Getting Stains out of Fabric and Quilts
Do you have a stain that just wont budge? There is nothing more frustrating then putting hours into a project to only have it get stained. I have a little secret I have been using for quite awhile and it really has about an 85% success rate for me. Not only does it work great on quilts but it works really well on the cotton clothing!
Please note that before trying this you will definitely want to try it on a small area first to make sure it will not hurt your fabric, especially if it is a treasured older quilt. What I do is take the Clorox 2 granules and add Dawn dish detergent until it forms a paste, you will want the consistency of Elmers glue.
Next apply the paste to the stain and allow it to sit for about 24 hours. Throw it in the wash or if it is not washable hand wash with luke warm water and the stain should be gone!
If you have left over paste put it in a tupperware container or a similar container and save it for the next stain!
Hope everyone enjoys this tip!
Happy Quilting!
Jen
 |
YARD SALE FLAGS 3 x 5 Wholesale Lot of 10 US $50.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 5:33:41 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
3 NEW DOLLHOUSE SIGN FOR SALE RENT GARAGE SALE YARD MINIATURE DECORATION US $4.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 9:56:18 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Hawaiian Fabric! Pineapples & flowers on black-60" wide-100% Rayon-3 Yards-Sale! US $6.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 11:25:59 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Hawaiian Fabric! Tribal Pattern-60" wide-100% Rayon-3 Yards-Sale! US $6.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 11:26:21 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Hawaiian Fabric! Traditions! 55% Cotton/45%Rayon-3 Yards! SALE! US $12.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 11:27:07 PST | Watch this Item |
Electric Quilt Software
Well I have to admit that designing a quilt on your own can be mind boggling. I have tried it on my own a couple of times and really never had the perfect results I would like. I highly recommend and use the Electric Quilt Software. I have EQ6 and it is absolutely wonderful. Over 4300 different blocks and what I like most is once you pick your block size you can have many different blocks in the same quilt and it gives the look of a sampler.
Probably one of the best features is you can pick a block by difficulty. Therefore if you really need to get a quilt out quickly as a gift you can chose the easier blocks vs the difficult.
Another great feature are the scanned in fabrics, that on top of laying out your quilt you can also see what your quilt will look like. You can search the fabrics by Manufacturer, color, or category. Even if you cant come up with the perfect match you will more then likely find some thing close.
Once you are all finished designing you print out your directions and are ready to go. It will tell you how much yardage you need down to how to rotary cut the quilt blocks.
It is also pre-loaded with some easy quick patterns the you can customize.
I can just go on and on about this software. It is certainly worth every dime and probably the best investment in software a quilter can make!
 |
EQ6 Pieced Drawing Electric Quilt 6 Software NEW BOOK US $15.95 Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 15:25:00 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
EQ6 BLOCK BOOK Electric Quilt 6 Software Reference NEW US $15.95 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:33:48 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
EQ6 Block Book BBLOK6 Electric Quilt US $19.87 Auction Ends: Saturday Feb-11-2012 11:56:18 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
EQ6 Electric Quilt Pieced Drawing Quilt Book US $31.19 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-16-2012 13:13:48 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Kaleidoscope Collection ~ Blocks for Electric Quilt Company’s EQ5,EQ6 & EQ7 US $21.95 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-20-2012 14:28:45 PST | Watch this Item |
How much Fabric to buy for your Quilt Backing
Here is the general rule for buying your quilt backing by quilt size. Keep in mind your quilt may not fall into the official size and you may need adjusted a bit.
The sizes below are the average sizes of finished quilt tops but they can vary. Always measure your finished quilt top first. If you want to buy the backing while buying the fabric for your top. I do suggest getting at the least a 1/2 of a yard more then what your pattern will call for when pre-buying the fabric before finishing the quilt.
Always keep in mind that you should add at least 3″ on all sides of the backing because as you quilt your top the backing will shrink with your quilting.
Another tip to keep in mind is if you are using a long arm quilter to do your quilt and not quilting the top yourself always ask them how many inches around the backing they prefer. Most prefer at least 4″ of extra fabric all around the quilt. Example: finished quilt top is 40″ x 60″ then you would want your backing to be 48″ x 68″.
Here is the chart we used at our shop and it worked out very well. This chart is based on 44/45″ fabrics and piecing them by the length(I will give the horizontal piecing too)
Crib average is 36″ x 45″ and yardage for vertical piecing is 1 3/4 yards by the length, and I do not recommend horizontal piecing. You would want finished backing to be 44″ x 54″
Twin average is 68″ x 86″ and yardage for vertical piecing 5 1/8 yards with the pieces cut in two 2 yard 20.5 inch lengths(if you like your seem down the middle). Piecing the twin horizontally you would need 4 1/4 yards with two pieces being cut at 2 1/8 yard lengths. You would want finished backing to be around 76′ x 94″.
Full size(Double) average is 80″ x 88″ and yardage for verticle piecing is 5 1/3 yards with 2 pieces being cut in 2 2/3 yard increments. Horizontal would be 7.5 yards with three pieces cut in 2.5 yard increments. Piecing horizontal there will be a lot of waste so I only suggest doing it if you are using the backing in the quilt top and can use the extra fabric. Finished backing size should be 88″ x 96″
Queen size average is 86″ x 93″ and yardage for verticle piecing would be 8 yards 15″(I just would get 8 1/2 yards) You would need three pieces cut at 2 yards 29″. For horizontal you would need 7 7/8 yards with three pieces being cut in 2 yard 22″ pieces. You would want finished backing to be 94″ x 101″
King Size average is 104″ x 96″ and yardage for verticle piecing would be 8 yards 24″ with three pieces being cut in 2 yard 32″ lengths. Horizontal piecing you would need 9 yards 12″ with three pieces being cut in 3 yard 4″ pieces. You would want finished backing to be 112″ x 104″
Hope you find this guide helpful!
Happy Quilting,
Jen
 |
108" Light Tan Brown Blender Quilt Backing YDS Fabric US $9.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 11:56:32 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Vinyl Quilted WHITE Fabric 3/8" FOAM BACKING Upholstery US $19.90 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 15:46:21 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Quilt Fabric Kona Bay Minako Collection Asian Floral Pink GREAT BACKING 5 Yards US $25.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 15:53:57 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
BABY GIRL QUILT KIT/ FLANNEL FABRIC/ BACKING/ PINKS US $52.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:02:56 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
VARIETY of COTTON FABRIC ENOUGH for a QUILT BROWN TONES with 44" x 7 yds BACKING US $29.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:11:24 PST | Watch this Item |
Quilting Tips
I thought it would be fun to share some Quilting Tips I have discovered throughout the years, so every time I can think of some good ones I am going to share them on this site. Please feel free to add any of your under comments.
Quilting Tips
1. Before starting a your project pick your thread color for piecing and have at least 5 pre-wound bobbins. Nothing is more aggravating then adding thread to a bobbin while you are piecing! I actually buy the prewound bobbins for my machine.
2. When piecing and the seam ripper must come out- keep a lint brush or duck tape near buy and after ripping your seam out run it over the block pieces and you will be lint free!
Happy Quilting,
Jen
 |
Star Cotton Thread Pre-Wound Bobbins 92 Yards 14/Pkg-Nl US $12.35 Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 18:37:23 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Star Cotton Thread Pre-Wound Bobbins 92 Yards 14/Pkg-We US $11.83 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 1:12:40 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
144 Coats Bobbins, Style M, 22 Yds, TKT 138, TEX 135, New Pre-wound Bobbins US $26.00 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:45:14 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Coats Pre Wound R Bobbins White CS-138 (200+ Count) US $22.49 Auction Ends: Thursday Feb-09-2012 23:21:14 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
144 Coats Bobbins, Style M, 97 Yds, TKT 50, TEX 40, Brand New Pre-wound Bobbins US $26.00 Auction Ends: Friday Feb-10-2012 3:07:46 PST | Watch this Item |
Amy Butler, Midwest Modern
Modern Midwest 2 Ohio Sky Colorway
What a happy day! I just ordered a couple charm packs(5″ squares) of Amy Butlers newest line- Modern Midwest 2. I am really excited about seeing the Ohio Sky Colorway. She without a doubt has to be one of my absolute favorite fabric designers. You sometimes look at the patterns in her prints and think it is just crazy, but once a project is done it always seems to come together- and what really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside is the fact her fabrics make me fill like a true artist. It really did take me awhile to warm up to her designs, with owning a quilt shop and seeing what my customers would bring in finished, I did become awe struck and knew I had to try something different. Once I did I was hooked. I definitely think if you have not tried any of her fabrics you really should. Especially if you want to create something modern and very stylish looking. Her fabrics seem to really be favorites of the late teens, twenties, and thirties crowd…
The best part of her fabric lines are the wonderful patterns she seems to always come up with, especially the women’s clothing and totes. Not to mention most of her patterns are so easy to assemble. Here is a nice link to her personal website and here is a great link to the free patterns she offers. All are down loadable. My favorite pattern is the Birdie the Cat pillow. Having a 9 year old daughter, they are fun and easy to whip up as gifts!
 |
Amy Butler Fabric Midwest Modern Garden Maze Green US $8.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 23:15:48 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Amy Butler's Midwest Modern: A Fresh Design Spirit for the Modern Lifestyle... US $8.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 9:35:02 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Midwest Modern 2 AB25-LimeHoneycomb Fabric by Amy Butler US $6.50 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 9:51:37 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Amy Butler Midwest Modern Garden Maze Brown Fabric AB23 US $5.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:51:28 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Amy Butler Midwest Modern Sewing Patterns Aprons NEW US $17.24 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 1:18:36 PST | Watch this Item |
Free Quilt Patterns
I had a few emails asking if I knew of some Free Quilt Pattern sites. Well I actually do and figured I would list them in order by my favorites:
1. Free Quilt Patterns Hands down this is my favorite, she really has put together a wonderful site.
2. Quilters Cache Another great site! This site has got me out of trouble a few times when my mind was blank. If you are annoyed by music you may want to turn your speakers off 
3.McCalls Quilting They have some awesome blocks! I love this site!!!
Well those are my top three sites for Free Quilting Patterns, I usually will find what I am looking for or need with one of them but the sources are endless for free patterns on the Internet, you just have to search. I believe I had mentioned it before but pretty much all of the fabric manufacturer sites do have a page where free patterns are often offered. Also Ebay is a great source. I usually do a search for “quilt patterns” or quilting pattern lot” and quite often have been able to get great deals to add to my quilting library!
Happy Quilting,
Jen
 |
A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND Quilt Pattern by Abbey Lane 60" x 72" US $8.50 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:36:11 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Quilt Blanket Rose Pattern Clean-up Storage SZ:S #S027 US $4.26 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:37:33 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Peaceful Harmony - pieced & applique quilt pattern US $14.06 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:39:51 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
Handcrafted Wall Hanging Quilt - Fish Pattern US $24.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:42:52 PST | Watch this Item |
 |
AROUND THE CORNER Quilted Table Topper & Quilt Pattern 5 Sizes Use Fat 1/4's US $8.50 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 23:02:53 PST | Watch this Item |
How to Make a Rag Quilt
I absolutely love Rag Quilting! It is such an easy and unique way to put a quilt together fast! The one in the picture to the left is a twin quilt I finished in one weekend using 7″ squares.
Here is how to start.
1. Chose the size blocks you would to begin with…of course the larger the blocks the quicker the quilt will go. For sanity sake, I suggest going with a minimum of 5″ blocks.
2. Chose your fabrics. You will want to chose fabrics that fray nicely. Cotton Fabrics work well with using a color coordinated flannel middle, but ultimately flannel is the best fraying fabric. Another great choice is to toss some denim in, denim looks great in any rag quilt.
I personally like using at least five different fabrics to get a nice diagonal pattern going, but you can use as little as two or as many as 50. (these do make great scrap quilts to clean up the stash) The quilt above has seven different prints and just for fun I threw in a textured corduroy. For the backing you can pick anything to mixed up squares or the same fabric. I am pretty conservative and usually go with the same backing through out the quilt.
3. Chose your middle fabric or batting(if any at all). If you are using two cottons for the front and back; you really do want to consider a middle(or a sandwich fabric as I like to call it). With cottons I usually go with Quilters Dream Request, which is a low loft batting. You may also decide to go with a color matching flannel middle.
If you are using a cotton front and flannel back….unless you want a puffy quilt you can forgo the middle. If the top is flannel and back is flannel you definitely will not need anything in the middle.
My best advise is to make a couple of blocks and decide for yourself.
4. After you have made all of these important decisions…step four is to simply cut all of your blocks the size you want them(front, back, and middle(if needed). All blocks need to be cut the same size.
For me this is a no brain-er. If you are making clothing of any type, especially using cotton prints…pre-wash! Save yourself the headache of putting hours into something only to have it not fit after the first wash. Now of course if you are using dry-clean only fabrics you would not. Now the flip side argument I used to get with this advise is that if you are using a poly or synthetic fabric it is not going to shrink so why should I waste my time washing and ironing…although this is true to a point, there are a lot of poly and synthetic fabrics that will have colors run; some poly/cottons do have some shrinkage, and I personally prefer to find out what little washing surprise this fabric that I am going to put hours into making that special something may have in store for me. If the color bleeds it is probably a fabric I will decide to donate and not use for myself. Another pro of pre-washing and a little unknown fact is 90% of the fabrics out there come with a finish on them. This finish is chemicals that I personally do not want to have my hands touching for hours. I look at it as washing the chemicals off of my veggies…you really want to do the same for your fabric. Especially if you are like me and spend a lot of time handling it. In the end make sure you are dealing with a washable fabric.
