How do your blocks  come out? What is their size compared to what they should be?

Here's how to figure out how to sew a perfect 1/4" seam. Contrary to popular belief, all presser feet are not 1/4". And even some the 1/4" feet allow the fabric to push up against the bar and then the seam is too wide.

Cut 3 strips of fabric that are 3 1/2" long and 1 1/2" wide. Sew one strip to another along the long edge. Now sew the third strip to the other two along the long edge. You have 3 strips side by side. Press the seams carefully to one side. Measure the width of the block --it should be 3 1/2" wide. ( It should be a
3 1/2" square.).

If it is wider that 3 1/2", then your seams are too narrow. If it is smaller than 3 1/2", then your seams are too wide.

Accuracy counts in quilting because the blocks and sashings need to match each other. It's probably the only kind of sewing where 1/4" is a large discrepancy.

Measure the amount of space between where your needle meets the hold in the faceplate and where 1/4" inch should be. Put a piece of blue masking tape or several small post it notes at that mark. This will help you "see" the 1/4".

Sonflower has a "piecing basics" class this summer to help you sew these 1/4" seams as well as about 4 other kinds of shapes. We want you to be successful. Check out our newsletter for times.

Sauder Quilt Show

Don't forget the Sauder quilt show that is coming up next week, May 2-6, 2012. You can get a lot of ideas by attending a quilt show. Check out color combinations, patterns, quilting designs and workmanship. Notice what you are drawn to....do you have that skill? If not, is there a quilt shop nearby that can teach you? Read the little descriptions on the quilt. What can you learn from the quilter? And don't just look at the prize winners closely, but look at all the quilts. What would you do differently? What would you like to try? All these observations can make you a better quilter. Chat with your friends and perhaps write down some of things all of you have learned. Then copy and share it with each other. Post it somewhere so that you can remember what you learned. Most quilt shows allow you to take photos. You might write a caption under your photo to remind you of your observations of that quilt. Usually in the spring and summer there are quilt shows all over the United States. If you are taking a trip, note some places you might want to stop at. Have fun and keep quilting!

Using Glue Stick Creatively

Use a glue stick for all kinds of sewing projects. It holds items in place until you can sew them down.

For piecing: Where you would use a pin to match seams, touch one seam junction with glue stick and press the opposite side on it.
Instead of pins, especially with children, spread a bit of glue about every 3 inches to hold the seam before seaming.
For Applique:
Hand- Cut out the freezer paper templates for applique pieces. Put glue stick on the matte side, press to the wrong side of the fabric and use an iron to turn edges under that will attach to the waxy side of the paper. OR Iron the freezer paper to the wrong side of fabric and use glue stick to stick the edges of the applique to the matte side of the freezer paper.

Fusible- Using a non-sticky web? Use a bit of glue stick to attach the fusible web to the background so it won’t slip until you press it.

For Trims and Zippers:
Instead of poking yourself with pins, use glue stick to attach the trim or zipper before sewing it down.

Good for hems, too!
Anywhere you would use a pin, glue stick it!
Make sure you always use a water soluble, acid free glue so fabrics will not be harmed.

Organizing your ever growing scrap pile!

Here's an overview of ways to cut up your scrap fabrics. Begin by sorting them into colors and styles. Styles are such things as flannel, batik, or screenprinted cotton. Now begin to cut them into the following listed sizes according to what you like to work with. Use gallon plastic storage bags to store the various sizes and colors. I have listed commercial patterns that are scrap oriented which you can use with these scraps. Sometimes you need a background fabric to pull all the fabrics together. You decide how small the piece needs to be before you throw it away! NO guilt! Remember it's spring and birdies like bits of color to put in their nests. Place scraps in an onion bag, hang it up outside and let them pull out the bits to feather their nests.

Cutting up your scraps: common sizes
• Squares: 2″, 2 ½″, 3″, 3 ½″, 4″, 4½″, 5″, 6″, 10″

• Strips: 1 ¼″, 1 ½″, 2″, 2 ½″, 3″, 3½″

• To make flying geese from squares and rectangles:
1. 3 ½″ x 6½″ rectangles and 3 ½″ squares
2. 2 ½″ x 4 ½″ rectangles and 2 ½″ squares

Commercial patterns which use scraps and the sizes needed

• Four Square Farmhouse—strips of 4 ½″, 3″, 2″

• I Can’t Believe it’s a Beginner--3½″ and 6″ squares,

• Braids on Parade—2 ½″ strips

• Cabin Fever-- 2½″ and 3½″ squares

• Modern Thinking--1½″ and 2½″ strips

• Whirlin’--1½″ strips

• Cure for a Bad Day-- 2″ strips

• Partial to 4’s—1 ½″ and 3″ squares, 2″ strips

• Which Way Do I go?—3 ½″ squares, 3½″ x 6 ½″ rectangles

• Any jelly roll (2 ½″ strips), charms (5″ squares) or layer cake (10″) book or pattern

Ideas for storage:
Plastic zip seal gallon bags labeled with sizes

Shoe, Photo or clear boxes

Stacked drawers on wheels—one for strips in lights and darks
--one for squares of different sizes

Quilting Inspirations

I was in Petoskey Michigan within the past few weeks taking some time off and enjoying my family. We took our grandson to the park which is across from my daughter's former home. There on the school building I saw the brickwork which inspired my pattern Partial to 4's. I had forgotten where it had come from! I have started taking pictures with my camera or phone of brickwork or stepping stones at the zoo, downtown and the places I visit. It is amazing how many quilt ideas can come out of this kind of observation. Patterns for machine or hand quilting, pieceing, applique and more can be used singly or in combination. I was surprised when we went to Israel 2 years ago, that the tiles in a floor built around Christ's birth, were many quilt patterns we see today!

So, this summer as you travel, even in your own home town, observe design. Take a notebook or use your camera/phone to record things of interest. You just might discover something you need in the future.

Summer sewing

Does the heat get to you or do you love it? Some of us sit inside and sew, enjoying the air conditioning and sipping our favorite summer drink. Others of us spend a lot of time in the garden or by the pool soaking up the summer weather. Do you miss your sewing? Try putting small pieces of your project in a ziploc bag and doing a little each day. Pin strips together one day; sew them together another day. Then pin the pieces together yet another day. Slowly your project will get done but you'll still enjoy the summer weather. You don't need hours and hours to sew. In 10-15 minutes every few days, the project will get finished eventually. AND you won't feel deprived or guilty at all!

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend. Come take a class or join us for Monday Minimizer on July 20 from 10-3. Also, remember Kaleidoscope of Quilts Show on July 15-16.

OH-MI Shop Hop

It's the night before the shop hop starts and all is ready! Now if the weather will just cooperate! There's lots of fabrics on sale, lots to look at and adventures just waiting to be experienced.

What a great way for all of us to fight cabin fever. With all the snow and ice and lack of electricity, we all need some laughter and excitement to perk our spirits. We hope to see you soon!!