Natures Best Contest from Quilting Gallery

Check out the Natures Best Contest on the Quilting Gallery!

This looks like a great contest, one that any level quilter could enter. Why not get in on the fun, and see if you can't win one of these fabulous prizes. You could enter in the small category or the large, or if you really ambitious both!

Here is a quote from her site. Click the link for all the details.

It’s two contests with one theme: small projects (e.g. table runners, bags, wall hangings, lap quilts, etc.) and full-sized quilts. Read the full contest details, see the prizes and submit your photo(s).

Important Date to Remember
Contest start: August 24, 2009
Final submissions: September 25, 2009
Voting: September 26 through October 4, 2009
Winners announced: October 5, 2009


You could win on of several great prizes

2 spools (1,094 yards) of Cotton Mako’Ne 40 from Aurifil

10 1-yard cuts of Asian fabrics from Kona Bay Fabrics

10 fat quarters of It’s a Dog’s Life by Phyllis Dobbs

Quilting for Peace by Katherine Bell and STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books (not yet released!)

a free quilting class of your choice from Quilting Weekly

the cutest owl ever from Mel’s Own Place

Custom Applique Quilts are Simple to Create

Custom Applique Quilts are Simple to Create
By Penny Halgren

To create a unique custom applique quilt, all you need is a simple design.

If the traditional appliques just don't excite you, make your own custom applique design. It's as easy as flipping through a child's coloring book or searching through clip art.

Custom appliqué quilts are perfect gifts for celebrating the birth of a baby. When the mom-to-be picks a less popular nursery theme, it can be hard to find a coordinating gift. That will make your custom appliqué quilt extra special!

One woman chose a "Cat in the Hat" theme for her newborn's room. She wanted something different and knew she'd have to custom sew and accessorize just about everything in the room.

She turned to an old coloring book for inspiration. The lines in children's coloring books are generally simple, especially in coloring books for younger aged children.

For the crib quilt, she enlarged a coloring book page of the cat's hat. Using the enlargement for a pattern, she appliquéd red stripes onto the hat which she had cut from white fabric.

Using iron-on adhesive, she put the large, bright red and white striped hat in the center of her pale teal-colored crib quilt top and stitched around it using a tight satin stitch. She added coordinating prints around the sides for the border and without much effort at all, had a custom appliqué quilt. She used the same techniques to add characters from the famous Dr. Seuss story to bumper pads and to create a wall hanging for the nursery, too.

It's easy to use the same procedure for creating a custom appliqué from clip art. Select your theme, then start your art search. The important thing is to look for simple lines.

Don't forget that you can manipulate some clip art. Once you open a clip art file, see if you can select the image then choose "ungroup" from the edit command. If it will allow you to ungroup, you can make simple changes.

For example, if you want a custom applique of Santa riding a reinderr, but the one you've found has ornaments hanging from the reindeer's antlers, ungroupling will probably let you delete those ornaments from the design. Don't forget to save your art once you've completed your editing!

Many people like to assemble the custom appliqué separately, then finish by stitching it to their quilt top or quilt block. Others, however, like to assemble piece by piece onto the quilt top or block by basting, then finishing the stitches with either an appliqué stitch, zig-zag or satin stitch.

Fonts may also be used for custom applique designs. It's really easy to create a custom appliqué quilt with a name or favorite hobby ("Cheer!" and "Play Ball!" are two that come to mind). Simply type the words and make the letters the size you want. You may have to print the letters individually rather than on one sheet if you want them to be substantially large.

You can even make custom appliqués for your favorite fraternity or sorority member by using a font like Symbols for the custom applique pattern.

Once you've printed the letters, they are your pattern for your custom appliqué design. Play around with the positioning once you get them cut out. Have fun and create interest by overlapping the letters in some places.

You must observe copyright laws when using other media to help you design custom appliqué patterns. Most art is under law in which if used for personal use only, there is no copyright infringement. If you try to sell your custom appliqué projects using the already published art, you are likely in violation of copyright law.

The same goes for fonts. There are many websites that allow viewers to download and use free fonts, but most of those include stipulations that the use of the fonts must be for personal - not commercial - use only.

Penny Halgren http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com Penny has been a quilter for more than 26 years. She enjoys exploring all aspects of quilting sharing her knowledge with all quilters.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Halgren
http://EzineArticles.com/?Custom-Applique-Quilts-are-Simple-to-Create&id=998679

For more help with applique try "Quilt Applique" by Melissa Haworth

At Quilting Weekly we take the learning beyond the classroom and into your sewing room. Learn at your own speed, and with the personal guidance of our teachers you will never be more than a click away from help!

Quilt Applique by Melissa Haworth

Wow I am so excited to share the news about our latest class. If you are a regular here, you know that this blog will occasionally share news from Quilting Weekly. Well today is one of those times.

Melissa Haworth is a new teacher on Quilting Weekly, and her first class Quilt Applique is a wonderful class to start with.

If you have ever wondered about quilt applique, wonder no more. This class offers something for everyone. It shares techniques for both the hand sewers and the machine lovers as well. There are several techniques taught in this class, and it is done is a way that even beginners will be appliqueing blocks after just a few short lessons.

Applique doesn't have to take hours to learn, and it can be done anywhere......can you say that about machine piecing?

Give Quilt Applique a try and get started today making heirloom quilts for your family and friends.

Proper set up for your Sewing table

Do you suffer from back, shoulder or neck pain when sewing? What about circulation issues with your legs or feet? If you said yes to any of these then you may not have the ideal setup for your sewing table.

If you find yourself not sewing for as long as you like comfortably and seem to get up to stretch more than you sit and sew, then watch this video! It can really help make a difference in your comfort and therefore your enjoyment in sewing or quilting.

Quilt Blocks, What Can You Do with Them?

Quilt Blocks, What Can You Do with Them?
By: Chris Dahl of Quilting Weekly

Free block patterns, books about quilt blocks, classes on and off line, block swaps are just a few of the ways we quilters get caught up in the making of quilt blocks.

If you like to try new block patterns, but don't want to commit to making an entire quilt with each block what can you do? What are your choices for using up all these quilt blocks? Especially if they are of different sizes!

Here are just a few ideas to get you from quilt block to finished projects in no time at all!

1. Create Placemats - use a block for the center and add other blocks to frame the center one


2. Create table Runners - can use up several blocks, or just one or two with a large novelty print


3. Create Wall hangings - one block with borders can be framed as wall art


4. Create a tote bag, with one block on the front and one on the back


5. Another option for tote bags - Use several blocks and piece together for a scrappy looking bag. These can be used as grocery bags if you make them larger


6. Pillows


7. Pot Holders or Trivets


8. Add fusible to the back of the block, then re-cut into shapes for applique


9. Make a sampler quilt - this can be with similar blocks, similar colors or a completely scrappy look with all different colors and blocks.


10. Add as decoration to clothing by appliqueing or fusing them onto jackets, sweatshirts etc.

As you can see there are many possibilities for using up your quilt blocks. Don't let them pile up in a box or drawer get them out and put them to good use. Need a sampler quilt pattern idea? Try Block Beginnings from Quilting Weekly. This class not only provides you with a great sampler quilt pattern, but you actually learn how to draft your own quilt blocks by the end of class!

How to Applique Baby Quilts

How to Applique Baby Quilts
By Andrea Hunter


Applique is a creative technique, often used in quilting. It can also be intimidating if you've never tried it before. Here are some simplified instructions, for those who wish to attempt this sometimes dreaded task. An applique stitch is a stitch used to attach one piece of fabric to another. In quilt making, this method is often used to attach simple cut outs to a base fabric. The applique stitch will accomplish two things. First, it will securely attach the cut out to the block. Second, it will keep the edges of the cut out from fraying. Below, you will find step by step instructions on how to applique.

1) The first step is to cut out a quilt block and also the shape you wish to attach to the block. If you have purchased a pre-cut quilt kit, this will already be done for you.

2) Next, you will use a light weight fusible web (sold as Stitch Witchery, Heat N Bond, etc.) to attach the cut out to the block. This will prevent the cut out from moving around while you applique. Washing the fabrics before starting the fusing process, will ensure that the fusible web will adhere to the fabrics. Follow the instructions that come with the fusible web to attach the cut out(s) to the quilt block.

Note: If you don't have fusible web, you can use straight pins to attach the cut outs, but you will likely have puckers in your cutout when it is appliqued. To center a name on a block, start with the middle letter of the name. For example, if you have the name, "AVERY", you would start with the letter "E". Place the "E" in the center of the block and press. Then place the "V" and the "R". Then place the "A" and the "Y".

3) Choose your thread color. If you are a beginner, it is a good idea to choose a thread color that will blend in with the shape you will applique'. This will help to hide any mistakes, as they will blend in with the shape(s) and seem unnoticeable. If you are pretty confident and experienced, with a sewing machine that takes fairly uniform stitches, you may want to coordinate your thread with an accent color on your quilt. In this case, you would choose a color much different from the shape that matches another color on the quilt that you want to bring out.

4) Test your tension! This step is very important and is one that you should try on scrap pieces of fabric. This way, you won't mess up your masterpiece! Take two scraps, one that is smaller than the other one. Use your zigzag stitch to sew the smaller piece on top of the larger piece. Sew along the edge of the smaller piece so that the needle alternates, taking a stitch on the smaller piece, and a stitch on the larger piece, attaching the two together. Make sure your stitches are even. Your zigzag stitches should also be very close together, to create a satin stitch, so the edge of the cut out is not exposed when you are finished. If your stitches are not satisfactory, adjust your tension, a little at a time, until you get the desired results. If adjusting your thread tension doesn't work, try adjusting your bobbin tension.

5) Now for the fun part! It is a good idea to start on a corner so the place where you start and end will look as smooth as possible. Sew around the shape(s) with a zigzag stitch. If you are going to applique' more than one shape, such as a name, start with the center letter first. As you sew around the shape, pause and turn on the corners, to keep an even stitch, all the way around. Try to end so that the place you start and end looks continuous.

See, that wasn't so difficult. You should now have an appliqued piece of work, that you can show to all of your friends, and be proud of.


Andrea Hunter is the co-founder of Sandrea Baby Quilts. http://www.sandreababyquilts.com offers handmade and personalized baby quilts, baby quilt kits, baby quilt patterns, receiving blankets, and free tips for quilters.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Hunter
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Applique-Baby-Quilts&id=1763936

Quilting Weekly offers you both paid and free quilting lessons. Whether you are looking for patterns and instructions or just need some advice Chris Dahl (the owner and head teacher) is always ready to lend a hand! Her Mother Goose Baby quilt pattern is one of the most popular classes on the site today.

Your Different Sewing Machine Options

Your Different Sewing Machine Options
By Amy C

Some crafts people begin a sewing hobby with the misconception that it will save them money. The truth is sewing is more enjoyable than economical. One of the major expenses involved in sewing is the purchase of a sewing machine and all of the additional components. It is vital to understand and research your sewing machine options before making a final purchase. The following are a few tips which you can use to ensure that you make the right decision.

Sew many choices!
Before moving forward and purchasing a sewing machine, you must first decide what kind of sewing projects you would like to attempt. This is one of the most important things to consider since all sewing machines have different capabilities and functions. For example, if you plan to use your machine for garment construction or repair then a simple easy-to-use multi-stitch machine will be fine. If your hobbies will include sewing felt or leather, then a more complex and industrial strength machine may be a better choice.

Sew much money!
Buying a sewing machine can be overwhelming, and the amount of choice can become confusing. This is why working out a spending budget is one of the most important steps. Try to be realistic about how often you will use your machine and set your limit accordingly. Sewing machines can cost anywhere between $100 and $4000 dollars. If you are not careful it is easy to convince yourself that you need the one with all of the bells and whistles. Many of these extra functions will go unused and are not necessary for even more advanced and difficult home sewing projects.

Sew where do I start?
When searching for a sewing machine, it is always a good idea to visit a local dealer. Here, you will be assisted by knowledgeable salespeople who will guide you toward the machine which is most suitable. Most sewing machine suppliers will also allow for you to test multiple machines before deciding on a final purchase. This is a great way to see for yourself if a sewing machine is comfortable, user friendly and a high enough quality. Some sew machine dealers will also have gently used machines for sale. This option is perfect if you are first starting out in the hobby and would like to work your way up to a more complex machine. Sewing can be an incredibly enjoyable hobby and purchasing a machine should not be hard on you or your bank account. Shop around and take the time to make the right decision.

Make sure to visit Discount Sewing for discount supplies, tips, tricks and advice. Come and discover the perfect Embroidery Sewing Machine and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_C
http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Different-Sewing-Machine-Options&id=2480385

If your interested in more articles on sewing machines check out these two found on my blog:

What sewing machine should I buy?

Or

Sewing Machine Tips from our Live Chat

Selvage Quilts

Don't throw away your selvages, they are a hot commodity around quilters today. Yep those edges that we have been told to cut away for years are not being sought by quilters around the world. In fact some of the fabric manufactures have caught on and are now selling bag fulls of these little treasures.


What makes them so special? Their unique labeling and colors is what I find attractive. If you look at the selvages, you will see things like the manufactures name, the colored dots or squares for the dyes used in the making of the fabric, even date and location it was made. Talk about a historians dream!

How do I use them?
Simply cut off no less than 1.5 inches but better if you can spare 2.5 inches (this shows a bit of the fabric too, and sew them to a foundation. Simple flip and sew the selvages to the foundation. I use muslin, it is cheap and not as stiff as paper. But use what you're comfortable with.

Make squares in any size you like. Once you have a stack of blocks you can make a quilt. The blocks can be cut up and joined with other selvage blocks, or sewn to other fabrics. You can mix and match with traditional blocks or solid blocks. The idea is be creative and see how much fun these are to make.

The best part is you are doing a great service by using selvages up. (This keeps them from rotting in landfills!) A RECYCLERS DREAM QUILT!

By the way, here are a few resources for inspiration:

Sewn

The selvage blog

Quilting Weekly (has two selvage classes now) 1 is titled "Go Green with Selvage Quilts" and contains 4 projects including 2 quilts in one class. The second one is making a lovely tote bag "Raking Leaves" These are a real bargain for the money.