The Staff Of The Old Coun - Tips for quilting

Thank you, quilters for contributing your tips and hints about so many parts of quilting. We are grateful that youve shared your know-how. Were touched by your generous spirits.

Copyright 2014 by the staff of the Old Country Store

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Design by Cliff Snyder

Print ISBN: 978-1-56148-804-9

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-68099-015-7

Printed in the United States of America

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher and author have made their best effort in preparing this book with care and accuracy, and it is presented in good faith. But they make no representations or warranties with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the contents of this book. Sales representatives may not create or extend any warranty either verbally or in sales materials about this book. The advice and strategies contained in these materials may not be suitable for your situation. Consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable for any commercial damages or loss of profit, including but not limited to special, consequential, or incidental damages.

Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tips for Quilting / by the staff of the Old Country Store.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-56148-804-9

Includes index.

1. Quilting. 2. Patchwork. I. Old Country Store (Intercourse, Pa.). II. Title.

TT835 .O43 2013

Contents

Introduction

We love hearing what our customers plan to do with the fabric they buy at The Old Country Store, but even more, we love when they lean in close and tell us a quilting secret. So we asked the whole group of them for their quilting secrets and tricks and collected the best ones in this book for you. After all, not all of us come from a quilting family or hang out in a local quilt store. Sure, you can read a quilting book, surf the internet tutorials, and take a quilting class, but who will give you the lowdown on all the batting choices (see )?

Here is a collection of behind-the-scenes, not-mentioned-in-tutorials tips from many thousands of our experienced quilting customers, as well as from us, the staff of The Old Country Store.

Here is a collection of behind-the-scenes, not-mentioned-in-tutorials tips from many thousands of our experienced quilting customers, as well as from us, the staff of The Old Country Store.

If youre a beginner, you will be glad for the basic tips that help you get started and steer you in the direction of a finished quilt you will love. If youre an experienced quilter, you will benefit from the different advice on every topic, allowing you to pick and choose what seems best to you.

The sheer breadth of methods and opinions in this tips book is wonderfully freeing for a quilter. One of our staff thought you could only hand quilt with a floor frame and she didnt have room for that! Then, a friend introduced her to a lap hoop, and now she happily drags her quilt in process with her wherever she goes. And there are still more ways to hand quilt without a frame in the section on Quilting Frames (see ).

Want to know the best way to store a quilt for a long time?

.

Want to know the best way to store a quilt for a long time? See .

Thinking of dyeing your own fabric? See .

This handbook is a cheering section for incorporating more quilting in your life, in whatever way works for you. No quilt police here!

Youll notice there are sometimes opposite viewpoints on the same topic (Wash your fabric before you sew! Dont wash out the factory finish before you sew! See ). You can decide for yourself which pros and cons you agree with and read the reasons that our quilters give for what they do. This is the beauty of many quilters talking shop with each other, generously sharing their wisdom and experience with anyone lucky enough to listen in.

This handbook is not a collection of tutorials and how-tos. Its just a friendly boost from many quilters who quilt like they breathe.

When our quilters named names for products and authors, we included them. We figured youd want to know what to search for at the store or online as you experiment with new methods and products. Well include any updates to these at our website, www.oldcountrystorefabrics.com .

May this handbook prove to be as fun and useful to read as it was for us. We have fresh ideas and tools to bring to our next quilts, thanks to our generous quilters.

The Staff of The Old Country Store

CHAPTER 1

Getting Started

A . Choosing What to Make

First, I think about the person for whom I am making the quilt. Second, I look at pictures or patterns for inspiration. Third, I go to my stash and look at fabrics to see what I already have that can be incorporated into the quilt. If all of these things come together, I am on my way. If not, I go back to #1 and start again.

Mary Jane Hollcraft, Indianapolis, IN

My quilts are always started with someone in mind, so thats the first decisive factor. If its for a baby or young child, I choose a simple design, solid seams and intersections, machine appliqud (not hand needle turn), and often minky or flannel backing. For a teenager, I go with their favorite colors or themed fabric. For adults, they often want a color for a specific room. My mother-in-law loves aqua and purple batiks, my son wanted it to match his bright red couch, and my daughter wanted blue, greens and yellow with imprecise blocks, so I chose a Jan Mullen pattern.

Anne Zinni, Hertford, NC

I usually have a new technique or ruler Id like to try, or I fall in love with a fabric line or quilt I see in a magazine.

DeAnna Dodson, Aubrey, TX

Sometimes I just want something that is simple, that I can finish quickly. I usually have several quilts going at the same time, so its nice to finish an easy one in the midst of larger projects that take a long time.

Carol Lattimore, Ozark, AL

I go to a local quilt shop, and if I like the project they are doing, then I will take that class and make the quilt.

Rosemary Bowlby, De Soto, IL