Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

GloriaSnyder — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 08:55:33 GMT

My Mother taught me to sew at age 5 and by age 10 I was making my 8 brothers and sisters school cloths. From there I continued to sew thru age 41 for my children and grandchildren. At age 42 I began quilting. My favoriate is to use my embroidery machine to create the center block and then using the log cabin design I enlarge my center embroidered blocks with wonderful colors creating a beauticul quilt, table runner, placemats, aprons, little girls pinafors, jumpers, bibbed overhauls, jackets, vests, and more. By incorporating my embroidered center squares with my jelly roll fabrics I create a one of a kind finished item. Sewing and Quilting are my first love. My sewing and embroidery machines are an extension of myself. Without them I would be lost. My mother was a great teacher and I am proud to carry on her teachings thru my quilting and sewing. Now 68 I find quilting a never ending adventure with all the new techniques avaliable. Picture Quilts are my newest endevor.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

Jafee — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 01:36:50 GMT

I am also a knew quilter. I actually started out with a small baby rag quilt a few years ago, which turned out well. You might start with something like that as the rag quilts are easy. You might also enroll in classes at Craftsy. I have enrolled in about 6 (some are free). Pick up quilting books at the fabric stores which have a plethora of designs and quilting methods. You will be amazed at what you can do watching videos on YouTube, reading the quilting books, and working with the classes. Good Luck!

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

wtaylor01 — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:01:25 GMT

Since I am new to quilting, I don't have much on skill or project how-tos but I do have ideas for things to make. (Plus I really want that fabric!). When I thing about things I would use, I come up with items such as tote bags, IPad or tablet/notebook covers, small appliance covers, house warming gifts like blankets, pillows. How about vests to go with those fall and winter turtleneck sweaters? W. Taylor, Louisville, KY

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

donna c adams — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:16:47 GMT

By the way, welcome to Massachusetts! I live in the Western part but you have some good stores out your way (I assume you are in the Eastern part.) and you COULD try one of the Shop Hops. There is one in Westrn Massachusetts next month.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

donna c adams — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:13:30 GMT

What a whirlwind of a summer for you! Quilting would be a beautiful way to honor your Grandmother. My advice, go to shows. See the many styles of quilting that is out there so you know what you like. A great website with free patterns is the Quilter's Cache. I want to support local quilt shops first of course to keep them in business. But if there is not that option, Fabric.com and Thousands of Bolts are inexpensive webstores for fabric. DaisyJanie.com has fantastic organic fabric which is such high quality! Hawthornethreads.com has some beautiful lines. Don't be afraid to just do it. You won't be perfect, but with every quilt you make you will see progress. We are ALWAYS learning and hopefully always improving. My first quilt was a Log Cabin. It's not too hard and there are so many great ways to arrange the blocks and make all these terrific secondary patterns. I am happy for you that you are going to enter the wonderful world of quilting! And it truly is.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

zander58@msn.com — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 03:06:42 GMT

For a beginner, I would recommend a Turning Twenty pattern; it's easy and fun. Buy the best fabric you can afford and go for it !!

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

knitternoodle — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:13:54 GMT

If you can find a copy of "Around the Block" by Judy Hopkins get it. Such a great book and the patterns are very precise meaning they will turn out just right size. And take the time to learn to cut your fabric pieces with a rotary cutter and ruler. I have been quilting for about 13 years now and just love it. I was'nt fortunate enough to have my grandmother (either of them) living when I was old enough to learn to sew. But my mother taught me how to use her Singer treadle sewing machine by doing what is now called Flip N Sew. We used sheets from a magazine for the stablizer. Such fun using that old machine and I think that is why I love sewing so much now.

And by the way, thanks for the contest. I would love to win some fabric !

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

wurdbyrd — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:54:57 GMT

I like Fat Cat Patterns website. They have an array of patterns...easy & fun ones too! You can make them by the 'block' and before you knowit...you've got a quilt top made! There's a host of websites for every aspect of quilting and putting the final touch of 'binding' on. Seems each website 'links' to another one full of information. Have fun...a 'block' at a time! :)

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

adawngus — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:40:26 GMT

My first quilt was in High School before I really even knew what I was doing.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

Sharon Gehrke — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:40:40 GMT

I use clear menu books , I put a picture of the quilt project in the front, directions next, and if you purchase the menu with extra pages you can also slip your pieces in to the extra seleeves, you take it with you to the fabric store, to match colors, keeps everything visable, I also use them for Quilt Guide meeting, for block of the month, Demo instruction, they are cheap and you can use them for your favorite recipes that use over and over. They also stand up for hands free quilting.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

Elaine L — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:04:36 GMT

I would suggest the simple 9-patch. Just make sure your seam allowances are consistant. This is such a versatile block and can be set in so many different ways.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

ddingler72@aol.com — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:13:49 GMT

Just got home from the Needle Chasers Quilt show in Iuka, MS. Lots of talented ladies in that area. I had a great time and got lots of inspiration and ideas. Can't wait to start my next project.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

ddingler72@aol.com — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:13:29 GMT

Just got home from the Needle Chasers Quilt show in Iuka, MS. Lots of talented ladies in that area. I had a great time and got lots of inspiration and ideas. Can't wait to start my next project.

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

mini_mum — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:13:42 GMT

have fun with your quilting adventures - and don't forget to label the quilts so future generations know who made it, when and why!

re: Endings, Beginnings, and a Fabric Giveaway!

PocahontasNH — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:59:09 GMT

My best piece of advice would be: just do it and don't worry about hiccups, mishaps, etc. as they all can become creative moments. I wish I would follow this piece of advice much more often for my own sake!!