Well, folks, I am still on medical leave. 2 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Anemia and Malnourishment. Last week, I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. I’m on meds and bedrest, but I will be back ASAP. I miss writing!
New update: I had numerous light heart attacks all of June and was hospitalized. I am in the process of recovery and hope to be writing again within a few days!
What is right up there with sliced bread? Watching quilt shows that you used to see only on television on the Internet! These shows are broadcast 24/7 and if you are an insomniac, like me, then this is like the icing on the cake.
It seems as though all of the television stations, including cable and satellite, are slowly removing anything that even remotely resembles a quilting show these days. The only quilting shows available in my area right now are found on the DIY Network and my local PBS station. And that is it in a nutshell! Talk about withdrawals; when HGTV quit airing Simply Quilts, I thought my daily “fix” for quilting vicariously was gone for good. But, thank goodness for the Internet! It may have its pitfalls, but it also has its blessings!
This brief article is not intended to review each of these in detail; it is merely intended to introduce you to some of the online quilt-show resources that are currently available, so please sit back, click a link, then enjoy!
If you are aware of additional Internet quilting show resources, please share them in the Comments!
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An original article by Terry Crawford.
quilting, quilts, quilt shows, internet quilt shows
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Thursday, again! It sure did roll around quickly, did it not? Today’s topic is short, sweet, and another update on a project begun two (2) weeks ago. To date, we have five (5) quilts ready to go in the mail (shown below; click on each image to enlarge it). I have the address to which these quilts are to be mailed and hope to have them all in the mail by Monday, May 7th. |
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Thank you to all that are participating in this! Many lives have been negatively impacted by this tragic event at Virginia Tech on the east coast, but with our help, we can help others as they struggle to put their lives back together. It is not a coincidence that us piecing together quilts helps others piece their lives back together, is it? |
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If you are working on a project that is related to the Virginia tragedy, please share it with us? Also, stay tuned to the Quilting By Design Web site or Quilting Passion for further updates |
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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.
Quilting By Design Site Map.
Contact Terry Crawford with ideas and/or suggestions.
quilting, quilts, Quilting By Design
Check out the May 2007 Quilting Desktop Calendar Wallpaper (two versions are available; one with seasonal graphics and one without, shown here), complete with instructions on installing it to your computer (it is also easy to uninstall). Once you have it, let us know here what you think about it!
LINK: May 2007 Desktop Calendar
Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.
quilting, quilts, desktop wallpaper, desktop wallpaper calendar
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| I have had some inquiries as to what I have planned for this site, so that is today’s topic of discussion. Before I begin, however, I would like to thank all of you that have sent me e-mail with suggestions, ideas, and compliments. I appreciate your input! There are quite a few things that I have up my sleeve! None of this is written in concrete, however, and as I muddle through finding out what the needs of the viewers (YOU!) are, I am prone to change direction. This Web site is all about YOU and what best serves you. With that said, let us get to the various ideas I have rolling around in my head right now!
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| These are just a few things that I plan over the next few months. Adjustments will be made as needed, in an effort to continually improve this site for quilters. I also have a couple of items in mind that I am still trying to work through the details on, and as soon as I have that done, you will be the first to know. | |
| I would like to let each of you know how much I appreciate your return visits, your comments, and your communications with me. Your input and feedback are important to the success of this site and I thank you for the time and effort it takes for you to provide me with it. |
Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund
April 16, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.
To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.
The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:
If you plan to give, please click the link below:
Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article and concept located on Quilting Passion, authored by Terry Crawford.
quilting, quilts, patriotic quilts
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Little did one small group of quilters realize that the positive impact of a new project would change thousands and thousands of lives. What began as an idea I had, born in the middle of a sleepless night, grew into one of the most worthwhile projects that I have ever had the honor of participating in. |
| The vast majority of people’s lives have been touched by a tragic event, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a long (and most times, scary) journey with a loved one suffering from a terminal illness, or an event that was devastating to those directly involved, such as losing a home in a fire, etc. We see such sad news on televised shows every day and night, but after the broadcast quits airing, most of us quickly dismiss it in our minds. What if it were you or a loved one you know experiencing tragedy? As anyone that has lived through it knows, emotions run high and this article is not intended to address all of them. Feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and despair are but three and each are frightening and stressful. Hope may seem to be so far away that it appears unobtainable. We know that we cannot miraculously make everything “OK”, but, as quilters, what can we do? Anything? The answer for that is a resounding, “ABSOLUTELY”! The Round Robin Charity Drive (RRCD) Project was announced on the Quilting Passion Forum in 2002 and the response was so immediate that it took off like a rocket! The RRCD Process is simple and has evolved, even perfected, if you would, over time. Grab a cup of coffee as you enjoy the interview below with the Coordinator, Peggy (Idaho) and her assistant, Sheryl (Missouri) of this very special and unique project, but first, a glimpse into these wonderful women’s lives! Peggy lives in Idaho and has been quilting since 1999. She has made about 25 bed-size quilts, has four (4) children of her own, and enjoys crocheting, quilting, reading, reality TV, and soapnet! She works outside the home and has met several people through the forum that she has corresponded with on a regular basis. She also visits with several forum members on the telephone, including me! Sheryl lives in Missouri, has been quilting since 1985, and has made about 200 quilts, including 98 for Project Linus. She has two (2) grown children and recently retired from a secretarial position. Since then, she has been volunteering at a large hospital in her area. She also loves to read and crochet and has been making crocheted newborn caps for the hospital nursery.
Terry: When did the project begin and how many quilts have been donated since then? Terry: How does the project operate? Terry: How long is the waiting list for organizations wishing to receive quilts? Terry: How many quilts do waiting list recipients receive? Terry: How long does it usually take for names to come to the top of the waiting list? Terry: What sort of “specialty” charity projects have the volunteer group participated in? Terry: What is your role, as Coordinator? Terry: What is the Assistant’s role? Terry: How many active volunteers are there currently? Terry: What type of time-frame do we like to use to turn a quilt around? Terry: Who is eligible to receive these quilts? Terry: Are all of these quilts made by hand/machine? In other words, are quilts ever purchased to give away? Terry: Do people outside of your list of volunteers donate batting, fabric, etc.? If so, and someone would like to donate, how can they contact you? Terry: Are there any recipients with such touching stories that you would like to share? I hope it has become apparent to all of you who read how important this project is to the Quilting Passion Forum. There are many on the forum that support the project, but do not volunteer to work in it, due to time constraints, finances, etc.. I also hope that this article inspires you to make a quilt, no matter how large or small, and donate it to a charitable cause. The satisfaction you will get cannot be described with words; only through experience! |
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Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.
quilting, charity quilts, quilts, Project Linus
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Quilts benefitting the Susan G. Komen Foundation have surfed onto eBay in a vast sea of online auctioning as a result of an annual event called, “Quilt Pink“. The response to this event has been phenominal, resulting in over 4,000 gorgeous pink quilts made by quilters and/or quilt shops participating worldwide. |
| The first wave of handmade quilts are online right now, and up for grabs to the highest bidder. 100% of these Internet sales go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which is non-profit, to aid in the research to find a cure for breast cancer. The Quilt Pink Event was sponsored by the American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine®. The six-month eBay auctions began on Thursday, April 5th, 2007 and new quilts will be up for bid every Thursday until all are sold. This truly amazing effort to end breast cancer has united men, women, and even children, together in a global battle against this terrible disease. Many individuals and organizations came together in spirit, determination, and talent to help support this fight. One such organization to leap head-first into this war against cancer was the Quilting Passion Forum, which compassionately donated nine (9) quilts made by volunteers of the forum’s RRCD (Round Robin Charity Drive) Project, which began in March of 2002. This revolutionary, global charity project was the first ever of its kind to hit the Internet. The project provides a unique method of making handmade quilts of the finest quality with minimal effort, time, and expense for its wonderful volunteers. This on-the-leading-edge project was the prototype that set the standard for similar projects that have popped up on other forums. The trend to make quilts for charities is positively impacting thousands of lives by giving a spark of hope and something to hang onto during the roughest of times for families suffering from tragedy. Keep a close eye on this Web site for an article (complete with interviews from the Coordinator and her Assistant) highlighting the RRCD Project on the Quilting Passion Forum, with its multi-faceted simplicity, later this week! |
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Original project first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.
quilting, quilts, eBay, eBay quilts, eBay Quilt Pink, Quilt Pink, eBay Pink
“Freezer paper to appliqué”, you ask? You bet!
The word Appliqué is the French term meaning ‘to apply’ and is a beautiful and creative expression in which fabric shapes are stitched to a background.
There are several different ways to use freezer paper for appliqué. The technique presented here is useful for simple shapes and fairly large appliqué pieces, making it the perfect method for beginners to learn how to appliqué.
Freezer paper can be usually be found in the paper products area of your local supermarket or discount store. It is plastic coated and comes in a box similar to aluminum foil (and will probably be in the same section). Because of the plastic coating, one side of the paper is shiny, while the other side appears dull. It is the shiny side of the paper that will iron onto fabric, and also easily peel off. The ability of the freezer paper to peel off is extremely helpful when you have need of making multiple appliqué pieces that are identical because the freezer paper template piece is reusable (usually between 3-6 times).
Items you will need:
BASIC STEPS!
To begin with, examine your appliqué pattern. Is it symmetrical (in other words, can you visually cut the pattern in half and each half be a mirror image of the other)? If so, then you can simply place a piece of freezer paper, waxy side down, on the pattern and trace the pattern onto the dull side of the freezer paper. If the pattern is asymmetrical (each half is NOT a mirror image to the other), then you will have to first trace the pattern onto tracing paper, then turn the tracing paper over and retrace it onto the dull side of the freezer paper. If you do not do this for asymmetrical patterns, the pattern will end up reversed on the fabric.
As you trace your patterns onto the freezer paper, make sure to place them close to one another, but be sure to leave enough room between the tracings to cut them apart easily. You DO NOT add a turn-under seam allowance to the freezer paper patterns. Carefully cut out the freezer paper patterns on the traced line. Be sure to cut smoothly and not leave any jagged edges because these jagged edges may show up when you fold the fabric over the edge to appliqué it. NOTE: I always use my ‘paper-cutting’ scissors for this job. I never use any of my ‘good’ scissors to cut paper. TIP: To make multiple templates of the same shape, fold the freezer paper several times and cut through all of the layers at one time.
Place the freezer paper patterns waxy side down on the WRONG side of the fabric and press them with a dry iron on a medium setting until they adhere to the fabric. Be sure to place them far enough apart that you can cut a ¼” turn-under allowance for each pattern. You can ‘eyeball’ this measurement. As long as you’re close (without going over), it’s fine. I actually prefer a 3/16″ turn-under allowance.
If you have any patches with curves (like hearts), carefully clip the fabric up to within 2 or 3 threads of the freezer paper. This does two things: 1) Gives you enough fabric to keep it from fraying, and 2) Gives you enough fabric to anchor your stitches when you appliqué it on.
Use a dry iron to press the turn-under allowances up and over the edge of the freezer paper. It is not necessary to baste the seam allowances. *IF* I am feeling particularly lazy and I am sitting in my recliner all comfy-like, and do not want to get up to go press these at this point, I use a glue stick along the seam allowance only on the fabric and fold the fabricover and allow the glue to adhere the fabric to the edges of the freezer paper. Then I finger press them into place (this is the best time to smooth edges, especially curves). One major drawback to using a glue stick, rather than pressing the fabric over onto the freezer paper: If you wait long enough before you appliqué the piece on and the glue dries, it’s a little bit harder to remove the freezer paper. You just have to be more careful in the removal.
At this point, pin the fabric patches to your background fabric. Now, you can either appliqué the fabric patches to the background fabric by hand or by machine. If using a machine, use a very fine nylon thread (practically invisible) in the top and a cotton thread in the bobbin. Select the blind stitch (which takes a couple of straight stitches, then zigzags to the left once, then repeats the process). Make sure that the straight part of the blind stitch follows the outside edge of the fabric patch. Also, reduce the stitch width so that the zigzag part only catches a couple of threads in the appliqué. More appliqué tips are given on this same Web site.
After the fabric patch has been sewn into place, turn it over and carefully cut away the background fabric from the underneath side. Try to leave approximately ¼” seam allowance.
At this point, the freezer paper is visible. Remove it carefully. I usually remove mine by hand, however, using tweezers works very well, also.
CONCLUSIONS:
The freezer paper method is my favorite way to appliqué. I throw all of my fabric patches (with the freezer paper ironed to them) into a small plastic bag, then put it into a larger plastic bag along with my scissors, needle, thread, etc., and away I go. Portable appliqué.
Freezer paper is also an excellent resource for paper-piecing! Watch for articles regarding paper-piecing here in the near future.
Two final thoughts: 1) I’ve found that appliqué is like a lot of other things in life: The more you practice, the better you become. And if I go for several months without appliquéing, I find that I have to get back into the swing of things again in order for the appearance to get back to what I like it to be, and 2) Freezer paper can also be used in needle-turn appliqué! Instead of pressing the freezer paper template to the wrong side of the fabric, press it to the right side. You would then still cut the piece out, leaving approximately 1/4″ for the seam allowance. Once cut out, place the pattern piece (with the freezer paper still on it) onto your project, pin (or tack it with washable glue) it in place somewhere in the middle of the piece, then use the edge of the freezer paper as your guide to turning the edges under as you appliqué the piece in place. Remove the freezer paper when finished and store it. It is reusable!
Good luck and happy appliquéing with freezer paper!
NOTE: This original article first written by Quilting Passion and is copyrighted.
OTHER RESOURCES: Quilting Passion, Quilt Geek, CD Designs, Horizon Quilt Patterns, QuiltBus
Need a calendar on your computer? Love quilting? Well, this is the perfect solution for you!
Check out the April 2007 Quilting Desktop Calendar Wallpaper (two versions are available; one with seasonal graphics and one without, shown here), complete with instructions on installing it to your computer (it is also easy to uninstall). Once you have it, let us know here what you think about it!
Okay, I think the link finally worked- I can sew but not link html code. These are really wonderful chicken designs and some really cool roosters too. Florine Johnson Designs - Radical Rooster Quilt Applique Patterns
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