How-to-Quilt.com

November 2007 Newsletter

This issue includes:

1)  A Tidbit of History – Designing a Quilt Border

2)  Tools, Tricks and Quilting Tips – Machine Quilting Tips from Ricky Tims
   
3)  Featured Block of the Month – Learn about a traditional patchwork quilt block 
   
4)  Recipe for Quilters – BLACKBERRY SPONGE
   
5)  Newsletter News – Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation Times 2

6)  Quilter’s Trip – Orlando Needlework Show

7)  Fabric Postcards for the Troops – Halloween Roundup

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It shouldn’t be too surprising to discover that there are rules about making borders in quilts.  Whether we choose to adhere to those rules is another story.  As I look at my quilts, I am glad I was ignorant of some of those rules.  Or, maybe even knowing them, I would have taken pleasure in breaking them. But, that’s just me.  Maybe you will find value in knowing the historical Rules for Borders.

Tradition has it that the border of a quilt should echo the central motif of the quilt.  Sometimes the border may offer a harmonious contrast, but it should not outshine the central quilt design.

Likewise the width of the border should harmonize with the central theme of the quilt. One rule is that the border should be a little wider than each of the center blocks.  For example, if your quilt were made of 14 inch blocks, your border would be 18 inches.

The decoration of the border should include at least one motif from the central area, and one or two colors.  The fabric in the border should match the body of the quilt, and if you use a print in your quilt, you must use it in your border as well.

Let’s not tell many of today’s quilters, for many of them make quilts with no borders at all and many make quilts with medallions in the center that are tiny in comparison to the extravagant borders surrounding the medallion. 

Likewise, Joen Wolfrom noted in her Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation last month that she uses tons of different fabrics in her quilts, so she might run out of all that fabric and have none of it left for the border.

2) Tools, Tricks, and Quilt Tips – from Ricky Tims

On our recent call with Ricky Tims, he shared a short but golden process for machine quilting.

The question was whether he marked his quilt for machine quilting prior to beginning stitching.  The answer was amazing. 

Using water soluble thread (that we heard about from Bob Purcell, President of Superior Threads, on our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation call a few months ago), he stitches his unbasted quilt as he will quilt it.

That gives him:

• practice for stitching the design
• an idea of how it will look quilted
• a pattern to follow – without spending time marking or washing out marking

When he is finished quilting, he simply washes the quilt and the thread dissolves. 

Hmmm – leave it to a guy to figure that one out!

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3)  Featured Block of the Month



 

 

Basket of Diamonds
The Disk
Flower Basket
Flower Pot
Jersey Tulip
Rainbow Cactus


Baskets seem to be a tradition of Thanksgiving, representing a bountiful harvest.  And, although this basket is full of flowers, baskets are still fun. Although it is called Basket of Diamonds, a closer look shows that it is made of squares and half-square triangles. You could create a pattern and make it from diamonds, but how much easier it is to make it with squares and triangles.

Download 10 free quilt block patterns

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4) Recipes for Quilters – BLACKBERRY SPONGE

--One of the few desserts made from fresh blackberries is that explained in the accompanying recipe and known as blackberry sponge. This is very delicious, for the berries are combined with cake and the combination then served with whipped cream.

BLACKBERRY SPONGE
(Sufficient to Serve Six)

1 qt. blackberries
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. water
4 pieces plain loaf or sponge cake
Whipped cream

Heat half of the berries with the sugar and the water until they are mushy. Then force the whole through a sieve. Cut the cake into cubes and put them into a bowl.

Pour the juice and the blackberry pulp on the cake. Press the mixture down with a spoon until it is quite solid and set in the refrigerator or some other cold place to cool. Turn out of the bowl on a large plate, garnish with the remaining berries, heap with the whipped cream, and serve.

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5) Newsletter News – Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation - times 2

November 13 – Arlene Stamper and her daughter, Melissa

This month we have TWO great Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation calls scheduled.  On November 10, my quilting teacher, Arlene Stamper, and her daughter, Melissa, will join us. 

They design quilt patterns and sell them online at www.quiltcompany.com.  Their clients tell them that they “have "happy" quilts and that our instructions are easy to read and follow. Arlene’s Tuesday Group quilt buddies quality test each pattern so they catch the mistakes instead of you.”

Arlene has been quilting for decades, and has a great sense of humor, so his should be a great call.  It’s fun to see a mother-daughter team up for some great quilting.


Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation, November Part 2

November 27 – Deirdre McElroy of Roxanne International

Deirdre was suggested by one of our How-to-Quilt newsletter subscribers, and this call should be excellent.  Deirdre is an expert at hand appliqué and has studied how fabric, thread, your thimble and your needle play a part in the success of your quilt – both in appliqué and hand quilting. 

Deirdre has some video which I will post ahead of the call, so you can see what she is talking about!

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6)  Quilter’s Trip – - Orlando Needlework Show
November 16-17, 2007 Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida


Whether you’re into quilting, needlepoint, crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch, punchneedle embroidery or locker hooking, it’s a celebration of all the needle arts – in one great location!

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7)  Postcard Quilts for the Troops - Halloween Roundup


Penny’s Postcard Posse Roundup for Halloween is complete, and 889 miniature quilts are winging their way across land and water to reach the soldiers in Iraq.

Thanks to all of you who sent in cards.  Visit the picture gallery at: www.Fabric-Postcards.com, and see cards from all of the various holidays.

639 of the cards were delivered to Sergeant Major Louis M. Espinal, 3rd Marine aircraft Wing in Miramar. The Sergeant Major is responsible for staff morale, and was thrilled to be able to deliver these cards to the troops in Iraq.

Next up is Thanksgiving, and several folks already have sent in cards for that fantastic November holiday.  Round yours up and send it in to us.  All of the information is at:
www.Fabric-Postcards.com

Christmas isn’t far behind Thanksgiving, and then we are asking for help with another special Roundup.  Troops from Miramar will begin deploying once more after the first of the year.  We hope to be able to deliver hundreds of fabric postcards to soldiers before they leave.  Start Stitchin’ for this Roundup!

Penny’s Postcard Posse is Flying Again.  This time the theme is the holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, just plain winter, whatever you like.   At last count, 49 tiny quilted postcards had been received at Postcard Posse Headquarters.  With the deadline fast approaching on December 7, you’ll want to quick like a reindeer whip one up and send it along.

Check out pictures of the fabric postcards already delivered:

http://fabric-postcards.com/christmas.shtml

 

Have a fabulous Month!

Happy Quilting!



Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters

www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
Where Quilters Connect

P.S. Check out our New Machine Quilting Adventure DVD Mentor The next step in your quilting journey could be right there on your TV.

©How-to-Quilt.com 2007