The Quilt Lovers Blog

A Home Based Business that started out as a Hobby

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:55:50 GMT

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

GRANDMA'S FLOWER GARDEN - FIFTY YEARS IN THE MAKING!

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:49:45 GMT

My mother started this quilt when she was pregnant with my oldest of four brothers in 1953-54. She'd sew a little and then put it aside and start on

PAPER PIECED 56X56

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:46:02 GMT

This was made for my neighbor's mom for Christmas 2009. She will soon turn 84 and will be so surprised to see pics of herself and her husband on

Colleen's Over The Rainbow quilt

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:57:04 GMT

The second collection of Wizard of OZ fabrics tells the story of Dorothy and Toto landing in Munchkin Land. The Good With Glenda is the star of this

Colleen's Journey to THE LAND OF OZ

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:51:55 GMT

Hi I am Colleen Pollock from Duncan,Oklahoma. I recently sent Jackee pictures of the quilts I have made using the Wizard of Oz fabrics from Quilting

Colleens's UNDER THE RAINBOW quilt

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:51:11 GMT

The first collection of Wizard of OZ fabrics depicts the beginning of the movie in sepia tones, the panels with Dorothy and Toto are telling the

Colleen's Follow The Yellow Brick Road quilt

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:50:37 GMT

The third in my series of quilts depicting The Wizard of OZ continues with Dorothy, The Tin Man, The Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion on the following

Colleen's Wonderful Wizard of OZ quilt

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:49:53 GMT

The fourth in my series of quilts using Quilting Treasures Wizard of OZ fabrics depicts the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz. The greens, turquoise

Colleen's Wizard of OZ quilt for Heather Ann

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:49:06 GMT

After finishing the last in my series of Wizard of OZ quilts I wanted to use up as many of my scraps as I could. My niece Heather Ann is very special

Batik Puzzle quilt

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:48:03 GMT

My first excursion into the world of Batiks. I really had a challenge in choosing the right color gradations for each block section to match. Each and

Closeup of Batik Puzzle quilt

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:45:02 GMT

Here is a closeup of my Batik Puzzle

Quilting Retreat August 2009 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast - AWESOME!!

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:54:08 GMT

Quilting Retreat August 2009 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast see the pictures of my clients finished projects

Quilting Retreat July 2009 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast - AWESOME!!

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:29:31 GMT

Quilting Retreat July 2009 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast see the pictures of my clients finished projects

Visit My New Blog

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:23:57 GMT

Hello Quilt Lovers - I have recently developed a new blog to help with all your questions and comments. I also will be posting the goings on each week and assisting you with "how to quilt". So click the link and lets hear from you! - Jackee

Quilting Retreat Mar 2008 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast - AWESOME!!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:36:58 GMT

Quilting Retreat Mar2009 The Best of Both Worlds, Quilting Retreat and the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia

Quilting Retreat Mar12009 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast - AWESOME!!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:00:32 GMT

Quilting Retreat Mar12009 on the Canadian Sunshine Coast - AWESOME!!

Paper piecing is easy...

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:09:29 GMT

Being a traditional strip piecing quilter, I am not. The only quilt piecing I do is paper piecing or foundational piecing. I find it easy, goes

My hues of Blues Quilt

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:03:06 GMT

Five years ago, when the ceramics shops started closing in our town, I knew I had to have another hobby to be able to ease into intelligently. Working

Looking for a "Petless" Quilter

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:30:08 GMT

Deborah writes: I like to embroidery by hand. I do not sew nor quilt. I have made quite a few projects in the last year or so that need to be completed. I am looking for a "PETLESS Quilter". I have severe allergies to pet hair. If I even walk into a home where a cat lives I begin to sneeze and my eyes swell up, my nose runs and until I shower and wait for a few hours I don't clear up. I get like this even if I do my son's laundry after he goes riding the horse. I need someone to sew my embroidered lap quilt tops to a backing, bind them, then quilt them. I have lap quilts, pillow tops, baby quilts, lots of projects that need to be finished. So I need someone willing to sew in addition to quilting and they MUST be petless. I recently visited a couple of the quilt shops and they provided me with about 7 names of local quilters but upon calling them they all have pets in their home. Can you help put me in touch with someone who does the sewing, quilting and is petless? I would really appreciate any help you can provide to me. Thank you very much. Jackee replies: Wow, being so allergic to pets is a huge problem. While I love to finish quilts for others (including any sewing, quilting, binding), unfortunately I too have pets, as do other quilters I know. Would you consider getting the work completed, and then washing everything to get rid of the offending pet hair. The only other thing I can think of is to keep contacting quilt shops and talking to local area quilters until you find one who is pet free. Check with shops in towns nearby and gradually reach further (neighbouring states) if you have to. I'm certain there must be someone who can help you. I'm not sure how many machine quilters there are in California, but I do know there are hundreds (maybe thousands now) of machine quilters in Washington State, so don't give up hope! Perhaps you need to reach out to the colder more northern states to find the quilter for you. Your local quilt shop might also know of an Amish or Mennonite group which would be willing to take this work on. They often supply hand quilting services. I wish you luck finding the help you need. Please let me know, in case others are in need of a "petless quilter". If there are any quilters out there who do not have pets and are willing to take on projects for allergic folks let me know and I will post your names and contact information on my web site

Dresden Plate Help!!

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:56:53 GMT

Hi Jackee my name is Lyn read from Australia I am interested in making some Dresden plate centre's to get the feel for it before embarking on a quilt. I am house bound at the moment due to surgery I do not have the paper you suggested in pattern 3 for Dresden Plate but do have the template. I do have a rotary cutter but have never used it yet as I am a beginner at quilting is it best to start off with just a couple of different colours to get used to making this project. Also do you suggest scissors or rotary cutter to cut fabric out with. Any hints or advice would be appreciated. Thank you Lyn Jackee answers: Hello Lyn -- thank you for your enquiry. The Dresden Plate block is great one to embark on and it is good that you have a template. You can cut more paper templates out of magazine backs or fronts, and those annoying little subscription cards they stick in them. Because you have not used your rotary cutter yet, I think you should cut your fabric pieces with scissors. Make sure when cutting, that you have left a generous 1/4" seam allowance -- it just makes it a little easier to baste the fabric to the paper. Rotary cutters are wonderful for those long straight cuts, but a little more awkward for the curves. Because there are generally 16 petals in the Dresden Plate, using two or four colors makes it simple. Good luck with your project, your recovery, and please feel free to email me if you have further questions. I would love a picture of your project if possible -- I always love to see what other quilters are doing! Happy Quilting!!

Rotary Cutters can do serious damage!!

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:25:29 GMT

Suzanne comments: I couldn't agree with you more about being sure to close your rotary cutters after each use. I was always a stickler about that but, one day, my husband was helping me cut out squares for a quick rag quilt for a baby present. The next day, I was reaching across my cutting table to get some fabric and my rotary cutters, which were hanging on a peg board, slipped off the peg and came down on my thumb. It wouldn't have been a problem but, my husband forgot to close them the day before when he was using them! I instantly knew it was serious. I found out, after getting a quick appointment with my doctor, that I had severed the tendon in my thumb. I had to have surgery to reattach the tendon. I had a cast on for over 6 weeks... which just about killed me because I am a sewing addict and couldn't wait to get back to sewing, etc. You're more them welcomed to use a picture of my hand in a cast to remind ladies (and gents) of the consequences of NOT closing their rotary cutters. Jackee replies: Suzanne -- thank you for your story! We would be delighted to get a photo of you in your cast, just to hammer that message home. I have to confess that I have had close calls, and the odd wee nick, but nothing like your accident. It must have been wonderful to have your husband's help with cutting, but I bet you were cursing him when your thumb got cut. I bet he never left a blade open again! I certainly hear your frustration with six weeks of no cutting and sewing!

Grand Mothers Flower Garden

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:16:41 GMT

Connie asks: I'm attempting to make a Grandmothers Flower Garden Quilt. I'm a beginner. I've cut out all of the hexagons, and now I'm going to try and hand sew them together, but I'm not sure how to do this, meaning do I start with the center hexagon first, then sewing the others to it, which looks like that is not the way to do this. I'm sooo confused. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks Connie! Don't despair -- you CAN do this! First of all, are you basting the hexagons to papers, or are you just sewing the fabric pieces together? If you are basting the fabric to paper template, first do all the basting for one block, so you have the hexagons ready to stitch together. Then starting with the center one, add one at a time. Put two right sides together and whip stitch the edge (similar to how the Dresden Plate pieces are whipstitched under "Learn to Quilt -- Dresden Plate Block"). Add another hexagon, right sides together and whip stitch two sides. You can either do one round of hexagons around your center, or two rounds. If you are just using fabrics without papers, then you need to draw your hexagon outline on the back of the fabrics, and sew two together along one side only. Add another hexagon and sew it along two sides. Keep going like this until the circle of hexagons is complete. I think it is easier to use paper templates. I hope this helps..... did you see my "Moms Flower Garden" in My Quilt Gallery? It was pieced using paper hexagons. Please let me know if you need me to post some photos of how to make the Flower Garden.

Comments from a New Quilter

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:16:41 GMT

Margret comments: I am just learning to quilt and just came across your site. I take my first quilting class next week and I am very excited. I live in Seattle and I see that you live in Sechelt. I am anxious to start going thru your website. I just had to email you since I saw that you lived in Sechelt. I will probably have lots of questions soon. Thank you Margaret Jackee replies: Thank you for viewing our website. I'm so excited for you and wish you luck with your quilting class. You will have sooooo much fun! If you have any questions, I would be delighted to assist in any way I can. Please let me know how your classes are going, and what you are learning. Are you starting with a sampler quilt, or another project?

Seams...

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:04:27 GMT

June inquires: We live in outback Australia and our group is trying to teach itself quilting. Could you please tell me if you finish off the seams with overcasting or just leave them bare? thank you, June Jackee replies:Hello June -- thank you for visiting my website, and presenting a most interesting question. In quilting we sew our seams, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Because we use cottons, which don't generally fray along the edges, we do not need to overcast the raw edges. Also, the seam allowances will be nestled against the batting (or wadding I think it is called in Australia), and should not be a problem. If I were quilting with silk or another fabric which frays a lot, then I would possibly overcast the raw edges, or sew my seams using a serger rather than my sewing machine. I hope this helps and that you will visit my site often. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. June replies: Thank you so much for answering our question. No doubt we will need further help as we go along. We live about 535km from the closest larger town so getting to quilting groups is a problem so we have to teach ourselves as best we can. I found your web site very interesting. Thank you again. June

English Paper Piecing

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:04:27 GMT

Lyn asks: Jackee, thank you very much I found the Dresden Plate Pattern. I now have another question to ask you please what is English Paper Piecing I have never heard of it before. Best wishes Lyn Jackee replies Hi Lyn -- English Paper Piecing is a method of piecing which uses paper as a stabilizer. First, by hand, you baste the fabric to the paper (it is a little heavier than writing paper, but not as sturdy as cardboard). You hand sew right through the fabric and the paper, then you use a whipstitch to sew the sides together. When you have finished your block, then you can remove the basting and the papers, and reuse the paper. This method has been used for over a hundred years to make Grandmother's Flower Garden, Dresden Plate, and Baby Blocks, to name a few. I have done a whole quilt of Grandmother's Flower garden using 1 1/2" hexagons. It is one I am hand quilting, and will take me a long time to finish. You can see it in "My Quilt Gallery" on my website.

T Shirt Quilt

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:50:47 GMT

T Shirt Quilt Well, how lucky am I to have come across your website? I have been asked to do a t-shirt quilt for someone who has been looking for someone to do it for 18 years!!! No one would try it. Now I feel like I have the confidence to help this man who wants to keep his souvenir t-shirts he got during his service in the Gulf War! Thank you very much. MJ

Muppet Quilt

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:50:47 GMT

jill asks: I really loved looking through your site (for the last hour or so!) could you perhaps help me with some ideas for the quilt im working on at the moment its for a baby quilt (by the time he gets it he may be a teenager!!) I have appliqued four 20in muppet blocks but I cant decide how to join them.. i thought maybe rows of bright 4 or so inch squares or quarter triangles or something like that..any ideas would be helpful, (I havnt worked from a pattern so oops Im a bit lost...) many thanks and keep up the great work Thank you for a very informative site. Lots of handy tips yours in quilting Jill Jackee repliesHi Jill -- thank you for your kind comments about my website. Your muppet quilt sounds so cute! Are the blocks straight on, or can you place them "on point"? If they are straight on, then I love the idea of strips of color between. I like the idea of a strip of 4" squares between, which would make your quilt 52" square (assuming you go all around too). Are you ok with that size? Otherwise you could put maybe 2" or 2 1/2" strips for sashing between your blocks, and then all around the perimeter. What would it look like with black & white sashing, then a 4" colorful border all around (pick one of the colors in your muppet blocks (red or orange or a mixture?). Take a look at the T-shirt quilt on my website -- there is a separate navigation button for that. You could get the same effect as I did with the black and white check fabric. I hope this helps, and good luck with your project. Please submit it to our "Share your Quilt" page when it is finished! I would love to see it!!

Fabric for the Splash of Blues quilt

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:14:28 GMT

Deborah asks: In your splash of blues quilt for the border you used blue and purple sunflower batik. I am searching for this fabric. Can you tell me the manufacturer. Do you know where I might find 1 or 2 yards? Thank you very much for your time and help. Jackee replies: Hello Deborah: The blue/purple sunflower batik is very beautiful. Unfortunately that particular one is from a few years ago, so it may be difficult to find now. The same company (there is no name on the selvedge of a similar one) keeps coming out with different colors in the same print and they are all beautiful. Depending on the part of the country you reside, I know that Carola's Quilt Shop in Gibsons BC, carries some of the line as well as other quilt stores in Vancouver BC, (The Cloth Shop for example). There's an online fabric store I frequently purchase from, and to see if they have it, click the permalink and then click onto Fabric.com Good luck in your quest!

Finishing Seams

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:10:51 GMT

June asks: We live in outback Australia and our group is trying to teach itself quilting. Could you please tell me if you finish off the seams with overcasting or just leave them bare? thank you, June Jackee replies; Thank you for visiting my website, and presenting a most interesting question. In quilting we sew our seams, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Because we use cottons, which don't generally fray along the edges, we do not need to overcast the raw edges. Also, the seam allowances will be nestled against the batting (or wadding I think it is called in Australia), and should not be a problem. If I were quilting with silk or another fabric which frays a lot, then I would possibly overcast the raw edges, or sew my seams using a serger rather than my sewing machine. I hope this helps there is a lot to learn in my website so visit often. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Anniversary Quilts

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:49:25 GMT

My sister-in-law and her husband were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this past June 2008. I wanted to make them some cozy quilts to keep

Questions from a beginner quilter

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:32:14 GMT

Catherine asks: I am a beginner..Iam still having trouble. I'm impatient.. I would like to know the pricing for you to long arm my projects.4 table runners all sandwhiched 14 1/2 by 90 inches Something very basic with binding put on? Alo I hava a window quilt I was trying to make it a quillow but I can not figure the pillow part of it. I dont have a pattern.The quilt is 60 by 60 again simple quilting on it. Thank-you Jackee responds: Catherine! Your email sounded so frustrated and I would like to help you. Are you frustrated with piecing, or with trying to machine quilt or ?? Please be detailed and I will try to assist. To quilt the runners on my longarm would probably cost around $40-50 each for the quilting, plus $1.50 per foot to sew the binding onto the top (then you could hand stitch the back). The 14 1/2 X 90" runner would be 17.4" around the edge, so the binding would cost $26. If you wished me to sew the binding to the back, and then turn it to the front and topstitch it, the cost is $2.25 per foot (17.4 times $2.25 would be $39. I have not made a quillow, but have seen lots of them made, and a pattern definitely helps, especially for new quilters. Do you have a quilt store nearby? I find that most quilters who work in the quilt stores (with a few exceptions of course) are very helpful. What area do you live in? I will see if I can figure out a quillow pattern and post it on my website. The quilting of the quilt part only would probably cost between $95 and $135. The cost is dependent upon how many hours it takes to complete the quilting, and it is easier for me to determine that when I actually see the project.

Question on joining Blocks

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:44:36 GMT

Jill asks: I really loved looking through your site (for the last hour or so!) could you perhaps help me with some ideas for the quilt im working on at the moment its for a baby quilt (by the time he gets it he may be a teenager!!) I have appliqued four 20in muppet blocks but I cant decide how to join them.. i thought maybe rows of bright 4 or so inch squares or quarter triangles or something like that..any ideas would be helpful, (I havnt worked from a pattern so oops Im a bit lost... many thanks and keep up the great work. yours in quilting - Jill Jackee Replies: Hi Jill -- thank you for your kind comments about my website. Your Muppet quilt sounds so cute! Are the blocks straight on, or can you place them "on point"? If they are straight on, then I love the idea of strips of color between. I like the idea of a strip of 4" squares between, which would make your quilt 52" square (assuming you go all around too). Are you ok with that size? Otherwise you could put maybe 2" or 2 1/2" strips for sashing between your blocks, and then all around the perimeter. What would it look like with black & white sashing, then a 4" colorful border all around (pick one of the colors in your muppet blocks (red or orange or a mixture?). Take a look at the T-shirt quilt on my website -- there is a separate button for that. You could get the same effect as I did with the black and white check fabric. I hope this helps, and good luck with your project. Please submit it to our "Share your Quilt" page when it is finished! I would love to see it!!

English Paper Piecing

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:44:36 GMT

Lyn asks: Thank you very much I have found the Dresden Plate Pattern. I now have another question to ask you please what is English Paper Piecing I have never heard of it before. Jackee replies: English Paper Piecing is a method of piecing which uses paper as a stabilizer. First, by hand, you baste the fabric to the paper (it is a little heavier than writing paper, but not as sturdy as cardboard). You hand sew right through the fabric and the paper, then you use a whipstitch to sew the sides together. When you have finished your block, then you can remove the basting and the papers, and reuse the paper. This method has been used for over a hundred years to make Grandmother's Flower Garden, Dresden Plate, and Baby Blocks, to name a few. I have done a whole quilt of Grandmother's Flower garden using 1 1/2" hexagons. It is one I am hand quilting, and will take me a long time to finish. You can see it in "My Quilt Gallery" on my website.

How to make a Dresden Plate

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:08:25 GMT

Lyn asks: Hullo my name is Lyn from Qld Australia, I am new to the fascinating craft of quilting and would appreciate any tips or advice you could give me please especially for a Dresden plate I have a lot of spare bits of material from other crafts and would like to practise on learning how to do this before going on to other different patterns. Thank you Jackee replies:Hello Lyn, welcome to the wonderful world of Quilting! We have instructions on Quilt-Lovers-Guide.com to help you make your Dresden Plate. Click on the "Learn to Quilt" button, then scroll down to where it lists the blocks, -- you will find the Dresden Plate listed. Click on Dresden Plate, and you will find all the instructions to make the block, complete with pictures. If you need further assistance, please let me know. Good luck with your project! When completed, you can show it to us on the "Share your Quilt" page.

My Open House and Sale!!!

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:45:06 GMT

Well, a big thank you to all of you who attended my Quilt Studio Open House on Aug 23rd and 24th. The week preceding it was incredibly busy, not only getting quilts ready to show and clearing out the studio, but we had a couple of house guests all week! Whew!!! The traffic through the Open House on the weekend was steady, and quilters are always full of fun so it was great! Tons of giggles!! Lots of people got to view my 62 quilts that were hung throughout the studio and the Retreat Suite. Many quilters who have known me for two or more years found out that I also do Machine Quilting for others, as well as have Quilt Retreats here in my studio. So, all in all it was a great weekend. I had two wonderful surprises one old customer from when I used to work at The Cloth Shop in North Vancouver arrived along with the friend she was staying with on the Coast, as well as her daughter. It was lovely to see her again. And, another customer of mine from North Vancouver came she has been living on the Sunshine Coast for about 3 years! I love surprises!!!! Speaking of surprises, the lucky winner of the 2 for 1 draw is Sheila Hunter of Bowen Island. She gets to come for a retreat, staying two nights for the price of one. In other words, for $95 she gets to stay in our Retreat Suite for two nights, sew for two days, get pampered by having all meals served, coffee/tea made whenever she wishes, and snacks and baking provided. All Sheila has to do is book the time and show up with her sewing machine and her projects! There was also some interest in the classes Im offering please check the website for more information, and sign up soon as I only take four students per class! We will be posting pictures as soon as the hubby gets them processed. Take care, and happy quilting! Jackee.

Interested in Quilting Retreats

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:53:03 GMT

Marilyn asks: I am interested in your quilting retreats. Jackee answers: Hi Marilyn, thank you for your interest in quilting retreats. Do you have a couple of friends you wish to book a retreat with, or would you like to join a couple of other quilters who want to come along on their own? I do have a couple of people interested in a September retreat, and will shortly be sending out the dates available. Would September work for you? We all have so much fun at retreats, as well as getting so much work done. It is such a great way to complete those UFO's, although some people like to book a class and start something new. If you read my last newsletter, then you know that even a novice sewer can complete a King Size quilt top in two days!!! That was pretty amazing!

A trip to the APNQ show in Seattle, WA.

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:54:07 GMT

I just got back from a fabulous quilt show in Seattle the Association of Pacific Northwest Quiters! It was so great and also a little intimidating. I joined about 40 other quilters on a bus in North Vancouver about 6:45 in the morning. We arrived at the show about 10:30. As usual, my little group of friends went to the Merchant Mall first. It was huge and full of wonderful things new kits, new fabrics, all manner of items. We were there for a couple of hours, then had a little lunch, and because we had to be back at the bus by 3:15, we had to hurry through the show. Some of the other quilters from North Vancouver carpooled to Seattle and stayed a couple of days. Needless to say, they had a lot more time to take in the intricacies of the quilt show. Thank goodness we were on the bus we got to relax all the way home with a quick dinner stop at Bellis Fair in Bellingham. What an incredible day! Im sure we all came back bursting with ideas. I know I did.

How do I mark the centres of my quilt layers?

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:32:30 GMT

Colette asks: How do I mark the centres of my quilt layers? How exactly do I match the centres? Jackee replies: Hi Colette! Once you have marked the center of one edge of your backing per the instructions on the website for "Basting and Layering" your quilt, you also find the center of the edge of your batting and place a pin there. Center the batting on top of the backing. You can also place a pin at the center (along the edge) of your quilt top or just eyeball it, and place it on top of the batting. After smoothing it all out, you can go ahead and spray or pin the three layers together. I hope this answers your question

More Quilter Comments!!

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:22:42 GMT

Sofia comments: I just want to say thank you for all the tips, instructions, and specially for the love you put on this page, I can feel the lovely thoughts and the caring you put on here and is highly appreciated. May God bless you always!!

Quilters Comments

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:21:17 GMT

Jackie writes: Oh, I always have questions, but I am writing today to just thank you for this great site! I come here frequently just to read others' questions and your answers. Being new to quilting, I read about things I don't even realize I don't know. Good job, Jackee! (and, of course, thanks to the other visitors to the site!)

Question on machine quilting older fabric

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:26:10 GMT

Gingie writes: I have two quilt tops which were in my husband's family. We think that his mother and his grandmother made them. If I send you a close-up photo of a square can you tell me what the pattern is called?They appear to be hand-stitched. Is it a huge boo-boo if I have them finished by machine? Jackee replies: how lucky you are to have two quilt tops from your husband's family!! Please do send a photo and I will try to identify the pattern. I would love to see them! Regarding the quilting of these tops, there are, of course, two differing opinions on this. Some will say that they should only be hand quilted, and while that would be a wonderful solution, if it is never going to happen then I believe it is better to have them machine quilted so that they can be used and loved. They should be machine quilted by a professional quilter who is sensitive to the history of them, so that she and you can choose the best way to quilt them and not necessarily do an overall pattern. As an example, I have two Dresden Plate quilt tops from the 1930s and I will stipple the backgrounds on them so that the Dresden Plates are emphasized. I'm sure they would not have been quilted in that manner in the 30s, but it is a great way to show off any applique, as well as provide a lot of stability to the older fabrics. I hope this helps, and I look forward to receiving your photos.

Quilting with different types of fabric

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:26:10 GMT

Maddie asks: I am fairly new to quilting (I have completed one quilt and am working on a second) and have a question about making a quilt with an extremely varied fabric selection. I'm planning to make a quilt with some of my grandma's clothing, but because of my inexperience, I don't know exactly how to deal with the fabrics. There are various different types of fabric (polyesters, silks, cotton knits, etc.) in the selection of fabric that I plan to use, so of course they are all different thicknesses and textures. (They have all been washed several times and have held up very well to the extensive wear.) Is it probable that they can be securely combined to make a lasting quilt with fabrics that are so diverse? I don't know any experienced quilters personally, so I'm looking for any information on what I may need to do to the fabrics so that the quilt will be as sturdy as possible. Hopefully this isn't too broad a queston, but any help that you may be able to give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. :) Jackee replies: what good questions you ask!! I think it is wonderful that you are making a quilt from your Grandma's clothing, and yes, you can do that. The polyester is never going to wear out, so it will be good and sturdy, although it is usually a little stretchy, as is the cotton knit. It might be a good idea to stabilize those fabrics with a woven fusible backing. I'm not sure what kind of silk you have, but it is probably a lot finer than the other fabrics and therefore will probably be the first to show some wear. It could also use a fusible backing just to bulk it up a bit as well as stabilize. I hope this helps, Maddie, and I would love to see the end result on our "Share Your Quilts" page of the website.

I Spy Quilts so much fun to make and play with the kids

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:22:53 GMT

I Spy Quilts so much fun to make and play with the kids

quilt of the month

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:17:21 GMT

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

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:54:54 GMT

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

CARLA'S QUILT

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:22:06 GMT

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

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:52:40 GMT

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

The Tennessee Waltz pattern intrigues me.

Sat, 24 May 2008 02:54:23 GMT

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!!

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:56:46 GMT

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.

Display your quilt in creative ways in unique locations

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:12:37 GMT

Learn creative ways to display your quilt