Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Modern Minimal

I added this Modern Minimal quilting book onto my last order from Connecting Threads and it only cost me about $10 bucks!  Wow!  What a deal of the century that turned out to be!

This is the perfect addition to my modern quilting library and Alissa Haight Carlton has written a fantastic book full of great ideas, 20 gorgeous projects, and a ton of useful information on quilt-making.  She is one talented quilt designer!  While I've yet to make one of the bold, crisp quilts I'm sure excited to!

Alissa gives the quilter permission to not be perfect - and that means a less-stressful, more fun way to quilt as far as I'm concerned!  The piecing is 1/4" seam/straight-line sewing and there are no fussy or complicated blocks to make.  Also, the feature I love most about this book is the Quilting Options section for each pattern.  There are TWO quilting options offered: the design the author used and an alternate, with a sketch of each over the entire quilt.  This makes it soooo much easier to envision the completed quilt - even if I depart from the suggestions it gives me a starting point of inspiration or a get out of 'quilt as desired' free card!  I really love this book and can't wait to make one of the quilts...and quilt it!  (I love Alissa's quilting designs and they are all so do-able!  It kind of takes the fear out of the quilting process when you see how beautiful quilts can look with simple, easy quilting!)

Cheaper by the Roll!

There's one thing that every quilt has in common...it needs batting.  My favourite type of batting is Warm & Natural 100% cotton batting.  It is always soft and quilts beautifully.  Here in Canada I have paid anywhere from $18+ a meter to $30, depending on the store and sale.  Batting is expensive!

Since I order my fabric on-line I thought, why don't I order my batting on-line too?  When I realized I could use the 50% off coupon code at Joann's and purchase an entire roll of 40 yards of batting for half-price I start investigating.  I talked with the manager at our chain sewing store and she said she'd be happy to sell me a roll of batting and I wouldn't have to wait for the 'member's 50% off sale'...but even with that discount, the best price she could get me would work out to about $15+ a meter AND I would still have to pay the 13% tax on top of that.  I knew my local quilt shop would probably not even be able to match that amount so I didn't even bother checking.  Even with the extra shipping to Canada, the exchange rate & Visa service charge, as well as a Special Handling fee AND a processing fee, Joann's bottom line was almost half what I could get a roll for on sale here in Canada, before tax!  It came out to $8.03 a yard.

So I knew I would order from Joann's the next time I got a 50% off coupon.  But then I got impatient!  (Surprise!)  A quick Google search found me a valid code and I ordered my roll of batting right away!  (Find your own code and you can avoid a poplular item being 'sold out' before you get to it when the mass coupons are released!)

Having a giant roll of batting just feels like a security blanket to me.  Not only can I have the batting I need for any quilt right there waiting, there will be a lot less waste because I can cut off the exact amount I need (I would usually add a generous amount to make sure I had enough called for in the pattern leaving me with lots of little cut-off pieces).  Storage is not too bad because I just put the roll under my Grace Frame.  I would love to have it on an extra batting bar but the roll is too big at the moment.  I don't think it will get too dusty under the quilt frame and hopefully I won't get any mice looking for a nice home!

I'm sure some people think they don't want to pay all the extra shipping to have a large item delivered or pay a larger amount now to buy in bulk.  However, when you take the time consider the cost of a product per unit, factor in all the costs incurred (like gas or taxes) it just might pay to do the math and have the convenience of door-to-door delivery to boot!  I know I will always buy my batting this way - but it's going to be a while...and about 18 quilts (!) before I'll need to order again!

Pin Place

I think it was in Cindy Needham's Craftsy class where I learned about the Pin Place...or maybe it was over at Leah Day's site...in fact, this little gadget is so popular with many quilters and sewers you may have already heard about it!

Back in July, I wrote about the three tools always next to my sewing machine...but sometimes I put them down somewhere else, stick them in my pocket, or they get knocked off my table by the quilt.  Pin Place to the rescue!  The Pin Place is a magnetic holder attached to your sewing machine or table with a suction cup.  It firmly holds pins, scissors, tweezers, or any other metal tool you need to have readily available.

I like to keep my snips and tweezers on it and I never have to go searching for them!  The magnet is safe for computerized machines (something I was worried about) and only costs around $5 bucks.  I am loving this simple gadget - it's keeping my essentials close at hand!

 

Tension Tensions

It has been challenging to learn all there is to know about quilting on a frame AND figuring out a new machine!

The Janome 1600P is a beautiful work-horse, professional model machine but it is quite different than my Horizon 7700.  The thread path for threading the machine is a little more involved and fiddly and the needle threader is different too.  It is all a bit more complicated because the machine is ON the quilt frame carriage and awkward to access.

I've also had to learn how to OIL the machine and even though it terrified me, it was actually not very difficult to do: a careful two drops in 4 different spots.  I feel like I'm taking good care of her!

The bobbin for this machine is the old-fashioned bobbin-case/side mount rather than a simple drop in bobbin.  I have to load the wound bobbin in the case and get my fingers way inside the compartment, under the needle.  It's a bit awkward but I'm getting the hang of it.

I've had to really experiment with the tension on this machine.  I started my first quilting sample using monopoly clear thread, which can be challenging at the best of times.  Pair that with trying to use the same invisible thread in the bobbin and a less-than modern tension dial, and I've been quite frustrated!  It is so difficult to remember how I've changed the tension dial because I can't really see it move as I turn the dial left or right.  It takes several clicks in either direction to see it move along the numbers.  Once I get it right, after much trial and error on a practice piece, I can't really even write down what the 'good' number is because it is so vague!  Getting the tension adjusted 'just right' is great...until you change your thread combinations!  I can see why people find their favourite top and bobbin threads and then stick to them!  Less hassle!

So, it's going to take me a time to get to know my machines quirks and what threads I find best to use.  I just ordered a huge set of co-ordinating Superior Threads So Fine #50 and Bottom Line threads.  I'll let you know how the tension tensions work out with that combination!
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Grace Frame with a Janome 1600P Domestic Sewing Machine

Today's longer video is an overview of my new Grace Queen frame and Janome 1600P sewing machine.  If you are interested in a longarm setup without the size and expense of a 'true' longarm, this might work for you.  You'll hear about my setup in the first half of the video and see me actually quilting a test piece in the second half.  I hope this will help to give you an idea of what it's like to have a quilt frame paired with a domestic sewing machine.  If you have any questions, please comment or email me and I'd be happy to try to answer them for you.

Circular Sewing Attachment

The first time I saw the Janome Circular Sewing Attachment, I knew I wanted one.  It is a very cool accessory which fits on the bed of the sewing machine and moves the fabric around the needle so that any stitch selected is sewn in a perfect circle.  It is then possible to move the sliding bar out (or in) in notched increments to add one or more other concentric circles of decorative stitches.  It turns the stitches into a beautiful embroidered design and the creative possibilities are endless.

It took me a year but I finally caved in and bought one (they are kind of expensive, $71 here in Canada).  The reason I couldn't wait any longer was the release of the Quilting Arts Workshop class "Perfect Machine Stitched Circles with Decorative Stitches & More".  This sounded like just what I was looking for: good, solid instructions on HOW to use the circular attachment and a quilt project to make WITH the circular attachment.  It seemed like an excellent way to get started using this wonderful accessory!

You can read about the workshop HERE (also available as an instant download, which is what I chose) and watch the video below to see how amazing the Circular Attachment is.  (There are other models of circular attachments available for other sewing machines and if your machine doesn't have one you can get the Bernina one and tape it to the bed of your machine).

Quilting Grips

Here's a great tip I got from the Beyond Basic Machine Quilting Class over at Craftsy: if you don't like using quilting gloves simply use two squares of non-skid, rubberized shelf liner material.  It's very easy to grab the squares and use them to grip the fabric as you free-motion quilt.  It's a little easier to pull up your bobbin thread or trim your tails when you don't have to take your gloves on and off!

I do like using quilting gloves when I have a large area to quilt but I found the grip squares to be excellent when I want to add binding or do some basic quilting in a small area.  I leave the grips in my Ott light organizer and if I need to get a better hold on my fabric there are right there to help.

If you're interested in getting more tips for great free-motion quilting, check out Ann Petersen's Beyond Basic Machine Quilting class by using the SPECIAL HOLIDAY link on the right and get it for $19.99 or less!  I learned so much from this course and it really helped improve my free-motion quilting skills.

Big Craftsy HOLIDAY SALE!!!

** This sale is now over! **

Wow!  Craftsy is offering a Black Friday Sale and all their classes are being offered for $19.99 OR LESS!  If you have already been checking out the awesome classes NOW is the time to get all the ones you want!  What a great deal!

You know how much I love all the quilting courses available at Craftsy and I think I've taken almost every single one.  They are fabulous and I have learned so much from each amazing instructor.  I've also really enjoyed the non-sewing classes, like the Croissants and Artisan bread making classes, and the scrapbooking and knitting lessons.

I enjoyed the FREE Bag Making Basics class so much that I thought, just for fun, I'd enrol in the Design Your Own Handbag class.  It is a very in-depth look at purse construction and embellishment.  Included are instructions and schematics for making 4 different kinds of bags, from a tote to a slouchy hobo purse!  I think it's going to be so fun to try to make my own purse and design it the way I want it to be!  I don't know if I'll be any good at it but Brett Bara makes it look really easy and she explains all the steps well.

If you'd like to take advantage of the fantastic Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale at Craftsy you can click on the special holiday link to the right of this post to go directly to the class and check it out.  Even if you don't have time to watch your course right away, you own it FOREVER!  When the time is right, your classes will be right there waiting for you to watch over and over again, as many times as you want to.  THE SALE ENDS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH so HURRY and get registered now for all the classes you want in your library.

Who knows?  I might enjoy making purses and bags so much I'll have to take a break from making quilts!  Or combine the two!  (Hey, have you SEEN the price of a quilted Vera Bradley purse?????)

Laminated Instructions & Reference Sheets

Last August I wrote about Superior Threads' awesome reference guides and what a great tool they are to have in your sewing room.  Once I set up my Grace Frame with my new 1600P sewing machine, I realized that I was going to need to look at those guides over and over again as I try new thread combinations and sort out tension issues.  Also, as I get used to using the frame, loading and winding the quilt, I need to constantly refer to the owner's manual and the notes I took while watching the instructional video.

When I have papers that I look at over and over again, (eg.recipes or directions) I like to laminate them with my home laminator.  After they have been laminated they are completely protected and will last forever, without tearing or getting dog-earred.  They are easy to store on a binder ring, hanging up on a hook for quick reference.

I laminated the info sheets from Superior: Thread reference guide (what thread to use for what, using what needle and which tension setting), the How Tension Works sheet, the trouble-shooting guide, and the Thread Selection guide.  I also laminated the Grace Company instructions for installing the fabric layers to the rails, the diagram for rolling the rails, and my notes.

Making Memories Alphabet Rub-ons

As I was completing the first pages in my new Smash book, I wanted to add a title and pulled out the Making Memories alphabet rub-ons I've had since I bought the grab-bag of goodies at Michael's last year.  I hadn't yet tried them and they were the perfect size for my page.

Wow!  Why did I wait so long to use these amazing rub-ons?  They look so good on the page - it's almost like they are printed!  You can't tell they are rub-ons, they transfer so cleanly, crisply, and smoothly.
This set is called 'hudson' and I love the mottled look.  They are super easy to apply and the free Making Memories popsicle stick comes right in the sleek package.  There are a ton of letters in each row so you don't have to conserve, as well as numbers and punctuation marks.  I tossed the sets in my Smash book container of goodies (I have a white set of hudson as well) to use exclusively in my Smash book.  I will definitely buy more of the Making Memories rub-ons to use on my cards and scrapbook pages as well.