Let the Quilt Guide You
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
My husband laughs when I tell him my quilts-in-process speak to me, but it’s true. If I listen carefully as I work on them, they usually tell me if what I’m doing is right or if I need to change a color, a planned border or layout, if I need to add appliqué or make some other change. I almost never end up with the quilt I first envisioned. But guess what? The quilt I end up with is better than the one I started to make!
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Class 66 Bobbin Warning
By Judy in Ohio
For those of us who use the old vintage machines, here’s a “warning” about the packages of Dritz Class 66 metal bobbins now for sale in the stores. They don’t make ‘em like they used to.
The center hole in the bobbin is a wee bit smaller than it used to be and this hole will not fit on the bobbin spindle on your vintage machine. I guess I will have to carry an old bobbin with me in the future when I go to the store . . .
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10 Reasons to Enter a Quilt Show
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
- Yes, you are that good!
- It will increase your confidence in your quilting ability.
- It’s a good way to support your guild.
AIDS Memorial Quilt Turns 25
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
The AIDS Memorial Quilt was first conceived during a candlelight march in remembrance of assassinated San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. AIDS activist Cleve Jones asked marchers to write on signs the names of loved ones lost to AIDS.
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In Praise of White-Glove Ladies
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
All around the quilt show, the white-glove ladies are the helpful angels who allow the curious to see the secrets on the back sides of the hanging quilts.
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Quilting by the Surfer Code
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
I happened across an interesting WikiHow article the other day called “How to Live the Surfer Code” and I’ve been thinking about how the life lessons in the Surfer Code can also apply to quilting.
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Croutons Wallhanging Instructions
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
This project requires 9 Croutons blocks. If you missed the instructions on how to make them, check it out here.
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Book Publisher Looking For Traditional Quilts
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
Do you make traditional quilts? Want to have one featured in a book?
Lark Books, a publisher of craft books, is looking for photos of “masterful traditional quilts” to publish in an upcoming book to be titled Showcase 500 Traditional Quilts.
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How to Ruin a Quilt Show
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
(Ruin it for the other people attending, I mean!)
- Criticize the quilts aloud as you view them.
- Drag a rolling cart or case to trip others.
- Dominate the time of the white-glove ladies by asking to see the back of every quilt.
Are Your Quilting Things Insured?
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
I started thinking about the hundreds or thousands of dollars in equipment and material we quilters, and others who sew, have sitting in our sewing rooms. I wondered, also, about the many quilts we probably have in our homes. How do we know whether we’d be able to replace these things in event of a fire or other catastrophe?
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Charity Quilting: The Heartstrings Quilt Project
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
If like most quilters you have overflowing scrap bins and the vague idea you should do something useful with them, but may not have the time or desire to make a whole charity quilt yourself, the Heartstrings Quilt Project may be perfect for you. I’ve been a member for years.
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Pfaff Contest for “World’s Most Creative Sewer”
By Janelle Cahoon, Quiltcentric
The Pfaff company is celebrating its 150th anniversary by throwing a contest!
“The World’s Most Creative Sewer” contest asks you to upload one or more photos of your most creative sewing projects. They’ll display the entries on the website until the end of the month, while they’re voted on by site visitors.
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