QAYG and my latest gadget

Today's class was held at Krazy Cow in Levin.  It is located at the south entrance to the town in an old railway station.  I think it's pretty cool.  Stitching away with the occasional rumble of trains coming past.

Krazy Cow Is a quilting store with the addition of knitting yarns, small haberdashery and sewing machines for sale.  Trish offers a quilting service.  Her current website is about to have a revamp. 

You can follow Krazy Cow Quilts on Facebook.  Web site is http://www.krazycow.co.nz/

A very popular stop for a "girls road trip".

I got engrossed playing with student blocks and I forgot to take photos.  I missed a few. Here's what I did photograph.

My latest gadget is this folding ruler.  Great for the travelling quilter.  I am happy with it. The key is to ensure you are using it on a flat surface.

It is available in most quilting stores.

Till next weeks class.

Shirley 

Clover double tracing wheel

For years my sewing has involved arts, crafts and quilts.  Its been only in the last two years that I have started making my own dresses.  I get so much joy out of making something unique and fun.

I am about to draft several patterns from Burda's Vintage magazine featuring garments from the 1960's. Burda do not include seam allowances in their patterns.  Clover has the perfect tool for this and apparently it has been designed specifically for Burda.

Clover double tracing wheel

Notice the cm spacing options

Each wheel can be pulled out

Wheels can be set and your preferred setting.

 

Depending on whether you are right or left handed, the center wheel will always mark the pattern outline and the other will add the seam allowance. 

Update to previous 1/4" Ruler Foot post

Continuing on from my previous post, I have spoken about the 1/4" ruler foot to two quilting guilds this week.
I do recommend watching the Nancys Notions video link (below) to get an idea of how effective quilting with rulers can be.
Nancys Notions Ruler Foot

Poppy Lane

I have completed "Poppy Lane" sample quilt for my Enhance and Mellow class coming out later this year at Sawmillers Quiltery.   I used the Ruler foot and a clamshell ruler from Handi Quilter to quilt this quilt.  I definitely needed the help of my supreme slider quilting mat to help the quilt slide freely.
Supreme slider link

The quilting is a little rough in places.  My stitches are not even and I found I tended to slip  the ruler so some of my clam shells are not event.  I did scratch the ruler by placing it on top of my pins so I do recommend taking your pins out.  Part of learning as we go and I definitely need more practise.

I have enjoyed testing out the 1/4" ruler foot and will continue to use this method on some of my quilts.  In New Zealand the access to rulers is very limited.  Stewmac are the NZ distributors for Handiquilter rulers.  Quiltique.co.nz also supplies machine quilting rulers (my friend has bought some for her HQ sweet sixteen) however I cannot find the rulers listed on their website.  Will update this post when I receive more information.

Now - of to play with my new sewing machine gadget "flower foot"

Happy stitching.

Janome , Elna and Bernina 1/4" ruler foot

I have seen some amazing quilting on quilts where rulers have been used with the Handi Quilter machines.  Of course like anything (watching online videos) it always looks easy when someone else does it.  I quilt my quilts however I don't have a natural ability with my free motion.  I have to plan and measure while some of my friends can just draw pictures with their sewing machines.
So due to my skill level, I can't justify purchasing a HQ Free motion machine.  I have used them and they are beautiful.  Sigh.........

Janome have a 1/4" ruler foot (part number 767-434-005) which is an attachment for the straight sewer machine (1600p).  This ruler foot also fits the free motion foot holder which comes with the Horizon models 7700, 8200, 8900, Elna 720 and 760 Excellence models.
This foot holder is available as an additional extra for the  Janome 6600p, 6500, Skyline S3, S5 and S7 models and other models such as the DC range of machines. In New Zealand, this holder (shank) and three attachments retails for $189.00. The additional 1/4" ruler foot attachment retails for $69.00.

You must have the foot holder to attach the 1/4"ruler foot to it. Check with your dealer to ensure it will fit your model.
 Notice the spring section of the foot holder in the picture below?  When your holder is attached to your machine you can adjust the height of your foot to work perfectly with different lofts of batting by just turn the dial.  So easy.

My free motion foot holder has the  1/4" ruler foot attached.  The other three
feet attachments shown came with my foot holder.

Notice the depth of the 1/4" ruler foot? 
Standard Free motion foot to the right.
 

My first attempt at using my 1/4" ruler foot and
Handi Quilter (HQ) ruler.

This foot must be used with a 1/4" thick quilting ruler  - not your cutting rulers.

BERNINA ruler foot is number 96.  This foot doesn't have the adjustable shank.  Check with your dealer whether this foot will fit your model of machine.

It will take me practise to get the correct grip / pressure on the ruler to prevent it from moving.
Now for a day of play.
Happy quilting friends.

 

The Martelli Rotary Cutter

I have hurt my left arm mainly due to over use.  For a while now I have been searching for new ways to help with my rotary cutting both at home and at work. 

I came across this link about the Martelli Cutting system.  http://www.martellicatalog.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MC&Category_Code=RC

I ordered a left handed cutter which arrived in the post two weeks ago along with a packet of blades.  Today is the first time have been able to test it out.

Left handed Martelli Rotary Cutter with black handle
Martelli Rotary Cutters for right hands are Red

 

Side view

 



Your hand rolls over to assist with cutting using a normal rotary cutter.

Here my hand is straight.







It has taken me a few attempts to get the hang of the new motion and finding the correct pressure to cut.  Its definitely a lot more comfortable. Blade closure I think is a little awkward.

I do recommend watching the video.  If you decide to order one, then make sure you buy blades as they have different circular centers with no additional groves like the olfa blades.. 

There is a back order on left handed cutters as this model is currently being updated. 

Wonder clips - another helpful use

Wonder clips by Clover.  One of my favourite gadgets.  Initially designed to assist with the binding of quilts, I have also used them when sewing up my knitted garments.  At the moment I'm making mini hexagons and have found these clips very useful holding the fabric onto my papers ready for tacking.

Love these clips.

Shirls

Another use for Clover Wonder Clips

I have been using these Wonder Clips for a year.  What a brilliant idea - no more pricking myself in the legs with pins pinned into my binding as I hand sew them down.

I have however just discovered (some of you probably already do this) another use for these wonderful clips.

To help me crotchet the front and back of my cushion together I used these clips to hold them in place. Wow - for the sides that may not have been totally the exact size, I was able to ease and hold in place - they don't slip like with pins.

Center is a hank of Misti Alpaca
Hand Paint Worsted.
The rust is Tekapo

That's another UFO finished.
Happy Stitching.

Latest Japanese Meshwork Class

Check out these photos from yesterday's awesome class. 

Beautiful batiks.  We were surprised at how these two fabrics blended
so the coloured fabric in some places "was lost"

The red really makes these baby blocks stand out.



This photo doesn't do these blocks any justice.  Three distinct sides
to these baby blocks.

Checker board grid.  Bottom left - notice the light coloured strip sloping upwards?
I call this the smiley effect.  It is natural to push your strips upwards
to be butted against the strip above.  Always make sure they are straight to
prevent crooked lines.  There is meant to be a slight gap between strips.

This block is beautiful and elegant.  Unfortunately my photo doesn't do
this block justice. 

These blocks arrived to class in a "dream" box of batiks.
The hardest decision was which ones to use.

Everyone had the correct tools which made this class a "dream" to teach.

Continuing from an earlier post - Clover Soft Touch Thread Pic.  Finally got to use my new gadget.
  I have pulled a rouge thread through to the front of my quilt
ready to be plucked with my tweezers.

I bought this gadget in 1998.  Its used for closing safety pins
when basting your quilts.  I haven't seen these for sale
for quite a while however on of my "newbies" had
great success using a number 5 crotchet hook (10 ply)

Its freezing here at the moment.  I have had a request to make a draft stopper for our office.

Chat soon. 

Back to Basics

Can you remember making your first couple of quilts?  How excited you were and you couldn't wait to try something new?  I've really enjoy teaching beginners.  Their enthusiasm is very lifting and rewarding. 

Yesterday I ran my first Triangle Play class.  This class is a follow on from my Patchwork for Beginners or for quilting "newbies".  It's aim to give students an understanding and confidence to work with triangles.

As quilters we quite often forget about the blocks we created in our "early days" of quilting.  We are so busy trying to find the next fantastic design with the latest fabrics.

The pictures below are from one block from three of my enthusiastic students from yesterday's class.  By re-arranging units within a block changes the blocks appearance.

So back to basics. By turning units around within a block you can make really exciting intricate patterns.  This has inspired me to return to my stash and create another stash buster quilt.

One of the most fantastic quilting tools for working with triangles within squares is the Tri-Recs Tools designed by Darlene Zimmerman and Joy Hoffman.  I have had my set for over 10 years.  Very hard to find these in NZ but I notice Thimbles n Threads Upper Hutt stock these and Sawmillers in Te Marua can get them as well.  This product is imported directly from Quiltworks Wholesalers in the USA and requires a Business account (this is why only limited shops stock this tool).  Of course if your ordering fabrics from other US shops (i.e. equilter, Keepsake, Fat 1/4 shop etc.) and they stock them - buy a set or two (they make great gift for quilting friends).  In NZ they currently retail for approx. $40.00 (depending on freight)

 Happy quilting.