The Quilter's Stitch Bible - Book Review

Krause Publications published this Nikki Tinkler book in 2006. It is a 8 x 7 inch spiral bound hard cover book that showcases 1 stitch on each page. There are about 200 stitches within its 256 pages.

The first 40 pages contain general information on how to make a quilt. Stitches for hand and machine quilting follow with easy to understand diagrams and written step-by-step sequences. The stitches are pretty basic, nothing fancy, but are beautifully illustrated in color. A stitch selector guide is at the front of the book for the reader's reference. It is helpful in finding stitches to use without having to go through the entire book to find what you are looking for. There is a small section toward the end of the book on quilting patchwork and applique blocks.

I recommend this book for beginning embroiderers and crazy quilters.

Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches - Book Review

Every crazy quilter should own a copy of this book. It is the most comprehensive book on embroidery design that I have ever seen. This stitch library was compiled from antique quilts by Carole Samples and contains hundreds of stitches. It was published in 1999 by the American Quilters Society and might be out of print. However, I am still seeing copies of it at my local bookstores. With the exception of about 10 pages, the book is printed entirely in black and white.

The stitches are organized by type, ie, straight, blanket, chain, feather, laced, doodled, tied, knotted, combinations, zig zag, fern, chevron, triangle, fan, stem, geometric, back stitch, herringbone, holbein, arrowhead, star, cross stitch, and banded stitcheries. Patch pictures, alphabets and spider webs have their own sections. The blurb on the back cover states that there are 50 basic stitches and that there are many variations of each stitch. With 225 pages of stitches, you will never run out of ideas for seam treatments. I cannot imagine how many combination stitches are possible. The author includes a chart with the 9 functions of crazy quilt stitches that I thought was interesting. The 9 functions are outline, decorate seams, decorate patches, fill, applique, couch, tie, pad and finish edges.

What you won't find in the book are diagrams on how to make the stitches. There are no insert needle here, come out here instructions.

I only have one problem with this book. When I am looking for a stitch for a particular seam, I get overwhelmed by the choices available. When I am overwhelmed, I stop stitching. You would think it would be the other way around. Having said that, I cannot say enough good things about this book. Buy it while you can. You won't regret it.

Mosaic Applique - Book Review

Lorraine Carthew wrote this lovely book on mosaic applique quilts. It was published last year by the American Quilter's Society and includes instructions for both the fused and needle-turn applique methods. While it is only 31 pages, everything you need to know about the design process is contained within the first 10 pages. The rest of the book is devoted to 10 projects ranging from flowers to birds and my personal favorite, a cat. Pullout patterns for these projects are at the back of the book. Lorraine recommends enlarging them 200% in a copier before getting started. The $22.95 price seems high for a book of this size but if you consider how much you would pay for each pattern if they were packaged separately, it's a bargain.

This is a great book at a great price.

Stained Glass Innovation - DVD Review

This CD-ROM can also be viewed as a DVD in most DVD players. It may not play in an older DVD player, however. It was produced by Quilter's Treasure in 2005 and is hosted by Brian Bergquist. It is about 1 hour long. The sound and video are excellent as are the demonstrations. I have noticed that some of the DVDs produced by C&T have problems in these two areas, which surprises me. I expect more from such a prominent company.

I enjoyed watching this DVD but have concerns about how the stained glass look is achieved. I'm not experienced in making stained glass quilts so I am not sure if the concerns are even valid. What bothers me is that the lead line is glued to the fabric. It just seems wrong even though that may be the only way to achieve the look. Brian won 3rd place in the men's division at an MQX show for one of his stained glass quilts so I guess it's an appropriate way to get the look. If any reader has made a stained glass quilt, please leave a comment with your thoughts on this issue.

Some of the tools used are pretty cool. Brian used a 6th finger tool and a basting glue, neither of which I have ever heard of. The basting glue allows you to reposition the marbled fabrics if you don't like where you placed them on the background fabric or if you just don't like the color of the fabrics you selected. You can even reposition them the next day.

Quilter's Treasure sells many stained glass kits. However, you can use any pattern, even one from a coloring book. Their marbled fabrics are essential, though, in order to pull off the stained glass effect. The pattern is traced onto the background fabric with the use of a lightbox. Then the pieces are cut by hand with scissors, eyeballing an extra 1/4 inch allowance. The allowance is a precaution against not cutting the piece too small to fit the space. After the pattern pieces are placed, a plastic syringe is used to apply tacky glue around the edges of each piece where the lead line will be placed. The lead lines in their kits are numbered in sequence so as to avoid having any exposed raw edges. If you make your own pattern you will have to think about which lead lines to place first. You want the last line layed down to cover the raw edges of the shorter lines. The lead line product that Quilter's Treasure sells is made out of polyester. Another concern of mine is that the lead line is polyester and the marbled fabrics are cotton. I read on one of the long arm blogs that mixing the those 2 fabrics and threads will cause the fabric to fray and eventually disintegrate. Who wants to go through all that work to make a quilt just to have it fall apart in a few years or even months. Brian says that his company's lead line is more flexible than bias tape so I don't know if bias tape could be used as a substitute. On some points in the pattern the lead line is folded over to make a sharp tip, just as you would do when basting a hawaian quilt down.

When sewing the lead line down, choose a needle size that is appropriate for the 3/16 inch width. Note that the lead line comes in 5 colors: black, white, cream/gold, gray/silver, and hunter green. If you buy the white lead line, you can customize the color by painting it with Fabrico pens. There are many tips and tricks throughout the demonstration. I don't think I could make a good stained glass quilt without having viewed this CD.

Brian will be teaching 2 classes on stained glass quilts in November at the Greater Chicago Quilt Exposition. I would love to take one but can't because a sewing machine is required. I will be taking public transportation to get there and I'm not hauling a sewing machine.

Bye for now.

Ideas for New Kaffe Quilt

I was so upset yesterday about being stuck at home that last night I cut out more blocks for the quilt I made with Kaffe Fassett fabrics. However, I then decided that the quilt was big enough. So, I cut 2 inch squares out of those blocks and cut a few more squares from my Kaffe stash. I would like to arrange them in a dark/light pattern that is something like this.

I am not sure exactly how I am going to organize the squares but am gonna cut lots of squares and think about it later. I have always wanted to do a charm quilt out of 1 inch squares but since Kaffe's designs are so large I chose a 2 inch square block for this idea. I hope that they are not too large for the vision that is in my head.

I am still mulling over an idea to make a card trick quilt out of his fabrics. His fabrics are so cheery I may make a couple of quilts with them. I have been so depressed this year and his fabrics are the only ones that make me smile. You gotta do what ya gotta do.

Cats on Parade

For some reason I cannot get clear shots of Jasmine. I guess its because of her long hair. If that's the reason I will need a new camera.

I am depressed beyond belief. I tried to get to work today but could not because of construction company vehicles blocking the streets and sidewalks at both exits to my condo building. Its pretty ridiculous that the Mayor wants so much construction going on at the same time. He thinks he will get the Olympics if he tears up the entire downtown area. When residents can't get out of their homes, the IOC should be able to figure out that the Mayor is not competent to stage the Olympics.

In fact, two community organizations have already filed suit against the City over the construction issues. About a year and a half ago, one of the disability rights groups sued the City for violations of the Americans with Disabiities Act. A judge will now decide which neighborhoods are fixed first. My neighborhood, the downtown area, was accessible but because the City has allowed the construction companies to remove the curb cuts and it is no longer accessible. Now I am stuck in my unit on the 13th floor because the condo association has shut down all the elevators and the water for the convenience of the plumbers who are replacing the pipes in the building. Of course, I don't have any food and cannot get to the convenience store on the 2nd floor. I have called the Mayor's Office for Persons with Disabilities to complain and a city inspector is coming today. It's just 10:00 am and the day is a disaster.

. . . And how is your day going?

What Drug is Your Personality Like?

Your Personality Is Like Heroin

You're capable of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Addicted to feeling good, you'll do almost anything to avoid pain. People seek you out, even though you can be quite moody. They're hooked on you! At your best: You are euphoric, stress free, and a little sleepy. What people like about being around you: They're not exactly sure, but they can't get enough about you. What people dislike about being around you: When you finally leave, they go some pretty serious withdrawal. How addicted people get to you: Very... you're quite dangerous.

What Drug Is Your Personality Like?

Pretty interesting for a person with chronic, daily pain. Ya know, when I go to the ER screaming in pain, they give me dilaudid in the vein. Guess what drug that is?

When I read the results of the quiz I was surprised. I didn't think that it described me at all. However, since 3 discs tore 2 years ago I have been on heavy duty pain meds and this is the new me.

My Front Yard "Garden"

Everyone is posting photos of their gardens lately. Since I live in a highrise, I feel left out. So, here are pics of my front yard "garden," which is maintained by the Chicago Park District.

Back Yard "Garden"

I live in the wide building in the middle of the first pic and the backyard is this.

I've Been Shopping

This is what I bought at Joann's Memorial Day sale.