16
Linda Berry Smith is looking forward to A New Beginning. After facing some major health issues, she wanted to focus on faith, hard work, and optimism in her whimsical quilt which features shiny fabrics and surprises in the nesting material of a very happy bird.
A New Beginning by Linda Berry Smith of Irvine, California was featured in the Art-Whimsical category at the Houston International Quilt Festival in 2016.
22
(Photo from Pumpkin Patch Quilter)
Rulers and templates come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Keeping these necessary tools organized can be a challenge for any quilter. Before we show you the creative storage ideas we have discovered, YOU need to do your homework by spending some time going through your current inventory of rulers and templates to see if any are damaged or need to be replaced.
Rulers are a workhorse tool that should be kept in good working order. There are ideas on the web for repairing a broken ruler using clear adhesive tape or heavy duty glues such as Gorilla Glue, Super Glue or Crazy Glue. But, this solution might lead to problems if the ruler pieces aren't glued together accurately.
As you go through your collection, take note of rulers that you have multiples of and those that you might need for an upcoming project. Avoid the need to re-count through the entire collection again by organizing a list on your phone or writing them down for easy reference. That way you'll be ready the next time you spot a sale on rulers at your local quilt shop.
A good basic set of rulers that you will get the most use from in your work space should include the following:
12 1/2" x 12 1/2" - Squaring Large Blocks
6 1/2" x 24" - Cutting Yardage
6 " x 12" - Cutting Smaller Yardage
6 1/2" x 6 1/2" - Cutting and Trimming Small Blocks
4" x 4" - Cutting and Trimming Small Blocks
1" x 6" - Small Measurements
Exactly how many rulers and what type does one quilter really need? Well, that depends on each individual. Some quilters prefer a basic group of standard rulers, while other quilters love having a wide variety. Keep in mind if you fall in the latter category, storage can become a challenge. This is when you need to determine what type of quilting space you currently work in (or are trying to achieve this year) and whether your space and budget will allow for all of the tempting rulers you desire out on the market today:
So, on to the options we found that just might be the perfect fit for you.
Option 1:
If you perfer a clean and clutter free space, consider these options for your rulers. Each offers close at hand solutions without being a visual distraction. Repositionable hooks along the side of a work table or on the back of a door utilize what is often an overlooked place to hang items. Storing vertically also gives you more work surface.
Don't have holes in some of your rulers? Use spring clips from the office supply store.
(Photo by Lilo Bowman)
Jacquie Gering (Show 1202), one of the queen's of a clutter-free sewing environment, used an industrial magazine holder to store rulers in her Chicago studio.
Option 2:
Do you prefer a visually stimulating space, or are you lacking in large areas of vertical and horizontal storage? Mary at Pin.Sew.Press finds a table top mail sorter to keep things in order, while Sarah of SewMe uses a wooden plate rack.
Companies such as KRHemphill Woodworking can customize pieces to accomodate all of your rulers for tabletop or wall mount storage, while Janna Thomas (Show 1803) of Bloc_Loc offers the Hang in a Round system that securely clamps to a table or other sturdy surface. The large number of hooks allow you to hold an assortment of tools, including a ruler up to 30" in length.
Option 3:
What about those odd shaped specialty rulers and templates that won't fit so well on hooks or racks? Della at Della Designs keeps them, along with their directions, in zip style bags on a skirt hanger placed on a closet door. AllPeopleQuilt suggests using a D-ring binder with large clear zipperd pockets. Clip it Up offers a wall mounted swing arm rack with 15 clips.
ClipItUp
24
At Houston 2016 there was a wonderful Japanese Exhibit organized by the Japan Handicrafts Instructors' Association. This quilt by Mihoko Tanaka is named A Happy New Year, "Kado-Matu" in the Rising Sun. The quilted Oriental Phoenixes (thank you CrazyCuban) are just one of the creations that caught our eye. You can learn more from the sign at the bottom of the page, but we wish we could know more about the border treatment.
86
Anabeth Dollins created a quilt with influences from two different TQS Block Of the Month patterns, including A-Z For Ewe & Me! by Janet Stone. J is for Jenna was "inspired by quilt patterns of Janet Stone and Sue Garman." Featured at PIQF 2019, Anabeth's quilt makes use of machine quilting, hand appliqué, hand quilting, and "the golden Delectable Mountain border is a hidden note to Jenna's last name, Goldberg." It's always great to see the work of TQS inspiring others.
J is for Jenna by Anabeth Dollins of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was featured in the Traditional category at the Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) 2019.
 2019/J-Is-For-Jenna-Anabeth-Dollins.jpg "\"J is for Jenna\" by Anabeth Dollins")
 2019/J-Is-For-Jenna-Anabeth-Dollins-Sign.jpg "\"J is for Jenna\" by Anabeth Dollins - Sign")
 2019/J-Is-For-Jenna-Anabeth-Dollins-Detail-1.jpg "\"J is for Jenna\" by Anabeth Dollins - Detail 1")
 2019/J-Is-For-Jenna-Anabeth-Dollins-Detail-2.jpg "\"J is for Jenna\" by Anabeth Dollins - Detail 2")
 2019/J-Is-For-Jenna-Anabeth-Dollins-Detail-3.jpg "\"J is for Jenna\" by Anabeth Dollins - Detail 3")
 2019/J-Is-For-Jenna-Anabeth-Dollins-Border.jpg "\"J is for Jenna\" by Anabeth Dollins - Border")
Original Photos: Lucas Davis
23
Lisa Walton, textile artist and past President of SAQA, talks to Deborah Boschert (Show 2108), the current President of SAQA, about her fabric collage landscapes and learns about her quilt Tree Lines on another exciting installment of Quilt Stories.
You can watch Lisa here at TQS in Show 2503.
33
Julie Bridgeman of WeAllSew has an easy way for you to make a faux-piped binding for your quilt. Julie says, "Faux piped binding is one of those sewing techniques that looks time-consuming and intricate. I’ll let you in on a little secret–it’s not!" Find out how she does it by watching the video below, and get more information by going to the tutorial.
31
Like all of you, Alex is itching to leave the (bird)house and see the world again. So, it's time for a happy quilt. Make this Birdhouse Quilt with Alex as she explains many ways to appliqué. It's learning, it's fun, and you get a happy quilt to hang in your kitchen as we look to brighter days. Use your own fabric or use the delicious Kona Bundle that Alex is using.
Alex will be teaching you how to make the Birdhouse Quilt LIVE beginning Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Get your fabric now and be ready to learn, create, and smile.
LIVE lessons are always recorded and will be available to watch after their initial broadcast.
. 
5
Your $39 1-year membership at TheQuiltShow.com gets you 2 Block of the Month patterns worth over $150. Here's how.
Color My World patterns will be downloadable each month starting January 1, 2021. On November 1, 2021, both the November and December patterns will be available for download. Learn to do Freezer Paper Piecing. Barbara Black will lead you through the process to make this incredible quilt achievable. Month 1 is available now.
A-Z for Ewe and Me! will be available for download when the new website begins in late February 2021. Janet Stone has won multiple awards including 2 Best of Shows in one year with 2 different quilts. Now you can make her alphabet quilt your own.
No reason to choose. You get them both.
53
Examine life under the sea with this enchanting quilt, Turtle Bay, by Claudia Pfeil of Krefeld, Germany. Claudia's quilt was the winner of the Handi Quilter Excellence in Longarm Quilting award at Road to California 2013. Turtle Bay is 79" x 93" and was completed in 2012. It is an original creation from Claudia.
Artist Statement: To capture the beauty of the sea I have combined silk and gauze fabrics .The shells and star fishes are made from silks with hand painted designs and are machine appliquéd. The sea turtles are made from hand-dyed and printed fabric, and are hand appliquéd. The net and the gauze gives a mystical effect, a translucent look. The quilt’s border – freehand and freestyle appliquéd - the symmetrical design reminds you of the turtle’s shell.
Watch Claudia in Show 2413.
(Photo: Courtesy of Road to California)
14
Only three colors, but it makes an impact. What is this block called? Find out by playing Jinny Beyer's Memory Match game.
Gift Memberships
Give a Full Year of Quilting
.jpg "2019 Sponsor - BERNINA Q 24")
Learn about
Apliquick appliqué tools!
Watch Show 1912
with Rosa Rojas (free!)
Apliquick - 3 Holes Microserrated Scissors
