Printing Experiment

Today I teleworked from home and took two hours of leave, due to we were meeting the tax accountant today at 4:30 pm.  So, I decided to experiment while I was waiting for my husband to get home. 

A while back The Electronic Quilt Company had their Inkjet Fabric on sale.  So today, I thought I would experiment with the photo fabric. The photo fabric is 100% cotton at a 200 thread count.

After reading all the instructions, I looked on my computer for a photo to experiment with and chose a nice picture of my sister, mom and myself.  Then edited the photo in Photoshop by resizing it and a little touch up.  I cut a 8 1/2 X 11 pieces of photo fabric, and put it in the rear tray of my printer.  In Photoshop, I set it up to print as a glossy matte finish and pressed the Print button.    

Well, the first print didn't come out as I hoped.  I ran out of color ink, that's not good, but it was a good start.  

 I let it dry for at least 15 minutes.  After the 15 minutes, I removed the plastic backing on the back of the fabric. 

In the Kitchen, I added some distilled water in a pan, and layed the fabric in the water for 10 minutes.  After the 10 minutes I carefully remove the fabric, and lay it flat to dry.  (Remember not to wring out or twist the fabric.)  Once the fabric drys you can cut it and sew on it.

So after I finished the first one, I went to Officedepot for more color ink and started a new picture. 

 
This one I used the T-shirt transfer setting and it printed backwards.  Which kind of worked out and looked good. 

The last one was done in a high glossy setting, and a different picture. None of the pictures I printed out bleed at all. Now I want to make a small lap quilt out of pictures of the kids over the years for me.

Tina

Printing Experiment

Today I teleworked from home and took two hours of leave, due to we were meeting the tax accountant today at 4:30 pm.  So, I decided to experiment while I was waiting for my husband to get home. 

A while back The Electronic Quilt Company had their Inkjet Fabric on sale.  So today, I thought I would experiment with the photo fabric. The photo fabric is 100% cotton at a 200 thread count.

After reading all the instructions, I looked on my computer for a photo to experiment with and chose a nice picture of my sister, mom and myself.  Then edited the photo in Photoshop by resizing it and a little touch up.  I cut a 8 1/2 X 11 pieces of photo fabric, and put it in the rear tray of my printer.  In Photoshop, I set it up to print as a glossy matte finish and pressed the Print button.    

Well, the first print didn't come out as I hoped.  I ran out of color ink, that's not good, but it was a good start.  

 I let it dry for at least 15 minutes.  After the 15 minutes, I removed the plastic backing on the back of the fabric. 

In the Kitchen, I added some distilled water in a pan, and layed the fabric in the water for 10 minutes.  After the 10 minutes I carefully remove the fabric, and lay it flat to dry.  (Remember not to wring out or twist the fabric.)  Once the fabric drys you can cut it and sew on it.

So after I finished the first one, I went to Officedepot for more color ink and started a new picture. 

 
This one I used the T-shirt transfer setting and it printed backwards.  Which kind of worked out and looked good. 

The last one was done in a high glossy setting, and a different picture. None of the pictures I printed out bleed at all. Now I want to make a small lap quilt out of pictures of the kids over the years for me.

Tina

Applique or Piece?

Walking through the quilt show this last weekend, I notice some quilts were focused on applique and others were expertly pieced. As I looked at all of these wonderful quilts, I started to wonder what I liked to do more.

Through all of the years I have quilted I have done both applique and pieced quilts.  I like to piece quilts but sometimes it is not the easiest thing when it comes to matching up those corners. Actually it drives me a little crazy at times. Even though a lot of my quilts have been pieced, I think applique is my favorite.  I like how applique allows you to create Suebonnet Sues, flowers, birds, etc.  When I first started quilting my first applique was the Suebonnet Sues, and I did the stitching by hand, which is very relaxing.  Lately, I have been learning new ways to applique with my sewing machine.  I like machine applique which makes my project to lay a little flatter on the backing, plus it is normally a lot quicker to finish a project.

My question to you is what do you prefer: Applique or Piecing, or a combination of Both.  Would love to hear from you.

Tina

Applique or Piece?

Walking through the quilt show this last weekend, I notice some quilts were focused on applique and others were expertly pieced. As I looked at all of these wonderful quilts, I started to wonder what I liked to do more.

Through all of the years I have quilted I have done both applique and pieced quilts.  I like to piece quilts but sometimes it is not the easiest thing when it comes to matching up those corners. Actually it drives me a little crazy at times. Even though a lot of my quilts have been pieced, I think applique is my favorite.  I like how applique allows you to create Suebonnet Sues, flowers, birds, etc.  When I first started quilting my first applique was the Suebonnet Sues, and I did the stitching by hand, which is very relaxing.  Lately, I have been learning new ways to applique with my sewing machine.  I like machine applique which makes my project to lay a little flatter on the backing, plus it is normally a lot quicker to finish a project.

My question to you is what do you prefer: Applique or Piecing, or a combination of Both.  Would love to hear from you.

Tina

New Project - Reproduction Quilt

While shopping at quilt show this past weekend, I spotted this kit in one of vender booths. Then I looked up and fell in love with the display quilt hanging up in the booth.  I have always loved the reproduction quilts they are so warm and inviting to me.  So I had to get the kit, for my bed.

Collection for a Cause - Warmth by Moda is an reproduction of an 1830s variable star quilt found in New Jersey. The proceeds from this collection, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. The finished size of the quilt is 81"x 94".

The nice part about this kit is that it comes with a jelly roll, charms, layer cakes, background fabrics, and binding fabrics. All you have to buy is the backing, which I have found and will order to make sure I have it on hand before the fabrics are no longer available.  The jelly roll will be used for the stars, the charm pack will be used for the corner squares and the layer cake will be used for the center of the squares.

 As I start work on this project, I will keep you posted, on my progress.  It has been years since I have done a variable star, so this should be fun.

Tina

New Project - Reproduction Quilt

While shopping at quilt show this past weekend, I spotted this kit in one of vender booths. Then I looked up and fell in love with the display quilt hanging up in the booth.  I have always loved the reproduction quilts they are so warm and inviting to me.  So I had to get the kit, for my bed.

Collection for a Cause - Warmth by Moda is an reproduction of an 1830s variable star quilt found in New Jersey. The proceeds from this collection, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. The finished size of the quilt is 81"x 94".

The nice part about this kit is that it comes with a jelly roll, charms, layer cakes, background fabrics, and binding fabrics. All you have to buy is the backing, which I have found and will order to make sure I have it on hand before the fabrics are no longer available.  The jelly roll will be used for the stars, the charm pack will be used for the corner squares and the layer cake will be used for the center of the squares.

 As I start work on this project, I will keep you posted, on my progress.  It has been years since I have done a variable star, so this should be fun.

Tina

Mid Atlantic Quilts

I would like to share with you some of the beautiful quilts that were my my favorites at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show.

Lets start with the Best in Quilt Show winner, Carousel Stampede by Cathy Wiggins,  this quilt was just gorgeous.  My jaw just about dropped when the white glove attendant stated that Cathy Wiggins began the quilt with a pieces of plain muslin.   This was painted and long armed quilting.  The details she puts on the horses and into the quilting are just beautiful.

The next quilt, was done by Marilyn Badger, called Euphoria.  The colors and design are just amazing on this quilt.  I love this quilt.

This quilt called "Green Miles" by Peggy Kragnes, was my husbands favorite.  The quilting and the piecing was done beautifully. 

All of these quilts are beautiful and I applauded all the winners.  Thank you for sharing with all the show attenders.

Tina

Mid Atlantic Quilts

I would like to share with you some of the beautiful quilts that were my my favorites at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show.

Lets start with the Best in Quilt Show winner, Carousel Stampede by Cathy Wiggins,  this quilt was just gorgeous.  My jaw just about dropped when the white glove attendant stated that Cathy Wiggins began the quilt with a pieces of plain muslin.   This was painted and long armed quilting.  The details she puts on the horses and into the quilting are just beautiful.

The next quilt, was done by Marilyn Badger, called Euphoria.  The colors and design are just amazing on this quilt.  I love this quilt.

This quilt called "Green Miles" by Peggy Kragnes, was my husbands favorite.  The quilting and the piecing was done beautifully. 

All of these quilts are beautiful and I applauded all the winners.  Thank you for sharing with all the show attenders.

Tina

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show Over

Sorry I have not written in a while we have been enjoying the long weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show.

Friday, I attended a class on Raw Edge Machine Applique, with Sue Nickels.  I learned a lot of information about how to a use a different way to use the fuse web for applique that uses a nice small blanket stitch.  The class was full of great information so stay tuned, I will have a separate blog in the next couple days on what I learned.  After the class, we walked the show a little to get a little head start on shopping, then head to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, boy that was good.

Some of the goodies from the show

Saturday, we were back at the show before they even opened, but we were not the only ones waiting for the doors to open.  Then you hear some on yelling, "Are you ready for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show", then a count down, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1" and the huge crowd showing there badges and arm bands started rushing in the doors.  It was great way to start the day! 

We decided to start at one end of the show and walk back and forth down the aisles.  I found a great shop that was selling inspirations sayings that were printed on fabric, I found a couple great ones in kits and quilting t-shirts.   

Then next shop I stopped at was a demo on how to use your rotary cutter on applique for leaves by Sue Pellard Designs. It was a great inspiration for me for the pattern designs that I'm working on. I decide I would think about those for a while and we moved on.  We continued on and I found a nice shop that had fabrics at a good price for my Farmers Wife Quilt I want to start working on.  Then there was a shop of nice wood and glass quilt displays, I would of loved to have but decide I wanted to get one later after my floors are redone in my house. Finally we went back and I bought the curved rulers so I could try the applique leaves by Sue Pellard Designs.

Then we started walking through the quilts, and the quilts are were beautiful this year.  The winner of this years show started as a piece of muslin and carousel horses were painted on it and then it was machine quilted. She called it " Carousel Stampede" by Cathy Wiggins.  It was a beautiful quilt, My Mom would love to have that quilt, she loves carousel horses. The quilts this year were very beautiful.

I cant wait until next year, to see what quilts look like.    Learned some good information about applique now just to get a few projects out of the way so I can work on what I learned.  Hope you had a great weekend like I did.

Tina

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show Over

Sorry I have not written in a while we have been enjoying the long weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show.

Friday, I attended a class on Raw Edge Machine Applique, with Sue Nickels.  I learned a lot of information about how to a use a different way to use the fuse web for applique that uses a nice small blanket stitch.  The class was full of great information so stay tuned, I will have a separate blog in the next couple days on what I learned.  After the class, we walked the show a little to get a little head start on shopping, then head to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, boy that was good.

Some of the goodies from the show

Saturday, we were back at the show before they even opened, but we were not the only ones waiting for the doors to open.  Then you hear some on yelling, "Are you ready for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show", then a count down, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1" and the huge crowd showing there badges and arm bands started rushing in the doors.  It was great way to start the day! 

We decided to start at one end of the show and walk back and forth down the aisles.  I found a great shop that was selling inspirations sayings that were printed on fabric, I found a couple great ones in kits and quilting t-shirts.   

Then next shop I stopped at was a demo on how to use your rotary cutter on applique for leaves by Sue Pellard Designs. It was a great inspiration for me for the pattern designs that I'm working on. I decide I would think about those for a while and we moved on.  We continued on and I found a nice shop that had fabrics at a good price for my Farmers Wife Quilt I want to start working on.  Then there was a shop of nice wood and glass quilt displays, I would of loved to have but decide I wanted to get one later after my floors are redone in my house. Finally we went back and I bought the curved rulers so I could try the applique leaves by Sue Pellard Designs.

Then we started walking through the quilts, and the quilts are were beautiful this year.  The winner of this years show started as a piece of muslin and carousel horses were painted on it and then it was machine quilted. She called it " Carousel Stampede" by Cathy Wiggins.  It was a beautiful quilt, My Mom would love to have that quilt, she loves carousel horses. The quilts this year were very beautiful.

I cant wait until next year, to see what quilts look like.    Learned some good information about applique now just to get a few projects out of the way so I can work on what I learned.  Hope you had a great weekend like I did.

Tina

Bags are Packed!

Tonight I spent the evening packing up for a road trip tomorrow night after work.  We are heading to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, in Hampton, Virginia for the weekend.  

We attended this show for first time last year, and loved it.  It is a Large show with lots of vendors and quilts to look at. This year, I'm taking a Machine Applique class with Sue Nickels all day on Friday.  I have taken one of her class before and she is excellent teacher. So looking forward to this.  Then on Saturday, I plan to walk around the show, really look at the quilts and vendors to get ideas and inspirations.

Sunday, as we are heading home I'm hoping to take a side trip stop in Williamsburg, VA and do a little shopping.

Hoping to come home from this show with new ideas, a lot of inspiration and above all lots of fun memories.


Tina

Bags are Packed!

Tonight I spent the evening packing up for a road trip tomorrow night after work.  We are heading to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, in Hampton, Virginia for the weekend.  

We attended this show for first time last year, and loved it.  It is a Large show with lots of vendors and quilts to look at. This year, I'm taking a Machine Applique class with Sue Nickels all day on Friday.  I have taken one of her class before and she is excellent teacher. So looking forward to this.  Then on Saturday, I plan to walk around the show, really look at the quilts and vendors to get ideas and inspirations.

Sunday, as we are heading home I'm hoping to take a side trip stop in Williamsburg, VA and do a little shopping.

Hoping to come home from this show with new ideas, a lot of inspiration and above all lots of fun memories.


Tina

Hero Quilt Complete

Finally the binding is complete. I named this quilt "My Hero Memory Quilt", the name and quilt is for my son who is Airmen in the Air Force.  All soldiers are Hero, no matter if they are old or new, they are doing their American Duty Serving their Country.  This quilt is to remind him of his 8 week basic training, and remind him of his core values.

The panto pattern is "Patriot" by ClothWerx from Williow Leaf Studios.  Using So Fine #431 (Navy) in the top and #432 (Your Highness) in the bottom.  I used Quilter Dream Poly (Select), which is midloft batting. I love using the Quilters Dream Batting it is easy to quilt through and light weight.

Now, to finish the pillows and get this mailed off to my son.

Tina

Hero Quilt Complete

Finally the binding is complete. I named this quilt "My Hero Memory Quilt", the name and quilt is for my son who is Airmen in the Air Force.  All soldiers are Hero, no matter if they are old or new, they are doing their American Duty Serving their Country.  This quilt is to remind him of his 8 week basic training, and remind him of his core values.

The panto pattern is "Patriot" by ClothWerx from Williow Leaf Studios.  Using So Fine #431 (Navy) in the top and #432 (Your Highness) in the bottom.  I used Quilter Dream Poly (Select), which is midloft batting. I love using the Quilters Dream Batting it is easy to quilt through and light weight.

Now, to finish the pillows and get this mailed off to my son.

Tina

Wine Wallhanging top complete!

About a month ago, I picked up these wine bottles panels at JoAnn Fabrics which were on sale. Thought they would be nice for my kitchen and plus it is good quilting practice material.  I picked up enough panels and accent fabric for a wall hanging, possible table runner and place-mats.

I didn't really like how the panels were printed into the fabric they were to narrow and not straight, so I decided to add a wider sashing around each panel.  Also the wider sashing helped in straightening each panel.   

When they were all sewn together, I added nice 3 1/2 inch border all around, which was a great touch to the quilt. Really like how this turned out.

Now, I need to figure out the quilting design I want to do on this quilt top.  Also need to put together the table runner and place-mats. 

Tomorrow is a holiday so I plan on doing some more projects, not sure which ones yet, but I need work on Blocks of Month and some other projects.  

If you have the day off on Monday hope you enjoy it, like I will be!

Tina