March 28, 2011

Ahhhh Provence....

I had the lovely pleasure of helping to set up for the Empire Guilds Urban Inspirations 2011 Quilt Show.  I must say, I had soooo much fun.  I was hanging out with the lady from "The Little Collection" (who won a ribbon at the show..yippeee).  We were putting up poles and curtains, then hanging quilts for the show... It was great.

While there, the vendors were also coming in to set up.  Within the first hour that I was there, I literally ran into a guy pushing a cart loaded with fabric.  As I looked I saw the lovely Sunflowers and tell tale Blue and Yellow cloth, and said "Is that from Provence", to which he answered yes the fabric was.   They were from French Connection in North Carolina. And then my drooling began. For much of the morning, I continued to run into him at every turn.  Finally, I said, I am going to have to purchase your fabric TODAY.....

And so, the Little Collection and I went about and ended up purchasing some lovely provencial fabric...and this is what I did with my purchase that Friday night..

March 21, 2011

Feather Tips for Christa...

What does it take to be an expert machine quilter or feather free motion quilter?  It takes 500 hours of machine quilting feathers to get to the title "proficient Feather Quilter" and  10,000 hours of quilting feathers would render the title "Expert Feather Quilter".  I am an expert at ENCOURAGEMENT. 

So this is how I got started...

I was always intimidated by the process of quilting feathers, or any machine quilting design.  I don’t do well with patterns and pre-drawn pictures.  If you don’t mind that, there are a gazillion books with patterns that you can sketch on tracing paper and apply to your quilt and follow the lines.  When you are done, you simply tear off the paper and voila…

I on the other hand, am a purist, and enjoy learning free movement and ideas.  I don’t mind that no two feathers may look alike.  So with that pep talk in my head, a forged ahead.

I first went online and looked at how people described the feather process, and I realized that there are many ways and they are individual to that person.  There was however a common theme… some went up one side and down the other, whereas others went up one side, stitched back along the spine and went up the other side.  So of course I tried them both.

Now there are some technical terms for feathers.  There is the Root of the feather – the beginning/base of your feather design (e.g. the part you would grab if you were going to tickle someone, or the part of the quill that you use to dip in the ink.)  NOTE:  if you are drawing feathers in a circle/wreath, there won’t be a root.

Then there is the spine of the feather.  This is the middle line that is the “back bone” of the feather. (no pun intended…smiles).  This is the line that you may draw first and then go back over it before you begin the second side.


Then there is the part that is called the Barbs. This is the puffy pieces that extend on either side of the spine.  These barbs go up and out away from the spine and the base/root.

Before you begin quilting feathers, keep the following in mind. 
1. make sure you have your new needle.
2. You must be in a comfortable position.
3.  You should have a few bobbins ready.

and LASTLY BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY....remember to breathe.

MY PROCESS

Decide what direction you want your feathers to go.  Up to the left or right, straight along a border, or wherever your hand goes.

Take your trusty sketch book, or scrap paper and try out some of the pictures you see. 

Start by drawing your spine.  It can be slightly wavy.  Then begin by creating your barbs on one side, going in a continuous motion up and down.  (Remember this helps to create "muscle memory".)
Next, try to go along the other side from the top, without tracing back down the spine.

Then do another, where you go up one side, trace down the spine and begin at the base up on the other side.

Now on your fabric you will do the same thing.  You will start by stiching a wavy line along the fabric, in the direction that you have chosen.  this creates your spine.

Then start on one side and make loops that go from the bottom of the spine up and over, back to the spine.  Repeat these loops, by starting at the beginning where you just ended, going up and over again.

While making my feathers I would sometimes go back over the line that I finished.  It is also known as backtracking. (Double stitching that happens when the shared line between feathers is quilted twice.  The first time is to complete the upper side of the first feather, and once to complete the underside of the next loop.)

Over time this did not work for me and I chose to have seperate loops.
When you are making your loops, remember that you are stitching out and away from the spine.

Here are more pics of my practice and things that I noticed.


Remember to just have fun....Hope this helps...happy feathering...

March 20, 2011

The gift

What a wonderful Sunday.  I have finished quilting the gift.  I will be dropping it off in the next two days .... and am ensured that it shall reach its intended recipient this upcoming weekend. 

Process talk....well I wanted a stippling effect, but not the meandering, so I did a pebble type all over design.  This was my first attempt at feathering...smiles...I have learned a few things about the machine quilting process as well.  For starters, my machine is very hearty but also delicated.  Yeah, I know sounds strange.  She collects the dust from the thread and the batting very fast, which then requires a bobbin casing and feed dog cleaning at every bobbin change.  I guess this is a good thing, as it ensures a clean working machine.  She is indeed a smooth machine.  So far I must say I am very happy with my selection.  We are becoming fast friends.

So here are some pics at the Gift Quilt.  I hope you enjoy.







March 10, 2011

I Have more to See....

More videos...Yippeee....Okay my goal is to have my website up and running by the Summer.  It is currently linked to the blog...Here is the link for the new videos.

For those of you that log in to stuff...spread the word...and email me at E at cocktailsandthreaddotcom if you have any questions or ideas...

Happy stitching.

March 6, 2011

How to Sew Buttons on a Sweater: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew Buttons on a Sweater: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Sew a Button on a Throw Pillow: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew a Button on a Throw Pillow: Sewing Help eHow.com

Tutorial for Sewing a Place Mat: Sewing Help | eHow.com

Tutorial for Sewing a Place Mat: Sewing Help eHow.com

Sewing Machine Problem: Thread Bunching Under Fabric: Sewing Help | eHow.com

Sewing Machine Problem: Thread Bunching Under Fabric: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Make Sheer Panels: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Make Sheer Panels: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Sew Patches on Pants: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew Patches on Pants: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Sew Pillows With Fringe: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew Pillows With Fringe: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Sew Sequins Onto a T-Shirt: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew Sequins Onto a T-Shirt: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Sew a Top-Stitched Patch Pocket: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew a Top-Stitched Patch Pocket: Sewing Help eHow.com

How to Sew a Simple Decorative Pillow: Sewing Help | eHow.com

How to Sew a Simple Decorative Pillow: Sewing Help eHow.com

Stopping in the Local Quilt Shop and Video Update

Hello blog world.  It has been a very busy time, as I am sure we all are.  Fortunately I have been sipping and stitching...smiles. 

Last week I had the pleasure of being invited to speak at the Pennsylvania Bar Associations Conference of Bar Leaders.  It went well of course.  A highlight of my trek to Penn State (driving) was the discovery of a local quilt shop nearby.

I happened upon  "Stitch Your Art Out" where I met Kim and was fortunate (perhaps my pockets were unfortunate) to have gone while they had lovely things on sale.  Needles to say, I bought sale and non-sale items and left with a large bag of goodies.  They had yarn, fabric, thread, oh my...  It was a lovely selection.  That detour made the rest of my stay even better.

Definately not representative of all that was available...smiles.

VIDEO UPDATE

I am on EHow and also on Ehows You Tube Channel "EhowArtsandCrafts" and just search for me..

I have another series that should be premiering within the next 2 weeks, and will be working on a whole lot more, throughout the month of March.  Now, I just have to find the time to figure out how to link them to my website, set up my website (right now it links to this blog post), and all the other wonderful things that go with being online.  Any suggestions...you know how to reach me...  E@cocktailsandthread.com