Hand quilting has never been my thing. I tried it in the beginning of my quilting days, and though wow this is so cool! Then I realized how slow it was. I made on bed quilt that was hand quilted on one of those plastic frames. The ones that look like PVC pipe. Any way it turned out pretty good for a first quilt.
Next came a wall hanging. Again this was done by what I now know as lap quilting, then I didn't have a hoop and wasn't sure I wanted to invest in one. After all I was starting to learn about machine quilting and how fast that was. That wall hanging is still waiting to be finished, 9 years now and counting.
The next project I decided to hand quilt was a lap quilt I made. It was one of those stack and whack type, I thought it was pretty special piecing work, and wanted to make it even more special by hand quilting it. And of course it is still waiting for me to finish, 8 years and counting.
So as you can see I am no expert on hand quilting, but I found someone who seems to have a pretty good grip on her skills. She wrote an easy to follow (and yes there are pictures too!)tutorial on "Perfecting your Hand Quilting" If you are needing some help, or want to learn this skill, I would highly recommend you visit her website and read this article.
When your done let me know what you think by leaving me a comment here.
By the way, did you know I teach quilting classes too? These classes are great for beginners and intermediate quilters. They are loaded with easy to follow instructions and lot's of step by step photos. Just take a look here at the current class list. At Quilting Weekly our classes and projects are designed to inspire!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Eco- friendly quilting
Todays Online Quilting lesson
Image from: Keepsake Quilting
New year, new ideas! Eco-friendly quilting ideas that is. The above batting is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles. How cool is that? A king size batting uses up to 28 bottles! So go make a quilt and save the landfills at the same time.
Priced from $7.99 for a crib to $28.99 for a king size batting.
Here is another great site that explains more about Quilters Dream Green Batting.
To continue the Eco-friendly quilting, why not try organic cottons in your next quilt project. Learn about Organic Cotton from Live the Organic life website.
I know for years many quilters are doing their parts to help the environment by recycling fabric. Old shirts, pants bed sheets and more. Entire quilts made from leftover fabrics and fabric scraps is not uncommon. Recycling fabrics keeps them out of landfills, using every inch of a fabric including the selvage edges like shown on the Selvage quilts blog is another great way to help out.
Do your part and help make our world a better place. Recycle, re-use, or re-purpose items and feel good about quilting in 2009!
Image from: Keepsake Quilting
New year, new ideas! Eco-friendly quilting ideas that is. The above batting is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles. How cool is that? A king size batting uses up to 28 bottles! So go make a quilt and save the landfills at the same time.
Priced from $7.99 for a crib to $28.99 for a king size batting.
Here is another great site that explains more about Quilters Dream Green Batting.
To continue the Eco-friendly quilting, why not try organic cottons in your next quilt project. Learn about Organic Cotton from Live the Organic life website.
I know for years many quilters are doing their parts to help the environment by recycling fabric. Old shirts, pants bed sheets and more. Entire quilts made from leftover fabrics and fabric scraps is not uncommon. Recycling fabrics keeps them out of landfills, using every inch of a fabric including the selvage edges like shown on the Selvage quilts blog is another great way to help out.
Do your part and help make our world a better place. Recycle, re-use, or re-purpose items and feel good about quilting in 2009!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Composition quilting lesson
As I develop as an artist, I find the need to explore other arts to enhance my learning. I never took any formal art training although I wish I had. Many times I find myself asking questions about what might look good when working with my art quilts, or landscape quilts which I am now exploring more thoroughly. Even simple photographs are hard to capture without a basic understanding of "composition"
Has this ever happened to you?
I find myself looking out the window of a car, and may see something that I say "Wow that would make a great subject for an art quilt or landscape quilt." But then I begin to pull out my camera snap a few pictures only to find out later that I missed the shot or it doesn't inspire me like when I first saw it. What could I be doing wrong?
The answer is simple, I don't understand composition. (must have slept through that part in art class back in high school) I remember the word but what does it mean, and how will it help me?
If you feel you would like a better understanding of how to capture that perfect photo, or layout that perfect landscape quilt, then you need to look at Kodak's Beginnings of photographic composition website
After looking through this easy to follow tutorial, I now have a better understanding composition and how it can make or break my photographs, and my future art quilts.
This Composition Quilting Lesson is a very important one, and if you plan on expanding your knowledge like me, then take a few minutes and look at the site. If you have any comments on this subject or any other post here in my comments section. Quilting Lessons Online wants to help you learn and your comments help me understand what your needs are.
Has this ever happened to you?
I find myself looking out the window of a car, and may see something that I say "Wow that would make a great subject for an art quilt or landscape quilt." But then I begin to pull out my camera snap a few pictures only to find out later that I missed the shot or it doesn't inspire me like when I first saw it. What could I be doing wrong?
The answer is simple, I don't understand composition. (must have slept through that part in art class back in high school) I remember the word but what does it mean, and how will it help me?
If you feel you would like a better understanding of how to capture that perfect photo, or layout that perfect landscape quilt, then you need to look at Kodak's Beginnings of photographic composition website
After looking through this easy to follow tutorial, I now have a better understanding composition and how it can make or break my photographs, and my future art quilts.
This Composition Quilting Lesson is a very important one, and if you plan on expanding your knowledge like me, then take a few minutes and look at the site. If you have any comments on this subject or any other post here in my comments section. Quilting Lessons Online wants to help you learn and your comments help me understand what your needs are.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Win free fabric!
Win free fabric from Win Fabric.com
That's right you can win 2 yards of free fabric, that you get to pick from their lovely stash. The will be picking a winner once a week. So get your name on the list and see if you are that lucky winner! No purchase necessary, but you find something of interest once you visit the site.
In addition to the contest, they are also giving 5% of their sales to charity. How cool is that! So if you purchase some of their lovely fabrics, you can feel good about it knowing you are also helping out charity at the same time.
Please help spread the word about Win Fabric.com What a great site and idea!
That's right you can win 2 yards of free fabric, that you get to pick from their lovely stash. The will be picking a winner once a week. So get your name on the list and see if you are that lucky winner! No purchase necessary, but you find something of interest once you visit the site.
In addition to the contest, they are also giving 5% of their sales to charity. How cool is that! So if you purchase some of their lovely fabrics, you can feel good about it knowing you are also helping out charity at the same time.
Please help spread the word about Win Fabric.com What a great site and idea!
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