Tamarinis

Drool Alert - Serious Eye Candy Ahead

I'm thrilled to have the uber talented Suzy Webster guest blogging today.  And drool alert - you are about to see some SERIOUS eye candy - so grab a couple of towels (just sayin'.......)

When Tammy asked me to guest blog this month she told me that the theme is “Love to Stitch.”   This certainly applies to me!

My name is Suzy Webster.  I’m from Minnesota and have been quilting since I was a kid.  When I was in middle school my parents took the TV down to the basement for the summer and I wasn’t allowed to watch it.  What to do with myself?  This is when the quilting bug really bit me.  

In college I quilted to relax when I had the chance and started entering my quilts into local quilt shows.  In 2001 I won my first ribbon at the Minnesota Quilters Show and started on my competition journey.  Here are a few of my favorite competition pieces (first 4 quilts)

In 2014 I decided that I wanted to write a quilting book.  It came out last August and I couldn’t be more thrilled!  It’s called Folk Art Quilted Traditions and was inspired by Hungarian Embroidery.  Both my mother and grandmother were born in Hungary and it was fun to explore my cultural heritage.

As a part of the book proposal process it was suggested that I have web presence and my blog websterquilt.blogspot.com was born!  I decided to use my blog to explore applique and quilting.  I wanted to try out things I’d never done before, see what happened, and share my findings with my readers.  It’s been an absolute blast and I love it more than I can say.  I post 4 days a week and am always stretching myself creatively.  Here are some of my favorite blog pieces (the rest of the quilts)

I post inspiration on Mondays, current projects on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Free Motion Fridays.  Come check it out at websterquilt.blogspot.com.

Enjoy seeing guest bloggers?  Here's the current schedule of postings:

Previous guest bloggers:

January 5 – Bea Lee www.beaquilter.com

http://tamarinis.typepad.com/tamarinis/2017/01/2017-the-best-quilting-year-yet-and-organizing-your-quilting-space.html

January 25 – Tina Dillard http://quiltingaffection.blogspot.com/

http://tamarinis.typepad.com/tamarinis/2017/01/setting-quilting-goals-with-tina-of-quilting-affection-designs.html

Feb 8 Joan Kawano http://moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

Feb 15 Terri Sontra http://www.purplemoosedesigns.com/weblog/

Feb 22 Suzy Webster http://websterquilt.blogspot.com

Future guest bloggers:

Mar 1 Connie Kauffman www.kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Mar 15 Kate Colleran www.seamslikeadream.com/blog

Apr 19 Nancy Myers www.patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com

Feb 22 Suzy Webster http://websterquilt.blogspot.com

Mar 1 Connie Kauffman www.kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Mar 15 Kate Colleran www.seamslikeadream.com/blog

Apr 19 Nancy Myers www.patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com

 

If you enjoyed this blog post and would like to see more from guest bloggers and from Tamarinis, you can click on this link to visit my website. Enter your name and email address and get a FREE pattern download for a pattern designed by me.*

*Entering your information on the website will also add you to my periodic newsletter subscription list.

A Needle for Any Project

My name is Terri Sontra and I am the Head Moose at Purple Moose Designs. I am a pattern designer, an online quilt shop and inventor of a fun game for quilters (Quilter’s Block Party). Today is my turn to be a guest blogger for Tammy of Tamarinis…hmmm…what to talk about…

Tammy has been reminding everyone lately to change your needles. I thought I would take it one step further and do a quick Needles 101 mini-class. First, show of hands, how many of you have only one knife in your kitchen to do all your cooking and prep with? And how many of you only use one kind of needle to do all your different sewing tasks with? I bet most people answered no to the first question and several of you answered yes to the second question. In the kitchen you use different knives for different cutting jobs. Sure you could break down a chicken with a small paring knife but it’s so much easier with a chef’s knife. The same is true of your needles! (ok, quick poll…how many of you actually raised your hands while reading???)

All needles (both hand and machine) have different anatomical parts designed to help them do specific tasks very well. For this post we’ll concentrate on machine needles. You may not realize it but you have a lot in common with your needles. Did you know they have a shoulder? They also have a butt, an eye and they even wear a scarf! Here’s a quick run-down of some of the different needles that all quilters should have in their arsenal.

Topstitch: The topstitch needle has a larger eye and larger groove. This makes it ideal for heavier or decorative threads. It is also made from a sturdy wire so it can handle several layers with ease.

Microtex or Sharp: Microtex have a pointier point which is ideal for penetrating tighter weave fabrics (such as batiks) without piercing the fibers. I use this needle for almost all my piecing.

Quilting: Quilting needles have a tapered point with a slightly rounded tip. This allows it to sew through layers of fabric and batting with ease and will not poke the batting through causing bearding.

Embroidery: These needles have a slightly rounded point and special groove to accommodate metallic and decorative threads. It can also handle the higher speeds usually associated with embroidery machines. Great if you’re working with rayon and polyester threads.

Universals: While all the other needles are designed to do a specific task really well, universals are designed to do most tasks “ok”, hence the name. If you don’t like changing your needles for specific tasks then universals may be for you. If you want your needle to perform at optimum levels, then you should choose specific needles for specific tasks.

One question I get asked a lot (and I do mean A LOT!!) has to do with what size needles you should use. We’ll have to save that for another day though…I’ve run out of room. I do offer an in-depth guild presentation called Needles 101 where we cover types, size and more. It’s not boring…trust me. You learn more when you have fun! I’m pretty cheap and reasonable and I’m willing to travel. Especially if it’s south because I’m in New England and my yard currently has several FEET of snow. If you’re in a warm locale…please call or email me right away!

Thanks for letting me gab to your folks Tammy!

Terri Sontra

Head Moose

Purple Moose Designs

https://www.purplemoosedesigns.com/

Definition Time: Stitch with Joan from Love to Stitch

I'm thrilled to bring you words of wisdom from Joan at Love to Stitch!  She is guest posting for me today - and you are really in for a treat.  Enjoy - and don't forget to go over to her blog and check out the surprise she has in store for you there!.

 

stitch   

(stɪtʃ)

Noun    (Knitting & Sewing) a link made by drawing a thread through material by means of a needle

Verb     (Knitting & Sewing) (tr) to sew, fasten, etc, with stitches

Example: When I am forced to use needle and thread, yes it's true.

 

When a hot glue gun or stapler, well it just won't due!

 

Oh, don't think I haven't tried it "all" once or twice.

See, I'm addicted to "stitch" 

 no matter the price.

 

 

I've cooked aluminum can's on the BBQ grill. 

Then stitched them to a wall hanging, just for the thrill.

(You really must try it, it is quite a hoot)

 

 

Oh, I've stitched clothesline into many a things.

Some even look like, they are sitting on springs.

(Gotta love my leaning basket, of Pisa?)

 

 

I've glued tissue paper into muslin, painted and stitched.

 

 

Heck, I've even stitched photos...now ain't that just rich!

 (TMI...)

;-)

 

 

Stitched a couch, in my house...

 

 

Stitched up some of those... 

...just to warm up, the "ole" toes.

 

 

I've gone bonkers with strange stuff...

Have you ever saved thread?

 

 

It makes a nice wool feel fabric.

 Definitely not for your bed.

 

 

Cloth made from "Dog Ears".

No, not the ones from your dog...

...those little pieces from squaring, half square triangles, oh my...

 

 

And what about "shard" cloth?

All those "shards" you must save.

When trimming your blocks, you know it's all the rave.

 

It's a sickness I tell you!

And I just can't "seam" to stop.

 

 

But coffee bags?

Oh heck, just why not!

This 2'x4' giant, the most crazy of all.

It hangs in my kitchen, right up on the wall!

 

 I tell you, there is "almost" no limit, what you can stitch!

But I love me, my quilting...

Fusible applique is my fix!

 

If you'd like to see more of my crazy ideas and plans

you'll find me in the MooseStash, with the "whole" dog gone clan!

 

 

The boys and I would like to thank Tammy for inviting us in, 

to share our "stitch" story, with all of her friends.

 

We have a little more fun with stitches today.

A bit of a fun, that allows you to play.

Just stop in for a visit

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

we will see you all there.

 

Till' next time...

Keep on Stitchin' 

Say Hello to Marlene from Kissed Quilts

Today's guest blogger is Marlene from Kissed Quilts.  She shares a bit about her journey as quilter and designer.

 Hi from Grand Coulee, WA! I’m Marlene (Baerg) Oddie and in a nut shell am an….
« Engineer by Education
« Project Manager by Profession
« Quilter by Passion

I made my first quilt as a child after being encouraged by a neighbor to hand appliqué Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam on blocks of muslin with a black blanket stitch and hand tied with yarn. After 9/11/2001, my local church in San Francisco, California started a quilting class. I was interested, but not excited enough to attend the first month. I showed up at the second day of the second month’s gathering and made three items from their scrap bin. This started my more recent plunge into the world of quilting. Within a few months, I was asked to teach the class and organize the next year’s projects. After a move to Walla Walla, Washington in 2003, I took a long-arm machining class in 2005 furthering my passion of quilting. In 2009, I married Duncan Oddie, and the opportunity and circumstances aligned to purchase a long-arm quilting machine. This began my full-time pursuit of a business, KISSed Quilts (Keeping it Simple and Stunning).

My designs and quilting have won ribbons locally, regionally and internationally and have been selected for various publications. I write regularly for the Country Register and was a finalist in the McCall’s Quilt Design Star 2011. An EQ Artist and Island Batik Quilt Designer and Ambassador, I blog with design and quilting tutorials at http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com and teach wherever there is an interest. In 2013 I opened a quilting studio and it has evolved into the best quilt shop by a dam site, Grand Coulee Dam.

Given my background working as an Industrial and Systems Engineer and a Project Management Professional in aerospace, financial services and higher education, my designs often come from engineering perspectives. I love turning your ideas into a reality, perhaps in a quilted item that can be cherished for years by you or the ultimate recipient.

This holiday season I got to introduce my 4 year old niece and nephew to my studio/shop.

View many of my  patterns  in the shop or shipped and online at patternspot.com or craftsy.com via PDF (just a few pictured below):
                                                                      

My latest design with Island Batik “Zig Zags at the Lake” was just released as a free download at http://www.islandbatik.com/free-projects/

There has been an Island Batik blog hop going on of the Island Batik Ambassadors ….my post was last Thursday. A giveaway is there and good until February 2, 2017. Hope you’ll check it out.

Location and contact information:

301 Main Street – PO Box 717, Grand Coulee, WA 99133
ph 509-386-5715 [email protected]; www.facebook.com/kissedquilts; http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com

TUTORIAL
: I was recently adding a sleeve in a time crunch and thought I’d try adding a sleeve using my blind hem foot on my sewing machine. It worked!

1. Create your sleeve as desired (I recently discovered this tutorial at Moonlighting Quilts
https://moonlightingquilts.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/in-defense-of-the-proper-quilt-sleeve-and-how-to-make-it-in-6-easy-steps/ and thought her ‘basted’ seam was genius!!

2. Here is my trick: when stitching the sleeve onto the quilt, fold the quilt (top fold in picture) with sleeve underneath so that the blind hem foot on your sewing machine will just catch the backing fabric in the ‘hop’ stitch. You can do this on all 4 edges or just the two long edges and then hand stitch the back of the sleeve at the sides.


COMING UP
I’ve got an upcoming Retreat requested by customers from some distance away who are willing to come to Grand Coulee, WA for several days, so it will be fairly fast paced, but if you’d like a challenge, we’ll be going through the Rondure pattern in 3 days. You will get most of it completed, but may need some final assembly time afterwards. Three sessions per day 9am, 1pm, 5:30pm; 3 hours each. Arrive on Monday to get settled in, depart on Friday at your leisure. Sessions will be Tuesday through Thursday. March 27-31. $250 payable by today. Mention this blog post and I’ll extend this early bird price until Feb. 15. $300 thereafter.

Previous guest bloggers
January 5 – Bea Lee www.beaquilter.com http://tamarinis.typepad.com/tamarinis/2017/01/2017-the-best-quilting-year-yet-and-organizing-your-quilting-space.html

January 25 – Tina Dillard http://quiltingaffection.blogspot.com/ http://tamarinis.typepad.com/tamarinis/2017/01/setting-quilting-goals-with-tina-of-quilting-affection-designs.html
Future guest bloggers:

Feb 8 Joan Kawano http://moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

Feb 15 Terri Sontra http://www.purplemoosedesigns.com/weblog/

Feb 22 Suzy Webster http://websterquilt.blogspot.com

Mar 1 Connie Kauffman www.kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Mar 15 Kate Colleran www.seamslikeadream.com/blog

Apr 19 Nancy Myers www.patchworkbreeze.blogspot.com

Thanks Tammy for the opportunity to share with your readers a bit about my own journey and designs.

If you enjoyed this blog post and would like to see more from guest bloggers and from Tamarinis, you can click on this link to visit my website. Enter your name and email address and get a FREE pattern download for a pattern designed by me.*

*Entering your information on the website will also add you to my periodic newsletter subscription list.