The Sewing Mom

Quilting With My Quilt Patch

26th October 2008

Quilting With My Quilt Patch

posted in sewing |

As many of you all ready know, I’ve been learning to piece fabrics together to make a quilt. I’ve been doing piece work for several years, but I’ve always done smaller projects such as purses and tote bags which are much more forgiving if my pieces don’t match up quite right. With a quilt though, things can really look bad if not done properly, it may not even lay flat if the seams aren’t correct.  Who wants a quilt that won’t lay flat?  In other words, it’s important to actually know what you’re doing, if you want to make a quilt!

Quilting is becoming a family tradition for us. My mom is an avid and phenomenal quilter. Both of my sisters have been making quilts and wall hanging much longer than I have and I am the newbie, but enjoying it. The biggest thing I’ve learned so far is that when it comes to taking on projects like quilts, it can be so helpful to be a part of a quilters group, a group of people doing the same type of work, who can help with questions and directions. Before taking my beginning piecing class last month, I couldn’t even understand the directions for cutting the fabric, it made absolutely no sense to me. Since taking the class, I’ve not only completed the quilt top we made in class, but I ventured out on my own, bought fabric and a pattern, and completed a quilt top for my granddaughter too! I feel like I’ve made so much progress in the last few months and am very pleased with the results.

My mom and sister belong to a local quilt guild, a group of women who get together on a regular basis to work on projects and to teach each other new techniques or patterns. They have really been enjoying both the quilting aspect of it as well as the friendships they’ve formed. As a beginner, I’m not sure I’m ready to join a guild, but I recently found a great online quilting forum where I can go, as a member, and ask questions and get answers. This is a great place where other individuals, with the same (or greater) level of enthusiasm for quilting, can come together, much like in a guild, and share ideas. It’s also a great place to showcase projects I am working on or will complete (once I get my quilt tops turned into finished quilts!).

MyQuiltPatch.com is a subscription based quilting website that is loaded with quilting articles, patterns, projects and many other resources for quilters of all levels. Similar to a magazine subscription, there is an annual membership fee, or, fees can be paid monthly. This really is a great time to join because the site is offering a discounted “Founder Member” rate of only $7 per month, a savings of over $12 per month off the regular subscription rate. A few of the features include a forum, private messaging between members, web video chat, photo galleries and links to members personal websites. One of my favorite features is the video tutorials, I can actually learn quilting techniques from this site! Anyone with a passion for quilting should check out www.MyQuiltPatch.com and take advantage of their one month free trial they currently have available.

The biggest benefit for me is the easy online access when I’m in the middle of a project and need help. It’s an interactive community of quilters, what better place to go to with my questions?  Even if I were in a guild, this is a great forum to be a member of, with 24 hour access, 7 days a week.  After all, you just never know when I’m going to need project help!

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 26th, 2008 at 10:02 am and is filed under sewing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 8 responses to “Quilting With My Quilt Patch”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On October 26th, 2008, Hilary said:

    Hey friend … while I did not join the guild here, I’m acquainted with several members and they are absolutely lovely ladies. Don’t let the fact that you’re a beginner stop you from joining a guild. Quilters are usually the nicest gals and guys (yup, I met at least one) you could meet!

    Hilary’s last blog post..Featured Artist

    posted on October 26th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

  2. 2 On October 26th, 2008, lynne said:

    Hi Hilary! I believe you! Quilters are a unique and friendly sort, that’s for sure! I currently don’t actually quilt, I only piece. There is a small amount of quilting I do on my tote bags, but nothing too complex. If I ever do learn the art of quilting, I may just join a guild, there are a number of them in our area.

    posted on October 26th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

  3. 3 On October 26th, 2008, Karen said:

    This sounds like a good place to be part of. I think it would be fun to compare notes with other quilters.

    Karen’s last blog post..Goulish Treats

    posted on October 26th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

  4. 4 On October 27th, 2008, waterrose said:

    What a great resource, like a virtual quilt group.

    waterrose’s last blog post..When a Roadrunner Visits…

    posted on October 27th, 2008 at 12:15 am

  5. 5 On October 27th, 2008, Duni said:

    Lynne - ages ago I tried my hand at making a quilt. I made a ‘baby quilt’, because I thought a regular one would overwhelm me. I’ve learned that the squares really need to be accurate (at the time I didn’t have a rotary cutter). My seams didn’t quite match up - this project looked good when viewed at a distance ?

    Duni’s last blog post..Time Change

    posted on October 27th, 2008 at 3:04 am

  6. 6 On October 27th, 2008, lynne said:

    Karen - Who knows, maybe I can learn something to help me sew straight! LOL

    posted on October 27th, 2008 at 8:03 am

  7. 7 On October 27th, 2008, lynne said:

    Waterrose - I think it sounds great too. With it being online, I can actually ask a question as it comes up while working on a project, instead of having to set everything aside until I can get help. :-D

    posted on October 27th, 2008 at 8:04 am

  8. 8 On October 27th, 2008, lynne said:

    Duni - I know exactly what you mean, everything has to be very straight and all the seams have to be all but perfect. I’m learning and getting better at it. Having a special guide foot on my sewing machine helps me sew straight and the rotary cutter is my best friend!

    posted on October 27th, 2008 at 8:07 am

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