"Up in Charms"
Closed 4/20 for Easter
Perfect quilts “There are no Quilt Police.” “You won’t be able to see it from 20 feet.” “Quilting is creative so you don’t have to be perfect.” Well, my brain doesn’t work that way! I want it to be perfect. So how do I stay on the path to this self-imposed (but not yet attained) perfection? I take my time and I have a process. If imperfection drives you crazy, here are some basic tips that hopefully will make your project more enjoyable: Slow down—awesome takes time. Often when we’ve selected our pr oject and picked the PERFECT fabr ic, we can’t wait to get started. Step back...breathe...plan: Read the pattern all the way through BEFORE you do anything. Walk through the project in your head to make sure you understand the author’s plans (and check on the internet to see if there are any pattern corrections). Take the time to make sure you have all your supplies BEFORE you start...it will save you time in the long run. Know your tools. Depending on your pr oject, your sewing machine is your most impor tant tool. When making quilt blocks, take the time to ensure you’re sewing a scant 1/4-inch seam. Take two layers of scrap fabric and the thread you intend to use in your project. Set your stitch length to the desired setting. Sew what you believe is a 1/4-inch seam. Now measure it. Place your clear acrylic ruler over your sample, aligning the edge of the ruler with the raw edge of your sample. Where is the stitching? If it’s beyond the 1/4-inch line...your seam is too wide and this will throw off every unit you make (they’ll all be too small). If the stitching is exactly under the 1/4-inch line, then you might be able to press & stretch to make sure each sewn unit ends up the correct size. Better yet, the stitching should be just inside the 1/4-inch line...this is the ‘scant’ part. Measure as you go. It’s a lot easier to make a cor r ection or “squar e up” individual units r ather than waiting until you have the entire block together. While a few pattern authors provide individual unit measurements, most do not. So learn to do the math. The finished size of each cut piece will always be 1/2” smaller than the cut size. You use up 1/4” on each side of the piece for the seam allowance, so measure after you’ve sewn to make sure your piece is the proper size. For example, if you’re cutting 2 1/2” strips, the finished size of that strip will be 2”. If it’s not, figure out why. Did you cut it wrong? Is your seam not a scant 1/4-inch? Figure it out now so you’re not pulling your hair out later. When you read through your pattern before you start (see the first tip above), it’s a good time to do the math and jot down the finished unit sizes so you can just double check them as you sew. Measure all your completed blocks before you do the final block squaring. You’ll need to figure out what your smallest block is and square to that size (unless you’ve figured out how to square up and make it bigger). Remember, it’s homemade. It’s o.k. for it to look like you made it. If you wanted it to look like it came fr om a store, you’d just go buy something...so RELAX! Perfection is probably overrated.
"Up in Charms"
Northern California's 15th Annual Shop Hop April 9-13, 2014 www.quiltrush.org
Classes Night Before Christmas—Row of the Month Instructor: Patti Hadrava Apr 19th, 3rd Saturday, 5 months, 2 session times available $75 + book A 5-month row of the month from the Christmas Is Coming book (applique & piecing). April 19th, May 17th, July 19th, August 16th, September 20th Morning session: 10:00am-1:00pm / Afternoon session: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Butterfly Town April 27th (Sunday), 10:00am-4:00pm
Instructor: Jane Quiring
$35 + pattern
Learn to make this fun quilt on one of three sizes. Let Jane show you how easy it can be. Pattern details: Baby: 44in sq. Lap: 44in x 57in & Bed: 57in x 83in Large easy-to-piece blocks made from strips, squares & rectangles. Choose large scale prints for upper wings & medium to small scale prints for lower wings; a darker contrasting print for the body & cornerstones.
Other happenings—April & May First Saturday Sampler Group 1s t Sat u r d ay, 9: 00am -10:00am—Apr 5th & May 3rd Doors open at 8:45am. Pictures of this month’s blocks available on the website by Sunday.
FSS Sew Day 2n d Th u r s d ay, 10: 00am -8:00pm—Apr 17th* & May 8th The 2nd Thursday of each month has been set aside just for working on your FSS blocks—either piecing or appliqué. Coordinate with your friends and make it a social outing. (*3rd Thursday in A pril because of Quilt Rush.)
Modern Quilt Group 4t h Tu es d ay, 5: 30p m -7:30pm—Apr 22nd & May 27th A free gathering for quilters that like anything modern. The evening’s program starts at 6:00pm followed by show-ntell. For more info, contact Annette Blandin at [email protected].
Open Sew 1s t & 4t h Tu es d ays , 10: 30am -4:30pm—Apr 1st & 22nd, May 6th & 27th The classroom is available for you to work on your projects. Need to baste a quilt? We’ll push tables together so you don’t have to get down on the floor. Bring a friend—it’s more fun to sew with a buddy. Want to sew on a different day? Call the shop to see if the classroom is available.
Pillowcase workshop 1s t Sat u r d ay, 12: 00p m -4:00pm—Apr 5th & May 3rd The 1st Saturday afternoon of each month is set aside to make pillowcases for donating to Not Just a Case...a Woodland group that donates pillowcases to Yolo County foster children. For more info, contact Trina Camping at [email protected] or Ashley Logins–Miller at [email protected].
The Applique Society (TAS) 1s t Th u r s d ay, 5: 00p m -7:30pm—Apr 3rd & May 1st Like to appliqué? Interested in adding this skill to your repertoire? Come check us out. All types of appliqué are welcome. Bring a project to work on and something for show-n-tell. We have a light potluck...so feel free to bring some goodies to share, but it’s not required. For more info, contact Jennifer Woo at [email protected].
Visit our website throughout the month for calendar updates.
Classes Waste Knot Instructor: Pattie Macy May 10 (Saturday), 10:30am-4:30pm $35
This one is great for batiks. Join Pattie in making this beautiful quilt.
Charms on Point May 18th (Sunday), 10:30am-4:30pm
Instructor: Pattie Macy
$35 + ruler
Learn how to place blocks on point using Little Foot’s Setting Triangle ruler that makes it so much simpler.
Flying Geese Jacket Instructor: Jeanne Powell May 24th & 25th (Saturday & Sunday), 10:30am-3:30pm $55 + ruler Spruce up you favorite jacket pattern with geese flying all around.
Quick Quarter Quilts May 31st (Saturday), 10:30am-4:30pm
Instructor: Patti Hadrava
$35 + book
Winters Outdoor Quilt Festival (Display/sell) Saturday, June 21, 2014, Registration due by June 1st. Show the rest of the world your talents.
Like to plan ahead? What’s In Your Bag? (Val er i e Pr i c e) June 1st, 12:00pm-4:00pm $25+pattern
TAKE A CLASS
Abbey Bag (Patti Hadrava) June 28th, 10:30am-4:30pm $35+pattern I Spy with a Twist (Pattii Macy) June 29th, 10:30am-4:30pm $35+pattern
Free Wi-Fi in the shop… just ask and we’ ll provide the login credentials.
New Fabrics & Inspiration
“Painters Canvas” (Michael Miller)
“Unity” by Leslie Mark Designs (Clothworks)
“Retromobilia” (Clothwor ks)
“Tangier” by Sue Zipkin (Clothworks)
“Daydreams” by Kate Spain (Moda)
“Sphere” (Moda)
Facebook.com/ClothCarousel
“Seascape” by Punch Studio (Hoffman)
Perfect quilts “There are no Quilt Police.” “You won’t be able to see it from 20 feet.” “Quilting is creative so you don’t have to be perfect.” Well, my brain doesn’t work that way! I want it to be perfect. So how do I stay on the path to this self-imposed (but not yet attained) perfection? I take my time and I have a process. If imperfection drives you crazy, here are some basic tips that hopefully will make your project more enjoyable: Slow down—awesome takes time. Often when we’ve selected our pr oject and picked the PERFECT fabr ic, we can’t wait to get started. Step back...breathe...plan: Read the pattern all the way through BEFORE you do anything. Walk through the project in your head to make sure you understand the author’s plans (and check on the internet to see if there are any pattern corrections). Take the time to make sure you have all your supplies BEFORE you start...it will save you time in the long run. Know your tools. Depending on your pr oject, your sewing machine is your most impor tant tool. When making quilt blocks, take the time to ensure you’re sewing a scant 1/4-inch seam. Take two layers of scrap fabric and the thread you intend to use in your project. Set your stitch length to the desired setting. Sew what you believe is a 1/4-inch seam. Now measure it. Place your clear acrylic ruler over your sample, aligning the edge of the ruler with the raw edge of your sample. Where is the stitching? If it’s beyond the 1/4-inch line...your seam is too wide and this will throw off every unit you make (they’ll all be too small). If the stitching is exactly under the 1/4-inch line, then you might be able to press & stretch to make sure each sewn unit ends up the correct size. Better yet, the stitching should be just inside the 1/4-inch line...this is the ‘scant’ part. Measure as you go. It’s a lot easier to make a cor r ection or “squar e up” individual units r ather than waiting until you have the entire block together. While a few pattern authors provide individual unit measurements, most do not. So learn to do the math. The finished size of each cut piece will always be 1/2” smaller than the cut size. You use up 1/4” on each side of the piece for the seam allowance, so measure after you’ve sewn to make sure your piece is the proper size. For example, if you’re cutting 2 1/2” strips, the finished size of that strip will be 2”. If it’s not, figure out why. Did you cut it wrong? Is your seam not a scant 1/4-inch? Figure it out now so you’re not pulling your hair out later. When you read through your pattern before you start (see the first tip above), it’s a good time to do the math and jot down the finished unit sizes so you can just double check them as you sew. Measure all your completed blocks before you do the final block squaring. You’ll need to figure out what your smallest block is and square to that size (unless you’ve figured out how to square up and make it bigger). Remember, it’s homemade. It’s o.k. for it to look like you made it. If you wanted it to look like it came fr om a store, you’d just go buy something...so RELAX! Perfection is probably overrated.
"Up in Charms"
Northern California's 15th Annual Shop Hop April 9-13, 2014 www.quiltrush.org
Classes Night Before Christmas—Row of the Month Instructor: Patti Hadrava Apr 19th, 3rd Saturday, 5 months, 2 session times available $75 + book A 5-month row of the month from the Christmas Is Coming book (applique & piecing). April 19th, May 17th, July 19th, August 16th, September 20th Morning session: 10:00am-1:00pm / Afternoon session: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Butterfly Town April 27th (Sunday), 10:00am-4:00pm
Instructor: Jane Quiring
$35 + pattern
Learn to make this fun quilt on one of three sizes. Let Jane show you how easy it can be. Pattern details: Baby: 44in sq. Lap: 44in x 57in & Bed: 57in x 83in Large easy-to-piece blocks made from strips, squares & rectangles. Choose large scale prints for upper wings & medium to small scale prints for lower wings; a darker contrasting print for the body & cornerstones.
Other happenings—April & May First Saturday Sampler Group 1s t Sat u r d ay, 9: 00am -10:00am—Apr 5th & May 3rd Doors open at 8:45am. Pictures of this month’s blocks available on the website by Sunday.
FSS Sew Day 2n d Th u r s d ay, 10: 00am -8:00pm—Apr 17th* & May 8th The 2nd Thursday of each month has been set aside just for working on your FSS blocks—either piecing or appliqué. Coordinate with your friends and make it a social outing. (*3rd Thursday in A pril because of Quilt Rush.)
Modern Quilt Group 4t h Tu es d ay, 5: 30p m -7:30pm—Apr 22nd & May 27th A free gathering for quilters that like anything modern. The evening’s program starts at 6:00pm followed by show-ntell. For more info, contact Annette Blandin at [email protected].
Open Sew 1s t & 4t h Tu es d ays , 10: 30am -4:30pm—Apr 1st & 22nd, May 6th & 27th The classroom is available for you to work on your projects. Need to baste a quilt? We’ll push tables together so you don’t have to get down on the floor. Bring a friend—it’s more fun to sew with a buddy. Want to sew on a different day? Call the shop to see if the classroom is available.
Pillowcase workshop 1s t Sat u r d ay, 12: 00p m -4:00pm—Apr 5th & May 3rd The 1st Saturday afternoon of each month is set aside to make pillowcases for donating to Not Just a Case...a Woodland group that donates pillowcases to Yolo County foster children. For more info, contact Trina Camping at [email protected] or Ashley Logins–Miller at [email protected].
The Applique Society (TAS) 1s t Th u r s d ay, 5: 00p m -7:30pm—Apr 3rd & May 1st Like to appliqué? Interested in adding this skill to your repertoire? Come check us out. All types of appliqué are welcome. Bring a project to work on and something for show-n-tell. We have a light potluck...so feel free to bring some goodies to share, but it’s not required. For more info, contact Jennifer Woo at [email protected].
Visit our website throughout the month for calendar updates.
Classes Waste Knot Instructor: Pattie Macy May 10 (Saturday), 10:30am-4:30pm $35
This one is great for batiks. Join Pattie in making this beautiful quilt.
Charms on Point May 18th (Sunday), 10:30am-4:30pm
Instructor: Pattie Macy
$35 + ruler
Learn how to place blocks on point using Little Foot’s Setting Triangle ruler that makes it so much simpler.
Flying Geese Jacket Instructor: Jeanne Powell May 24th & 25th (Saturday & Sunday), 10:30am-3:30pm $55 + ruler Spruce up you favorite jacket pattern with geese flying all around.
Quick Quarter Quilts May 31st (Saturday), 10:30am-4:30pm
Instructor: Patti Hadrava
$35 + book
Winters Outdoor Quilt Festival (Display/sell) Saturday, June 21, 2014, Registration due by June 1st. Show the rest of the world your talents.
Like to plan ahead? What’s In Your Bag? (Val er i e Pr i c e) June 1st, 12:00pm-4:00pm $25+pattern
TAKE A CLASS
Abbey Bag (Patti Hadrava) June 28th, 10:30am-4:30pm $35+pattern I Spy with a Twist (Pattii Macy) June 29th, 10:30am-4:30pm $35+pattern
Free Wi-Fi in the shop… just ask and we’ ll provide the login credentials.
New Fabrics & Inspiration
“Painters Canvas” (Michael Miller)
“Unity” by Leslie Mark Designs (Clothworks)
“Retromobilia” (Clothwor ks)
“Tangier” by Sue Zipkin (Clothworks)
“Daydreams” by Kate Spain (Moda)
“Sphere” (Moda)
Facebook.com/ClothCarousel
“Seascape” by Punch Studio (Hoffman)
