Informative Quilting Articles


Choosing the Best Fabric for Quilting
Digitizing a Quilt Pattern
Machine Quilting Designs
Making a Rag Quilt
Patchwork Quilt Block Construction
Proper Seam Pressing in Quilts
Droll Quilter Zodiac Profiles
Quilting for Expression and Enjoyment
Quilting Therapy
Using a Colorwheel to Select Fabrics


Quilting Tools and Equipment


Long Arm Quilting Machines
Rotary Cutters


Quilting and Sewing Media


Quilting Books Catalog
Sewing Books, DVDs and Magazines


Quilting Resources


Quilting Guilds and Clubs Directory
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Droll Quilter Zodiac Profiles

Patchwork Teacher Branches Out Into Horoscope Writing

Zodiac QuiltHere is a light-hearted compilation of the character traits of quilters according to their zodiac signs, compiled by a quilting tutor with over 20 years experience teaching patchwork and quilting and zero years writing horoscopes. Perhaps you'll recognize yourself or someone you know.

Aries - March 21 to April 20

Aries are adventurous and energetic quilters. They are forever looking for new ideas. The whole world to them is a palette of endless possibilities. Always confident, they use color schemes that others wouldn't dare consider. Their enthusiasm can cause them to lose track of time when working on a project and they have been known to go days without sleep. Being impulsive by nature, they generally don't bother reading the instructions for designs. Of course, as far as they are concerned the patterns are just to give them more ideas. Aries have a talent for the arts and make excellent designers. They don't follow techniques; they invent them. Their quilt designs are the envy of many.

Taurus - April 21 to May 20

Taurus is the quilter who always finishes a project, as they are persistent and determined. When attending workshops or using a pattern they will follow every instruction to the letter. They can be greedy when it comes to their stash, as they know the value of material. They save every bit of scrap. However, they are warmhearted and loving to such a degree that they have given away nearly every quilt they have ever made. They are gifted artists, excelling at sewing, patchwork and quilting. The stitching in their quilts is of such high quality that their quilts will endure for eons.

Gemini - May 21 to June 21

If Gemini has been fortunate enough to discover a tutor that has guided their enthusiasm, their quilts will be imaginative and versatile. If they are self-taught quilters they will have a treasure trove of books, magazines, quilting supplies and every innovation related to quilting but they probably do not have a single finished quilt. This won't bother them though as they will convince everyone, including themselves, that this was always their plan.

Being youthful they love funky projects that use bright fabrics and dazzling threads; being romantic they love traditional quilts made with soft pastels and florals; being whimsical they love the country theme and flannels; being Gemini they love it all!

Being very good with words, they will likely go on to author books as experts on patchwork and quilting - having never finished a single project.

Cancer - June 22 to July 22

Cancer makes quilts to please themselves not to showcase. They do appreciate compliments on their work but being timid they aren't likely to enter a quilt in a competition.

They want their quilts to be practical and comfortable and aren't likely to hang one on the wall, but actually use them on beds. Being cautious they are most likely to stick to the traditional designs. They are not likely to add decorative touches, such as trims or whatnots. They believe that quilts are naturally beautiful and do not need embellishments. They love to use dark rich colors in their quilts considering these as more practical.

When they discover a quilt shop they like, they become lifetime, loyal customers.

Leo – July 23 to August 23

Being one of the most creative signs, Leo quilters make wonderful masterpieces. As they are generous and warmhearted, their friends and family are usually lucky recipients of their beautiful creations.They love to read all the patchwork and quilting magazines looking for ideas that they can use. They are always up-to-date on the latest crazes.

Although they know quite a bit about their chosen craft and can usually discover straight away where a quilter has run into problems in their projects, they tend to be too bossy when attempting to help fellow quilters. They are great as companions to go fabric shopping with, as they know where the best deals are to be found. They are also great help in selecting coordinating material but be prepared to go along with their decisions or suffer the wrath. They don’t like to waste their precious time providing opinions that get ignored.

Virgo – August 24 to September 22

Virgo is meticulous and fussy when it comes to patchwork and quilting. They never rush any project but pay scrupulous attention to every detail from cutting, to piecing, to quilting. The downside to their fastidiousness is that they always notice mistakes in other quilter's creations no matter how minor.

If you want to know the exact amount of fabric required for any size quilt, ask a Virgo. They have an uncanny knack for making such calculations.

Virgos tend to take up quilting at a younger age then other women. They don't have a problem balancing their lives and making time for career, partner, children and quilting.

Libra - September 23 to October 23

Easygoing and sociable, Libra's are great fun to have in patchwork and quilting classes and workshops. They enjoy helping others and never turn down a request to lend a hand to pin a quilt top. Friends are very important to Libra, and they don't mind sharing their stash or tools.

Unfortunately, helpful Libra rarely will ask for help. They think that if they wait long enough for a problem to go away it will. Thus they end up with unfinished quilts when they do run into difficulty. Instead of finding a solution for the glitch they put it aside and move on to another project. They believe that they will be able to return to the project later and the predicament will have fixed itself. Funnily, this sometimes works.

You will find that a quilt designed by a Libra is always perfectly balanced.

Scorpio - October 24 to November 22

Being passionate, Scorpios can be excellent quilters. When they rely on their natural intuition, they excel at choosing color and pattern combinations.

Sometimes their compulsive nature can cause problems, as they leave projects unfinished in their quest to have the latest and greatest. When they stick with a project they produce supreme work. They always must have the most up-to-minute supplies or tools and tend to be jealous of others who may possess anything more recent. They have been known to sulk if they get frustrated in their aim to be unsurpassed.

Nevertheless, their desire to have the best is what drives them to produce exceptional quality work. As they possess abundant energy they can do a large amount of quilting without even needing a break for a cuppa.

Sagittarius - November 23 to December 21

Sagittarius love challenges of all kinds and will pick the most difficult quilt design to pursue. Ever optimistic they will not be deterred by complex patterns even as beginners. Their ability to tackle complicated projects with ease sometimes leads them to be tactless when faced with what they view as a simple project. However, people tend to admire Sagittarius and thus forgive their indiscretions.

As it is extremely important to a Sagittarius to complete everything they start, the only unfinished project they will have is the one they are currently working on.

They prefer to quilt with friends and family as a shared activity rather then as a solitary pastime.

Capricorn - December 22 and January 20

When shopping for fabric it is always wise to take a Capricorn, as they are very good at calculating the required amount needed for patterns. Being prudent and practical they will not over estimate the quantity needed and therefore are cost effective to have along, especially if you are on a budget.

They are also extremely organized and disciplined. They take as much care in the storage of their stash as they do in the quality of their work. They see themselves as sensible and perform a regular clear out of supplies and materials. They are not the type to horde anything and do not own more than one type of any tool.

Of course, their restraint is what causes them to take an inordinate amount of time in the planning stage of a project, which they feel is of vital importance to the outcome of the finished product.

Aquarius - January 21 to February 18

Aquarius is very gifted and produce exceptionally original quilts. They are known to invent new techniques that enhance the art form

.

They are friendly but their independent nature leads them to prefer to spend time quilting by themselves. Although you can find them in a quilting class, they are the most likely of all signs to choose to learn from books or a video. However if you ever have a patchwork or quilting dilemma they are the kind of person that you can turn to for help and advice.

They are nice and will be thoughtful when making a quilt for friends or family. They will create the quilt with careful consideration of what the individual would like.

Pisces - February 19 and March 20

Pisces are dreamers. When they quilt they usually are creating poetry. Although they are kind and make projects to bestow on friends and family, they are most likely envisioning themselves snuggled beneath the very quilt they are working on.

Although they can lack self-confidence their imagination and intuition makes them artistic quilters. Their sensitivity can lead them to shy away from displaying their creations.

Generally you will find that a Pisces has more then one project on the go and can easily manage both. Whatever they choose to work on they need a project that requires plenty of variety. Patchwork that includes embroidery or other needlework is well liked by them.

~ Pauline Rogers

Pauline has travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years, teaching the art of patchwork and quilting. She operates an award winning shop, Country Fabrics and Quilters, in Toowoomba, Queensland. She founded Quiltfest, an annual quilting event and Margie's Quilts of Hope.

Article provided by isnare.com




Teach Yourself to Rotary-Cut

Teach Yourself to Rotary-cut
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Whether you’re an experienced or a new quilter, you’ll want to keep this valuable guide on hand. Learn to cut your quilt pieces with precision and speed using the essential technique of rotary-cutting. Clear instructions, helpful step-by-step photos, and a beautiful collection of rotary-cut quilts are sure to inspire you. Starting with basic strips and squares, and progressing to triangles, using templates, and the more advanced techniques of fussy cutting and squaring up blocks, this collection of timeless projects contains all the information you need to get started. Projects include: * Feed-Sack Patches * Hole in the Wall * Round the Twist * 25 in 25 * Bow Tie * Pinwheel Panache * Twist and Shout * Independence * Tipsy Trees * Building Blocks (3 pillows) * Scrappy Maple Leaves * Heading North * Streaks of Lightning * Snow Stars * Jane’s Kaleidoscope * Town Square Picnic * Slice and Dice

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The Quilting Zone - Droll Zodiac Profiles For Quilters




Log Cabin Quilts Unlimited: The Ultimate Creative Guide to the Most Popular and Versatile Pattern

Log Cabin Quilts Unlimited:
The Ultimate Creative Guide to the Most Popular and Versatile Pattern

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Quilters can explore the creative possibilities of the most popular and adaptable patchwork pattern. Log cabin is the quintessential quilt block, at its most basic strips sewn in order around a square center. Generations of quilters have been fascinated with the limitless variations possible by changing the central shape, the widths of the strips, the arrangement of blocks, and the interplay of lights and darks. Log Cabin Quilts Unlimited provides everything a quilter needs to design and create an original log cabin quilt: options for block construction, 18 block styles with many variations, setting options, photographs of outstanding quilts from primitive to contemporary looks, and a workbook with full-page diagrams. This is the ultimate guide to the ultimate quilt block. Patricia Cox is the former director of the International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska and the author of American Quilt Classics. Maggi McCormick Gordon's previous books include The Ultimate Quilting Book and 1000 Great Quilt Blocks.

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The Quilting Zone - Droll Zodiac Profiles For Quilters




Hawaiian Quilting

Hawaiian Quilting: Instructions and Full-Size Patterns for 20 Blocks
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Hawaiian Quilting - Instructions and Full-Size patterns for 20 blocks is a very user friendly reference book for those wishing to commence their journey into Hawaiian quilting. It includes detailed instructions, 20 full-size quilting blocks (each 18" square) for creating exotic floral motifs: orchid, waterlily, hibiscus, and 17 others. Author Elizabeth Root takes her time to bring you up to date with interesting background about the origins and history of this fascinating art form. For those who have always found it quite difficult to understand the instructions for folding your pattern paper into eight, Roots's instructions are so straight forward and easy to understand you'll wish you'd come across this publication much sooner.The general instructions clearly outline the steps for creating a Hawaiian quilt, specifically - cutting the pattern, laying and tacking the pattern to the background, and appliqueing the design. Consideration has also been given to the presentation of the 20 patterns. Each pattern is on its own page, with a blank page behind it so there is no chance of chasing the incorrect line when tracing.

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The Quilting Zone - Droll Zodiac Profiles For Quilters




Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match

Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match
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Modern Japanese quilting blends Eastern and Western techniques to create quilts of extraordinary style and beauty. Using designs borrowed from a rich decorative arts heritage, and often incorporating traditional kimono fabrics, Japanese quilters have developed a distinctive style based on unusual motifs and striking color combinations. With Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match, any quilter can create exquisite and unique works of patchwork art in the Japanese tradition.

The book presents more than 125 different block patterns, each with complete instructions and a color photograph, representing a variety of pattern sources: kamon (family crests), hakone yosegi (parquetry) and traditional textiles, such as kasuri weave. Each 9-inch block includes a full cutting guide and fabric palette; suggestions for use, either mixing and matching or adapting to an all-over design; and icons indicating techniques and skill level. The blocks on each spread are related in design and technique.

In addition to the Block Directory, Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match features an Inspiration Gallery, showcasing examples of finished quilts from leading quilters. Using these examples, author Susan Briscoe explores such topics as color ideas from traditional Japanese textiles and quilts, motifs, and recommendations for combining fabric patterns and block designs. An extensive section on technique, as well as several pages about the fabrics themselves and a listing of suppliers and organizations make this volume as practical and informative as it is beautiful.

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The Quilting Zone - Droll Zodiac Profiles For Quilters




Sew Easy Rag Quilting

Sew Easy Rag Quilting
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Rag Quilting is sweeping through the quilting world. And with good reason. It's fun, fast and fabulous! There is no batting, no binding, and often, no quilting. When the quilt top is finished, the whole quilt is complete. Results are satisfying for quilters of all skill levels. Easy enough for beginners, this book includes twelve projects based on five different designs: Simplicity, Allegiance, Cottage Row, Honeycomb and Flamingo Flurry, which is featured on the cover.

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The Quilting Zone - Droll Zodiac Profiles For Quilters




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