Template Tips

June 30, 2015July 15, 20153 Comments

Sometimes you have to use templates. I’m making The Necessary Clutch Wallet, and it has templates.

Some options:

(1) CARD STOCK

This is a good option when you don’t need to fussy cut or when you don’t plan to use the template that often. Put it in the copier and press OK. But, remember to set on “Actual Size.”

(2) CLEAR PLASTIC TEMPLATE

This is a good option for fussy cutting, and it’s durable.

(3) NO MELT MYLAR

This is the best option when you are pressing your fabric around the templates with your iron. I used this method for making applique circles for my Vintage Moments quilt. It avoids needle turn.

Using your templates:

(1) STARCH YOUR FABRIC

If you use regular starch, you’ll get better results.

(2) CUT OFF THE TEMPLATE LINES

If you cut the template line just to left of the line, you will make room for your marking pencil/pen. That sliver of marking can make the difference in getting a perfectly cut piece. I’m not always consistent in doing this, but it is the best practice.

(3) CUT ON THE LINES

Cut on the lines — not to the left or to the right

(4) LABEL YOUR TEMPLATES

Some fabric has to be cut on the grain and the markings on the template are a reminder to do that. And, you’ll be able to find it when you want to use it again. I use a permanent marker.

I’m linking up with Tips and Tutorials Tuesday at Late Night Quilter.

Wanda

New Quilt Bloggers: stopping by

June 22, 2015June 21, 201549 Comments

Welcome to the next stop on the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop

It’s so exciting to be a part of this new quilting family and to get to know you. But first, you get to know me.

THE TEN-SECOND TOUR OF MY LIFE:

On a snowy day in 1965, me . . . two siblings, Alice and Bruce, … Emory & Henry College… newspaper reporter … married my high school sweetheart, Dave, … baby Nora … moving trucks … football football football . . . quilter … law school … lawyer … empty nest . . . blogger … modern quilt guild . . . new quilt bloggers blog hop … designing logos and blog buttons, oh my!.

I just received a mug rug from Nina With Freckles as part of a mug rug swap involving individual members of the Modern Quilt Guild.

My husband is the head football coach at Deep Run High School.

THE LONG JOURNEY:

When I write about myself, it’s about what I do and less about who I am. Sounds odd since this is “Wanda’s Life Sampler.” I tend to focus on the details of the process, i.e. the craft, and I shy away from revealing anything intimate. There are no secrets on the web. But, if I want to share and interact with this community I must open up. It’s all Rated G, though, but you might find 50 shades of gray (lame quilter’s joke).

NO DIRTY LAUNDRY:

I started this blog because I was looking for a creative outlet. (FYI: menopause is not for girls). I followed a series of worksheets in a self-help book. I made a “vision board” and wrote a “purpose statement”:

My purpose is to feel brave, to be tenacious and curious, to be sure of what I believe, to be persistent, to rest, to be free, to act on a whim, to improvise, to be creative and to design, and to practice what I enjoy.

I enjoyed making the vision board more than I liked pursuing the things on the vision board (except maybe traveling).

This discovery led me to start a blog. I had no idea what I wanted my blog to be or to say. I knew I wanted to put text and photos on “paper.”

I also had no idea the online quilting community existed. My first post about quilting was on September 4, 2013 and revealed my first leap into modern quilting with a quilt from the book, “Sunday Morning Quilts.” I quickly found the online quilting community and here I am giving you sewing advice.

A SEWING TIP:

Have you ever made a tote bag and when it’s not full, it falls over? The solution:

USE YOUR TOP STITCH FOOT (Bernina No. 5) to stich each side and around the bottom. It give stability to the tote. Divide the length of the bottom side seam, then measure over half that length from the middle seam. Press down the sides. Stitch, setting the needle over about 5 notches. It creates a small seam down the side.

USE YOUR TOP STITCH FOOT (Bernina No. 5) to stitch each side and around the bottom. It gives stability to the tote. Divide the length of the bottom side seam, then measure over half that length from the middle seam. Press down the side. Stitch, setting the needle over about 5 notches. It creates a small seam down the side. Repeat with all four edges and the bottom, if you want.

A BLOGGING TIP:

Learning takes time. I use WordPress and there are so many options for themes and choices for fonts and menus. I was overwhelmed at first and I’ve been overwhelmed for the last two weeks trying to transform my blog for this blog hop. I admit a cried a few times, but it’s okay to ask for help — even from the Happiness Engineers at WordPress. NEED HELP? you bet I do. They will respond!

MY FAVORITE QUILT (designed by yours truly):

Mama Bear

THE SECURITY ANSWERS (better than the ones from the bank):

My Dream Vacation: Fly around the world in a balloon
My Favorite Book: My Happiness Calendar where I record something every day that makes me happy
My Least Favorite Chore: Washing dishes
My Favorite Dessert: Key Lime Pie
My Favorite Restaurant: Deep Run Roadhouse (barbeque)

MY QUESTION FOR YOU:

What would you put on your Happiness Calendar today?

DON’T FORGET: CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S OTHER NEW QUILT BLOGGERS:

Brianna at The Iron and Needle. IG: theironandneedle

Tish at Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland IG: tishnwonderland)

Sandra at The Bias Edge.

My sidebar also has a list of all the new quilt bloggers in our hive, The Sewcial Swarm. The Queen is Terri Ann at Childlike Fascination. The other hive hosts are: Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl; Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs; and Stephanie at Late Night Quilter. The hosts are having giveaways!

Beeing Sewcial,

Wanda

Hand Quilting: that joyful process surges in popularity

June 9, 2015June 30, 201511 Comments

SOME FOLKS believe modern quilters don’t hand sew. This is not surprising since “modern” usually means what’s popular at the moment such as the latest technology. In the case of quilters, that means long arm machines. But, hand sewing is modern because it is gaining popularity among quilters at this moment.

I JUST READ an article from the National Quilting Association titled, “Handwork makes a Comeback.” The article includes a quilt by Chawne Kimber: Wedowee. I’m a huge fan. The main point of the article was that modern handwork is innovative with “big stitching” and combining hand stitching with machine stitching.

I love hand quilting. I use some BASIC TOOLS:

Thread: 40 weight Prescencia for small stitching and 8 weight perle cotton from the same brand for big stitching.
Needles: Size 9 and 11 made by John James for small stitching and a variety of needles from the Big Stitch Quilting Needle Pack made by Colonial Needle Company for big stitching.
Notions: Small snips for clipping; sometimes bees wax, and safety pins for basting.

I use a thimble as well. I have used it for longer than I can remember. It’s essential to me.

I buy thread and notions from Hand Quilting Supplies, an online shop.