Apps I have on my Ipad

I love my Ipad - because I can see the screen and its a very handy quilting reference tool.

Here is a list of the Apps I use quite often or encourage my beginners to use.  Some are free - others aren't.





 SCHMETZ needles (free).  This app tells you everything you need to know about sewing machine needles - needles by fabric type, needle types, solving problems, needle knowledge.  Very easy to use with their drop down menus and great pictures.

I should point out though - SCHMETZ will fit most domestic sewing machines and sewing machine companies like Janome, Bernina, Singer have their own needle codes/colours.  When using this app I look for the type of needle I require for the job I intend to do then look through my Janome or Singers (depending on the machine I'm using) needles to see if there is one that matches.  If not - then I use a SCHMETZ.

While I'm talking about sewing machine needles - Janome have just released their "Purple Tip Needles" for all Janome models.  These effectively prevents  skipped stitches when sewing stretch fabrics, quilt layers and for sewing across the hem.  So I have a packet and I will test drive them when I free motion a quilt later this week.  They are a little more expensive than the standard needles.


BlockFab-HD

Very easy to use - has a massive quilt block library.  All you do is choose your block, enter required block size,fabrics colours and it calculates your fabric requirement (its in yards).  It also has a layout page which so you can see your chosen block repeated as a quilt.

QuiltCalc
I'm a visual girl so when it comes to maths - forget it. 
This app also known as "The Quilter's Little Helper"  does your fabric calculations for you.  Easy option to change measurements from inches to Metric.

 Keepsake Quilting is a quilt shop in America.  A lot of NZ quilters receive their catalogue.  I find them an interesting reference for new "toys" for quilting.  You choose which catalogue to download.  It does take a while to download.








FootBook

Simply the best (my opinion anyway)

This App is a must for Janome users.  It's not free and you need to be linked to Wi-Fi.  It lists all the different types of feet available for Janome sewing machines.  I should point out that these also fit the majority of Elna machines.
It includes the new machine models with the 9mm wide feet.

When you select a foot, you are provided with a part number, description of how it is used and a video demonstration.
Includes an option to list the feet you own and to create a wish list.

What about commission work - tracking the hours it takes to make a quilt.
I've loaded HoursTracker

This app can be used for any task really - not just for quilting. You set up a job then just click in "Clock in Now" to start your time, then "Clock out Now" to stop.  It tracks your hours - very simple.
You will be surprised how quickly time mounts up.







as Bugs Bunny would say - "that's all folks"

Happy quilting

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.

Japanese Meshwork Coastal Quilts at Pataka

A very enjoyable meshwork class yesterday with members of Coastal Quilters.  A couple of ladies attended this class for a second time to try out more complicated weaves.  Check out these photos.

 

 

Lovely spacious venue in the Education Center of Pataka Art Gallery.   Bonus - opportunity to view Coastal Quilters quilt exhibition.

Japanese Meshwork - Sawmillers

Another exciting successful class at Sawmillers yesterday.  Take a peek.

Tip one - push weight down on your iron to help slide it along the bias strip you are making.

Tip two - use the flat looped bodkin to help your claw bodkin under multiple strips.

Of course we had a Devonshire Tea for our Lunch Break - Thank you Kevin

Tip Three - the fusible tape used on this block for some reason would not attach it to the background fabric.  Problem was solved using a piece of fusible web ironed onto the background fabric. 

 

I have had instances where the tape will not attach to fabric due to the fabric surface.  Sometimes if there appears to be a sheen or some form of residue on the fabric surface it is advisable to prewash the fabric.  In this case the fabric had been prewash so therefore I'm assuming we may have had a faulty tape.

 

Very enjoyable class with lovely ladies.  Thank you.

Meshwork Cushion

Meshwork cushion number 2 is now complete.











 Front                      Back


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Meshing - exciting stuff.

 

Baby jacket & PJ

It will be years before I'm a grandmother - however I have had a bit of fun recently making these two items for one of my daughters friends.

I knitted this jacket and sewed these pj's for all of my children when they were babies.

Kwik Sew PJ pattern 1904 (no longer available) and Shepherd leaflet 759.  The pattern for this jacket has been reproduced to include two additional sizes from the original pattern produced in the 1980's

Kaleidoscope using border fabric

My New Years resolution to myself - For every UFO (unfinished object) I complete, I can create something new. One UFO - knocked of. :)

Kay Nickols wrote a book years ago on making quilts from border fabric which creates a kaleidoscope effect.  I thought I would explore her idea.

Each block is made up of only 4 pieces.  I noticed that the size of blocks is determined by the size of the pattern repeat, not by how wide I decide to make them.  Two types of pattern shapes appear. 
The other thing I noticed when laying out my blocks - they needed to be set out on point.  When laid out square they lost their wow factor.

Center blocks

 
 
 
 
Border fabric

 
 I've nearly finished another quilt using this technique.  It also wants to have its blocks laid on point.

 Here's a sneak preview.  This one has more of a wow factor due my fabric selection (Christine Grafs "Sausalito" series).

 Border fabrics that have a lot of colour and shape create more interesting blocks.  In the late 1990's early 2000's there was a huge selection of border fabrics - doesn't appear to be to much out there at the moment.
Happy stitching.