Quilting By Design

     The June 2007 Desktop Wallpaper Calendar is purple, blue, and green, in honor of the month of June. There are two (2) different versions of it; one with the seasonal graphics overlaying it and one without. It is available online, compliments of Quilting Passion.

     The blocks selected for this month’s calendar are called, “Bird With Tail Feathers” and “Nosegay Wreath“, both created using EQ5. This challenge, called the “Birds and Nosegay Challenge“, is born from this desktop wallpaper calendar! Make either one or both of the spotlighted patterns for this calendar, mail in the unfinished block(s) (please send a digital photo first, if possible), and it will give you an entry in the contest (one entry is given per block sent in). The winner wins all of the blocks submitted, unless there are more than 16. If more than 16 entries are received, then the blocks will be split so that 1st place receives 2/3 of the blocks. In the event that more than 30 blocks are received, then there will be three (3) winners selected. Blocks will be voted on anonymously via the Quilting Passion Forum.
     Please have your block submissions mailed in to me by June 27th. Voting will commence on or about the 29th and the winning results published the second week of July.
     Guidelines:

Please use good quality, 100% cotton fabric.

Please make sure that the unfinished block measures precisely 8.5″ x 8.5″.

Please have your block submissions mailed in to me by June 27th.

Blocks can be embellished as you wish. Feel free to use trims, buttons, etc. in this block. Make sure that all embellishments can survive being washed, and if they can’t, make sure that they are easily removed (buttons, etc. can be attached with a small safety pin).

     
      I am looking forward to seeing your birds and nosegays!

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Quilting By Design Site Schedule.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, Quilting By Design, Quilting Passion

QP/QBD Hall of Fame

     How did you get started quilting? Did any one particular person influence you? Did any one book or magazine have an impact on your quilting?
     I am sure that there are many stories to be told as to how each of you got started in your quilting life! With that said, beginning in 2007, Quilting Passion begins hosting a yearly “Quilter’s Hall of Fame“, held in June. This year, it is being held in conjunction with Quilting By Design.
     Do you have a story to tell? If so, please leave your comment/story via the link below (Comments) from June 5th through the 11th. Each comment that is entered is considered to be a “nomination” and the submitter is the “nominator“. Quilting celebrities, books, magazines, Web sites, etc. that are credited as to influencing a nominator’s quilting life will be considered “nominees“. Once all of the comments are received, an anonymous vote will be taken (beginning around the 12th) on the Quilting Passion Forum as to the best comments and the top three (3) nominators with the highest votes will become the top winners. Additionally, the results from all of the comments will be tallied and the top nominees will also be published. Prizes (to be announced later) will be awarded to the (nominator) winners and the results published on June 26th.
     Questions? Please feel free to contact me! I look forward to seeing all of the nominations as to who you believe should be voted into the first annual QP/QBD Hall of Fame!

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Quilting By Design Site Schedule.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, Quilting By Design, Quilting Passion

Centennial Stitches,
Oklahoma History in Quilts


     What do Sam Walton, Will Rogers, Wiley Post, Willard Stone, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Kate Barnard, Carrie Nation, Alfalfa Bill Murray, Frank Phillips, and John Wayne have in common? Their stories and quilts are included in the book, “Centennial Stitches–Oklahoma History in Quilts”, written by Judy Howard of Buckboard Quilts.
     Judy Howard collects, studies, buys, sells, makes, and honors quilts. As a dealer of quilts, Judy is always on the lookout for a new one to join her ranks. And did I forget to mention that Judy also writes about quilts?
     The full-color, hardcover, coffee table gift book is available in this limited collectors edition for $39.95. It contains the eighty centennial quilt contest winners with stories, along with fifty-six stories of other Oklahoma historic quilts and thirty-two pages of a sampling of 1800’s cherished legacy quilt photos that would have traveled into Oklahoma in covered wagons prior to statehood. “Centennial Stitches” inspires and entertains as it transports you into the lives and hearts of pioneer and contemporary women. This book celebrates the 100th birthday of Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s Centennial is November 16th, 2007. The Downtown Cushing Main Street program proudly presents Judy Howard’s collection of Centennial Oklahoma art quilts July, 6 - 8 in Downtown Cushing. Exact location and times to be announced. An admission fee of $3 will be charged.
     On a side note, there is an entry in the book made by an officer of my local quilt guild, The Pryor Patchers. In this entry, Susan Hatchette interviewed Mrs. Willard Stone. Many of you may have heard of Willard Stone; a famous Native American sculptor that was born in 1916 on a rocky hillside farm east of Locust Grove, Oklahoma.
     ”Centennial Stitches” would make a great purchase even if you are not a quilter! It is full of interesting stories and the photographs are amazing. This book is sure to capture the interest of anyone seeing it laying atop a table or on a shelf beneath an end-table.
     All book profits go to non-profit groups making charity quilts.

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Quilting By Design Site Schedule.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, Quilting By Design, Quilting Passion, Judy Howard, Centennial Stitches

QuiltersBuzz Hall Of Fame Winners!

     The nominations are in and the winners are…
     First, I would like to make it clear that this Hall of Fame article is centered around the QuiltersBuzz Hall of Fame, which is quite different from the Quilter’s Hall of Fame.
     Nominations opened on May 17th for this event, in which comments were taken regarding individuals that strongly influenced quilting in lives. Those making the comments had their names entered into a drawing to win free patterns from the Threaded Pear Studio. Three (3) winners were chosen, however, if you read the comments, you will quickly see that everyone participating was truly a winner!
     Nominations in the QuiltersBuzz Hall of Fame included mothers, aunts, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and great great grandmothers, friends, daughters, and even the ex-wife of a husband! Also nominated were the Amish, Gwen, Nancy, Jo, Alex, Eleanor, Amy, Heather, Anna Maria, Denyse, Kaffe, Georgia, God, and others. Commentators were inspired by TV shows, DVDs, books, magazines, retreats, computers and the Internet.
     Not only are the winner’s comments a good read, but all of the rest of the comments are, as well!
     Who would you have nominated and why? Also, what (if anything) has inspired you to pursue quilting? Please post your comments here and share your stories of who and/or what most influenced your quilting life!

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Quilting By Design Site Schedule.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, Quilting By Design, Quilting Passion, QuiltersBuzz, Quilter’s Hall of Fame

FABRIC MATCHER


     Sewing has become an essential skill, let alone “hobby“, whether quilting, crafting, or sewing garments. With the popularity of crafting, in general, increasing, more and more people are visiting fabric stores to select their fabrics for their upcoming projects. For some, this can be a stressful and frustrating experience, as it is hard to visually imagine the finished project with fabrics and colors that you may have in mind.
     With that said, enter FabricMatcher.com! This global, one-stop shopping site allows you to match fabrics, patterns, and colors, easily customizing your projects right on your computer’s monitor screen. The site also has the capabilities of storing your projects, patterns, selections, etc.
     Fabric Matcher partners with Hancock’s of Paducah, in Kentucky, to aid users in creating their personalized project components. Hancock’s is a very well-known and respected quilt shop, both online and offline (located in Paducah, KY). Hancock’s has thousands of bolts of fabrics to choose from, and if you have ever had the honor of visiting their shop in person, you probably found that there was not enough time in a day to look at the entire store! In fact, I never made it out of the batik section!
     Fabric Matcher also has formed relationships with some of the world’s top fabric, quilt, and cloth designers to create a huge variety in patterns that are available. New patterns are added to the site on a monthly basis, too.
     So, who is Fabric Matcher? Fabric Matcher is owned by a husband and wife design team, Damian and Sarah Fielke. Sarah is a passionate quilter and crafter, while Damian joined forces with her to help develop a crafting community online (hence, the birth of Fabric Matcher). The Fielke’s live in Australia; proving once again that the Internet brings the world closer together, making us all neighbors.
     In addition to all of the cool features of this Web site, with each purchase from Fabric Matcher, an organization called “Trees for the Future” with the Fabric of Life Project will plant a tree in an effort to help combat the negative effects of CO2 in the atmosphere. It is a nice thought to know that your online shopping can help the environment, too!

INTERVIEW

TERRY: Share a little about yourself, your family, hobbies, etc.?
DAMIAN: I am married to Sarah (co-owner of Material Obsession) with two boys - Charlie, 9 and Oscar, 7. We live in Sydney, Australia and my professional background is in design, marketing, and new product development.
TERRY: Damian, are you a quilter?
DAMIAN: No, I am not a quilter, but am a husband to a quilter who runs a business. I have been developing product and marketing for their business for the past three years; they have a contemporary spin on traditional blocks and quilts.
TERRY: In a nutshell, what is your Web site about?
DAMIAN: Having a wife as a quilt designer and quilt shop owner has added another dimension to our lives. Not only have we made some great friends in the quilting community, but we have also had a fun time trying new and innovative ways to approach design and color.
     That is where the fabric matcher idea came from. We used to watch quilters come in to the shop, buy a pattern, and then spend a lot of time trying to match fabrics and build a kit that suited their color needs. We then developed a Web site to help bring fabric, color, and patterns together in one spot. It’s the world’s first one stop shop for matching fabrics, patterns, and color to suit your imagination. I understand that this will not be for everyone, but hopefully will be a successful addition to the wonderful array of quilt and fabric sites on the Web.
TERRY: What makes your Web site truly unique?
DAMIAN: We have developed innovative color and matching tools to help you choose and match fabric to your projects. You can customize quilt and home sewing creations, then buy the fabrics and patterns you need right now. There’s even a place to stash your projects, including favorite photos, patterns, your creations and much more. It all sounds so easy? I know it isn’t, but hopefully people will find the site fun to use, inspirational, and a place where you can share ideas and learn from the community of sewers and quilters.
     The site is also a great marketing tool for fabric designers and pattern designers – these companies have a chance to showcase their fabrics in a number of ways across a variety of patterns.
TERRY: Do users of your site need a subscription or do you offer free services?
DAMIAN: We have two levels of subscription:

• Basic membership which is free – You can use all the functionality, like search fabrics and patterns, match fabrics to patterns and buy the kits.
• Premium membership is $25 for 12months – This allows users to also save projects, images and searches into their own stash so they can come back and review, change and show to other customers what they have been working on.

 
TERRY: When did your site launch and how long did it take it?
DAMIAN: The site launched during the second week of May and it took four months for it to go live online. If users find an error, please submit it to info@fabricmatcher.com. There is also a feedback form in Contact details on the Web; it is a new site and any feedback is much appreciated.
TERRY: Is Hancock’s of Paducah the only fabric shop you partner with?
DAMIAN: Yes, we have formed a partnership where I am able to have them fulfill all the orders around the world. Justin Hancock has been very supportive of the whole project.
TERRY: What is the average length of shipping time for an order?
DAMIAN: Shipping time depends upon the location being shipped to. Details are given on our site.
TERRY: Do you think living in Australia hampers your site in any way?
DAMIAN: Interesting question. One drawback is I probably won’t be able to have a face to face contact with the industry, but from my Web experience, the way customers now purchase over the Internet and the international participation in the craft, people are now more accepting of buying from most key countries in the world. My key strength is that I am working with a well respected US online fabric retailer company who delivers to over 72 countries around the world. My Web site is just another way to help customers make fabric and pattern choices online.
TERRY: Do you have any future plans to share with us?
DAMIAN: Look out for clothing and accessory patterns to be added in the coming months. Plus we will put up new patterns and fabrics every week.
 
     If you are a pattern designer, fabric designer, or fabric manufacturer and would like more information regarding partnering with Fabric Matcher, or if you would be interested in having your product featured on Fabric Matcher, or you are an advertiser of crafting products, or if you would simply like additional information, please feel free to contact Damian.
     Hopefully, you have gleaned enough information about this revolutionary new Web site to motivate you into checking it out! Please feel free to leave comments and/or suggestions in the Comments area below.

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Quilting By Design Site Schedule.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, Fabric Matcher, FabricMatcher, FabricMatcher.com, Quilting By Design, Quilting Passion

WHAT MAKES A QUILT A QUILT?

“Quilting is not just a hobby; it is yet another way
of living life to its fullest.”

     The quote above, beneath the title, is one taken from the Quilting Passion Forum Start page. This quote is one that I fully endorse and believe in with all of my heart and soul!

     Wikipedia defines the term “quilt” as, “A quilt is a type of bedding— a bed covering composed of a quilt top, a layer of batting, and a layer of fabric for backing, generally combined using the technique of quilting. Another technique for securing the quilt layers is tying. Tying refers to the technique of using thread, yarn or ribbon to pass through all three layers of the quilt at regular intervals. These “ties” hold the layers together during use and especially when the quilt is washed. This method is easier and more forgiving if the quilt is made by hand. Tied quilts are called, depending on the regional area, “lap”, “comfort” or “comforter”, among other names. Many quilts are made with decorative designs; indeed, some quilts are not used as bed covering at all, but are rather made to be hung on a wall or otherwise displayed. In British English, quilt is another way of saying duvet, wadding is another way of saying batting, and calico refers to muslin rather than to a fabric with a printed pattern on it.”
     The intent of this article is not to actually define a quilt, as I honestly believe that that is an impossible task. The objective of this article is to cause you to think, evaluate your ideas, come to conclusions, and hopefully, share your final thoughts with all of us. It is extremely important to note that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers here and neither are there any opinions that are written in stone. I, for one, know that I am apt to change my opinion on subjects as new information is brought to my attention.
     Over the past few months, I have read and heard various ideas about what truly makes a quilt a quilt. Some of the questions posed about defining a true quilt include:

1. Does a quilt have to have batting to be a quilt?
2. Can it be called a quilt if its primary purpose is to hang on the wall?
3. Is it a quilt if it has embellishments?
4. Is it a quilt if it is tied, versus quilted?
5. Is it a quilt if it is not hand-quilted?
6. Can it be classified as a quilt if it cannot be washed?
7. Are “art quilts” quilts?

 
     These are just a few questions for consideration, and oddly enough, some of the questions above have caused many a debate in the quilting world! However, this article is not intended to spark a debate; merely a conversation about the definition of a “quilt”. I would not be surprised if we are left with more questions and new thoughts to ponder! And, to add more interest, be sure to read the article, “Quilting: Hobby or Not?“.
     Quilting is one of the best solutions to relieve stress that I know of. And the really amazing thing about quilting is that anyone can learn how to quilt! In fact, believe this or not, I hate to sew!!! Yes, you read that correctly: I HATE TO SEW. To me, sewing a quilt top together does not equal sewing! I equate “sewing” with making garments, and garment-making is one of the most stressful things I have ever tried my hand at. Weird, I know, but that is how my brain operates! You may be asking yourself how I became hooked on quilting since I hate to sew and the answer for that is outlined in my biography.
     The bottom line for me is that it does not really matter how anyone defines a quilt; it is my definition that matters to me, and it is your definition that should matter to you. And this, my friends, is what makes quilting unique and enjoyable!
     This leads to one final question: What is a quilt to you?

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts

QUILT SHOWS ON THE INTERNET

     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!

• Kaye Wood Internet TV,
• The Quilt Show,
• Quilter’s News Network,
• Quilters TV (added 05/16/07),
• Simply Quilts Online.

     If you are aware of additional Internet quilting show resources, please share them in the Comments!

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
An original article by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, quilt shows, internet quilt shows

60° Triangle, by CREATIVE GRIDS

CREATIVE GRIDS is not just another company that makes acrylic rulers. This company, founded by Sheila Waterfield of Leicester, England in 1989, distinguishes itself from others by developing rulers with the non-slip, opaque gripper dots. Creative Grids® rulers are sold around the world and recommended by well-known quilting experts and teachers. Each ruler features embedded gripper dots and easy-to-read black markings. The company carries a large variety of products and offers an online demo, which requires that Macromedia Flash Player be installed.

This review concentrates on one ruler: The 60° triangle. The ruler, product CGRT60, retails for $15.50 US$ (even though I only paid $14.50 for mine at a local quilt shop) and the package contains one non-slip triangular acrylic ruler, that makes up to (in 1/4″ increments) an 8″ finished size, and step-by-step laminated instructions written by Lynne Edwards. Also included in the package is a cardstock image, actual size, of the triangular ruler that can be cut out and used as a template (even though there is no reference to this in the package).      Lynne Edwards is an internationally known quilt designer, teacher, and author. Lynne has exhibited many of her own works in galleries, museums, and festivals including the National Crafts Council Gallery in London, Suffolk Craft Society Gallery in East Anglis, and International Quilt Association Festivals in Houston, Chicago, Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. Lynne has published numerous books and articles. She has given demonstrations of Creative Grids® at quilt shows throughout the world. The patterns she has created for Creative Grids® illustrate how amazingly simple these quilt rulers are to use that can yield results!      MY REVIEW: The Good - The laminate instructions are on one sheet, front and back, and give fairly good directions on cutting both 30° and 60° triangles (the larger triangle instructions are easier to understand). The real benefits of this gadget are in the nice easy-to-read black printed surface and the embedded grippers! Another plus for this acrylic ruler is that the tip is pre-cut off of the template, which makes cutting the triangles a snap, especially if you are cutting from strips! The Bad - On the downside, in my opinion, the instructions could be enhanced to include more about how to put the blocks together into a quilt after they have been sewn. Personally, I feel it leaves the user hanging, especially if you are not a “math person”, able to figure out the angles and how to sew them together yourself.        MY CONCLUSION: If thinking about purchasing this specific product (note that I am only reviewing the triangle), be prepared to handle a fair amount of calculations and quilt design yourself. On the other hand, if one is experienced in working with triangles and/or has very good math skills and/or does not mind doing some legwork in learning, it is an excellent gadget!        Please feel free to leave your comments, especially if you have used this gadget or if you plan on purchasing it!

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, Creative Grids, Sheila Waterfield, Lynne Edwards

SUDOKU QUILTS

     Sudoku puzzles have been around for quite a few years; the modern version invented by Howard Garns in 1979 and published as “Number Place” in Dell Magazines. These logic puzzles became very popular in Japan in 1986, then became an international craze in 2005.
     So, what are these unique and addictive puzzles? They are logic-based puzzles that center around the placement of the numbers 1 to 9. These numbers are laid out in a 9×9 grid, made up of three 3×3 grids, with no number repeating itself in any 3×3 grid, or on any one line, or in any one column. To put this into “quilting” language, the grid is set up like a nine-patch block! In each “block” are the numbers 1 to 9, too (visualize this as nine different fabrics or colors). So, in order to solve this puzzle (which the person providing the puzzle always gives a partial piece of the puzzle to get one started), close attention needs to be paid to each 3×3 grid, and each row (9 squares wide) and each column (also 9 squares). Just as the numbers cannot be repeated in the 3×3 grid, row, or column, nor can the fabrics/colors be repeated in the 3×3 grid, row, column. Clear as mud? Let me illustrate this with a bright, cheery Sudoku quilt made by Nina from Iowa, which she donated to the “Comforting Virginia” Project this week via the Quilting Passion Forum. Nina used a finished puzzle as the pattern to where to place the colors in this gorgeous quilt.

     The first thing to notice about this type of quilt is that it is easily recognizable as a large nine-patch. Each 3×3 block is separated in this quilt by a thin black sashing (1″ strips), distinguishing the quilt even more. Black is a long-time standard that has been used in puzzles, first beginning with crosswords, however, any color sashing can be used… or no sashing at all. In this quilt, however, the sashing really highlights the color and fabric selections that Nina has used.
     The second thing you might notice is that each 3×3 block consists of nine different colors and/or fabrics. After studying one of the 3×3 grids, then notice that the other eight blocks are entirely different, each from the other, so that all nine blocks in the quilt are unique in color placement. This not only holds true for each block, it also then follows to hold true for each row and each column. Nina did not really pay attention when assigning her fabrics/colors to each number. She states, “I just went for it, not caring about it until it was done”.
     How does one go about planning a Sudoku Quilt? There are several ways to accomplish this, including, but not limited to:

Locate a quilt and substitute your own colors/fabrics in place of the ones in the sample you find.

Purchase a Sudoku Puzzle book and select any one of a number of puzzles. I like this option the best because your quilt can range from “easy” to “very difficult”, because puzzles are published in different levels of complexity.

Purchase a Sudoku Quilt pattern. These are becoming so popular now that there are patterns, and even entire books, devoted to these quilts.
 
     A few resources for finding Sudoku Quilt patterns at this time include:

• Sudoku Quilts by Cyndi Hershey,
• Quick Quilts Magazine,
• Online Sudoku Puzzles.

 
     If you have made a Sudoku Quilt, please share your experience and/or photo with us? Or if you are interested in learning more, please comment below and I shall try to provide you with more information!

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, sudoku, sudoku quilts, Su Doku

NECKTIES

     I have seen several different patterns and layouts for necktie quilts, ranging from using antique ties to finding used ones here and there, all the way to purchasing brand-spanking new ones. But, just when I thought I had seen it all (well, most of it, anyway), along comes several quick projects that absolutely captured my full attention!

     While watching the DIY Network on Tuesday of this week, one of the regularly scheduled programs, Uncommon Threads, featured crafting with neckties. Talk about an eye-opener! As soon as the show opened and the featured projects put on the screen, I was glued to the tube, and with that said, there are three (3) projects I would like to highlight. For more details, including instructions and supplies needed, regarding each project, please refer to the DIY Network site.

     The first project is an A-line-type skirt that simply rocked. The hemline was staggered and the side seam of the skirt was fastened with grommets and ribbon. The waistband was made from, imagine this, a necktie! I was most impressed with this project, which is why I have it listed first.

     The second project, embroidering neckties, is one that proved interesting after it began. By that, I mean that at first, I did not think it would be anything new that I had not already seen. But, the semi-interesting part is the televised show giving me the notion that I could actually make my own neckties from any fabric of my own choosing! How cool is that! And just for the record, I would think that they could come up with a better appliqué than the one demonstrated!

     The third project was my least favorite, however, I can easily see how this one would really appeal to young people! This project, a necktie wrist cuff, seemed to be a snap to make!

     I do not know about you, but if I were in the mood to make one of these, the skirt would win, hands down! How about you?

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Quilting By Design Site Map.
An original article from Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, neckties, neck ties, wrist cuffs, antique neckties, vintage neckties, DIY Network, Uncommon Threads

Watercolor Quilts

Monet Painting

Watercolor quilts are quilts that are made from many small squares, usually 1" to 2".  These quilts are usually considered in the artistic arena and favor the impressionism movement.  They have become quite popular over the past few years and each quilt is truly unique, even if using the same fabric selections and pattern.      Watercolor quilting can easily be learned!  There are many sites that provide helpful instructions in creating these impressionist quilts.

There are quite a few options available when making a watercolor quilt, including, but not limited to:  1)  A simple design using light/dark as the focal point, 2) A more complex design using different fabrics to create a secondary pattern, 3)  An even more complex design using a combination of the first two, or 4) A design, either simple or complex, used in combination with appliqué to create a layered effect.      Often times, many watercolor quilts are made using either floral fabrics and/or with a floral theme. This seems to be the standard, probably because of the Paris-based artists in Europe in the 19th century and the types of paintings they expertly brushed onto canvas.      Many sites offer patterns for watercolor quilts.  A few of the more well-known sites include: Connecting Threads, Whims, Mostly Quilts, Lenore Crawford, That Patchwork Place, Deanna Spingola Designs, Everything Quilts, Keepsake Quilting, Cathouse Quilts.      Sites that share photographs of watercolor quilts include: Forget Me Not Studio, Mostly Quilts, Lenore Crawford, A Watercolor Vest, Strip-Pieced Watercolor Gallery 1, Strip-Pieced Watercolor Gallery 2, Deanna Spingola’s Personal Gallery.      A few books with watercolor patterns and instructions include: Watercolor Quilts, Strip-Pieced Watercolor Magic, More Strip-Pieced Watercolor Magic, Quick Watercolor Quilts:  The Fuse, Fold, and Stitch Method.      Hopefully, this is enough information regarding watercolor quilts to whet your appetite!      Have you made any watercolor quilts that you would like to tell about, and possibly share a photograph?  If so, please comment in the area provided at the end of this article!

Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, watercolor quilts

Quilting: Hobby Or Not?

“Quilting is not just a hobby; it is yet another way
of living life to its fullest.”

     The quote above, beneath the title, is one taken from the Quilting Passion Forum Start page. This quote is one that I fully endorse and believe in with all of my heart and soul!
     Wikipedia defines the term “hobby“, as, “a spare-time recreational pursuit”, that is practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial gain. Examples of hobbies include: Collecting, creative and artistic pursuits, making things, etc. Engaging in any hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience, however, the primary objective of a hobby is simply personal fulfillment.
     A hobby can be many things to many different people. Persons participating in an activity for profit is usually deemed to be a professional, versus one who participates for the enjoyment (a hobbyist). What is a hobby to one person may be a profession to another. And then there are those that fall into both categories or somewhere in-between.
     Many hobbyists that continue to take their craft to new levels evolve into professionals. As far as quilting goes, there are many people (men and women) that are experts in their field, yet they choose to remain a hobbyist, versus going pro. Reasons for this vary, and include, but are not limited to: 1) Perhaps the hobbyist does not have the monetary resources to finance the hobby into a profession, 2) Perhaps the hobbyist does not want to pursue the hobby as a profession simply because it is for enjoyment, 3) Perhaps there are time constraints that prohibit a hobby from becoming a profession, or 4) Perhaps there are other circumstances (such as family obligations, etc.) that prohibit a hobby from becoming a profession.
     Quilters fall into many categories, from true quilters to collectors to everything else quilt-related that you can imagine. In fact, there are quite a few quilters that have actually made very few quilts, but love the collecting of quilts (many are antique quilt collectors), patterns, and fabric. These quilters are no better, or worse, than the quilter that cranks out a lot of quilts. There could be much discussion as to whether an antique quilt collector can be deemed a “quilter” or not, but that is not for me to decide. A hobby is a hobby!
     As for me, I take great pleasure in many aspects of quilting: Fabric shopping, designing, making the quilt top, and lastly, the quilting. Ironically, it is the actual quilting process that I least enjoy! I even take quilting to a different level, which some of you may not agree with, in that I count the time I spend “quilting” on my laptop designing, writing about, managing, etc. as part of my quilting hobby, too. In fact, it eats up a great deal of my time, but the joy that I derive from it is as real to me as it can be. True, I would rather hold in my hands a literal quilt that I have designed and finished over a picture of a quilt that I have designed in Electric Quilt!
     Quilting is truly not just a hobby for me; I also own a commercial Web site, YOUnique Designs, in which I sell patterns and also design and/or make quilts on commission. And as if that is not enough to keep me busy, I am also the lead Staff Writer for Quilting By Design (which is where you are right now)! As you can probably see, I take away a lot from quilting: It is my outlet for many different areas in my life that I love, including writing, as well as the designing, creating, etc.
     Quilting is one of the best solutions to relieve stress that I know of. And the really amazing thing about quilting is that anyone can learn how to quilt! In fact, believe this or not, I hate to sew!!! Yes, you read that correctly: I HATE TO SEW. To me, sewing a quilt top together does not equal sewing! I equate “sewing” with making garments, and garment-making is one of the most stressful things I have ever tried my hand at. Weird, I know, but that is how my brain operates! You may be asking yourself how I became hooked on quilting since I hate to sew and the answer for that is outlined in my biography.
     This leads to one question: What is quilting to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments area below!

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Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts

Do you love a good mystery? Do you love to quilt? If the answer to both questions is a resounding “YES”, then I have the perfect Web site for you!

First, let me define what a Mystery Quilt is. A Mystery Quilt is a quilting project that remains a mystery up until the quilt is finished or until the participants figure it out (much to the author’s dismay).      Participants are given instructional “clues” and have no idea what the outcome is going to be. It is usually a small, fairly easy project that is completed in stages over an extended period of time, the time determined by the author of the mystery and usually dependent upon several factors, discussed below. Most often, participants are informed as to the approximate final sizes and also the theme, if there is one.      Occasionally, mysteries may extend over a longer period of time, however a year is the maximum time to conduct and/or participant in one (in my opinion). The only instance where I would conduct a mystery of a great length, such as 12 months, would be for a full size quilt, and it would have to be a spectacular design, at that. A lot of people do not like to commit to a long-term mystery due to several reasons, most of which I suspect you can guess.      As mentioned above, there are a few factors that might influence the length of time a mystery would span. The amount of “free” time the author may have to orchestrate it. The vast majority of the time, a mystery is conducted without any type of payment from the participants. In other words, the mystery is provided freely by the author. Since this is the case, one must understand going into it that the installments (the releases of new instructions) depend upon the the author’s time. Several thoughts on this. First, the author of the mystery should make absolutely certain before beginning a mystery that he/she has plenty of time to conduct the mystery in a timely manner. Second, the participants should understand that life does happen, even to authors, and that there may be some delay in finishing the mystery. A good author will keep participants updated as to the status of future installments. The complexity of the pattern. This factor should be self-explanatory! The more complex the pattern, the longer it may take to complete the mystery. The time of year. The season (or seasons) a mystery is going to span is all-important, as well. Mysteries are typically not conducted over the holiday season, beginning Thanksgiving and going past Christmas, beyond the New Year. These seasons are simply too busy with real life. Mysteries may also experience difficulty in getting participation if it is during the summer.      In summary, mysteries are best when conducted during “dead” times during the year, such as winter. They also seem to have better participation if they are conducted over a shorter span of time (two months or less) and have options (MQ 15, 16, and 17 show versatility because they are all made from the same base pattern, but each look totally different when completed!) for the participants to choose from. I have also discovered that the more information (without revealing the outcome) that can be given prior to beginning, the better, such as: Theme, Options, Color Suggestions, Size, Time To Complete, Complexity, etc.      If a mystery is announced as a short, quick project, that does not necessarily mean that it is not going to be appealing. A good mystery author can provide a truly unique pattern that gives the participants options, such as turning it from a wallhanging into a tablerunner or expanding it into a full quilt, etc. There are many times when a pattern is simple to make, yet looks like the quilter spent a lot more time on it than actually happened.      An author of a mystery should attempt to keep the mystery suspenseful by mixing it up and postponing the “guessing” for as long as possible. The installments of a mystery should never be given in the order that is seen in the finished design. For instance, say that a wallhanging is going to have nine (9) blocks and the layout is similar to a nine-patch. Instead of giving the installments in order, from left to right and top to bottom, mix it up. Keep the participants guessing!!!!      If you are ready for a good mystery, check out the ones on Quilting Passion and the other sites listed below. Each have concluded on Quilting Passion, however the majority of them remain online. Also, keep a watchful eye out in the Quilting Passion eNews or the Quilting Passion Mystery Quilt Notifications for the announcements of new mysteries.      The Quilting Passion Gallery also contains many photographs of finished mystery quilts; this should give you an idea of the types (and wide variety) of patterns used. Since many authors of mystery quilts do not charge a fee, I can say with much enthusiasm that photographs are gratefully appreciated. Seeing finished projects from mystery quilts that I have conducted helps give me incentive to keep providing them! Mystery Quilt 19 is slated on Quilting Passion for sometime this summer.      Other Mystery Quilt Web sites include: WWQP The Quilted Snail Electric Quilt Mysteries Teena’s Patchwork & Embroidery Anne’s Mystery Quilts            Mystery Quilts are fun! If you have never played in one, then find one and join!

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Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, mystery quilts

Quilting is becoming more popular as trends keep pace with home improvement, home decor, and crafting. Add to this the idea that people are beginning to embrace traditional activities from years gone by. It is true: What is old is suddenly becoming new again.      Many of us have been quilters for quite some time; even when quilting might not have been seen to be an acceptably “cool” activity. Some people quilt as a means of relieving stress, as a form of relaxation, for utilitarian purposes, for extra income, or as a hobby. No matter why you quilt, there is nothing more frustrating than beginning to sew your quilt top together, only to find that the pieces do not fit! There are two (2) key reasons why your quilt top pieces may not fit together correctly: 1) Inaccurate sewing (which is an entirely different article!), and 2) Inaccurate cutting.      This article covers the latter and should provide you with a few fabric cutting tips to make the cutting process easier and more enjoyable. Sharp tools! Make sure that your cutting tool is sharp, no matter if it is a rotary cutter or scissors. Small nicks in a rotary cutter can cause problems in that if it does not cut all the way through, there is the chance that it will become misaligned as you try to make the cut go through the fabric, either by trying to pull it or re-cutting. Pre-wash the fabric. This can help in the cutting process by allowing you to align the fabric, selvage to selvage, then folding it in half. The fold in the fabric straight off the bolt does not mean that the fabric is aligned correctly. In fact, most times, it is misaligned. Once the fabric is washed and folded, press the fold. Start with a clean, even edge. Once the fabric is aligned, it is time to cut the edge. This can be accomplished by first laying the fabric on a flat surface, with the fold closest to you and the aligned selvages away from you. Snip the fabric close either edge on the fold. If you are right-handed, snip the left edge, and vice-versa. Once you snip it, then tear the fabric from the fold to the selvages. Tearing it assures that it will clean up on the straight of grain. Once done, realign the selvages, place the folded side of the fabric closest to you, and smooth it out (press it before placing it on the flat surface, if it needs it). Using an acrylic ruler, align a straight, marked line with the fold, leaving approximately 1 inch of fabric past the side of the ruler, then cut. Use this edge to cut the rest of the fabric. Check the alignment of the ruler with the edge of the fabric every few cuts to make sure that it remains clean and even. Layering fabric. The safest way to assure that your cuts are clean is to not cut more than the two (2) layers created by placing it on the flat surface with the fold closest to you. Notice that I said “safest”. It is also the slowest. It is possible to fold the fabric once more, bringing the selvages up to the fold. Should you decide to do this, make absolutely sure that there are no creases or mini-folds within the fabric. Cutting multiple same-size strips. If cutting strips that are all the same size, you can speed the cutting up by placing a piece of tape on top of the ruler on the edge of the size you need. This way, instead of having to search for the measurement each time, you can simply align the tape with the edge of the fabric. This visually makes the cutting easier and faster. Stable acrylic ruler. If the ruler is not firmly held in place and is allowed to slip and slide, this can cause cuts to be uneven. There are items that can be used to help stabilize the ruler, including pre-made sandpaper dots that stick to the underneath side of the ruler or you can also simply fold tape back on itself (or use double-sided tape) and stick it to the back.      Hopefully, these tips aid you in cutting more accurately. The old saying, “Measure twice; cut once.” is really the prudent thing to do. It takes but a second to carefully glance at the ruler and the fabric before making the cut.      Lastly, if your cut strips have “bulges” near the fold or if one end of your strip is wider than the other, then it would definitely pay for you to at least try one or more of the tips above.      Do you have any tips that you would like to share? If so, please leave your comments!      Good luck and happy cutting!

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Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, quilting fabric, fabric, fabric cutting, rotary cutter

	Jan Krentz is an expert quiltmaker, designer, author, and teacher with a style that is truly unique. Jan’s talents shine in two (2) areas, specifically: Color selection and technical skill. Jan began quilting in 1973 and lives in California. Her enthusiasm is contagious!
Talk about taking Lone Star Quilts to a new level; Jan Krentz does it, and then some. Her work is superbly designed and crafted and the perspective that she shares in this book gives this type of quilt new dimension. Jan’s writing style allows almost every quilter that has average sewing and cutting skills to easily understand how to create this classic quilt, and the fact that she includes “extras” gives the quilts a fresh, new, updated look that makes them appear to be much more difficult to piece than they actually are.
Included in this book are: Six (6) colorful and beautiful projects, Time-saving rotary cutting tips to speed the process, Creative additions to the projects, such as: “Designer diamonds” (fussy cutting your fabric to get them) and spectacular appliqué patterns, Everything you need to know about making Lone Star Quilts; from start to finish and also from the most simplistic, to fantastic quilts that are enough eye candy to last you for awhile, A gallery of photographed, finished quilts made using the included project patterns. These photos should provide enough inspiration to get you going!
If this article has sparked an interest in you, then this book would be a good investment. Bring Jan and her expertise into your home and allow her to guide you step-by-step through the projects. This book would even make a wonderful coffee table book!

Quilting By Design Site Map.
Original article published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

quilting, quilts, lone star quilts, jan krentz, krentz, lone star