Blog

Last week I celebrated my 55th birthday, and I want to thank everyone for the e-mails, cards and personal messages on Facebook and Instagram. I am feeling loved!  

This morning I got this card from Donna, Penny and Joanne who work with me here at Sue Pelland Designs. Many of you know my amazing team of Suzettes, but if you don’t, here is the crew…celebrating with a margarita toast, then in Nashville on our way to a Paducah Quilt Show and then in NYC gazing at Christmas lights through Magic Glasses! From left to right with cowboy hats are Sue, Penny, Joanne and Donna.  

It  has been a trend in the last few years for people to choose a word of the year. I have neglected to do so knowing that I have a hard time sticking to just about anything for an entire year! 

Yet, this word keeps popping into my mind, Grace. I have found that working primarily with women that we are all so hard on ourselves. We demand so much of ourselves whether at work, with family, our community, even our craft, we are often perfectionist and our own worst critics. We all need to give ourselves and those around us more Grace.  

Notice that we are already three weeks into 2021…and I am just choosing now? That is me…always late to the party! I can’t get this word out of my head and its positive vibe is really inspiring me. So, you may see my word of the year pop up in e-mails, newsletters and in my workshops and presentations. 

Grace has so many meanings…

It can be God’s Grace, which is the freely given and unmerited love of God for every human. Also, the Spirit of God which gives every person strength. By the Grace of God, we are all here together enjoying the sisterhood of quilting!   

Grace can be a blessing before meals when we express how thankful we are for the abundance of food and company of those we eat with.   

It can mean Courtesy. Give yourself the GRACE to make mistakes, to learn, to experiment and to play! 

It can mean charm, elegance and poise. As in, the tulip leaves curved gracefully around the flower. I aspire to make all my applique flowers appear graceful!

Let 2021 be a year of Grace for all of you in every meaning of the word!    

 

Sue Pelland

 

 

Big Daddy Clam Shells is finished and quilted!  I just love what Pam at the Quilted Seahorse did with this quilt!  The quilting pattern is perfect.  

Big Daddy uses a TON of fusible web to make this large scale clamshell quilt in the fastest, easiest way possible.  The clamshells are fused, cut and fused again to a lightweight muslin.  The alternative is curved piecing, YUCK!  I will take the fused version any day.  With Mistyfuse the quilt is still soft and beautiful.  

Ready to give it a go?  Get the Big Daddy Clamshell pattern instantly with  our first ever PDF pattern.  Then, use the Rings and Things tools to MAKE A BIG SPLASH  with Big Daddy Clamshells!  

 

Once you wrap your head around Free Motion Quilting (like we did in the Inner Circle Workshop) it is easy to transfer that skill to Free Motion Monogramming like I did on My Grand Nephew Liam’s stocking. I use Iron Off Marking Chalk in a Clover Marking Tool, then write the name in cursive on the project. The wheel on the tool is directional so it takes a bit of practice to get it to write cleanly.

Once the name is written, I put my free motion foot on my sewing machine, change the straight stitch to a Zig-Zag stitch and start the cursive writing. I used Rayon thread to add a little extra shine.  

The side to side Zig-Zag stitch acts like a calligraphy pen. When you move up and down the Zig-Zag is wide, but when you move side to side, the lines are thin. This gives a very elegant look to my standard cursive handwriting. It takes a little practice to follow the written lines, just as it does to follow the marked lines in machine quilting. 

You can monogram on cork to make a cork notebook cover, or monogram your next baby quilt with the baby’s name and birth date. This is an easy skill to learn if you already machine quilt and there is no special embroidery machine needed!  

Give it a go! 

Even if you hate to get your hands dirty,
you can quilt a Magical Garden this year!

We are planting a new crop of “My Magical Garden” quilts in 2021. 

Whether you join My Magical Garden today or you started three years ago,
every member of the My Magical Garden Group is invited to join in the fun in 2021!  

Here are some of the Fabulous Finishes from our 2018-2019 CROP! 

You can make a gorgeous quilt like these from 

Here is your chance to get started for the first time
or finish those My Magical Garden UFOs!

Just like gardening, quilting can be a solo hobby. 

Joining friends for the HARVEST can make it a lot more fun!

YOU will get the ground ready for “planting” in a ZOOM meeting January 15th
to choose your fabrics and getting them prepared.      

The Online Video Course will run February through October
when the Magical Garden Quilts will be in FULL BLOOM! 

Get weekly e-mails to keep you following the Garden Path! 

Work on your own time to get the blocks done each month. 

Come to a monthly informal Garden Party to get expert advise
and a bucket full of encouragement and motivation! 

Make My Magical Garden with me this year
and watch your applique skills grow as your Magical Garden BLOOMS! 

Not a member yet?

Start your Magical Garden Quilt HERE!

Already a member?

Fill out this form to be included in the 2021 Garden Parties! 

 

The group will be a little ray of sunshine that you

need to make your garden quilt grow!

 

It’s still the Christmas season, even though the big day is over.  It was a little odd having Christmas alone at home this year, but I did my best to bring on the spirit of the Holidays. We got a real tree, covered it with lights and baubles. I truly wish I could bottle up the scent and share it with all of you. The scent alone is making me MERRY! 

Did you catch my Facebook Live and IGTV segment a few weeks ago on making fabric roses?  These are not applique roses but a craft project using fabric to make realistic, fabric roses! I started this project to say Happy Birthday to my Mom! December 9th was Mom’s 85^th birthday. Although the roses are in the mail, there is not telling how long they will take to get to her!  Happy Late Birthday MOM!  I’m disappointed that they did not arrive in time for Christmas!

While it is time to take down the brittle tree, the Christmas village will stay up for a bit longer.  We added a Barber shop this year in honor of Jason’s training as a barber…and of course there is a quilt shop!  

We were blessed to have my three kids and the pup home with us for Christmas. There weree a few traditions that remained the same like decorating this sad, bare tree. On Christmas morning we will gathered around the tree with cinnamon rolls and steaming hot coffee. 

I’d love to hear about your favorite holiday traditions. What were you able to keep the same and what new traditions did you start this season? My newest holiday tradition was having  a party with the “AOC” members on our last Tuesday gathering of the year. That happend yesterday with all the new members joining our wonderful community of quilters!

This group has has brought some much needed fun and friendship into a dark year!

Thank you all my Applique Friends who made 2020 bearable!  Looking forward to 2021!   

 

Last week we had a snowstorm and I snapped this photo as I was writing my newsletter.  As I took this photo outside my front door, I thought to myself:  

“It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!” 

This quote from Mr. Rogers brought me back to my childhood. I am not embarrassed to say that I grew up watching Mr. Rogers. Looking through the jaded eyes of an adult…his shows were boring and his puppets were creepy, but through the eyes of a child, his show was a bit of MAGIC. Fred Rogers was the Grandpa that I never had! And like all grandfathers, he had words of wisdom that resonated with me even at 5 years old.  

Look up “words of wisdom by Mr. Rogers” on the internet you will be treated to a couple dozen gems!   

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors–in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.  ~ Fred Rogers  

In this giving season, we often talk about Giving and Receiving presents. Mr. Rogers words go so much deeper than that. Fred is talking about the things that connect us…not material “things” but giving of ourselves in a much more profound way. I for one, have been on the receiving end just yesterday. 

During a ZOOM workshop yesterday, I goofed and removed one of our participants from the meeting. I scurried around for almost half an hour and couldn’t get her back into the workshop, so I called her and explained the problem. Brenda sweetly said, “No problem Sue, I was just going to watch you today anyway!  I can watch the replay on the video instead!” 

The other workshop participants patiently waited for me to try to solve the problem. They all chimed in, “Don’t worry Sue! If it were me, I would want you to take the time to figure this out!” “Ditto” said the other dozen voices! 

We went on to have a fabulous creative workshop, Making Waves with Fabrics .  In Facebook this week there have been several fabulous Finishes using this technique!  After the workshop, I received several e-mails reassuring me that it was one of the best workshops ever, to spite the rocky start. There YOU were again, giving me more support, and more kindness.   

I have found that this community that we have formed since the beginning of the pandemic is the most kind and caring group of quilters I have ever encountered. 

I am so proud to be part of this Neighborhood and I know that Mr. Rogers would be pleased too! 

 Won’t you be my neighbor?  

Many of you know me for fusible applique. There are times, however that I dabble in garment making, home decorating and crafts. You might find me making a personalized fabric handbag, a basket or bin to hold my quilting tools, or pretty journal cover that hides a boring notebook. When I veer off the path from making applique quilts, I sometimes need a product other than a fusible web. 

As at your local fabric store what to use for fusible web, interfacing and stabilizer and they will wave you off to the Interfacing Shelf to fend for yourself. 

There are so many different products on the market today that the quilters are easily confused, and not sure what to buy or to use. If you understand the three classifications of products that you will find at your local quilt shop or fabric store on the “interfacing” shelf.  Once you are able to identify each type of product, you can end all the uncertainty of what to purchase and what to use.   

All too often when I teach at national quilt shows or quilt guilds my students come to class unprepared.  Worse yet, students have “fused” their fabric with fusible interfacing instead of fusible web.  When this happens, they are frustrated and behind the rest of the class when they thought they were prepared.

Know what to ask for, and know you are getting the right product to avoid frustration, wasted time and wasted fabric. Learn the terms below and take some time to touch them, feel the differences, and ask the right questions.  Once you have learned to identify each general group, you will find it easier to compare between brands within each category.   A little knowledge will greatly improve your quilting experience!    

Your Cheat sheet of buying
 Fusible Web, Fusible Interfacing and Stabilizer

 

 Fusible web:

The Cliff Notes:  A heat sensitive glue sheet that melts between two layers of fabric to glue them together. Used primarily for machine applique. Often simply referred to as a “fusible”, sometimes called a “double sided fusible”. Common brand names are Mistyfuse, Heat and Bond, Steam A Seam and Pellon 805: Wonder Under.  

Sue’s Recommendation: I use Mistyfuse and will explain all the benefits down below. 

The nitty gritty details: Fusible webs are designed to bond two layers of fabric together. Typically this is done by bonding (heating) the fusible web to one layer of fabric, cutting out an applique shape, then “fusing” or bonding this layer of fabric (the applique) to a second base layer (the background fabric). The bond is made because the heat sensitive glue or web melts between the two layers of fabric.

Just about every company that makes interfacings makes a fusible web as well. Designers are creating their own branded version of fusible web if they are designing projects that use fusibles. The market is overcrowded with a few fusibles with a dozen branded names.  All claim to be the best for one reason or another.  Personally, I feel you can’t improve on Mistyfuse, so that is what I use on all my fusible applique projects. 

Mistyfuse is the fusible web by itself, with no paper backing.  You must use it with an applique pressing sheet in order to melt it to the fabric without melting it on sole plate of your iron. 

Other fusible webs such as Heat and Bond and Steam A Seam have one or two layers of paper added to eliminate the need for an applique pressing sheet. 

This is why the products are so confusing.  You can get the web by itself, the web plus paper or the web plus two layers of paper.

What is Mistyfuse fusible web and why do I like it best?

• Mistyfuse is a fusible created by quilters for quilters
• Mistyfuse was designed to be super soft and strong
• Mistyfuse can be used with or without steam
• Mistyfuse can handle high temperatures and long heat times
• Mistyfuse is “repositionable” by tacking fused fabrics in place using a quick touch with the tip of your iron
• Mistyfuse does not gum up your needle when you stitch your applique
• Mistyfuse has no wasted product
• Mistyfuse eliminates paper waste
• Mistyfuse is less expensive than many others
• Use the Working Forward method to mark your design on Mistyfuse
• When you want to learn all about using Mistyfuse, check out my video here!

Interfacing:

The Cliff Notes:  A non-woven or woven stiffener made to add body to a fabric.  They come in both fusible and sew in versions.  Fusible interfacing is attached to a fabric with a heat sensitive glue. The weight of the interfacing varies from very soft (for garments and t-shirt quilts) to very stiff (for boxes, bags and home dec projects)  Common names include Stiff Stuff Firm, Face It Firm, Decorbond and Peltex. 

Fusible interfacing is often confused with fusible web.

Sue’s recommendation for 3-D projects: Lazy Girl Designs Face It Firm (one side fusible) used in Pillow Boxes and Lazy Girl Designs Stiff Stuff (used in Hearts and More Notions Box)

The nitty gritty details:  

The only time a quilter would need an interfacing for a quilt is when making a T-Shirt quilt, or when adding non-traditional fabrics into a pieced quilt. For example, you might want to back a T-shirt with fusible interfacing to keep the knit fabric from stretching.  You may add a fusible interfacing to a thin silk fabric to make it stronger for use in a pieced quilt. 

Interfacings are commonly used in garment sewing and home dec sewing.  Quilters who delve into home dec or three dimensional sewing such as baskets, boxes or bags will need some type of interfacing from the very soft to the very firm.

There is a wide range of products out there on the market for bags, boxes and bins! I take my recommendations from the experts in this field.  Joan Hawley from Lazy Girl Designs is an extraordinary bag maker.  I take my 3D sewing recommendations from Joan. I have enjoyed using Joan’s Lazy Girl products: Face It Firm and Stiff Stuff for my 3-D projects.    

 

Stabilizer:

The Cliff Notes:  A product used to stabilize stitches to ensure that your decorative machine stitches do not get distorted on flimsy fabric.  Common brands are Sulky and OESD. 

Sue’s Recommendation for applique:  Sulky Tear-Easy stabilizer

The nitty gritty details:   I sometimes use stabilizer to keep my stitches flat on the edges of applique.  Machine Embroiderers use them to keep embroidery flat and soft to the touch for embroidery on garments or quilts. If you are doing embroidery on your quilts, or decorative machine stitches around your applique, you will need a stabilizer.  For decorative machine stitching, you can sometimes get by with cheap paper towels or coffee filters in a pinch.  For the best results, however, find a tear away stabilizer that tears away easily leaving nothing behind.

Some types are sticky, some dissolve in water, others are super stiff and can be cut away from the back of your embroidery designs.  Some are so soft they can be left in place after embroidery.       

Avoid wash away stabilizers unless you are keen on soaking your applique blocks to get the stabilizer out.  Avoid leave in stabilizers as they add an unwanted layer of fullness in quilts. 

Sulky Tear-Easy is easy to remove and stable enough for simple embroidery stitches and gets my seal of approval for machine applique.    

 

There you have it!  These are the products I use in my Rotary Cut Applique projects.  Try them for yourself!  

Happy Applique!  Sue

 

 

 

Are you ready for 2021?  We have some great things in store for friends of Sue Pelland Designs!  Here is the list of workshops that will be offered in the first quarter of 2021.

The workshop list for Quarter One of 2021 is here!  

If you would like to take any of the workshops, they will be offered to members of Ahead of the Curve on a first come, first served basis during the first two weeks of the previous month.  After early registration for members, any open spaces in the workshops will be opened up to non-members.  

When you want more information about buttonhole stitching, There are some great tips and techniques in this video: https://www.facebook.com/SuePellandDesigns/videos/286552678906036

This is the most requested video I have made,  and I wanted you to be able to find it easily.  

Keep on stitching!

 

 

Penny and I have been working on an all new list of ZOOM workshops for 2021. 

We have chosen dates and times for the first quarter of 2021. 

There will be something for everyone in 2021!

We are kicking off the new season with a guest teacher, Tina Dillard  

The membership is looking at a few exciting changes for 2021.

The first modification is that we will be starting a Online Workshop Video Library.  This video library will have 6 to 8 workshops at any given time.  The workshops will rotate in and out of the library from time to time. This will give you time to take the latest workshops on your own schedule.  You can play, fast forward, pause, and repeat as many times as you wish.  No more waiting for me to edit and post videos! The videos are all recordings of the LIVE workshops, so if you watch it straight through it is just like being there!  

The second thing you will see happening starting in November is a “Curve-by- Curve” video instruction series consisting of a new 15-30 minute video every two weeks! 
This additional video resource will ensure that every member has a complete system for mastering the tools while minimizing the amount of time required to gain expertise! 

I was concerned that members may be missing important steps. Choosing workshops based on your favorite quilts may not give the best foundation for using the tools in every possible way.  These short 15-30 minute sessions will be available in mid November with a new tutorial coming to you roughly every two weeks.  The tutorials will be added to the member section of the website so you can watch them on your own time schedule.  You are going to love series of short to the point videos to save you time!  Practice on your own between segments and you will have mad skills in no time at all!  

These two new wrinkles in the program have been developed based on member feedback.  Members have expressed a desire to have more direct information rather than the longer LIVE workshops.  We will still have two live workshops every month for members who enjoy this option!!  Many members are choosing to watch the recorded videos instead, or to just watch the instructional part of the recorded videos and not make the project.  Members have expressed an interest in learning techniques without projects to eliminate UFOS!!  These members will enjoy the two additional methods to learn the techniques that do not require the same chunk of time and commitment to a project.   

We hope you will all enjoy the new features of the membership that will be rolled out in November and December.  In January you will see Two Live Workshops per month and the both new features in the member portal!

If you have questions about the new features or the upcoming workshops, please attend the FB live sessions on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month in the Ahead Of the Curve Facebook Group!  

Click here to view the Workshops for January, February and March.  

Tip #1

What is the best way to transfer an applique design to the background fabric when you can’t see through the fabric? I like using Transdoodle but Mistyfuse discontinued Transdoodle Jr. in blue, yellow and white. What is a quilter to do?

I have just discovered that we can get four big sheets that are 18” x 24” and they are now available on the website. ​

When will I use these sheets? These are perfect for projects like Belle en Rouge and My Magical Garden when I want to transfer the applique placement diagram to the background fabric.

Tip #2

What If you don’t have the big Transdoodle sheets? Try using the paper pattern on top of your background fabric and run your chalk wheel over the lines two or more times. The first pass will create perforations in the paper. The second pass will let a little chalk sift through the perforations. This will not leave as dark a line as the Transdoodle, but it will work in a pinch!​

I am one of the millions of stereotypical women who on Monday Nights, Thursday evenings,  Saturday afternoons and Sundays, are left to our own devices.  My husband is no longer skulking around the sewing room, saying, “Are you finished?…When is dinner going to be ready?… Do you want to go out for a ride???

In my house, Football Season is Sewing Season!  My husband is content sit in front of the TV for hours on end watching grown men run headlong into each other…shoulder to shoulder, helmet to helmet chasing after a pig-skin ball.  I am MORE THAN CONTENT to sit hours on end in front of my sewing machine, happily creating my latest Applique Quilt! 

Now don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my husband on the weekends! If “HIS TEAM” is not playing and he is ready for a bike ride, I’m all in!  But Fall is the one time of year when I don’t feel at all guilty about spending a HAPPY SUNDAY glued to my sewing machine!

When I do choose to watch the occasional quarter,  I have a finished quilt on my lap, stitching on the binding, sleeve or label while I watch the game.  Instead of “wasting my day” watching football, I enjoy the game even more knowing that I will have a finished quilt in the end. 

So instead of feeling left out, frustrated, or even jealous of the tube on Game Day, I say GAME ON!  From now until Super Bowl Sunday, I’m challenging myself to move the ball down the field on my projects, and get a BIG WIN of my own on Game Day!   

 

Hello, My name is Tina Dillard, the designer behind Quilting Affection Designs (quiltingaffection.com).  I’m also a Sue Pelland Designs and Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor.  When I became a certified instructor for Sue Pelland, I want to bring the world of raw edge applique and the precision of the Studio 180 Design tools together.  My goal is to design patterns that use one tool from each of these wonderful companies.

My first pattern that combined these two worlds was Twisted Ribbon, released in April 2020. It was designed with a modern flair that gives you the feel of Ribbons flying freely in the air.  If you have played with the Sue Pelland Leave Galore templates, you know how fast and easy it is to cut out the “Z” and Leaf shapes that are used in this pattern.  When you combine this fast and easy tools with the Studio 180 Design Square Squared tool to make the Little House Technique, you can get precise units every time.

This week, I just released my newest pattern, Feathered Flight, and have combined these worlds once again.  My idea was to use one of the most common units out there, the Flying Geese. Then combine them with the “S” shape to show the movement of the geese wings in flight.

In this pattern, the geese are taking flight on their journey to the south. This pattern combines the highly precision Studio 180 Design Wing Clipper to make the traditional Flying Geese that you make over-sized and trim to size for those perfect units. Then using the “S” shape from the Sue Pelland Designs Leaves Galore Norme Template to make the twirling feathers from the takeoff. The pattern is available in two sizes, Wall and Twin Size. 

If you are not familiar with my patterns. My patterns walk you through step by step with fully detailed and colored diagrams in manageable steps to help you get your quilt top complete. Plus, the diagrams and instructions are written for both Right Handed and Left Handed people.

If you would like to purchase Feathered Flight or Twisted Ribbon, come over to my website, quiltingaffection.com. At the same time, you are there; please making sure to sign up for my newsletter and blog. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram (@quiltingaffectiondesign).

You have gotten your hands on the Leaves Galore templates and want to know, “What is the fastest way to get comfortable using the tools for Rotary Cut Applique?” You know a workshop would further your applique skills, but you are not sure where to start. Let’s do a self assessment.  

When thinking about my Rotary Cutting Skills:

I have never used Leaves Galore to cut curves before.
I have trouble cutting through 3 or 4 layers of fabric with straight cuts.
I don’t have much experience with quilting in general
If any of these statements is true…Choose Level ONE 

Level One Workshops give you more time to practice cutting a basic shapes, give you firm foundation in fusible applique with Mistyfuse.  The level one classes feature smaller, faster, gorgeous finished projects and you can frequently get that quilt top completed in class.  That is why even experienced quilters sometimes prefer Level One workshops!  They are for EVERYONE!  

Choose Level Two if you can answer YES to any of these statements:

I have made a quilt with Rotary Cut Applique before.
I’m confident in my cutting skills.
I want to see what else the Templates can do other than cut applique shapes! 

Level Two workshops dive deeper into all the uses of the templates, introduce Applique stitching through all three layers and may explore free motion quilting! It is good to have a firm foundation in traditional quilt making, so we can turn tradition upside down and explore creative and unusual quilt making methods.  (I always say, you should learn all the “rules” of quilting so we can break them!) Level two workshops are recommended for confident rotary cutters. The workshops are not harder, just more “outside the box”, they are less project based and are often skill builders.    

The fastest way to get “Ahead of the Curve”
and to feel confident with any workshop
is having me by your side as you learn!!

Here is the breakdown of workshops that are scheduled for the next three months.   

September:

Sept 4 –  Melissa’s Quilt Level 1
Sept 10 – FREE Bonus Workshop for Everyone: Pin Quilt, Level 1
Sept 12 – Skill Builder: Making Fabric Frames, Level 2
Sept 16 & 30 – Christmas Ribbons, Level 2
Sept 28 & Oct 1– Inner Circle, Level 2

October:

Oct 8 –Free Bonus Workshop for Everyone: Mini Mint Chocolate, Level 1
Oct 10 – Hearts & More Techniques, Level 2
Oct 14 & 21– Christmas Baubles, Level 1 
Oct 16 & 23 – Promise Ring, Level 1

November:

Nov 4 & 18 – LG Techniques, Level 2

Nov 6 – Free Bonus Workshop for Everyone – Mug Rug/Coasters, Level 1
Nov 7 – Poinsettia Table Runner, Level 2
Nov 10 – Cork Notebook Cover, Level 1 
Nov 12 – H&M Notions Box, Level 1 
Nov 20 – Clever Clam Shells, Level 1 

Can’t decide which workshop to take?  “Ahead of the Curve” membership lets you choose one workshop a month!  

Kate Pearson is one of our newest members of “Ahead of the Curve”.  She didn’t have much Rotary Cut Applique experience, but she fell in love with Season’s Greetings, a Level 2 workshop.   

Here is what Kate had to say after the workshop… “I must say that you have patience!  Helping each person as needed.  I like how you keep everyone on track.  The slow people like me don’t get left behind.  Those who are going along fast get guidance as the class moves on.” 

So where you are you in your applique journey?  Are you a confident Rotary Cutter who can enjoy both level one and level two workshops?  Are you new to Rotary Cut Applique and the Level one workshops are just what you need to gain confidence?

What does your gut say?  Write back and let me know!  In the subject line, write “Level One” or  “Every Level Two”.   

I found this great article yesterday and wanted to share it with all of you.  Quilter’s all over the world are connecting through ZOOM, Social Media, Podcasts and other forms of technology.  The hard part is that technology doesn’t come as easy to some quilters as it does to others.  I am one of those techno-phobic people who has been dragged kicking and screaming in to this new age of technology. 

The most common zoom problems and how to fix them. 

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/common-problems-with-zoom-and-how-to-fix-them/

Rotary Cut Applique makes applique easier!

Do you want to make applique shapes 12 times faster than tracing, and cutting with scissors?!!

Since you can cut simple curved shapes with a rotary cutter and you can cut four layers at a time, all you need is a tool to help you accurately cut appliqué shapes.  We have these amazing tools!

Leaves Galore Templates help you cut 5 appliqué shapes in 6 different sizes!  

Hearts and More templates cut a additional 9 applique shapes in 8 different sizes!

We want everyone who loves applique to discover this fast, fusible and fun method of applique.

 

The Leaves Galore templates come in three sizes, and there are two curves on each tool.
Leaves Galore help you cut 5 applique shapes in 6 different sizes . 

The Petite template cuts 2 1/2″ and 5″ curves.

The Norme template cuts 3″ and 6″ curves.

The Grande template cuts 4″ and 8″ curves.  

When you have all three templates you have 30 applique shapes and sizes…you can use the templates to mark quilting lines, and use them to make serpentine and scalloped edges on your quilts.   

 

Hearts & More template come as a set of four templates. 
Hearts & More help you cut 9 additional applique shapes in 8 different sizes!

When you have the full set of all seven rotary cutting tools,
you can make any quilt in our patterns, books, and online workshops. 

We sell the templates by themselves,
or in packages that have everything you need to get started in one bundle!  

 

 

The Basic Package has all seven templates and two packages of standard (round clear) True Grips to keep your tools from slipping when you cut. 

The Standard Package has all seven templates, Hearts and Leaves True Grips, A Quilter’s Chalk Line and the Two books. 

The Deluxe bundle has All Seven Templates, Hearts and Leaves True Grips, the Two Books,  a Quilter’s Chalk Line, a Chalk Wheel, a Large Package of Mistyfuse, a Fat Goddess Sheet, a 28mm Olfa Quick-Change Rotary Cutter, and a pack of 2 new Olfa 28mm blades!   

Click here to find out more! 

Sue has some great plans up her sleeve for “Ahead of the Curve” members.  Check out the list of future workshops and weigh in on which workshops you would like Sue to schedule next.  

The workshop ideas come from a variety of sources.  Some are Sue’s original patterns that are not yet in a book or pattern (N).  Many of the quilts are in Sue’s books (B) and printed patterns (P).  A few are free patterns on the website, that offer valuable techniques (FP).  There are small projects (Gifts to make) and a wide variety of quilt sizes.  Some workshops are simply techniques…you never have to make a quilt to play with the technique in the live, interactive class.  

There is something for everyone on the list!  

Check out Future ZOOM WORKSHOPS here.

Ahead of the Curve members have a choice of workshops each month.  Sue has a wide variety of workshops that are ready to be scheduled this upcoming year.  Here is the schedule for January – March.

UPCOMING ZOOM WORKSHOPS 2021

Do you have questions about joining a Zoom Live Workshop?  Are you ready to give it a try, but have a few reservations?  Check out the FAQ on Live Zoom Online Workshops here.  

One of my favorite types of quilts is a pieced quilt with applique accents. It doesn’t take much applique to make a project special!  Today’s tip is about using the Hex-a-ma-jig ruler to make a half hexie background for the Season’s Greetings Wall Quilt.  I taught this class yesterday and I found out some really cool things about using the Hex-a-ma-jig ruler!  

The ruler can make full hexies, half hexies, diamonds, 60 degree triangles and even Tumbling Blocks!  The Hex-a-ma-jig tool works perfectly on 3 1/2″ strips and you can find it here on our website.. The Hex-a-ma-jig Junior works with 2 1/2″ wide strips and JellyRolls. Debbie Wendt invented these two fabulous tools, complete with great instructions both on the tool itself and in the booklet that comes with the tools.

I used 3 1/2″ strips and quickly and accurately cut half hexies and 60 degree triangles. The half hexies are assembled as rows, which makes the assembly super simple! When you assemble the rows, you will have right facing rows and left facing rows that come together to make full hexagons (Use Deb’s instructions or the instructions inside the Season’s Greetings Pattern). When you press the seams, make sure each row is pressed in opposite directions. You will have opposing seams and beautiful intersections as your half hexies come together.  At the end of each row we used triangles to complete the zig-zag edge making the Season’s Greetings banner very unique!  

This technique can be used for Season’s Greetings, or design your own applique wreath for the banner. Use standard leaves and add fresh spring blooms…you can even add a couple of critters! Use your imagination and your own design eye to adapt the techniques presented in our patterns to suit your own design style!

To learn more about Deb Wendt and the Hexie rulers, visit her facebook page and watch the Hex-a-ma-jig video here!

If you enjoyed last month’s Quilt Candy Designer’s trunk show, you are going to love this week’s Quilt Candy Designer’s Tips and Techniques, Live on Facebook and Instagram! 

Here is the complete schedule of events. 

Facebook Schedule:

May 5
May 5 12pm ET                   Cherry Guidry – launch      https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio

May 5 12:30pm ET             Janellea Macbeth    www.facebook.com/scrapstashticquilts/                           

May 5 1pm ET                     Jen Frost               https://www.facebook.com/faithandfabric                               
May 5 2pm ET                     Teresa Weaver   https://www.facebook.com/yoursewingfriend        
May 5 2:30pm ET                               Jo Westfoot – The Crafty Nomad    Jo Westfoot – The Crafty Nomad                https://www.facebook.com/thecraftynomad/
May 5 3pm ET                     Becca Fenstermaker (Pretty Piney Quilts)   https://facebook.com/prettypiney
May 5 4pm ET                     Michelle Renee Hiatt        https://www.facebook.com/sewonthego.net/
May 5 4:30pm ET                               Margaret Willingham-Eye of the Beholder Quilt Design                https://www.facebook.com/EyeoftheBeholderQuilt/
May 5 5pm ET                     Marlene Oddie    https://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts
May 5 5:30pm ET                               Annie Unrein        https://www.facebook.com/patternsbyannie/
May 5 6pm ET                     Leanne Parsons  https://www.facebook.com/devotedquilterdesigns
May 5 7pm ET                     Jennifer Fulton    https://www.facebook.com/inquiringquilter/

May 5 7:30pm ET                               Reed Johnson      https://www.facebook.com/bluebearquilts/
May 5 8pm ET                     Tammy Silvers – launch     https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/

May 6
May 6 12pm ET                   Sue Pelland           https://www.facebook.com/suepellanddesigns                      
May 6 1pm ET                     Annette Ornelas https://www.facebook.com/southwind.designs/    
May 6 2pm ET                     Kate Colleran       https://www.facebook.com/SeamsLikeaDreamQuilts/         
May 6 3pm ET                     Melissa Marginet               https://www.facebook.com/melissa.marginet.quilter/         
May 6 4pm ET                     Jackie Kunkel       https://www.facebook.com/cantonvillagequiltworks/           
May 6 5pm ET                    
May 6  5:30pm ET              Melissa Merriman Harr    https://www.facebook.com/toadallyquilts/

May 6 6pm ET                     Laura Piland         https://www.facebook.com/sliceofpiquilts/                              
May 6 7pm ET                     Terri Vanden Bosch           https://www.facebook.com/lizardcreekquilting/
May 6 7:30pm ET                               Swan Sheridan     https://www.facebook.com/swanamitystudios
May 6 8pm ET                     Annie Smith          https://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs

May 7
May 7 12pm ET                   Lynn Kane, Puppy Girl        https://www.facebook.com/puppygirllynn
May 7 1pm ET                     Cristy Fincher      https://www.facebook.com/PurpleDaisiesQuilting/
May 7 2pm ET                     Debbie Wendt     https://www.facebook.com/Wendt-Quilting-280123925340667/
May 7 3pm ET                     Shelley Cavanna, Coras Quilts        https://www.facebook.com/CorasQuilts/
May 7 4pm ET                     Monique Kleinhans, Ladybug’s Cabin            https://www.facebook.com/ladybugscabin/             
May 7 5pm ET                     Heidi Pridemore  https://www.facebook.com/heidipridemorewhimsicalworkshop
May 7 6pm ET                     Jerry Stube, Jerry Stube Designs    https://www.facebook.com/TheQuiltersQuarters/
May 7 7pm ET                     Simone Fisher, Simone Quilts          https://www.facebook.com/SimoneQuilts
May 7 8pm ET                     Nicole Moore, Sew Much Moore   https://facebook.com/SewMuchMooreInStore/

May 8
May 8 12pm ET                   Becky Campbell  https://www.facebook.com/sewforeverquiltingbybeckycampbell/
May 8 1pm ET                     Tina Dillard – Quilting Affection Designs       https://www.facebook.com/quiltingaffectiondesigns 9
May 8 2pm ET                     Beth Helfter – EvaPaige Quilt Designs          https://www.facebook.com/EvaPaigeQuiltDesigns
May 8 3pm ET                     Sherri Noel – Rebecca Mae Designs              https://www.facebook.com/rebeccamaedesigns/
May 8 4pm ET                     Kathleen McCormick – Kathleen McMusing                https://www.facebook.com/kathleenmcmusing
May 8 5pm ET                     On Williams Street – Kimie and Missy           https://www.facebook.com/onwilliamsstreet         
May 8 6pm ET                     Andi Stanfield – True Blue Quilts     https://facebook.com/Anditruebluequilts
May 8 7pm ET                     Nancy Scott – Masterpiece Quilting               http://www.facebook.com/MasterpieceQ
May 8 8pm ET                     Lisa Ruble             https://www.facebook.com/LoveToColorMyWorld/

May 9
May 9 12pm ET                   Sherry Shish         https://www.facebook.com/poweredbyquilting
May 9 1pm ET                     Cristina De Miranda / Ships & Violins           https://facebook.com/shipsandviolins
May 9 2pm ET                     Toni Smith/Quiltoni            https://www.facebook.com/Quiltoni/
May 9 3pm ET                     Hexadoodle Quilts/ Alison Stothard              https://facebook.com/hexadoodlequilts
May 9 4pm ET                     Bobbie Gentili ~ The Geeky Bobbin                https://facebook.com/geekybobbin
May 9 5pm ET                     Ebony Love – LoveBug Studios         https://facebook.com/lovebugstudios
May 9 6pm ET                     Carolina Moore   facebook.com/AlwaysExpectMoore
May 9 7pm ET                     Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio                https://www.facebook.com/dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio
May 9 8pm ET                     Tammy Silvers/Tamarinis – wrap up presentation     https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/

Instagram Schedule:

May 5

May 5 12:30pm ET IG Cherry Guidry – launch   https://www.instagram.com/cherryblossomsstudio/

May 5 1:00pm ET   Janellea Macbeth  https://www.instagram.com/scrapstashticquilts/

May 5 1:30pm ET IG   Jen Frost                    https://www.instagram.com/faithandfabric

May 5 3:00pm ET        Jo Westfoot – The Crafty Nomad  https://www.instagram.com/thecraftynomadfleet

May 5   3:30pm ET IG Becca Fenstermaker (Pretty Piney Quilts)     https://instagram.com/prettypiney

May 5   4:30pm ET IG Michelle Renee Hiatt  https://www.instagram.com/mshellhiatt  @mshellhiatt 

May 5 5pmET             

May 5   5:30pm ET IG Marlene Oddie https://instagram.com/marlene.kissedquilts

May 5 6:00pmET         Annie Unrein   https://www.instagram.com/patternsbyannie/

May 5   6:30pm ET IG Leanne Parsons           https://www.instagram.com/devotedquilter

May 5   7:30pm ET IG Jennifer Fulton  https://www.instagram.com/inquiringquilter/

May 5   8:00pm ET IG  Reed Johnson           https://www.instagram.com/bluebearquilts/

May 5    8:30pm ET IG Tammy Silvers – launch https://www.instagram.com/tamarinis/

May 6

May 6 12:30pm ET IG Sue Pelland                 @suepellanddesigns

May 6  1:30pm ET IG  Annette Ornelas @southwind_quilts

May 6   2:30pm ET IG Kate Colleran  @seamslikeadreamquilts

May 6   3:30pm ET IG Melissa Marginet @melissamarginet

May 6   4:30pm ET IG Jackie Kunkel https://www.instagram.com/quilter623/

May 6   5:30pm ET IG 

May 6    6:00pm ET IG           Melissa Merriman Harr           https://www.instagram.com/toadallyquilts/

May 6   6:30pm ET IG Laura Piland    https://www.instagram.com/sliceofpiquilts/

May 6   7:30pm ET IG Terri Vanden Bosch https://www.instagram.com/lizardcreekquilting/

May 6 8:00pm ET        Swan Sheridan https://www.instagram.com/swanamity

May 6    8:30pm ET IG Annie Smith    https://www.instagram.com/anniesmithqs

May 7

May 7 12:30pm ET IG Lynn Kane, Puppy Girl https://instagram.com/puppy_girl_lynn3

May 7  1:30pm ET IG  Cristy Fincher  https://www.instagram.com/cristycreates/

May 7   2:30pm ET IG Debbie Wendt https://instagram.com/debbiewendtquilting

May 7   3:30pm ET IG Shelley Cavanna, Coras Quilts             Www.instagram.com/corasquilts

May 7   4:30pm ET IG Monique Kleinhans, Ladybug’s Cabin https://www.instagram.com/ladybugscabin/

May 7   5:30pm ET IG Heidi Pridemore         https://www.instagram.com/whimsicalworkshop/

May 7   6:30pm ET IG   Jerry Stube   Jerry Stube (@stubej) on Instagram • 1 photos and videos

May 7   7:30pm ET IG Simone Fisher, Simone Quilts https://www.instagram.com/simonequilts

May 7   8:30pm ET IG Nicole Moore, Sew Much Moore       https://www.instagram.com/sewmuchmoore/

 

May 8        

May 8 12:30pm ET IG Becky Campbell          https://www.instagram.com/sewforeverbybeckycampbell/

May 8  1:30pm ET IG  Tina Dillard – Quilting Affection Designs https://www.instagram.com/quiltingaffectiondesigns/

May 8   2:30pm ET IG Beth Helfter – EvaPaige Quilt Designs www.instagram.com/evapaigequilts

May 8   3:30pm ET IG Sherri Noel – Rebecca Mae Designs   https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamaedesigns/?hl=en

May 8   4:30pm ET IG Kathleen McCormick – Kathleen McMusing https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmcmusing/

May 8   5:30pm ET IG On Williams Street – Kimie and Missy www.instagram.com/onwilliamsstreet

May 8  6:30pm ET IG  Andi Stanfield – True Blue Quilts https://www.instagram.com/truebluequilts

May 8   7:30pm ET IG Nancy Scott – Masterpiece Quilting   www.instagram.com/MasterpieceQuilting

May 8    8:30pm ET IG Lisa Ruble https://www.instagram.com/lisaerin1121/

May 9

May 9 12:30pm ET IG Sherry Shish    https://www.instagram.com/poweredbyquilting

May 9  1:30pm ET IG  Cristina De Miranda / Ships & Violins https://www.instagram.com/shipsandviolins

May 9   2:30pm ET IG Toni Smith/Quiltoni    https://www.instagram.com/quiltoniquilts/

May 9   3:30pm ET IG Hexadoodle Quilts/ Alison Stothard   https://www.instagram.com/hexadoodlequilts

May 9   4:30pm ET IG Bobbie Gentili ~ The Geeky Bobbin https://instagram.com/geekybobbin

May 9   5:30pm ET IG Ebony Love – LoveBug Studios https://instagram.com/lovebugstudios

May 9  6:30pm ET IG  Carolina Moore instagram.com/craftmoore

May 9   7:30pm ET IG Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio https://www.instagram.com/dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

May 9   8:30pm ET IG Tammy Silvers/Tamarinis – wrap up presentation https://www.instagram.com/tamarinis/

The talented TIna Dillard is my guest designer this week on the Blog.  Tina is one of my Certified Instructors.  Tina is also a Certified Instructor for Deb Tucker, Studio 180 tools.  Tina combines her love of piecing and fusible applique in this beautiful new pattern, just released from her design studio, Quilting Affection Designs.  

Twisted Ribbons:  Let the ribbons twist in the wind as the world of raw edge applique and piecing combine in this delightful quilt “Twisted Ribbon.” Make fast and easy applique “Z” shapes and Leaf pieces using the Sue Pelland Designs Leaves Galore Norme Template and combine it with the Studio 180 Design Little House Technique using the Square Squared tool to make this elegant quilt. The featured quilt highlights the Island Batik “Steam Engine” Collection.

You can find the twister Ribbon pattern here on Tina Dillard’s website: https://quiltingaffection.com/product/twisted-ribbon/  

The pattern is on sale at an introductory price of $9.50 until May 7th for all of you!   

Tina will also be presenting Leaves Galore for Lefties on the “Designer tips and technique virtual show”, May 8th at 1 pm and then 1:30 pm on Instagram.  Just go to TIna’s FaceBook page to see the handy tips and tricks as TIna prepares the “Z” shaped curves for this beautiful quilt.  Don’t forget to follow TIna on Facebook and Instragram.  She has a wealth of knowledge and a boat load of pattern design skills!  Tina is a Designer to watch with new patterns featuring Studio 180 and Sue Pelland Designs in the works!  

I will also be a presenter on the “Designer tips and technique virtual show”.  My time slot is May 6th at 12 noon on the Sue Pelland Designs FaceBook page.  Come joint the fun and see your favorite designers presenting tips, techniques and beautiful quilts!