Things to keep in mind

Fairfield Booth 936 ARTFABRIK/FRIESYLE Booth 839
International Quilt Festival
Houston Texas
October 31 to November 4

I was thinking about all the things that help me while I am machine quilting that I want to tell people when they are standing there watching me demo.



Here is my list so far:

• Wash your backing fabric before using and while you are ironing it use some spray starch or spray sizing on the back to make it slide easier as you quilt it
• Use a super slider on your quilting surface to also help the quilt move easier as you quilt it
• Spray your quilting table with Pledge and rub it down to also keep the surface slickier
• Use some Neutrogena Hand Cream on your hands to keep your fingers tacky, this won’t effect your fabric and you won’t have to wear gloves AND it will make your hands so nice and smooth - put a little on those elbows too, they get so ugly looking.
• Make a test sandwich of the same fabrics as your quilt and then warm up on it first
• This also lets you test your thread tension before you start your quilting
• Always start with a new needle that is appropriate for the type of thread you are using
• Match your bobbin thread and top thread in color to help avoid any tension issues, it doesn’t matter what color your backing fabric is
• Clean your bobbin area on your sewing machine before you start any new project
• Listen to classical music or a book on tape. This is way better than the radio or TV AND not too loud.
• Pre-wind bobbins so when you run out you can just pop one in

• Start your projects in the middle and work out
• This keeps the backing fabric always moving outward and helps avoid any puckering on the back of your quilt
• Do easy quilting designs first then when you tackle something a little more challenging you will be warmed up and looser

Quilting should be fun not a chore.

If you are going to do some quilting today think about this list and see if any of these ideas will help you be happy in your quilting.

If your not having fun don’t do it!!

Happy Quilting

Houston Booth #839

Several years ago I took these videos in our booth at Houston.

Laura Wasilowski and I will be in the ARTFABRIK/FRIESTYLE booth #839 in Houston at the IQA show again this year.

We sure hope you will stop in and say hello as well as buy a few wonderful things to take home and work on.

We hope to see you there.

OCTOBER 31- NOVEMBER 4

Frieda in booth at Houston

Don’t miss all the fun!!
Happy Quilting

Forest Floor

At the International Quilt Festival in Houston, they have a celebrity quilt auction each year..... here is the piece I will have in the silent Auction during the Quilt show and Festival....

"Jack in the Pulpit-Forest Floor"

It is created with my hand dyed silk and cotton from my original drawing. I hope you get to buy it and it can live in that special place in your home.

Just a little bragging

I just received this email from one of my students at PIQF. I just had to share.
If you can’t crow about yourself sometimes – who can!!

Hello,
I attended your class, Sunset Pines, at PIQF this year and was totally delighted with my experience in your classroom.  Your class was fun, informative, and quite inspirational.  I have never made a fused art quilt before and found your techniques, fabrics, and patterns very well done. 

The class was fun and well lead.  When I first got into your classroom, I was a bit nervous about working "frie style" with my cutting and piecing, but I was willing to give it a try.  By the end of the class, I actually did feel much freer with my work and was having a good time without stress.  I also saw that there probably aren't any mistakes with this type of project, just more design opportunities.  I completed fusing the trees on my background the next day.  I still need to quilt it, but I'm sure this project won't end up in my UFO stack.

This was one of the very best classes I've ever taken at PIQF.  I hope you will come back again next year.  I will be sure to sign up for whatever you teach in the future.

Thanks for a great experience in 2012.
Sincerely,

Peggy D.


Wasn’t that nice. It will make me smile all day long.
Happy Quilting Today!!

Japanese quilts at PIQF

I thought one of the most interesting exhibits at PIQF was by artist Yoshiko Katairi from Japan.

Here are a few of her quilts for your enjoyment.

A wonderful exhibit of beautiful quilts. Such a joy to behold.

Week three of my class

This Week's Little Fused Art Quilts Classroom: Prairie Flowers, Part 3

It's time to finish up your Prairie Flowers quilt.I show you how easy it is, with a little practice, to use your machine to finish up your adorable little fused art quilt.

You can also watch me in Episode 705: Tips, Techniques...and a Special Tribute where I demonstrates fusing a decorative binding.

The excellent lessons in this series, presented by Frieda and by Laura Wasilowski, are FREE to all TQS members...and it's not too late to start! Come to the classroom and get a head start on gift making for the upcoming holiday season.
 

This last episode shows you how I machine quilt this charming little quilt. I talk about the thread I use and the stitches I have done on the quilt as well as show you how I stitch in the ditch around all of the design elements. Sadly this is the last episode in our series :(

I sure hope you have all enjoyed watching Laura and I make these little quilts and that you will become a proud graduate of the Chicago School of Fusing.
Press ON! 

If you haven’t become a member of The Quilt Show you should. I know you will enjoy watching all the great quilt teachers that appear on this show. Treat yourself today.

ENJOY life and especially quilting.

PIQF quilts

I always take pictures of quilts I like at the quilt shows.
Here are a few from Santa Clara



























- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It is a little difficult to get my post this way
Please excuse my fumbles
FRIEDA

Follow the yellow brick road

I am out the door again.

If you are in GA I will be at the Gwinnett Center teaching in Duluth GA
Stop in and say hello.


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Location:Shoe Factory Rd,Hoffman Estates,United States

Scrappy Zappy Fun

Teaching always energizes me.

I have just returned from teaching at PIQF. California is like a foreign country to me. People walking around barefoot, sun, palm trees. It is just so different than the mid-west. I am always fascinated with the culture. I had a great time.

I like to share so many ideas with my students and one of my biggest “secrets” IS – once you have fused up all your fabrics you are going to have lots of left over fused scraps.

What do you do with all those scraps?

Here it is…….. I make smaller and smaller quilts. TaDa

ALL of my quilt patterns have tiny versions included in the packet. So when you are done you use all those fused scraps and make an even smaller version. These tiny versions are just so wonderful.


Tiny Tulips 8.5” x 11”

Tiny Purple Summer Afternoon 8.5” x 11” The flowers and leaves and stems are made with silk.
This little darling went to a new home this week. It will be living in sunny California. Lucky quilt.

Tiny Three Pumpkins 11” x 8.5”. This little quilt now lives in cold Minnesota, still a lucky little quilt.

Pine Trees 11” x 8.5”

Scrap purse, made with left over fused scraps.

6” x 4” Post card quilt “Whispering Pines.

I just keep using my scraps until they are gone. Nothing is wasted with fused fabrics.

Now for a short breather and then on the road again. It is good to be home for a day or two.
I am off to Duluth GA on Wednesday to teach at the Sewing and Quilting Expo at the Gwinnett Center.

If you are at the show be sure and stop in my class room and say hello.
Maybe I’ll even get outside this week.

Happy Quilting.

Gotta love those colors

Fall is my very favorite time of year. I guess I like the weather, cool at night and warm during the day.

I always had a new school to go to in the fall as we moved so often and I guess I liked the idea of a new start.

Of course we also got new shoes, clothes and art supplies. That is probably why I like fall so much the new ART Supplies.

But really it’s the colors that attract me the most, the beautiful fall foliage. Here are a few pictures I took  while out walking with George.






I hope you have a a beautiful fall weekend.

PIQF

This is where I am all week. I hope I see you there!