Learn to Quilt-Lesson Two

Welcome to Lesson Two
Today we learn more about using the rotary cutter and mat and next week we will start with the fabric requirements and cutting squares for the quilt.
When cutting with a rotary cutter you always must use a mat or you will damage the table you are cutting on. There is a discussion about cutting mats and which one is the best. I have had an Olfa mat for about 15 years and it is still in good shape. The mat has a one inch grid on it and I use a ruler that also has a grid. When cutting fabric I line it up on the mat grid and then I line up the ruler using both the gird and the ruler grid too before I cut. This will help assure the cut is straight. When you are cutting multiple layers of fabric check often that you have it lined up to make sure you don't get curved lines. When you are cutting half inch lines always make sure to use the ruler lines to line it up top and bottom of the fabric. I will try to have some photos next week with the cutting requirements for the pattern. We will leave cutting triangles and other shapes until we are using them for a block. So see you again next Mon. with the Fabric requirements.
Have a good week.
Tennye

How is your day going?

I am working hard to finish my first quilt for the commission of the man's clothes. I start the next one Mon. out of his dockers. This one is his blue jeans. The next two or three will be made from his shirts. Then I will be working on the t-shirts and sweat shirts and they will be made into small quilts that can be used as baby quilts or just child size quilts. What are you working on? I would love to know.
Tennye

Learn to Quilt-Lesson One

Hello to all who may be reading my blog. I have not been consistent with my writings and I know that. I have taken that into consideration when I decided to offer to you a free class on "How to Quilt". I have not decided how many classes this will consist of, however, I shall begin at the beginning . I would not want the beginner to find themselves confused or distressed in the learning process. I personally am a kinetic learner, who is better off by being shown what to do and then doing it. However others learn visually and others learn by hearing. I do not have the capability of teaching by voice. However I am able to use photos as well as my words and if at all possible drawings. So for any interested this will be class or lesson 1.

Lesson One
Quilting is the process of putting together three layers . Generally it is also a process of cutting larger pieces of fabric into small pieces, then sewing them back together. To use as one of the layers in the quilt. Quilts have traditionally been used for warmth, in a utilitarian manner. They have also been used as a decoration. Over the centuries many have used them for other reasons as well. In the Bible times they were used as clothing to protect in war. Almost as a shield.
Currently we use quilts for many things including the traditional ones of warmth and decoration. Many artists use fabric as their personal method of creating. So history and descriptions aside now we will move on to the process of learning what and how to quilt.
Quilt fabric is generally 100% cotton however there are other fabric choices for different times.
For our purposes until we get to future lessons we will recommend only using Cotton. Many discussions have centered around how to handle your fabric. The general thought is you should wash all fabric prior to using it. I suggest you wash it in smaller pieces so that it is easier to handle. Iron after washing and if you want you may use starch to give it a crispness. This will make it easier to cut.
Tools- Well, the tools of the trade as you say are those that you use when making quilts, but also the same as the ones used for sewing in general. Scissors, thread, needles, thimbles, pins, and then you move on to other newer tools. Rotary cutter and mat, rulers, and template material, along with many new things we will learn about along the way.
That is all we are going to do today. Next lesson will be next Mon. and we will start with a project you may use to learn to quilt.
Thank you for joining me and I look forward to seeing you next time.
Tennye

What would you like me to do next???

Well, I have been thinking about starting a block of the month club or something like that. I was wondering what you all would think about that if you would like to join me in this process. We could make a quilt a year that would be easy for those who have too little time and too much desire. I would be happy to post the blocks monthly and then show the quilt at the end of the year. I would even do different setting so you can decide which one you like best. If you think you would like to join this I will have the first block and the first optional setting of the quilt posted about the 15Th of June. Pictures will be available to help with construction. My first class will be on line at Quilting Weekly in a week or two, so look for it. The cost is not out of most peoples limits. Then use the forum to talk to the other ladies on line. Thanks for reading.
Tennye

Posting From Virginia

Hello from all the lovely state of Virgina. I am visiting my family here in the North East and we went to the beach yesterday. Today we have done very little, but have enjoyed visiting. Their dogs are sick, and have Kennel cough. The vet saw them today and gave them medication, so they are sleeping alot today. They are sweet dogs and I hate to see them sick.
Before I left to come here I completed a new blouse and a new dress. It was kind of nice to make some clothes for a change, and they fit. I will most likely be making more after this, but not if it gets in the way of making quilts. I brought the quilts I made for my granddauhters to show them. I have not put them together yet so it is only the tops. I wish I had pictures of both of them, but I only have one.
I still have not turned in my class for the trapunto quilt. I need to make more pictures and add them before I can send it off. I am down to the last day of the class that needs pictures, and I have had to almost re-make the entire quilt. It is sad that I didn't realize I needed some of the pictures that I have needed when I made the original quilt. I made a short video too the other day and now I can't figure out how to add it to the class it goes in. I am looking forward to getting it in, it makes me feel bad to have to hold off.
As soon as I get the girls quilts finished I need to start quilting the other tops I have that are ready to quilt. I had a lady call me the other day and ask me about quilting for her. Sadly the Internet and the people in our area want to get quilting for nothing. So when I told her I would charge her .01 cents a sq. foot she decided that was just too much to pay. It up sets me for people to want excellence and then not be willing to pay for it. Guess I need to go and not get upset. Have a wonderful evening. Talk to you all soon.

New Day, Old Project

Working on old projects today. I am attempting to get my Little Gracie II frame ready to use for quilting. I have put it off for months, because I was just not sure how to put the leader fabric on. I am sure when the process is complete I will kick myself for waiting so long to have done it. I have three quilts that are ready to be quilted and two that I would like to give to my granddaughters when I go see them at the end of the month. I will quilt the one that is not for them first so if I mess up I will not mess up theirs. I would post the pictures today of the tops, but I have not taken them yet.
Spring has sprung here in Texas and the days have been beautiful so being in doors has been hard. The flowers are blooming and the trees are that wonderful shade of green that is only seen in the spring.
I am also working on the commission quilts I told you about before. I have the blue jean one ready to start putting back together almost. I had an appointment to meet with her to pick out fabric and she did not show up. I am hoping this is not going to turn out to be like the last commission I took making quilts from clothing. At least this time I will be able to get them out of my house if it does, since they do not have and pictures on them.
Well, I am looking forward to a very prosperous week and I hope you are too. I should be turning in the final draft of my class this week on Trapunto. I am hoping that turns out well, because if it does then I will turn in another class on using old clothing for quilts right away. Talk to all of you again soon.
Tennye

Living Learning

Well, as I may have said before I am writing a class on a quilt that I recently designed. I turned it in to the web teacher who is over me, she gave me her critique yesterday. Apparently I use and too often, I also don't give enough detail in my description's. There is also some spelling issues that I forgot to use spell check on. Needless to say I will be doing some re writing and having someone do some editing for me. I felt good about my ability to write, and now I have to re-evaluate myself.
Trapunto is such an exciting new method to learn when you have never done it and I need to make it interesting and fun for my students. I am distracted, I will write later.
T