Crazy Quilting - Ideal Travel Project

If you, like me, enjoy doing handwork and like to have something to work on when you travel, try crazy quilting. Small projects like teapot cozies or small purses can give you hours of enjoyment as you try various stitches and patterns. These items also make very pretty and useful gifts. Here are two of my latest projects.

Quilters' Quotes

May, 2008

I place the pieces of my quilt
In order and design.
The path it takes, the love it makes
Forever will be mine.

-Jan Rank, Australia

Q(uilters') Tips

7. Use pin curl clips, or plastic coated paper clips to hold binding in place when sewing it onto the quilt.
8. Save small pieces of thin cotton batting. They are great for wiping off cutting boards, dusting around your machine, or picking up loose threads from any smooth surface.
9. Another use for masking tape. Wrapped around the hand, sticky side out, it can be used to pick up tiny threads from a seam that you have just ripped out. I keep a roll of painter's green masking tape among my sewing supplies.

More Q(uilter's) Tips

4. When purchasing fabrics from different sources, write in the selvedge edge the name of the source from which you purchased it, in case you need to get more of the same.
5. Before washing fabrics, cut a small piece off each corner. This will prevent ravelling and tell you later if the fabric has been washed or not.
6. To determine the grain of squares after they have been cut, gently stretch the fabric square in each direction. There will be more stretch in the crosswise grain.

Something "Fishy"

I have just finished the seventh in my series "Fabulous Fish" wall-quilts, inspired by Susan Carlson's book "Free-Style Quilts" and the end is nowhere in sight. I start with the outline of a fish - sometimes based on a real fish and sometimes a variation of a previously used outline. I select the colour palette I plan on using and the fish seems to take over from there. Rarely does the finished quilt turn out as expected. I am learning to be bolder with colour and freer with design. Borders, which I've often added just to make a quilt large enough, are now a challenge and also a delight, as I have fun experimenting with different fabrics and designs. As the wall-quilts are small (usually under 25 in x 15 in) finishing the borders never becomes tedious. Here are two more samples of fabulous fish.

Top: Golden Grumpy

Bottom: Marble Fin

Q(uilters') Tips

1. A thin sliver of soap is useful for marking temporary lines on dark fabrics. It shows up well and can usually just be brushed or rubbed off. Always test on a scrap of fabric first.

2. Use masking tape as a guide when doing straight line stitching. It saves lots of time marking.

3. Sew with navy thread on black fabric and black thread on navy fabrics. It will be easier to see if you have to take out a line of stitching.

The Light-hearted Quilter

Welcome to the world of the Light-hearted Quilter (also known as Ada K. Moyles). And what an exciting, challenging, sometimes frustrating, but always interesting one it is. I invite you, as this blog progresses, to share in my accomplishments and sometimes, perhaps, failures, as I pursue my passion for quilting.

If you are a quilter, quilt-owner, or merely interested in quilting, I hope you will find something of interest in my blog.

In addition to making quilts, I also write about quilting. Look for my book "Crazy About Quilting; the Adventures of an Average Quilter" (Published by Whitecap Books) to read some of my quilting adventures.

I am especially interested in stories about particular quilts. They may be antiques or modern, baby or king-size, but if they have a special story, I would love to hear it. If you own such a quilt and would like to share your story, please contact me.

Currently, I'm working on a series of quilts called "Fabulous Fish", inspired by Susan Carlson's book "Free-style Quilts." This is a great book if you are looking for a way to express your creativity using non-traditional methods. I'm having great fun, using some of Susan's techniques to create my own wall quilts. The picture below is one of my early efforts.