Insurance for Quilters
No matter what level of quilter you are, it is always a good idea to buy a little insurance against mistakes. You may know this scenario: You are starting a new exciting quilt pattern. You have read through the directions and you feel like you have a pretty good understanding of how the blocks are to be assembled. You get everything cut out and the first block partially sewed and you realize something is wrong.
Whether we cut something out incorrectly, the directions were wrong, or maybe we forgot to read the really important TIP or HINT where the pattern designer said “don’t forget to…” mistakes can happen.
When possible, take the time to sew one block completely BEFORE cutting out the entire quilt. This will help prevent some of those unforeseen pit falls that sometimes creep up. Once a block is sewn successfully, it can be used as a visual guide for color placement for your own personal fabrics instead of referencing the book or pattern that may have a different color order.
Take this pre-sewing tip for sewing each block combination to the next level by purchasing a little extra fabric to make a few more blocks than required. These extra blocks can be used for a variety of out comes. The very best reason to make a few extra blocks is in case a block is sewn together incorrectly; skip the ripping process, set it aside, and substitute one of the extra blocks in its place. You can decide at the end of the project whether the other one needs to be ripped or not.
Next, extra blocks can be used for a fun accent pillow to match the finished quilt. Or turn an extra block into the label for your signature on the back of the quilt. When giving quilts away, some quilters like to have a souvenir block as a memento from the quilt they had made.
These are the extra blocks from Gi Gi Girl quilt I made and wrote about in the Jelly Roll Rocks tip last week.
With a little planning ahead, a little extra fabric, and time well spent testing out a new quilt block, you will have the insurance and assurance that will help guarantee success for the finished project.
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
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Jelly Rolls ROCK!
I finally took time to thoroughly enjoy all the benefits of a jelly roll! These pre-cut 2 1/2” x 45” strips are heavenly treats everyone must try at least once.
This past weekend, Steve and I spent a few extra days hanging out on the Lewis & Clark Lake near Yankton. We enjoyed a few lazy days napping, jet skiing, and watching the 2008 Olympics. Just in case, I packed my sewing machine, a jelly roll and the “Let the Good Times Roll” book. Sure enough, I had an itch to do a little sewing one evening. I did the basic cutting for the Gi Gi Girl quilt one night and sewed the entire quilt together the following morning!
What a feeling of accomplishment! Then we hit the lake for some afternoon water fun.
(Be sure to read this entire tip! I have included my very first SewSara YouTube video in this post! Watch for more educational videos to come).
With so many books and individual patterns currently available, a jelly roll can be adapted to many traditional quilt designs. Look for patterns that state, “Jelly Roll Friendly” indicating that a jelly roll is the best fabric choice.
If cutting is not your favorite part of the quilt making process, then a jelly roll quilt is for you. These tempting grab-n-quilt solutions get you right to the best part of the quilt making – the sewing!
If you have always admired the look of scrap quilts with the multitude of colors from the wide array of sorted fabrics, then a jelly roll quilt is also for you. Not only are they pre-cut but the 40 different strips offer a look of controlled-scrappiness.
This fall Heirloom Creations is offering 10 FREE jelly roll and fat quarter classes with fabric and book or pattern purchase. For a nice change, pack up your sewing machine and join us and others for an evening, day or Saturday class. There are always tips and tricks that we guarantee you will enjoy learning while doing these fun and simple patterns. Why sew at home alone, when you can hang out with us?
If you find your own stash is multiplying like the “Loaves & Fishes” Bible story, think about making your own jelly rolls. When Heirloom Creations first started making their own jelly rolls, we used June Tailors Shape Cut to quickly strip fabric into the highly sought after 2 1/2” strips.
When putting away left over fabric from a finished quilt, take the time to cut everything into 2 1/2” strips. If you really want to get organized, locate clear storage boxes to separate the light and dark strips and be ready to sew a future jelly roll friendly quilt.
Everyone loves the feeling of accomplishment. If you have been lacking the great feeling of finishing a project lately, join us from one of the many FREE jelly roll classes this fall.
And if sewing is your passion and you pack your machine to go on vacation don’t forget the jelly roll!
Click here to view the August – October 2008 newsletter.
Or visit us online at http://www.heirloomcreations.net
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Would you like to receive the weekly sewing tip in your e-mail every Monday morning? Scroll up to the top of this page and add your e-mail address in the Weekly E-Mail area!
How to Buy a Sewing Cabinet
Does your back hurt after sewing just a short amount of time? You don’t need a chiropractor, you need a new ergonomic sewing space!
Right now, save big by purchasing your new Horn of America sewing cabinet by Saturday, August 30, 2008 before the new price increase goes into effect!
A new sewing cabinet and sewing chair will help you say, “Ahhhh”. Come see our new selection of affordable sewing cabinets and chairs to fit any budget.
We have written a few ideas below for selecting the perfect sewing cabinet to fit your sewing style and budget.
Pick Your Style
- Do you often work on large projects?
- Would you like it to completely close it up when it is not in use?
- Should it have space for a serger next to your sewing machine?
- Do you need storage for threads, sewing tools and fabric?
Shopping Hints - Things to look for in a quality sewing cabinet:
- Locking casters
- At least a 3/4″ thick melamine mar-resistant surface.
- Full length piano hinges used for maximum strength.
- Drawers with nylon rollers with stops for smooth openings.
- Extra drop leaf extension for a larger work surface.
- A cabinet’s sewing machine opening should be positioned to the right of center. This will allow the user adequate space to sit directly in front of the sewing machine needle. Always sit at a cabinet prior to purchase to check for proper height, space and comfort.
Need a home for your serger? Check out the perfect serger table so your serger can always be set up and ready to use!
Or do you need a new cutting table? The proper height can save a day of cutting!
Click here for more information on ergonomic sewing chairs!
Heirloom Creations Tip: Always buy the largest cabinet you have space for!
Remember, save big by purchasing your new Horn of America sewing cabinet by Saturday, August 30, 2008 before the new price increase goes into effect!
© 2008 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Would you like to receive the weekly sewing tip in your e-mail every Monday morning? Scroll up to the top of this page and add your e-mail address in the Weekly E-Mail area!
Quilts & Vines 2008
Quilts & Vines 2008 Was Spectacular!
Over 1,200 people sampled South Dakota grown wines at Strawbale Winery’s and Heirloom Creations second annual Quilts & Vines outdoor quilt show and wine tasting event on Saturday, August 9, 2008. Over 475 quilts were gorgeously displayed throughout the entire vineyard by customers from Heirloom Creations.
Be sure to scroll down to see ALL the pictures!
We want to say THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped with:
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Displaying quilts for the quilt show – it is amazing what 475 quilts looks like!
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Making the raffle quilt (shown below). The quilt was won by Marilyn Jones.
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Checking in quilts at Heirloom Creations
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Helping with quilt pick up – Quilt pick up starts at 9:30am on Monday, August 11, 2008.
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Hanging all the quilts at 7am – we had so many volunteers it took just over an hour to hang ALL 475 the quilts!
- Heirloom Creations embroidered wine glass holders all day long so people could have hands-free quilt browsing. They were quite the hit!
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There was the set up team the day below who put up tents, bails of hay and benches for people to sit on.
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And a group of car enthusiasts drove out a variety of classic cars and antique Oliver tractor for a little extra country nostalgia.
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There was great food to keep all the volunteers working.
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And the entire Strawbale Winery staff kept the wine tasting flowing!
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Many thanks to everyone who helped take tickets and checking ID’s.
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We had a wonderful group that helped park cars a day long and help people get on and off the shuttle buses.
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Even the neighbor next door joined in and helped out with the festivities!
There were photo opts every time you turned around!
Everyone was checking out all the beautiful quilts!
Media THANKS goes to the following:
- Results Radio/Cumulus Media
- KSOO 1140 AM radio
- HOT 104.7
- KDEZ 100.1
- KIKN 100.5
- MIX 97.3
- Keloland
- KSFY
- ArgusLeader
- The Flandreau Booster
- Madison Daily Leader
The Project Linus silent auction had over 25 items donated for auction from Twins Tickets and Hotel to a baby doll with an entire wardrobe.
Yvonne Hollenbeck presented her talk “Patchwork on the Prairie” and showed quilts that have been in her family for over 140 years.
Twelve Plein Air Artists set up their easels and painted the scenery of the country side, barn, quilts, the crowd, any thing they saw.
A Minnesota helicopter pilot offered optional tours to view the Quilts & Vines show from the air.
There was beautiful weather all day long! What a blessing!
And the party continues…
Poker Alice added the perfect musical ensemble with their toe-tapping, string-pickin’ folk art songs.
The Renner, SD antique fire truck was on display as a piece of history from the town where the Quilts & Vines show was held.
It looked like the quilts stretched on for miles out on the South Dakota prairie.
Quilts & Vines 2008 T-Shirts also made their debut at the show. If you are still interested in a T-Shirt, stop by Heirloom Creations in Sioux Falls, SD. T-Shirts are $10 while they last!
Thanks again to everyone volunteered and to everyone who attended the second annual Quilts & Vines event. We hope to see you next year!
Mark your calendars for next year:
Quilts & Vines III
Saturday, August 8, 2009
QBOT to the Rescue
By now you know the Quilts & Vines quilt show is right around the corner (Saturday, August 9, 2008) and you may be trying to get that last quilt top quilted for the show.
Did you know that QBOT has come to save our local quilters hours of extra work by doing their quilting for them?
“Who is this QBOT you speak of,” you ask?
QBOT is an automated quilting computerized accessory that attaches to the Husqvarna Viking New Generation home-size quilting frame and Husqvarna Viking Mega quilter sewing machine. Automatic hands-free movement creates the perfect design. You are now the professional! Just think about all of those quilting projects that you started, but never finished. The QBOT will complete your quilting projects for you in a fraction of the time.
QBOT offers the automation of a simple one-touch GO and STOP quilting. Similar to an embroidery machine, once the quilt is loaded on the frame, select the design, push the button, and the work is done! I love it!
Since it quilts all by itself, I can be doing other things while it stitches – cut out my next project or sew on a near by sewing machine. When the row is complete, the quilt is rolled to the next section and QBOT starts again. Roll and repeat until it’s complete!
Pictured below is the very first quilt I quilted using the quilting frame and QBOT.
With more than 18 quilting designs included, and optional software to create unlimited quilting designs, you can start creating beautiful quilts immediately. Or “record” your own one-of-a-kind patterns, and repeat them the same way. Designs can be scaled to fit a variety of blocks, rectangles, and border sizes.
Click here to watch the QBOT in action!
Great Introductory SAVINGS!
We are offering a limited time introductory price for the frame, Mega Quilter sewing machine, Cruise Control and QBOT. The Husqvarna Viking quilting frame is 10 feet long and can accommodate a quilt 120 inches wide.
Come in, try it out, and see what everyone is talking about! We will also have the QBOT and frame set up at the Quilts & Vines Quilt Show and Wine Tasting event on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at Strawbale Winery. Click here for ticket information.