Quilting Arts

zippers for the small purses

eickgirl — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:04:35 GMT

Hi! I'm new here. Was at Quilt Fest in Houston last month and was asking Pokey where I could get the cute little zippers from the small purse project that was featured in a previous issue. She mentioned coming here to ask a Melanie? about where I can get those zippers.

Do you need more info?

dianna eickhorn

Do you feel confident in your quilts artistic merits?

arlijohn — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:07:11 GMT

I look and admire other peoples work daily. Wow, what a great idea! or How did they think of that? When it comes to my own work I am full of insecurities. Is it good enough? Did I express my idea well or not? Will anyone be interested in my designs or quilts?

I often wonder if other people suffer these self-doubts or not. I feel driven to make the quilts I make. There is no logical explanation other than a need to share a part of myself with others. I am not a trained artist, I am self taught. I truly love the journey of designing and making a quilt.

I talk to women who have stacks of their own quilts piled up in their homes, I keep none of mine. Does that mean I don't value my work? I have always thought it was because once I have finished a piece I was ready to move on to the next idea. Do any of you have these same thoughts?

Galleries of Art Quilt Exhibits in Quilting Arts?

Pippa E — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:01:00 GMT

We've been reading through all the wonderful responses to our Quilting Arts Reader survey (thanks to all of you who responded) and it sounds like there is an overall interest in seeing regular art quilt galleries from recent and ongoing fiber and quilt art exhibits in Quilting Arts Magazine.

We'd love to know a bit more about what exactly you hope to get out of these galleries--a critical review to accompany the photographs, a focused article on one or two featuered artists, or maybe just eye candy for inspiration? Please take this quick poll and let us know!

[Please visit the site to access the poll]

DVD - Downloads v discs

textileweb — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:15 GMT

Can anyone tell me the difference in quality between the DVD discs and the downloaded versions.

Do the DVD discs have extra features?

I am asking because I am in the UK and it would be cheaper to download the discs.

What is your favorite surface technique?

Kathleen M Tenpas — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:07 GMT

What is the surface design technique that you find yourself using over and over again, the one that you are most comfortable with?

Almost all of my pieces start with hand painted fabric done using Pebeo Setacolor transparent paints. I use the heliograhic tendencies in the paint to create patterns (occasionally) and random designs, then I build from there. More and more, I've been cutting stamps and adding them to the mix, and I've done a lot with photos printed on fabric and worked into the design in some way, but they almost all start with the hand painted fabric.

Hi

karenchi — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:28:13 GMT

Hi everyone......I am an avid quilter. Have a Little Gracie II frame and a 17" Bailey which I absolutely love.

I also do machine embroidery quilt labels for all those people who need a nice label for that special quilt.

I love doing that also.

Karen

Hi from Essex, UK

Farmgirl2 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:51:16 GMT

I found this site a few weeks ago when looking for patterns! I just love sewing and making just about anything. I belong to a p&q group and we also have a sewing group which meets at each other's houses once a fortnight - more talking than sewing!

Hello from Washington state

anastasia — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:18:26 GMT

Hello,

I am Anastasia. I live here in Puget Sound surrounded by the water and mountains. I live in the city and crave nature pretty much all of the time so my art has an organic feeling to it.

I recently moved to Tacoma WA and was blessed to find the Shibori Dragon store is in my back yard. I found out about them in the back of Cloth Paper Scissors.

I have subscriptions to that magazine as well as QA and one of the other textile mags. They are my art Soul Food. Now I have found how much there is on the website I will be here exploring and being inspired. I realize now that though I like touching the paper that I can just turn on my new lap top and away I go to seeing beautiful multi-media art work.

I have never been part of a blog before but have heard good things about making friends with artists from all over the world.

So is anyone out there tonight?

Hope I wasn't too chatty. Like I said, I am new to blogging. Thank you for listening.

Anastasia

Hello from Memphis, TN home of Graceland

DebbiQ — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:15:49 GMT

Hi! My name is Debbi and I'm new to the world of quilting/art quilting. I am a mixed media artist who got back into sewing while making "art dolls".

I need some help. I am going to get a sewing machine (I've been doing all mysewing by hand for years now) for piecing quilt topsand I am wondering what to get. There is a Brother XR9000 at costco for $199 and sometimes they have a $30 coupon for it. What do you think? Any suggestions for something better and resources for where to find one?

Thanks for the help in advance.

More glitches, this time about making friends

Caribquilter — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:36:17 GMT

This one maybe also for Muppin and please have patience with me, I'm positive I'll get the hang of this one of these days...

I want to add friends to my site, according to Pokey's intructions I should get a tag saying "members" when I click on Hello Caribquilter. Mine stubbornly keeps saying "authors" like on the main pages.

What do I do wrong?

Hi from the beautiful island of St Martin in the Caribbean's

Caribquilter — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:09:18 GMT

Hi, I just joined Quilting Arts forum. I am a relatively new quilter, just finished my 2nd project and plan to show them online as soon as I get the how to.

I'm positive there is a lot to learn from all of you and I'm truly looking forward to be able to exchange views with some of you. Quilting art is unknown down here and I will enjoy the opportunity to chat about this passion we all share.

Looking forward to getting to know you and your masterpieces here in the forum, Caribquilter.

Threads Theads Threads

may2009 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:08:00 GMT

I am new to quilting and have a simple question...What is the difference between machine quilting thread and hand quilting thread? Can they we interchangable? Where can I find a discription of which threads to use and when. Years ago when I sewed you had to color match your thread when sewing but now I am told just use one color to peice and another color to quilt. we had limited options. I am confused! Thank You

Send me your letters!

Pippa E — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:12:12 GMT

Hi All! I know you've all read your October/November issues of Quilting Arts. I'd love to hear any and all feedback-the good, the bad, and the ugly. What articles did you like? Which were you not so crazy about? Leave your comments here, or send your letters to peccles@interweave.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

ethically ethnic cuffs

caren — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:46:32 GMT

I loved the cuffs in this months magazine! But of course I didn't have anything remotely ethnic. I made them anyway. I dug into my crazy quilt stash and used green taffeta instead of silk. In step 4 after the fabrics were layered I put a piece of black tulle overit and then did some decrartive stiching and added more fabric and trim. I love it!! Especially the velvet on the back. I still have to download ( or is it upload?) a picture!!

Caren

IQA Quilt Scene Magazine

Belinda Spiwak — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:42 GMT

I have my hot little hands on a copy. I did a review on my blog.

http://alteredbelly.blogspot.com/2009/10/quilt-festival-quilt-scene.html

It is a fantastic magazine. If you have not gotten your copy, you really need to go and get a copy. I am not saying that just because I have an article in there. I looked at my local bookstore and it is not there yet. It is is available here:

http://www.interweavestore.com/Quilting/Magazines/International-Quilt-Fest-Quilt-Scene.html

BTW, if anyone has it, look on the back cover for me and tell me how to make the fabric balls. They don't look like they are in strips. I have fabric balls on the brain. I already have the styrofoam balls all ready to go!!!

There's also some great bonuses to the magazine: http://quiltingarts.com/media/g/quiltscene/default.aspx

Pssst! Don't pay any attn to the stars by my download. I deserve more stars than that! 8-D

If you have not had the opportunity to get to an International Quilt Festival, I hope that you will get to be able to get one soon. They are fantastic! I have been able to go to the one in Chicago for the past 3 years. As I said in my blog, you do not have to be a traditional quilter to enjoy yourself there. I do mostly art quilting and mixed media art and I have a blast every year that I go. I do end up with tired feet though. There is so much to see and do. Vendors offer so much more than fabric and fat quarters for quilters. If you are in the market for a new machine, this is the place to go for a good deal. Quilt Scene magazine has many more tips on going to Quilt Fest.

Off for my coffee, Have an artful day.

What type of batting, stabilizers?

Caribquilter — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:34:53 GMT

Being new at this I visited some websites to order batting and stabilizers, the different kinds are staggering and I have no clue what to choose.

Anyone out there willing to give free advice as to what type of batting and stabilizers are mostly used by quilters? Knowing that I do not wash my fabrics, so dissolving with water won't "wash" and I'd rather not remove it with my iron either as I work with silk, organza and other fine fabrics that won't sustain heat. My pieces are small right now but I'll go over to making bigger designs but no patchwork or quilt for a bed for example so that my pieces will not be extremely heavy as I mainly use light fabrics too (I'd say batting for light to medium weight). Also, due to the nature of my quilts I'm looking for something that is rather stiff (for wall hangings) and another kind soft enoug to make the small gifts in the QA Magazine Gifts. As for stabilizers I'd like the kind that will unable me to position and reposition my pieces without a problem.

Thanks to all for your time, Caribquilter

Need help to upload new avatar and pics of my pieces

Caribquilter — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:16:34 GMT

Hi,

I've been a member for a few days only and since the beginning I've been unable to load pics of my pieces, the system keeps giving me an error saying it has reported it to whomever in cyberspace. Also, today I wanted to change avatar and I got again the same error.

To recap: not only is my island not on your list of countries (unable to order stuff and mags) but the system won't allow me to publish my pics: how's that for a start?

Could anyone help me out and let me know what I should do in this case? (I did manage to upload my 1st avatar and that's when the system decided that was enough). The problem with the island is being looked into.

Thank you, Caribquilter

free motion frustration!

Zoldesign — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:51:33 GMT

I am using an Elna machine, feed dogs down, special "foot" attached, ready, set, go...oh man! Even with the foot lowered it doesn't sit on the fabric. Maybe an 1/8" away from it when the needle goes down and as much as 1/2" away when the needle comes up. My fabric "pops" up and down with the needle. It seems like it would be easier if the foot would rest on the material so the needle could move smoothly up and down. Am I doing it right? Does everyone's material go up and down with the needle? It is hard to get any rhythm going with the stitching.

Crazy Quilt Bra's

kat — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:17:47 GMT

Stopping by to say Hello,

This list looks not only quiet but deserted.

I wanted to share with you the new 2010 Art Bra Calendar. One way to support *** Cancer.

you can view it at www.artbra.org.

Kat

Hello from NC!

LRM — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:23:44 GMT

Hi!

I have been lurking here on and off for a while and decided it was time to de-lurk and jump in!

I have been subscribing to QA for a couple of years or so and always enjoy the magazine, and have been enjoying looking at all the great stuff here at too. I have enjoyed sewing/art quilting/stitching/anything creative for a long time.

LRM

Printmaking with fabric

Anne Hiemstra — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:37:38 GMT

Hi -

Does anyone have experience with making prints on fabric? I just finished an introductory printmaking class -- drypoint, intaglio, and solar plates -- where we used etching ink and a roller press. Everybody printed on paper but I had to try printing on fabric. Mostly it worked quite well, but now I'm wondering if I need to "set" the ink before using the fabric. The ink is oil based, like the Shiva paint sticks, which is what made me wonder about heat setting. The ink brands we used were Faust and Daniel Smith (this is not the same as the Speedball block printing ink sometimes used for gelatin printing).

Thanks for your help.

Anne

Soy wax and fabric paper journals

Belinda Spiwak — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:46 GMT

My base pages for my 3 journals were made from soy wax fabric (Melly Testa's book) and fabric paper (Kelli Perkins' book). Thought some people might be interested in seeing what I learned in a semi-finished product. The soy wax fabric looks to good by itself that I might not do anything else with it.

http://alteredbelly.blogspot.com/2009/11/fabric-paper-and-soy-wax-journal.html

QA Digital Renewal Problems

FibreReaction — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:35:39 GMT

Can someone please give me an email (I'm in the UK) address of a specific person to help with renewal of my QA Digital subscription.

I'm not sure if its Subscriptions who need a shake up or the IT department - but I cannot renew because the information on my account's renewal strap is wrong. It has 6 issues listed twice at two different prices, (one of which is correct) 12 issues listed at a third price (which by my guestimate should actually be the price of approx 24 issues). So clicking on a purchase option just brings up a box with the same wrong options.

I have been in touch with Customer Services, and was kindly told what I hope are the correct prices for 6 and 12 issues (the latter figure not at all mentioned on the renewal strap) - I'm at a loss though as to how I can possibly renew, being in the UK, until the information and corresponding order boxes on my account show the correct information, as despite pointing out the problem (just over 14 days ago) my account still shows this muddled set of renewal options.

Any ideas?

Beverley

Sewing machines - advice needed

ShannonR — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:03:57 GMT

Not sure this is the right area to post this but I'm looking for advice or experience with sewing machines. My machine is a singer and is lightweight and doesn't do the quilting part very well. It pieces fine, just not quilts - moves too much.

I'm looking at a Janome 7330 maybe but not sure.

Sooo, What do you use and why? Do you have issues with it? I don't need to spend a lot of money on one so looking for less than $400 for now if possible.

Re: Inspiration

firedancer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:18:37 GMT

I just picked up the Holiday Edition for this year. As always a treasure chest of ideas.

I'm going to try to do two table runners as gifts, and the printed ornaments would be great for co workers.

Thanks for another great holiday edition.

Carrole