5 Starbucks on the way to work..... oh my.... I would be so high when arriving in school that I'd float along the corridors all day.

Lorchan and Rosemary...thanks for the recommendation. I am looking forward to sitting down with the book. It should be here any day now and I'll let you know what my favorite bit information from the book is.

Lorchan, I have a 20 mile drive to work everyday and pass 5 Starbucks along the way...I could just keep driving east and bring you a cup. It might be a little cold by the time I gave it to you...but it is the thought that counts. Right?

Barbara

Barbara, you'll love the book of your namesake. She is an absolute Goddess when it comes to quilting, especially hand quilting. She is also an superb teacher and a really nice person, and her collection of antique quilts makes your jaw drop. Let us know what you think about the book when you get it.

By the way, I looove a Starbucks coffee, but only have access to it during Festival of Quilts in August every year. So it's a real treat for me.

makesgeese wrote: You will enjoy it, it is truely about QUILTING!, piecing barely gets a look in as it is being the background to the main event!

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Lorchan and Rosemary...if that is the book, I just ordered a used one from Amazon for less money then a cup of coffee at Starbucks. But then, a lot of things are less then a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Barbara

The book that Lorchan is refering to could be 'The Essential Quilter, Tradition, Techniques, Design, Patterns and Projects' by Barbara Chainey, pub by David & Charles. She also brought out a book which I think is called 'Quilt It'

You could try googling 'Wholecloth quilting'

Sorry it is so pale, in a bit of a hurry. But this shows what you could do with just using a quarter circle template with the radius taken from the length of the basic rectangle size of the block ( the rectangles are 19.5" x 18" because I wanted a 6' x 6'6" top and I just divided it in fours). But once you have 1 template shape,either play with it on it's own or make a second one (or 2)to use the same shape but smaller - think dinner plate, tea plate and cup/mug OR Diameter of my block and half the diameter of my block, if using circles.

dollum wrote:
Try putting in "The Stencil Company". I just did and it gives all kinds of stencils. They could give you lots of ideas for what to quilt in different sections of your quilt.

Now I understand. Apologies for being a little dense. Sometimes I don't quite get it. Could have something to do with English not being my native language.

I remember a book by Barbara Chainey. I'm sure it's no longer in print, but you could search for it second-hand at Amazon, for example. She does what you are asking about, I think. Maybe one of the UK members can help with the exact title. There are pages and pages in this book of different ideas about how to quilt standard size blocks. The book is a superb resource.

Lorchen wrote:
Yes. Of course. The problem is that an Internet search using the word "quilted/quilting" gives examples of piecing. Just like how quilting classes are usually about how to piece together a quilt top with very little insight into actual quilting.

I'm trying to find different examples of ways to quilt blocks in order to get an idea of effects as well as inspiration. It's difficult coming up with productive search terms. Frustratingly, "quilting" isn't one of them.

Since Spring Break is my time to really concentrate on finishing this quilt, I need to come up with interesting ideas in the meantime.

And if you use washable/white-board markers, you can re-use the vinyl over and over.

One thing I read recently is to put blue painter's tape around the edges of your vinyl. That way you won't accidentally draw on the quilt.

Nancy

Just one quick suggestion for "Quilt As Desired". Go to JoAnn's and get a 1/2 yard of the lightest weight clear vinyl. When you find some quilt patterns you want to try, or after you practice on samples, make an overlay. Duplicate what you think you would like with a marker on a square of the vinyl. Then lay the overlay on top of your quilt top to see if you are happy with it. This little step can really help "practice" on the real deal before a thread ever touches it. Sometimes I will see where the scale of the motif needs to be altered or maybe done away with all together even when I'm free motion quilting. Congrats by the way on finishing the top!!

Lorchen wrote: Simply by learning the differences between various techniques and being accurate when naming them. I mean, what would you think of someone who said that Ricky made nice paintings or tapestrys?

For 'tapestry' which is made on a loom, if you go anywhere near it with a needle, it is either not tapestry, or it is being repaired because it is that old i.e. the tapestries at Bleniheim Palace.

(by the way my quilts so far are blankets as well, because that is what I am using for the wadding )

OK, Rosemary (putting tongue firmly into cheek), we all make blankets, right?!

Seriously though - How can we help?