Category: News

EXPERIMENTING BY TAKING A CLASS!

In keeping up with the word of the year: Experiment!  I have another way to get you going for the month of March!

Just to keep track of our monthly goals to experiment in 2017, I had suggested in January to clean up your studio and organize your scraps.  In February I had suggested that you experiment with colours, trying out a new pattern with a colourway that you would have never picked out on your own.

How did it go?

If you have fallen short on your monthly goals, this one is sure to jump-start your experimenting resolution.  Here is your goal for March:

TAKE A QUILTING CLASS!

Continue reading “EXPERIMENTING BY TAKING A CLASS!”

STEP 12: ADDING A LABEL

We are at the last critical step in the creation of a quilt: making the label. This is as crucial as the artist’s signature on his painting. It leaves your mark on the quilt wherever it goes next. And I believe it to be the last step in the 12 steps to successful quilt making.

You do not see the point of adding a label to your quilt?  You trust that your friends know that you made it?   Continue reading “STEP 12: ADDING A LABEL”

STEP 10: ADEQUATE QUILTING

 

I must admit that quilting was not my favorite part of the quilting process for a long time … but on January 1st 2014 I decided that it would be part of my new year’s resolutions. As I mastered the academic side of quilting …. but not the pratical side. I cannot write this  blog without thanking Colleen for her loyal services since 2004 and if after reading this blog you wish to use her services, I would not be offended.

Quilting by Colleen Paul
It’s not easy being green!

Why?

Because the quilting is a necessity to ensure a long life to your quilt. When I started, I did not understand the importance of quilting and I rushed to do a minimalist quilting … and I was disappointed when a few years later the seams were loose, the fabrics would be stretched out and the colors fading …. in short a quilt that had cost me time and money did not last more than 3 years …. it did not take long to convince me to pay a professional to quilt them.  It became an investment, not an expense.

Continue reading “STEP 10: ADEQUATE QUILTING”

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

This book is an absolute must have for anyone that really wants to free-motion quilt!  I have had several quilters confess that they have several quilting books at home but are still afraid to do it!  This book is the best as it actually gets you to try out on paper before going over to your sewing machine.  It’s that one small step that was missing in all the other books.  
So thank you Angela for this fantastic book!  I have had mine for some time now and truly enjoy it.

 

 

STEP 9: MAKING A SANDWICH

img_3593Congratulations!

The piecing part of your quilt is complete, now we must begin the quilting process.  As you have regularly used your design wall, you know that there are no excess fabric and the top will hang well on the batting.  All that’s left to do before quilting is adding the batting and backing.  And this is the 9th step in the 12 steps to successful quilt making. Continue reading “STEP 9: MAKING A SANDWICH”

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

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I met these ladies over a year ago and was really impressed by their beautiful quilts and the fact that they are three sisters and a mom working together!  Their demos really convinced me that their rulers make curve piecing easy.  But the fact that they are working together in designing, quilting and creating patterns!  WOW! AWESOME!

I came back home and told my mom and sister how I was inspired by these ladies… they both looked at me and said: “You won’t get us quilting!”… Yap… my family really doesn’t get it!

But I digress, Sew Kind of Wonderful‘s rulers and patterns are absolute must haves for Christmas.  I have mine already picked out and will be my holiday treat!  I plan on making a table runner during my free time.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

5-deborah-miller

To find out more about  Deborah Miller, you can read my Meet the Designer article in Quilter’s World Spring 2016 issue.

I feel so blessed to count her as a friend.  Deborah has developed lots of patterns that are very easy to make.  SERIOUSLY!  They come with templates that guide you along every stitch.  Thanks to her, I can make a hot pad in less than 15 minutes.  My personal favorite is the Hot Pad Table Runner and my project is nicely featured on my ironing board which I use as a side table when writing my blogs.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

3-amanda-murphy

I have had the pleasure of meeting Amanda on several occasions and she is very passionate about her work.  She has written several books and designed many wonderful fabric collections with Benartex Fabrics.

So you can choose to ask for a fat quarter bundle of her latest sewing room fabric collection or her latest book to help you improve your quilting.  But the MUST HAVE item is surely the Free-Motion Quilting Idea App by C&T Publishing.

 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

2-debbie-kemball

To find out more about  Deborah Kemball, you can read my Meet the Designer article in Quilter’s World summer 2016 issue.  She is just an awesome and talented person.

Her latest book Euphoria Tapestry Quilt is eye candy! Her work is all needle turning appliqué, but she’s the first to say that many of her students have made beautiful projects using raw edge appliqué.  I have also seen her designs transformed into very modern pillows with minimal quilting.

I love her book and just have to get the new eco tote … Can someone PLEASE tell my sister?