October 2008 - Posts

• LaRueSews-Quilting-Quarter Inches to Heirlooms.

  To begin this time, I want to relate a very “telling” experience.  This experience told me that you very well can become a really good quilter if only you practice, practice, practice.  My husband and I went to my daughter’s house last weekend to attend our grand daughter’s band competition.  While we were there, we slept on our grand daughter, Lauren’s bed.  Right away, I noticed a quilt that I had made before my daughter was married.  I didn’t pay much attention right away, but I knew the quilt well, and also knew how long ago I had made it. Before the weekend ended, I did a short critique of my long ago work.  I was not impressed.  The colors weren’t great.  The black fabric in it stood out against the other rather pastel colors.  The backing was awful.  I don’t know what kind of fabric I used, but it had grown thin and it had “pilled” very badly.  It was white, not a good color to enhance a quilt top unless the quilt is mostly white.  The binding was way too wide for the seam allowance inside the binding, leaving an unfilled space on the edge of the quilt. (That space on the edge can wear out)  So, why do I relate my tale of woe?  I’m telling you all this, just to let you know that even you can become a great quilt maker.  That’s not to say my quilts are great.  I have seen much better.  But I know that the years of making quilts with quality fabric, taking classes, attending quilt guild meetings and lots of practice have been well worth the time and effort.  I now have a pile of quilts about which I will be happy to have my grand children exclaim, ”my grandmother made this, I love it.”  You can get there too. This is your fix for this time.  When I saw athis pattern, I just had to do it.  But it was several years until I got to it.  You will notice that one of the Teddys is a quilter. I have been looking into the Quilt Design Wizard program a bit more, and I thought I would tell you more about it.  It really is the most informative program for beginning quilting that I have seen.  When you open any of menus that are shown, each choice takes you to a sub menu.  For instance, one of them is Making Any Quilt. Under that menu, you can go to other sub menus that lead you step by step through each process of making a quilt, even to caring for, cleaning, and storing the finished quilt.  Under that menu, you will find Sewing the Quilt Top.  It shows each step of making a quilt top, with closeup pictures of measuring your seam width and sewing different types of quilt blocks.  It even shows you a final step of making a computer generated, personalized, labels for the quilt you have made. These are just a few screen shots from Quilt Design Wizard. I have already given you some things to remember about using a rotary cutter.  You are now ready to put those things to use.  When you are cutting, make sure to hold the cutter so that the blade is vertical or perpendicular to the cutting mat.  It will not give as good a cut if you hold the cutter at an angle or slant. After preparing your fabric, you need to make sure that your sewing machine is set up so that the seam allowance in your quilt will be consistent throughout the quilt.  Most quilt patterns are based on a 1/4 inch seam allowance.*   A 1/4 inch seam allowance is so important in a successful quilt.  There is no other basic skill that I could stress more.  Think about it . . . if there are approximately 12 to 14 threads in the distance of 1/8th inch of fabric, you can see that two threads either side of a needle can add up to several inches when multiplied by many times for each seam across the width of a quilt. Let me explain that another way.  In a log cabin block, there may be 10 seams across one block.  If the seams are sewn too narrow by 1/16 of an inch, that means that each seam totals 1/8th inch.  If that 1/8th inch is multiplied by 10 times for the number of seams in the block, that block alone is 1 1/4 inch too narrow.  There is usually some inconsistency in the seam allowances from block to block.  But with practice, your seams will come out close enough to make measurement problems minimal.  Some small variation in the size of blocks can be adjusted as you sew blocks together. So, how do I make sure my 1/4 inch seam allowances are consistent?  You need to measure the width of your presser foot.  Some machines come with a 1/4 inch foot.  Don’t take it for granted that a foot is exactly 1/4 inch.  Get out your best ruler or seam gauge.  With the needle in the down position, place the ruler against the needle and compare the ruler’s 1/4 inch mark to the presser foot. If the mark is more or less than 1/4 inch, make a note of where the 1/4 inch mark is to the ruler.  Adjust yourself, or your brain, or your presser foot. (whatever is easiest) You can also check the accuracy of your 1/4 inch seam after measuring the presser foot.  Cut two 3 inch squares of fabric.  Sew the squares along one side.  Press the seam to one side.  Measure the distance across the width of the two squares.  You should have a measurement of 5 ½ inches.  The seam takes up 1/4 inch on each of the two squares, making it ½ inch less than the total 6 inches.  Some machines can adjust the needle position, letting you adjust the width of the seam allowance.  This is hard for me, because I have gotten used to sewing with the needle in the center of the presser foot.  Use the method that is most comfortable for you. Stitch length: set the machine for about 10 to 12 stitches per inch.  That is about 2 to 3 on many machines.  Make the stitch length close enough to hold the fabric together, but long enough to make them easy to remove (Frog stitch)* in case you make a mistake. Pin your squares together.  Use the pinning method that you are familiar with. Pinning parallel to the fabric edge somewhat prevents sewing over a pin.  If you pin into the seam, perpendicular to the fabric edge, you risk sewing over pins.  It’s easy to hit the pin while sewing.  Remove pins before you get to them to prevent breaking the needle or one of the pins.  That can cause damage to the machine.  Anyone who is experienced in sewing knows that a broken machine needle can fly anywhere, causing injury or damage. When beginning a seam, hold the needle thread and bobbin thread with the left hand.  Two annoying problems occur by not holding the threads.  A tangle of threads can happen on the under side or the fabric can be pulled down into the needle hole of the throat plate.  You can also turn the hand wheel to eliminate these problems.  Another way to solve these two problems is to sew through a small scrap of fabric, leaving a space at the end of the seam, then sewing into the first seam of a block. It is usually not necessary to backstitch at the beginning and end of a seam.  If you need to leave a small space at the end of the seam, it may be best to backstitch to secure the small seam allowance. Use your right hand in front of the presser foot and your left hand behind to guide the fabric.  Don’t try to pull the fabric through as you sew.  Just gently guide the fabric and let the machine take the lead. If there is a small difference in the length of the seams, pin at the beginning and end of the seam, and distribute the difference evenly along the length of the seam.  Sew with the longer piece under the shorter piece.  The feed dogs will do the work and make pieces come out even.  Don’t try to ease a lot into a small space.  It will cause unsightly puckers and sometimes you will have extra fabric at the end of the seam. If you have not done a lot of sewing besides ME, it might be a good idea to do some practice sewing.  Try sewing straight lines.  Using a marking pen, mark lines on a piece of fabric about 12 to 15 inches square, about ½ inch apart.  Make your lines similar to the diagram here. Practice sewing just straight lines, sewing as closely on the line as possible.  Sew to the end, stop and pivot--sew to the end, pivot and sew the straight line again.  If you have trouble sewing on the lines keep practicing until your sewing is perfect or nearly so.  If you feel you need more practice, cut two more squares, draw a pattern again and sew it again.  In my first Home Ec. Class in the seventh or eight grade, the teacher handed out paper sheets with spiral lines from the edge to the center.  It was good practice in how to sew, following the lines precisely.  (It’s harder to sew a circle than to sew a square) The picture here shows how easy it is to piece many small patches in a line.  It’s called chain piecing.* Much of the information I used in this blog is taken again from Alex Anderson’s book, Start Quilting, 2nd edition.  Her books are very well written and informative.  They are varied on the subject of quilting.  They will soon be available in ATG shopping.  Check them out when they get here.  I’ll keep you posted.  By the way, I just discovered that you can download Alex Anderson’s quilt show on the internet and her podcasts on iTunes. You know, it’s so exciting to me to be able to tell you how fun it is to make quilts.  I have always enjoyed helping people who want to learn a new skill.  I hope all of you have as much fun with quilting as I have had.  Don’t get discouraged.  It’s your quilt, and there are not “quilt police”, only friends who want to see you succeed.  Keep me posted with your progress. Stitches to you, LaRue   Quilter’s Jargon 1/4 inch-The standard seam allowance for quilts (Frog stitch)-Rip-it Rip-it Chain Piecing-piecing many small patches in a line Posted Oct 24 2008, 11:15 AM by LaRueJ with 11 comment(s) Filed under: LaRueSews, heirlooms, quilts, quilt police, rotary cutter, cutting mats, sewing, quilt, frog stitch, fabric preparation, fabric terms

• LaRueSews-Quilts, More on fabrics and color

  As I start this out today, there are so many things Zinging around in my head, it’s hard to tell which way this edition of LaRueSews will go. I’ve heard writers say that sometimes they start out with just an idea and then just let it roll. I think I’ll tell you a bit about the quilt retreat I attended two weeks ago. YES, it has been two weeks. The retreat was sponsored by a guild from a neighboring town. Some of the women in my guild also belong to that one, so both guilds were invited. The planning and carrying out committees were top notch. It’s not always easy to plan a weekend event that will appeal to twenty-five women. It seems that everyone has their own ideas of how things should be done. Since I’m not a member of the sponsoring guild, I got to just go and have fun. One of the planners had the terrific idea of sending out a checklist of things we all needed to bring with us. It was a whole page of stuff including sewing supplies, materials, rulers, clothes, even goodies. I found it really helpful in not leaving anything behind that I would need. As it tuned out, the only thing I didn’t take along was my quilters cut and press.* That’s a neat tool that has a cutting mat on one side and an ironing mat on the reverse. I had left it in the sewing room, not with my stack of "take alongs" that I had piled by the back door. Most of us arrived at Shacco Springs, Alabama at about ten o’clock on Friday morning. Shacco Springs is a beautiful conference center near Talladega, AL. We stayed in a building that had two wings of guest rooms with an adjoing conference room and full kitchen. Most people shared rooms by two’s and three’s. The rooms were very similar to a motel room. (Very comfortable accommodation.) We all set up our sewing supplies and got ready to sew, seated, two or three people to a table, with sewing machines and supplies all around. There were about twenty-five of us in all. Each of us brought with us the fabrics that we had cut ahead of time, so we could sew right away, not time for cutting this day. The list we were given specified that we should choose fabrics of light, medium and dark values, with yardage requirements to finish the project. We were also given a specific list of how to rotary cut the fabrics. When we arrived, we were given instructions, one section at a time for a Mystery Quilt.* None of us knew until the last of about seven steps what the project would look like. These are the fabrics I chose from my stash. I didn’t even need to go shopping for the retreat.They are also an example of three coordinating fabrics to use in a quilt. We were all told to bring a lunch for Friday, which I forgot. NOT TO WORRY! The "goodies" I mentioned took care of my lunch very nicely. (Including my white chocolate chip/pecan cookies requested by my friends). We spent the day buzzing like twenty-five little bees. Buzzing? Yup, it sounded like a beehive with twenty-five sewing machines doing what sewing machines do best. Not to mention twenty-five chattering, friendly, happy women. At about 5:00 P.M., it was supper time, (dinner time, eat, chow down, you get it) at the conference center cafeteria. We had a nice "down home" meal. That’s what you get in Alabama. After dinner, we played Quilter’s Bingo. All the winner’s prizes were fat quarters. We returned to our building at about 7:00 and started sewing again. All afternoon and evening, we heard lots of chatter about "frog stitching," rotary cutters, and who chose the prettiest fabrics for this quilt. We sewed until after midnight and all went to sleep without even having a "gab session" in our rooms. Up again before 7:00 AM, and to the cafeteria for another "down home" meal and back to work. By this time, many of us were nearing the end of the steps in the "Mystery Quilt." We were shown examples of the finished product, and continued on to the finish. Most of us finished the main body of the quilt, making plans in our minds what we would do at home to finish it with backing, batting, and binding. The first picture here is my quilt top from this retreat. The second is a Mystery Quilt from another retreat a number of years ago. So you see, there are definitely advantages to joining a quilt guild. A quilting retreat is only one of them. We have taken bus trips to nearby quilt shows, quilt shops and sewing venues. We always have a great time, and the sisterhood of the group is the best part of the fun. Guilds are a great place to learn about quilts and quilting as well as meeting and finding new friends. At the retreat, we were all the happy receivers of all kinds of "quilty" door prizes. There were a lot of books, and sewing notions that we came home with. I received was a pair of battery operated scissors and a book called "Fabric Shopping," by Alex Anderson. Unfortunately, this book is no longer in print. However, I have recommended to Greg that Alex Anderson’s other books be added to the ATG shopping area. Her books are very good references for new quilters. They are easy to understand, and they give a lot of good information. Last time, in this blog, we talked about fabrics. I have learned much about fabrics from Alex Anderson’s book in the last week. It is a small book, packed with basic information about how to choose quilting fabrics. I’d like to share a few things, some I already knew and others that elaborated on some things that I had heard before. Focus fabric, which would be the main fabric to choose, adding other fabrics that have coordinate, or go well with the focus fabric, whether by color or print. Choose a focus and then choose fabrics that are the same color, or have the same color in them. Or choose a fabric that has a print that compliments the print of the focus fabric. This is a good example of a focus fabric, the second picture is of the focus fabric and other fabrics that would go well with it.   Hue is the name of a color. It is the difference from one color to another. Red, yellow and blue are hues. Value: is an important word when it comes to fabric. It is the "degree of lightness or darkness of color." In other words, if you visualize a scale, showing blocks of grey from pure white, to jet black, you will see the value of the color of grey. Or if you show a scale of reds from pure white to the darkest possible red, that also is value. Any color in all its shades of lightness and darkness is it’s value. Some people, who don’t have an inborn sense of color may want to rely on a color wheel to help them learn to make fabric selections. A few terms may help to learn more. Look at the color wheel below. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Combinations of these colors make up the other colors on the wheel. Secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts of primary colors. Orange is made with red and yellow. Look at green to see what colors combine to make green. Now, look at violet. Green, violet, and orange are secondary colors. Complimentary colors are two colors opposite from each other on the color wheel. Example: red is opposite to green, blue is opposite to orange. Look at the color wheel and find complimentary colors. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel. In combination, these colors are pleasing to they eye. You can also pick out examples of analogous colors. Monochromatic colors are those that come only from the same color family, in equal numbers in light, medium, and dark. However, if you choose to make a monochromatic quilt, be sure to choose fabrics from very dark to very light, even white, to give the quilt more interesting to the eye. If the colors are all the same value, they will simply "run together" appearing as all the same fabric, rather than a mixture of lights and darks, The same is true of quilts of many colors. You need to include a wide mixture of lights and darks to see the difference in fabrics. The variety of value across the quilt makes it more interesting to the eye. I am including pictures of fabrics in my stash. The first is an example of three fabrics that would work because the theme is similar, and there are three values, light medium and dark. Example two: I added two more fabrics that completely throw off the theme and the color. These fabrics don’t work unless you add many more fabrics and make it a "scrappy quilt".   Example three: This is an example of fabrics that don’t seem to look good together, but they are the same print in different colors. Used in a quilt with the "fan" theme, they should make an eye catching quilt. I hope so, since I have plans for them in a quilt together, along with an off white background fabric, with a fan theme. There is a focus fabric, and the other fabrics are colors taken from the focus fabric. There is no particular theme in any of the coordinating fabrics, but the color work with the focus. A little more about Quilt Design Wizard: This program is available in the ATG shopping area. This a terrific program for a beginner, or someone who is not comfortable with their skills. The entire program is a teaching tool. You can design and make a quilt from beginning to end with the tutorials that are all in this CD. There are 200 block patterns that can be used in any size. It shows sewing/assembly instruction specific to each block. This is a really cool tool. Just click from one design to another do decide whether your skills match the block that you have chosen. It will print instructions and templates; for foundation piecing as well at templates for piecing. It show instructions for rotary cutting, and strip piecing which is the fastest way to make a quilt. If you are thinking about taking a quilting class, but don’t want to leave home. This is the way you can do that. Get Quilt Wizard by clicking on this link or in the ATG shop. These pictures are screen shots from The Quilt Design Wizard program Well, friends, I hope this is all helpful to you. I’d like to thank Alex Anderson for her permission to use the material in her book to help you learn more about fabrics and color. Hopefully, this will put you one step closer to making some wonderful quilts of your own. Quilter’s Jargon: Quilter’s cut and press: That’s a neat tool that has a cutting mat on one side and an ironing mat on the reverse. Mystery Quilt: A quilt made in a group setting where nobody knows the resulting quilt design until it’s finished. Scrappy quilt: A quilt made of many scrap fabrics. Posted Oct 10 2008, 11:15 AM by LaRueJ with 11 comment(s) Filed under: quilts, stash, fabrics, color, quilter's retreat