Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do you label your quilts?
I think as a minimum labels should consist of the name of the maker, the date and city and state. Because my quilts often travel, I include my full address, email and phone number. I also add the name of the quilt.

When did you start quilting?
My mother taught me to sew doll clothes when I was five. I've sewn, my clothes, kids clothes curtains, that kind of stuff. The first baby important to me was born in 1978. I made her a quilt! That was it for me, I was hooked!

What batting do you use?
Generally speaking, it needs to be 80% or more cotton, the right size and in my house. I am not using some wool for the larger quilts because the wool is lighter in weight and easier for me to maneuver when I machine quilt.

Do you use the new basting sprays in your quilts?
No, I like to have the ability to scoot the quilt around to make the straight lines straight BEFORE I safety pin baste.

Do you block your quilts?
Generally, yes. The exceptions are to be used family quilts and heavily embellished ones. My work walls are made of Celutex ( a building material) covered with Warm and White. I pin the quilt to the wall, making sure everything is straight and square. I dampen a piece of muslin and pin it to cover part of the quilt, then with my iron, using an up and down motion, I press, re-wetting and moving the muslin as necessary.

All About Fat Quarters

What can you get from a Fat Quarter?
99 - 2" squares    or
50 - 2 1/2" squares   or
42 - 3" squares   or
30 - 3 1/2" squares    or
20 - 4" squares   or
16 - 4 1/2" squares    or
12 - 5" squares   or
12 - 5 1/2" squares   or
9 - 6" squares   or
6 - 6 1/2" squares   or

Recharge your creative juices

I don’t know about you, but I often feel the need to recharge my creative juices. You may be inspired by a walk in nature, or writing ideas for the first 20 minutes of your day - before eating breakfast or talking to anyone. Listening to music or books on tape might also be inspirational.

Creativity has been attributed to everything from divine intervention to chance. Some say it is a trait we are born with; others say it can be taught. I think creativity is letting new ideas into your conscious brain.

For me, new ideas usually stem from new experiences. These experiences often come from travel. It can happen in far away places or as close as your hometown.

Recently I went to one of my favorite haunts; Rhinestone Rosie’s. The shop, owned by Rosalie Bryzelak Sayyah, is located in Seattle’s upper Queen Anne neighborhood. Rosie and her daughter Lucia, have on display thousands of pins, earrings, bracelet’s, dress clips, barrettes and tiaras. Rosie specializes in the repair and restoration of pre 1950, costume jewelry.
This may sound odd, but remember, I do love all things sparkly. A long look through the cases filled with different shapes and colors of jewelry sets my mind to wandering. Letting my eyes wander the cases and allowing thoughts to flow, recharges me. New ideas flood my brain. Then I can't wait to get into my studio and create something new and magical. Check out her store. You will be inspired for sure! http://rhinestonerosie.com/

If you feel like you are in a creative rut, try going to the nearest costume jewelry store or park, go on an architectural tour or to an art gallery. Inspiration is everywhere. You just need to be open to the possibilities. Try it some time and see if it works for you.

Quilting the Quilt -Inspirations

I like the different structural lines next to the leaves.

I can tell what interests me at any given time, by what I am doing. Right now it is quilting a quilt. I'm always on the search for interesting quilting ideas. These are a few photo's from my collection of ideas.

Flowers and leaves always inspirational.

Start the New Year Right-Label your quilts!

I love to print labels with my computer. Sew-On Printable Fabric Sheets work with any inkjet printer or inkjet copier and are colorfast and washable.
 
Instructions:
1. On your computer - prepare image to be printed. 
2. Set printing parameters at BEST for the print quality and PLAIN PAPER for the paper type. 
3. Print first on regular printer paper to test ink coverage - image clarity - size and placement. 
4. Cut (do not pull) any loose threads from the Printed Treasures sheet.
 5. Load Printed Treasures sheet in printer tray so image prints on fabric side. Follow your printer's directions for loading instructions.
6. Print image. 
7. Allow ink to dry completely - (approximately one minute).
8. Slowly peel paper backing from the Printed Treasures® fabric sheet. 
9. Before sewing - remove any excess ink that may be resting on the fabric surface. This can be done by submerging your fabric sheet in an oversized bowl that is overflowing with a constant stream of cold water. Keep fabric sheet submerged for approximately one to two minutes. The water will carry off any excess ink - and prevent it from attaching to other areas of the sheet. Do not twist - or wring out - simply lay flat to dry. 
10. Once dry - the sheet is ready to use. Care for completed Printed Treasures projects: As needed - hand or machine wash in cold water using the gentle cycle and a mild detergent. Air or machine dry using low heat. After washing or rinsing - Printed treasures is iron friendly using the lowest steam setting (silk or wool). For best results - avoid exposure to direct sunlight. 

Scrap Quilts

The new year means it's time to set some goals. #1 on my list is to make some scrap quilts. I don't think I am going to win the "Whoever has the most fabric" contest, but I have my share. I realized that when the cupboard is too full to shove more in, something needs to happen.

Scrap quilts (or I should say multi fabric) are my all-time favorite type of quilt. History would have us believe that the majority of antique scrap quilts were frugal projects, made with bits and pieces of  leftover fabrics. While that’s probably true, I think quilters of past generations enjoyed the challenge of combining fabrics just as much as we do today, and likely used their fabric stashes to design scrappy quilts with lots of visual appeal.

                                          Now I just need to decide what to do with them!

Happy New Year!

 

424 7th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
Tel: (206) 622-8181

My favorite way to start the New Year is dim sum at the Jade Garden. It's a great way to have a meal and visit!
Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine prepared as small bite-sized portions of food served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum traditionally are served as fully cooked, ready-to-serve dishes. In Cantonese teahouses, carts with dim sum will be served around the restaurant for diners to order from without leaving their seats.




You know you are in the International  district when you see signs like these!