July 2009 - Posts

• A Challenge, A Surprise, and A Win

  Yesterday was a day of fun and prizes for the members of the Memory Makers Quilt Guild.  At the first meeting in 2009, I gave the members of my guild a Challenge.  The Challenge was to make a quilt that fit all the requirement sets out in the rules of the challenge.  The challenge was issued at the first meeting in January 2009. The rules: Make a monochrome quilt.  You may use three or more values of only one color. You may also use one other fabric that has additional color in it, or you may use only values of one color. Monochrome is the use of one color throughout the project.  It is one color in any or all of its values.  For instance, pure green through all values of green to total black. Or it can be a grayscale, all shades of gray, from pure white to total black.  This a grayscale value chart, but the same thing is true of any color. Many questions came up in the past six months.  “Have you started your challenge?”  “What did you say the challenge is?”  “How big is the quilt supposed to be?”  Little did I know that those were the easiest questions. The guild members had much harder questions that they did not ask because of their secrecy.   The members had many more questions, answerable only on the day the quilts were revealed.  Almost half the guild members decided to make a quilt, just to see if it met all the requirements.  Prizes and awards were promised.   Just as the others, I had to figure out how to make a really fun quilt that would catch the judge’s eye.  I purchased the fabrics early, but because of other projects, trips and commitments, I didn’t start my quilt soon enough.  These photos show my blocks on a design wall while I arranged and tried different placements.  Maybe you can see the difference in the arrangement of the blocks. In the last two weeks, I have spent nearly all my waking moments, making my quilt and quilting it.  I didn’t have time to do hand quilting, so I did some machine quilting, which I seldom do.  While making my quilt, I had to plan the “Reveal,” and make it “almost a party.”  I spent three days making the award ribbons, making my quilt, and  answering more questions from those guild members who, like me, were still trying to finish.  Two other people helped me make awards, and gave me their opinions and planning ideas. The day had come, the refreshment treats were baked, the quilt was finished, the quilt label made and sewn on the back. I even had time to rest and read a book.  At the meeting, it seemed like everyone was just a little on edge.  It’s pretty special to see that there were nine people who cared to put many hours into a project for nothing more than the recognition of their quilting friends.  I felt anticipation the moment I arrived at our meeting place.   I also felt the anticipation of the other guild members who made quilts and those who did not. Our judge, a member of another guild, was wonderful, taking it as seriously as if it were a State Fair contest.    What fun!  Brenda had traveled more than an hour and a half, just to help us out as our Judge.   The time arrived, the judging and the awards were given.  It was all a grand success.  NOISE!  There was lots of noise, laughter, and shouts of satisfaction, surprise and happiness.  It was a fun day. Because of space and the fact that I didn’t manage to get photos of all the quilts, here are some examples of the talent in this small guild.      This quilt was named the “Most Likely To Be Copied.” There were eight prizes.  These are photos of a few, including the best label.  I am showing a photo of the winning label, because it was a big surprise and made us all laugh. Viewers Choice is another of the special awards because it is the award given by the votes of the Guild members for their favorite entry. This quilt was named the “Most Likely To Be Copied.” AND THE WINNER IS . . . LaRue I was surprised beyond words.  My machine quilting leaves MUCH to be desired.  I was really upset at the results of my machine quilting, but the front of the quilt  was good enough to win the “Best of challenge and Best Use of Color” award. We all enjoyed the day and it was worth the effort for all of us. Stitches to you, LaRue One more thing, I said last time that I would start the Block of the Month this time.  However, I’ve been so busy, that I haven’t done the final plans for it.  I promise that it will come next time. Posted Jul 31 2009, 10:30 AM by LaRueJ with 12 comment(s) Filed under: quilts, quilt, color, quilting, color selection, guild challenge, guild

• LaRueSews-Quilts,1/2-Square Triangles, Easy?

  This blog could be considered as an Anniversary Blog, since it has been a year and seven days since I posted my very first Blog.  I didn’t think it would last this long.  But thanks to all of you and your faithfulness, I’m still here.  Also, I’d like to give a lot of credit to Greg Nisbet, who encouraged and taught me and practically rewrote some of those first Blogs.  Let me tell you, it was a giant feat to get those first few Blogs on line last year, as I still had dial-up internet access, and it took four or five days to get that first one on line. (No kidding) I want you to know that this quilter/blogger has come a long way.  We installed satellite internet about six weeks into my efforts as a blogger, and it made a tremendous difference.  I would not have stayed with it more than a couple months if we had stayed with dial-up. Pat Snyder has also been a great friend and cheerleader for me.  She “holds me up” in this effort.  My husband was also a terrific help in those first few Blogs.  He was my proofreader, my formatter and my cheerleader.  Since then, he has tolerated me in talking about it all the time. If you haven’t been with LaRueSews-Quilts since the beginning, I encourage you to go back to the very first one and continue through them all.  This is the link: http://www.annthegran.com/cs/blogs/larue-sews/archive/2008/07.aspx Now, let’s talk about half-square triangles.  Until about three weeks ago, I had almost completely sworn off triangles.  I didn’t like to do them, and didn’t care if I ever saw one again.  Then, my friend Bonita, and I went on a fabric expedition (shop hop).  We learned of a new quilt shop near Columbus, Georgia.  Being Fabriholics that we are, we HAD to check it out.  The name of this little shop is Sunday Best Quilt Shop, in Ellerslie GA.  It is owned by Teresa Singleton and Linda Camp.  Linda was in the shop the day we were there.  She showed us their method of making Half Square Triangles, which is IMHO the best method I have seen.  SBQ's Original Half-Square Triangle Stencil.  This method is so easy and accurate that I made 32 half-square triangles in about forty-five minutes.  (Linda says she can do it in fifteen minutes.)  This photo shows a template that makes 2 inch half-square triangles.  Directions are printed on the right side of the template.   Here we go  . . . Choose two contrasting fabrics, visually, light and dark turn out best.  A fat quarter of each is more than enough for this method.  Press both fabrics and lay them, right sides together, on a cutting mat with the light fabric on top, wrong side up.  Lay SBQ's Original Half-Square Triangle stencil on top of the light fabric.  (Dark fabric first, next light fabric, then stencil).  On the stencil’s edge there are small holes, placed together at intervals, use these holes to pin the stencil to the fabrics.  Be sure all layers are laying flat and on the straight grain.  Photos here show how the stencil is laid out and pinned, as well as marking in process and a closeup of pinned and marked stencil. Using a water soluble marker, mark all lines on the stencil.  (Linda used Crayola Washable markers, in different colors, to show the different sewing and cutting lines) The lines are coded by the size of the marking spaces.  Check to see if all lines are marked.  I used only a blue marker. Remove the pins from the stencil and re-pin the two layers of fabric.  Now it’s time to sew.  The stencil has instructions that show how to sew continuously on the lines as shown on the stencil, without stopping or cutting the threads on each section.  Now, you are more than half way there!  When you have sewn all the lines, turn it over and check the back.  You can see the stitching better on the dark fabric.   Go to the ironing board and press the fabrics to set the stitches. It’s rotary cutting time! (second photo above) Go to your cutting mat and carefully cut on the horizontal dashed lines.  Check to make sure that all the cut edges are still aligned.  Now cut on the vertical dashed lines.  Check your alignment again, making sure that everything is aligned. Now you can cut on the diagonal lines, in both directions.  THAT’S IT!  You have made 32 half-square triangles.  Now is the hard part, if you want to call it that.  It seems like it takes more time to press those little buggers than it did all the rest.  AND, don’t burn your fingers.  In this short amount of time, you have made 32 triangles half-square that can be used in any pattern that requires 2 inch half-square triangles.  The stencil also shows how to make only sixteen and eight triangles at a time.  I haven’t used my triangles yet.  I wanted to tell you about this Cool Tool before I had time to decide how to use it.  I’ll always try to let you know about really good methods and tools when I find them. These great stencils come in four sizes, from 1 to 2 ½ inches. The best part is that they are so accurate. If anyone lives near Ellersly, GA, take a little trip and visit the Sunday Best Quilt Shop.  Directions are on their web site.  OH! One more thing . . .They have other Quilting Stuff too!  http://www.sundaybestquiltworks.com http://www.sundaybestquiltworks.com/patterns.htm Get busy and make some Quilts this week!  Next time, I will begin a Block of the Month.  I will give you all a block to make, without instruction.  I will be counting on all of you to be able to Do It Yourself.  See you next time. Stitches to you LaRue LaRueSews-Quilts Posted Jul 17 2009, 11:00 AM by LaRueJ with 8 comment(s) Filed under: quilt tools, rotary cutter, quilting tools, cutting mats, sewing, quilt, fabric preparation, quarter square triangles, triangles, half square triangles, half-square triangles

• LaRueSews-Quilts-Binding Isn’t the End

  The subject matter this time is probably one of the “testiest” that I have approached.  We are nearing the end of making a quilt from start to finish.  Adding the bind is the best part, right up to stitching down the binding on the back.  The photos I am using were made while I was finishing this quilt for my grand daughter.  She plays the piano, and the wall hanging was a gift for her 8th grade graduation.   That quilt is shown here. First, decide the width of the binding you like.  It is common to make a 1/4inch or ½ inch binding.  Next, decide between a very durable, double layer of fabric on the edge, called French or double binding.  Or choose to make a single binding which has only one layer of fabric on the edge of the binding.  Since I have been making quilts regularly, I have used the double binding, simply because it will last a long time with much use and many washings. As a general rule, you can plan to cut your binding strips about six times the width of the finished binding, plus 1/8th in.  That extra 1/8th inch is just a little extra assurance that the binding will cover the entire seam.  I nearly always use a ½ inch binding.  I just like the look of a generous binding on the edge of my quilts.  Many people prefer a 1/4 inch binding.  It is entirely personal preference.  As an example of cutting strips for ½ inch binding, you would cut strips 3 1/8 inches wide.  It is also personal preference whether you cut the binding strips on the straight grain or on the bias grain of the fabric.  However, If you decide to cut strips on the straight grain, be sure to cut the strips crosswise of the fabric, or from selvage to selvage.  The reason is that there is a very slight stretch in the crosswise grain and that leaves just a bit of ease when applying the binding.  I wanted a ½ inch finished binding.  In the photos I am using for this blog, I have cut fabric on the bias of the fabric because I like the look of the diagonal printed dots of the fabric better than the straight-line dots.  Borders are not normally cut on the bias because of the stretching that occurs with bias.  In this case, the bias border is strictly a design choice.   Thinking ahead in all aspects of quilting proves to turn out a better product.  Visualizing the end product is very helpful. Cutting the border is shown in photo        Note: If you are interested in learning more about cutting borders on the bias, contact me by email and I will help you, or make a note in comments. The book All In One Quilter’s Reference Tool*  I recommended in an earlier blog is very clear about helping to determine the amount of fabric needed for the size of your quilt.  After cutting the correct amount of strips, it is time to join all the strips into a long continuous strip of fabric. I recommend joining the strips on the bias to reduce bulk at the joining seamlines.  Layer the strips perpendicular to each other, right sides together. Sew the seam across the diagonal. Trim the seam to 1/4 inch.  Next, go to the iron, and press the strip in the lengthwise center.  This bias strip is normally several yards long. Square up the quilt, and trim edges. If you own a walking foot, it’s a great tool for sewing binding.  Because of the kind of hopping motion of a walking foot, the top binding layers are not pushed forward against the quilt body as you sew.  Sew the cut edge of the binding to the quilt edge, using ½ in. seam allowance.  Sew the binding to the front of the quilt.  It will be turned to the back for finishing.  Lay the binding evenly along the cut edge of the quilt.  Begin stitching in the center on one side of the quilt.  Mark the center point of the side where you want to begin and end.  I usually begin at the center of the bottom edge.  Start sewing about 6 inches from the center and leaving a 12 to 18 inch “tail” of binding strip before you begin.  Sew with ½ inch seam, evenly.  To make miter corners, sew toward the corner, stopping at ½ inch before the end of the seam.  Pivot the quilt one quarter turn to the left and backstitch off the edge of the quilt. Continue sewing all the way around the quilt, mitering corners and stopping about 12 inches from where you began.  That will leave a space of about 12 inches between and beginning and ending of the strips.       At this point, I’m going to be brutally honest with you and tell you that making a mitered seam at the joining point of the binding is TRICKY.  If you are not a mathematician or engineer, you may need a lot of practice.  Hang in there . . . It is one of the most satisfying parts of making a quilt.  The first time you make a really nice a mitered  joining of a quilt binding is great.  I checked some of my quilts, looking for a joining that would show up in a photo, but I couldn’t find one that isn’t invisible. (No brag, just fact).  The older quilts were sewn in any way I could figure out at the time, with marginal success.  BTW. *The book mentioned above has good instruction for joining the binding.         Note: I try to remember some of the things that I have heard that quilt judges look for when judging quilts in a show.  One important one that they do check is that they look at the binding carefully to see if the seam allowance inside of the binding “fills” the binding.  In other words, make sure that you have made the seam so that when the binding is turned to the back, there is no empty space in the edge of the binding.  It’s not very visible until you look close or feel the edge with your fingers, but it is one of the signs of a quality quilt.  The details make a difference. At the end fold each piece of binding strip toward the center of the side, meeting with folds at the center mark. Place a pin at each fold to mark the meeting point.  Don’t cut the strip ends yet!  Open out the folded strip ends and mark a 45 degree angle on the inside of the binding, centering the 45 degree angle at the pin-marked strip.  Pin the seam lines together and check to make sure that your mitered ending fits together nicely.  Marking in the right direction on poth ends can be confusing.  Make any adjustment to the seamlines now, if needed.  Sew the seamline together.  When you are sure it’s all fitting well, now you can use the scissors and trim to 1/4 inch.           Now that you have sewn the binding to the quilt, check the seam all the way around to see if there any visible places that you need to change or adjust (what is mean here is mistakes) Giggles here are allowed.   When you are satisfied with the results, it’s time to stitch down the binding on the back of the quilt.  Turn the binding to the back of the quilt.  In the past I have used pins to hold the binding down while I stitch.  However, a really neat and easy  tricks is to use spring hair clips to hold the binding in place while stitching. This brings us to the end of the quilt we’ve worked on all these months. This is assuming that you HAVE been making a quilt.  In the future, I have a few other things to talk about, like a neat way to make half square triangles, some applique, and making a quilt label.  Last time I asked for your input about topics for future LaRueSews subjects.  I didn’t get any response.  I would really like to continue writing, but without some feedback from you I will not know what interests you. Last time I said I would include a photo of the quilt I gave to Kasey, my oldest granddaughter to take with her to college.  It began as a retreat mystery quilt, last September and turned into her college quilt.  It is proof that I can make a whole quilt from my stash.   She liked it a lot. I would also like to tell you some great places to get good quilt fabric.  Check out this link one. IMHO it is the best fabric web site I know.  eQuilter.com Keep quilting and meet me here in two weeks. Stitches to you, LaRue Posted Jul 03 2009, 11:30 AM by LaRueJ with 21 comment(s) Filed under: LaRueSews, quilting tools, quilt, fabric preparation, quilter's retreat, quilting, wallhanging, binding, borders