We have been having a ball with the Farmer's Wife Quilt Blocks. Since Halloween is right around the corner I thought this little block was appropriate! If you want to join us and post your blocks our Facebook site is Sister of The Divide Group Sew Along. The goal of the group is to encourage, share tips and get 'er Done!
In that spirit, I would like to share a few tools that I absolutely love! The first one is the Fons & Porter Fussy Cutting Templates, they come in a set with several sizes and the edges are frosted so they don't slip on the fabric. You can find them here: http://www.shopfonsandporter.com/product/Fussy-Cut-Template/fabric-and-notions
The second tool I love is the fluorescent 1/4" tape. You can use this on all your rulers and it is wonderful. Here you can see that I have used it on the Fussy Cut Template to block off a 1/4" on the edges, this way I am sure to get my motif into the desired area and out of my seam allowance. You can get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Omnigrid-Glow-Line-Orange-Yellow/dp/B000YZ5QYQ They also carry it at Staples and Joanns.
If you have ever had to mark a ruler with a 16th you will appreciate this tape, easy to see and removable when you are done.
The third tool I want to mention is the Quilt in A Day Flying Geese rulers. Yes, you can get them in just about any size you need. Cut two squares of fabric, stitch them as you are instructed, press and cut your four perfect flying geese...it just cannot get any easier! You can find them all here: https://www.quiltinaday.com/search/default.asp?search=flying+geese+rulers&x=0&y=0
And if you have the ruler but don't know what size to cut your squares...you can download a free tutorial at Quilt in A Day at this link: https://www.quiltinaday.com/freepattern/complimentary.asp
One of the questions I get most often is "how do you get your pieces so perfect". Here are my "tips" for you.
1. Patience is key. We live in a MacDonald's society and everyone expects things in five minute flat. Take your time. Breath. Don't rush your creative process and you will have a better result.
2. If you have directions for your block, stop and read them all the way through...just like cooking...make sure you have everything you need and that you understand what you will be doing. Breath.
3. For these blocks, get yourself a square of flannel or felt that you can set your pieces on, it will let you make sure you have your pieces in the right order and you can transfer from your cutting board to your sewing machine to your ironing board with no effort.
4. Look twice, make sure you have your block laid out the way it is suppose to be.
5. Take your time when you press. Make sure the seam is opened all the way on the front of your fabric. I use my fingers to press them open and then press with the iron. Avoid "scrubbing" your fabric with your iron, lift and press, lift and press...we are pressing the fabric. This will help you avoid distortion of your block.
6. To make a perfect match of your seams...iron them in opposite directions and then nest them carefully together. You will be able to feel them butt up against each other. Place your pin in the seam allowance rather than the seam itself. I like to use a very fine pins when I am piecing. I use the Clover fine quilting pins which you can get here: http://www.joann.com/clover-patchwork-pins-fine-100-pkg/2002749.html Practice on some scraps until you master this technique...it will just take you a minute and you will be amazed how big a difference you will see in your ability to match your seams. Mine are not always perfect and that is why God made seam rippers...Breath.
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This past week, I have been attending the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, California. To say it was amazing is an understatement. There were so many great quilts and just as many merchants there with everything you could ever want or need or dream of for your quilting or crafting needs. I have posted all of my photos of the quilts on our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SisterofTheDivide so I am just going to post The Best In Show here.
2017 BEST IN SHOW at Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, California. Sherry Reynolds quilt dedicated to her mother titled Eternal Beauty. Click the following link for a brief video.
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| Award Winning Quilter, Sherry Reynolds with her 2017 BEST IN SHOW Eternal Beauty, dedicated to her mother Pacific International Quilt Festival, Santa Clara, California |
Talking with Sherry Reynolds of Laramie, Wyoming, she tells how she created each of the round medallions in the outside circle first and then hand appliqued them to the quilt later. It took her four years to complete, she says she worked a little and then set it aside, worked a little and set it aside until it was finished...sounds familiar! On close inspection the details are astounding, for instance the 1/4 inch sashing on the border squares, that when pressed, gave the illusion of tile work with the 8 thicknesses of fabric pressed to the squares. The points that are created with two different pieces of fabric that must mirror each other. Each band and each ribbon of color was intricately pieced. Most of the piecing was done without making a paper pieced pattern but there were areas where she did draft a paper piecing pattern. Half way through this piecing process, her Bernina 1001 gave out on her and a friend located a Bernina 1000 to replace it and continue her work. She used her domestic Bernina to quilt this entire quilt as well...she says she just scrunches it under her machine and works on a little area at a time. There are literally thousands of swarovski crystals attached as well. Photos do not do this quilt justice. The most touching part of this quilt is the label, Read Below.
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| Eternal Beauty by Sherry Reynolds, Wyoming 2017 Best in Show at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, CA |
Her label reads:
Dedicated to my mom, who's beauty in life, I carry forever in my heart....
Carolyn Arlene Craven
June 30, 1941 - November 10, 2011
During her 40 year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, she taught me, always to have Hope and to Laugh in the face of adversity. To exhibit Courage, Kindness and Compassion and to possess Tenacity and Pride. Most of all, to understand that life is what we make it, regardless of the circumstances.
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Sherry Reynolds is an inspiration to quilters the world over and her sweet demeanor, joyful sense of humor and dedication to her craft, her willingness to share her process, exemplify everything that is good about quilters and quilting. Sherry, you are a testament to your mother and I'm sure she is incredibly proud of you!
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#GIVEAWAY!
You remember I told you there were a ton of merchants at PIQF...well this Giveaway, the Winner will receive a Quick Points Ruler and Pusher by Janet Platt and 3 full yards of fabric for you to play with! Check out her little video, I sat and watched Janet at the the show as she whipped out all kinds of goodies with her specialty rulers, she is a hoot!
Janet Platt demonstrating one of her Quick Points Rulers
To Enter: LIKE our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/SisterofTheDivide
Leave a COMMENT on this blog telling me what you might like to create with her rulers.
SHARE this post with your friends!
That's all, nothing to purchase ever. Winner will be announced on our Facebook page on November 6, 2017. Good Luck Quilters!
