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!

Fabric Miller KEY LIME PIES LAYER CAKES DESSERTS yum! US $4.75 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:20:23 PDT   | Watch this Item

25 Hand dye/dyed 10"LAYER CAKE fabric quilt square+FREE US $10.50 (2 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:10:10 PDT   | Watch this Item

Asian Quilting Fabric: 16~10" Squares (Layer Cake) US $21.50 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:46:17 PDT   | Watch this Item

Layer Cake 10" Fabric Squares 1930's/Grace-Etc US $10.50 (4 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:48:59 PDT   | Watch this Item

Layer Cake 10" Squares Civil War Fabric Quilt Crafts US $20.49 (13 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:48:59 PDT   | Watch this Item

Moda PUNCTUATION American Jane Layer Cake 10" Sq Fabric US $27.50 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 22:24:34 PDT   | Watch this Item

Happy Quilting,

Jen

SPIRIT-MODA Charm Pack 42 5" Quilt Fabric Squares Kit US $6.49 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:11:24 PDT   | Watch this Item

RJR Shasta Charm Pack 21 5" Quilt Cotton Fabric Squares US $0.01 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:18:25 PDT   | Watch this Item

Berringer FANCY HILL FARM 5" Charm Pack Fabric Squares US $1.76 (3 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:20:59 PDT   | Watch this Item

6 Asst CHRISTMAS Moda Charm Packs Quilt Fabric Squares US $39.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:24:17 PDT   | Watch this Item

Moda Charm Pack - WOODLAND HOLIDAY 5" Christmas Fabric US $6.88 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:25:35 PDT   | Watch this Item

Hugs and Kisses

Boxy Stars

Happy Quilting,

Jen

Fabric Jelly Roll 2.5" Christmas snow penguin US $6.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:25:19 PDT   | Watch this Item

Fabric Jelly Roll 2.5" Christmas snow penguin US $6.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:25:54 PDT   | Watch this Item

Fabric Jelly Roll 2.5" Christmas snow penguin US $6.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:26:25 PDT   | Watch this Item

Rainbow Fabric Jelly Roll 2.5" quilt sew US $6.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:27:11 PDT   | Watch this Item

Rainbow Fabric Jelly Roll 2.5" quilt sew US $6.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:27:51 PDT   | Watch this Item

My Rag Quilt and matching Pillows

Since the previous article was on the Rag Quilt I wanted to show you what can be done after the quilt is finished. I had originally made the rag quilt for our great room couch and had tons of left over fabric. So I decided to make some envelope pillows to match. I love envelope pillows because they can be removed and washed very easily. I was going to go through all of the instructions but this is the particular pattern I use. It is so easy and well instructed I am just going to post the link for you.

Envelope Pillow Pattern

Now she uses just one fabric, but with a little math you can use as many fabrics as you like. Just pick your fabrics and put them together in the length and width you need.

VALANCES

Well of course after doing pillows and the quilt….I decided the walls needed color, so we painted the entire room and ceiling. After doing that the next logical thing to do was make some valances.

Valances are so easy to make and a great way to add a designer look to any room. Especially if they match pillows and a quilt.

How to make a valance:

1. First pick your fabrics or fabric. I think two fabrics are better and give a more tailored look.

2. Then decide how far down you would like them to hang. Mine in the picture are 16″ x 40″(for wider windows or more of a ruffled look you will have to join the fabric at the selvage)

3. I suggest cutting on a quilting cutting board with a rotary cutter for the best result.

If you are using a fabric with a horizontal design make sure you are cutting the pattern straight!! With horizontal designs scissors may be the best option.

First I cut my main print and a lining at 14″ length by the width you need (remember to always allow an extra 1″ in width and length for your seam allowance). For lining I love to use muslin. Putting right sides together I sew (using 1/2″ seam allowance) down one side; then the bottom of the valance and up the other side. After that turn the valance right side out and press.

Then cut your stripe print(or second fabric of choice) 6.5″ by whatever length you need. Fold each end in 1/2″ then press and sew each end. Then you will fold the 6.5 inch (should be 3.25″ after folding) piece in 1/2 and press again.

Now comes the easy part. Lay the stripe on top of the main print and muslin; then pin them. Next you will sew them together, and viola you have a valance. Press your seam down and sew it for a more decorative look. Add curtain 2″ rod through the stripe and you are all done.

As you can see making one quilt can turn into a whole room makeover! It really does get addicting. Of course after I finished all of the valances I had to custom paint all of the end tables to match the quilt!I also wanted to share another great link with you for making curtains. They have some great ideas if you want to do more then a valance. Check it out here.

Lot of 4 New 1/3 Yds Each Cotton Quilting Sewing Fabric US $1.25 (2 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:11:42 PDT   | Watch this Item

YARDAGE QUILTABLES 100% COTTON QUILTING FABRIC US $2.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:12:26 PDT   | Watch this Item

TONE ON TONE LAVENDER FLORAL~QUILTING~COTTON FABRIC US $2.50 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:19:54 PDT   | Watch this Item

VICTORIAN TIMES CREAMY LIME PRINT FABRIC QUILTING US $3.50 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:22:22 PDT   | Watch this Item

TONE ON TONE YELLOW FLORAL~QUILTING~COTTON FABRIC US $2.50 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:22:58 PDT   | Watch this Item

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!

Michael Miller Fabrics,
Moda Fabrics, Alexander Henry, Timeless Treasures, FreeSpirit, Fabri-Quilt,
Robert Kaufman, Blank Textiles, Quilting Treasures,Fabric Traditions, Andover Fabrics,Makower UK,Clothworks,Westminster, Amy Butler Fabrics, Red Rooster Fabrics, Marcus Brothers, Batik Textiles, Henry Glass, South Sea Imports, David Textiles, Wilmington Prints, Cranston, Classic Cottons
Well here is just a few! These are all great sites, most of them offer free patterns and you can get some insight on what the new lines are that are coming out!

I will update this post as I think of more.

MICHAEL MILLER "FLOWER SHOWER Espresso fabric by yard US $8.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:13:50 PDT   | Watch this Item

MICHAEL MILLER "PARTY ANIMAL" Black fabric by yard US $8.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:20:58 PDT   | Watch this Item

MICHAEL MILLER "DUMB DOT" Black fabric by yard US $8.45 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:25:27 PDT   | Watch this Item

1 Fat Quarter Martini Michael Miller Quilt Shop Fabric US $0.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:27:48 PDT   | Watch this Item

FQ ORANGE Fabric VAMPIRE BAT FROG FAIRY Michael Miller US $2.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:34:44 PDT   | Watch this Item

Michael Miller glamour girls quilt fabric retired 1 yd. US $3.49 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 18:43:42 PDT   | Watch this Item

Secret Garden Poppies Fabric from Michael Miller NEW! US $4.15 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:19:28 PDT   | Watch this Item

DICK AND JANE~FABRIC PANEL~MICHAEL MILLER~BLUE~CHILDREN US $7.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:43:37 PDT   | Watch this Item

Michael Miller Meadowsweet Poppy Parade Brown Fabric US $8.08 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:59:56 PDT   | Watch this Item

Michael Miller Meadow Dot Citrus Fabric by the yard US $8.08 Auction Ends: Sunday Sep-05-2010 20:04:35 PDT   | Watch this Item

Fabric Washing for Quilting

This is probably where I got my most heated debates. Sort of like being Republican or Democrat. I am a true and true pre-washer. My argument for this are like the arguments above. Chemicals being my first point, get that finish off of your fabrics. My second biggest point is the time you put into a quilt. I can make a dress in two hours but it can take me sometimes up to 7 days to get a quilt top I am happy with finished. Why put in all of this time to have your quilt seams rip open because you have say; a Moda fabric mixed with a Timeless Treasures fabric and both have different shrinkage rates? I can not tell you how many customers came through my door with ripped open seams in their blocks after they had had it quilted used it and washed it. My first question always was did you pre-wash your fabrics? I could almost guarantee a no.

I really recommend a pre-wash. Especially if you are doing a quilt top using different fabrics from different manufactures. Although quilt fabrics are top of the line, they do shrink on average 1/8 of an inch per 1/2 yard.

My last argument on this will be one of my favorite customers. She was not a pre-washer, as I like to say she was from the other side. She loved to put it together, get it quilted, bind it, then wash it to get that old fashioned look as she called it. She spent hours doing applique on this really fun Red Hat quilt. She had it quilted and it turned out absolutely beautiful. The backing was a gorgeous batik, mainly red with beautiful purple explosions. A Batik that seemed made just for a Red Hat Quilt. I will never forget the day she walked into our store in absolute tears as she opened up the Quilt to reveal her white background had turned pink. We fixed it- kinda(I will go over that in another post) but it took additional hours and more expense of another product. Just think if she would have pre-washed and got all of the bleeding out of the quilt. Now there is a product that can be used to catch the dye but in my opinion it is just not worth the risk!

Would love to hear your opinion on this subject!