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Let's talk about binding.  Everyone has a different method, what's yours?  Do you use a single fold, or a double-fold of fabric? Do you make your own or buy it at the store?  Do you cut straight strips, or is it always on the bias? Do you attach it as a single piece or miter each corner separately?  Do you hand stitch or machine stitch the binding to the quilt?  

Submit a comment and give us the goods on your favorite binding method.

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One of the VERY best things about hosting TQS is getting to play and hang out with the artists behind the scenes - Sometimes these folks are new to us and other times they are long time friends - such is the case with Sue. She is really one of "the good guys" in the quilting world - in fact it is safe to say, we adore her to pieces! If you are planning to attend Quilting in the Garden at Alden Lane Nursery in livermore, CA this weekend it is your chance to meet her, see her quilts up close and personal and learn why we feel this way - in fact - Do not miss her Friday night lecture at the Nursery - there are still a few openings available. It is not often in the quilting world where such a small and intimate gathering is possible. To sign up call 925-447-0280 and secure your spot today!

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Class is open.  Click on "Classrooms>Alex Anderson" to find Piecing 101.  Alex is starting with the basics.  Refresh your piecing skills and be sure to alert any beginners about these classes.  These videos are fun, casual and full of advice, tips and techniques.

This series is for everyone, but you do have to register as a Basic (Free) member. Click Here to Register or Click below to go to the class video.

Intro  (Open)           Tools (Open)         Fabric  (Open)        Fabric Grains (Thurs)

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

Just as a good chef keeps his/her pantry filled with a variety of basic items that allows him/her to whip up a delectable dish at a moment's notice, so too should your "quilt pantry" be at the ready for whenever the creative urge hits. There's nothing worse than cruising along on a creative ride only to discover you're out of an essential item. To avoid this type of frustrating roadblock, we suggest you keep your "pantry" stocked with these basic items:

• Assorted shades of gray thread for piecing; gray blends with most fabrics. Tan, black, and white are also good basics to have on hand.
• A variety of threads to meet your needs for machine quilting. Your "essential" collection might include a mix of mercerized cottons, rayons, solids, variegateds, metallics, and invisible varieties.
• Batting in the fibers (100% cotton, cotton/poly blend, poly, wool, silk) that you use most often, purchased in yardage or in large pre-packaged sizes that can be trimmed to the desired measurements. (Tip: You can use the remnants to build larger pieces by butting the pieces side by side and joining them with a large zigzag stitch.)
• Machine and hand sewing needles in a variety of sizes for various needs (e.g., piecing, applique, quilting, embroidery).
• Pre-wound bobbins; you'll minimize interruption when your current bobbin runs out.   
• An assortment of pins (silk, glass-head, flower-head) to tackle any basic piecing, applique, or quilting needs.
• Scissors and rotary cutters. Make sure that the scissors are sharp and the blade of the rotary cutter is not nicked or dull.
• A large and a small rotary mat to cover the majority of your cutting needs. (Tip: Don't throw out an old or warped cutting mat! See how one TQS member recycled her mat here.)
• A variety of rulers and drafting tools. Basic rotary rulers might include 2 1/2" x 18", 6" x 12", 6" x 24", and a 12 1/2" or 15" square. Don't forget to include an accurate drafting ruler if you like to draft your own quilt blocks or designs as Alex does. (Episode 604)
• Drawing tools such as colored pencils, crayons, and pastel chalks. These are great for auditioning a design, and the ones designed for use on fabric are wonderful for adding a colorful little touch to a quilt (Episode 702).
• Useful designing aids such as hinged mirrors (Episode 506), value finders, and a reducing glass.

These are just a few  "pantry" items that you might want to keep handy. Depending on the type of quilting you like to do, you may find other items to keep stocked on a regular basis. Be sure to keep a shopping list for items that are running low or need replacing so you're ready for that next trip to the quilt store. 

 If you have a great tip to share we want to hear about it here.

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Time to gather all your supplies: Class is about to begin again! Join Alex for a new series of classroom lessons devoted to piecing, and featuring our TQS BOM Star Crazy, designed by Sue Garman. PIECING 101 classes are organized to make your piecing experience more accurate, efficient, and fun, whether you're a new quilter or a more experienced stitcher. You'll love all the great tips and tricks!

Catch a new lesson each Tue/Wed/Thu for the next five weeks, and join the fun of working on this colorful quilt--one that's sure to become a family favorite. It's not too late to begin. You might even have the top completed by the holidays! To join the class click here.

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Leave it to TQS members to come up with some great ideas for organization in their sewing rooms. If you want to tidy up your room, take a look.  If you need more help and a bit more description, go to the Getting Organized Show & Tell.  You can always find this and other Show & Tell areas under the Quilt Gallery tab on the navigation bar.

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Celebrate today with us - If a Pirate were a quilter what would he or she say?

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Ricky and Alex are in Sacramento to tape a few shows on location - which means, not in studio, not with an audience, but rather in fun settings out and about. Five shows will be taped in three days. Four of those shows will post in 2011, but one of the shows is the 2010 TQS Quilt Legend - our last show of the year

Our first quilt legend was Virginia Avery

Our second legend was Jinny Beyer

Last year we featured Libby Lehman

and this year it is... 

As you know, we don't kiss and tell - but it's always fun to let you guess who you think will get this year's honor.

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Spring is here!  No wait, it's Autumn, that means Quilting in the Garden in Livermore, CA, is almost here. This wonderful quilt show is hosted by Alden Lane Nursery and In Between Stitches Quilt & Gift Store.  The dates are September 25-26, 2010 from 9am - 4pm.  Featured artists this year are Sue Nickels, Denise Sheehan, Elizabeth Scott, Jeff Krause, and Romy Tam, along with author, Nancy Clause, and featured teachers: Tracy Souza and Sandra Mollon.  Oh, and let's not forget our very own Alex Anderson!

There will be classes and lectures, special projects for first time quilters (and one for kids), as well as beautiful quilts and an outdoor setting that will take your breath away.

We thought we'd entice you to join us by showing a few of the fun things from year's gone by.