt it? I am really good at piecing quilts, its the quilting that I struggle with. I decided to try my hand at handquilting it, and I have never handquilted before. What was I thinking?! I had already spent a lot of time on it, and I really wanted it to be something special. So, off I went to the world of handquilting, which was a bit of a challenge for me, since I was inexperienced.

After completing only about 4 hoops ( 12 inch hoop) worth of quilting, I was totally frustrated. My stitches didn’t appear to be even, and I thought to myself “This is going to take me forever to finish!” I almost removed all of my handquilting, but put it aside instead. A few months later I picked it back up again determined to complete it, and I did less than 2 months ago. Yay me!!

I entered it in our local country fair and I won 3 ribbons, including grand champion, I was so surprised! This was the very first quilt that I have ever entered and I feel very honored to receive the ribbons. I can’t wait until next year so that I can enter it into the local quilt show!

All in all, I have to send out a special thanks to my sister in law, first off for signing up for this block of the month with me, but also for being the reason why I completed it! I won’t tell anyone that you are still working on yours!

Inspiration

I am totally amazed at how many ordinary things I encounter that make me think of quilting. Take tile floors for example. I wonder how many quilts have been designed from tile floor patterns? You have to see this quilt that was inspired by the Great Pavement in Westminster Abbey Now I wonder how many tile floors have been designed from quilts?
I find myself looking at patterns in carpets, upholstery, and even clothing. I guess I am finally learning to “think outside the box” so to speak. Probably one of the strangest, or maybe not so strange after all because in their commercials they do mention the words “quilted design”. Did you guess what it is? Thats right, toilet paper. Now I am sure you might have laughed a bit, but I bet you will look at toilet paper a bit differently now.
Inspiration is all around us. So besides actual quilt/craft patterns, where do you get your inspiration? I would love to hear your ideas.

Freemotion Designs

Do you ever have those days when your creative brain decides to take a vacation? I know that I sure do. I was having one of those days when I came across the website of Leah Day (Day Style Designs). I was, to say the least, very excited, and quite surprised that someone could offer so many wonderful ideas, such as she has, for FREE! Yes, thats right absolutely free. I am amazed at all of her talented designs, and the site is very user friendly. Leah has all of the designs in categories such as difficulty level, style, texture, in order that she designed them, as well as alphabetically. She calls it her Free Motion Quilting Project, of which she is dedicated to making 365 different pattern designs, and I believe she is near the 300 mark. Not only do you get to view the design, she has made small videos of each design, which helps to show you where to start and stop each one. The videos are very clear and easy to follow and that is very helpful especially to those of us who are challenged when it comes to freemotion quilting. She also offers an e-book (downloaded from internet) as well as a spiral bound book, both of which you can purchase for a small price. Although its not necessary to purchase anything from her site, I did it simply because I am sure that it helps to keep her site running. So, if your creative brain ever decides to take a vacation, or if you just simply want to see some new and wonderful ideas, I highly recommend you take a look at this site. Freemotion Quilting

Simply Stunning Woven Quilts

I just recently purchased a quilting book titled Simply Stunning Woven Quilts by Anna Faustino and it is fascinating. Do you remember weaving colored construction paper in school and how simple and fun it was to do? In this book it shows you to make curved cuts in fabric and weave them together and the results are “simply stunning”. You use a paper backed fusible adhesive ( such as HeatNBond Lite) to the backs of the fabrics you are weaving, and fuse together after you are done. You can then applique on the top of your woven piece. The author shows many different techniques she uses and just by the way you make your cuts the finished product can look dimensional. I can’t wait to make a project with this technique, I think I will start off by making some placemats.

Happy New Year 2011

Now that all the holidays are over its time to relax from all the hustle and bustle that the holidays bring. I am not one for making resolutions so I am going to say that I have plans. I don’t know about you, but I have a few, no I am not going to say how many, projects that need to be completed. Mainly I have quilt tops made that I need to sandwich together and quilt. So, my first plan is to quilt all the tops I have completed so far, one of which I am hand quilting and will be my first handquilted project and I will be so happy when it is completed.

I would like to say that I have plans of getting my craft room organized, but after numerous times of doing this, it always ends up with a shopping trip or more, because I have made more room, which means I have to get more stuff to fill all the empty spaces I made. So for now, the room will stay as is.

I have plans on starting a Mariners Compass quilt. I am doing it all in batiks, and I believe I have all the fabric I need to complete the top. If anyone has ever done one of these I would appreciate any tips you can give.

I have plans to only buy fabric that I need. Yes I know that sounds funny, as I laugh while typing, because any and all fabric is a necessity. I have actually been doing a good job this past year with this and I am not going to fall off the wagon so to speak. I am only buying fabric that I have plans for, I say with a smile.

Enjoy,

Mary

Kaleidoscope Kreator

There are many programs on the market that allow you to create endless possibilities of designs and patterns. I first saw the Kaleidoscope Kreator a few years back and thought it was way cool. Since then, they now have the Kaleidoscope Kreator 3, which is even better. The reason I have decided to post about this program is because I am trying to convince/justify myself into purchasing this computer program.

I was recently watching a quilt show “America Sews with Sue Hausman”, and her guest was using this program. It definately has me interested! You can use personal photos and make your own kaleidoscopes for use on quilts, scrapbooking, home dec., accessories, ect. I am sure that with a bit of practice it would be fun and easy to use. Now my dilema is…will I use it?  I am leaning towards yes I will use it.

Take a peek at their website Kaleidoscopecollections  and I am sure that you will be amazed as I am.

Until next time…Mary

Read any great books lately?

Even though I enjoy quilting, as well as many other crafts, sometimes I get caught up in a rut or just flat out need a bit of inspiration. There are many great books available that pertain to quilting, scrapbooking, cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and the list goes on and on. Many of them have a series of many books, while others have only a few. Most of them are quick reads and can be read in as little as a few days depending on how much reading time you get.

Probably my first experience with this type of reading is with the series by Monica Ferris. Betsy Devonshire acquires her sisters needle work shop due to her untimely death of which Betsy solves the crime. Although is new to the crafting world, she decides to keep the shop open and begins the wonderful journey into crafting. The author does a great job with details that I feel like I am right there.

Earlene Fowler has a series of mystery novels that have titles of quilt blocks. Although quilting is not the subject, they are still fun to read. Benni Harper is the main character, and like Betsy she ends up helping to solve the murder mysteries.

Jennifer Chiaverini has a wonderful selection about quilting, unlike the first 2 I spoke about. The first in the series, The Quilters Apprentice, had me hooked and wanting to read more. A young woman, Sarah, takes a temporary position at Elm Creek Manor, to help a recluse, Sylvia, prepare her family estate for sale. After a rough start, the 2 become friends & share a lot of painful stories of love and loss. Jennifer also includes a bit of history in each book.

The last books I have read are by Arlene Sachitano. A young woman, Harriet , acquires her aunt’s long arm quilting business, due to her aunt retiring. She not only gets the business, but the house as well. Who could possibly give any of this up? Anyway, this is also a murder mystery series of which Harriet helps to solve the mystery. I have read 2 so far and can’t wait to get my hands on more.

Until Next time…Mary