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Guild retreats can be loads of fun. They are a great way to get to know quilters in your guild, or go with a group of strangers and meet a new friend or two.   

Retreat etiquette:

Not everyone likes to sew to music, so if you bring your own music, please use headphones. 

If you need to make a personal call, there should be a lobby or other private place to take or make a call.   

Keep food and drinks in the food area. Bring covered drink cups such as a refillable water bottle.  

Stick to your allotted space. If you need to spread out, find an area that’s not being used.

Try your best to keep pins off the floor. People may be in stocking feet.

Make it social!  You may get a ton done if you sit and sew from 9 to 9, but don’t forget to mingle and enjoy other people. There may be a new quilter who needs a smile and some small talk to get comfortable in your group. 

Getting ready for a quilt retreat…What will you need to take with you?  Here are some ideas and suggestions on planning for a retreat.  

I always bring way too many projects and end up losing focus. Only you know how much you will get done or what needs to get done.  If you make a plan before you go, you can get right to it!

 Think about bringing a “sunshine” project if you will have time to sew for charity. Bring a hand work project such as a binding or some hand applique or embroidery (there may be times when you just don’t feel like machine stitching or if your machine is acting up). Try not to over pack supplies and projects but make sure you have a variety of projects so you don’t get bored. 

See what supplies can be shared with your table mate or with the entire group. 

Before you go, check to see if there will be ironing boards and irons available.

Some guilds and venues provide cutting tables, mats, and rulers to share.

Ask if you can tape up a temporary design wall. Don’t tape or pin anything to the wall unless you ask first.  Some venues forbid taping or pinning to the walls and you may be charged extra if you do. It is best to bring a portable design wall or a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth to lay on the floor.   

Check to see if every spot will have electricity or if you need to bring your own extension cord and power strip. 

Find out if there will be food provided or local restaurants to visit for meals.

Check to see what quilt shops are close or on the way.  Check their hours.

Decide if you want to bring a spare machine in case of mechanical problems with your main machine. 

Try to pack into a suitcase on wheels or bring a wagon to cart everything in. Borrow a luggage cart if you need to but bring it back to the front desk as soon as you can as other quilters may need it.

Print out this handy check list to make sure you have everything you need!  

Projects:

• Pattern, fabric, thread and notions for each project 

Sewing Station

• Sewing machine
• Foot pedal and power cord
• Bobbins, prewound if possible
• Extra machine needles
• Thread spool holder
• All accessories needed
• Knee lift
• Specialty feet: 1/4”, walking foot, open toe foot 
• Screwdriver
• Lint brush
• ​Sewing machine oil 
• Ott light or extra lighting
• Magnifying glass or reading glasses

Basic Sewing Supplies

• Large scissors
• Paper scissors
• Thread snips
• Reverse Action Tweezers
• Cutting mat (small or medium)
• Rotary cutter + extra blades
• Straight edge Ruler 
• Square up ruler if needed
• Specialty Rulers:  Hearts & More and Leaves Galore Templates
• Hand sewing needles and Thimble if needed
• Paper lunch bag to catch loose threads and small fabric bit

  The SPD Mitten Factory is gearing up for a very cold New England Winter! Joanne, who works with me part time as a sample maker and pattern editor, brought in a bunch of mittens that she made from the Madawaska Mitten Pattern by Sherri Noel.  Joanne and I have been saving wool sweaters to make into mittens for some time now.  We decided to work together to mass produce all the mittens we are giving as gifts this year!  Joanne had a head start and you will see her mittens in the photo above.  So I thought I would tap into Joanne’s  expertise and learn how to sew up my own gifts!  Joanne stayed after work yesterday so we could get the Mitten Factory in full swing.  

When my Mom moved to Texas, she gave me one of the wool sweaters that she knit before I was born.  She won’t be needing it in warm, sunny Texas, so she wanted me to make mittens out of it!  Here is the sweater, once I took it apart at the seams. 

The mittens are made in four pieces that you can cut from one sweater, or you can mix and match colors and patterns.  You can see that I cut off the bottom waistband to use as cuffs for the mittens. I then cut the front of the mitten from the yoke of the sweater and the two back pieces from the dotted section. This is just one of the dozen or so sweaters that we cut up last night!  

Tonight I will be cutting the fleece lining, but it will be so much easier!  My new shipment of templates and patterns just arrived.  Now I have a great set of Rotary Cutting Templates for the Mittens to make the job so much faster and easier!  If you would like your own pattern or a set of rotary cutting templates to start your own Mitten Project, go ahead and click on the link above to get them from my website.  You may remember Sherri from the Text-It blog hop that I participated in last summer. 

Sherri’s book “Text-It” and “Dear Daughter” a fabulous text filled block of the month pattern are still available in my shop.  

I’ll send you some photos once I get all these warm, cozy beauties sewn!  I’m thinking I can probably get enough mitten parts out my Mom’s hand knit sweater to make a very heart-felt gift for my two sisters and one for myself.  

I hope your holiday projects are just as special, whether it is finishing up a quilt that will be gifted to a loved one or baking cookies from an old family recipe.  What I love about a home-made Christmas is making wonderful memories with my family, building bonds and sharing traditions with the next generation. 

Machine Appliqué, Part 1:  What thread should I choose? 

Here at Sue Pelland Designs, we do a lot of decorative buttonhole (also known as blanket stitching) around appliqué shapes. At times we straight stitch the fused edges, or we may use any one of hundreds of decorative machine stitches found on today’s fancy sewing machines to accent the appliqué edges. Today we are going to focus on thread, so please know that we will specifically be talking about buttonhole stitch appliqué unless noted. In future blog posts we will dive into different decorative stitches and how they can be used to change the look of fusible appliqué. 

Thread Choice: How do you know which brand, fiber content, weight and color to choose for decorate stitching around fused appliqué shapes? There are too many brands of sewing thread out in the marketplace to do a survey of every type. There is no substitute for experience, and I will be the first to tell you that I do not have experience with every brand of thread, with every fiber and every weight. But I do have a few general observations and some stand out favorites.  Let me share my experience with you to help shorten your learning curve. 

Thread choice has a big impact on the way your appliqué looks. Ask yourself: Do I  want the stitching to be visible, or do I want it to disappear into the appliqué? Do I want the color to stand out or to blend? Do I want added texture, or do I want a smoother, flatter, less noticeable edge?

Your personal preference may be very different from mine. Your sewing machine may also have a thread preference.  In the end you will have to decide what thread works best for you for each quilt. Here are some variables to consider.

Luster or Shine: Threads have a range of luster or shine to them. Metallic threads for are the shiniest threads available.  Within the Metallic Category, there are a wide range of materials and different degrees of shine. One of my favorite metallic threads is Sulky Sliver.  This thread reminds me of Christmas Tree Tinsel.  I’m exaggerating just a little.  The Sulky is so much thinner, but has the same flat super shiny look as Tinsel from the 70s!  I very rarely use metallic thread for decorative machine stitching on appliqué; I generally only use this for quilting.  You should absolutely play with metallic if you love “bling” and want to dress up the appliqué edges with a very visible stitch, it’s just not a look that I am going for in my quilts. 

Fiber Content: Fiber content can be Nylon, Polyester, Rayon, Cotton and more.  There is  cotton wrapped polyester and a whole host of other blends.  On my wall, I have a wide range of colors in polyester, rayon and cotton.  These are the most common sewing threads you will find at your quilt shop.  In general, rayon and polyester threads tend to be shiny compared to cotton. Rayon is wonderful for machine embroidery and comes in so many colors. Rayon is a bit shiny for my liking next to cotton appliqué fabrics but if you are looking for stitching to be the star of the show, rayon thread is a great choice. 

Cotton has the lowest luster of all the threads and it is the most commonly used thread for fusible appliqué. I like the look of thread that blends into the cotton appliqué fabric, so cotton thread is normally my first choice.

Polyester thread comes in a close second to cotton. The 100 wt. polyester from companies such as Wonderfil and Superior act like cotton but have the strength of polyester. Read more about these below.   

Silk threads are very slippery, and I don’t normally use them in my machine.  Silk is wonderful for hand appliqué, the thread melts right into the turned edge of the cotton fabric making it nearly invisible.    

Monofilament thread can also be used for machine appliqué. There are poly and nylon monofilament threads. Many quilters like using monofilament with turned edge (prepared) machine appliqué. Again, if this works for you, go for it! Make sure you choose the right monofilament.  Monopoly from Superior is a good choice and comes in clear and smoke.  YLI also makes a good monofilament. 

I do not use monofilament at all, however. Even though great improvements have been made in monofilament threads, I do not like the way they catch the light and shine on the appliqué edges. I also do not think they help at all to camouflage the edges of raw edge appliqué and they do not build up along the edge to prevent fraying.  For all of these reasons, I never finish raw edge appliqué with monofilament.  Even for turned edge machine appliqué, I prefer 100 wt. Polyester. 

Thread Weight:  What weight of thread should you use? Thread weight will have a great impact on the look and visibility of stitching.  Note: The higher the number, the thinner the thread. 

100 wt: There are several brands of 100 wt. polyester thread that I use when I want my appliqué stitches to disappear into the edge of the appliqué shape. Wonderfil’s Invisifil will make your stitches blend right in with the fabric and there are 60 colors to choose from. Superior’s MicroQuilter is very similar and is available in. Both of these polyester threads have been manufactured with a matte finish so they look more like cotton, but have the strength of Polyester. I use 100 wt. polyester thread where other quilters would use monofilament. These threads are a great choice for turned edge machine stitched appliqué, raw edge appliqué, machine quilting, quilting in the ditch, English paper piecing and even regular piecing.  Your seams will never lay flatter!

80 wt.  Aurifil 80 wt. cotton thread is available in 88 colors and is wound on small wooden spools. Kind of nostalgic don’t you think? Both 100 wt. polyester and 80 wt. cotton are wonderful choices for invisible appliqué. Use 80 wt. cotton thread anywhere you would use 100 wt. polyester. It will be slightly more visible, but is an excellent choice especially if you are “old school” and only like to use cotton thread on cotton fabric. 

50 wt:  Every thread company probably has a 50 wt. thread. I generally use 50 wt. cotton for machine piecing, and I also use 50 wt. for machine stitching raw edge appliqué. This fairly light weight thread is much less noticeable than 40 wt. and under, yet it is much more visible than 80 or 100 wt..  50 wt. is my “go to” thread, just because I have so many colors already on my thread wall from so many years of collecting.  My favorite brand is Aurifil, however there are many great brands out there!  You probably already have a preference for your general piecing weight thread.  Use what you have.  As long as your machine likes it, and you have the color you need, use what you have on your shelf.  Great brands that I often use include Aurifil, Superior, Mettler, Gutterman, YLI and Wonderfil and  Coats and Clark.

40 wt:  I recently discovered 40 wt. Aurifil Cotton thread. I love this weight, and use it when I want a bolder stitch around the fusible raw edge appliqué.  The reason I like the thicker thread is that it builds up more heavily along the edge of the appliqué giving the raw edge a really nice finish.  The thickness of the thread camouflages the raw edges of the appliqué. When I pair the heavier thread with a heavier stitch the result is very visible and much more decorative. 

Variegated threads that I like are generally 50 and 40 wt.

28/30 wt:  You can find 28 and 30 wt. threads, but for me, they are just a bit too hefty.

12 wt: I absolutely do not use 12 wt. thread for machine stitching. My machine hates it! Use 12 wt. thread for hand buttonhole stitch appliqué, big stitch quilting, redwork and hand embroidery. 

Color: There are threads in every color of the rainbow and there are variegated threads that change color along the thread length. When you want your appliqué edge to blend, choose a solid color thread that matches the appliqué fabric as well as possible. 

Use variegated thread to make the appliqué edges stand out, or when you have a wide range of fabric colors and you do not want to change colors.  For example, when making a floral appliqué quilt, we often use many different green fabrics for stems and leaves.  Using green variegated thread makes it unnecessary to change thread colors for each leaf. 

A few of my favorite variegated threads are King Tut (40 wt.) by Superior Threads, YLI (40 wt.), Tutti by Wonderfil (50 wt), and Sulky (30 wt.). These companies have a wide variety of color in variegated threads. The variegation length varies depending on the company. Some change in a very predictable pattern while others change more gradually. Valdani has a wide color range of hand dyed variegated threads in both 35 and 50 wt. cotton. 

A note about Bobbins: In general, match the bobbin thread (weight and color) to the decorative top thread. There are always exceptions to the rule! When using variegated thread on top, use a solid bobbin color that blends well.  Don’t waste the variegated thread (the color on the top and bobbin thread will never match up anyway!)  I find using a bobbin thread that is one weight less than my top thread works the best in my machine. For example, when using a 40 wt. variegated tread on top, choose a blending color of 50 wt. thread in the bobbin. Every machine is different and you have to find the right combination of top and bobbin threads that match to even out the tension. Machine tension can be a little tricky when decorative machine stitching.

One thread that often works well in the bobbin no matter what is on the top is Decobob from Wonderfil.  Decobob is 80 weight cottonized Polyester.  It behaves like cotton with the strength of a polyester thread.  The very lightweight allows you to get a lot of thread on your bobbin, so less time is wasted winding and changing bobbins.  And the best part is, you can get them pre-wound!  Look for those in my shop.  

Test Drive before you decide! Play with leftover fusible appliqué shapes fused to a sample of your background fabric and test different decorative stitches.  Adjust the length and width and test drive different threads. Make sure you can’t see the bobbin thread coming up to the top.

Once you decide on a stitch, write down the stitch number and the length and width you like best.  Make a note of the top and bobbin thread names, colors and weights.  Keep the stitching sample in your project box and each time you sit down to sew, test your stitches before you get moving on the actual quilt project.  Choosing the right thread can make the difference between a project you love and a project you dislike!  Test driving your thread and stitches every time you sit down at the machine will save you hours of unstitching.  Ask me how I know!!

For more information about thread direct from the manufactures, here are websites links:

https://www.valdani.com/products

https://www.aurifil.com/aurifil-products

https://www.superiorthreads.com/thread

https://www.amann-mettler.com

https://www.guetermann.com/en

https://ylicorp.com/

https://www.coats.com/en/Products

Watch for Machine Appliqué Part 2: Which Stitch should I use?

Machine Appliqué Part 3: Buttonhole (blanket) stitch appliqué, how to turn curves and points.

And Machine Appliqué Part 4: Straight stitch (soft-edge) applique: benefit and limitations.        

 

In the second  blog post about Community, I want to talk a little about Online Communities.  

Years ago, in the year 1999, I joined an online community that started a  Millennium swap.  Eighty quilters from all over the globe swapped 25 2 1/2″ square of fabric to make a Millennium quilt.  Quilts with 2000 unique charm squares!  This was my first introduction to online quilting communities.  This week, my mom (who participated in the swap) gave my son the Millennium quilt that she made with those charm squares.  My son Jason has a quilt on his bed that I made with my squares.  What a unique and fun project that was!  At that time connecting with quilters from all over the world was a unique and rare happening.  I was thrilled to be a part of this diverse group. 

Today we are so lucky to have this opportunity literally at our fingertips! ….By typing a note on Facebook with those very fingertips, I can connect with quilters all over the world with the power of Facebook.  I have friends from Ireland, South Africa, Japan and Germany!  I have students and customers all over the world. I have met many of these quilters at either Houston or Paducah, and it is amazing the bond we already share and how our friendships have grown. It reminds me of an old fashioned Pen Pal!!   

On Facebook you can find a group of enthusiasts about everything! From Sunbonnet Sue to Modern quilts.  Whatever your passion, there is a group of equally passionate people out there who share the same love.  These people could be the very same quilters that you meet locally at your guild, or they may be half way across the globe.  

I am part of many different online quilting communities on Facebook.  There is a group for Featherweight Fanatics, many others who obsess over applique. I belong to a group of Kaffe Fassett Lovers, as well as a group of Professional Pattern designers.  My Quilt guild has it’s own Facebook group that is only open to our membership. There are bunches of us who love Wool applique and dozens that share Sewing Room Organization tips.  ​No matter what your interest, there is an online community for you to join.  

If you love using my templates for applique, we have a unique group for you too!  Please join my Sue Pelland Designs open FaceBook page!  This is where we share my customer’s quilts, my own quilts, snapshots of my daily life and anything Quilty that I am excited to share!  This week I shared the story of an antique quilt that I was gifted by my Mom.  She thinks it was made by my Grandmother, or maybe even my Great Grandmother!  This quilt needs a good wash, so I asked opinions of the right product to take away the age stains.  I am so excited about the responses I received!  One of my own guild members offered to share her Retro Clean with me!

                                               

I also moderate a group called “Quilt Along with Sue Pelland“.  This is a closed group (you have to answer a few questions and be approved), and is geared to my students and customers making SPD projects with my tools.  On this page, we have a very active community of people who love to share with and teach each other!  Just the other day one of my Belle en Rouge students needed some advise about thread choice for her Blue version of the quilt.  Here is a snapshot of her post and the answers she received.  She even got a note from Donna Morales-Oemig-Morales, an Aurifil distributor!  

                    

While not all of us embrace technology to this extent, I truly feel that Facebook and other social media platforms have made my reach a little wider!  It surely has made the world a little smaller by allowing me to connect with people from all over.  

I hope you too will benefit from this online community.  Give it a try!  

Quilting, creating, even running a quilt related business can be very isolating.  We set aside  “me time”  to work on our creations,, but that time is often spent alone in our sewing rooms, with only our sewing machines for company.  With this tendency to hibernate in our sewing rooms, many of us crave a quilting community where we can join with other quilters who like to do the things we like to do!  We want to hang out with people who enjoy fabrics, sewing, and learning about our quilt hobby.  Where do you find your quilting community? Let me know by leaving a comment.  Do you find your quilting community in person or online?  

Over my next few blog posts, I will be talking about finding your quilting community, and today I will start by talking about Quilt Guilds.  

I joined my quilting guild over 25 years ago.  We have a meeting tonight and I am so looking forward to it!  I’ll tell you why in a minute, but first, let me tell you a little about my guild.  

I found my guild when I was working at Cranston Print Works Co in Webster, MA.  I worked as a color chemist, but knowing that I was a quilter, it quickly became part of my job description to visit quilt guilds and give presentations on the fabric manufacturing and printing process.  A local guild contacted Cranston and asked for a presentation, so I was “volunteered” to go with one of our VPs.  When I got to the the Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild, I felt like I had found my “People”!  After the presentation that night, I joined the guild.  

My guild has been a source of friendships, competition, comfort and encouragement over the years. 

Friendships: When I first joined the guild, I was a 20 something with no kids. Three kids and 25 years later, these women are some of my best friends.  People have come and gone from the guild and I now have friends all over the country that I met through Thimble Pleasures.  I look forward to traveling to shows near and far where I can reconnect with guild members who have moved away. Tonight I may meet a new Quilting Friend!  We have a secret Santa Gift Reveal, and who knows who my Secret Santa will be?  Can you keep a secret?  The quilt on the top of this post the gift that I am giving tonight at our Christmas in July celebration.  Maybe the person who receives it will also become a new friend!  

Competition:  While our guild is noncompetitive in general, there are times when some friendly competition is a very good thing for growth.  Friendly competition comes in the form of game nights,  guild challenges and even quilt shows.  Let me give you an example.  Years ago I entered the guild’s Garden Challenge.  For that challenge I created Eve’s Garden, my first ever fusible applique quilt.  Eve’s Garden has hundreds of leaves on it!  This quilt inspired me to figure out a way to cut leaves in a faster, easier way.  Shortly after making this quilt, I invented my Leaves Galore templates.  Without that friendly competition, I never would have created that quilt and I never would have invented Leaves Galore!   

 

Comfort:  Most Quilt Guilds are all about comfort.  In our guild, a comfort committee shares a little bit of sunshine with anyone who needs comfort for any reason.  When my son was diagnosed with Leukemia, not only did he receive a quilt from the quilt to take to the hospital, but was gifted a beautiful heart quilt that made me feel like I was wrapped up in the guild’s love.  Hmmmm…was this an inspiration for my next invention, the Hearts and More templates?

Encouragement:  The guild is my sounding board for ideas.  When I have a new quilt I am experimenting with, it goes on the design wall during a guild retreat.  As a creative design unfolds, the encouraging words of the guild inspire me to create, to refine and to complete my designs.   Suggestions abound, and together we come up with amazing work.  When I invented my tools I was so excited about what they could do!  The guild was the first place I turned to see if they were of interest to others and they encouraged me to pursue making tools to sell to other quilters. 

I know for a fact that my quilt guild has had a huge impact on the quality of my quilts, but in fact it has effected my whole life.  Though their friendship, competition,comfort and  encouragement I have become a better quilter, and have even chosen quilting to be my business, my source of income and a huge part of my life.  

I hope you will consider reaching out to other quilters in an actual, in person quilt guild, and see how your world can be made a little more colorful with quilters in it!  

Next time, I will be talking about other forms of quilting community by looking into Online Quilting Communities!  

Last week I was at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival.  This was my first time at this regional guild show and it was a blast!  Also vending at this show was Iris Karp, the owner of Attached, Inc, the home of Mistyfuse.  I was able to get a way on Saturday afternoon to interview Iris about Mistyfuse, and two new products that I will be offering in my Website Store.  Iris has invented Bunny Paper and is now packaging MistyQs, fat quarter size precut Mistyfuse sheets to fuse your fat quarters of fabric!  

Bunny Paper is reusable paper that you can print with your computer printer, then transfer the images onto the Mistyfuse.  Again, just like my method of applique, there is no tracing!  Check out the video below to see how to use the Bunny Paper and how to reuse it many times over.  

You will also learn about MistyQs!  MistyQs are fat quarter size mistyfuse sheets.  They are the same price as Mistyfuse in a 10 yard package, but these individual sheets are precut for fusing Fat Quarters.  There is no extra charge for this convenient size package of Mistyfuse cut as MistyQs!  

You can watch the interview here or on Youtube.   Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more great videos like this one.

Do you have any questions for Iris or for me about using Mistyfuse in your quilts?  If you do use Mistyfuse, what is your favorite thing about it?  The softness?  The heat stability?  Tell us what you love about Mistyfuse or ask your questions in the comments below.  

Enjoy this happy June day!  Sue

My friend Sherri Noel has just published a new book, “Text It”.  Sherri and I have been in the same quilt guild for years  and have so much in common as quilt designers.  When she asked me to make a quilt from her new book and blog about it, I knew I was going to make the “1 Sheep” quilt!  After reading all about “Counting Sheep”, tell me the one thing that helps you relax before bed in a comment below to enter the give-away!  Tag a friend in the comment for an extra chance to win! Martingale has generously given me one “Text It” book to give away and I’ll also give away a set of my “Hearts & More” tools so you can try making circles my way!  

Sherri’s adorable little sheep is so darling!  I knew that I could get this quilt done in time for the “Hop” because it is all made of circles.  I jumped right in with my Hearts & More templates, the perfect tool for cutting perfect circles!  

There were a few fabrics at my Local Quilt Shop (Franklin Mill for all you local girls!) with sheep on them, and a fun border print that reminded me of wooly sheep in white and gray.  To keep the quilt soft enough for a baby, I chose Mistyfuse brand fusible web to fuse my sheep and the words. It is so soft you won’t even know it is there!  After putting the fusible on the fabric with an applique pressing sheet, it was time to cut all those circles!  Here is a link to my video for putting the mistyfuse on your fabric.  

I used the Hearts and More large template set to cut 2″, 3″ and 4″ circles using my rotary cutter.  No tracing, no scissors, no fuss!  Sherri’s circles weren’t exactly the same sizes as mine, but I don’t think it matters!   

 

A Design Wall covered in Kaffe Flannel is the perfect place to start laying out the pieces. I have a Youtube video for that too, if you want to make a design wall for yourself. 

                                                 

Since Sherri had already reversed the alphabet, I traced the reversed letters on to parchment paper (from the grocery store) and ironed the parchment to the mistyfused fabric.  Since I’m over 50, my Daylight Magnifying Lamp is the perfect thing for cutting out applique and sewing on my machine!

I decided to spell out the words “One Sheep” instead of using the number one.  To center the words on the background fabric I used a ruler and my Iron-off Chalk.  Since I am fusing the words, the Iron-off chalk is the perfect marking method!  After fusing, all the marking is gone with the heat of the iron.  

I opted to omit the pieced border since I had the perfect puffy stripe border instead. Of course a striped border calls for mitering, so that was the final step in making the top. Here is the finished top with the strip border. Isn’t this little guy awfully sweet?  

I have been traveling for a bit now, so I haven’t had the chance to stitch the applique down yet.  When I do, I will buttonhole stitch the fused applique shapes with a buttonhole stitch on my sewing machine…or maybe I will play with stitches until I find one that looks soft and fluffy.  

I hope you enjoy my version of Sherri’s “1 Sheep” quilt from “Text It!”.  If you would like your own copy of the book, leave a comment below and maybe you will win a copy!  Or follow the links below to purchase the book on Sherri’s website, or on Amazon.  

You can read about more projects from this fun book by following the blog hop line up below.  You’ll get to see each quilt design made different ways and with different fabrics, you may find some fabric giveaways along the way too!!

Do you count sheep to fall asleep?  Do you read, sew or have a cup of tea?  Don’t forget to leave your best sleepy time ritual below, give me your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win a prize,  and tag a friend in the comment for two chances to win!   ZZZZzzzzzz………………………….Sue 

Here is the Blog Hop lineup:

MONDAY MARCH 4 – BEE HAPPY

PAMELA JANE MORGAN – http://WWW.MYSWEETLITTLESTITCHES.COM                            

SHARON LILABELLE LANE – WWW.LILABELLELANECREATIONS.COM

TUESDAY MARCH 5 – INFINITY Quilt

LAURA PILAND – http://WWW.SLICEOFPIQUILTS.COM

LEANNE PARSONS – http://WWW.DEVOTEDQUILTER.BLOGSPOT.COM

KATIE MUTER STARCHER – http://WWW.KATIEMAEQUILTS.COM

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 – PILLOW TALK

KATE COLLERAN – http://WWW.SEAMSLIKEADREAM.COM

CHERYL DAINES BROWN – http://WWW.QUILTERCHIC.COM

DORIE HRUSKA – WWW.FOREVER-QUILTING.COM

THURSDAY MARCH 7 – FREEDOM Quilt

JEN SHAFFER –http://WWW.PATTERNSBYJEN.BLOGSPOT.COM

LYNN KANE – http://WWW.PUPPYGIRLDESIGNS.COM

TARA MILLER – http://WWW.QUILTDISTRICT.COM

FRIDAY MARCH 8 – LOVING YOU Wall Hanging

ELLEN AULT – http://WWW.HANDMADE3D.ME/MAINBLOG/

SHERRI NOEL – http://WWW.REBECCAMAEDESIGNS.COM

MONDAY MARCH 11 – COUNTING SHEEP Baby Quilt

DEANNE EISENMAN – http://WWW.SNUGGLESQUILTS.COM

RAEWYN BARGE – http://WWW.STITCHINGFARMGIRL.BLOGSPOT.COM

SUSAN PELLAND – http://WWW.SUEPELLANDDESIGNS.COM

TUESDAY MARCH 12 – HOME PILLOW

JOANNE HARRIS – http://WWW.QUILTSBYJOANNE.BLOGSPOT.CA

PATTY DUDEK – http://WWW.ELMSTREETQUILTS.COM

ANDY KNOWLTON – http://WWW.ABRIGHTCORNER.COM

SANDRA STARLEY – http://WWW.UTAHQUILTAPPRAISER.BLOGSPOT.COM

CINDY PIETERS – http://WWW.STITCHINATHOME.COM

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13 – LIFE IS SHORT Wall hanging

BECCA FENSTERMAKER – http://WWW.PRETTYPINEY.COM

KATIE BOCK – http://WWW.SEWINGWITHKATIE.BLOGSPOT.COM

ALLA BLANCA – http://WWW.RAINBOWSBUNNIESCUPCAKES.BLOGSPOT.COM

THURSDAY MARCH 14 – HUSTLE PILLOW

TERRI BANDEN BOSCH – http://WWW.MEANDERINGSALONGLIZARDCREEK.BLOGSPOT.COM

WILLOW OLSON – http://WWW.BEARPAWDESIGNBLOG.WORDPRESS.COM

ERIN SAMPSON – http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/

FRIDAY MARCH 15 – SEWING MACHINE MAT

LAUREN WRIGHT – http://WWW.MOLLYANDMAMA.COM.AU

SANDRA HEALY – http://WWW.SANDRAHEALYDESIGNS.COM

CHERYL KRISEL LYNCH – http://www.cheryllynchquilts.blogspot.com/

SATURDAY MARCH 16 – WRAP UP

SHERRI NOEL – http://WWW.REBECCAMAEDESIGNS.COM

 

An excerpt from Rotary Cut Applique with the Leaves Galore Templates.

Fabric choices for Fusible Applique:

You can use any type of quality cotton fabric for fusible appliqué but my favorite appliqué fabrics are batiks. I prefer batiks because I do a lot of raw-edge fusible appliqué. Loosely woven cottons will fray more than tightly woven cottons. Batiks are typically made with a higher quality, more tightly woven base fabric making fraying less of an issue.  I use batiks wherever I can especially for raw edge fusible appliqué. 

When I am drawn to a fun printed cotton fabric for my quilt I try to use only high quality printed cottons. Printed cloth is only colored on the surface of the fibers. If you cut the fibers there is a white core. With raw edge fusible appliqué, you might see that white core along the edges of the cut patch. When using prints I generally use a decorative stitch, such as the buttonhole or satin stitch, around the edges of the appliqué to enclose the cut edge of the fabric.

To prewash or not to prewash? 

I prewash my fabrics. Period. 

Finishing chemicals on the surface of the fabric can interfere with the bond of your fusible. I also do not want to take the chance of my fabric colors running or seams puckering because of uneven shrinkage. The recipient of your quilt may put your finished quilt through the washer and dryer so it is best to be sure your fabrics have already been machine washed and dried.  Primarily, I do not want my fusible to misbehave. Your quilts will last a lifetime or more so take time now to prewash and you will never be sorry.

No fabric enters my sewing room without prewashing. As soon as I get back from the quilt shop, I trim the corners of the fabrics with scissors, separate by color (light and dark) and run two loads through the washing machine.  If I have very small pieces or really deep rich colors that may run, I swish them in the sink with a dab of hand soap or dish soap.  Rinse until you can see the water is clear.  Next, I run all fabrics through the clothes drier on a hot cycle, remove when damp and press.  I don’t use any form of starch or sizing when pressing.  Use only a spray bottle with water to get out all the wrinkles as this will ensure the best bond possible.  Now I know that everything in my fabric stash is washed and pressed and I can jump right in and start cutting my next quilt!   

Welcome to summer in Massachusetts! The Fourth of July forecast is a week of 90 degree weather, and I am ready to break out the bathing suit and enjoy summer!

Last week we were in Vermont at the Vermont Quilt Festival, and the weather was nippy in the lovely Green Mountains.   I look forward to the Vermont Quilt Festival every year!  I always invite my mom, and as usual, she was my right hand person while I was teaching this year.  I had the pleasure of teaching three classes at VQF while my certified instructors ran the booth in the vendor mall.  Thanks to Sandy, Jean, Candy and Kay who worked with Joanne in the booth.  I hope you had the chance to see them and learn from their own unique take on my tools!  

In our classrooms, we were happy to be able to test and use the :”Your Nest Organizer” at each of our student work stations.  This is the unique brain child of Joan Ford from Hummingbird Highway!  Your Nest Organizer keeps all your tools:  Templates, pens, pencils, scissors and rotary cutter organized and neat while you are working on a rotary cut applique project.  

I feel as though Joan made this tool just for me!  My three Leaves Galore templates and my four Hearts and More template fit perfectly in the eight ruler slots.  There is a special nest for your rotary cutter as well as the perfect place for scissors, pens and pencils.  My students loved having them on the tables to keep all their tools visible.  Could this tool help you in your workshop?

Thanks to Joan Ford for the nifty gadget and for letting us try them out!  I just love going to the Vermont Quilt Festival, and I especially love teaching!  Watch for me at a guild near you.  I will be in Long Island and in Connecticut this month, so come listen to my lecture or take a class with me!  

Happy Fourth of July! 

Today is the day.  Today I get to speak to one of my idols in Quilting, Pat Sloan!

Do you get nervous when you meet someone you admire?  Well, I can tell you, I am a little nervous about doing a live podcast this afternoon! 

So if you are so inclined tune in from 4:00 to 5:00 here at All People Quilt.  If you haven’t listened to Pat’s podcasts before, it is simple to get started.  I so enjoy her interviews with a wide range of quilters, pattern designers and other quilt professionals. 

After a wonderful day with family and friends for an early New Year’s Eve celebration, I am just relaxing and watching Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve Party.  I miss that guy, but Ryan is doing a great job.  

Check in with my blog tomorrow to see the finished quilt top for My Magical Garden.  I’m exited to share it with you, and I’ll do that….as soon as I wake up after a very late night watching the ball drop in NYC (from the comfort of my own warm bed!)

Wishing my friends, family and followers a very safe and happy New Year’s Eve!

Hi Quilters! This is Penny Bentley, I work with Sue as her Event Coordinator.  I would like to share that I have been blessed and fortunate to share in Sue’s successes with her expanding quilting business.  Sue is an extremely creative and professional businesswoman who has Donna, Joanne, and I to assist her along the way, but, of course, it is her business sense and practices that has brought her to this time and place.

Sue has much confidence in her team and in her Certified Instructors to share her techniques and products at shows that she cannot find herself attending.  In January, Donna and Joanne will be vending at Mancuso’s Orlando show being held in none other than Orlando, Florida from January 18-20, 2018 as Sue embarks on personal travel to London.  

When Sue returns from London her first New Year lecture will be for the Soo-Nipi Quilt Guild in Newport, NH on Thursday, January 18, 2018.  Sue loves to teach, as many of you already know, and I just want to share that she has taught me so many practices over these seven years, she even tries to teach me to quilt and sew, not happening!!  If you have a minute to go to her website 2018 calendar, make note on your calendars, and try to attend a lecture or a workshop near you.  

I have been with Sue since the very beginning of her venture with her templates/tools and it seems like eons ago!  It continues to amaze and impress me that this quilting gadget has grown into the business that it is.  Little ole Penny, working at little ole Sue’s office, in little ole Upton, in this big ole world of quilters in the USA. Amazing and Wonderful!!

In closing this Blog and this year of 2017, I would like to wish all of you, quilter friends, a Healthy and Happy New Year!!!  

I spent today working on a handy color chart that you can use to coordinate your fabrics for the upcoming Quilt-Along.  We know you have all have our Rotary Cut Applique tools sitting in your workroom.  So let’s get them out and start using them!  The new Magical Garden Facebook Page is up and running, and that is where Joanne posted her Color Chart that she has just finished for her version of the “My Magical Garden” quilt.    Whether or not you are participating in the BOM this year, sign up to be part of our Facebook Group so you can see the progress of the other quilters who join in the fun.  

The purpose of the Quilt-Along is for you to start using your Leaves Galore and Hearts & More tools, so if they are sitting on a shelf, lets get them out to play!  Don’t forget, the full quilt will be revealed on January 1, along with the BOM registration.  We are busy getting optional fabric kits and thread kits prepared so you can keep it simple!  Of course, if you want to work from your stash, just print out the handy color chart, and start rummaging through your stash for your BOM fabrics.

Lets start the new year off right by learning to use the tools you already own!   I’m so excited to help you make this beautiful quilt!   

So, now that the BOM quilt is finished (and don’t forget the big reveal day and sign up  for the Quilt-Along is January 1!) what will I work on next?  I have so many ideas, but nothing is fully formed and ready to jump right in.  No fabric is calling to me, and no fresh idea is nagging at me, waiting to get done.  I guess I am in a Quilting Slump!   

One of my favorite inspirations is antique quilts.   I am over the moon about getting to visit “Antique Textiles” when in London this month. If you haven’t already, go check out their Facebook page.  There are some wonderful videos for a peek inside the store.  I’m hoping one of the antique quilts will call to me, awaiting to be reborn as a fusible applique pattern.  

I also picked up an inspiring book by my friend Pat Cox this week.  Pat’s antique quilt collection is extensive, and very lovely.  There are quite a few applique quilts in there that have got me thinking.  

How do you decide what is next on your list of quilts to make?  Do you take turns between big and small quilts? Do you alternate between pieced and applique quilts?  Do you rely on Pinterest, books, or patterns at your quilt store to get you moving?

What will you be working on next?  If you have your next project already picked out, please share it with me on Facebook or in a comment.  

Once you know what our Leaves Galore tools can do, there is inspiration everywhere!  Whether you are looking at wallpaper, carpets or stained glass windows, you can find these beautiful curved shapes that come together into gorgeous patterns.  Each time I spot a shape that I could rotary cut with my tools, there is a quilt waiting to happen! There are never enough hours in the day.

 

 

 

 

  

No matter what you celebrate,

what you believe,

what you live by,

may this season of giving

bring peace to our world

and to your heart.  

It wouldn’t be Christmas if I were not sewing a last minute gift! Today I am sewing Bowl Cozies for Christmas gifts for some very special people.  Hopefully they read my blog, so I’m not going to say who they are for!  The gifts are all finished and wrapped, but I made three extra just in case I missed someone on my list.  Now that my gifts are finished, the wrapping is done, it is time to enjoy the long holiday weekend.  I hope your holiday hustle and bustle is finished so you can relax and enjoy!!   Merry Christmas!

Did you know that I am vending and teaching again at MQX this year?  I am teaching classes in making a Cork Did you know Notebook Cover and a fast method to make Drunkard’s Path. 

In the first class we will not only work with Cork (which may be new to many of you!) but we will also be working with my Petite Leaves Galore Template.  You don’t need the template to take the class.  I will have plenty to share. 

In the Drunkard’s Path class we will learn to do a fusible Drunkard’s Path instead of the dreaded “curved piecing”.  Here is the link to sign up for these classes!  Why not ask for this as a last minute Christmas Gift or Stocking Stuffer?  

This is one of the fun things about MQX.  While the show focuses on Machine Quilting, there are some other unique classes that you can take there too!  This show has something for everyone. 

One of the highlights of the show is the Ice Cream Social where the founders of MQX come up with a silly song to sing with willing volunteers.  This year, Janet-Lee has extended her song writing skills in honor of Winter! 

Sing the lyrics below to the melody from “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
 but to quilt is so delightful

We know it’s the best place to go,
 book your trip to the MQX Show

The flyers they are arriving,
 and the classes they are thriving

The staff is raring to go,
 book your fun at the MQX Show

When we finally pack our bags,
 we’re excited to get to the show.

Classes, shopping, events, and fun,
 you’ll find us always on the run

We’re not showing signs of stopping, 
 we keep our students hopping

If you want a class at the show,
 let us know, let us know, let us know!

 

 

Well, you may have noticed that I forgot to blog yesterday!  Jason was finally home to help me finish decorating the tree and I made dinner for him and my hubby.  Then after decorating the tree, Jason and I just sat down and chatted until it was time for bed.  Well, those of you who have gone through this with your own children know that these times are few and far between, and you savor every moment that you can when you kids are home from college for the Holidays!  As it is, Jeff and I are going to leave for England on January 4th so we only have two more weeks with both of my boys home.  When we go to England, my daughter Lauren will meet us there for a 10 day vacation.  We will end up in Paris to get her ready to move home.  

So forgive me for forgetting to blog.  Some things are way more important in life!  Enjoy the little things this Christmas Season!  

We are getting down to the wire, and if you are celebrating Christmas, I hope you are all ready for your holiday festivities this weekend!  I have to say, I am a little behind the eight ball.  I have spent more time sewing than shopping, and more time blogging than wrapping!  Yet the hustle and bustle is nearing its end, and now I can get down to one of my favorite Holiday Traditions, making Christmas Cookies! 

Auntie Jackie is the Christmas Cookie Queen and gifts us with a towering plate of her handmade goodies every Christmas Eve.  Does that stop me….NO WAY!   I don’t do all the varieties I used to make leading up to Christmas but I will dip chocolate covered pretzels for all my friends and family as I do every year.  Now I know that several companies have come out with bagged chocolate covered pretzels but there is nothing like dipping your own and decorating them with your favorite sprinkles and drizzles!  I enjoy wrapping these up with a pretty cellophane wrappers and a bows and putting them in everyone’s stockings.  

My all time favorite holiday tradition is going to my niece’s house and enjoying an open house filled with friends and family…and of course, Auntie Jackie’s Cookies!   

What is your favorite Christmas Cookie?

One of our sponsors of the Applique Design Challenge 2018 also sponsors a challenge of their own.  The Quilter’s Dream challenge is called Hopes and Dreams for ALS.  This quote is taken directly from the entry form: 

“Please donate a quilt to warm the lives and hearts of ALS patients while raising awareness and research money for ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, plus have a chance to win fabulous prizes!”

Every quilter who donates a quilt will be entered into the Quilter’s Dream Batting sponsored contest.  The prize packages range in size from $500 to $1250 and there are multiple winners. ALS patients, families and researchers will benefit from your donation.  Some quilters donate quilts to be given to patients, while others donate items that can be used to raise money for research.  Here you can see the Come Together Raffle Quilt for ALS, a project spearheaded by Victoria Findlay Wolfe and made by volunteers. 

This neurological disease has been around for 100 years and we are no closer to a treatment or cure.  The disease is 100% fatal. My friends and family were touched by Lou Gehrig’s disease this year, a dear friend passed away very swiftly from this disease. 

Many of you know that I am also sponsoring a challenge. Quilter’s Dream has generously donated battings to add to the prize packages.  Inside every Quilter’s Dream Batting there is an entry form for the ALS quilts. 

My challenge quilts are due by January 31st, so it might be a good idea to get started if you are not already making your quilt. While it is not required, why not use Quilter’s Dream batting and get your contest entry form for the ALS challenge at the same time!  While you are visiting thier website, won’t you support the cause and buy some Raffle tickets for the beautiful “Come Together Raffle Quilt!”

But I’m terrible at keeping secrets from you!  The BOM quilt is finished!  It is 11pm and I just stitched on the outer half square triangle border.  But I couldn’t show you a photo of the quilt, even if I wanted to!  

I sew in my basement.  The ceilings are very low and the sewing room is very small…and the quilt…well, it’s a big one! It is pinned to my design wall, trailing on the floor and spilling over around the corner on a second wall.  

So I have decided to make you wait for the reveal.  The website will be up and ready for January 1st to accept registrations for the BOM Quilt-Along.  So….on New Year’s Day I will post the photo of the finished quilt on my blog, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, and of course, on my website.    

Patience Grasshopper!  Good things come to those who wait.  

I often get asked which tool I would purchase if I could only have one.  This is such a tough question for me as I use every one of my tools at least once a week!  I always say that the Norme Leaves Galore template is the most versatile, not too big, and not too small. 

However, the template I enjoy designing with the most is the Grande Leaves Galore template.  My Christmas Ribbons pattern is the perfect example.  Even though this is a wall quilt, the Grande template helps you cut every shape in this pattern.  The ribbon border is a wonderful use of the Leaves Galore tools.  It can be made with any size template and will make a wonderful border for just about any quilt.  You can replace the poinsettias in the border with a daisy or sunflower to completely change the look of this border.  

What else can you make with the Grande Leaves Galore?  How about the Hope’s Diamond quilt and the Desert flowers bonus quilt, Melissa’s quilt, Star Struck, and Mint Chocolate to name a few!  There are so many things you can do, I just love this tool!  

           

I have just finished my Christmas shopping online and WHOO HOO!  Everything will be delivered to my door.  Here in New England it has been a cool 23 degrees, and I’m doing all my shopping in my jammies  so I don’t have to go out in the cold!

Have you been a good girl this year?  Maybe Santa will fill your stocking with some great sewing gadgets. 

Look at these adorable Needle Beedles!  These fun little gadges are a needle threader with a light and a thread cutter.  Just adorable, and OH so useful for those of us over 50!   This is just one of the fun new tools I have found for our next round of Quilt Shows starting in January.  But I don’t have a show until January 18 so meanwhile these great little gadgets are available on my website.  If you think you need one, just print out this blog post and leave it where Santa will see it!  

Is thread storage a problem in your sewing room?  It sure is for me.  Do you remember my blog posts a few months back where I redecorated my sewing room?  At that time I looked everywhere for thread racks and only could find the wooden ones from Joanne Fabrics. I hate it when the pegs break.  Not anymore!!  Now these beautiful white painted thread racks are available, and I have them in stock.  They can be mounted on the wall or placed in plastic bins.  Each rack holds 21 spools, so you may need more than one!  I’m keeping this one right next to my sewing machine to keep the thread organized for my current project, the BOM!  

I also have a BobbinSaver hanging from the thread rack.  The bobbinsaver is holding the bobbins that match the threads for my current project.  That way I don’t get the weights or colors mixed up!  The bobbinsaver now comes in purple.