UFO = Unfinished Fabric Object

Did you finish a UFO this year?  How long did it take you to finish it?  What it makes it so hard to finish some projects and not others?  If you finished one, post a photo. you can send it to my facebook page and I can post it if it doesn't post for you.  I really want to hear about it. 

My unfinished Fabric object of the year is a stained glass quilted wall hanging of the nativity. It consists of three seperate wallhangings. I will post it as soon as I fiqure out where to hang it.    The reason why it took so long to finish?  I kept getting side track by projects my children and grandchildren wanted me to do for them.  Such a sense of accomplishment.  It is so beautifully stunning.

Your Turn....

Quilting 101: Great Hints

Many of us are self taught quilters, or at least we started out that way.  I had my share of mistakes along the way, that's when I decided I wanted to get rid of bad habits and take lessons to improve my quilting.
That was  8 years ago and many many quilts and classes.  I thought a great way to ring in the New Year would be to share important, often overlooked tips with you.

Our First installment, covers your fabric.  I seldom wash my fabric unless it is color fast, in which case I make sure I wash all the fabric... like colors together.Many people like to snip a triangle off the corners of fabric to prevent raveling.  I like to serge my raw edge, before I had a serger I would zig zag it.  It certainly makes it slick to remove from the washer and press, you will want to use some sort of sizing when pressing.  It makes your fabric crisp and easy to work with.  If you don't prepare your fabric in some way, you will likely be trying to detangle the threads from your fabric.

If you are using the fabric for backing, be sure to rip and not cut the fabric, it is the best way to square your backing.  Keep your backing in one piece if you only need one seam.  Make a snip and then rip only one of the salvages off.   Snip and rip both ends off of fabric so it rips all the way across width of fabric on both ends.  Now you should have 3 sides ripped.  Take both ends and butt them up to each other right sides together making sure that fabric is not twisted.  sew down salvage side of fabric to create seam.  Stop about 6 inches short of fabric fold.  Snip on fold and then rip across width of fabric.  Continue to sew down  the seam.  You will now have a backing that is perfectly square.  Rip off remaining salvages.
This is the best way to get a square backing if you only need to piece one seam.
Let me know if you like this technique.... remember to set seam and then press it open.

Have a great Day!

Quilters Anonymous January Schedule

Kelly Pederson Hanson certified instructor

It’s a Block Party, come and join us as we create a block a month.  At the end of the year you will have a beautiful quilt. Starting January 12, 7pm to 9 pm, $25. Monthly fee for class plus materials and book (Victory Quilts by Eleanor Burns)

Beginner quilting

Come learn all the basics of quilting from choosing your fabrics to sewing your binding.  $25.  Plus cost of supplies and book. Books used “Your First Quilt Book, (or it should be). Class Begins January 19 7pm to 9pm 

UFO

Come and sew on a project that you need to finish.  Kelly will be available to help with any problems or questions that arise.  January 26, 6:30 to 8:30pm, $25 fee

Limited space.  Call to reserve your spot today 393-6262 if there is enough interest, day classes will be available as well.

Heres a new twist on the twelve days of christmas

On the twelfth day of christmas, my true love sent to me,
twelve prewound bobbins
eleven scissors snipping
ten yards for backing
nine ladies sewing
eight maids a mending
seven simple patterns
six micron pens
Five Spools of Thread
Four size 12 needles
three rotary blades
two pressing sheets
and a seam ripper with ergonamic grip.

Merry Christmas!  Check tomorrow when the january class schedule will be posted.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Merry Christmas.  short and sweet, Today focus on Faith, Family and Friends.  Have a Safe and Merry christmas.  I'd love to see photos of your family get together, post them here or on facebook for me. 
Rejoice In His Birth! 

last one...
_________ ________ ________
eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking,
seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying,
Five Golden Rings,
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree. 

Ten Yards of Fabric..

The count down is nearly done, Christmas eve is upon us.  Where did 2011 go?  I have all my children back home and the house is abuzz with excitement.  Time to put away the quilting and spend time with loved ones.  Take time to remember past Christmas when loved ones who are no longer with us left their imprints on our hearts.

Before we open gifts, we like to read the christmas story to everyone.  We sit around a room and give thanks for God's Only Son, Our Lord and Savior.  Even if you have pain and suffering this Christmas, you can still find something to be thankful for.  Would post a special Christmas memory?  I would love to hear it.

Therese, you are so funny.  I think we should get together and rewrite the 12 days of christmas... what do you think?  we will post it on the 26th.  but for now,
On the eleveth day of christmas my true love sent to me
___________ __________ _____________

Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming,
six geese a laying,
Five Golden Rings
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.

Now lets get posting, I really want to hear from you.

nine ladies quilting, eight maid a mending...

Three days til Christmas and still no snow!  Hard to believe, I can't remember a Christmas without snow in Duluth.  Still, It is a wonderful time of the year.  Our baby birds are coming home to nest, with visions of finals done, dance in their heads.  The stocking finally quilted are hung by the chimney with care, in hope that my steam a seam soon will be here.  With Dave at the Barn and I at my long arm, not soon to settle down by the fire and warmth.  When what to our wondering eyes should we see?  but carloads of house guests with faces of glee.  We arrive at the door with arms open wide!  Merry Christmas to all stay safe and warm inside.

too funny, I had to give my try at a christmas poem.  I hope you enjoyed it.  A special thanks goes out to Theresa and Deb. Deb you have been so good at sharing your stories, I love to hear what others are up to.  Theresa, good job at changing up the twelve days to suit our trade... loved it... put a smile on my face.

Here is another quick and easy holiday gift,  table runners.  take a rectangle and iron it out.  You choose the size you want it to be.  choose a color for a border, cut it 2 1/2 inch wide strips by width of fabric.
next measure the length of the rectangle through the middle of fabric, cut the 2 1/2 inch piece to fit ( cut 2) sew onto sides of rectangle.  press seam to darker fabric.  Now measure through center of width of fabric.  Cut 2 1/2 inch strips to this size.  (cut 2)  sew on to ends of rectangle.  If you desire, applique onto the rectangle using steam a seam double stick fusible web.  now grab a piece of batting and backings, stitch in the ditch to quilt or free motion, its up to you.  sew on binding, if you are in a real hurry you can fold back over to front and machine sew.  and here is a great christmas gift, guaranteed to be treasured. If you do make one, please snap a photo and post so others can see.

On the tenth day of christmas my true love gave to me
___________ _________ _ _________
nine ladies quilting, eight maids a mending, seven swans a stitching, six geese a cutting,
Five Golden Rings.
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.

have a peaceful day, remember to post your answer.