Daily Blog

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Do you know how pins and are needles are made? This fascinating video from "How It's Made" walks you through the steps required.

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When you are on the road, you occasionally come across an unexpected treasure.  Such was the case when TQS the annual Arizona Quilter's Guild show being held at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, AZ this March.  There were many fabulous quilts on exhibit.  Here are just a few.  There will be more to come.

Click here for a complete list of winners.

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(Photo by Gregory Case Photography)

This week's homework is to go through your rotary cutting mat collection. A rotary cutting mat is one of those basic workhorse tools that every quilter should have in their workspace. As you go through your collection, take note of cutting mats that you have, their condition and what you might need. Exactly how many cutting mats and what type does one quilter really need? Well, that depends on each individual. Some quilters prefer a basic group of cutting mats, while others love having a wide range.

Rotary mats come in a variety of sizes, colors and specialities (rotating & folding). Whether you like a cutting surface that is green, gray, yellow, pink, white or blue mat is your personal preference, but keep in mind that some surface colors might be more visually difficult/distracting for you personally, so do a bit of research before investing in a specific brand.

Quilters Select cutting mats offer a light/dark grey side with two sets of corresponding numers to keep your place when cutting Olfa mats are green on both sides, but only one side has pre-marked measuring lines. Some quilters prefer to use the non-measuring side. Do you often work with patterns in metric measurements? Havel's Sewing offers a mat in hot pink with metric measurements one one side and inches on the other. While June Tailor offers a mat that is a two-sided cutting mat and pressing surface in one.

                                                                    (Havel's Sewing)                                                                               (June Tailor)

 
(Quilters Select)

A good basic set of rotary cutting mats that you will get the most use in your work space should include the following:

Don't have a lot of dedicated space for cutting or want to take a cutting mat to a class/retreat? Olfa offers a folding cutting mat in two sizes. The smaller fits nicely into a tote.

                             
                                                 (Brooklyn Revolver)                                                           (Olfa Rotating Mat)

Round and square rotating cutting mats are also an option for those who don't like to shift or lift fabric pieces as they cut. These smaller cutting mats also fit easily into a tote for a retreat or class.

Rotary Mat Care:

No matter what mats you decide to have in your sewing space, like other tools that need cleaning, your rotary cutting mat also needs care and maintenance.

• Remove lint, bits of threads and fuzz off your mat by using a gum art eraser that can be purchased at a local art supply store. 
• Use a small plastic net scrubby (the kind you find in the kitchen cleaners area), gently rub in a circular motion to remove imbedded items.

Did you know that your cutting mat needs moisture just like your skin. Who knew? Kelly Hanson from National Quilters Circle has a great tutorial for cleaning your mat:

• Soak the mat flat for 15-20 min in a container or tub with a mixture of 1/4 cup (60ml) white vinegar to 1 gallon of cool water (just under 4 liters). The mat must lay flat the entire time.
• After soaking, add a small amount of very mild detergent (such as Palmolive, Ivory) into the cool water.
• Using a mushroom brush, gently brush the entire surface of the mat and rinse in cold or cool water.
• Place wet mat between two lint free towels on a flat surface and blot dry.

Broken or damaged Mat:

• If your mat is broken beyond repair, why not repurpose the better sections of it? Using an older rotary cutter, cut a smaller mat. This will require some elbow grease. It may take several cuts to get the original mat to snap apart and break off. This smaller mat can be used in a pinch by your machine or at a class.

While we don't recommend this method for fixing a warped cutting mat, Charley Hanney of Olfa Deal's says this works about 85% of the time. This might be worth a try before going out to purchase a new one. 

1. Get a piece of heavy plywood 3/8"-1/2" thick. Make sure it is not warped.
2. Lay the plywood on concrete, and ONLY concrete, in a totally all day sunny area. The concrete is imporatnt
3. Put the damaged mat on the plywood.
4. Using HEAVY PLATE GLASS (NOT WINDOW GLASS) which you may find on a table top, a dresser top, or shelf glass  Any combo, and cover the mat so that mat is completely covered.  Not just the affected area...THE WHOLE MAT. The glass can extend over teh edges of the mat.
5. Leave this set up in the totally sunny area all day.  No moving, no peeking, just leave it alone.
6. Early the next day, after the mat has cooled overnight, your mat should be straight.

Click here for links to other Organization articles.

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Now is the time to get that BERNINA that you've always wanted!

Feeling Taxed? Feel Better with a BERNINA! April 6 - 11, 2016 - 0% Interest for 48 Months!* PLUS 7% OFF up to $750** on your purchase of a new BERNINA Sewing, overlocker, quilting or embroidery machine.
 
Also, take advantage of 0% Interest for 48 months*  on BERNINA purchases of $3,000 or more made with your BERNINA Credit Card between April 6 - 11.  48 Equal Monthly Payments Required.

*Offer applies only to a single-receipt qualifying purchase. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and Equal Monthly Payments are required equal to initial promo purchase amount divided equally by the number of months in the promo period until promo is paid in full. The Equal Monthly Payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum monthly payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval. See store for details. Participating Dealers Only.

** Offer valid April 6-11, 2016 at any participating BERNINA Store. Offer applies to the purchase of one (1) new BERNINA product with a retail purchase price of $999 or more. Used or refurbished products and prior purchases are not eligible for savings offers. One savings discount per customer. Savings discount will be applied automatically by the participating BERNINA Store at the time of purchase. Not valid on previous purchases or with any other savings offers or coupons. Taxes are not included in the total purchase calculation. Customer is responsible for all applicable sales tax. If customer returns the product(s) purchase discount will be lost. Cannot be redeemed for cash.
Offer valid for U.S. Residents ONLY.

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Alex talks to quilter, author, and teacher, Rossie Hutchinson, at QuiltCon West 2016.  Rossie and her husband are currently creating her dream studio and she shares with Alex her excitement about the design.

To see more of Rossie's studio click here and visit her blog.  Click here to visit Rossie's website, www.RossieCrafts.com.

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This is Katie's quilt, "Dreamscape III: Try Whistling This."  Katie writes, "Dreamscapes are whole cloth images on white cotton fabric. I use paint, ink and dye to create the images. In the quilters’ tradition, I layer and stitch the pieces together for texture and structure."

Star members can watch Katie in Show 1807: Fearless Quilting.

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So much feedback has gone to the creators of "Color of the Year", they have realized they got it wrong. Manufacturers, Designers and even Quilters have rejected Serenity and Rose Quartz!

Now they are asking the public to select the newest "Color of the Year."  After months of research and testing they have narrowed it down to 3 selections. Come on Quilters, let's help them get it right this time. Send this to your friends and your guild members. Let's stack the results in our favor.

VOTING HAS NOW ENDED.

Here are the choices, Vote below!

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iPad/iPhone iOS 9.3  OR  Video Problems? Try This

(When you are on the video page, the wording above is on the right, click it)

If you are having problems playing the shows with your iPhone or iPad, just click the words above the video that look like the line above. This will open a separate tab on your device and make the video viewable. You will still see the "Sorry..." sign, but just click the words right above the video and you will be able to view the show. (Thank you, webguru, Bob)

Apple is still working on a total fix for us. Keep your fingers crossed. But this is an easy way to see the shows.