Quilting|
Oct
08
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
Quilters who are not already a machine embroidery enthusiast just may find themselves engrossed in the craft once they realize they could incorporate machine embroidery into their quilting.
Embroidery is a traditional way to add special decorative touches to quilts. Whether by hand or machine, a quilter may accent his or her creation with embroidered flowers or other accents. But today’s machine embroidery - for those willing to try it - can make quilting quite different.
For instance, a quilter may use a simple embroidery design to let the machine “quilt” the project. Simple designs that can be stitched in one color work best, especially for the beginning machine embroidery quilter.
If you want to give this a try, look for an embroidery design that’s simple - one that you can visualize stitched into a quilt. Some redwork inspired designs work well. Other simple designs like flowers, circles, sun/moon, houses, hearts - there are all sorts of designs to choose from - can work well as quilting stitches.
Be sure to keep your quilt top’s theme in mind. We all know and love the traditional beauty of the double wedding ring quilt. While the quilt top is beautiful with its color variety, the quilt back is just as pretty with its simple stitching that follows the design on the top.
Have you ever needed to throw together a quick quilt? Many quilting pros laugh at the notion, but sometimes we need a quick gift to give and want to make it personal. Lap quilts and baby quilts are very easy to create on an embroidery machine.
Simply hoop your top fabric, batting and backing fabric into an embroidery hoop. Pick a design and get to work! Even if you are quilting solid color fabrics, you can complete a quick, beautiful quilt with the embroidery machine in no time!
Some ideas for a baby blanket for a boy would be to use outlines of footballs, airplanes, trucks, trains, etc., for your quilting pattern. The hardest part of your job will be re-hooping fabric and pushing the “start” button!
Ideas for a baby blanket for a girl include outlines of flowers, baskets, dolls, kittens, etc.
The method above uses machine embroidery on relatively small quilts. Larger quilts can be done the same way or may be quilted with machine embroidery by individual quilt blocks. Experiment to decide which method is easiest for you and remember that the machine embroidery quilting method may change with each unique project.
If you can’t find a pattern you like already on embroidery file, ask a digitizer to help you create one. A digitizer is someone who takes art images like line drawings, clip art and fonts and alters them to become a stitch pattern. So if you’d like for your family tree wall hanging to be quilted with a tree pattern, a digitizer can create one for you.
Be sure to let your digitizer know you plan to use the image for quilting. The digitizer will need to plan stitches accordingly.
Quilting is rich in tradition and therefore many true-blue quilters do not like the idea of using machine embroidery to quilt their projects. Isn’t it great to try new ideas and techniques? Remember, not to long ago quilters refused to consider machine quilting at all! Embroidery machines will never take the place of quilters, but it can be a fun and rewarding sewing technique to try from time to time.
JEFFREY
Quilters who are not already a machine embroidery enthusiast just may find themselves engrossed in the craft once they realize they could incorporate machine embroidery into their quilting.
Embroidery is a traditional way to add special decorative touches to quilts. Whether by hand or machine, a quilter may accent his or her creation with embroidered flowers or other accents. But today’s machine embroidery - for those willing to try it - can make quilting quite different.
For instance, a quilter may use a simple embroidery design to let the machine “quilt” the project. Simple designs that can be stitched in one color work best, especially for the beginning machine embroidery quilter.
If you want to give this a try, look for an embroidery design that’s simple - one that you can visualize stitched into a quilt. Some redwork inspired designs work well. Other simple designs like flowers, circles, sun/moon, houses, hearts - there are all sorts of designs to choose from - can work well as quilting stitches.
Be sure to keep your quilt top’s theme in mind. We all know and love the traditional beauty of the double wedding ring quilt. While the quilt top is beautiful with its color variety, the quilt back is just as pretty with its simple stitching that follows the design on the top.
____________________________________________________________________
Have you ever needed to throw together a quick quilt? Many quilting pros laugh at the notion, but sometimes we need a quick gift to give and want to make it personal. Lap quilts and baby quilts are very easy to create on an embroidery machine.
Simply hoop your top fabric, batting and backing fabric into an embroidery hoop. Pick a design and get to work! Even if you are quilting solid color fabrics, you can complete a quick, beautiful quilt with the embroidery machine in no time!
Some ideas for a baby blanket for a boy would be to use outlines of footballs, airplanes, trucks, trains, etc., for your quilting pattern. The hardest part of your job will be re-hooping fabric and pushing the “start” button!
Ideas for a baby blanket for a girl include outlines of flowers, baskets, dolls, kittens, etc.
The method above uses machine embroidery on relatively small quilts. Larger quilts can be done the same way or may be quilted with machine embroidery by individual quilt blocks. Experiment to decide which method is easiest for you and remember that the machine embroidery quilting method may change with each unique project.
If you can’t find a pattern you like already on embroidery file, ask a digitizer to help you create one. A digitizer is someone who takes art images like line drawings, clip art and fonts and alters them to become a stitch pattern. So if you’d like for your family tree wall hanging to be quilted with a tree pattern, a digitizer can create one for you.
Be sure to let your digitizer know you plan to use the image for quilting. The digitizer will need to plan stitches accordingly.
Quilting is rich in tradition and therefore many true-blue quilters do not like the idea of using machine embroidery to quilt their projects. Isn’t it great to try new ideas and techniques? Remember, not to long ago quilters refused to consider machine quilting at all! Embroidery machines will never take the place of quilters, but it can be a fun and rewarding sewing technique to try from time to time.
JEFFREY
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Aug
25
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
two kinds of necktie quilts. In one, fabric is cut to resemble neckties and sewn into the quilt block. The other actually incorporates men’s neckties into the quilt design. Using men’s neckties in quilts is an extremely popular trend.
In addition to being a current trend, the necktie quilts have enjoyed popularity over many decades due to the fact that they can be great memory quilts honoring the men in your life.
If you want to make a necktie quilt using men’s ties, you have several options. First, you need to decide if you will use the tie as is, incorporating the entire tie into your quilt design. Your other option is to use the ties as scrap fabrics, cutting pieces from each to complete a traditional quilt pattern.
Quilters who like to use neckties in traditional patterns often choose to use them as fabrics in Dresden Plate, Double Wedding Ring, and block patchwork among others.
If you opt to use the entire necktie in your quilt, you might start off by arranging them to form a starburst in the center of the quilt. Fill empty spaces with other fabrics, or more neckties if you have them.
You could also choose to use the neckties in your quilt’s border.
In addition to full size quilts, you could use the neckties to make wall hangings, Christmas tree skirts and stockings, or pillows.
If you have the urge to make a necktie quilt, but don’t have enough ties on hand, ask friends and family to save them for your project. Also, visit thrift stores and yard sales to grow your own collection of men’s neckties.
If you have plenty of ties on hand, but are having a tough time finding a starting place, visit your favorite free quilt pattern site to see what it offers. There are many free or low cost quilt patterns available on the Internet. You have a world of options at your fingertips if you are planning to use the old neckties in piecing your quilts.
If your necktie quilt is a memory quilt for a friend or family member, make sure to incorporate other mementos into it. For instance, if your father loved golf, try working a golf tie or golf themed fabric into your design of the quilt you are making for him or in honor of him.
Quilters who are low on neckties or time can create a wonderful memory lap quilt. Smaller in size means it takes less time to complete. While smaller in size, the necktie lap quilt can still be big on memories!
To make a quilt featuring fabric cutouts of men’s neckties, you have a couple of options. You may make the traditional neck tie or you may choose a bow tie pattern. Both are popular and widely available on the internet.
Applique quilters over piecing can use that method in making necktie quilts. If using the entire necktie, it may be appliqu?onto the quilt top wherever the quilter chooses. Using tie shaped pieces of fabric, the quilter may choose to appliqu?hose to a quilt top. The bowtie quilt design may also be appliquedd, but part of its novelty is how the blocks actually piece together to create a bowtie.
Once your necktie quilt project is complete, you can use any remaining neckties you have left over for other projects. Popular ways to recycle neckties include wearing them as belts or headbands or making skirts from them. You can find various instructions and patterns for those projects on the Internet as well.
IVORY
two kinds of necktie quilts. In one, fabric is cut to resemble neckties and sewn into the quilt block. The other actually incorporates men’s neckties into the quilt design. Using men’s neckties in quilts is an extremely popular trend.
In addition to being a current trend, the necktie quilts have enjoyed popularity over many decades due to the fact that they can be great memory quilts honoring the men in your life.
If you want to make a necktie quilt using men’s ties, you have several options. First, you need to decide if you will use the tie as is, incorporating the entire tie into your quilt design. Your other option is to use the ties as scrap fabrics, cutting pieces from each to complete a traditional quilt pattern.
Quilters who like to use neckties in traditional patterns often choose to use them as fabrics in Dresden Plate, Double Wedding Ring, and block patchwork among others.
If you opt to use the entire necktie in your quilt, you might start off by arranging them to form a starburst in the center of the quilt. Fill empty spaces with other fabrics, or more neckties if you have them.
You could also choose to use the neckties in your quilt’s border.
____________________________________________________________________
In addition to full size quilts, you could use the neckties to make wall hangings, Christmas tree skirts and stockings, or pillows.
If you have the urge to make a necktie quilt, but don’t have enough ties on hand, ask friends and family to save them for your project. Also, visit thrift stores and yard sales to grow your own collection of men’s neckties.
If you have plenty of ties on hand, but are having a tough time finding a starting place, visit your favorite free quilt pattern site to see what it offers. There are many free or low cost quilt patterns available on the Internet. You have a world of options at your fingertips if you are planning to use the old neckties in piecing your quilts.
If your necktie quilt is a memory quilt for a friend or family member, make sure to incorporate other mementos into it. For instance, if your father loved golf, try working a golf tie or golf themed fabric into your design of the quilt you are making for him or in honor of him.
Quilters who are low on neckties or time can create a wonderful memory lap quilt. Smaller in size means it takes less time to complete. While smaller in size, the necktie lap quilt can still be big on memories!
To make a quilt featuring fabric cutouts of men’s neckties, you have a couple of options. You may make the traditional neck tie or you may choose a bow tie pattern. Both are popular and widely available on the internet.
Applique quilters over piecing can use that method in making necktie quilts. If using the entire necktie, it may be appliqu?onto the quilt top wherever the quilter chooses. Using tie shaped pieces of fabric, the quilter may choose to appliqu?hose to a quilt top. The bowtie quilt design may also be appliquedd, but part of its novelty is how the blocks actually piece together to create a bowtie.
Once your necktie quilt project is complete, you can use any remaining neckties you have left over for other projects. Popular ways to recycle neckties include wearing them as belts or headbands or making skirts from them. You can find various instructions and patterns for those projects on the Internet as well.
IVORY
Comments Off
Aug
19
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
Keepsake quilting is one of the most popular reasons people begin to learn the craft. Maybe a daughter is getting married, or a first grandchild is on the way. Both wedding and births are popular occasions to give a keepsake quilt. But where do you start if you are new to quilting all together?
There are plenty of sources to help beginners get into keepsake quilting. Check the books in your local library. Another great source is the Internet. Look for quilting clubs that offer quilting demonstrations online for a little extra help.
Perhaps the easiest way to start your keepsake quilting project is to select the design or pattern you want to use. The “Double Wedding Ring” pattern is popular for weddings and anniversaries. Simple patchwork quilts are easy to make for babies. Other popular keepsake quilts for babies and children are “Sunbonnet Sue” and “Overall Sam” designs.
If you are making your first quilt, you might not be aware of level of difficulty of the patterns you are searching through. Don’t worry about it. You will be happier with the results if you complete the quilt of your choice than if you settled for something strictly of beginner status.
Once you have selected your keepsake quilting pattern, you will need to select fabrics. If you don’t have a color scheme in mind, ask for some help at your local fabric store. Take the pattern with you and ask a sales clerk for help. If you are shopping in a fabric department from a large retail chain, keep in mind that all clerks might not have the same knowledge of fabrics.
Don’t forget the necessary notions, too. You will need thread for piecing your keepsake quilt and thread for quilting the project. Your project will also require batting - which comes in various thicknesses.
If you don’t already have a good pair of scissors to use for cutting fabric, make sure you invest in those. You might choose to use a rotary cutter for your keepsake quilting project. Regardless, it is still important to have a good pair of scissors as part of your quilting gear.
Perhaps you have some quilting experience, but want to make a truly unique keepsake quilt. There are several ways to achieve that. Try a t-shirt quilt. Use favorite old t-shirts to make a quilt that will be a fun way to recall favorite memories for years to come.
If you are making a wedding keepsake quilt, incorporate fabrics and laces from the dress into the quilt. Pieces snipped from the flower girl’s sash, ribbon from the bouquest and color swatches that match the wedding colors would be nice pieces to work into your keepsake wedding quilt.
Photo quilts make great keepsake quilts for children on their way to college or leaving for a job out on their own for the first time. There are plenty of ways to transfer photos to fabrics, and many will last years without much fading. Read up on various techniques and decide which is best for your keepsake quilting project. Digital direct to garment printing offers one option. Since the technology is fairly new, finding a digital printer might be difficult and the process a little more costly than doing the photo as a transfer yourself. But the long-lasting results make the process worth considering.
The important thing to remember when making a keepsake quilt is not to worry or stress over minor imperfections. Focus, instead, on the memories your project will capture. The recipient of your keepsake quilt will be proud to receive your labor of love!
HOMER
____________________________________________________________________
Keepsake quilting is one of the most popular reasons people begin to learn the craft. Maybe a daughter is getting married, or a first grandchild is on the way. Both wedding and births are popular occasions to give a keepsake quilt. But where do you start if you are new to quilting all together?
There are plenty of sources to help beginners get into keepsake quilting. Check the books in your local library. Another great source is the Internet. Look for quilting clubs that offer quilting demonstrations online for a little extra help.
Perhaps the easiest way to start your keepsake quilting project is to select the design or pattern you want to use. The “Double Wedding Ring” pattern is popular for weddings and anniversaries. Simple patchwork quilts are easy to make for babies. Other popular keepsake quilts for babies and children are “Sunbonnet Sue” and “Overall Sam” designs.
If you are making your first quilt, you might not be aware of level of difficulty of the patterns you are searching through. Don’t worry about it. You will be happier with the results if you complete the quilt of your choice than if you settled for something strictly of beginner status.
Once you have selected your keepsake quilting pattern, you will need to select fabrics. If you don’t have a color scheme in mind, ask for some help at your local fabric store. Take the pattern with you and ask a sales clerk for help. If you are shopping in a fabric department from a large retail chain, keep in mind that all clerks might not have the same knowledge of fabrics.
Don’t forget the necessary notions, too. You will need thread for piecing your keepsake quilt and thread for quilting the project. Your project will also require batting - which comes in various thicknesses.
If you don’t already have a good pair of scissors to use for cutting fabric, make sure you invest in those. You might choose to use a rotary cutter for your keepsake quilting project. Regardless, it is still important to have a good pair of scissors as part of your quilting gear.
Perhaps you have some quilting experience, but want to make a truly unique keepsake quilt. There are several ways to achieve that. Try a t-shirt quilt. Use favorite old t-shirts to make a quilt that will be a fun way to recall favorite memories for years to come.
If you are making a wedding keepsake quilt, incorporate fabrics and laces from the dress into the quilt. Pieces snipped from the flower girl’s sash, ribbon from the bouquest and color swatches that match the wedding colors would be nice pieces to work into your keepsake wedding quilt.
Photo quilts make great keepsake quilts for children on their way to college or leaving for a job out on their own for the first time. There are plenty of ways to transfer photos to fabrics, and many will last years without much fading. Read up on various techniques and decide which is best for your keepsake quilting project. Digital direct to garment printing offers one option. Since the technology is fairly new, finding a digital printer might be difficult and the process a little more costly than doing the photo as a transfer yourself. But the long-lasting results make the process worth considering.
The important thing to remember when making a keepsake quilt is not to worry or stress over minor imperfections. Focus, instead, on the memories your project will capture. The recipient of your keepsake quilt will be proud to receive your labor of love!
HOMER
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Aug
18
Filed Under (Cleaning & Laundry) by Kert
spider asked:
This is a double wedding ring quilt, hand sewn and about 30 years old.
ARCHIE
This is a double wedding ring quilt, hand sewn and about 30 years old.
ARCHIE
Comments Off
Mar
29
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
ve the look of quilts, but know you don’t have the time or patience to create one yourself? You could still start and operate your own profitable quilting business by selling quilted Christmas stockings.
The benefit of the quilted Christmas stocking is that stockings are a much smaller project than a full size quilt. You would get the satisfaction of quilting, without investing the time needed for a full quilt.
Many traditional quilt patterns would make beautiful Christmas stockings. Try a log cabin quilt design made from Christmas reds and greens. Use a double wedding ring quilt pattern in Victorian colors. A beaded trim for adds a funky yet vintage look.
Yo yo quilt patterns also make gorgeous Christmas stockings. Soft pastels will make an adorable baby’s first Christmas stocking. It will be a family heirloom, for certain! Choose popular colors that will coordinate with current interior design trends to sell as home d?r.
Quilt patterns for these designs are available in many books and are often found for free online. Take a look around to see what patterns you like.
Technically, you do not even have to quilt to make quilted Christmas stockings. Use existing quilts; cut them to make the stockings.
Start off by using one of your own old quilts to see how it works. Or, buy lots of old quilts at your local thrift stores and yard sales.
If you would like to personalize your quilted Christmas stockings, you will need a method of putting a name on them. Iron-on letters are available at most craft and hobby stores, but might compromise the entire look of the stocking depending on the style of both. Embroidery is probably your best bet.
You may choose to hand embroider names to your quilted Christmas stockings. If you know how to do a simple chain stitch and a French knot to dot your “i’s,” you should be set.
Machine embroidery offers a nice look to personalize your quilted Christmas stockings. If you do not already have an embroidery machine, the cost may be more than you want to spend. Check your local sewing centers and dealers to see what the prices are. If you just want to be able to embroider names on your quilted Christmas stockings, you might run across a less expensive machine.
Adding the name will allow you to add about $10 to $15 more to the cost of your stockings. To gauge whether the expense is worth it or not, divide the price of the machine by $10 or $15, whichever you choose to charge as the personalization fee. A $1500 embroidery machine with a $15 personalization fee, means you have to sew 100 names on stockings to break even. In the right location, you might be able to do that in one season!
More expensive embroidery machines also exist. You can expect to pay $4000 to $8000 for a new semi-commercial embroidery machine.
If you do consider buying an embroidery machine to personalize your quilted Christmas stockings, look to see how they sew. If the sewing surface is flat, you would have to embroider the name onto the stocking before it’s sewn to the back side. A cylindrical arm will allow you to sew on stockings already made.
Another option for personalizing your quilted Christmas stockings is to use appliqu?Cut the letters from fabric and stitch them onto the stocking by hand or using a zigzag or satin machine stitch.
If you do sell quilted Christmas stockings as your quilt business, remember the importance of personalizing your creations. Your product will be worth more since it will be a truly customized stocking!
ANTWAN
ve the look of quilts, but know you don’t have the time or patience to create one yourself? You could still start and operate your own profitable quilting business by selling quilted Christmas stockings.
The benefit of the quilted Christmas stocking is that stockings are a much smaller project than a full size quilt. You would get the satisfaction of quilting, without investing the time needed for a full quilt.
Many traditional quilt patterns would make beautiful Christmas stockings. Try a log cabin quilt design made from Christmas reds and greens. Use a double wedding ring quilt pattern in Victorian colors. A beaded trim for adds a funky yet vintage look.
Yo yo quilt patterns also make gorgeous Christmas stockings. Soft pastels will make an adorable baby’s first Christmas stocking. It will be a family heirloom, for certain! Choose popular colors that will coordinate with current interior design trends to sell as home d?r.
Quilt patterns for these designs are available in many books and are often found for free online. Take a look around to see what patterns you like.
Technically, you do not even have to quilt to make quilted Christmas stockings. Use existing quilts; cut them to make the stockings.
Start off by using one of your own old quilts to see how it works. Or, buy lots of old quilts at your local thrift stores and yard sales.
If you would like to personalize your quilted Christmas stockings, you will need a method of putting a name on them. Iron-on letters are available at most craft and hobby stores, but might compromise the entire look of the stocking depending on the style of both. Embroidery is probably your best bet.
You may choose to hand embroider names to your quilted Christmas stockings. If you know how to do a simple chain stitch and a French knot to dot your “i’s,” you should be set.
Machine embroidery offers a nice look to personalize your quilted Christmas stockings. If you do not already have an embroidery machine, the cost may be more than you want to spend. Check your local sewing centers and dealers to see what the prices are. If you just want to be able to embroider names on your quilted Christmas stockings, you might run across a less expensive machine.
Adding the name will allow you to add about $10 to $15 more to the cost of your stockings. To gauge whether the expense is worth it or not, divide the price of the machine by $10 or $15, whichever you choose to charge as the personalization fee. A $1500 embroidery machine with a $15 personalization fee, means you have to sew 100 names on stockings to break even. In the right location, you might be able to do that in one season!
More expensive embroidery machines also exist. You can expect to pay $4000 to $8000 for a new semi-commercial embroidery machine.
If you do consider buying an embroidery machine to personalize your quilted Christmas stockings, look to see how they sew. If the sewing surface is flat, you would have to embroider the name onto the stocking before it’s sewn to the back side. A cylindrical arm will allow you to sew on stockings already made.
Another option for personalizing your quilted Christmas stockings is to use appliqu?Cut the letters from fabric and stitch them onto the stocking by hand or using a zigzag or satin machine stitch.
If you do sell quilted Christmas stockings as your quilt business, remember the importance of personalizing your creations. Your product will be worth more since it will be a truly customized stocking!
ANTWAN
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