Thoughts from a Seamless Mind

Quilting Technology and Style I am an old fashioned quilter. I started quilting seriously back in a time when there were rules about the “accepted way” quilting was done. That was also back before pizza cutters were discovered as a way to cut fabric rather than bread and pepperoni and only admitted its use in the privacy of our own sewing space and vodka and water was a good way to get the wrinkles out of fabric. I have been through all the trends and phases of quilt design style and eagerly embraced the new tools and technology, although I still resist even touching a long-arm quilting machine. I guess I still think the long-arm quilting machine is only for making bedspreads. I have to admit that I have jumped on that wagon somewhat having designed quilting patterns/motifs for use on the long-arm. So guess I am only half a hypocrite. Now comes the 21st century and the latest trend called “Modern Quilting”. I have conflicting emotions about this trend. I am confused by its title because the style has been around a long time. I recently picked up a magazine at the grocery story with a title “Modern Patchwork” and felt a familiarity as I flipped through the pages then realized the samples were very similar to those in a book/magazine of the same title published in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. So, could it really be true that “everything old comes around again”, but perhaps in another title or updated with new designs and colors of fabrics. On the other hand the fabrics I see in shops are very similar to those fabrics in a quilt I have made in the 1940’s. Now you may think I am bashing this new trend. On the contrary, I embrace it because it may just be giving a boost to quilting in a number of ways. The style can unleash one’s quilting creativity. The more simple shapes and use of “outrageous” fabrics and colors will cause you to think about quilting styles and designs in a different way. The simplicity of patterns releases one from what might have been the tediousness of small pieces and structured patterns. New colors allow one to be bold in their designs. It is a little like my reaction to machine quilting when I realized machine quilting is ok…….now that I can do it. I encourage those reading this rambling about quilting to look to the new technology and trends as a way to freshen up your quilting techniques and style. We all need an occasional change in our routine. It keeps our minds fresh and exciting. But remember, if you do catch the “bug” there might not be a vaccine to cure it. But does that really matter?

What is Right and Wrong in Quiltmaking Techniques

The internet has provided an almost instant source for instructions on how to make a quilt.  There are tutorials everywhere you look. There are YouTube videos showing the smallest details of the craft, but, there are also 10 (or more) different answers to the same basic question. 


All these show the specific technique of the host or writer.  It can be confusing to the person trying to learn this way. 


I tend to look at all this as showing how and leaving out the why.  If we ask our self WHY and then start looking for the HOW, our search might just be easier, less stress free and achieve the results we want.  Below is my "Why List".  This list shows the end results - the how is another matter.

Good Quiltmaking is:

- Respect the nature of the fabric

- Good, clear and accurate patterns and directions

- Accurate marking and measuring

- Accurate cutting

- Accurate piecing

- Good pressing techniques

- Good finishing techniques

- Good overall workmanship


If you master the techniques in the above list, you can do almost anything you want in this great adventure called Quiltmaking!

Make Notecards With Your Quilting Stencils

In theme with our postings of "Things you can use quilting supplies for, other than quilting..." today's tutorial will show how to use stencils to make note cards. This would be a great idea for a last minute holiday present or hostess gift. Here I have done two different methods of making cards.

Glitter Note cards

This first tutorial was originally shown on Martha Stewart- using Stencil Company stencils :)
Here I have gone through the steps a little more thoroughly.

First, choose a stencil, any stencil will do, although think about the size of your note card- you can use a small design or use a part of a larger design to fit.

I chose a 4" Flying Crane Design. You can buy blank card sets that include the envelopes- I got a great deal on the David Tutera Blank card set at Joann's. A 48 pack of cards and envelopes for $6.99. Since all the glitter I had was light, I bought the set of dark cards.

 Trace the design on your card with a pencil. When you take the stencil away you will have the blank spots where the lines don't connect. For your own sanity, go ahead and draw in the rest of the lines. That way when you're holding a bottle of glitter glue you don't have to think about it.

You can use the method where you trace with glue and sprinkle glitter on top, but I found it much easier to buy the glitter glue. I bought mine at Walmart for $0.99 a tube. Trace over the lines with your glitter glue and you're done!

Cut-Out Cards

The second note card project uses a stencil again, but this time we're removing instead of adding. Supplies include a stencil, pencil, cutting mat, two note cards and x-acto knife (a double bladed one will make this go much faster).

When you're choosing a note card think about what colors will look good together. You can either use two note cards or use one note card and a piece of cardstock that you cut to size. Since I wanted to use a larger stencil I cut mine out of heavy cardstock from the scrapbooking section at Michaels Crafts.

Decide which will be your cover (background) and which will be the inner card (design).

Choose a stencil. I used a portion of a wheat border design

Trace your design on to the cover of the card. Since you're cutting away the lines it doesn't matter if you trace on the front or back of the cover, but if you're prone to mistakes always best to trace on the back side. Trace your design with the pencil. This time DO NOT CONNECT THE LINES! You will need these breaks to keep your card from falling apart.

If you have a single blade craft knife you will have to cut twice to get the "channel cut", or you can use a Double Bladed Stencil Cutter which has two blades to make the channel. A Double Bladed Cutter will also ensure that your channels are even.

Cut the design- remember to stop cutting when you get to the break in the line.

I used one blade to go back and cut the ends of the pieces to expose the cut out areas.

When you're all finished insert the inside card. You can leave them sandwiched, or glue it down at the corners if you want.

I'm sure there are many other variations. Drawing with a white wax crayon and watercoloring over top? Paper collage? These are just two ideas, but the possibilities are endless!

Holiday Project and Gift Ideas

If you're like us, I'm sure you have a lot of quilting related tools and gadgets around the house. And maybe you've made all the quilt-related gifts you can...
Over the next few weeks we're going to be posting some ideas so that you can use those gadgets and make some gifts and holiday decorations.

But, before we get too far away from their original purpose, here is our latest Christmas applique project of the moment.

We used Perfect Shape No Melt Applique Circles and a 6 pack of green fat quarters from JoAnn's Fabrics

First we chose a few different sizes of circles- the 3", the 1 1/2" and the 1".

We laid the applique circles out on our fabric and used them as a template to trace the circles.

Here we used a General's Sketch and Wash Pencil, which does remove with water or an eraser, but since we're appliqueing the circles, it really doesn't matter if the lines don't come out as they'll all be covered up.

After tracing, we cut the circles out about 1/4" away from the line.

When all the fabric pieces were cut out, we then reused the applique circles, since they are no-melt, and used them to press the edges of your applique shape. Place the template back on the circle, and then using the iron on a medium setting (or an applique iron if you have one!), press around the template until all of your edges are flat.

After you press around the circle, pull out the plastic applique shape and use it to repeat the step for the next circle.

Another good tip for getting really crisp edges is to use a little bit of liquid starch (1/2 liquid starch, 1/2 water) and using a small paintbrush paint the edges with the mixture before ironing. This will keep the edges crisp and flat, even after you pull the applique template out.

Once all of our circles were ready we traced a large circle onto our white fabric and appliqued our circles around- starting with the larger circles on the bottom, working up to the smaller circles on top.

Here is the wreath after we appliqued all the circles on...

For a finishing touch, we went through our stash and found some really neat buttons that we've been saving since the 80's for that "special project".

We used ours for a small wallhanging, but you can also do this on a shirt, blanket, tote bags, table runner...there are lots of ways to use applique in unique ways.

What are some interesting ways that you have used applique?

A Short Word About Marking Tools

A short video this week to expand on the earlier post about Marking Tools.

Basting and Binding for Beginners

We had a great response to our last video series, "Quilt As Desired", so here is another installment.

This weeks video is "Basting and Binding for Beginners". It includes tips and tricks to help every quilter, from beginners to those of you who have been quilting for years.

Thanks again to our friends at Quilters TV for letting us repost these here.

Quilt Making Rules?

We are often told rather emphatically, that a quilter must, should,  have to, always do such and such or "thats not the way you do it" about making quilts.  There are persons with a legal sounding word attached to the term that are quoted as the authority on the "way" quilting should be done. You know the word and who these folks are.   I am sure there are opinionated folk in every craft or profession.  Where do they get their authority? 

In my 30+ years of quilt making career I have never found a list or book or any other official document that gives the absolute rules for quilt making.  Since I haven't found this information I have decided to make one up.  You won't need a very long piece of paper if you choose to write these down.  Here they are:

Good Quilt Making is Achieved by:

1.   Accurate marking or measuring
2.   Accurate cutting
3.   Accurate piecing.

*Footnote:   Beyond this, it is the interest, skill, desire, ability the quilt maker brings to the art and craft. 

Now let me give you some personal experience.

For many years I designed whole cloth quilts.  No cutting or piecing there.  No colors to match because I drew the designs with black pen on white paper.  If one side of the design was a bit "off" that didn't matter because the balance of the design was the important element.

Then I started (again) teaching basic quilting making.  For some reason the pieces - even the squares and rectangles didn't fit just right.  So, I started ripping out.  I ripped not to just redo but to find out what was wrong.  I discovered that I was losing control the last 1/2" of the seams.  Therefore, the pieces were not fitting together as they should.   Do I make my point?  I decided right then that you can certainly teach old folks new tricks.

Accuracy is important and if it doesn't happen, then go back and figure out why.  It sure cuts down on my frustration and it will for you as well.