Stitchin’ Heaven Howdy

I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Pat, first through Facebook, where I joined in on her OP Challenge in February.  It was so much fun and it was my first time to do an online class/challenge type event like that!  Did anyone else join Pat for that challenge? Anywho,  she was so gracious in my endeavers to blog that weekend!! I really learned a lot from her! She’s such an awesome coach!  We keep in touch on Facebook and Twitter and I make it a point to check out her blog often! You’ll have to check it out : Pat Sloan’s Place. 

Did you know Pat used to be a computer programmer? Yeah! From programmer to quilter extraordinare! That’s probably how writing patterns comes so easy for her.  Pat is known throughout the quilting world as a designer of patterns & fabrics, a lecturer, teacher, you can find her in several magazines and in several online quilting groups, on YouTube…hmmm…what else? I know you can find her just about anywhere on the internet and when you google her there’s page after page of links on where you can find her or read about her. She recently posted to her blog about where you can find her.  So, check her out!

Pat’s style is mostly of the folk art style and is inspired by anything from fabrics to flowers! Pat usually has a theme in mind when designing like with ‘Ma Ma’s Garden” wanting the feel of her great grandmother’s gardens and ‘Cottage Rose’ that began from one of her favorite traditional quilt blocks!

I found this neat video from Pat on YouTube. There are many more where this came from! Hope you enjoy! 

Don’t forget about the Drawing for the Scottie Turns 20 Quilt! All comments made during the month of April will be entered in for our drawing of this totally adorable quilt!

Fall Quilt Market was held the end of October in Houston and we came home inspired and ready to keep you quilting for fun months to come. We found really neat products and lots of fabric while we were there. Here are a couple of our favorites:

End the frustration of bobbins running out in mid-project! With the touch of a button, SideWinderTM, The Portable Bobbin WinderTM. Quickly and easily fills bobbins without having to un-thread the sewing machine. The SideWinder’s compact size means it fits anywhere, and since it runs on batteries or with a power cord, the SideWinder can be used anywhere—in class, on location, or at home! For sewing, quilting or crafting, let the SideWinder keep your creativity flowing! **Please note that the SideWinder works with most, but not all, bobbins. At this time, we have identified the following machines that have bobbins that do not fit on the SideWinder:Singer Centaur IITM, Singer FuturaTM, Husqvarna Viking sewing/quilting machines that take bobbin 412 56 15-45 (green), 412 09 75-45 or 412 06 12-45, or the Pfaff Creative Vision. Order yours today!

The Yo-Yo Animal patterns are just wonderful. Featured are an elephant, a puppy, and a bear. These cute little dolls are made using large yo-yo’s. We recommend using the extra large yo-yo maker from Clover and you will have all of them you need in a snap. These would be great stocking stuffers and is a great project to take along when you travel or need a project to do by hand.

Just FYI…the Patchwork Party Fall Edition is drawing to a close. So, if you have not purchased all 12 blocks, you need to do so before November 30. Our finishing kit is still available and on December 1 we will draw names from those who have purchased our finishing kit for a set of pillow shams and a set of Euro shams to match our project. You could just be the lucky winner!

Watch for our weekly Hot Flashes and we will post more interesting new products as they are received. It’s going to be a great year for quilting!

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

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Deb, I am in need of some helping finding a good way to mark fabric. I like pencils but everyone I have breaks. I don’t sharpen it like I would a writing pencil, so I don’t understand my problem with them.I don’t like marking pens. I am an old smocker and have seen pens that would not come out of fabric….so I stay away from them all together. I’ve been warned not to use a chalk type marker because it is not good for your sewing machine. What pencil would you recommend?Fabric Marking Fanatic

Dear Fanatic, Marking of fabric can be a tricky proposition until you find the product you like the best. There are many, many different options on the market and we are happy this is so because we all like different things for different reasons. My goodness, wouldn’t it be a boring place if there were only one kind of fabric or if there was only one kind of quilt shop! But, I do understand your dilemma and I will be most happy to share my favorite markers.

Personally, I do like chalk markers and have never been told I should refrain from using them in fear of damaging my sewing machine. I have my machine regularly serviced and this should take care of any chalk residue that might build up. My favorite chalk products are from Clover. The one I have used for years is the Slim Chaco Liner. This product dispenses a thin line of chalk and is available with blue, white, or yellow chalk. This comes in handy when you are working with very light or very dark chalk. There is a refill available as well. Recently Clover came out with a Pen Style Chaco Liner. Pen Style Chaco Liners fine point permits accurate drawing of both straight lines and free hand curves. The fine point makes lines and marks more visible and is easy to use with a straight edge ruler. This product is available in white, yellow, blue, silver, and pink. I like it.

Another chalk option is a great product called the Chalk Cartridge by Allery. This set comes with a pen that you can refill with whatever color chalk you desire. There are eight colored and eight white chalks for you to use in the set. These are very nice, present a really good line and do not crumble.

Now, I have to tell you that I also love the EZ Water Soluble Marking Pen. I don’t know why you oppose them but if I follow the instructions I have never had a problem getting the ink out of the fabric. The most common problem with a water soluble pen is the fact that if heat is applied the ink will set in the fabric. Solution? Don’t iron over it or laundry it before it is removed! Remove it before you get an iron anywhere near it and you will be fine. I would encourage you to give them a chance. They are really nice…really!I do hope this answers your question and I wish you much success in finding a pen or pencil that works for you!

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

**Do you have a question about quilting? If you do, there are other quilters who have the same question! Simply email it to deb@stitchinheaven.com and she will answer it for you!

Skillbuilder Samplers and Skillbuilder Companion by Renae Allen are two new products to teach you how to machine quilt.

Skillbuilder Companion is a booklet that explains the whole process from choosing the right feet and settings on your sewing machine to marking and basting the top. Now comes the fun part! She has marked the designs on cotton fabric! A one yard cut includes 25 different designs so that you can begin quilting immediately! Skillbuilder Sampler Fabric 1 & 2 are fabrics with basic designs that include nine different block designs and 16 different border designs – everything from stippling to hearts and stars.

The book walks you through all 25 designs that are printed on each panel – how much easier could it be? Since there are lots of pictures, you can literally teach yourself how to quilt! But, when we offer this class on October 24 – take advantage of it! Machine quilting is a true art – you will learn something new from each instructor!

In the Skillbuilder Companion book, Renae recommends the following products:

For basting the layers together in an effective way to prevent puckers on the back you will need these products:

Clip Clamps
#1 Safety Pins
Kwik Klip
Quilter’s Delight Safety Pin Grips

Machingers are a must! Machingers quilting gloves are the perfect
tool to use when quilting on a home sewing machine. Made of breathable nylon, Machingers are comfortable enough to wear for hours. The fingertip coating gives
full control with less resistance and drag on fabric. Form-fitting, seamless design. Breathable fabric helps retain skin’s natural moisture. Enhanced hand and wrist support for reduced fatigue and tension in hands, arms, shoulders, and neck. Once you use these you will wonder how you ever machine quilted without them. You can order them on our website here.

So if you are interested in learning more about the art of machine quilting, we highly recommend this product and the accessories. If you live nearby and would like some one-on-one instruction from Lucy, please register for the upcoming class on October 24. It is a really good one!

Until we meet again, may your days be pieceful!

deb

Want more great products? Visit our store on-line!

Clover is one of my very most favorite companies because the sewing tools produced by this Japan-based company are always wonderful. Their flat head pins are unbeatable, the Clover needle threader is a must (especially if you have 40+ eyes!), and the Chaco-liners have become a sewing room staple.

The greatest and newest thing from Clover are the yo-yo makers. A few weeks back my Lazy friend, Joan Hawley – Queen of Lazy Girl Designs wrote this post on this fabulous new tool from Clover:

Here is what Lazy Queen Joan says:

Throughout my time as a quilter I have been one of those who does use a hot iron. I love a hot iron. And, I am one of “those” quilters that loves steam. What I don’t love is a steam iron that leaks and I have had plenty of those. You know the ones, you spend a fortune on them and then after 3 months you are mailing the thing back to the manufacturer to get a “refurbished” one, again pay a fee, and this “refurbished” one also leaks in a matter of a few months leaving you to go through the process all over. Once I decided I would forget that nonsense and just buy a cheap iron and when I wore it out I would throw it away and get another. Found a really hot cheap iron and thought “This is great”. Problem is…it leaked too! Not only that but it crimped up my fabric as it went across it. I thought at first I must have just bought a lemon so I bought another one (since it was cheap, remember?). Number 2 did the same thing. So, I bought a different brand. This one did not leak but it did not get hot either. UUUgh..

Then, one day I got a flyer advertising an iron I had never heard of. The company that made the iron was offering it to me at a good price (provided I would buy 3 of them) hoping I would like the product enough to sell in my store. “What the heck…” I thought to myself and I ordered the 3 irons. Oh my, oh my…that’s when the love affair started. This iron is to die for. It is actually advertised as a steamer. Introducing: Reliable V95 Velocity steam iron compact vapor generator! Here is the “official” description of this iron: Velocity Steam Iron delivers professional ironing quality and speed with the simplicity of using a traditional iron. With its revolutionary and patented technology, Velocity incorporates an internal steam generator that produces more steam continuously (30g/min) than conventional irons. This technology guarantees a professional finish to your garments.
The Digital Velocity is equipped with an innovative electronic control system with LCD display, which allows for easier, more accurate and safer regulation of the iron functions. Indicators show temperature level selected and when effectively reached, amount of steam selected, auto shut-off, water tank refilling, and replaceable anti-scaling system ready.

Yadayadayada…here is the bottom line, girls…if you like it hot, if you like it steamy, you are going to LOVE this iron. I am so confident about this that I will go one more step: If you buy the iron and don’t like it, return it within 30 day for a full refund. Ok…there it is. I love this product and want you to have one of them. It’s that simple. Order it…you won’t be sorry!

deb