The Quilt Lovers Blog

Quilting Cruises learn to quilt, take a holiday, relax and have fun

Quilting Cruises learn to quilt, take a holiday, relax and have fun

quilt of the month

See the Quilt of the Month voted for by visitors to my site

I've just posted two "NEW" patterns on my Patterns For Sale page

Go check out the "Twisted Nine Patch" and "Splash of Blues", they are really fantastic and easy enough for beginners!!

Patterns for Sale with support and instruction included

Patterns for Sale that include everything to complete your project, including free support and instruction, you supply the fabric.

CARLA'S QUILT

This is a story of how Carla's quilt came to be! We are originally from the Azores (nine tiny islands off the coast of Portugal). My mother went

Paper pieced quilt

This is a paper pieced mini quilt that I completed February 2008. I started quilting in September 2007 and took a paper pieced class in January. I

How do I get started in Long Arm Quilting?

Teri asks: I was wondering if you could help me. I googled long arm quilting business and received your website .. the reason I ask, is I am interested in possibly starting one and would like to get some ideas on what I should and should not do. Thanks so much.

Jackee responds: There is a lot involved in the machine quilting business, -- training, bookkeeping, work orders/quilt tracking, etc. When I began machine quilting 10 years ago, I took an intensive course by Longarm University in Washington State. It was excellent. You can google Longarm University and can contact them if that would work for you.

Issues may be different from person to person, and from area to area, but if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them.

The Tennessee Waltz pattern intrigues me.

Christine asks: Could you tell me the size of the quilt? Size of the blocks? and is it all rotary cut? I couldn't tell but the project looks so lovely, you have me thinking. I just did not see more information there.

Jackee replies: Hello Christine -- thank you for your enquiry. The size has been posted on the "Patterns for Sale page on the website! The quilt is totally rotary cut and machine pieced and it always looks fabulous! It looks more complex than it is, resulting in lots of kudos for you! Block size is 9 1/2". You can order the pattern through the "Patterns for Sale" page on the website.

A New Page with FREE Block Pattern Instructions!!

I have developed a new page on my site with instructions and graphics on how to assemble popular Blocks. I will be adding more blocks to this page. If you would like to learn about one that is not posted please let me know and I will prioritise putting it up.

Quilter Comments!!

Barbara comments: Right now I do not have a question or comment except that I am glad I found your site. I am a fairly new quilter and your explanations and instructions seem much easier for me to understand. Thank You and I am sure you will be hearing from me now.

Information on Embroidered Quilt Blocks

Charlotte asks: I have some embroidered quilt blocks and I want to square them up and I'm not quite sure how to do this. I want to eventually hand quilt them. I was also wondering if they need to be pressed before squaring them. I will wait until I hear from you. I enjoyed your site very much and will probably have more questions as I go along with my project. Thank You

Jackee repliesWhen squaring up blocks, it is a good idea to press them first. For an embroidered block, place face down on a towel and press from the center, trying not to stretch it. I like to use my 12" square ruler (there are other sizes of squares depending on the size of block you are making). Because you can see through the ruler, it is easier to center the embroidery on the block. For example, if you were trimming the block down to 10", the center of your block would be at the 5" line both vertically and horizontally. I trim the right hand side and the top, then turn the board around and trim the other two sides. I have some antique blocks on hand which need to be "squared up". We will photograph this process, so check back on the website in a couple of days. Sometimes a visual image is much easier to follow than written instructions. Good luck with your project. Remember, you can post your quilt or quilt top to our Quilter Invitation page! We would love to see it.

Pressing with Steam...yes or no!!

Lisa asks: Your rule #3 for quilting is confusing. The title says never press with steam and yet the elaboration of the rule sounds like you should press with steam. Which is it?

Jackee replies: I know that sounds confusing. The rule about pressing, which you can read in most quilting books states that you NEVER press with steam (I think they are worried that you will stretch your block). I ALWAYS press using steam because that is the only way I can get a crisp flat seam. But my "rules" are tongue-in-cheek because rules are meant to be broken (even in quilting!). In other words, relax and enjoy the process! Thanks for your enquiry, and happy quilting!

Quilting in limited spaces

Sue asks: My husband and I live in a 5th wheel trailer. It is quite large with 4 slideouts. I don't have a quilting frame but would like to be able to quilt inside. Are their any quilting frames (portable) small enough that would allow me to be able to quilt inside? And then roll up. Thanks.

Jackee answers:Thank you for your enquiry. Would you consider quilting in a "hoop" -- a 14" one works really well! Or what about a Q-Snap frame -- it is so easy to disassemble and pop your quilt on and off and it stores like a charm! Click the Permalink and click on the Joann's logo -- you can search some options for quilting possibilities. Let me know how you make out --- keep quilting!!

What are "Lock Seams"

Helen asks: I am working on the "Tennessee Waltz" quilt pattern, and am confused about part of the directions. At one point, you are told to "Lock Seams" and "Line up strips with grid". Could you possibly tell me what this means? I don't know what they mean by "Lock Seams" or "line up strips with grid" could you please explain? Thank you.

Jackee's response: Boy, sometimes instructions can be confusing! We like to use the opposing (or lock) seam method to sew in order to distribute the bulk. For instance, if you are sewing a 9 patch block together, the top row of seams would all be pressed in one direction, and the second row would be pressed in the opposite direction, creating opposing seams. When you sew those two rows together, one seam allowance is pressed to the right and one seam allowance is pressed to the left, and they actually "lock" together bump to bump. I'm not sure what "line up seams with grid" would mean, without viewing the whole pattern -- is it from a book? If so, which one? At what point are you in the pattern? Have you made all the blocks and are lining up the rows, or? I hope some of this helps, and if you can supply more information perhaps we can sort out the other ambiguous wording.

How Do I Miter Corners?

Georgia asks: I have put a border on and I want to miter the corners??? What do I do? I'm hand quilting. Thanks.

Jackee replies: Thank you for your enquiry. It inspires me to add a page to the website for this method and it will be done shortly. Mitered corners look fabulous, especially if you are putting multiple borders on a quilt. In the meantime, let me see if I can describe the method I use to miter corners. All borders must have an extra amount at each end -- if your border is 5" wide, then you need 6" extra at each end, if it is 8" wide, then you need 9" extra at each end, etc. Fold your quilt at the corner, so that the two borders lay one on top of the other, and the quilt folds at a 45 degree angle. Using your rotary cutting ruler, place the 45 degree angle along the seam line where the border joins the main body of the quilt. The edge of the ruler should be at the corner where your two seams meet. Make sure your borders are nice and flat, and then draw a line from the corner of the seams to the outer edge of the borders. Put a pin or two in the borders to keep them in place, then sew on the line. Make sure the borders lay flat, and then trim away the bulk of the extra border fabric. Press the seam open. I will try to get the Mitered Border page up on the website asap, in case you are still having trouble with this method. Please post a picture of your quilt on our Quilters Invitation page when you are finished! We would love to see it!

A Home Based Business that started out as a Hobby

How I Started A Home Based Business By Developing a Web Site For My Wife's Quilting Business

Losing my points when I make a quilt star!!

Emma asks: I'm losing my points when I try to make a quilt star...is there a simple way to "not" lose them? I can make a perfect star but when I go to connect any fabric (ex: border)...I lose the points on the star...h-e-l-p!

Jackee replies:Hi Emma, first of all, when you make your star block, are the star points finishing 1/4" away from the edge of the block? If so, then when you add your "border", sew it with the star block ON TOP, and sew only a 1/4" seam. With the star block on top, you can easily see where the points are, and make sure you don't sew over them! I hope this helps! Happy quilting!

Questions on Bowtie Blocks

Jo asks: I teach quilt classes to ladies here in Alabama. Years ago I taught a 3 dimensional bow tie and now cannot remember how to stitch it. Could you either send me or know where I can find illustrated picture of the steps? THanking you in advance.

Jackee replies: Hi Jo, -- ok, we have put a 3D Bowtie Pattern on the website. Go to the Block Patterns button then scroll down and click on the 3d Bowtie Block to view........please let us know if you have any suggestions. This was kind of a difficult one to describe! There will be more block patterns coming, and I hope you will tell your students about our website. Take care, and happy quilting

Display your quilt in creative ways in unique locations

Learn creative ways to display your quilt

Questions from a "NEW" Quilter

Janet asks: I am making my first quilt, Baking Days. Probably not an easy one to start with, but that is the one the 3 day class is making, 6 hours total! (I may set this aside and find something easier).

I am on the first block and realized I am using Glaced cotton! I will change to 100% quilting machine cotton, is this correct? Should I discard the first block and start over?

Also I am using all flannel material on top. What material do you suggest I use on the back? It is for my son and will take a beating.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Jackee replies: Hi Janet, thank you for your enquiry.

I'm not sure what "glaced" cotton thread is but if it is cotton, it should be ok. You should use 50 weight sewing cotton for the construction of your quilt, something like Coats or Mettler. Quilting thread is what we use to do the actual quilting of the three layers of our quilt.

Your quilt will be nice and cozy made in flannel. I would have recommended cotton rather than flannel for your first quilt because I think it is a little easier to work with, but I think you can make it work. Flannel is just a little bit thicker and sometimes stretches a bit. Because flannel IS so cozy, it would be great to have on the back too.

I hope this helps Janet. Maybe you would post a photo on our website when you are finished. Just go to the "share your quilt" button. Good luck with your project!