Tutorial Tuesday - Machine Quilting (Start It Up)

Starting and Stopping

Machine Quilting

For today's tutorial, something simple, time saving, fabric saving, and dare I say life saving. Okay, not life saving, but sanity saving for sure.

When it comes time to quilt your first quilt, this question invariably comes up.

How do I start and stop sewing? Why is there a bunch of thread on the back of the quilt? Where do I start and stop quilting?

As the video below shows, to start quilting, first lower the needle into the fabric sandwich while holding the top thread with your left hand. The needle will grab the bobbin thread, as you bring the needle back up and out of the quilt sandwich, continue to hold the top thread and pull slightly until the bobbin thread comes up. Now, hold both the top and bobbin threads as you secure the stitch. To secure the stitch, move the two threads to the right and left as you take three stitches. The threads are now secure, and you can start stitching without making a mess on the back of your quilt. To stop quilting, secure your stitching with several stitches in the same spot.

I also had a question last week, about where to start and stop when quilting. I like to start in a corner, or a part of the quilt that will be the least visible.

Never quilted before? Go try it today...use a couple scraps, and see what you can do. Remember, lower your feed dogs and use a darning foot. Have fun!

Project Linus

Saturday morning we had an eagle project we really wanted to participate in, making blankets for Project Linus.  Project Linus provides blankets for children in hospitals.  Ever since I started making quilts, I have heard of Project Linus, and loved the idea of it.  When my own dear Liz was bit by a rattlesnake, and was in the PICU, my heart was warmed to see a quilt wrapped beautifully on her bed.  I know now, these quilts really do go to sweet little ones in need, and each time I look at that quilt I feel little tugs at my heart.

Anyway, we didn't make quilts this time, instead fleece blankets.  First thing in the morning while my boys (minus the baby) were helping friends move, the girls worked to make blankets.  We trimmed, cut, and tied these beauties.  The girls were such great helpers, it warmed my heart to see them happily learning new skills while helping someone in need, and I was so proud of them.

As our blankets reach someone who is clearly having less than a stellar day, I hope the recipient can feel the love of a couple strangers.

Fast, Flirty, and Fun

Pretty exciting stuff!  It's ready for pre-order, let's make it sell out before it even releases.  Ha ha.

Okay, here's the best part.  There are images of every quilt on Amazon.com right now.  All ya have to do is click on the book image, and then it will open up the images window, and you can spy a view of every quilt project.  ENJOY!

Tuesday Tutorial v.1

Simple Knot

Recently my ward spent an evening tying quilts, and since we were tying knots, the subject came up. I showed many of the women this simple way to tie a knot, and I was surprised to find that none of them had seen this method. Since then, I have wondered how many people would benefit from some simple knowledge.

I know there are questions many crafters have about various methods of doing tasks, but may feel "stupid" asking them. I hope you will all feel comfortable asking these questions to me, and to each other.

Here's a video of me tying this simple knot. There's no sound, so don't worry about hearing anything.

Directions:

Holding the threaded needle in your right hand, and the end of the thread in your left hand, wind the thread around the needle at least 4 times (more times=bigger knot). Keeping the thread tightly wound, hold the needle and the wound thread firm as you push the needle through the thread, until you form a knot.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

Sneak Peak

from the quilt "birthday bash"

Here's a couple sneak peaks at what is coming in my book.  I am getting so excited to share my designs and my love of quilting with everyone.    

After having my sweet baby, my time has been spent loving, nursing, and snuggling.  I am hoping as he continues to grow, I can start devoting more time to this other love of mine.  And, in the process, I hope to help others find a love of quilting.

That said, I am instituting a new weekly segment to answer questions about quilting.   I will showcase techniques to simplify and improve quality.  So, what questions do you have? 

One more little thing...  

I have finally submitted my class ideas to the Utah Quilt Guild for this upcoming Quilt Fest  (yea, I checked something off the list).  Now, here comes the waiting and seeing if they choose my class ideas!  Check out this website for more information.  If you live in the Utah area, consider going to quilt fest....it is awesome!  And, if we're all lucky, you can take one of my classes (the two quilts pictured, are the two classes I submitted).

I must say, as a testimonial, that my first Quilt Fest changed my perspective on quilting.  I learned, I was inspired, and I won a lot of booty.  The first few years I went to quilt fest, I still lived in sunny Detroit, MI.  If it wasn't great, I certainly wouldn't have spent 4+ hours flying to UT.  Now, I live in AZ, and I still make the trek.  All this to say, come to Quilt FEST!

from the quilt "cocoa cakewalk"

Pockets

I saw this cute idea for Valentines on the Moda Bake Shop.  This ideas was introduced last year, but if you are like me...you may have procrastinated.  If you want to do a little something special for your family, this is a great idea.  It seems like you could use this design for a number of holidays...just change the fabric.

Enjoy.  Go make something!

Third Edition

I came across this cute idea on Becky Higgins blog.  It's a cute "love note kit" full of all the goods you will need to leave little notes of love to your clan.  


Go on over to her website for downloads on how to make your own love note kit.


Enjoy.