Two Tip Tuesday – Sleeve for Hanging a Show Quilt

Posted on February 7, 2024 by debbiewendt

The Thimble Pleasures quilt Show is just over a month away. We are finishing up quilts, quilting, adding labels and sleeves. Plus we are continuing to make items for our Special Project (donations to be given to the Doug Flute Jr. Foundation for Autism). We have a Raffle Quilt, a Boutique of gently used and newly made quilting items, a Silent Auction and Raffle Baskets. We will have a room full of local vendors and even a spot to grab a quick snack. The show is March 16 & 17 at BVT (Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational High School) in Upton, MA. 10-4 each day. With all of this preparation, lets talk about adding a sleeve to a show quilt.

There are many ways to hang a quilt. In a quilt show, a sleeve is required. Most quilts are hung by a rod from “show poles”. These rods are fed through a sleeve on the back of the quilt. You can google different ways to add a sleeve to your quilts, but I will share one way that one of our members has been adding sleeves to her quilts for years. My friend Michelle C. re-uses her sleeves from show to show. Once the show is over, she removes the sleeve if the quilt is a bed quilt.

First she has her sleeves labeled with the size. Smart idea to keep track!

Second, she may need to adapt the sleeve if it is not a perfect fit. Her sleeves are extra wide because she uses a top border seam as her guide to attach her sleeve by machine with monofilament thread! Brilliant!!

And now for Michelle’s process…

She adjusts the length of the sleeve (width of the quilt) if needed. Then she attaches the top of the sleeve just along the bottom edge of the binding. Sewing through all layers of the quilt with monofilament thread in the top and regular thread to match the sleeve in the bobbin. The line of stitching on the front of the quilt is shown below right along the machine sewn binding. She sews her bindings on like I do…stitching the binding onto the front of the quilt, turning the binding to the back and stitching in the ditch from the front to catch the back of the binding!! The monofilament thread of the sleeve stitching line is barely visible! The gray thread you see is the binding stitching line.

The quilt will hang better if there is a gap in the sleeve to allow for the space the pole takes up. After that gap (or tuck of about 1/2″ or so) she finds the top border seam and pins the sleeve in place. Then she sews the sleeve to the quilt from the front…stitching in the ditch of the border seam. Again, monofilament thread is used on the front and matching thread still in the bobbin. The first photo below is the top border seam with the sleeve stitched on. The second is showing what the stitching looks like from the back on the sleeve.

This particular quilt has a mitered border, so she carefully hand sews the sleeve with hand stitches across the mitered section to the edge of the quilt where the border seam meets the miter. Hand sewing shown below above my finger, while the machine stitching line is below my finger. Brilliant!!

The side edges of the sleeve are sewn by hand to keep the pole IN the sleeve NOT AGAINST THE QUILT!

I am so impressed by her sleeve technique and HAPPY she allowed me to share her technique with you! Now I need to get my sleeves on my show quilts! I hope you enjoyed all the tips she has used to attach her sleeves to her show quilt! (There are sure more than two tips this week!!) Her quilt will be at our Thimble Pleasures Quilt Show!!!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Remix Finish

Posted on January 31, 2024 by debbiewendt

I’m excited to share the Alabama Variation Block Remix FINISH! Monday was the big REVEAL of our Remixed blocks. Several made patterns of their remixes while others of us made a block. It was fun to completely change up this block using half hexies, triangles and diamonds instead of squares and rectangles. I plan on taking this block further and making a quilt and pattern. BUT, that is for another day/week/month.

Here is the Alabama Variation block from EQ8.

Here is my first and second thought of arranging the block. The only difference….. the first photo shows it pieced together vertically and the second is pieced horizontally. I put this on Instagram and FaceBook to get thoughts on which piecing direction was the favorite. I’ve gotten “votes” for both! I’d love to hear your thoughts on vertical or horizontal. (The photos did not come in as focused as they should, just to explain why the right is blurred.)

This brings me to my first tip…How about changing the orientation of a block? Easily done with hexies shapes. 

It will be fun to play further with this block! Stay turned for more on the Alabama Variation with hexies! I will be doing other Remix challenges, just not next month. Maybe March.

A share of a finished quilt top. Mary from Blackstone Valley quilt guild got her R-W-B- Boise quilt done. It is a wonderful tribute to breast cancer awareness. I’m so proud of her and her completed top! I love the two tones of pink. It adds so much variation with such a simple consistent change!!

Tip 2 is a simple change of color can also give a different look. See Mary’s quilt side by side with my original R-W-B (Red-White-Blue) Boise quilt shown below.

What will your next change or remix in a block or quilt?

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Shows – Remix – Results

Posted on January 23, 2024 by debbiewendt

Hello on this snowy day in MA. How the heck is the weather where you are? It has been a crazy winter in many places! I love my snow globe view today!

An update on Quilt Show news…. First up, the AQS Quilt Week in Daytona Beach. There are still a couple spots in my Done by Three and Oooh Hexie Baby classes. Hexie Flower Garden has a few more. The lectures, Bindings – A World of Options and Just One Stitch are open and a great way to spend and hour while attending the show! I hope you will join me in a class or lecture or in my booth!

The registration for Paducah opened up last week for AQS members. I’m happy to report that Done by Three is sold out. It is a good/bad problem to have. For those of you who wanted it and didn’t get it…keep your eyes peeled, sometimes there are student changes. My Bindings – A World of Options lecture is still available.

A THANK YOU!!! to the Chelmsford Quilt Guild. I did my Bindings – A World of Options lecture for them last night. I wished I would have taken a photo of their audience, a great large crowd!!

I received a photo of a finished workshop project. I love that Terry Donati of the Clamshell Quilt Guild finished her Pharaoh’s Messenger Bag. This is “in the style of” the Tentmaker’s Applique. She added a few leaves and vines….Well done Terry!!

My second Sneak Peek of the Alabama Variation Quilt Block Remix was posted yesterday. I’m being very sneaky and only showing bits at a time. The left photo below is the Alabama Variation block and the right is my last Sneak Peek. Looking forward to revealing my REMIX next week on Monday over on my Instagram page (debbiewendtquilting). I’ll show it here on the blog on Tuesday.

When I started writing this post I promised myself to keep it short. WELL, that didn’t happen. So I better move along to tips….

Do you procrastinate? I’m the worst or should I say best procrastinator? One of the things I have found helpful is work on something I LOVE! Tip #1 – When you love it, you will do it! Then it will be easier to do the difficult/required/awkward things you are not crazy about doing. In staying with the LOVE idea. Sew with friends! If I have a play date, or sit and sew, or Getaway to go to…. I find I get excited to work on something and stay focused. Therefore, I get results faster! One of my guilds is having a Sit & Sew on Saturday. I’m looking forward to spending a few hours chatting and sewing and meeting some new-ish members that I haven’t had time to get to know. Tip #2 – Sew with friends!!

in quilting,

Debbie

P.S. A HUGE shout out to all of my fellow CHIEFS fans!! Wow! What a game on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. And how about those Kelce brothers???….I love watching the Kelce family support each other!!!!!!

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Two Tip Tuesday – Twirl-A-Tool Workshop Results

Posted on January 17, 2024 by debbiewendt

Huge shoutout to the Lindsey Woolsey Guild and the students that took my Twirl-A-Tool Workshop on Saturday. It started as a wet yucky day and ended in sunshine. We had a lot of humming machines with great block results. I loved all the variety in background fabrics and different fabrics used for their “twirls”! I managed to remember to take some photos as they were packing up. I got at least one of each student’s blocks. Several got more done that were already put away! GREAT job ladies and thank you for a fun day!

On the show front, My Done by Three workshop in Daytona Beach at AQS Quilt Week has two unexpected openings! It HAD been FULL. So, if you wanted the class go grab one of the last two spots!!! There is still a few spots in Hexie Flower Garden and Oooh Hexie Baby. My lectures have openings, they are in big rooms.<grin> They are all packed with quilts, learning, laughs and fun. I hope you will join me! AND the Paducah Quilt Week class registration opened today for AQS members. I’ll be teaching Done by Three and giving my lecture on Bindings – A World of Options!

On the Remix front, I posted week 2 of the Alabama Variation. I’ve swapped squares and rectangles for triangles, diamonds and half hexies using my Hex-a-ma-jig Jr. and 2 1/2″ strips. I’m loving the results and the Remix!

And lastly from my sewing machine….In making the above block, I realized there was another clue that my seam line was in the correct spot. See the the little white triangle right before my needle in the photo below? That is the 1/4″ drop from the edge of the piece. Perfect to make sure the seam line is in the correct place! There was Tip #1 without me even realizing it.

I also had some Done by Three blocks in process and pulled them off my design wall to sew together. My friend Becky gave me these great letter pins to keep my rows in order. I love them! I had to confess that I had made some for myself last year. Mine are numbers, not letters. I like that the ones she made for me has MORE pins for more rows! I decided that for variety, I could start anywhere in the alphabet with Becky’s pins to keep my order correct! Fun to not always start at A-B-C-etc.! Tip #2 – Use number or letter pins to keep rows, blocks or column in order as you assemble your quilts. Note that my rows have been stacked and I laid them out so you could see my pins!

I have made some decorator Numbered Pins of my version with numbers (1-9 plus 0 – # – and a heart) for my guild’s upcoming quilt show. You will find them for sale in our Special Project area. 

At this year’s Thimble Pleasures’ Quilt Show we are featuring/donating to the Doug flute Foundation, an amazing group to help those with Autism. Autism is near and dear to my heart as we have watched some special people in our life grow, develop and succeed in life with the challenges they face every second of every day. 

The Thimble Pleasure’s Quilt Show is March 16-17, 2024 at Blackstone Valley Tech in Upton, MA. Mark you calendars!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – New Remix Challenge

Posted on January 10, 2024 by debbiewendt

This month brings a new Quilt Designer’s Remix Challenge. I did these a year or so ago and had fun thinking about a traditional quilt block and how to REMIX it. Each block challenge runs for four weeks, on Mondays. If you remember from before, or not…

Week 1 – Fabric Pull Week 2 – Sneak Peek 1 Week 3 – Sneak Peek 2 Week 4 – Reveal

We started yesterday over on Instagram with the first week. The block we are REMIXING is Alabama Variation. The photo below is the block from EQ8 (Electric Quilt 8). My fabric pull is the next photo. I had these fabrics left over from a block hop at Houston Festival in 2019. I have more of these fabrics and could possibly make kits, stay tuned!

My Instagram site is @debbiewendtquilting. I hope you will go follow me and keep watch for the other designers that is doing the Remix Challenge. I won’t be doing every month but will when I have time. 

Do you use a computer program for designing quilts? As I’ve mentioned in the past. I use EQ8. I’ve used EQ from the beginning. There are so many features and great ways to use the program. Tip #1 – Try a computer program for designing quilts. (or support a favorite designer who probably uses EQ8 or a similar program for design!)

As I mentioned, I had extra fabric kits left over from a shop hop at Quilt Festival. These are perfectly wonderful batik fabrics. Tip #2 – Dig into your stash! I bet you have some wonderful fabrics that would love to be made into a quilt or repurposed/remixed into a different quilt than the original intended purpose!

The AQS Quilt Week PADUCAH teachers have announced! I’m happy to be teaching again in Paducah. The registration will open for AQS members on Jan. 16th. I’m teaching a favorite, Done by Three!!

Speaking of shows, there is still time to sign up for classes in Daytona Beach for the AQS Quilt Week in February. It will be nice to be in sunny Florida!

And just because…

One of my SNOW photos from our first big snow of 2024!! Those colors would make a beautiful quilt!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – New Year!

Posted on January 2, 2024 by debbiewendt

I’m not sure why the baby quilt photo did not attach last week. Probably because I had all kinds of connection problems with where we were staying in Florida. So, here it is….hopefully!!

As I said last week, the binding is a bit wavy. That will straighten out when washed and dried! I promise. I am good at pulling the binding when machine sewing when I am in a hurry. Tip #1 Slow Down!!! Taking my own advice here!

Happy New Year! Are you ready for 2024? It just doesn’t seem possible we are making our way into another year. Do you have quilts planned? Any resolutions? Any trips planned? Any retreats? Any quilt shows planned? I’ll be in Daytona Beach in February for the AQS Quilt Week. I’m teaching 3 classes and 2 lectures, PLUS having my booth! It will be a busy week and I’m looking forward to it! You can register for my classes at the AQS website. The direct link for my classes are on my bio page HERE. The photo below is from my “Just One Stitch” lecture. I hope you will join me for a lecture or class in sunny Florida.

Just in before the holidays……I will also be teaching a class and lecture in PADUCAH along with having a booth! Registration will open for Paducah on Jan.16th for AQS members and Jan. 30th for general registration. I hope to see you at a show this year or in class <wink>! there will be more shows and classes in the fall, but I’ll wait and announce those as the year rolls along.

I have several local guild events this coming year. I’ll start updating my calendar in the next few days with those events. Keep in mind guilds love to welcome visitors (and new members!).

In January, I’ll be taking part in the Quilt Designer’s Remix. We will start next week on Monday with our fabric pull and continue with 2 weeks/Mondays of sneak peeks and the last week/Monday for the reveal. I will include those here on the blog and over on Instagram. Follow me @debbiewendtquilting.

With all those dates and events coming, I feel like this year might fly. I hope to slow down in between show travel and work on a couple new patterns. Several are in the que that only need quilting (tops are made) and then directions. I have a tablerunner all quilted, bound and directions written. It just needs the finishing touches and a pattern cover. Time sure doesn’t stand still! so, Tip #2 – Make some plans for some quilty fun in 2024!!!!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – QUILTS!!

Posted on December 27, 2023 by debbiewendt

I’m happy to share the two quilts I finished before Christmas! When the internet doesn’t cooperate, things get delayed a day.

First is the baby quilt for my newest Great Nephew. It is a simple flannel quilt made of squares with a yummy Cuddle backing. I used flannel for the binding. YES, the binding does wave a bit. It will relax once it is washed again. I tend to pull when I put on a binding by machine. I know I do it and try hard not to. But, I know it will shrink back into place when it has been washed. (thank goodness!!) It will be well used and loved! My niece, the mom, is happy to have the baby’s quilt, as his big brother was not a fan of sharing his quilt I had made a few years ago. So precious! It was fun to include fabrics from the baby’s sister’s quilt and his cousin’s baby quilt!

The second quilt I made was for my first nephew. His “baby” quilt was given 27 years ago!!! He was 3 years old when he got his quilt and all those years of love has the quilt seeing better days. He loved his flannel quilt so I “replaced” the quilt. Still flannel, but just simple squares (like his nephew just got!) I must confess, I made this second quilt in a day. <grin> I had a couple layer cakes, so I picked favorites from the stacks and arranged them is diagonal rows. It went together quickly! A flannel back and binding with Winline’s Bamboo batting made this quilt a great feel and weight. Actually both quilts have the Bamboo batting! My favorite! Sorry for the blurry photo, it has been sent through a number of different devices.

Both quilts were given before Christmas! I know they will have years of love in their future.

I have tips to share from each quilt…

#1 – The baby quilt has a flannel double fold binding, so the mitered corners got a bit thick. When turning the corner it was a lot of flannel to get moved under the presser foot. To help “move” it along, I put a pin into the side of the layers and now I have a “lever” to help push the thickness as I sew down the next side. I have done this for years and it works well. The key is to NOT push the with more force than what the feed dogs can pull the fabric through. You don’t want to mis-align the needle….it will break if it gets pushed out of line with the hole in the plate that covers the bobbin area.

#2 - The red/blue/gray squares quilt has a back to front binding. I cut the backing 1″ beyond the edge of the quilt to make a 1/2″-ish binding. Flannel is thick, so when folding the cut edge of the backing to the edge of the top and again over the edge it takes up some space. I left the basting threads in until the top stitching of the binding was complete. It helped the quilt top edge stay in place.

With the cooler/cold/freezing weather upon us, it is a great time to make a flannel quilt!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Break and Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2023 by debbiewendt

On this Tuesday, we are under a week from Christmas! Where did this year go? I have heard this from many! I told you last week about a baby quilt I made. It still has not been given, pictures next week. I also made a couple pillow cases. A fun, fast last minute gift. I have a free pattern for the “hot dog pillow case” on my website. Good for finishing all seams. There is also a pattern for a “Disappearing Nine Patch. Another fun project! Look for the patterns under FREE PATTERNS on my website, wendtquilting.com. The pillow cases below were made a couple years ago. (note: the flanges were made wider, by request.)

Tip #1- Take a break and enjoy this Holiday Season.

#2 – Find a fun/easy/simple pattern and take time to sew!

I hope you enjoy the last couple weeks of the year! Merry Christmas!!! for those that celebrate. Happy belated Hanukkah last week! I’m going to enjoy some blessed time with family!!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – Tips for Sewing Seams

Posted on December 13, 2023 by debbiewendt

Heading into another project! I have a new great nephew, actually a couple months ago. So, that means a quilt needs to happen. As I was pinning rows together, I realized I do things automatically. I alternate my seams to reduce bulk when sewing rows together. When pinning those seams, it depends on which seam is on top as to how I place the pin. If the seam allowance on top is before the seam. I place the pin in that seam straight after nestling the seams. If the seam allowance before the seam is on the bottom, I put the pin at an angle to catch that underneath seam allowance and the seam allowance beyond the seam, catching both at the same time. See the photos below.

There is a new pin that allows you to pin both seams at once. The pins are “Fork Pins” by Clover. I have tried them a few times. I think I am so used to “my way” that they seem awkward. They will take some getting use to. See that pin in action below, it is like using two pins at once!

Here is the result of of a couple of those seams. YAY!

The idea is to make sure the seams nestled together do not separate as you sew. Keep them snug for nice seam intersections!

#1 – Try the new forked pins to keep seams in place when sewing rows together.

#2 – Pin seams to keep them from flipping the wrong way as you sew!

I’ll share the quilt I’m making… after it has been given!!

in quilting,

Debbie

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Two Tip Tuesday – R-W-B Boise Results

Posted on December 6, 2023 by debbiewendt

I’m happy to report the R-W-B Boise Workshop was a success! We missed a few students from not feeling well, but four carried on. No one choose to use red/white/blue as the cover photo and title suggested. We did have some great combinations that will make wonderful quilt. So, please find below the start of some fun quilts…

Sylvia’s brights –

Mary’s ribbons –

Carol’s purples and greens –

Jaye’s reds and greens –

The girls did a wonderful job with this block. One of the things we discussed was pressing. To one side or open. It was up to them! The pattern does give pressing suggestions. The flatter the seam intersections, the easier it will be quilt. We also discussed quilting. Because they all were focusing on their fabric, I suggested they keep the quilting simple. No need for anything fancy. Let the fabrics and blocks be the focus!

Tips for this quilt and other scrappy quilts

#1 – Let the fabrics be the focus! A simple background fabric can help.

#2 – With scrappy quilts, I like simple quilting. Sure, you can practice designs but in the end usually the joy of the fabrics is what wins.

in quilting,

Debbie

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