Once a Fashion Sewer, Always a Critic

It’s the evening of day forever of this miserable cold I have, which means I spent it on the couch in front of the TV watching the Grammys.  I’ve never watched them all the way through before, but luckily for me this year, Bruce Springsteen came out and looked real good.  Between the familiar entertainers, the regular explanations of the not-so-familiar by Xon 1, and the fashion,  I was enlightened musically and got to see some nice dresses. 

 Now the fashion was the dessert of the evening.  Many lovely coloured cream puffs and swirls of lace.  But was I the only one who couldn’t believe the silver snake going up Adele’s back when she turned from the mike?  I quickly googled “Adele’s Dress Grammys”, and sure enough, the fashion critics were swooning over her gown.  I’m thinking to myself, “Did you not see the back of it?” 

 What happened with this dress?  Did the designer run out of invisible zippers?  Couldn’t they at least have found a black zipper that wouldn’t glint from the stage lights like a jeep’s headlights shining on an army surplus sleeping bag?

 In case you missed it, here’s the link to the slink (fast forward to the 1:15 mark):

http://www.grammy.com/videos/adele-wins-album-of-the-year#ooid=lob3hoMzrw6Hg4yLRkoMZmGpTfiREZZ-

Seemed to be a fashion faux pas to me, but perhaps my tin can of old invisible zippers are rare and worth money.  Or maybe those 1940’s era zippers that our customer Julie was recently given are now “it”.  (Hey Julie, call Armani and make a deal girl!)

 I guess I should get off my soapbox, but this is the kind of thing that happens if you’ve ever sewn your own clothes.  You actually think about how the clothes look, how they should be fitting, and how they could be better.  Nowadays, anything goes.  And if you are buying off the rack, expectations are MUCH lower.  Heck, I know that I don’t care about the length of my pants or the cuff on my jacket like I used to, and am certainly not one to talk.  But a professionally designed dress?  I guess I’m not missing out on as much as I thought I was. 

 Obviously, I need to get back to work, where I’m usually too busy to notice or care about these things.  Sniff, sniff, whine.

 Linda
(Adele, I love your songs, you fully deserved every win, and you looked gorgeous, darling.  And I’m not wanting to rain on your parade.  But you might want to ask Lady Gaga for some black nail polish to paint on that zipper.)

Tomorrow’s Headwhiner: 
Orange Lace and Black Underwear:  For Goodness Sake, Fergie!  Borrow  Red Riding Hood’s cape from Nicki.

Little Notes

I’m not here for every phone call.  I’m loving the notes left on my desk right now. 

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to provide feedback.  It is always appreciated by myself and the rest of the staff. 

Linda

2012 Quilt Challenge

Each May we sell fabric kits to our customers for our annual Quilt Challenge.  We limit the number sold and for the past 4 years this number has been 30.  Each kit has a variety of prints, but every kit has the same amount and the same prints used.  Here’s a picture of the RJR Han e mai fabrics used in this year’s Challenge:

Fabrics in the 2012 Quilt Challenge Kit

The purchasers are asked to make a quilt (it can be quilted or not) that is no more than 240 inches in perimeter and contains at least 4 of the fabrics in the kit.  Additional fabrics may be added.  The customer can make an original design or use a pattern.  We recommend that if they are using a pattern, they obtain permission from the designer.   

Entries are brought in to the store in December, and they are on display for the first 3 weeks of January.  It is a quilt show our customers can enjoy in the depths of winter.

The competition is Viewer’s Choice only; the quilts are not juried.  We ask all our customers to vote for their favorite.  The winner receives a $100 gift certificate from our store, and a complimentary insurance replacement appraisal of their quilt donated and provided by Dawn Hunt, a certified quilt appraiser.  The 2^nd and 3^rd place winners receive a fabric prize donated by Trend-Tex Fabrics Inc. (a major Canadian fabric distributor).

Jillian Shoenfeld created the winning entry, and boy was she thrilled!!!  Her quilt will remain on display at the store until February 29^th. 

Jillian Shoenfeld's Winning Entry

The rest of the entries have been taken down, but you can see all the entries below.  They will be posted to the Picture Gallery on our website in a week or two, but I thought I’d get them on the blog here for everyone to enjoy.

2nd Place Winner by MD

 

3rd Place Winner by KM

 

 

  

Lots of people have been asking if we will do this again, and the answer is YES, ABSOLUTELY!!!  We notify our local customers by e-mail when the kits are available for sale.  If you are a local customer who doesn’t receive our e-mails, but would like to, please sign up for them on our home page at http://www.alongcamequilting.com/ . 

As the entries have to be brought in to and picked up at the store, and registration pages must be signed when the kit is purchased, we cannot extend this competition to anyone who cannot come in to the store.

If you wish to see past year’s entries, please go to the Picture Gallery on our website at:  http://store.alongcamequilting.com/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Shopper_id=77071221836597707&Store_id=487&Page_id=17&categ_id=75&parent_ids=0&name=Gallery

The Picture Gallery link is also found directly on our home page at:
http://www.alongcamequilting.com/

Are you interested in participating in the 2013 Quilt Challenge?  I’m picking out the fabrics for it tomorrow.   

Linda

Quilting Shrinkage

Over the holidays, I worked a bit on my quilt journal.  Actually, I should call it my Quilt Photo Album.  While it started out being an AQS publication called a Quilter’s Registry where you write comments about your quilt and put one picture of the quilt in the book with it, it has morphed into a photo album with comments and information on each quilt project. 

If you are a scrapbooker (and I know many of you lead this double-life), you could make a beautiful journal of your finished quilts.  You could have pockets with samples of the fabrics and batting used, stitch meandering lines on the paper in the quilting threads used, keep detailed information such as the inspirational impetus for your project, and include pictures of the project from the beginning right through to completion.  You could put together a masterpiece.

Not being a scrapbooker means my journal is quite simple.  It doesn’t even sparkle or have stickers.  If you know me, that should give you a hint about how much I enjoy working on it.

Needless to say, I am very behind with my journal.  As I worked on it though, I kept track of the measurements before the quilt top was quilted to after the quilt was bound.  I thought you might find it interesting to see just how much shrinkage there is of a quilt top due to the quilting and slight squaring up afterwards.  Below is a table of five quilts I catalogued:

Quilt Top Size (Before Quilting)	Quilt Size (After Binding)
57” X 62”	56” X 61 ¼”
83” X 105”	80” X 102”
57” X 68”	55 ½” X 66 ½”
66 ¾” X 84 5/8”	64 ¾” X 82 ¾”
69” X 69”	67 ¼” X 67 ¼”

Don’t be mistaken here – the measurements after binding are NOT of quilts that have been washed.  This shrinkage is strictly due to the quilting and finishing.  The quilt will shrink more when it is washed if the materials used were not pre-shrunk. 

When you plan your next bed quilt, keep in mind that shrinkage is a fact.  If you have a definite size in mind, make the quilt top large enough to account for the shrinkage that will occur by the time it is quilted, bound, and gone through the first washing.  Otherwise, you may be in for a surprise when you put the quilt on the bed.

Linda - who still has hours of “journaling” to do.
How about the rest of you?  Do you journal your quilts?  Take the poll below and let’s see who keeps a journal or record of their projects:

12 Days of Christmas Wishing – December 12

“On the Twelfth Day of Wishing,

I’d like to reach for the stars.”

One of our most poplular classes this past year has been Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star.  As many quilters know, this star can be a challenge to make.  However, we have discovered a template/ruler that makes construction of this quilt easy – with no Y-seams or half-square triangles!

The Petite size of this template/ruler has four different block size options:  5”, 6”, 7”, and 8”.  You can do two-, three-, or four-colour options.  The template has excellent basic instructions on how to use it, for both left and right handed quilters. 

The Large size of this template/ruler has four different block size options:  7”, 8”, 9”, and 10”.  Again, you can do two-, three-, or four-colour options, and excellent instructions are included for left and right handed quilters. 

Our store sample was done with 16 different fabrics, using the 8” block of the Petite template/ruler.  We have kitted this up in the center size of 64” X 80” and colours of the sample.  There are sixteen .5 meter cuts of batik/bali fabrics.  Border and binding are not included, but if you would like us to select a matching dark navy/puple batik border for you, we would be happy to do so.  You will require 2.5 meters for this, and dependent on the width you make the border, you may be able to cut the binding from this as well.

The Petite template/ruler is $24.99 and is found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11986

The Large template/ruler is $29.99 and is found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11985

The kit for the Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star quilt is $127.99 (without a border/binding) and is found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11988

And if you would also like to take a class on making this quilt and live in the area, we have a new session scheduled for Mondays:   February 13, March 12, April 16 and 30.  Please feel free to call our store for more information.

I’d love a great marking pencil.”

A couple of years ago the market came out with new mechanical marking pencils.  There are many different brands of these pencils, and while some people get hung up on the “brand” name, they are all the same and each works just as well as the other – they just have a different name or colour stamped on the barrel.  So we bring in the one that is the best price and must useful.  That means at this time we are stocking the Dritz brand, as it comes with THREE colours of leads (instead of just white), which eliminates the need to buy other colours of leads separately.

• Ceramic leads are a sturdy .9 mm, meaning they are stronger and less prone to breakage than .5mm or .7mm.
• It is packaged with 9 extra leads:  3 each of white, pink, and green.
• Leads are specially formulated for fabric and are made from water soluble dyes (however, I would always pretest a coloured lead for washout ability on the fabric being used).
• It has a twist up-and-down eraser that really works – it doesn’t smudge across the fabric like a regular white eraser. 
• Replacement leads and erasers are available.
• My favorite marking tool – it makes a precise, fine line to follow.  If you live in the area, please feel free to try out the demo pencil.
• Bonus feature:  You will be delighted as you watch family members writing the grocery list with the white lead.  After a few weeks they won’t be inclined to use it once they figure out groceries won’t enter the house until they try a different pencil.  (Or maybe you switch to only having these pencils available; you’ll get more sewing done.) 
• $18.99.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11987

I’d like to pick out my own gifts/fabric/kit for Christmas.”

The most flexible gift of all is the gift certificate. 

The purchaser knows you’ll be able to buy what you need or want, in the colour/style wanted, when you want it.  There are no concerns about buying something that is already owned or not wanted.

The receiver is given an opportunity to buy their choice of a special item representative of the gift.  Many have used them for fabric for a special quilt they would like to make.  Some people wait until they find the perfect kit.

Our gift certificates:

• Have no expiry date.
• Come with an envelope, but could be slipped in a card.
• Can be purchased over the phone by credit card and mailed to the recipient.  Actual postage cost will be added on to the charge.
• Are available in any amount desired. 
• Are excellent for items such as books that are out of stock but can be ordered in.  The purchaser could enclose a picture of the item that the gift certificate is intended for.
• Allow the receiver to make smaller purchases, and carry forward the balance for the future.  They need not worry about spending an allotted amount at one time.

Might this be the perfect answer to what you want for Christmas? 

Might this be the perfect answer to what to buy your quilting buddy?

This marks the end of our 12 Days of Christmas Wishing.  Once again, I would like to give you my holiday wish for the next 12 days:

Every stitch not be skipped,
Every needle stays straight,
That the time spent is pleasant,
And not staying up late.

May your presents be sewn,
With a pattern that’s right,
For all those you love,
To keep warm ‘n cozy at night.

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season,
Linda Goh and All the Staff

12 Days of Christmas Wishing – December 11

“On the Eleventh Day of Wishing,

I’d like a new table runner.”

How about one that as you sew it together, you are also quilting it?  Yes, in about 6 hours, you can be at the point of binding.  We just finished a 6-hour class on this and all the students are now binding.  And one of them was back in the store for fabric to make a couple more.  It is one of our most popular table runner kits, as it works up quickly and is very impressive. 

• The Holiday Braid runner finishes at approximately 17” X 52”. 
• All kits include the fabric for the top, binding, and backing.
• $49.99.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11950

We also have these kitted in Christmas fabrics. 

• The red/green colourway is found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=5439

• The blue with silver metallic is found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11949

I am busy making stuffies and dolls and I need help with turning them inside out.”

I used to make little fabric newts (lizards).  These started out as toys for my kids and quickly morphed into a home craft business where I was selling them as fast as I could make them.  They were about 9” long, with the body only about 5”, and had 4 little fingers per hand.  I became a master of turning little things inside out.  And there was only one way I could manage to put these out in the hundreds.  It was a tool called the Turn-it-All.  It is also known as a Bow Whip.

This tool is also used for turning purse handles and spaghetti straps inside out.

• The package contains 3 sizes of tools, and you select the size dependent on the project.
• $12.99 per package.
• There is a video on YouTube, which demonstrates how it works: 
  
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11984

Linda
(Who hasn’t made a newt now for at least 13 years, but my kids still have theirs and all the fond memories of learning Marketing 101 first-hand while just in grades 1 & 2.)

12 Days of Christmas Wishing – December 10

“On the Tenth Day of Wishing,

I’d like to be able to mark my blocks.”

How rare is it that once you’ve laid your blocks out on the design wall or the bed or the table, you get to sew them all together right away?  Not often, right?  So then you either use tape or pieces of paper with a numbering system to keep track of the placement of the block within the quilt design, so you can store them away.

First of all, don’t use masking tape.  You would be shocked at how fast the glue can permanently adhere, mark, and ruin your block.  Don’t go thinking it won’t happen to you, because I’ve seen it occur.

If you use a green painter’s tape, I suggest the brand Painter’s Mate sold at Home Depot.  I’ve had another green painter’s tape take the finish right off of my laminate desk when used for moving.  It hadn’t been on for more than a day.

So now that you are good and leery about using tape for this purpose, you might be eyeing the post-it notes or scrap paper.  Now while paper notes are wonderful, you have to pin them on.  So I’ve eliminated the paper part of the equation, and just use marked pins.

I took a box of Clover Flower Head pins, and with an Ultra Fine Point permanent Sharpie (available at stationery stores), I consecutively numbered as many as I had blocks in my quilt. 

Then when I laid out my blocks on the design wall, I used the appropriate numbered pin for the placement of the block. 

I always put my pin in the upper left-hand area of the block, but well away from the seam allowances.  I want to keep the pins in the block as I sew, and by being consistent with their placement, it helps me not get the blocks turned around between the design wall and the sewing machine.  I don’t want to sew the wrong edges together.  By having a consistent plan with the layout of your pins, and double checking them when going to sew the blocks together, you won’t have to rip out seams.

When your quilt top is sewn together, remove the pins, and put them in a separate pincushion all numberically lined up like soldiers waiting for duty.  The next time you need to arrange your blocks, they will be ready for use.  No fumbling in a box, trying to find them in the right order.

We sell the Clover brand of Flower Head pins.  After trying out many brands here at the shop, these were the ones we found to be the sharpest and strongest.  You don’t want a pin that is dull and creates a hole in your fabric.  We affectionately call pins like that “nails”.

• 100 pins per box.
• Each pin is 7mm wide by 54 mm long.
• The flowers are plastic and heat resistant only – do not apply the iron directly on the flower head.  No brand has flower head pins made of glass.
• $14.49.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11982

I’d like a bag to carry my rulers and mat.”

Three years ago we featured this product, and it was a hit with our customers.  So I was very disppointed when the company discontinued selling it.  But lo and behold, one of our distributors must have bought up the last of the stock, because I was able to order them! 

• The bag measures 20” X 25”.
• It has an adjustable, removable strap so you can put it over your shoulder, as well as handles.
• The inside zippered compartment holds a mat up to 18” X 24”.  You can also put your project or fabric in it.
• The front of the bag has 2 small pockets for cutters, scissors, pens, pencils and the like.  It also has a 12” X 12” zippered pocket for holding wider supplies or blocks.  At the bottom of the front is a pouch for a 6” X 24” ruler closed with a hook and loop fastener.
• The back of the bag has 2 separate pouches which will hold a 15.5” square and a 12.5” square. 
• The pouches have depth to them, so you can get more than one ruler or item in them.
• $52.99.
• When they are gone, they are gone.  I can’t reorder them.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11983

Have super Saturday,
Linda

12 Days of Christmas Wishing – December 9

On the Ninth Day of Wishing,

I feel I’ve lost control; I need to get a grip!”

There you are at the table, excited about your new quilting project.  You’re pressing down on your ruler, holding it the way you’ve been taught, and for the first part of the cut everything is going well.  But just as you approach the last third of the cut, the ruler moves and your cut is off.  The air turns blue, and your moment with your project just isn’t as fun anymore. 

Unless your ruler has a non-slip surface built in, most rulers and templates slide around on top of the fabric.  After 16 years of quilting, I still cannot make a straight cut with a ruler that doesn’t have a non-slip surface, so don’t beat yourself up on this being a user error.

In order to remedy this problem on rulers and templates, I have used Invisigrip, which is a clear plastic film you apply to the ruler, and sandpaper dots.  With the former product I find the plastic obsures visibility somewhat, and with the latter, I’ll just tell you:  oak table + sandpaper dots = ruined table top.

There is a new product out on the market now, that our customers and staff have been loving and is our “Hot Dang” product of 2011 and of the 12 Days of Wishing.  While we still carry Invisigrip, we find most customers prefer this and will choose it instead:  TrueGrips – helps you Get a Grip!!

 

• Package contains 15 grips.
• $6.99 per package.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11980

The quilt just isn’t moving easily – I need to it slide.”

Aren’t we quilters a fickle lot!  But when we are free-motion machine quilting, we want the quilt to easily glide across the surface of the machine. 

There is a product on the market that many quilters love called the Supreme Slider.  It is made of teflon, and has a self-sticking bottom that attaches to your machine bed.  The slick surface allows the quilt sandwich to move easily. 

• Three steps to using the product:  Attach your free-motion or darning foot to your machine.  Lower your feed dogs.  Position the supreme slider on the sewing bed with the needle centered in the pre-punched hole.
• 8″ X 11.5″ size.  Will fit any machine, and, if necessary, can be trimmed with scissors.
• $31.99.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11981

Slipping and gripping on a Friday,
Linda

12 Days of Christmas Wishing – December 8

On the Eighth Day of Wishing,

I’d like a mat to put under my sewing machine.”

The Sew Happy sewing machine mat kit not only protects your table, but has pockets so your tools will be easily accessible. 

• Kit includes pattern, and fabric for making the mat (front and back), including the binding.
• Approximately 22” X 21”.
• Pattern also has instruction for pin cushion and mini iron-boards.
• $25.99.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11948

(And now for a change of tune …)

A day or two ago,
I thought I’d take a ride,
And soon my quilt buddies,
Were seated by my side.
The car took us to guild,
Then drove over to the store
My arms were quickly filled,
But I’ll soon be back for more.

 To ACQ, To ACQ,
To ACQ today.
Oh what fun it is to go,
I’ll soon be on my way.
Oh, In ACQ, In ACQ,
There are car decals in today.
I’ll buy one to put on my car;
It shows “I love to Quilt!” Oh Yeah!!

“I Heart Sewing” decal measures approximately 6” X 3.5”.

“I Heart 2 Quilt” decal measures approximately 6” X 4.5”. 

• Shown in black for easier viewing, but sold only in white.
• $10.49 each.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11978
  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11979

Have a great Thursday,
Linda

12 Days of Christmas Wishing – December 7

On the Seventh Day of Wishing,

I’d like a piece of the great outdoors.”

Really?  At this time of the year?  How about the summer, as it is likely to go to -14°C tomorrow.  As quilters we can recreate the outdoors without pulling on the Sorels.  And you know what else?  Men love the wildlife.  Take this design for example:

• What a rack, eh!  And taking a skinny dip!  It might be in the lake of your husband’s dreams.
• Hidden Lake kit includes pattern by Toni Whitney, and labelled fabric for top and binding (shown on the right). 
• Approximately 13.5” X 15.5”.
• $28.99.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11958

Then there is this brute, which I’d rather have visit my wall than my back door (call me chicken):

• Backdoor Bear kit includes pattern by Toni Whitney, and labelled fabric for top, backing, and binding (shown on the bottom of the picture).
• Approximately 14” X 16” or 8” X 10” if mounted on canvas.
• $28.99.
• Found on our webstore at:  http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=487&page_id=23&Item_ID=11977

It’s a Wildlife Wednesday,
Linda