Hunter Star Completed

Yippee my UFO is finally completed. I finally tackled the job of attaching the binding all by machine!!!

I used red for the binding!! It was my first attempt all by machine to attach the binding!

Enjoy stitchin'

Joey

Binding Your Quilt

For my binding I use 2 1/4" folded WST (wrong sides together) . While attaching my binding to the top of my quilt I use 1/4" stitch foot. Use the two videos below to help you with the corners and joining the binding at the end. I then fold my binding over to the backside of the quilt and stitch in the ditch from the front. Practice Practice!! You will get it also.

Here are two videos that I found helpful this first one is about joining your ends when you had done attaching your binding to the quilt and the second one is doing the mitered corners...First video...Second video

The pictures below is to show how to join your strips to make one long binding strip. The first picture shows you where to stitch when you put the second strip RST (right side together) on top of the first strip. I show the stitching in blue so that it can been seen. The second photo shows how it should look once pressed and open. After that you can trim off 1/4" away from the stitch line. Make sure its how you want it before you cut.

Enjoy stitchin'
Joey

Ensuring a 1/4" Seam Allowance

This is the MOST important step of all quilting!!! That 1/4" seam allowance. Even if your seam allowance is off even slightly, then your sewn pieces will not match up. And we don't want that now, do we?

Here are some steps to getting that 1/4" seam allowance:

Grab your ruler and place it under the presser foot of your sewing machine. Slowly lower the needle so it touches just to the right of the 1/4" line on the ruler. Lower the presser foot to hold the ruler in place. Keep the edge of the ruler parallel with the lines of the throat plate. The edge of the ruler is the starting point for positioning the seam gauge and there are several choices for a seam guide that you can chose:

• magnetic guide
• screw-on guide
• layers of adhesive tape
• straight-stitch foot with quilting bar guide
• 1/4" foot (my favorite: some machine will have one but you can get a generic one)

Be sure to test your seam allowance so that it gives accurate results. The thickness of the thread and pressing will affect your results, so sew and press a test sample using the same materials and methods you will be using for your project.

To test your seam allowance:

1. Sew two 2 1/2" squares of fabric (RST: right sides together) using your seam guide.
2. Press the seam allowance toward one of the two squares. Tip: I like to press to the darker fabric. Why? Will not show on the front side.
3. Measure the pressed unit. It should measure 4 1/2". If it is larger or smaller than 4 1/2", then adjust your seam allowance accordingly. Sew test samples until you achieve an exact 4 1/2" unit.

Enjoy stitchin',

Joey

Which block to start with?

This was the first site that I went to and you can get free patterns and instructions. Its called Quilter's Cache.
Please follow her rules. But enjoy the vast of patterns that she has done for the site.


If you are a beginner, and would like to know which blocks to start with. Then I will let you know a few of them. So that you can practice your sewing that 1/4" seam. Very Important!!


Here is the first and it is called the 9 patch...

 This one is called the Rail Fence.

 

This one is called the Ohio Star you can practice the quarter triangles.

 

All the pictures where taken from The Quilter's Cache/Marcia Hohn. She gives very clear instructions that anybody calling themselves a beginner can do!! Enjoy and visit her site.


Tip: Press your seam allowances towards the darker fabric. This will help for your seams to butt up against each other when the seam allowances are in opposite direction. Also it will create less bulk at the intersection.


Enjoy stitchin',
Joey

Where to start?

You will need the basic items...sewing machine, needles, threads, rulers, rotary cutter & mat, and mostly important: FABRIC.


You will need to practice cutting your fabric into nice STRAIGHT strips. If you can't accomplish this with the rotary cutter and ruler. You can visit the June Tailor site for this Shape Cut Ruler. I could not cut straight for a very long time and that ruler helped me out!! Then I practiced and practice cutting on very ulgy fabric until I got confident to cut on the pretty fabric.

Now on to piecing/sewing. In the quilting world, we use the 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise told. I have a very special foot that helps me achieve this 1/4" seam. BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! Here is what the foot looks like...

See that guide!! This foot is awesome and will help you achieve that 1/4" seam allowance too. Sew practice sewing your squares together. Here is a hint. When pressing your squares try and press it to the darker fabric. 

American Rapid Fire Hunter Star

Hi, this is one of my 2009 UFO's. It needs a border, sandwich, stitch in the ditch, and binding.  My hubby chose the 2 fabrics. This quilt was actually going to be smaller. This was my first attempt at the design and when hubby saw it he said "make it bigger and put it on the wall". So I added a few more blocks. But it will have to sit unfinished for awhile. Don't know when I'll be getting to it.

How I started Quilting!

How I started quilting?? You ask.

Well it was back in 2003. I was getting married in June and I thought (in Febuary) what a neat idea to give wallhanging quilts to the bridesmaids!! So I went to the local quilt store in Centerville and browsed the store looking for a quilt design I liked. Well I found it!! A double wedding ring pattern!! The name is perfect!! So I bought the Quiltsmart Double Wedding Ring and a book by Judy Martin. I had 4 months to complete 5 quilts!! Yes you heard me 5!! I made 4 of the Double Wedding Ring wallhanging, now let me think of the colors...blue, green, purple, and I can't think of the 4th one!! What about the 5th quilt? Well for the maid-of-honor which was my sister I made her "Shakespeare in the Park" from the Judy Martin book and made it a twin size. Can you believe it she still has it!!! I should have her take a picture of it. Nah!! Well she wants me to make another one in orange and blue. Hmmm, I'll have to see about that.

A few years ago (ok maybe over 3 years ago) I discovered rag quilting!! And love it! Its sooo fast and easy!! I now have a machine that has a 8.5" square with the fringe already cut for me!!! Check out my store...

Sew Strange Bits N Pieces 

I have a few listed there and can do custom orders!!

My First Rag Quilt for 2010!!

Darn camera! Doesn't take a very good picture of this awesome "Retro Trip Around the World Rag Quilt". It measures approx. 36"x45". A great size for your toddler. Does she love purple?!?! Once I get better pictures of this quilt I will be listing it in my store at Sew Strange Bits N Pieces.

 

Here is a close up of the fabrics I used. I used 3 flannel printed fabrics of retro flowers, retro birds, and retro elephants in pink & blue. The middle is a boisenberry flannel.

Quilting Tips

1. Use the chain method whenever possible. Makes your sewing that much faster and easier!

2. Stitch with the darker fabric on the bottom.

3. Have a bowl next to your machine to catch all those snipped threads.

4. Sew a piece of fabric at the start of your project to save on thread. This also helps for your points not to go into the throat of your machine.

5. Stack what you need to sew and place it next to your machine.

New Year 2010

Hello everyone! I'm going to try and post every month. But don't hold me to it!! LOL.

Happy New Year!!

Quilting Terms for Beginnings

These terms I believe all beginning quilters should know or begin with:

• Fabric Stash: stash of fabric bought with no project in mind. It's good to keep an assortment on hand! I have Breast Cancer and Patriotic and Flannel Fabrics in my store if you are into making those kinds of quilts. 
• Accurate 1/4" seam: you can accomplish this one with a 1/4" foot. Comes separately from your machine.
• yard: equals to 36" length of fabric (some fabrics are 42"-45" wide)
• fat quarter: measures 18"x22" of fabric
• fat eighth: measures 11"x18" of fabric
• regular quarter or 1/4th of a yard: measures 9" wide x the length of the fabric
  
• basting: long stitches used to hold fabric layers or seams in place temporarily and usually removed after final sewing
• batting: middle layer of a quilt
• sandwich: (I like hard salami. JK.) Actually there is a term called quilt sandwich meaning 3 layers
  
• sashing: the fabric that separates the blocks
  
•  bias: the diagonal direction across the surface of a woven fabric at a 45 degree angle to the line of the warp and weft
•  binding: covers the raw edges of a quilt

http://www.straw.com/equilters/library/tips-hows/glossary.html 

 

Go to the site above for more quilting terms!!

Picking a Sewing Machine

Man, oh Man!! With sew many sewing machines out there which one to chose? If you are new to sewing or quilting---TEST DRIVE THEM ALL!!! My first machine was a BROTHER and it was a good work horse for the price. But then I knew that I wanted to make more quilts and not waste my precious time. So when I was looking into buying another machine. I took a look at my Brother and wrote the Pro's and Con's about it. For my next machine I want the bobbin on top. So that I can quickly open the case take out the old and put the newer one inside without having to take my arm off an on (sewing arm, not my arm. LOL). Another important feature it had to have was that the feed dogs have to GO DOWN for free motion quilting! A nice sewing space to the right of the needle with you have to quilt your project. It needs to have a tension dial and a stitch width & length. On many newer machine models they have what is called a adjustable pressure foot pressure. This allows you to adjust the height of the presser foot in its lowered position to accommodate the loft of thicker quilts. A couple of foots to have with your machine: 1/4" foot, walking foot, and free-motion/darning foot.

1. Bobbin on top for easy access
2. Feed dogs to lower (for free motion quilting)
3. Good size sewing area (right of needle)
4. Tension dial and a stitch width & length
5. Adjustable presser foot pressure
6. Foots: 1/4", walking, and free-motion/darning foot

I ended buying a Viking and LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! But don't take my word. TEST DRIVE!! TEST DRIVE!!

Happy Stitchin'

Threads

It's good to buy quality thread!! You want to keep your sewing machine in working order. And using quality thread is IMPORTANT!! I use Madeira, Sulky, Gutterman, but my favorite is Madeira. I also sell it in my store. I've used it for over 5 years now!!

Well, when you are having issues with your sewing machine, you will more than likely be asked, "Did you change your needle?" Then it will be "Are you using quality thread?" Don't make the mistake and buy the inexpensive thread at the stores. Sure they are at a good price, but really, will your items hold together? If you are selling your items the customers will remember you if your items fall apart pretty quickly!!

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa102100a.htm 

 

You can go to the above site and see the different strands of thread under the microscope. Pretty interesting. You want to look for one that does not have all those loose fibers that can and will hurt your machine later down the road!

 

Happy Stitching!! 

Prewash or Not to Prewash?

I don't like to prewash my fabric. Why? Because I use the Warm Company batting (I'm a seller of this batting; check my store). I like the antique look of my quilt once it is washed. But, oh Joey, what about if your fabric bleeds like using red!! I have a solution for that!! I use "Shout Color Catcher"!! It has been a lifesavor! One of the RQQ members told me about it and it truely works!!

Did you try prewashing your fabrics? Yes, I did. It's time consuming and plus you would have to iron the fabric!!! Why, don't you iron your fabric? Yes, I do! I actually use stream while ironing my fabrics. So the stream actually shrinks the fabric. I've not had a problem, yet! 

Please Take Care of Your Machine

Do you take care of your machine?

I didn't for 2 years!!! Until that day when my machine stopped sewing. Yep, it just stopped sewing. I literally took the machine apart!! Yes, I did!! Wanted to know what was wrong with it by myself and not paying someone to find an easy fix or tell me what I'm NOT doing right!

I own two Vikings and love them! Sew what was wrong with the one that I regularly sewed on. Well after taking it completely apart and finding nothing wrong. I let it sit there for 2 days and continued working with my embroidery machine instead! Well after the 2 days and putting the machine back together. I finally found what was wrong!

Lint! Lint! Lint!

Lint had built up under the plate! Of course why not after 2 years!! Yep so here is my list of keeping my sewing machine running happy:

• Clean under the throat plate. Better yet clean out the dust bunnies on a regular basis!!
• DO NOT sew over needles or pins!!
• Some recommend to change out the needle when you start a new project. (Ok, I don't do this...if the stitch is still straight and tension is not off, I continue to use that needle) But I do change the needle if the project calls for a different one!!
• Oil as recommended and DO NOT use oil that has turned brown! YIKES!!
• Use very good thread!! I use Madeira and sell some in my store.

Quilting Skill Levels

"Beginner, Intermediate, Advance, or Expert" 

These words have different meanings to us quilters.

Beginner is an easy one to define. You are just starting out. You are figuring out how to work and thread your sewing machine. You are learning simple quilting terms. 

• rotary cutter 
• accurate 1/4" seams (very important to learn)
• bias, binding, backing, basting
• fat quarter, jelly roll, a yard 

Intermediate to me is one that has mastered the beginner skills. You can accurately do a 1/4" seam!! You are trying more challenging patterns for yourself. You are having more success with your piecing, blocks are starting to measure correctly. You are gaining confidence in:

• Choosing fabric
• Comfortable with your machine
• Setting in seams (ironing)

Advanced to me just means that you have mastered all the basic skills and terminology. You are starting to draft and design your own quilts or blocks, and learning more advanced skills to enhance your work. 


Expert means people are coming to you for advice, you are teaching, you are getting paid for your services, and you are still learning/growing. 




Don't let any of these terms scare you off a project. If you like the design and find it challenging ask a friend to help you out! Don't be shy to attempt anything. So, which one defines me? I would have to go with "Advanced". I've never entered any of my quilts into a show. That will be my challenge in the next 3 years! But I do feel that I have mastered all the basic skills and terminology.

Remember ""  Practice, Practice, Practice"!

We were all beginners at one time

"We were all beginners at one time", well ain't that the truth!!

If someone would have told me that I would be quilting. I would have thought "not in this lifetime"! But I am. This is how my story began. I wanted to make wedding gifts to my 4 bridesmaids and Maid of Honor (my sisi). I only had 3 months to do it in. I lived in Ohio and was getting married in Michigan.

So I walked into one of the local quilting stores, Sew-A-Lot. I looked through the store and felt overwhelmed at everything I saw. I finally saw a pattern I liked. It was called "Double Wedding Ring"! So I walked out with the pattern and a book (get to that soon). Did anyone tell me that was one of the hardest pattern to start with? Nope! Why not? Because I didn't ask. I thought that I'm a pretty fast learner and I was. So I made 4 wallhangings in 4 different colors! Yep, and silly me I didn't take pictures of them! Oh well. Live and learn they say!

 

Ok the book! Well I saw a pattern that I like for my sister it was called "Shakespeare in the Park" by Judy Martin from The Creative Pattern Book. I made a twin size of that one. Oh Sisi could you take a picture of that one! Ha! She tells me that it has been used up very well and if I could make her another one. Hmmm, I have to think about that one. Was the colors blue and orange?

Ok, so that's how I got started in quilting and for the last 2 years I've been doing rag quilting. I love the fast process of those quilts. But my heart is aching to doing a traditional quilt. I already have my eye on one!! Stay tune to see if I get it done.