Episode 043: In Which We Talk about Fabric March 27 2011
Mar 27th, 2011 by quilter
(Still no theme song due to computer issues. Sorry! Just hum yourself a few bars....) Welcome to my podcast birthday episode! Woohoo! In this episode, I respond to Kris' question about the difference between "quilt shop quality" fabric and "discount store" fabric. I also announce my podcast birthday give-away!
Mentioned in this episode:
Jera's sachet tutorial at Quilting in the Rain
Jim Salinas' article, "The Difference between Chain Store Fabric and Quilter's Grade Fabric," at Cat's Quilt Art blog.
Listen Now:
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What have I learned this year? Refined and improved previous skills I had learned. That had been my main goal for the past year. I had taken a series of classes at my LQS for the first 5 years but the stick was limited. This past year I worked at:
PERFECTING ACCURACY:
PERFECTING scant and exact quarter inches and when to use them. My blocks now actually fit together much better.
Improving my cutting techniques and chain peicing.
PRESSING… NO STEAM…
Machine quilting my own smaller projects.
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Entering Quilt Shows: The best quilts shows are the local fundraising quilt shows put on by guilds to raise money for themselves and various causes. Everyone in the guild puts in the works they have accomplished… new and experience quilters. Non juried… except maybe by viewers choice. Maybe you can put your quilts in your guild’s show…. YOU do not have to enter the National quilt show.
Have you read any articles / studies on the fabric from pioneer / historical quilts?
Do you know how many threads per inch of the historical quilts available to see today. Were there fabrics better or worse quality then what is available today… quilt shop or Joanne’s. Were the threads thick or thin? I have often wondered but never got a chance to research this. I keep planning to try contacting the quilt museums but have not done it yet.
My personal theory is historical fabric was not as refined in quality as today’s fabric…. There fore our quilts should hold up as well as the quilts of the past.
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Happy Quilting… Nonnie
http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams- Podcast
******** http://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams - Blog
I have learned how to decide which quilts will go to the long-arm quilter, and which ones I will do myself. My machine quilting skills are adequate, but not wonderful. I don’t enjoy the process, and would rather hand quilt everything, BUT I don’t have the time to do it! I will machine quilt myself the quilts up to twin size for my grandchildren, small projects like table runners and placemats; I will send out anything bigger because I get too frustrated working with even twin size. There are a couple of queen sized BOM projects that I no longer am excited about working with any longer, so those will go to the long-armer too.
Any really special quilt that I absolutely love and hope will be a wonderful heirloom for my family will be hand quilted. I used to think that with enough practice and time, I could do it all and do it all very well. Accepting that’s not reality is significant for me, and I’m finally ok with that.
About the fabric issues: I support my local shops as much as possible. I will sometimes look at JoAnn’s , but rarely find what I want. FYI: Hancock’s of Paducah is an awesome bricks & mortar store as well as having that wonderful catalog. Imagine a sales floor with every colorway of every collection in every fabric line, every notion, every batting, and that’s the Paducah store!
My take on quality: buy the best you can afford for every project. I want my grandkids’ quilts to hold up as long as possible, and the better the fabric, the longer they will last, I hope.
Re: Nonnie’s questions about antique quilts: I’ve been part of a documentation team in W. PA, and I’ve been amazed at the variety of fabric types and quality in vintage quilts. Some I’ve seen are as high a thread count as the best batiks I like to work with, while others are very loosely woven and rough. Most seem to be in between. I imagine those quilters were just like us, using what was available and not really thinking their work would survive to be studied 150 years in the future.
Hi Sandy! Congratulations & thanks a bunch for your podcast, always interesting, informative and well done!
Like Nonnie, I’m learning to be more accurate in my work. Like Joyce, it’s beginning to dawn on me that I might not be able to do all my own quilting, that I probably can’t do all of it as well as I would like. Where did I ever get the idea that I could?!
From your podcast, I’ve learned the value of instructional DVD’s. Just started practicing Patsy Thompson’s free form feathers. I am in love!
Thanks again, and happy anniversary!
Thank you so much for the information about the differences in fabric. It was super clear and I think it is important.
What have I learned new…. Everything. I never even sewed a patch on before I started quilting. It was 6 months ago that I found a fabric that I fell in love with, and that led to my new quilting obsession. I have learned how to do…so much. I have since quilted, from blocks to binding, a queen sized quilt and have almost completed my daughter’s pinwheel/four-block quilt. The biggest thing that I have learned is how much I love doing this. I never thought I could do anything with fabric. I was totally intimidated by sewing and now I feel like I am a quilter.
Have a great day! Thank you so much for your time. Kate
Hi Sandy! It has been a while since I have taken time to listen to your podcasts, much less to comment! I caught the first few minutes of this one while waiting for my son at school. If I don’t say what thoughts came to mind now, I might never get that done!
Regarding your husband picking the fabric for that spring wall-hanging quilt (at least I think I have that right) MY husband has been ‘helping’ me a lot with a year long applique project. Not that I really asked him to, but he just likes to butt in and offer opinions on color choices. This isn’t a bad thing exactly. It is annoying though, when his ideas are better than mine!!! I mean who is the REAL quilter here, huh??? (lol)
Then the lavender you talked about… I JUST this last week finished a book where one of the characters had a lavender farm. Later the three main characters took a trip to go to a lavender event that takes place near Seattle. I don’t know if this “Lavender Fest” is real or not as the book is a fictional one. At the event there were vendors with lavender honey, wine, tea, butter, body lotion, bath salts, candy and LOTS more. Who knew there were so many things made from or with lavender? It makes me want to get some plants to grow here too. Did you know there are MANY different types of lavender too? It boggles the mind!
I hope to listen to the rest of this podcast soon, because it talks about fabrics and quality of same. There is a brand out there that I will never buy and I have gotten it at both the quilt shops and the chain stores. Oh, and you said JoAnns was the only chain store? Or maybe it is the only one near you. Hancocks still has stores in most major cities and their quality is about the same. There is Beverly’s on the west coast too, with similar quality in fabrics. I remember going to Ben Franklin’s and Woolworth’s to buy fabric for the first quilts I ever made. Now THAT is dating me a bit too much!
Thanks for keeping up the podcasting. I still like yours the best!!!
As always thanks so much for another great podcast. Informative as always! Happy anniversary!
What have I learned? Lots! First of all, I learned that there are a bunch of people out there quilting: you, Lady Raggs (Nonnie), Pam, Pat, and all the other podcasters! What a joy to listen to everyone while piecing!
Sandy, just from you, I’ve learned about color, scraps, bindings, books, magazines, websites, DVD’s (just to name a few), and most recently, about fabric. I’ve followed up on a lot of your podcasts with my own research. Sometimes just hearing something I had hard about previously, brings it up again and makes it fresh! And you are a joy to listen!
I didn’t have a mother or grandmother that quilted, so all you podcasters, you are my “mother”! THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Kris H
I just learned this week how to machine applique using the starch method to prepare the pieces. My applique was not perfect, but I have no intention of ripping it out. I will just do better on my next project.
I’ve also learned that there are quite a few 40-50 year old quilters out there. They just don’t live where I live.
I’m totally new at quilting, so everything I’m doing is learning, but I guess mostly now I’m learning about the importance of consistent 1/4″ seams, pressing (not pushing my iron!), and how important good quality fabric is. I’ve also learned that there are a whole whack of great quilting blogs out “there” and it’s fun seeing what everyone else is working on!
Hi Sandy. Happy 1st Birthday!
I have learnt so much in the previous year, but here a are few of the highlights.
1. I have learnt more about the whole podcast and blog scene and have added many to my list of favourites. Thanks to you I use Goggle Reader to manage them all and love looking through all the new posts everyday.
2. I have been working on a City and Guilds in Patchwork and quilting and have had to investigate and try out many different techniques and methods.
3. Personally I have explored the many way of doing applique - only last week I discovered a new one - not sure but think this might become my new preferred method as I love the idea of applique but haven’t found the right fit yet.
4. I have purchased a new sewing machine this year - a Bernina Artista 630, and so have been learning what I can do with it. I must add it is an amazing machine although a big investment.
5. I have completed my first quilt using a precut - a jelly roll. I enjoyed the experience but am not sure that I will repeat it - I prefer a few less fabrics in my quilt.
6. Finally I have discovered redwork - it isn’t that big over here in the UK, but again thanks to blogs I have found the projects great take along sewing or when I just want to pick something simple to do.
I agree with all the commentors above that we all are continually working on our precision and practising skills like machine quilting.
Thank you for the time and energy you put into your podcast - Maybe one thing I want to do in the next year is to comment more on the blogs and podcasts that I read/listen to and enjoy. C
Happy First Anny! Great Podcast ~ very informative. Thank you.
A few years ago, I began getting into pieced quilting by way of distant-quilt-shops (DQS) found during family trips to the beach, lakes, etc. I L-O-V-E fabric…and putting together a ’stash’ was a very natural progression. I had sewn for many years prior, so that helped a lot.
I absolutely agree in the difference of quality you mentioned in the podcast, but had no idea that not only the thread count was different but the: thread quality, the staple length, the dye stabilizers/finishing, etc etc - gosh! fascinating
The things I’ve learned in the past year quilting: * starch-press ‘before’ cutting bias pieces (never after) * the value of a ‘new’ rotary blade ~ chuckle ~ * how to improve my chain-piecing on flying geese = don’t get up to press as often (major time-saver) * starting hand-quilting in a large antique hoop (they don’t make wood like this anymore) trying many brands of thimbles, needles and having fun! yay!
Both of my daughters have watched all this develop, and now have a greater appreciation for textile arts. We visit many museums on our travels around the Pacific NW.
Thank you to all the quilters out there for keeping this craft going! L.
Happy Anniversary! Your podcast was the first I listened to and I became hooked. I now enjoy my daily commute as I slowly catch up to the other podcasters. I am the type to start at the beginning and listen through to the present.
What I learned this year: To “get over myself” as you would say. I am VERY OCD when it comes to my quilting, okay, well maybe everything, but especially quilting. That I really don’t like needle turn applique, though I am still trying, not sure why though. I suppose I should give myself permission not to like it.
That a binding strip is 2 inches wide. For some reason I thought it was 2 1/2, though I would cut it 2 1/4. Maybe it depends on who you listen to.
I liked your information on the differences in fabric quality. Once I discovered quilt shops a few years ago and had heart failure on the prices, I did my own research to justify the cost (the choices, feel, colors etc are so much better). Your information was so much more researched. I did do a sewing test, BIG difference.
Keep up the podcasting, Love it!
Jackie
Happy anniversary! A year of great podcasts!
What have I learned? I can’t remember who talked / wrote about it, but I learned about using corners on the back of the quilt instead of a hanging sleeve. The next time I do a smaller wall hanging, I’m doing that!!
I hope you get your music fixed. That music always picks me up!
Congratulations on you one year anniversary!!! What have I learned…. I learned not to fret so much about getting my work “just right”.
I have learned to make a list of goals for my quilting.
I have learned that I really, really, really want to go to the Houston quilt show!!!!!!!
I have learned about documenting and labeling….and that I must get better at doing this. (I am going to visit my Grandma in a few weeks and while there I am going to grab her quilts and have her tell me about them so I can make a label for each.)
But most of all…I have learned to be patient while waiting for your next podcast….*taps foot*. What!? still no new Quilting For the Rest of Us….why in the world she can’t do three a week…. Keep up the good work Sandy…your efforts are much appreciated!!!! Christy in AK
Happy anniversary! And thanks for a wonderful year of interesting and educational podcasts.
What I’ve learned this year is that my online quilting community is just as valuable to me as my guild. Through podcasts, blogs, and SeamedUp I have learned and laughed a lot.
I also read that book that Sherri read about the lavender farm. It was great! Reading it makes you want to grow fields of it.
And ditto to Nonnie’s comment about the quilt show. Our guild’s show does have ribbons, but they are voted on by the members at our preview party, and then we have a Viewer’s Choice. No judges or judgmental people allowed! We have everything from stunning quilts that go on to Houston for real judging to first quilts, kids’ quilts, and quilts that we are just glad got finished! Of course, you’d have to change your intro if you did that, but I think you could manage.
Hope you have many more anniversaries. I’ll be glad to say, “I listened waaaay back when…”
Jenny
Hi Sandy,
first I want to congratulate you on your first year podcast anniversary: Herzlichen Glueckwunsch (Congratulations). I found your podcast in January and listened to all the available episodes on itunes (unfortunately I couldn’t find episodes 1-16 there). I like your approach, your voice/way to speak, your topics, … I especially liked the episodes with the DVD reviews. I couldn’t get any of the DVDs here in Germany until now, but maybe I will find a way one day. I really enjoy your weekly episodes. What did I learn about quilting during the last year? Well, I discovered the Quilting Community in the Internet. I now understand how people can spend hours on the computer in internet panels
I joined two german Quiltforums last year and sometimes I really have to force me to shut down the computer and get my quilting on… And I learned, that I can give comfort to parents by making a prayer quilt for their newborn baby with special needs.
So, all the best for the future! With kind regards Steffi
14 Christy
While documenting your grandmothers quilt be sure to take pictures of them hanging up …. and with your grandmother. Those will be a treasure that can be shared with the rest of the family. Be sure to document family information and stories. 10 years ago I wrote a family history for my siblings, the grandkids…. to this day the grands will drag those books out and go over the information I gathered for them. If I had not done this I am sure those stories would have been lost. I just wish I started before my dad had passed… I wish I had recorded more of the stories. Both partents are gone but I do have a lot of memories in the book I did write but it is never enough.
NONNIE
16 Steffi
If you want to go back to the first podcast you should be able to down load them from THIS SITE– PODBEAN. Even if they have been arcived you should be able to down load them to your computer then to your ipod.
Right Click on the Episode number going to the comment page.
Where it says AUDIO MP3 … RIGHT CLICK again…. Select SAVE TO LINK or SAVE TO TARGET…. It will then go through the downloading cycle. Be sure to remember where you put it… I usually save them in MY MUSIC FILE in a new folder…. then play to your hearts content.
NONNIE
SANDY …. I realize you can only count my multiple posts as one…. IT IS ONLY FAIR.
I was re listening you your fabric podcast as I drove home…. One thing that is important to consider when you are buying your fabric is that your TIME and EFFORT it worth more than all the fabric thread and batting. Some times we quilters UNDERVALUE our time and the hard work that goes into our projects. That is why I feel that we should BUY THE BEST FABRIC WE CAN AFFORD AND NOT WASTE OUR TIME AND EFFORT ON INFERIOR FABRICS. I cleansed my stash of all my inferior fabric last year. Gave it to charity quilers who were desperate for donations…..
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One more comment about what is availabe at JoAnne’s and what is NOT available at QUILT SHOPS. …… LICENCED NOVELTY TRADE MARK CHARACTERS AND FABRIC. I recently bought yardage of CARS fabric from JoAnn’s… We used them for table covers at my grandson’s birthday party with the plan to make a quilt out of it afterwards. First of all I have noted most of the LICENCED Character fabric is of a good quality…. NOT sure if they all are but the PIXAR licence fabric seems to be of high quality. GRANDMA’S and kids love this fabric…. just because the kids love the results… JUST FOR THEM.
As to the QUILT SHOPS… I have not seen any licenced fabric until the EARL CARLE fabric for Hungry catapillar and Brown Bear and recently DR Suess. Most of the children prints I have seen are sock monkey, the dress up doll and clothes, and fabric styles remiencent of 30s and 40s. Cute kid prints but not things the kids like or recognize. I am not sure if this is due to the shop owners or due to the fabric manufactures.
Anyways this was what I was thinking about while I drove home. Computer is still down for podcasting…. Should be back up next week.
NONNIE
Ok, It took me the rest of the week, but I finished listening to this podcast! I still have a few others to catch up on with you though. You asked what I have recently learned about, regarding quilting? (for the drawing) I recently learned how to do applique’ work, using freezer paper and basting glue. I had never used that method before! It has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me though. I have hopes of designing my own applique’ quilt, similar to a Baltimore Album style, but with my personal twist on it.
I don’t think you ever stop learning new things as a quilter, unless you don’t WANT to learn new things!!!
Oh I just love giveaways! In the last year I have learned alot! The two most important things I learned are; 1) I am my own worst critic. 2) Done is better than perfect I have learned lots of new (to me) techniques but those two are the most important.
By the way, I did hum the music for your podcast… and in my head I heard you dedicate it to your mom. Love it!
Congrats on your first year! Your quilting podcast is so valuable to me - I always learn something and always enjoy your way of describing a technique or philosophy!
In the last year, I learned about color value (from you) and about accepting that, even though my quilts are not perfect (and might never be), they are still a joy to make, give and admire.
Keep going for many more years!
One of the neatest things I’ve learned is that podcasts exist for quilters. I have discovered you are a wonderful companion on my commute from work. Think of the many cases of road rage you have prevented:) Happy Anniversary and may you have many more!
What have I learned in the last year……..I found a method of making flying geese with a large square sewing smaller squares cutting then adding more smaller squares until BEHOLD two flying geese. I was really happy about this as I rarely make flying geese and didn’t want to spend money on a system save it for fabric!! Love your podcast, feel like I know you, as you have an easy-going way about you. I really appreciate the way you have so respectfully memorialized your mother. Thanks! and Happy Anniversary!
Happy birthday! I have two episodes of QFTRUS that really stand out as particularly educational for me. The first was your podcast on labels. The importance of labeling and what to include on your label. I am trying to document my quilts using your guidelines. Second, your interview with the quilt appraiser. Goodness there was a lot to learn there! What they view as important/quality and what can be overlooked.
Hey Sandy, do I get extra credit for posting three times on one post?
You owe me about $28. Paypal will be fine.
Why?
Because I went and bought a bunch of different types of lavender plants today. I totally blame you!
lol
I am more of a “wanna be” quilter. I have made a few small “quilty” type of projects, and am slowly entering the quilt world. I spend lots of time listening to podcasts, looking at photos and tutorials and accumulating supplies and tools. As far as what I have recently learned, I would have to say free motion quilting or stipple stitch. Even though the concept is definitely not new to me, the actual process of doing it is. Tonight, I just spent the last 2 hours practicing on a few 11×11″ squares to develop the feel. I am working on an applique pillow project that I will most likely modify to be a wall hanging. This project suggests a stipple type of quilting, and it is going to be my learning project for this stitch.
Just this morning, way before listening to this podcast, I was researching to see if I could grow lavender here in Arizona. I guess we are all on the same wave length.
Thank you for the wonderful podcasts! I started at number one and just got caught up tonight.
Happy Aniversary! I enjoy your podcasts (even though I’m still a few weeks behind in listening to them). I like your interviews and your conversational style. I look forward to many more years of your insights.
What have I learned this year, quilt-wise? That simple quilting can be very beautiful. I machine quilted two bed-sized quilts this year. One was a flying geese pattern that I used a Hawaiian quilt applique pattern as the quilting pattern. The other was a 9-patch that used (mostly) straight lines. While the curved Hawaiian flowers showed up beautifully on the plain blocks, the quilting was lost on all those seams in the goose blocks. I should have quilted those blocks with something simpler and easier to quilt. The 9-patch had a simple diagonal grid quilted over it and looked wonderful. I had forgotten that sometimes a simple quilt design can make a simple quilt look fabulous.
To my great delight, I have learned that there are wonderful quilters who do podcasts. I just listened to this one about fabric while I sewed on labels. Thank you for all the research and sharing you did on this subject. I am a relatively new quilter, so I have learned many new things this year. I learned how important accurate cutting and stitching is to a finished product. I learned that there are more threads out there than Coats and Clark. I learned how to make HSTs and flying geese. I learned paper piecing. I learned how to design a quilt pattern on graph paper and how to make fabric from scraps. I learned how to create a convergence quilt, a D9P quilt, curved flying geese, and so much more. I look forward to going back and listening to more of your podcasts.
Congratulations on one year. I just learned a few weeks ago you had the podcast so have got to listen from start to current lot a novel. Now all caught up and have to wait for the next one. What fun getting to go to AQS in Paducah, and yes seeing Hancock of Paducah what a difference - you walk in and start drooling. I enter quilts in shows for the fun and learning yes I know what I think is wrong but the feed back I believe has helped in areas where I wasn’t paying attention. The big rush is when you get a ribbon and a pat on the back.
Happy 1st Anniversary and thank you for your podcast, Sandy. I love the challenges you give us and the interesting threads to follow in BigTent. Your’s is always the first quilty podcast I go to when there are new downloads.
This year I learned about Sharon Schamber’s method of basting with the herringbone stitch and trimboards. I never thought to use tatting thread like she recommends. Great tip especially since I am a tatter as well as a quilter!
Thanks for a great podcast and congratulations on your first birthday! After losing my job a few months ago, and with the upcoming birth of my first grandchildren within six weeks of each other, I decided to make a quilt for each - I used to quilt 25 years ago when the kids were small but gave it up when the career took off. Now that re-employment seems a fantasy rather than a reality, the quilt designs I had in mind required applique techniques - so, this year, I taught myself to applique by hand after researching stitches and practicing like crazy! Now, I try to find a way to incorporate at least a little applique in the quilt tops I’ve been making to keep my sanity while unemployed! I successfully completed the baby quilts in record time, and am now making a quilt incorporating applique as a gift for my son who will receive his master’s degree next December - it’s full size, so it has been a challenge but I am enjoying it tremendously! Thanks again for a great podcast!!
Okay Quilter Caroline What applique method are you talking about??? No fair not telling us the name of the technique.
Personally I have explored the many way of doing applique - only last week I discovered a new one - not sure but think this might become my new preferred method as I love the idea of applique but haven’t found the right fit yet.
NONNIE
,
Happy Anniversary! I must say that your podcast has opened the doors for me to an whole big world of quilting and podcasts about quilting. It has definitely helped inspire me to move forward with my projects and learning.
This year the one area I have learned most about has been the machine quilting aspect. I took a longarm class at a local quilt shop (and know that I will eventually acquire one of my own!), and I have a machine that I have set up specifically for free-motion quilting. It still intimidates me, but I manage to let go and “get out of my own way” and just get it done.
One thing I must say… Back in your Goals episode you said you do not aspire to be a celebrity quilter. I say you already are! You may not be a huge mass media star or famous for your quilts, but you are definitely a voice for all of us who are striving to do the best we can at our craft and still juggle the rest of life. Thank you for all the time and effort you put out for us each week. I’ll keep listening as long as you keep posting!
I Am a new quilter and. made my first quilt last year. A log cabin. I’ve learned the 1/4 inch seam matters, squaring up matters all through the process.
Hi, I just tuned in to your podcast for the first time and I loved it! I listened to your quilt do-over episode and this fabric one and enjoyed them tons. I only learned how to sew about 4 years ago and started quilting about 3 years ago. I have made lots of quilts and other quilted items, but I have found that I don’t really like to follow a pattern that much. I love the idea of a pattern, but I always end up modifying it (sometimes on purpose, other times because of a “mistake”) so, I’ve been designing my own patterns for about a year now. One thing I learned (from the blog Spun Sugar Quilts) is how to easily make hst. I had been wanting to make a zig zag quilt for my newborn daughter and had the perfect 30’s repro polka dots for it. I saw a post where Vickie E. sewed around the perimeter of two charms and then cut on the diagonal twice to make 4 hsts. It was the perfect solution for my baby quilt! I was careful when pressing not to pull or tug since the cut is on the bias and makes them stretchier. I also used the technique for a fall tablerunner, I don’t know if I’d use that technique for anything larger than 5 inches, but it’s a simple way to make small squares.
Also, I wanted to say that I really appreciated what people said about spending more time with family working on quilty projects and learning how to sew from relatives. I am a stay at home mom to 3 little girls (how lucky am I????) and my oldest daughter who is 5 year old can operate my Janome with supervision. She has made a tablerunner that she donated to our church auction and is working on one for Easter complete with rickrack! We love to share a cup of tea and quilt together. It made me so happy to hear that your listeners cherished those moments with their moms and grandmoms. I hope my daughters will cherish them as well.
Happy Anniversary! I’d gotten behind on your podcasts and have only recently been able to catch up (the 12 year old uses a lot of bandwidth when she watches her music videos on the computer).
What I have learned this year? Your episode on goals (#33) really struck a cord with me. My workplace uses the same goal construction concepts you talked about in that episode. Specific and time bound goals are ones I hear all the time at work. It just never dawned on me that I could apply those same principles to my quilting goals. Has it made a difference? I think so. Mainly in that I’ve learned I have to pull out my goals and access my progress. So when we did quarterly reviews at work, I took a hard look at what I said I wanted to accomplish this year with my quilting. I’ve made some adjustments, and though I’m not on target, I’m much farther ahead then I have been in years past.
Thanks so much for all the effort you put into your podcasts. Looking forward to wishing you a happy 2nd birthday.
Yay, giveaways!
This year I learned WHY I should label my quilts.
Next year I’ll work on actually labeling them.
I learned that I need to take more time to measure twice and hopefully cut once. I also learned that there is never such a thing as too much fabric! Thanks for the giveaway
I learned that I have better results hand piecing than machine piecing! Everything just lines up better.
I have also learned that, as comfortable as I am with technology, I get tense using my machine and handwork relaxes me.
I learned that I don’t fit into any label such as Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced, because if I want to make a quilt, I’m going to make it, no matter how hard it is!
I love the info on the differences in fabric qualities. I have heard vague-ish references to the fact that there are differences but no details. Thanks. That was well explained.
You are a funny lady, I MUST say. I love your podcast and have only had the time to listen to the last few. I just recently finished my first quilt (for my darling grandson) and found out all sorts of things like bindings don’t need to be wide like 2 inches or so. Also learned some about how to finish the edges of the quilt to prep for the binding. Oh and I got to do my first long arm quilting.
I imagine my Grandson (Dana by name) will drag his new quilt all over the place by the end of its life and it doesn’t kill me that it isn’t perfectly bound for that reason as well as the many other imperfections it has. I think a well worn quilt is one of the biggest complements a person can get. Is shows it’s been well loved. Given with love and used with love. What could be better? My other DGS saw Dana’s and gave me ideas on what he would like his to be. He’s usually pretty indifferent but really liked what he saw. How cool is that!!
I really love the humor of your chats. I certainly relate to the dog’s tail but mine is more a bunch of cats that manage to pry open the door to the sewing room and snuggle up (after a romp through the organized pieces and pins and stuff on the table) on the many soft and inviting spots they find. Thanks for the “real” life events you share and the great chuckles that escape from my otherwise sober countenance. Keep up the awesome casts, and …. Happy Podcast birthday!!
Margie
I really enjoy your podcast. I like how you share what you know in an easy conversational way. Your fabric podcast was great. I kinda learned on my own that there was a difference in the feel of the $3 bargain fabric and the quilt store fabric, but it was great to hear more about the why.
This past year I learned about dyeing fabric in a guild sponsored class. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed being with good quilting friends. I would not have tried this on my own.
Sandy, I’ve e-mailed you privately, but I’ll repeat here that I LOVED the episodes where you reviewed DVD’s.
Also, based on your recommendation I purchased used copies of 2 books from the Rodale’s Successful Quiltling Library. I am about 2/3 through Perfect Piecing and am very glad you recommended it.
I also was very interested in the fabric quality episode. Thanks for a great podcast and for the giveaway!
What I have learn is to watch color values.Also Podcast are great to listen to while quilting. Thanks for great podcast
Jan K
Hi Sandy - thanks so much for the shout out to my sachet tutorial! I’m loving your podcast - definitely something I’ll be listening in on often.
Take care and happy quilting! -Jera (www.QuiltingInTheRain.blogspot.com)
Sandy–Thank you so very much for the fat quarters, pattern and glitzy accent fabric! Wow- I love it! The package arrived yesterday I was so excited to open it. The cute Schnibbles pattern is adorable, I haven’t tried one but have heard of them. I wish you a very happy anniversary and looking forward to your next podcast, Hoping you are having spring weather-We are still waiting….
I am a new listener (added your app to my IPhone). I am going back and listening to the podcasts and am enjoying them completely. I did not know about Hancock of Paducah and Hancock Fabric being a different enterprise. I have been to Paducah and shopped at Hancock of Paducah and loved the store and the fabrics. I will now subscribe to the catalog and get my fabrics from there. Your show is very informative and I like that you like to complete your project. I am the same way and if there is a mistake in the project, I use the experience to not make the same mistake the next time. Thank you for your podcast and I hope to be listening for many more years to come. Ethel