TWO TIP TUESDAY

Posted on December 16, 2014 by debbiewendt

I’m in the throws of customer quilts before the holidays.  Which plays into the age old question, “are you ready?”  I’m always “ready”for Christmas because I enjoy and cherish the time I spend with family and friends.  But, being “ready” doesn’t always mean having everything done!  This year I am not a bit stressed about it.  I am totally focused on the people in my life!

I took a break on Saturday and took a Zentangle class from a dear friend, Elisa Murphy a Certified Zentangle Teacher.  Her business is called Elisa’s Now and Zen.  The ornament I tangled is shown below.  The class was held at Artworks Studio in Hopedale, MA.  Check out the awesomeness of both these sights.

imageI enjoy how Zentangle and quilting play so well together with designs and repetition of patterns!  Take time to see what is around you and expanding your creative side (even if it is in another medium).  The simple repetitive curves in the middle of the ornament have been used in quilting for ages.  I used that curve, called a pumpkin seed in quilting, in the latest quilt I quilted.

imageThe tips I would like for you to take away…

#1 – Take time to enjoy the process.

#2 – Use simple designs, such as a curve to enhance your quilting.

feeling blessed!

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

 

 

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TWO TIP TUESDAY

Posted on December 9, 2014 by debbiewendt

Are you a member of a quilt guild? I’m a member of several! Why do I ask? I think joining a guild can expand your knowledge of quilting and a great way to meet like minded people! And most guilds have workshops. (Don’t forget you local quilt shops for workshops/classes!) Even as a teacher, I still take classes. I like hanging out with my quilting friends and there is always something I can take away from class. One of the local guilds I belong to held a workshop last Saturday with Linda Warren using her “The Learning Curve” ruler. OH MY! What an awesome tool! Linda’s website is www.LindaWarrenDesigns.com. I bring up workshops, classes and tools because there are many different way to get to the same end in quilting. Find the way that best suits YOUR thought process! There you have tip #1!

Tip #1 – Use the quilting method that best suites YOU!

Linda’s class was all about curved piecing. Sure, we could cut our shapes the exact size and sew them together but that can be challenging to end up with everything the same size. Linda has you cut larger pieces and use her brilliant tool to cut every finished piece the SAME! See some of the border ideas we played with in class are below. Thanks Linda!

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One of my philosophies is to use tools suited for the job. As an example, don’t cut a 2 1/2″ square with a 6″ x 24″ ruler. Sure, use the larger ruler to cut strips but go to a smaller ruler to sub cut. Tool designers make tools to make things easier! That is why I designed Brilliant Bindings. I took all the lines from a “regular” ruler that I use for bindings and put it in one place!

Tip #2 – Use the best tool for the job at hand.

Enjoy finding new tools (or new tools to you). You can find Brilliant Bindings on my website, www.wendtquilting.com. Be sure to go to “Free Patterns” for the Brilliant Ribbon Pillow using the Brilliant Bindings tool as a the template.

Brilliant Ribbon Pillows

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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TWO TIP TUESDAY

Posted on December 2, 2014 by debbiewendt

Hello and welcome back!  I took a break last week since I was visiting family in sunny Florida.

This weeks tips focus on handwork.  I LOVE handwork but rarely S L O W down to do any.  I have made a commitment to myself to take the time and work on what I enjoy.  Hand piecing is how I started quilting 30+ years ago.  I still love it.  I love that it is portable!  I can grab a small bag of pieces, needle, thread and small scissors and be on my way.  It helps pass the time (especially while traveling) and I love sitting outside (my view last week!)

imageI will be teaching a hand piecing class for AQS Quilt Week in Albuquerque in January!  Look for “Stitch it Slow – Handwork on the Go”. GO sign up HERE as classes are filling up.  I will also be teaching “Hexies and Honeycombs”!  Specifically, flower garden blocks and the wonderful Lucy Boston blocks from Patchwork of the Crosses.  Both classes are all handwork!  Take a break and join me in Albuquerque!!  This brings me to the two tips I want to share today.

#1 –  NEEDLE the thread as opposed to threading the needle.

Let me explain…when using a needle and thread it is easier to hold the thread stationary between two fingers and with the needle in the other hand, place the eye of the needle over the thread and it slides right in.  (Remember the eye of a needle is punched into the metal.  If the thread has resistance, turn the needle around and try the other side of the eye.)

image#2 – Pack your “to GO” box with all the bits for one project.

Below you will see my mini flower garden project in a plastic snap lid box I found in the bead box section at a chain store.  It holds my small scissors, needle, spool of thread, cut fabric pieces and 1/2″ hexies.

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Give it a go!  Find a handwork project and take a break from the fast pace world.

Debbie  ~  Wendt Quilting

 

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on November 18, 2014 by debbiewendt

Wow! That week went fast. Thanks for stopping by for another TWO TIP TUESDAY! This week I want to share a bit about piecing. For me, there are things I automatically do when piecing that I don’t even think about anymore. How to line up fabric is one of those.

#1 I place my pieces one on top of the other so I can see just a peek of the underneath edge. The left photo below show an over exaggeration of seeing the bottom fabric. The right photo is how I actually sew it.
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You may ask why…many times I have have seen seams that have not gotten caught. I longarm quilt for customers and this happens a lot on long border seams. By double checking when you sew, you know both layers are caught in the seam line!

Next, I’ll continue with sewing seams. This time sewing a triangle to a straight edge.

#2 Draw your 1/4″ seam line on the wrong side of your fabric before you sew. This allows you to see exactly where the seam line needs to cross the underneath piece. I call this the inside corner point.  By making sure the line is at the “corner”, the pieces will have a smooth transition.

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~ Debbie

 

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Two Tip Tuesday

Posted on November 11, 2014 by debbiewendt

Welcome back!  I’m excited and invite you to join me on a new segment on my blog.  As the title says, I will share TWO TIPS every Tuesday.   It will be a quick look into what I’ve used, collected and shared in my quilting journey.   I look forward to seeing you every Tuesday.

My all time favorite tip comes from my dad.  He is an engineer and taught my sister and brother and I how to work with wood, hammer, nails and the lot!  In helping build the family lake cabin (really a HOUSE!), we all spent hours carrying wood, hammering nails, spotting cuts, holding boards in place…you get the idea!  The advice is….Measure twice, cut once!  As his story goes, I cut it… and cut it again… and it is still too short!

#1 – Pre plan before cutting.  This gets the most from your fabric and saves mis-cuts.

#2 – Before making a cut, tap the edge of your ruler with your rotary blade to be sure you are not on top of it.  Saves taking a chunk out of the edge!

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Notion Commotion Winners

Posted on July 18, 2014 by debbiewendt

NotionCommotion1It has been fun getting to know more about the designers and notions in the COMMOTION!

Thank you to all who hopped along!  For those who participated, congrats on welcoming some great quilting tips into your repertoire of notions.  It was fun creating some commotion with notions!

It is Friday, are you ready for my winners?

Ready for the draw.

Ready for the picking.

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Blog post- Janet Frank

Longarm quilter – Karen Martin

Newsletter sign-up – Jamie Todhunter

CONGRATULATIONS!  I will be contacting the winners by e-mail later today.

See you again in blog-land and quilt-world!

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Notion Commotion – #10

Posted on July 17, 2014 by debbiewendt

Are you all hopped out??? NEVER, is my answer.  I’m a bit behind but join our last blog hopper for the final Notion Commotion presented by Southwind Designs.

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Notion Commotion #9

Posted on July 15, 2014 by debbiewendt

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Happy to share with you today’s Notion Commotion! Welcome to a pair of talented ladies known as the Swirly Girls. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan and Christine at the first CABS put on by IAPQ. These two quilters are a joy to be around and it is fun seeing their amazing fabric lines and patterns. Pop on over to see their swirling commotion at Swirly Girls Designs!

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Notion Commotion – #8

Posted on July 10, 2014 by debbiewendt

NotionCommotion1
Back again…and so glad you joined me/us! Today’s Notion Commotion can be found at Plum Tree Quilts.

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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Notion Commotion – #7

Posted on July 8, 2014 by debbiewendt

NotionCommotion1
Looking for the commotion? Hop on over to Perkins Dry Goods and join Celine for the 7th notion in our Notion Commotion.

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

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