The Quilt Lovers Blog

Kind words from a web site Visitor

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:50:04 GMT

Carolyn: No questions, just compliments. I am new to the Internet and found your site to be super easy to use and very well defined. All info is helpful and - so appreciated - grammatically correct! I cannot enjoy a site, even about quilting, that has not been proofread and corrected. Your site is a pleasure to visit! Jackee: Thank you Carolyn, updating and maintaining my web site is almost a full time job, I'm glad I have help on this. Otherwise I would not be able to keep on quilting!!!

Critique on my Ebook

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:43:49 GMT

Tena: Greetings, I was very disappointed in the Quilt Lovers Guide. One had to read the complete guide if you wanted specific questions answered. I did not find any answers that I did not already know. The Glossary of Words had a fair amount of definitions and maybe beneficial to a newbie to quilting. I was very disappointed there were no videos or pictures. I believed I would use your guide over and over again. I have read your complete guide thoroughly and have no need to visit your guide again. My input is disappointing but you need to know my opinions. Jackee: Thank you for taking the time to send us your comments. I'm not quite clear -- were you referring to the website Quilt-Lovers-Guide.com, or to the Ebook 101 Quilting Challenges Busted? We provided a number of links from the Ebook to pages with pictures on my web site. You must be a very accomplished quilter. We did have hundreds of quilters write in with their questions. Perhaps you have a question which we could include in the next edition of the Ebook? Tena: I noticed my mistake upon receipt of your email. I apologize for my confusion. I was referring to the 101 Quilting Challenges Busted.

Backing and Quilt Sandwich

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Jennifer: I am a fairly new hand quilter. My grandmother taught me how to make the top of the quilt. however I don't understand how to attach it to the backing and put on the binding sandwich style. If I am not using batting does that matter? And do I have to mark my fabric again on the front of the top so I know where to stitch? Jackee I'm a little bit confused about your enquiry. You do not have to use batting in your quilt, although the quilting will not have any "puffiness" without at least a layer of flannel in the middle. You will probably want to baste the quilt layers together so they don't slip while you are quilting. (I'm not sure what you mean by "sandwich style") See basting here.... You can quilt without marking the lines if you wish to "quilt in the ditch" or 1/4" away from the seam lines. If you want flower designs or special shapes, then you will probably have to mark the design on the quilt top before stitching. The binding is usually attached after the quilting is finished. You will then trim all the edges, and attach the binding. You can check out the lesson on binding here. I hope this helps.....

Hand Stitching Fused Flowers

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Kris: I am working on a wall hanging with fused flowers. I wanted to hand stitch but was too hard on the fingers. When used the sewing machine, the needle gums up so bad and the thread ravels and breaks. What am I doing wrong? Jackee: I'm wondering which product you used for fusing your flowers, and is it more than one layer? Also what kind of thread are you using? It may be you need a different needle, maybe larger or sharper or one designed for metallic threads if that is what you are using? As you mentioned, this is a wallhanging and it probably will not need to be washed, so you do not need to stitch through the fused flowers, perhaps just around them or in the background.

Machine Stitching Grandmother's Flower block

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Marina: I have been looking for a way to do the Grandmother's Flower block on my machine? I have found a you-tube demo of sewing the hexagons together by hand but I'd love to know how to do them on my machine? have you attempted this and do you have an easier way to join them (its that whole Y seam that frightens me). Thanks for any help you can offer, I enjoy your website very much. Jackee: I have not attempted to machine sew this block. You would need to trace the hexagon, and sew one side at a time, sewing only on the traced line. Press seams open. I enjoyed hand piecing the hexagons while on car trips and visiting relatives, etc. and think that is the easiest way to make this block.

Questions on a Lap Quilt

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Gina: I am in the process of making a lap quilt (first time quilter) i have almost completed my squares using only fabric from my scrap bag, the dominant colour is red but there are 3 different shades. Should i put the darkest shade in the middle or the lightest shade in the middle or is it just a matter of personal preference when i sew them all together. Jackee: congratulations on your first quilt! If at all possible, put the blocks up on a wall (you could tack up a flannel sheet or piece of batting), and see whether you prefer the darker ones in the center or around the edges of your quilt -- it is personal preference. Placing the blocks on the wall gives you a totally different perspective than laying them on a bed or the floor. I'd love to see a photo when you're done. You can post it at "Share your Quilt" on my website.

Question on Binding and Trimming

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Moe: I have pin basted my quilt, do i trim off all excess and add the binding or do i quilt first then bind, thanks for the information, I get confused trying to read and study the pictures I will have to machine quilt or do the hand tied, I do not have a frame Jackee: Do your quilting first, then trim and bind. If you wish to hand quilt, you can do so with a 12" or 14" hoop, it is not necessary to have a big frame. Good luck with your project!

Applique on a Baby Quilt

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Kylie: I am a first time quilter and I am making a baby quilt for a very dear friend of mine. I am machine piecing it together but I am also appliqueing onto it as well. If I wanted to machine quilt over the top do I quilt over the applique or do quilt first and then stitch my applique on top? IT is probably a silly question but I really what to make sure this works. Thanks for your help Jackee: What a good question! Usually the applique is stitched to the quilt top first, then the machine quilting is done around (not over top) of the applique. So, maybe you will do a free motion type of quilting over the quilt top, up to but not on top of the applique. This will help to emphasize the applique. Good luck!

Mitering Square Corners

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Darlene: The mitered corners of my binding sometimes look more rounded than square when I fold the binding to the back of the quilt and hand stitch. What have I done wrong? Would appreciate any tips. Jackee: When folding the binding to the back of the quilt for hand stitching, make sure you fold it the same way as the front side of the binding, in other words, don't have the fold to the left on the top, and to the right on the backing. That should help keep it square. It is always a wee bit rounded just because of the nature of the thick corners. I hope this helps.

Making a T Shirt Quilt

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Mary: I am making my first t shirt quilt and the logos/pattern are all different sizes. I have already cut some and fused them. I know I will have to fill in odd spaces but not sure how to cut them. The colors are mainly gray and white with a couple of yellow and couple of red. Any suggestions? Jackee: You are on the right track with fusing a backing onto the t-shirt logos. The easiest way to put them all together is to make each logo block the same size. If your largest logo is 10x10", then add fabric to the smaller ones to make up the difference, so they all end up 10x10. Some could have red around and some could have black, etc. Black really frames the blocks nicely. Did you see the two examples on my website? I find it always helps to put them up on the wall -- makes it easier to make a decision re colors. Hope this helps.

Information on Quilt Retreats

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

JoAlla: Do you have any beginner quilt retreats scheduled for this year. I would love to come to a beginners retreat. I have a machine but have only made one quilt for my grandson to be. Other than that I can not sew a button on but need to start somewhere. Jackee: Thank you for asking about beginner retreats, what a good idea. Actually what usually happens is that 2-6 friends get together and book a retreat when it is convenient for them. Do you know any other quilters? Do you have a quilt shop nearby? It is always a good idea to expand your knowledge by taking classes from experienced teachers.

Designing a Denim Quilt

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

May: This is a great web site - THANKS. I have only this year caught the patchwork bug and am 'obsessed!' I am confused as to why you used 2 (tartan) Flannel squares for each denim square in your denim quilt. One of the flannel squares you would not see after construction except for the area of the frayed seam. Did you use the 2 flannel squares to give weight to the denim? Could I not just use some old scrap flannel sheet or something in a complementary/suitable colour instead for this middle layer? I will be on the hunt for some flannel tartan shirts at the next jumble sale - which i have started to go to now to try to find unusual bits of fabric and great place to pick up old cushion covers for about 10/20p and I wash and unpick the zips to re-use! (In keeping with the thrifty nature of patchwork). Thanks again Jackee: Thank you for your comments and enquiry. Yes, of course, you could use anything you like for the center square of the denim quilt. I used two flannel squares so the ragged edge was full and lush, as well as for warmth. I used two plaid squares because I had lots left over from pajamas. I would also like the colors to be similar in value. So, have fun with this, and I look forward to your photo when you've finished the quilt!

Block Dimensions

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:57:42 GMT

Jessica: I have a quick question about your quilt block patterns, in particular the double pinwheel quilt block. The instructions seem straight forward enough, but can you tell me approx how big the finished quilt block will be? Jackee: Thank you for your enquiry. I definitely should have the block dimensions in the instructions. It will be 12 1/2" when you finish sewing it together, or 12" finished in the quilt.