The Lost Art of HAND QUILTING

Image by dannie4852 via Flickr

With progress things change everyday. In my world I am always on the lookout for new crafts to learn and create wonderful things from. One such craft is quilting. I am new to it but I get lots of help from different resources, and Penny Halgren shares the most information resources on the internet.You can join her newsletter HERE:
Here she talks about hand quilting. I like to do mine on the machine but hand quilting makes it convenient to take it with you when you want to. Check out her techniques and tips on how to hand quilt.
Learn from her expertise, she is a professional quilter and knows her stuff.

HOW TO BIND A QUILT

Image via Wikipedia

What appears to be one of the most difficult steps in creating a quilt is the binding, but Penny Halgrentakes you through the steps in this easy tutorial. Take a look at it before you begin binding it will make life a lot easier. She also talks about creating a Landscape Quilt which sounds really beautiful, I might try one myself.
If you haven't signed up for her FREE NEWSLETTER, you should. She is a master quilter and I have used so many of her tips in creating mine. She offers 10 free quilt patterns per month when you sign up HERE.
Stop letting the frustration of quilting get to you, sign up with Penny and get the help that will make thin gs easier for you.

Quilt Camp in Kennebunk, Maine

Image by jared via Flickr

Quilting has always been a way for men and women to release themselves from the pressures of everyday life.  Whether the economy is up and down it is always a craft that can be done.  Quilters always have left over matierial, even just scraps can make a quilt. 
One of the biggest sources for learning to quilt by sharing with others are weekend retreats and quilting camps.  One such camp is The Franciscan Guest House of Kennebunk, Maine. Check out all that is available there and plan a wonderful Quilt Camp for your next vacation.
Here is a Quilt retreat inquiry form, if you are interested in more information.
This makes a perfect Valentine Day gift for the quilter in your life.
Happy Valentines Day and Happy Quilting.

Heart Quilts for Valentines Day

Image via Wikipedia

Greetings Quilter,

It's all around us – whether we are watching TV, reading a newspaper,
or even listening to a 30-second news blast on a radio station.  And
I'm sure it's the same story all over the world.

It's the economy. And how bad is it really?

It probably all depends on your individual situation, but suffice it
to say that most folks have been pulling back on their expenditures
for many months.

And we quilters are no exception.

But that shouldn't stop you from making quilts – especially heart
quilts that show your love for a friend or family member.

Most quilters have a stash of fabric and fabric scraps that gets
bigger with every quilt, just waiting for the right moment in time.
And now is probably the perfect time to make a scrap quilt!

You can enjoy creating beautiful quilts while showing your family
and friends how thrifty you can be. Who knows? Maybe some of your
family and friends will give up their expensive hobby and take up
quilting!

The thing is – you can carefully plan a scrap quilt and make it
look like it was made from fabric purchased just for that quilt.
Or, you can pull an extensive assortment of fabric from your stash
or scrap bag and create a beautiful quilt.

With the popularity of scrap quilts now, more professional
quilters and workshop teachers have come up with ideas to make
scrap quilts "work."

I've gathered some simple ones for you:

* combine large, medium and small-scale prints

* use bright accent colors sparingly and consistently throughout
 the quilt to keep your eye moving

* use neutrals to give your eye a rest (black and/or white could
 be considered neutral

* pay attention to the amount of dark and light contrast within
 the individual prints of the fabrics you choose

If you've never designed a quilt before, and are reluctant to
start, begin with something simple, like hearts. Everyone loves
hearts, and it is the perfect scrap quilt, since each heart can
be made from a different fabric.

You'll find pictures of different styles of heart and scrap quilts
when you visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1135-scrap-heart-quilt.php

Using these examples, perhaps you'll get some ideas for making
scrap quilts that will put a smile on your face.

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

P.S. Remember that those "rules" are made to be broken, so make
your quilts the way that makes you happy:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1135-scrap-heart-quilt.php
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1064051587&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=1064051587&D=

Your Featured Quilting e-Pattern for February 14, 2010: Little Trip to Bali

Trouble viewing this e-mail? Click here.
Dear Crafter, Here is your featured quilting e-pattern for today. Click the link below and see it for yourself. February 14, 2010 Little Trip to Bali Showcase batik scraps in a little bejeweled quilt with the flavors of Bali using Trip Around the World blocks and a sweet baby elephant applique. This e-pattern was originally published in Keepsake Baby Quilts From Scraps. Quilt Size: 46 1/2" x 46 1/2". Block Sizes: 6 7/8" x 6 7/8", 6" x 6". Skill Level: Intermediate Category: Quilting ONLY $3.99 February 13, 2010 Simplified Log Cabin Quilting $3.99 February 12, 2010 Wrapped in Prayer Shawl Quilting $3.99 February 11, 2010 Butterfly Hoedown Quilting $4.29 Sincerely, Your friends at e-PatternsCentral.com Interested in subscribing to other FREE newsletters? You'll just love these ... e-PatternsCentral Pattern of the Day Annie's Wednesday Deals & Daily Features Clotilde's Wednesday Deals & Daily Features Quilter's World Newsletter

Did you receive this message from a friend? You can sign up to get your own FREE copy of e-PatternsCentral.com Daily Quilt Announcement by clicking here.

Your privacy matters to us. Terms of Use | Privacy/Security This message was sent to acunniff4852@gmail.com because you are a subscriber to the e-PatternsCentral.com Daily Quilt Announcement newsletter. If you would no longer like to receive future editions of this newsletter, you can unsubscribe by clicking here. Account Information Update your newsletter settings here. Click here to change your subscription from HTML to Text. Mailing address: e-PatternsCentral.com, 306 East Parr Road, Berne, Ind. 46711

© Copyright 2010 DRG. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

QUILTED ORNAMENT WITH NO SEWING

I just ran across an awesome video on how to make a quilted ornament with "no sewing."  Now that's great quilting.
QUILTED ORNAMENT

Penny Halgren Solves A Big Quilting Problem, Easily

Image by craftapalooza via Flickr

Greetings Quilter,

Some quilting problems are bigger than others.

And some are more easily solved than others.

I remember quilts I made where the backing and batting ended
up smaller than the quilt top after I finished quilting.

That seems to be just one of the mysteries of quilting.  Kind
of like those accurate 1/4 inch seam allowances.  Maybe some
physicist has an explanation.  But probably none of them are
even looking at the dilemma.

Anyway, early on I learned to make sure that my batting and
backing were 2-3 inches larger than the quilt top all the way
around the quilt.  That way, even when the batting and backing
shrink, they are still larger than the quilt top, and can be
trimmed to even all the edges of the quilt.

Years ago, before I learned that trick, I ended up with quilts
smaller than I planned.  I'd usually cut the border off to get
the sides of the quilt even so I could bind it.

But, a while back, a quilter wrote in saying that the backing
and batting of her quilt were smaller than the front, and she
hadn't started quilting it yet.

Now that is a problem relatively easily solved.  The most
obvious solution, I guess, is to start over – choosing a
different fabric for the backing and using a new piece of
batting.

However, it seemed the quilt was already basted and she didn't
really want to change everything.

So, I developed an alternative solution – add to the backing
and batting.  It's not really a complex solution, but the
explanation includes a description of how to piece the batting
together.

If you've never done that, it is a handy skill to know, and
easier shown than written out in an email.

To get the description of the entire solution, visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/7101-backing-too-small.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com

P.S.  I remember one quilt where the back was smaller than
the front, and I added a wider binding just to cover up the
problem.

Tonight is the last night to get in on the special Introductory
Price for the Creative Binding Techniques DVD Quilting Mentor.
This could be the answer to some of your future quilting
dilemmas, too:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/7101-backing-too-small.php

P.P.S.  For additional resources, check out my blog:

http://quilterpenny.wordpress.com/

You'll find all of the daily emails so you can search for
articles about tons of quilting topics!
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1064051587&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=1064051587&D=

Related articles by Zemanta

• Christmas Crafters: Free Angel Crafts eBook (momblognetwork.com)

Penny has the answer to : Easy Quilt Blocks

Image via Wikipedia

Greetings Quilter,

Whether you are a beginner quilter or a quilter with more
experience, sometimes it's just nice to sew a quilt that is
fairly easy, and goes together quickly.

One year I needed to make a quilt in about 2 weeks for my
cousin who was headed for some major surgery.  In order to
finish the quilt, I decided it would need to be a simple 9
patch – with fairly large squares.

It ended up being a scrap quilt, and I used bright, cheerful
colors.  With speed piecing techniques and simple machine
quilting, the quilt was finished in less than 2 weeks – and
I had small kids around, too.

Many of my baby quilts were heart quilts – simple hearts
machine appliquéd onto 4 inch squares of fabric that were then
sewn into a quilt.  I changed the placement of the hearts,
adding sashing, sometimes placing the squares on point to make
the quilts more interesting.

Often I made really simple 9 patch quilts with alternating
colors – like a checkerboard or offsetting the checkerboard
9 patch with a solid square of fabric.

Using that concept, you can make quite a variety of quilts
simply by changing the placement of the colors and fabrics
in your quilt.

Your quilt block doesn't need to be a 9 patch either.  There
are some interesting and fun quilt block designs using just
squares in a 4 patch, 5 patch, or 7 patch block.

To see some of these designs, and get an idea about some basic
shapes of patches that you can use for simple quilt designs, visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1101-beginner-quilting-block1.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com

P.S.  Many of these quilts can be made using some speed piecing
techniques, too.  You aren't really cutting and sewing all of
those small square patches, which means the quilt top can be
finished in a snap.

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1101-beginner-quilting-block1.php

P.P.S.  For additional resources, check out my blog:

http://quilterpenny.wordpress.com/

You'll find all of the daily emails so you can search for
articles about tons of quilting topics!
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1064051587&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=1064051587&D=

Choosing the Colors for Your Quilts

Image by dannie4852 via Flickr

Greetings Quilter,

Are you ready to streamline choosing colors for your quilts?

If you are like most quilters, you spend hours in the quilt
shop and sorting through your stash trying to decide what
colors of fabric you will use in your quilt.

I have been known to spend weeks with fabric laid out waiting
to be sure that I really want to use those fabrics in my quilts.

Several years ago, I took a class in hand dying fabric which
gave me a better understanding of the color wheel and the
difference between yellow-green and blue-green and why they
don't really go together most of the time.

Even so, combining the blue-green with other colors as I plan
a quilt is still challenging to me.

Should I include the red?  How about a yellow?  Will this print
look good with its black, blue and white?

And how much of each fabric should I use?

A guest on our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation had a
great idea for choosing colors for your quilts.

Use photographs you like.

No kidding!  Her theory is that nature puts colors together
that "go" together, so why not use the wisdom of nature?

After the call, I decided to make a quilt using her strategy.
I found a photograph I particularly liked, and then found
fabric and made a quilt.

It was quite fun to be able to rely on the photo to guide me
for the colors of fabric, and not a color wheel.

Once the quilt was finished, I put it next to the photograph,
and was interested to see how it all worked.

http://how-to-quilt.com/articles/1504-joen-ives.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com

P.S.  The proportions of color in the quilt are different from
the photograph, but you can still see them.  I'm anxious to try
another quilt using that technique:

http://how-to-quilt.com/articles/1504-joen-ives.php

P.P.S.  For additional resources, check out my blog:

http://quilterpenny.wordpress.com/

You'll find all of the daily emails so you can search for
articles about tons of quilting topics!
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1064051587&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=1064051587&D=

Following the Rules with Quilt Borders

Image by pbev via Flickr

Greetings Quilter,
It seems like every time I turn around there is someone with a
"rule."

Some of the rules certainly are useful – like stopping at a
stop sign or red light.  And maybe even some quilting rules are
useful – like using a 1/4 inch seam allowance when you sew your
patches together, or cutting the selvedge off of your fabric
before you cut your patches.

Other rules in quilting are interesting – to say the least.
Especially rules about borders.

I'll admit that I made scores of quilts before I was introduced
to the notion of rules about borders.  When I added borders to
my early quilts, I viewed the borders like a frame around a
picture.

Sometimes I used fabric that was darker than the fabric I used
in the blocks in the center of the quilt.  Other times, I
wanted to make the quilt larger, so I pieced borders that used
some of the fabric in the center of the quilt while introducing
new fabric in the borders.

And I just kept adding borders until the quilt was the size I
wanted it to be.

In a couple of my quilts, I added blocks or partial blocks
using the same design as in the center of the quilt, but using
different colors than those I used in the center blocks.

Maybe you can imagine my surprise when I learned that I had
broken many of the special Quilt Border Rules.

One rule that I have broken many times is that the border
should be a little wider than the blocks in the center of your
quilt.  That would mean that if your blocks in the center were
12 inches square, your border should be at least 12 inches wide.

I can't even begin to count the number of quilts where I broke
that rule.  Maybe I should be embarrassed.  Or not.

To read about other Quilt Border Rules and see some examples of
interesting borders I have added to quilts I have made, visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/2507-quilt-borders.php

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com

P.S.  One other Quilt Border Rule is that you use the same
fabrics in the border that you use in the center of your
quilt.  The burning question is – what happens if you run
out of fabric?

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/2507-quilt-borders.php

P.P.S.  For additional resources, check out my blog:

http://quilterpenny.wordpress.com/

You'll find all of the daily emails so you can search for
articles about tons of quilting topics!
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1064051587&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=1064051587&D=

secret message from m. mouse the how-to-quilt.com siamese cat

Image by Princes Milady via Flickr

greetings quilter,

m. mouse here – the official how-to-quilt.com diabetic
siamese birthday cat.

still haven't figured out how to make those capitals on
the computer. maybe i should get one of those programs
where i can talk and it will write what i am saying.

although - - - -

yup, that's right, i'm the birthday boy and i'm just a
little bit miffed at penny.

she said she would have a special birthday surprise for
me this month. and here it is, the month is mostly over
and still no special birthday surprise.

i suppose it's possible that it will show up some time
before the end of the month, but it's looking less likely
every minute.

today she's pretty busy with the fat quarter quilt. it's
getting layered and then basted with basting spray so she
can machine quilt it.

(i'm hiding, since i hate any kind of spray)

as you can imagine, she is completely distracted with
that project, so i thought i'd jump in on her computer
and create some mischief.  i'm really good at that.

last week i heard penny talking to our buddy, cindy in
kansas.

turns out that cindy has a stack of my favorite
how-to-quilt.com dvd resource perched on the shelf just
waiting to take off.

i don't know about you, but i love special deals –
especially when they are connected with a birthday.

so while penny is crawling around the floor working with
that nice fluffy bamboo batting, here i am telling you
about my birthday secret special deal.

the thing is, you have to promise not to tell penny about
this deal, because she might not like it, since it's such
a great deal.

and because it's so secret, i'm only running it for 3 days.

the way i figure it, in that short amount of time, you will
have gotten a great deal, and she won't be the wiser.

besides, i'm just a siamese cat with a birthday, so don't
you think penny wants me to celebrate big time?

so, this is the deal. for the next 3 days, you get all of
the resources she usually includes in the robin's nest
diamond package - - at the price of the basic package.

that means you get lots of extra goodies while you save
money.

maybe you can get your cat a special birthday present
with the money you save in my birthday celebration – it
will buy a lot of special cat food.

and if you have a dog, feel free to celebrate my birthday
savings with him or her, too.

this robin's nest dvd mentor is just the best.

in it, penny walks you through making a 9 patch wall
hanging or quilt – from start to finish, in dvd format.

you get to see everything, including the mistakes she
made; and how she fixed them!

what i like about it is that the block is one she
designed, and it looks like a little robin sitting on a
nest.

i do love birds, you know – especially when they are
just sitting there.

you'll get tons of great information about how to make
this quilt or wall hanging. plus it will give you a great
foundation for making every other quilt in your quilting
future.

just imagine, you could make a special small quilt for
your cat. (or dog)

you can get all of the information here:

www.robinquilt.com

happy quilting!

m. mouse
the official how-to-quilt.com diabetic siamese birthday cat


p.s. remember, you have just 3 days – until september 30 –
to get in on this birthday celebration:

www.robinquilt.com

www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

7925 Pasadena Ave.
La Mesa, CA  91941


If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?ID=1064051587&ARID=0&D=

To update your contact information:
http://autocontactor.com/app/r.asp?c=1&ID=1064051587&D=