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RST
uniquer than you
PeaNut 101,300
August 2003
Posts: 5,893
Layouts: 65
Loc: Seattle, WA
 |  Posted: 2/1/2013 4:22:28 PM
So, we already covered machines earlier this week. How about aps? Do you use any aps for quilting or sewing?
Two I find helpful: How much thread, a freebie from Superior threads, helps you estimate how much thread you should purchase
and
The Quilter's Little Helper Quilting Calculator from Kaufman fabrics -- quick guide to figuring needed yardage for various block types and quilt sizes.
How about you? Any aps you use and love? Or do you use other aps not specifically designed for sewing, like Evernote or a shopping list? How have you adapted them for your sewing needs?
And, to share what I've done this week, here's a photo of the 2nd donation quilt for Genesis Project. I did the free motion quilting, while my friend coordinated a group to do the fabric selection and piecing. The finished quilt will be given to a young woman who is learning the skills to escape from sex-trade/ traffic, which is prevalent in Seattle, especially among young immigrant women. The program seeks handmade blankets, quilts, or afghans as a tangible symbol of the care and concern of the community.
For this one, I did lots of swirls and big floral shapes, drawing on the motifs in the fabrics. The piecing pattern is Turning 20 again -- not my favorite, but a good choice for a group project where many of the women had never quilted before. |
| Everyone's unique, but some of us are more unique than average. | |
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gale w
shiny farmwife
PeaNut 40,275
June 2002
Posts: 21,364
Layouts: 52
Loc: Indiana
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 4:32:01 PM
I have the Kaufman app. I should get the thread one too-I always wonder how much thread I need. And I always wonder how many bobbins to fill although the app probably doesn't help with that.
I have a block I made that I will post in a little bit. I did a test block for a lady that makes and sells paper piecing patterns. I did one colorway but will probably do a 2nd one just to see how a different colorway looks. The first one I just used printer paper, but then I looked in my stash of junk and found some foundation paper my sister sent me so I'll try that for the 2nd one. Anyone have tips for paper piecing? I generally don't like it but I love what can be done with it, and I love the patterns people have come up with for it, so I do it anyway. |
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RST
uniquer than you
PeaNut 101,300
August 2003
Posts: 5,893
Layouts: 65
Loc: Seattle, WA
| Posted: 2/1/2013 4:41:00 PM
I'm not overly fond of paper piecing myself, but I agree that it's amazing what you can do with it. When I learned, we used old pages from the white pages phone book -- the paper is thin and tears away easily. I've never actually used the special foundation paper, I guess because I'm cheap, and I don't do all that much paper piecing anyhow. Let us know if you feel like it makes a significant difference for you.
RST |
| Everyone's unique, but some of us are more unique than average. | |
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TheBiscuitScraps
Bubbie is my most prized title.
PeaNut 99,833
August 2003
Posts: 5,226
Layouts: 2
Loc: Raleigh, North Carolina
| Posted: 2/1/2013 4:42:12 PM
I don't have any apps, but I will soon. Thanks for the tip.
This is my new "tool" I plan to buy next month...I spent my budget for January.
All in One Quilter's Reference Tool
Looks great for a beginner and small enough to carry in purse, as it measures 5.5 x 0.4 x 9 inches and is 52 pages. |
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gale w
shiny farmwife
PeaNut 40,275
June 2002
Posts: 21,364
Layouts: 52
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 2/1/2013 4:54:56 PM
Hm I like that quilter's reference. I hate carrying stuff like that around though. I wonder if there's an app for that. lol |
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baslp
PeaAddict
PeaNut 256,023
April 2006
Posts: 1,070
Layouts: 0
Loc: Philadelphia
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 5:18:51 PM
I found the Simplicity Binding machine at a Walmart near me for $30.00 I bought it and have used it to make the binding for my last 2 quilts. I really like it. | |
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RST
uniquer than you
PeaNut 101,300
August 2003
Posts: 5,893
Layouts: 65
Loc: Seattle, WA
| Posted: 2/1/2013 5:30:28 PM
Gale, take a look at the Kaufman ap -- it has a lot of the same types of reference charts.
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| Everyone's unique, but some of us are more unique than average. | |
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RST
uniquer than you
PeaNut 101,300
August 2003
Posts: 5,893
Layouts: 65
Loc: Seattle, WA
| Posted: 2/1/2013 8:59:01 PM
btt for evening/night
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| Everyone's unique, but some of us are more unique than average. | |
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Scrapbrat1
Sue Pea
PeaNut 87,238
May 2003
Posts: 7,031
Layouts: 190
Loc: Dirtyland and Oilyland
| Posted: 2/1/2013 9:20:54 PM
Well, I have no apps, because I have no smartphone! So the little reference book would probably be good for me. I have actually been thinking that they should start teaching quilting in 5th or 6th grade -- think of the practice the kids would get with fractions, multiplication, etc.!!
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Barbara
CKU-Indy -- March 2003
CKU-M, Salt Lake City -- August 2004 | |
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RST
uniquer than you
PeaNut 101,300
August 2003
Posts: 5,893
Layouts: 65
Loc: Seattle, WA
| Posted: 2/1/2013 9:25:45 PM
I did an enrichment unit for my son's class on quilts last year (5th grade). I cut 2" squares of tons of scraps and let the kids design blocks by gluing them on paper. Some of them were really into it and showed a lot of interest.
I have EQ (The software for quilt design) -- an old version, like 3.5 and it's on 8 or 9 now. But still, pretty sophisticated design software. But to be honest, I usually just use graph paper and a pencil. I don't generally do super complex patterns anyhow, but even when I do, I like drafting it out myself. I end up using the software only when I'm trying to help someone else envision what I'm talking about and they're not getting it.
RST |
| Everyone's unique, but some of us are more unique than average. | |
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gale w
shiny farmwife
PeaNut 40,275
June 2002
Posts: 21,364
Layouts: 52
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 2/1/2013 10:05:47 PM
One thing I love about EQ (I have 7 and I thought it was the newest but maybe not) is that you can quickly switch out and move colors around. Also, if I'm doing something fairly scrappy I can preplan my color placement so I don't get to the last row and end up with a bunch of same-color blocks next to each other.
Also, since it gives you an approximate amt of each fabric needed, you can design a quilt to use what you have on hand efficiently. I had several different size yardage cuts from one line and was able to use almost every inch of it on a quilt by using EQ to design it. I just tried out different size and quantity of blocks, different colors in different patches, etc. I ended up using what little bit was leftover on the back (along with clearance yardage I bought just for backings). |
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dynalady
My soul is fed with needle and thread
PeaNut 25,620
December 2001
Posts: 20,150
Layouts: 49
Loc: Sweet Home Chicago
 | Posted: 2/1/2013 10:31:24 PM
I tried downloading the Kaufman app and it said it would install soon. So far nothing, so I might have to try again.
One of the most helpful things I have is an old book. Taking the Math out of Making Patchwork Quilts. It tells you just how much yardage you need to cut how many shapes, squares, rectangles, most any shape you can think of. Even Lone Star and Grandmother's Flower Garden. Binding, layouts, all kinds of things. It is my most used book.
I don't have EQ, but I do have Quilt Pro for Mac. Love it! I scan in my fabrics and can see just how they will work in blocks and layouts, change them around, change sizes, even scan in pictures for applique and embroidery. I use it a lot. |
   
"I contend we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts
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gale w
shiny farmwife
PeaNut 40,275
June 2002
Posts: 21,364
Layouts: 52
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 2/2/2013 12:15:05 AM
Here's that paper pieced block (the one done with printer paper). It would probably look better if I starched it a little. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet. Anyway I think the design is pretty cute. It should go with some other kitchen themed ones I bought.
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Scrapbrat1
Sue Pea
PeaNut 87,238
May 2003
Posts: 7,031
Layouts: 190
Loc: Dirtyland and Oilyland
| Posted: 2/2/2013 10:54:56 AM
Wow, Gale, how cute is that block!! I love it! That's what you can do with paper piecing, huh? I had no idea. You did that puppy pillow, too, right? And that was paper pieced?
I also didn't know there was software like you guys are describing. That all sounds way over my head at this point, but I can sure see the advantages. I saw a quilt that was a rainbow log cabin, and the strips of color went diagonally across the quilt from light to dark. It was just amazing. I kept thinking, how did she plan those colors out like that? I'm guessing that she used software like what has been mentioned here.
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Barbara
CKU-Indy -- March 2003
CKU-M, Salt Lake City -- August 2004 | |
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dynalady
My soul is fed with needle and thread
PeaNut 25,620
December 2001
Posts: 20,150
Layouts: 49
Loc: Sweet Home Chicago
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PunchPrincess
PeaNut 17,063
June 2001
Posts: 12,660
Layouts: 0
Loc: where 71 and 70 meet
| Posted: 2/2/2013 11:20:16 AM
I'm not actively quilting anything right now but I have laid out my stash to see if something comes to me.
One blog that I follow isn't 100% quilting but includes needlework, cooking, photography, etc. Many of you already follow Alicia Paulson. Here's one of her quilts Rain quilt |
<*********************************************************************>
PunchPrincess ( def. A long, long time ago when I first started scrapping I discovered punches -- round, square, squiggles, cars, etc. You name it. Like coat hangers they multiplied, under the bed I think until they were threatening to take over that precious space that we all covet and refuse to cede to other family members. Thus I became PunchPrincess. )
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A Complicated Lady
BucketHead
PeaNut 438,379
September 2009
Posts: 919
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/2/2013 5:32:19 PM
I downloaded some of the apps to my iPad and I hope to check them out soon.
A tool I really like is the 505 Basting Spray. I used it today and it is so much easier and quicker than pinning and it holds really well. I learned about it here from a pea. |
***Dana***
Well it's hard to figure out, what she's all about
But she's woman through and through
She's a complicated lady
So color my baby moody blue
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flanz
AncestralPea
PeaNut 211,902
June 2005
Posts: 4,633
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 2/2/2013 10:26:35 PM
I have just made my first ever HSTs. I read about a lot of different techniques and LOVE the technique where you make 8 HSTs at once, and none of them have bias edges. I have seen them on numerous blogs, don't know who originated the technique.
The Tool that I love to go along with these is the BlocLoc ruler to trim HSTs. The thing brilliantly grabs the seam (pressed to darker fabric, not pressed open) and makes trimming the blocks super easy! I know they also make rulers for flying geese, I don't have those.
I chose to make large HSTs, 5.5 inch unfinished. Starting with two 12.5 inch squares of fabric you end up with eight of the 5.5 inch HSTs.
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gale w
shiny farmwife
PeaNut 40,275
June 2002
Posts: 21,364
Layouts: 52
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 2/3/2013 12:13:18 AM
I have just made my first ever HSTs. I read about a lot of different techniques and LOVE the technique where you make 8 HSTs at once, and none of them have bias edges.
Can you share a link? I'm trying to imagine how a HST can have no bias edges. It would have to have bias edges somewhere-either the diagonal seam or the sides.  |
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flanz
AncestralPea
PeaNut 211,902
June 2005
Posts: 4,633
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 2/3/2013 1:07:47 AM
I have just made my first ever HSTs. I read about a lot of different techniques and LOVE the technique where you make 8 HSTs at once, and none of them have bias edges.
Can you share a link? I'm trying to imagine how a HST can have no bias edges. It would have to have bias edges somewhere-either the diagonal seam or the sides.
Sorry, I meant no bias edges on the straight sides, so less distortion when sewing blocks together. One of the bloggers who has a tutorial on this technique can be found here:
http://echinopsaster.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-hst-tutorial-and-february-boms.html | |
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