Quilting Counts! Really, when you think about it, it’s the stitching
through the layers that transforms a top into a quilt, so make sure it
contributes in full measure to the beauty of your quilt!
Elegant & Powerful
Straight Lines: Fully integrated and thoughtfully planned quilting enhances and
supports the quilt. By integrated, I mean that the quilted stitch design should
tell the same story as the quilt’s composition.
Strong
lines make
a very noticeable contribution to the visual impact of a quilt. Lines have the
power to direct attention toward or away from its various parts. They can
affect the mood of the work by adding movement and excitement or contribute a
quieter, mellower feel. For example, horizontal
lines commonly create the impression of calm, tranquility and space. Strong
vertical lines can give the feeling
of importance, drama and height.
Diagonals tend to indicate action or forward movement. Tightly angled lines
that constantly meet and cross each other give a dynamic, lively effect to the
work.
The
same kind of line, running in different directions, can add interest to the
overall quilting pattern. Repeated lines of parallel stitching on traditional
quilts often changed direction upon reaching the outside border, thus
highlighting the center or the border – or both!
Decoding
the Magic of Lines: There are three basic
qualities of any stitched line; visibility, style and scale. Understanding them
lets us easily expand the range of potential designs we can create. Varying
each of them opens an endless range of quilting ideas.
Melody’s TIP: A great way to test a design before stitching is to draw it
onto a piece of clear Duralar™ or Plexiglas™, a piece about 18” by 24”. Mark
the edges with tape so you know where to
stop from drawing on your quilt top. Place it over your quilt, test patterns
directly onto the plastic with a Vis-à-Vis Wet Erase™ pen. This allows you to
evaluate how the lines and shapes of your planned quilting design will
relate to the pattern of your quilt top
In Conclusion…Your quilt top is beautiful – and the quilting is the delicious frosting
on the cake! Let the feel of your quilt and your unique artistic interpretation
play out in your work. The result? Pure genius!
Through trial and error and the occasional ‘beads dumped onto the carpet’ fiasco, I have learned that a neat way to hold your beads is in a six-inch embroidery hoop, lined with fabric and turned upside down. Thus safely corralled, the beads don’t jump around because there is no static charge to get them going. It definitely turns what should be a fun and creative process into an exercise in frustration when you have to chase down each and every bead! Another great advantage to this method is, if you happen to work in an upholstered chair or couch, you can pin the hoop directly to the arm, making it pretty close to impossible to knock over. A win-win situation if ever there was one.
The Bottom Line by Superior Threads - This thread has a shiny appearance
and is virtually lint free. It can be thin and lightweight, yet strong.
Due to its smooth surface, it works well with metallic threads and
heavy cotton threads. The smoothness of the filament poly thread does
not snag or grab the top thread. If you've had trouble using metallics
or heavy cotton threads, smooth bobbin thread may solve some problems. 
Quilting Counts! Really, when you think about it, it’s the stitching
through the layers that transforms a top into a quilt, so make sure it
contributes in full measure to the beauty of your quilt!
Decoding
the Magic of Lines: There are three basic
qualities of any stitched line; visibility, style and scale. Understanding them
lets us easily expand the range of potential designs we can create. Varying
each of them opens an endless range of quilting ideas. 
The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative
(AAQI) raised $75,000 selling small format art quilts at International
Quilt Festival (IQF) in Houston, Texas, October 31 through November 4,
2012.
Our last day in paradise we visited Doris Dukes Shangri La. It is the Honolulu home of American philanthropist Doris Duke. Built in 1937, Shangri La houses an impressive collection of Islamic art and is considered one of Hawaii’s most architecturally significant homes. Shangri La Take the virtual tour and see for your self. 
Talk
about inspiration, blue sky, blue sea, sunshine, and more geometric and
floral patterns than one can imagine. A perfect ending to a wonderful
trip. 
Leave it up to me to find this jewel in the rough. Hawaiian patterns to satisfy everyone. Huge fabric selection, you can find overall patterns, gaudy, or subtle to your heart's delight. Prices are extremely good. Set you phone's GPS for the place when you visit and have fun! 
Leonard’s Bakery bake their delectable Masasadas fresh and ready to be devoured. Which we did!
Just 20 minutes away from Waikiki,
we discovered unique treasures at Hawaii’s largest open air flea market where the
locals shop for the best deals in town. There are endless rows of over 700 local
merchants offering great values on imported merchandise, hand made items, eclectic
art pieces, popular local snacks, and other made in Hawaii products. 
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