DebbieWendt's Blog

Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on May 19, 2015 by debbiewendt

Home again! And look at what greeted me! I’m so pleased I get to see full bloom!

Spring Market was wonderful. Great seeing old and new friends in the quilting industry! I got the opportunity to see Patricia Cox of “One of a Kind Designs” (one of my mentors!). You can find her gorgeous appliqué patterns on her website http://www.patriciacox.net.

Let me show you around my booth.

Wendt Quilting booth #1807 Spring Quilt Market

I was under the sea with my new Snuggle Tails! Mermaids and Whale/dolphins. They created quite a SPLASH!! As did the pool noodle coral! Thanks to pinterest for the inspiration and “Scholastic” for the instructions for the coral. I do believe you will see them in several quilt shops this summer. 🙂

Wendt Quilting

The most asked question…”How did you come up with the idea?” Answer: My sister-in-law, Barb, posted a photo of a baby in a crochet tail and said I ought to do something with my tool, and the challenge was on! I created the braid bodies to start, then tried plain fabric for simplicity and a friend, Sue Pelland of Sue Pelland Designs suggested making the clamshells with her new “Hearts and More” templates after seeing the clamshell quilting on the pieced version. After a little brainstorming with my friend, Elisa, to name them and beaming approval from her 9 year old daughter!……Voila! Snuggle Tails!

Great fun for kids of ALL ages! Look for the new patterns on my website in the next couple days.

And HUGE thanks to some willing participants who posed for photo opps in the tails!

Wendt Quilting
Snuggle Tails

Several of the tails have Minkee lining. While others have fleece and flannel. When working with Minkee (also spelled Minky) or Cuddle fabric, it sheds when cut.
#1- cut your pieces and take outside and shake your pieces and rub your hand along the cut edges to get rid of the extra fibers.

Did you know I also have free downloadable patterns on my website? #2- check out my free patterns on http://www.wendtquilting.com

In quilting,
Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Traveling Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on May 13, 2015 by debbiewendt

On the road again! Heading to Spring Market in Minneapolis, MN. I am thrilled to be traveling with two other designers, Carol McLeod of Aunties Two and Kris Poor of Poorhouse Quilt Designs. They both have amazing patterns with clever unique shapes! Check out their websites, http://www.auntiestwo.com and http://www.poorhousequiltdesigns.com.

I am very excited to show you what I brought in my bins…..my new patterns for

Snuggle Tails!

Mermaids! This is the pieced version. One of three versions in the pattern.

Snuggle Tails~Mermaid

and Whale/Dolphin

Snuggle Tails-Whale/Dolphin

A snuggle bag of fun for relaxing!

I’ll post more photos of the patterns in the next few days. They will be posted to the website very soon!

With all the excitement of Market my brain has been on overload with making lists and checking them ten times.

I will end with tips to speed up the process and keep your body moving.

#1 – Use a serger for piecing! You will use more thread with the overlock stitch but it is nice to sew seams very fast!

#2- take breaks when spending hours at your machine. Get up, move around and drink plenty of water. Give your eyes a break and stretch those muscles!

more very soon 😉

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on May 5, 2015 by debbiewendt

I love getting exciting things in the mail! Look what came over the weekend…

I am the guest contributor for “Fresh Ideas” quilting section in ON TRACK! for IMQA’s magazine. (International Machine Quilters Association). I was given a quilt image designed by Pat Harrison and asked to give quilting ideas for the quilt. Pat did a quick Jelly Roll quilt and added circles. Oh, the possibilities! I won’t “tell all” but my first idea was bouncing balls, so I turned the circles into basketballs with inspirational words in the background. I like doing non-gender themes….it doesn’t always have to be feathers and flowers…..ya know boys like quilts too! I also saw the solar system. I had fun putting my thoughts on paper.

I have talked about quilting ideas and inspiration in previous posts. This brought it full circle with putting ideas on paper and now to have my quilting ideas published!!

There must be a tip in there somewhere….?!?

#1 – Put your quilting ideas on paper! A pencil line and a photo copy of your ideas is much easier to change than ripping out stitches. <grin>

Next week is Spring Quilt Market!! I am knee deep in samples and computer work for my three new patterns! I gave you a sneak peak at the corner of one of the quilts several weeks ago. Now the big reveal of the cover photo….

Brilliant Braid

I am so thrilled with this unique braid quilt! It is like an original braid quilt with color variations. It is usually called a Prairie Braid. I have turned it into a Brilliant Bindings pattern! And given it the name Brilliant Braid !! It has two very unique looks using the exact same layout. It is all about where you put like colors. These quilts use 2 1/2″ strips!! for the main body of the quilt. Look for the pattern on my website next week and request it in your local quilt shop! I love supporting my local shops and hope you do too!

The other two patterns will join this one and make their splash at Market! Stay tuned next week for their big reveal.

Did you know that quilt shops are happy to special order items for you? (Now, fabric is tougher to special order and might not be do-able). BUT, how amazing to support your shop and get exactly what you are looking for. AND, I bet they would like to hear the classes/ techniques you and your friends are interested in. I know many (MOST) are gearing up for this year’s Row by Row H2O!

#2 – Support your local Quilt Shops! Shop often!

We need to keep them and they need our support! Yes, I have added a lot of exclamation points. This industry is thriving and with every quilter’s support we can keep it going!

~ in quilting

Debbie……Wendt Quilting

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on April 29, 2015 by debbiewendt

330 miles round trip to Freeport, Maine with an amazing Quiltport event + 2590 miles round trip to Paducah, KY for AQS Quilt Week with a vendor booth, teaching 4 classes and 2 All-Star Reviews… I’m one tired, thrilled girl! I met wonderful quilters everywhere I turned! And SUPER students with enthusiasm!

Below are from my Twirl-A-Tool class. Everyone left with a block or two!

Twirl-A-Tool class
Paducah 2015

With NO “mistakes” only design opportunities! Cutting right side up or upside down, did you know you can make a TWIRL spin in the opposite direction.

Twirl-A-Tool class
Paducah 2015

Everyone benefited from accurate cutting and how to best use a square ruler. Tip for squaring…

#1- Place the 1″/1″ corner in the top right corner if you are right handed and top left if you are left handed. This allows you to make your first cut along the zero edge.

Taking/teaching a class is great! We make up new names for techniques, help each other decide color choices, and

#2 – chocolate, at just the right moment, solves many quilting dilemmas!

~ in quilting

Debbie……Wendt Quilting

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Two Tip Tuesday on Wednesday

Posted on April 15, 2015 by debbiewendt

I hope you find my tips late this week. I’m in the throws of getting prepared for Quiltport in Maine and AQS Quilt Week in Paducah. These shows are back to back with a LOT of miles between the two. Sooooo….A lot of prep is happening at Wendt Quilting!

I’m the featured “star” for Quiltport USA! I’ll be vending on Friday and speaking that evening to their attendees. The vendor area is open to the public from 9-5. It is at the Hilton Garden in Freeport, Maine. If you are local, come on by!

My talk is on my JOURNEY as a quilter. Looking back on the almost 30 years I have been quilting, I think about all the amazing quilters I have met and taught. I sure miss my weekly quilt group in Maadi. All you “Quilters in deNile”, you will be with me in spirit during my presentation! And I’m not excluding my quilting buddies I’ve met along my path, I carry you in my heart. Your advice, mentoring and encouragement have brought me to where I am today! My tip in this…

#1 – Thank a quilter who has taught or encouraged you!

Leslie, Chris, Jo, Diana, Valeria, Debbie, Barbara and Pat, THANK YOU!! And the many others I didn’t name, thank you!!!

After last week’s tip, a quilter from my guild stopped me at a quilt show and said she was so excited to find Quilt It on Amazon and ordered it! I am very touched you ALL have read my tips!

In collecting all my samples to take to Paducah, I ask some of my students if I could borrow their quilts they made during a couple of my classes. I’ve talked about how different colors really change the look of a quilt. But look at these two!! Different colors PLUS a turn of the block for a different layout! My Toolin’ Around, then Jane’s and Faye’s. I love the variety of this unique pattern!

Toolin’ Around ~ Wendt Quilting

Toolin’ Around ~ Jane M.

Toolin’ Around ~ Faye P.

#2 – Turn your blocks for different looks for your quilt.

in quilting,

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on April 7, 2015 by debbiewendt

The quilt I posted last week is almost done! Picking thread is part of the finishing process. So is choosing the quilting design. There are many considerations. Do you want the quilting and thread to be the focus of the quilt or blend? The picture below is how I audition threads. Lay them over the fabrics to help make the decision.

#1 -Pick the color based on what you want for the quilt, focus or blend?

yellow – stands out

pink – blends on some colors

blue – blends over most colors

Now, for the quilting. The quilt I’m working on is a sample and cover quilt for a new pattern. It does not need heirloom quilting. It needs quilting to keep it together, be pleasing, and highlight the piecing. The quilt is about the piecing, not the quilting. Every quilt has different questions/parameters to consider!

#2 – Choose quilting designs based on your choice of highlighting your piecing or the quilting.

My absolute favorite book when it comes to quilting a quilt is “Quilt It” by Barbara Chainey. It is out of print, but if you can find it, get it!

in quilting,

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on March 31, 2015 by debbiewendt

I have 20 minutes left of this wonderful day, just enough time to get a couple tips posted! It is my birthday and I’ve been playing all day!
So, what happens when you have some amazing fabric, but not quite enough to make it the size you want? How about extra borders? That is exactly what I did with my latest creation. It is going to be a new pattern, but here is a sneak peek…

Who said all sides have to be the same? Not I!

tip #1 – Add extra borders where you need them! Sometimes the top and bottom get an extra border or two!

I personally think you get more creative quilts when you have to improvise! I’ll show the rest of the quilt next month. Be sure to check back to see the entire quilt.

….and how about the backing? Do you use one solid piece or a variety of fabrics?

I’ve always liked pieced backs. I have started using as much of my “good” front of the quilt fabric leftovers for the back. Don’t put it back in your stash for another day. Use it up! Then….

tip #2 – use up your fabric, so you can go buy MORE fabric!

happy day

in quilting,

Debbie. ~ Wendt Quilting

Posted in Tips, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on March 24, 2015 by debbiewendt

Ahh, the sun! It is melting the snow! I was away for a week and came back to 1 foot less snow. Still over 4 feet in some piles. See the difference a month and warmer sunny days makes!

Feb. 20, 2015

March 24, 2015

I spent a few hours this weekend deciding on and making a guild challenge. Since I am the Challenge Chair, I decided I better follow through. I used the Egyptian Treasure fat quarter collection by Andover that I picked up at Fall Market. Love these colors! And love the designs! Of course, I’m a nut for anything Egyptian.

My guild’s Challenge is “Half-Square Heyday”. I teach a class of the same name! I just love all the possibilities of half squares!! I Cut the 14 FQs into 9″ squares, drew a line down the middle of the lighter ones, put two squares RST and began sewing a quarter inch on each side of the line. My featherweight loves to eat the first couple threads of a seam every now and then so I always start with a leader/ender (starter/stopper). This secures the first couple stitches in fabric and I chain piece from there. Try it!

Starter/Stopper

Starter with half square

#1 – Use a starter piece of fabric to begin a line of stitching.

Stopper becomes Starter

Once your are finished with your chain of sewing, end with another piece and you are ready to start again.

56 squares stitched, cut and pressed in just two hours! Now, 56 half squares ready to arrange into a 7 x 8 quilt. I trimmed them up to 8 1/2″ as they go together so much easier if ALL the same size. I didn’t used to square up half squares, but I do now!

#2- Square up blocks for ease of construction!

Another hour of sewing and my quilt top is DONE! A sneak peek (shhh, don’t tell any of the Blackstone Valley Heritage Quilters…the reveal is in May). The large blocks made for fast work!

Egyptian Half-Square Heyday

The white paper in the top left corner has the top size. If I don’t write it down, I’ll remeasure it umpteen times. I actually prepared the back so it is ready for my Longarm!!

in quilting,

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

Posted in Half-squares, Tips, Uncategorized | Tagged Half-squares, square up, tips | Leave a comment

Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on March 17, 2015 by debbiewendt

Last week I shared a few of the blocks my students made in the Twirl-A-Tool workshop. This week I thought I would share a few of the “ah ha” moments and tips they found helpful.

Twirl-A-Tool uses half-square triangles in a couple areas of the block. One square is cut 5 1/4″ and the other 5″, then cut diagonally once. You can see how these will be very similar in size. I had all my half-squares in separate clear zip bags. Part of the way through piecing a block several understood why I had them separated. A couple of people had used the wrong size. Good to have a seam ripper as a friend!

#1 – Label pieces! Especially when they are similar in size.

A second good use of a seam ripper is to open up seams. The twirl block has eight seams that come together in the center of the block. By opening up a couple stitches in the middle, you can manipulate the seams into a spiral. This will distribute the seam allowances and help the seams lay flatter in the block.

#2 – Manipulate seam allowances to distribute thickness of seams.

Center seam pinwheel

I’m really looking forward to seeing my student’s finished Twirl-A-Tool quilts! I’ll be sure to share them with you as soon as they share them with me. (how about that for pressure?!)

in quilting,

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on March 10, 2015 by debbiewendt

I missed last week. I apologize. I had been at another getaway and was playing catchup. Tuesday came and went. But I’m back today! At the getaway it was fun to focus on sewing for myself rather than the business. Don’t get me wrong, I love all things sewing and quilting. I spent a lot of time this past week at the Longarm, which leads to a tip on batting. If you have an all white background on your quilt, do you use cream or white batting? I’ve used both. The photo below shows the comparison.

#1 – Use white batting to keep white fabric WHITE.

Twirl-A-Tool

I taught for one of my guilds(Blackstone Valley Heritage Quilters) the new Twirl-A-Tool pattern. I love seeing all the fabric choices students bring to class! The first photo at the right is the pattern cover quilt and then look at some of the fabrics my students brought to class!

#2- give different color combinations a try!

Twirl-A-Tool
Marian K.

Twirl-A-Tool
Sue L.

Twirl-A-Tool
Cathy F.

Twirl-A-Tool
Jane M.

In quilting,

Debbie. ~ Wendt Quilting

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