Quilt Teacher’s Ten Commandments

Thought I would add this post…it is so fun

1. Thou shalt not ridicule a student’s choice of fabrics nor their colors; a student’s taste should be reflected in their work

2. Thou shalt not require excessive expenditures for a class; thou dost not know a student’s financial situation.

3. Thou shalt provide students with clearly written and illustrated handouts. Thou shalt be able to explain a
construction step with more than one method.(written, verbal, visual)

4. Thou shalt provide value for their money; at least one other variation of the quilt in addition to the standard.

5. Thou shalt be on time, start on time and provide time for questions.

6. Thou shalt circulate amongst the students, checking progress,even if thy feet dost hurt.

7. Thou shalt find something positive to say about each student’s work. Thou shalt not have a “My way or no way” frame of mind; creativity comes in many forms.

8. When a student makes a good suggestion, thou will announce it to the class and give credit where due.

9. Thou shalt allow some time after class to help anyone who sews at a more leisurely pace.

10. Thou shalt show numerous samples; and if thou dost not have numerous samples done, make suggestions for other applications of the pattern.

Author: Cindy Thury Smith

Thought this was a cute share for you quilting teachers out there!

Neptune by Tula Pink for Moda Fabric

This collection is so pretty yet sophisticated. Inspired by the ocean, the colors are amazing, very modern. You can see the quilt she created here with all of these yummy prints. Tula Pink is famous for hiding images in her prints, you will find some seashells, mermaid scales, submarines and turtles. After looking at the gorgeous quilt that was created using this collection, It is definitely one I want to get my hands on, especially since we do live on the ocean. Plan on grabbing a charm pack off of Ebay today!
Happy Quilting,
Jen
Two thimbles up fro Moda Neptune!

206 Patchwork Quilt Patterns

The Famous Ruby McKim Book Plus A Bonus Of 105 Vintage Patterns

If you have the extra $11.00 to spend this is an excellent guide to quilting, tons of tips and patterns.  The patterns seem to be endless and really come in handy with any quilting project. I have come up with many ideas. Directions are simple and clear(which I definately need).  My favorite part are the vintage patterns, I think the Medallion will be my first project!

You can order the book and read more about it here

I give it two thimbles up, loved reading it and can not wait to start my first project! I have already got it in a binder and ready to head out to get some fabric!

Here is a little more information from the sales page:

Perfect for a novice or a pro

Whether you are a novice or an accomplished, experienced quilter, this wonderful book will give you everything you need to know in order to make over two hundred quilts.

• step-by-step instructions
• cutting designs
• materials suggestions
• yardage estimates

You will be able to add a special value to the each quilt that you make, because you will be able to tell the story of the original quilt in American history, which Ruby provides.

Here is an excerpt from Mrs. McKim’s introduction, which eloquently explained her philosophy about quilting:

“…To salvage beauty and usefulness from coarse waste materials was the everyday accomplishment of our pioneer mothers who hooked rugs and pieced quilts and the story of their wanderings, their few original possessions, their accumulations, the friendships formed, their abiding faith and the home established, is the story of patchwork quilts.

“…Study the names of patterns and again you will know they were so christened by young ladies of imagination, sometimes devout, sometimes droll but always kindled by that divine spark of originality.

“…a hundred or so of them are contained in our pages, but we have found bits of interesting history about these and drafted patterns from which you can copy them. We have estimated the yardage, suggested ways of setting blocks together into tops and planned suitable quilting designs.

“…During years of experience there have been questions come to us concerning every phase of quilt making. We have tried to answer them all in this book, to tell you every practical, helpful angle in the game of quilt
making.”.

Happy Quilting,

Jen

Loralie & Sue Hausmann on FashioNette

How to Quilt

Clover Puff Quilting Clip Set Review

Puff Quilting Clip SetHave you ever wanted to make a puff quilt and find it to seem overwhelming? Well clover has come out with a great new tool that makes it so much simpler to do. I love this simple tool that helps me whip up a puff quilt in half the time it used to. Create 5 different dimensional designs for your projects with Puff Quilting Clips Sets. This “starter set” includes 4 clips, 2 templates (base and top), 1 syringe, and 1 bar. The syringe and bar are used for stuffing and turning fabrics inside out.
You will be able to make wonderful dimensional quilts, here are some of the blocks you will be able to do along with the average puff block.
Product Features
Cross motif
Rose motif
Fluffy puff or biscuit
Clockwise-counter clockwise motif
I do recommend this product! Give the gift of a fun and comfy puff quilt.
Happy Quilting, Jen

The Quilter’s Ultimate Visual Guide by Rodale Ellen Pahl Review

The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide: From A to Z– Hundreds of Tips and Techniques for Successful Quiltmaking
This is a wonderful book! Just picked one up today and I HIGHLY recommend it. If you are anything like me and really need visuals to learn then this book is for you! It covers everything from A to Z by top notch teachers. I see this sitting by my sewing machine and not on the shelf. If you are new, intermediate, or even an advanced quilter this book is still going to be very useful! Pick one up inexpensive on Ebay!
From the Back Cover
Everything you ever wanted to know about quilting!

You’ve hit the jackpot with this quilter’s ultimate answer book. From A to Z you’ll find combined wisdom from a star-studded cast of 60 expert quilters. Lavishly illustrated, this fun “look-and-learn” reference book covers every aspect of quiltmaking:

* Basic quiltmaking techniques
* Hard-to-find information on specialized techniques
* Reviews of tolls and supplies
* Basic quilt types explained and illustrated
* Definitions of terms every quiltmaker should know
* Creativity and inspiration

“This comprehensive book will delight quiltmakers. Don’t even file it on the bookshelf– keep it out somewhere handy because you’ll want to reach for it again and again.”–Pepper Cory, author, designer, and internationally known quilting teacher

“Reading this impressive encyclopedic reference for quilt lovers is like taking classes from 60 top-notch teachers, each offering different areas of expertise. The excellent illustrations make it remarkably easy to understand the many quiltmaking techniques described. The book is an invaluable resource for every quiltmaker!”–Bonnie Leman, founder of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine and Quiltmaker magazine

About the Author
Ellen Pahl has had a lifelong interest in quilting and sewing. She has been a quilt books editor at Rodale Press for the past six years and lives in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. Contributors include Debbie Mumm, Lynette Jensen, Marsha McCloskey, Roberta Horton, Jean Wells, Debra Wagner, and Carol Doak.

The Clover Yo Yo Maker for Crafts and Quilts

If you love making yo yo’s this is a must quilting gadget to get. I love it and am addicted to making these. With the yo yo maker I can now make a little over 30 yo yo’s an hour while watching TV or sitting outside. What I love most is now all of my yo yo’s actually come out the same size for the first time ever! Even if you are a novice this is such an easy tool to use!

I have all of the yo yo templates and the jumbo size yo yo maker is probaby my favorite one as I am hoping to eventually do a complete king size quilt. and the larger yoyos will help me accomplish that quicker. Here is a complete product description and dont forget to try and find one on Ebay as that is where you will more then likely find the best price!

Product Description
Quick and easy to make nice shape yo-yos. Simply stitch yo-yo’s together into various kinds of handwork. This template is perfect for embellishments for covers, table runners, bags and more.

If you like making yoyo dolls, pillows, quilts, or any other yoyo craft this is a must.
Happy Quilting!
Jen

Amy Butler Birdie Sling Tote Bag Midwest Modern Sewing Pattern

Well it is a cloudy Sunday here on the Outer Banks and with most of my work caught up on I decided to try the Amy Butler birdie Sling Tote. I have had the pattern sitting around for awhile and it took me seeing someone carrying a finished one at the grocery store to give me the push I needed. First of all this bag is huge! I love huge bags, finished product is 28″ tall by 18″ high. This size tote is perfect for me with having three kids in tow I usually need to carry all the stuff they bring with them and decide they do not want to carry anymore
For me the pattern was fairly easy. I loved it- fast and quick! I had the entire tote finished in 3 hours. If you like showing off large scale prints and if you like big totes then I highly recommend getting this pattern It is fun, easy, trendy, and if you do craft shows I am sure it will get you a couple of orders! The one recommendation I have for this pattern is to plan on adding a button closure if you are picky about having the tote bag close at the top.
Happy Quilting,
Jen

Stack N Store Bobbin Tower

Just a quick post this Friday. I just bought this product, the stack n store bobbin tower because I am terrible with bobbins! I just change them out and toss them into my sewing box and before you know it the string monster is everywhere in there. Well I just organized all my bobbins by color and level in this gizmo. So far I give it a A plus, I like the fact it is compact enough I can let it sit by the machine…now lets just see if I keep up with it.