Monthly Archives: August 2012

Live and In-Person Quilt Lessons

Quilt Therapy Posted on by

I am spending a couple of weeks with my third foster family.  I got my foster mother interested in quilting when she came to Texas to visit us over Thanksgiving a couple of years ago.  Since I believe all quilters are constantly in the learning process, she informed me that one of the things she wanted to learn while I was here was how to improve on her piecing techniques – such as having her points line up better.

So, we have been quilting!  I have made two prayer shawls since I’ve been here already and am cutting out another quilt.  It’s a bit of a challenge for me to have someone watch me while I work since I usually am alone in my sewing room at home, enjoying my quilt therapy with just a few interruptions of my kids.  She doesn’t talk much while I’m working except to ask a question or two about what I’m doing and how I’m doing it.  Unfortunately for her, I am probably not much help on the techniques she wanted the help with since I’ve been quilting nearly 30 years.  She was stunned at how near-perfect my points came out on my blocks when she saw that I didn’t do anything special to make that happen.  I explained that if you cut your pieces correctly and you sewed the blocks together with a steady one-quarter inch seam allowance – all of the piecing should come out correctly.  I know that’s not much help to a newby quilter, but it’s all I’ve got! 🙂

Once I finish cutting out this next quilt and piece it, I will leave it with her to hand-quilt as she does a great job and really enjoys her time at her quilt frame. 

So, if you are a new quilter and want to learn how to quilt without taking classes – see if you can find a more experienced quilter to work with you.  Just by watching them and their personal processes, you may be able to improve your techniques (especially if you are a visual learner).  It’s been fun for me and the questions have been good ones.  I surely would have loved to learn more about quilting through watching someone else when I first started out; though I taught myself through books, I could have perfected my own techiques quicker if I had the luxury of watching someone with more know-how and tips long before I felt I was finally piecing a quilt with accuracy.

Blogcation

Quilt Therapy Posted on by

To my faithful readers, please note that I have taken a blogging vacation this week.  I needed some Tammy Time and our plates have been full.  My apologies if you missed me – though I thank you for checking in on me nonetheless!

On a personal front, my disability appeal was approved without so much as a request from those in the know to have any other doctors or medical professionals evaluate me.  With my original filing for disability, they requested two different doctor’s evaluations.  I filed my last paperwork less than two weeks before they approved the disability appeal.  I would say even though the speed of some government agencies is slower than molasses, my husband and I were dumbfounded and speechless when I received such a quick reply and approval.  Not only was that decision made quickly, within two days of receiving the approval letter, my lovely Social Security advocate in the office nearest to our home called me on a Saturday to interview me over the phone about the monetary benefits.  WOW.  I think I need to buy that woman some chocolates!

I am still having trouble swallowing that lump in my throat that my MS has affected me to the point of needing disability – but I am eternally grateful that I was approved and our family will benefit because of it.

Once I find a camera cord that will work with my camera, I will have some fun quilt-related photos to share with you next week.  I’ve been more busy quilting than usual and I’m excited to share some of my quilt accomplishments with you!

For now, enjoy your weekend!  I hope to be back in a blogging state of mind next week!

Easy Table Runner #5

Quilt Therapy Posted on by

All this week, I have taken a single quilt block design and created five different table runners for you!  Each day, the single quilt block has been modified slightly to create a number of variations from a single quilt block.  You can make these table runners scrappy, if you prefer – though I used the same three colors in all five of the designs I put together for you.  These blocks are SIMPLE to make – all straight lines and no triangles, extremely beginner friendly!  If you make any of these, I’d love for you to send me a photo that I can share here on my blog!

This is the fifth block.  The cutting instructions are for ONE (1) block, you need FOUR (4) of these blocks to make your table runner.  All blocks are 10″ finished, 10 1/2″ unfinished.  All of the table runners have a 2″ finished border and a 1/2″ binding.  All seams are 1/4″.  All of the table runners finish out at 15″ x 45″.  Press toward the darkest fabric.

  • Cut TWO (2) 3″ x 10 1/2″ strips of Blue
  • Cut TWO (2) 3″ x 10 1/2″ strips of Purple
  • Cut TWO (2) 3″ x 5 1/2″ strips of Blue
  • Cut TWO (2) 3″ x 5 1/2″ strips of Purple
  • Cut ONE (1) 5 1/2″ square of Lilac

Sew the Purple and Blue shorter strips to the top and bottom of the Lilac center square.   Then, sew the longer Blue and Purple strips to the left and right side of your center.

For the borders and binding:

  • Cut TWO (2) 10 1/2″ strips for the left and right borders
  • Cut and piece TWO (2) 44 1/2″ strips for the top and bottom borders
  • Cut enough 2 1/2″ x WOF strips to create your binding

After you have your borders sewn on, create your quilt sandwich with your table runner top, batting and backing fabric and quilt as desired.  Attach the binding to complete your project!

Here’s the finished table runner:

Easy Table Runner #4

Quilt Therapy Posted on by

All this week, I have taken a single quilt block design and created five different table runners for you!  Each day, the single quilt block has been modified slightly to create a number of variations from a single quilt block.  You can make these table runners scrappy, if you prefer – though I used the same three colors in all five of the designs I put together for you.  These blocks are SIMPLE to make – all straight lines and no triangles, extremely beginner friendly!  If you make any of these, I’d love for you to send me a photo that I can share here on my blog!

This is the forth block.  The cutting instructions are for ONE (1) block, you need FOUR (4) of these blocks to make your table runner.  All blocks are 10″ finished, 10 1/2″ unfinished.  All of the table runners have a 2″ finished border and a 1/2″ binding.  All seams are 1/4″.  All of the table runners finish out at 15″ x 45″.  Press toward the darkest fabric.

  • Cut FOUR (4) 3″ squares of the Purple
  • Cut FOUR (4) 3″ squares of the Lilac
  • Cut FOUR (4) 3″ x 5 1/2″ strips of the Blue

Sew the center Purple and Lilac squares to make one four-patch block.   Then, sew these blocks to the Blue strips on both left and right sides of the center four-patch.  Next, make two strips with the Lilac, Blue and Purple squares and strips.  Finally, sew these two final strips to the top and bottom of the block.

For the borders and binding:

  • Cut TWO (2) 10 1/2″ strips for the left and right borders
  • Cut and piece TWO (2) 44 1/2″ strips for the top and bottom borders
  • Cut enough 2 1/2″ x WOF strips to create your binding

After you have your borders sewn on, create your quilt sandwich with your table runner top, batting and backing fabric and quilt as desired.  Attach the binding to complete your project!

Here’s the finished table runner:

Easy Table Runner #3

Quilt Therapy Posted on by

All this week, I have taken a single quilt block design and created five different table runners for you!  Each day, the single quilt block has been modified slightly to create a number of variations from a single quilt block.  You can make these table runners scrappy, if you prefer – though I used the same three colors in all five of the designs I put together for you.  These blocks are SIMPLE to make – all straight lines and no triangles, extremely beginner friendly!  If you make any of these, I’d love for you to send me a photo that I can share here on my blog!

This is the third block.  The cutting instructions are for ONE (1) block, you need FOUR (4) of these blocks to make your table runner.  All blocks are 10″ finished, 10 1/2″ unfinished.  All of the table runners have a 2″ finished border and a 1/2″ binding.  All seams are 1/4″.  All of the table runners finish out at 15″ x 45″.  Press toward the darkest fabric.

  • Cut FOUR (4) 3″ squares of the Purple
  • Cut SIX (6) 3″ squares of the Lilac
  • Cut TWO (2) 3″ squares of the Blue
  • Cut TWO (2) 3″ x 5 1/2″ strips of the blue

Sew the Purple and Lilac squares to make two four-patch blocks.   Next, sew the Blue squares to the Lilac squares to make two more blocks.  Finally, sew these blocks to the four-patch blocks in rows and then sew the rows together to create your block.

For the borders and binding:

  • Cut TWO (2) 10 1/2″ strips for the left and right borders
  • Cut and piece TWO (2) 44 1/2″ strips for the top and bottom borders
  • Cut enough 2 1/2″ x WOF strips to create your binding

After you have your borders sewn on, create your quilt sandwich with your table runner top, batting and backing fabric and quilt as desired.  Attach the binding to complete your project!

Here’s the finished table runner: