Welcome to everyone hopping around in blog land for the Beat The Winter Blues Blog Hop & Give-Away Sponsored by The Quilting Gallery!!!
If you are new here, welcome and please be sure you click to "follow" my blog just over there on the left hand side of my blog where it says "Join This Site"! Or you can sign up to follow our blog by email - also located in the right hand column! Or - join our email list - located over in the left hand column! We are on Facebook also as you can tell by looking at that right hand column again. And you can also join our "circle of friends" on Google+Followers! Pretty Fun Stuff!
To be a part of our giveaway you don't have to join any of the above mentioned things - but to make this blog hop give-away extra sweet - I'm going to do a special giveaway if you help us get to 6000 likes on our FaceBook page. We are just now tipping over he 5,000 mark! Would you "Like" us on Facebook? I promise the extra give-away will be extra sweet!
On my blog I talk a lot about reproduction fabrics, patterns, antique quilts etc, I am a pattern designer in the quilting world and I've written hundreds of patterns and authored 4 soon to be 6 quilting related books! I like to chit chat and share what I do in my normal life on a typical day - mostly quilt! I share my pets and my kids cute and funny moments too sometimes, but I really try to keep my blog all about quilting. I offer a free pattern or two now and than, plus I also announce sales and give-aways here too!
Now, Let's get on with the fun stuff:
My Give-Away For The Quilter's Blog Hop Party:
Do you like to English Paper Piece or want to learn?
Well I'm giving away all of the above papers and/or mylar templates for you to English Paper Piece. I have done it and it's really easy - but I just prefer to hand stitch my quilts!
Also included in this give-away is this book:
This book is titled Piecing It All Together by JoAnne Louis and Chris Moline. There are 10 english paper piecing projects in the book plus basic instruction on how to paper piece.
And wait - I'm not finished yet!
Above are a few more papers and three finished flower garden blocks. Not shown in the picture are three more sets of fabrics to make three more blocks. This was actually a project I started a few years ago and never finished. It was originally going to be a table runner from a Blackbird Designs book that I cannot find and cannot seem to locate on their website! Anyhow - these are too cute to be left sitting here and I know someone will get a kick out of finishing a project with them!
To enter he give-away: share your favorite quilting tip in the comments section below on this blog-post. What's the one thing you now know that you wish you knew when you first started quilting? What's the best advice you would give to a new quilter? Winner will be randomly chosen on March 14th, 2013.
After you have commented here, move on to some more give aways!
Click on the Blog Hop Party logo below to visit the list of participating bloggers:
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131 comments:
My tip to a new quilter would be to make a sample block before committing to a large project. Also to set small goals to achieve the end, a finished project. Try to focus on the process instead of how long it is taking.
My tip would be to slow down and enjoy the entire process of quilting. When I first started quilting it was all about how many quilts I could get done. Now I am slower at the process and enjoy it so much more. Thanks for the amazing giveaway.
My tip would be one of jo morton's which is to clip on both sides of a multiple seam join so as to open it up and lay it flat. Also to use best press or starch when ironing.
I learned pretty quickly that measuring is everything....measure twice, cut once took on a whole new meaning!
You can't do sharp work without sharp tools...needles, rotary blades, and scissors.
Measure twice, or even thrice, cut once! Also, slow down and breathe when you hit a problem.
I have learned that having sharp blades in my rotary cutter helps big time, A little spray starch when ironing my pieces makes them lay and go together better. Thanks for this wonderful give away.
Sorry I can't help your facebook page as I am already a follower.
I always had trouble matching everything up until a friend told me to sew slower. I was sewing so fast I didn't keep 1/4" seams. L
My tip would be "Don't beat yourself up for less then perfection." After quilting for 20plus years, I am still learning.
I have several different projects going at one time and I try to work on at least 3 of them a day. That way I don't get bored with one and at the end I finish more projects along the way.
My tip would be to always use the same brand of rulers when you use a rotary cutter - sometimes the different brands are just a smidge off from each other and it can make quite a difference when sewing a project. I have everything from a 2-1/2" square to my big 6 x 24" ruler and they're all Fiskars.
For beginners I always suggest to start with a wall hanging as it isn't so overwelming and they can get it finished. Just finished an applique quilt I started in 1984 and wow, I have come a long way with my sewing skills. Best tip is to check all the time for accuracy and recheck....thanks for the great giveaways.
Fav tip: cover a Wood TV tray (walmart - $9.00) with padded ironing board cover and then a pretty cotton cover of your choice - so handy to have by the sewing machine to do a seam or two or applique. Favorite notion other than a seam ripper are good rulers and sharp rotary blades. Love Creative Grids rulers....and as carpenter hubby says, measure twice, cut once:)
To help keep your seams straight when pressing, I cover a portion of my ironing board with a piece of batting (usually cotton or blend). The fabric adheres to it when your pressing so you don't end up with any "wows"! It also helps to catch all those stray threads on the back of your blocks :)
HI! MY TIP: PRESS GENTLY AND DO NOT IRON PIECED BLOCKS AS IF THEY WERE CLOTHING;TO AVOID DISTORTION.
THANKS FOR SHARING!
msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
My tip is to use sew line glue pen when covering your hexagons. You can cover a lot in no time.
Tina
San Diego
My tip, one that I wish I had started with, is to take a picture of EVERY project, whether you keep it or give it away, and jot down some notes about the project, who it's for, etc. After you've been quilting 20+ years, you'll be amazed at what you've made and forgotten about, especially if it was a gift. I wish I had more of a record of those early days.
I'm off to Facebook now so I can Like you!
To have nice straight hand stitched lines, I use painter's tape or masking tape in 1/4",1/2" and so on - works perfectly!
I am a new follower - thanks for a second chance!!
I am currently teaching my niece to sew & my advice after our first quilt shop trip was to use this beautiful fabric as you buy it because if it's just too pretty to use it may never be sewn into something beautiful. (Hence my fabric stash.) I hand quilt & to those who do always knot the thread & pull it through the top or bottom of the quilt into the middle sandwich part to hide it. I liked you on facebook & I am already a follower! Just learning to paperpiece & love it!
The one tip I would share is - forget taking a backstitch or two when piecing. If you have to rip the seam out, it's much easier without those pesky locked in stitches. Can't wait for your new book to be available - your patterns look lovely! Thanks for a chance to win some goodies!
My tip for quilters new and old is when you assemble your blocks on your design wall (or design floor), take a picture before sewing them together - it's amazing the things we don't notice until we look at it in a photograph (preferably the photo's before we sew it together!).
Love the tips, your designs, paper piecing AND Blackbird Des. -
My tip would be to make one block before you cut out the whole quilt. It just seems like your commited to it if you have cut out your whole quilt.
My tip! Don't be afraid to press open those seams to avoid bulk.
Chain piecing is your friend!
I'm just learning English paper piecing and loving it! My advice is that "It's better finished than perfect!" Enjoy the process, not just the product.
Make sure you double check before cutting.
Wow, I loved all of those Tips and Tricks, Can't think of anything we wonderful quilters haven't already covered, love the breathe one.
But REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!!!!
Thanks for the chance to win this yummy looking package.
Cheers, Cindy Aus
Already follow you on FB,
Thanks again, Cindy Aus.
What a great giveaway! I wish I'd known how to do a scant 1/4" seam when I first started quilting. It really helps with accuracy!
There is a lot of good advice on here. I think what I would add is that only YOU will ever comment on your mistakes. Your friends won't even notice until you point them out.
Use a 1/4" seam foot when piecing on the machine makes all the difference to me! Great giveaway, thanks!
My newest tip: I lower the ironing board to about 3 ft. which is the perfect height for pressing. I just swivel around in my chair and the ironing board is right there! Makes piecing go much faster :).
Take photos of your quilts before you give them away. ;-> Toni Anne
Don't cut fabric when you're tired.
My tip would be to not start out with a full size quilt like I did. Start on something small and work your way up.
syvisser@gmail(dot)com
I have never done EPP but I have wanted to try. It looks like so much fun. My tip, when FMQing just relax. No one will see the little blips and when you freak out about them you make a lot more blips :)
My tip would be that fabric and thread quality really do matter. Don't fill your stash with cheap fabric that you will probably never use. Hold out for the good stuff - even if you less of it. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have never tried EPP but I've been wanting to try it out! Thanks for the giveaway! My tip is to start small and take your time. Don't make a queen sized quilt for your first one EVER! lol
I love EPP! My favorite tip comes from Sue Daley. Use a Sewline glue pen to paste your paper pieces rather than basting them with thread. It works fabulously!
My tip to the beginning quilter is don't be too hard on yourself. You see every little mistake because your eyes are 10 inches away as it's made. Your finished quilt, all layered, stitched together and washed, will hide every imperfection and the viewer will only see the whole creation for the beauty and love you've stitched into it.
I'm going to be spending a lot of time on your blog after this hop - so many links and great info and photos!
Great give away! I like to hand piece but don't do it often enough. So glad to be a new follower.
Thanks for the great giveaway. I liked Facebook and added you to follow. I have only paper pieced a few times love the way they look but do not enjoy any hand sewing. At guild sew day a week ago I learned how to machine sew hexies and plan to try that out.
My favorite tip for accurate 1/4" seams is to use a small strip of Dr. Scholls moleskin adhered to the appropriate place on your seam guide plate of your machine. It acts as a little barrier to butt your fabric up to. Can be removed and reused many times. I am currently working on 1" hexies.
Starch is good for piecing. Thanks for the chance.
Always measure from the needle to check your seam allowance.
I am a new quilter, so don't have many tips. I do know that Wonder clips are awesome for holding any kind of sewing together that is too bulky for pinning.
My best tip is to take the time to find Your Perfect 1/4" seam allowance. On my machine I have to move the needle two spaces to match up with my 1/4" foot and it makes all the difference when that block is completed.
My tip is to use PinMoors for quilting...no more getting stuck by sharp pins.
My helpful hints would be to make sure your rotary cutter blade is sharp, measure at least twice, and use starch to keep your bias edges in shape! But most of all -- HAVE FUN.
Thank you for the generous giveaway. :)
I like to have several bobbins wound so I don't have to stop in the middle of a project to wind more. A sharp rotary blade makes all the difference too. Thanks for such a great giveaway.
I wish I had taken pictures of all the quilts I have given away (which is most of them).
I like to use a fabric softener sheet on my iron to remove sticky residue. Quick & easy, and does the trick! Thanks sew much for a chance to win your lovely giveaway. :-D
Remind yourself that as long as it doesn't fall apart in the wash and makes someone feel warm and loved, it is serving it's purpose, meaning that the points don't matter in the end, Thank You!
I love EPP. One thing that I wish I had known beforehand is do not start on a big project in the beginning. It only leads to frustration and discouragement. Some projects look really easy but aren't, so start small such as a mini quilt, this way it guarantees that you will probably finish it compared to a bigger quilt.
Wish I had known how to use a rotary cutter and mat. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am a new follower! This is simple, but I wish I had learned to thread a needle from the original end of the thread not the cut end. It would have saved so many frustrating knots in my thread!!!
My tip is, don't start with a queen sized quilt, you may put quilting aside for 5 years and never finish it anyways, eh hem.... Start with a small quilt.
My advice to a new quilter would be to start small. Choose a simple pattern as this will allow you to perfect your 1/4 inch seam, which is so important when you tackle a more difficult quilt with lots of pieces. Another thought would be about ironing. You want to just press your blocks, not iron back and forth, keeps the block from stretching out of shape.
Red fabrics bleed =(
currently fighting with part of a layer cake that has been soaking overnight and still runs.
oh, and don't mix washed and unwashed fabrics.
I really wish I knew how important consistent seams were! I use a 1/4 inch right guide foot now. :)
http://burnsbobbins.blogspot.com
I wish I had known how to easy piece HST when I first started. If you are new to quilting, find a great teacher whose work you admire.
I would say measure twice and cut once. I also like to starch my fabric when i am quilting, Makes it much easier to cut
Choose quilt quality fabric, is my suggestion. Don't just go for the pattern and color of the material. Quilt quality fabric should be quite opaque, not too stretchy (fairly tightly woven) and probably will cost you at least $9 per yard. Cheaper prices can be found online, but be careful to be sure it's the same fabric you see in the stores, not a cheap print out of some exotic original. Those are my suggestions. Stop by Prairie Cottage Corner and visit. Thanks for letting us come by.
Some advise would be to make sure your machine is serviced and not to switch between machines on the same project because the measurement can be different on the feet.
Barb@Witsend
My tip is to use a basting spray when machine quilting small projects. It really helps to hold everything together nicely.
My favorite tip is to free your mind and use those scraps!
My tip to a new quilter is it doesn't have to be perfect. Do the best you can and don't beat yourself up if a few points are cut off or seams don't match exactly. Yep, slow down and enjoy yourself. I have made quilts for all my family, so I can take my time now. I have never English Paper pieced, so I would love to win this. Thanks. I will go 'Like' you too.
If you do free motion machine quilting, using a Supreme Slider sheet is a great help in moving your quilt freely on your machine bed.
My tip is that imperfection isn't a dealbreaker in quilts...they are still snuggly and wonderful!
What an awesome giveaway! Well, so far I can only say, if you're going to sew flying geese, make sure you have a pineapple ruler to size them up!
Start small and give yourself the pleasure of a finished project quickly at first.
Getting closer to 6000 likes on FB!
My best tip would be to tidy as you go - - put your tools back where they belong, sweep up the scraps, clear off your table. A creative mind can quickly create chaos of your sewing space, but that chaos will inhibit productivity.
My tip is to have a magnetic pin collector. You'll lose few pins around your sewing machine.
I love paper piecing. It goes everywhere with me. I like having a magnetic around as I tend to get pins on the floor and that is the easiest way r to get them up!
AMAZING giveaway! I am ready to start a new EPP quilt! My tip to a new quilter would be to let go of perfectionism. If you spend all your time ripping out seams you only learn to get better at seam ripping. Instead press on and keep stitching and quilting. Each project will demonstrate that your skills are getting better and better.
Pick fun fabric and start with simple things. Buy a precut, it's easy to work with.
Rotary cutter and mat for more precise cutting. Use 1/4" tape to mark your hand quilting lines.
Mark the see thru ruler with masking tape and arrows just a bit off the line you need to use to rotary cut. You can still see the fabric, and you wont have the ruler upside down. I also make a cardboard template out of a cereal box of all the pieces and keep it nearby to double-check things before sewing.
Great giveaway! I am making Hexie flowers and have about 30 made so far so these would be awesome to add to mine.Thank you so much for the chance to win.
My tip would be to chain piece whenever possible and check often to make sure your pieceing is accurate.Take your time and enjoy what you are doing.
Best advice: get a quarter inch foot for your sewing machine then make sure it is actually 1/4". Once I bought mine I was so happy with my blocks.
Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. Lovely giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
I'm the new quilter so I welcome all the wonderful tips I see here. Thanks!
The best advice I was ever given was: THERE ARE NO QUILT POLICE! It's your quilt.....as long as your seams are consistent, that all that matters. Exact 1/4" or scant 1/4", as long as you pick one & stick with it throughout your project it will be fine. I'd like to try EPP, just haven't gotten around to it yet. This giveaway would sure push me to get busy! Thanks!
I wish I had had someone who knew how to use a ruler and a rotary cutter to get all different angles and shapes cut easily. I have learned it myself but it would have been so much easier if someone had shown me how to use those different rulers. I would suggest looking at some videos, so many wonderful quilters show how to use these tools.
Great giveaway and my tip is to always keep a seam ripper handy! Thanks!
awesome giveaway!!! I literally just commented on another blog that I'd love to know about more patterns for EPP!! My tip would be chain piece when machine piecing - it makes things so much faster! :)
The best tip I have is to finish a project before starting another one. It truly will save you money because by the time you get to it, seasons will have passed and your taste in fabrics and styles may have changed.Thank you for the chance to win this lovely prize and taking part in the hop.
My best tip? Learn how to cut accurately. It's so much harder to match up blocks when they don't end up being the same size :(
Thank you for the giveaway! I liked your FB page :)
A tip from the new-ish quilter is to starch on the back of your blocks when doing a final pressing which also should be on the back. If not, your pretty blocks you just spent all that time making will have such a pretty shine to them. (NOT A GOOD THING LOL) Another that I learned is to make sure when using your 1/4" foot that you move your needle over before stitching together 5-6 quilt blocks. Yep! Did that too. ugh.
I love your giveaway. I've wanted to attempt to do the Flower Garden. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
My tip is to "read ALL of the instructions." Many times, I've decided that I KNOW what the instructions mean and just cut to the chase. Well, many times, I've also had to back-track to read what step I left out because I didn't read all of the instructions.Thanks for the opportunity to win your giveaway.
Thank you for the chance to win this awesome prize...I am very interested in paper pieceing and am trying to learn how. I could really use this stuff. My tip to a new person wanting to quilt. Measure measure measure then cut...Be careful pay attention to your seam allowances. Just a samll difference in seam allowances can totally mess up a project. Start with very small projects then work up gradually. conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would say, measure every part of the block as you sew it (for the first time). It is a night mare to have to "fix" something that does not quite fit!
My tip for a beginner quilter is pin, pin, pin! If you are like me and have always tried to wing it or just eyeball and sew, just set that notion aside and learn to pin properly and take the time to do it! In the end you will save loads of time and frustration and put way less miles on your seam ripper. Great Giveaway!
I've already liked you on FBook! Email: info@explorefibre.com and check out my giveaway on the blog hop too! www.brandylynndesigns.blogspot.com
Start small so if you don't love it you didn't waste time and money. Always invest in a good rotary cutter and keep plenty of extra blades around!
They made me use too many pins!!! I learned that you don't have to pin everything and that way you have more time to quilt!!! I do English paper piecing too! I use paper clips to hold the pieces in place as I sew them together. It's awesome! No shifting!
My tip is to make sure your seams are 1/4" exactly. Thanks for the great giveaway! Have a Happy Day! :)
I love, love, love this prize!!!! EPP is on my bucket list! Right now I am learning needleturn applique.
I am pretty new to all of the quilting. One thing I have learned is to buy your rulers all form the same manufacturer--or else the measurements may not line up.
I liked your FB page and I am afollower.
My tip is to figure out what a "scant" quarter inch is on your machine - it makes a big difference!
My tip would be to find some experienced quilters to be friends with. It is fun to sew with others and you will learn so much. Thanks for participating in the Quilter's Blog Hop.
my tip would be to TRY, I am always trying new patterns, technique, tips and such.. the only way you will learn is to give it a try..
I think i would tell them to invest in the binding tool - it just helps so much.
Quilting tip?.. hmmm... how about nesting. makes perfect corners.
Best advice would be that you don't need a fancy machine to quilt, just time, enthusiasm, vision and patience!
Best advice, start small and practice. Thank you for offering such a generous prize Coullmills@gmail
I think making a practice block is always the best practice! thank you!
I like to do English paper piecing. thanks for the generous giveaway.
My best advice is when it comes to half square triangles is to make them a little bigger and then square them up. So much easier to deal with when you do that.
My advice is start small! Make a small project that you can finish and enjoy! Then onward to bigger and harder projects.
I have learned that not all 1/4-inch seams are equal. If you start a project on one machine, you need to use that machine for the whole project.
Another thing I have learned is to use starch when pressing fabric after having prewashed it. Makes cutting and working with it a whole lot easier.
senstrings at yahoo do com
My tip is measure twice, cut once.
I liked you on facebook and now follow. My tip is when paper piecing a hard section to another, first baste with a large stitch and if it is correctly placed then go over it with a smaller stitch. If it is wrong it will be much easier to take the stitches out and redo it.
Don't trust your 1/4" foot to actually sew a 1/4" seam. I learned that the hard way.
The one thing I would have done when I first began to quilt was use a good quality thread and very good fabric. It pays in the end. Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.
Measure, measure, measure before you cut!! (ask me HOW I KNOW this Tip...)
Would've liked to know to use good thread....not hand down thread from decades ago...grrrr!!!
What a great giveaway! I would really love all of those EPP supplies! I am keeping my fingers
crossed. Thanks for the chance to
win! I am a new follower!
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
My quiltig tip: measure very carefully before you cut. I use
an old product to help measure
1/4 inch seams: Tiger tape. it's
a masking tape for quilters. Thanks
for the chance to win!
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
WOW! What a generous give-away. I can't wait to learn how to do English Paper Piecing.
I would have loved to learn how to cut properly a the beginning of my quilting career. There are years of wiggly-cuts to be made up for in my past.
My tip is needles needles needles. Change the machine needle before you think it needs replaced. And change out needles you use for handwork, way before it seems to dull. I used to be really frugal (well past frugal) with my needles, and since I've changed my thinking (and needles) it's a world with less bird nests and frustration. Love this comment topic, because it's always fun to read the other comments!! Kudos!
Hi, nice giveaway hop I win.I would love to learn and my tip is change your needles often and if you can find a sharpener for your needles I don't remember where my granny found this one but it works. Get a good ruler and learn how to use it the right way.
I'm just a beginner myself, so I need to read these tips! Thanks for the giveaway
I wish I knew about making HSTs by cutting squares and sewing on two sides of the diagonal line. Thanks for the chance!
I hand piece and hand quilt but i have severe arthritis in my back and could not sit at a quilt frame for more that just a few minutes at a time which was very frustrating. So i now put my backing batting and top on my kitchen table and safety pin the entire quilt. While this is tedious, the end result is worth it. Now my quilt is completely portable. I can sit in a recliner or on the couch and be completely comfortable.thank you for a wonderful giveaway babscorbitt@gmail.com oh i am a new follower via email
I wish I had known the rulers were coming out like they have! I wouldn't have bought so many books with hand cutting instructions!
hulseybg at gmail dot com
Lick the needle and not the thread!!!
What I would tell a new quilter is make sure your fabric is square as you cut it & be organized.
Use good quality 100% cotton fabrics and your project will turn out better.
I'm fairly new to quilting so I don't have any tips to share, but I will glean all the advice left by others. Thanks for the generous giveaway and the chance to win!!
My tip is to always measure twice before cutting. I actually learned this from my dad re: woodworking but it applies to sewing too.
My tip would be to measure twice before cutting, take it slow and tell them about an eyebrow razor that does a great job of taking stitches out. Great giveaway. I have done some English paper piecing and would enjoy doing more!
Measure, measure, measure BEFORE you cut!!
Great giveway!!
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