Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Happy Holidays Quilting QT's

I am in Arizona and just received word that my machine is back from it's extended vacation at the sewing machine spa. From what I have heard the ol'machine has had a complete makeover, new computer, new dog feed motor, new transformer, new wiring, and motor. Sounds like something I need for my body. So with this in mind, it is time to start thinking about future projects and time that you would like to get together in the New Year! I want to hear from YOU!! We need to talk about projects as well. Stephanie Kean has offered to share a incredible "cheat" Pinapple block pattern. Katy Johnson has a awesome baby blanket pattern using pinwheels and prairie points in the inner border.. It is CUTE!!! I would like to have a get together breakfast brunch with everyone bringing a dish and an idea for the year. We will make a calendar for 6 classes. (One every other month) So no sewing machines on this one. Does January 9th sound good for everyone. Sat. Mornings will be our best time, 9am. I also would like to discuss possible field trips to quilt shows etc. Time to share our love and interest. Please leave comments and share your ideas.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Brrrrrrr -Wrap Up

Hello Brrrrrrrrrr girls. Several of you have asked about a "makeup" day. No, we are not doing facials... sorry, but we are going to finish up our snowman. I will meet anyone intersted down at the church to finish up our project. This will be Sat. Nov. 21 at 9:00 am. til noon if we need it.

You will need:
1 - finished front panel. Borders finished and any applique work done.
2 - Batting. (For wall hangings I use a heavy Batting like "Warm and Natural")
3 - Backing - anything will work, muslin, cotton
Both Backing and Batting should be approx. 25"x30"
4 - Binding Fabric - 3 pieces cut 2 1/2" by WOF (width of Fabric)
5 - Scrap piece of fabric if you want to make a rod pocket to hang it, or ties.

* if you have basting spray bring it. I will bring mine to share if you don't.


If you want to complete your snowman, bring any embellishments that you want to use to decorate..after we have quilted; Buttons for eyes, pom poms, The scarf pieces and button, etc. We will photograph our group and projects together for our blog.
Please let me know if you plan to attend. Thanks!

We will need the irons,extension cords, and of course, your sewing machines, scissors, and our Favorite!! the Seam ripper - Just in case :)

Monday, November 2, 2009

What to do next...

After you have finished sewing the borders on your wall hanging ... you have the option of adding a few fabric applique items.. pom pom, nose, body buttons or heart etc. I use fusible webbing and iron them on. I suggest you sew these down, for instance a blanket stitch around the edge. This will stabilize the piece and it won't curl up on the edges etc. But remember this is optional. You can do this by hand or machine. note: You can do a satin stitch as well..(zig zag works if you shorten up the stitch length on your machine) This step works best if done before quilting.

* We will add the final embellishments - the button eyes, mouth, scarf w/button or any other embellishment that is not sewn into the piece, after the wall hanging is quilted.

How do your calendars look for the next time we can get together and finish? Call me if you need help leaving comments. I can meet This Saturday morning the 7th.. Or Tuesday or Wed. night. I am committed the rest of the month on Saturdays. Have a awesome day QT's!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Quilting QT's busy at Work







Here we are on Saturday gathered around and enjoying our first 2009 project on Halloween morning. Brr.. Snowman is coming together! I loved seeing all the colors and how they all worked out. How awesome all of our projects were looking. Funny how not one of us did not use the seam ripper! AKA reverse sewing!

Let's look at our schedules to see when we can get together to finish our "shared" charms snowman! What a fun DAY!!!!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I am "sew" excited

This Saturday Oct. 31st is our project day!!! yippee.. WE want those machines to be humming bright and early. Please be ready to go and set up at the church building at 9 am for us to begin. Our goal is to have the top finished before noon. It doesn't take long! Some will finish before that. I have to leave and go to Pittsburgh at noon or before.. sorry girls, I could sit and sew all day long....

Call me for any questions! Have all your blocks cut into the 5" squares and we will be able to share and start as soon as everyone arrives. All of us who are sharing.. cannot start until everyone who is coming is there!

Happy Thoughts and one cute snowman wall hanging coming up!!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Peg is bringing multiprint

With everything that keeps us so busy, its nice to stop for a moment and take a nice deep breath! It will be fun to slow down a bit and sew with my girls! Peg is bringing a multiprint. It is going to be fun seeing all the surprizes and how they will work together.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Well the first color call came in. Carol H. Is calling for one of the Reds! WAY to GO ! This is going to be fun! Leave your comments on which color you would like to choose. (you just click on comments under this posting.) Questions? Call Laura

Thursday, October 1, 2009


Here is the wall hanging that Katie Johnson made. She made a heart instead of buttons. The wonderful thing about quilting is that you can make it your own. I am putting a orange carrot for a nose on mine.. the sky is the limit! Thanks for sharing Katie! I plan on making a few more of these.

Charm packs not available...

Hi girls, Yesterday I called all the quilt shops I could find around Pittsburgh. I only found 3 packs of the snowman print in Indiana. Which doesn't help because we needed 7! So.. I have thought of a different idea which I think will be more fun. We are going to each bring "Charms" (5" squares) to share. This is how we will do it.

1) Dig in your stash or go to the fabric store and purchase 4 different patterns in a color group 6" wide of Christmas related fabric. (We do this in case the fabric is not cut straight and we need the blocks to be 5" square ! ) You will only be buying 24" of fabric total for the front. Less than a yard!!! Cut each strip into 8 - 5" blocks. Depending on the width of your fabric and the salvage edges you might get 9 blocks but be sure to cut away those edges. When you bring your blocks to our group you will need to have 32 blocks total. In order to keep our quilt "scrappy" with alot of colors we should each choose a color group. (note* there can be multicolors on your design, but the background color should be your color) I will do the creams for the snowman. (which will still be 4 different patterns) This may seem confussing, so give me a call. We need the following color groups. (I had fun doing this wall hanging pattern before. Some prints had snowmen faces on it.. toys, pine trees, snowflakes etc. Have FUN with it. It works when all put together!)

cream/white - Laura
Red print
Red print
Burgandy Print
Green Print
Dark Blue or Navy Solid
Dark Blue with print
Black Print
Cream with multiprint
Multiprint
Multiprint

This will be awesome. Now, Keep in mind that you will still need the Batting and Back piece. See 1st posting for sizes.

Give me a call or email and we will get you signed up for your color. If you don't think you will be able to make the Sew Date and still would like a set made up from everyone, bring me your squares before Oct. 31st and we will make up a pack for you!!! Enjoy picking out your fabric! How fun is that!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Quilt Group project


Our first project this coming month will be the snowman wall hanging. The finished size is 20 1/2" x 25". It is a very cute pattern that calls for a Charm Pack - I recommend something in a winter theme or christmas theme. I found it to be very quick and easy - no points to match! How fun is that! The pattern calls for One Charm Pack, 1/4 yard solid navy (binding) 3/4 yard backing, six 1/2" black buttons for eyes and mouth - if you choose, and one 1 1/4" red button (scarf knot).

* If you would like to use your own stash. It takes approx 30 - 5" squares. Besure to include some beige or white for your snowman. :) We will meet at the church buiiding on October 31st at 9am. We'll wrap up our class in plenty of time to prepare for the little halloween goblins!