I have been working on some charity quilts. I have a short [long] arm sewing machine. A short arm is the same as a long arm machine but with a much smaller space to quilt in. The nice thing about the machine is I can put a very large quilt on the table, which is 14' long. Then the machine is about the same same size as a regular table top sewing machine. It is fun to work with and so much easier than using a normal machine.
I need a lot of practice to get proficient at it. I have let both Project Linus and Quilts for Kids know that I will work with them on quilting their quilts, as long as they do not expect perfection. Hopefully that will help me learn this craft better.
A few hints on sending a quilt to a long arm quilter:
1. Take top, backing, thread, and batting.
2. Make sure the backing is at least 3 to 5 inches wider on each side than the top.
3. The batting should be equally bigger, too.
4. Do not rush your quilter. They usually have other jobs ahead of yours. Plus that is not the only thing they do.
5. Give feedback to your quilter, so they know what you have done that you like. Don't be overly critical--make it positive feedback.
Have a great deal quilting.
Quilts, fabric! What else is there?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Folsom Quilt & Fiber Guild Show
This past weekend was Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild's 25th Anniversary show. I was not going to go because I had been in El Dorado Hills on Friday and had family from southern California all day Saturday. But Elisa wanted to go, so off we went. Gil and Lorena went with us, but they do not like quilt shows quite as much as Elisa and I do. How excited they were when we pulled into the parking lot of the Folsom Community Center and noticed right next door there was the Folsom Zoo. So off they went to play, while we went in to play.
See picture to left for their opportunity quilt, which I did not win. But I did win one of their door prizes. There was a man there with beads. I got to go choose something up to a certain amount. I found a pair of earrings that I could not live without. Great door prize. I was excited, as I never win anything.
The show was great. Beautiful quilts everywhere. There was a quilt that won in its entry of best large wall quilts. It was a beautiful quilt that showed an underwater scene with a large loggerhead turtle as its focal point. The quilting was fantastic on it. It was done as waves in the ocean on everything except the turtle and the fish. I made the comment that it would look good in my home.
There were several others that I loved. One of these days I will take my camera, so I could share some of the favorites that I see.
One great looking quilts was a Baltimore Album quilt done on black. I have only seen it done on white and very light pastel colors. Black background really accented the bright colors used in the blocks.
This show also has a fashion show in the middle of the walkway at 2:30 p.m. every day. We watched for a couple of minutes but then realized all the people were there and we could go through the vendor's booths uninhibited. So shopping we went.
We had fun. Lots of pretty patterns and fabrics out there. Davis' old shop had a whole room to themselves. How lucky for them. I am sure they did well with it, too.
I do not often purchase anything from shows, as I have the ability to purchase at wholesale still. So I go get ideas and find patterns and/or fabrics that I like. Of course I seldom come home and purchase any of them. I did find grommets on a binding tape that is just too cute. So I bought a couple of yards of that. I am going to make something with it. When I get finished, I will post it here for all to see. Then I will also find the vendor that sells it and purchase some to sell on my website and at the shows.
We had fun. All of us. Afterwards we found a Big Spoon Yogurt place and had a treat. If you have never gone to one, you just have to try it out. They have frozen yogurt that you serve yourself. Then along one whole wall there are numerous items you can include with the yogurt. Since I do not like frozen yogurt normally, I put just a little yogurt and then added raspberry sauce (yummy), cut fresh strawberries, blueberries, Rice Krispies (love the crunch), mochi (not the dog), and chocolate sprinkles. Wow! What a taste sensation. Cold with all the goodies. And it only cost $3.20. It is weighed by the pound. Since I did not take very much yogurt, the fruit and such did not weigh much. Cannot tell you how much I enjoyed that treat.
See picture to left for their opportunity quilt, which I did not win. But I did win one of their door prizes. There was a man there with beads. I got to go choose something up to a certain amount. I found a pair of earrings that I could not live without. Great door prize. I was excited, as I never win anything.The show was great. Beautiful quilts everywhere. There was a quilt that won in its entry of best large wall quilts. It was a beautiful quilt that showed an underwater scene with a large loggerhead turtle as its focal point. The quilting was fantastic on it. It was done as waves in the ocean on everything except the turtle and the fish. I made the comment that it would look good in my home.
There were several others that I loved. One of these days I will take my camera, so I could share some of the favorites that I see.
One great looking quilts was a Baltimore Album quilt done on black. I have only seen it done on white and very light pastel colors. Black background really accented the bright colors used in the blocks.
This show also has a fashion show in the middle of the walkway at 2:30 p.m. every day. We watched for a couple of minutes but then realized all the people were there and we could go through the vendor's booths uninhibited. So shopping we went.
We had fun. Lots of pretty patterns and fabrics out there. Davis' old shop had a whole room to themselves. How lucky for them. I am sure they did well with it, too.
I do not often purchase anything from shows, as I have the ability to purchase at wholesale still. So I go get ideas and find patterns and/or fabrics that I like. Of course I seldom come home and purchase any of them. I did find grommets on a binding tape that is just too cute. So I bought a couple of yards of that. I am going to make something with it. When I get finished, I will post it here for all to see. Then I will also find the vendor that sells it and purchase some to sell on my website and at the shows.
We had fun. All of us. Afterwards we found a Big Spoon Yogurt place and had a treat. If you have never gone to one, you just have to try it out. They have frozen yogurt that you serve yourself. Then along one whole wall there are numerous items you can include with the yogurt. Since I do not like frozen yogurt normally, I put just a little yogurt and then added raspberry sauce (yummy), cut fresh strawberries, blueberries, Rice Krispies (love the crunch), mochi (not the dog), and chocolate sprinkles. Wow! What a taste sensation. Cold with all the goodies. And it only cost $3.20. It is weighed by the pound. Since I did not take very much yogurt, the fruit and such did not weigh much. Cannot tell you how much I enjoyed that treat.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Road to California
Good morning everyone,
I had an opportunity last week to go to Ontario CA to see the Road to California Quilt Show. Wow! What a show that is. My husband, Gil, and I went on Thursday. We were there around 10:30 a.m. It was busy but not too bad. About noon people started just streaming in. When we left a couple of hours later, we could hardly move through the crowd. I was really glad we had seen all the quilts by then.
The quilts were unbelievable. They were of such high quality both in the design and the quilting. Competition came from everywhere. There was a quilt that was hand stitched that came from Fargo North Dakota that was stunning. The stitching was absolutely perfect! Truly admirable.
A challenge was done that was probably the most inspiring thing I saw. The challenge was to get the fabric that everyone else had, make a small (around 18" square) quilt using the same design everyone else had, and then quilt it the way you wanted to quilt it. The fabrics were blue and yellow.
These quilts were all hung on a wall together, so you could see them all at once. If you did not see they were all the same up close, then you would not have thought they were identical quilts, except for the quilting. One quilt was quilted so close using yellow thread that you thought the quilt was done in yellow fabrics. It was fascinating to see the different patterns used to quilt and what a difference the quilting made on them. Makes you think twice about how you will quilt something. It definitely changes the appearance of the quilt.
Vendors were everywhere. I think there might have been as many vendors as there were quilts. I went see what they had and the pricing they had. There were a lot of kits. Having made kits for the store before, I felt they were on the high side dollar-wise. They were beautiful, though. Lots of patterns. I am always looking for unique wall hangings, and I saw several of those. I even bought a chicken head pattern that looked like she might have been a follower of the Grateful Dead. I have to make this one quickly, as it is just too funny.
I also bought some thread that I had never heard of. It is a long arm quilting thread. I will let you know what I think of it after I get a chance to try it. I bought some very colorful mesh--the kind you see in totes. Beautiful colors out there. I knew colors were there, but I had only seen black. This opens up great possibilities when making totes. I met a lot of vendors that sell wholesale and saw several unique notion ideas that I want to sell at shows.
This quilt show is a big one. It is the 15th anniversary of their show. They start early in the week with classes from big time teachers. I was not able to attend any of those, as it was my granddaughters birthday and we were at her house a couple of hours away. Next year I will plan to be at some of the classes and work around her party. Then the show itself runs from Thursday through Sunday. As busy as Thursday was, I cannot imagine what the weekend days turnout was.
This quilt show is every year about the same time. Plan on attending next year. You will love it.
I had an opportunity last week to go to Ontario CA to see the Road to California Quilt Show. Wow! What a show that is. My husband, Gil, and I went on Thursday. We were there around 10:30 a.m. It was busy but not too bad. About noon people started just streaming in. When we left a couple of hours later, we could hardly move through the crowd. I was really glad we had seen all the quilts by then.
The quilts were unbelievable. They were of such high quality both in the design and the quilting. Competition came from everywhere. There was a quilt that was hand stitched that came from Fargo North Dakota that was stunning. The stitching was absolutely perfect! Truly admirable.
A challenge was done that was probably the most inspiring thing I saw. The challenge was to get the fabric that everyone else had, make a small (around 18" square) quilt using the same design everyone else had, and then quilt it the way you wanted to quilt it. The fabrics were blue and yellow.
These quilts were all hung on a wall together, so you could see them all at once. If you did not see they were all the same up close, then you would not have thought they were identical quilts, except for the quilting. One quilt was quilted so close using yellow thread that you thought the quilt was done in yellow fabrics. It was fascinating to see the different patterns used to quilt and what a difference the quilting made on them. Makes you think twice about how you will quilt something. It definitely changes the appearance of the quilt.
Vendors were everywhere. I think there might have been as many vendors as there were quilts. I went see what they had and the pricing they had. There were a lot of kits. Having made kits for the store before, I felt they were on the high side dollar-wise. They were beautiful, though. Lots of patterns. I am always looking for unique wall hangings, and I saw several of those. I even bought a chicken head pattern that looked like she might have been a follower of the Grateful Dead. I have to make this one quickly, as it is just too funny.
I also bought some thread that I had never heard of. It is a long arm quilting thread. I will let you know what I think of it after I get a chance to try it. I bought some very colorful mesh--the kind you see in totes. Beautiful colors out there. I knew colors were there, but I had only seen black. This opens up great possibilities when making totes. I met a lot of vendors that sell wholesale and saw several unique notion ideas that I want to sell at shows.
This quilt show is a big one. It is the 15th anniversary of their show. They start early in the week with classes from big time teachers. I was not able to attend any of those, as it was my granddaughters birthday and we were at her house a couple of hours away. Next year I will plan to be at some of the classes and work around her party. Then the show itself runs from Thursday through Sunday. As busy as Thursday was, I cannot imagine what the weekend days turnout was.
This quilt show is every year about the same time. Plan on attending next year. You will love it.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New blog sites about quilts
Good morning everyone,
I hope your New Years has gone well and everything is back to normal after the holidays.
I have been researching some quilt blogs and came up with a couple of new ones that are posted on the blog list. You might find them interesting, too. One is at http://karenquilt.blogspot.com/ and the other is http://womenonquilts.blogspot.com/.
Life is good. I have been working on some of the quilts that I needed to finish and never seemed to find the time to do anything with them. I finished two Christmas quilts. One was to be done for Christmas in 2008. The other I started in September 2009 and wanted for this past Christmas. Oh well there is always next Christmas.
I have also quilted two other quilts. One is a baby's quilt made of little ducks. Another one is a fall quilt that is twin size. Both need their binding done. I want to do both soon because it is fun to curl up with a warm quilt and do hand work this time of year.
Using the short arm machine that was in the store is fun once the quilt is on the frame. It takes a lot of time to get the quilt on, especially when you do it wrong the first time. But once I get started sewing, I have fun with it. Now I just need to learn more quilting designs.
All else is good. My puppy Mochi is growing and lots of fun for my husband and me. More later.
I hope your New Years has gone well and everything is back to normal after the holidays.
I have been researching some quilt blogs and came up with a couple of new ones that are posted on the blog list. You might find them interesting, too. One is at http://karenquilt.blogspot.com/ and the other is http://womenonquilts.blogspot.com/.
Life is good. I have been working on some of the quilts that I needed to finish and never seemed to find the time to do anything with them. I finished two Christmas quilts. One was to be done for Christmas in 2008. The other I started in September 2009 and wanted for this past Christmas. Oh well there is always next Christmas.
I have also quilted two other quilts. One is a baby's quilt made of little ducks. Another one is a fall quilt that is twin size. Both need their binding done. I want to do both soon because it is fun to curl up with a warm quilt and do hand work this time of year.
Using the short arm machine that was in the store is fun once the quilt is on the frame. It takes a lot of time to get the quilt on, especially when you do it wrong the first time. But once I get started sewing, I have fun with it. Now I just need to learn more quilting designs.
All else is good. My puppy Mochi is growing and lots of fun for my husband and me. More later.
Monday, December 28, 2009
New Year's Wish
I wish you all a great New Year. As we look forward to the new year, it makes us look back to the past year, too.
This past year has been a busy year for me. We moved the store across the street on the wettest day of the year in March. It got done, but it was very uncomfortable for those that helped.
The new store offered a lot more traffic and became a place of comfort for many. Discussions were held there often about many subjects but mostly about quilting.
As the summer went on, it became apparent that the economy was hurting all of us. I listened to many discuss that they or their husband, boy friend, brother/sister, kids had been layed off. Or often how people were struggling with having to be furloughed or take a loss in pay. It has been a hard year. I was glad to be there to listen and discuss what people were going through. Then the economy hit us directly and now the store does not exist. How I loved it and loved my customers. I miss you all.
Now we look forward. I know this next year will be a wonderful year. I have learned as I have gone through life to take what is given us and make the most of it. If it does not work out, look for new challenges. I am excited to find our new challenges--I just want them to be fun and exciting.
Enjoy welcoming in the new year.Love your family, however that is constituted. Quilt often (or do whatever it is that makes you happy).
This past year has been a busy year for me. We moved the store across the street on the wettest day of the year in March. It got done, but it was very uncomfortable for those that helped.
The new store offered a lot more traffic and became a place of comfort for many. Discussions were held there often about many subjects but mostly about quilting.
As the summer went on, it became apparent that the economy was hurting all of us. I listened to many discuss that they or their husband, boy friend, brother/sister, kids had been layed off. Or often how people were struggling with having to be furloughed or take a loss in pay. It has been a hard year. I was glad to be there to listen and discuss what people were going through. Then the economy hit us directly and now the store does not exist. How I loved it and loved my customers. I miss you all.
Now we look forward. I know this next year will be a wonderful year. I have learned as I have gone through life to take what is given us and make the most of it. If it does not work out, look for new challenges. I am excited to find our new challenges--I just want them to be fun and exciting.
Enjoy welcoming in the new year.Love your family, however that is constituted. Quilt often (or do whatever it is that makes you happy).
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas is coming
Happy Holidays to all of you.
What a great time of year. We get to be with family and friends and drink egg nog. We get to shop. We get to travel. Even though we have our normal lives to live during this time, we take time to do all of the above, too, and to reflect on who we are and why we are here. I hope you all have a joyous holiday season.
What a great time of year. We get to be with family and friends and drink egg nog. We get to shop. We get to travel. Even though we have our normal lives to live during this time, we take time to do all of the above, too, and to reflect on who we are and why we are here. I hope you all have a joyous holiday season.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Gift & Craft Fair in Woodland
Today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday December 4th & 5th, go to Woodland Eagles Auxiliary annual Home for the Holidays Gift & Craft Fair. It runs from 9 a.m. 'til 3 p.m. at the Woodland Eagles Hall 37650 Highway 16 (1/4 mile west of Raley's). A lot of handcrafted items to see and purchase.
One of Beehive Quilts employees, Brenda, will be there with her items to sell. You will love what she does.
One of Beehive Quilts employees, Brenda, will be there with her items to sell. You will love what she does.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)