Monday, December 17, 2012

Paris Flea Market by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics

Paris Flea Market by 3 Sisters for Moda Fabrics.  Free pattern available!




Paris Flea Market by 3 Sisters is an oldie, but a goodie and is making its way back in the store in January 2013!!!  Jelly Rolls, Charm Packs and Layer Cakes are also  available!!
15 New Marble Swirls from Moda Fabrics!

JUST IN!  15 GREAT NEW COLORS in the expanded Marble Swirls Collection from Moda Fabrics.  The new additions are grays, greens, rich browns and more!




These swirls work great with any project from quilting, crafts wearable's and much more!


Sunday, February 20, 2011

Tips for Keeping Your Quilt Beautiful

As the winter months come to an end, your quilted creations should be put away and cared for so that when you bring them out again next year, they are in the same great shape they are in now.  Through experience, advice and just plain common sense, we have come up with some tips to share with you that will help you keep your quilt beautiful.  As a wise woman once said, “Smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from OTHER people’s mistakes.”
1.       We can’t control the humidity, but we can control where our quilts are stored.  Damp air can cause the fibers in your quilt to mildew and rot.  The ideal humidity is 45 – 55% so the attic or the basement wouldn’t be a good place to store your quilt.  Find a place with cool, dry air and good ventilation, and put your quilt there.
2.       Critters are also known to be called PESTS for a reason.  When choosing a place to keep your quilt, remember to think about how attractive that same place might be to a mouse or other rodent.  Again, the attic or basement or even the garage is not a good place to store your quilt because it is also where you would most likely find those pesky animals as well as moths and other insects that like to feast on fibrous material.
3.       Your quilt doesn’t need a tan so keep it in the dark.  Think about how faded a towel gets after being used at the pool for summer.  Your quilt will fade and lose its luster.  Quilts with dark shades of fabric are even more sensitive to the ultraviolet rays from the sun.  If you don’t have to dry your quilt out on the line, don’t.  Though it may be reminiscent of the old days, you don’t want your quilt to look like it came from the pioneer days.
4.       Keep it flat or roll it up, but whatever you do, don’t FOLD it!  If you want your quilt to be crease-free and safe, lay it out on top of an unused bed and cover it with a cotton sheet.  If all your beds are currently occupied, roll it up and stick it in a cardboard tube. (There are rules about cardboard too which you will read about next!)  Keeping your quilt folded for long periods of time can create creases that are hard to get out.  If you absolutely MUST fold your quilts, don’t stack them (this makes the creases even harder to get out).  Also, unfold and refold the quilts back differently every few months to avoid severe creasing.
5.       Cardboard boxes are not your quilt’s friend… at least not on their own they aren’t.  If you decide to store your quilt in a cardboard box or tube, make sure you place either a cotton sheet or acid-free tissue paper around it.  Using these little tricks will allow the fabric to breathe while still keeping it safe from dust and moisture build up.  Never, ever wrap your quilt in plastic.  If you do, your quilt will be exposed to harmful chemicals that will cause your fabric to fall apart.  If you use dry cleaner’s bags, heavy duty garbage bags, garment bags, Styrofoam, or newspapers you might as well throw your quilt in the trash because any of those “storage” choices mean death for your precious quilt.
6.       Unfinished wood is Unacceptable.  The inside of a typical drawer or chest is usually unfinished, meaning, there is nothing protecting the wood.  When the wood is unprotected, so is your quilt.  If you have to store your quilt in a wooden drawer or chest, you should seal the wood with a polyurethane varnish and then line it with unbleached, washed muslin or acid-free paper.  Sounds like a lot of work to me… find an unused bed ASAP!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Calling all quilters and needlework artists!

Shiner Heritage Quilters Guild are inviting you to participate in the 2011 quilt show, “Spring into Quilting” that will be held on Friday, March 18th (9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) and Saturday, March 19th (9:30 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.) at the First United Methodist Church Activity Center, 102 West Church St. (off Hwy 90A) in Shiner, Texas.

Please contact Irene Cerny or call (361-594-3185) to receive general instructions and entry forms and to ask any questions about entries.

You may also pick up general instructions and entry forms, in Shiner, at either: Martha’s Quilting Corner, 361-594-8286, or The Square Quilter; 361-594-8022.

The Shiner Heritage Quilters Guild will accept entry forms postmarked on or before Friday, January 28, 2011. This allows members time to make special labels for all entries and to list the entries in keepsake show programs. An entry form must be submitted for each item you display. The general instructions contain information regarding the times and dates that the actual items for display need to be brought for the show.

We hope that all of you will mark the dates of the show, March 18 and 19, on your 2011 calendars. Thank you very much for your support!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Martha's Quilting Tips: Preparing Your Quilt for Machine Quilting


As much thought, time, effort, and expense that goes into creating a quilt, taking time to properly prepare your quilt for the quilter is an area I often see neglected.  The following few steps should help you get the best results from your project!

First, the top should be properly squared, straight on all sides and lay flat. Also, clip all loose threads and press seams flat. If the top and bottom of the quilt are different, be sure to attach a note (with a safety pin) to the top to clearly indicate the top of your quilt.

For backing, I always recommend a 100% cotton fabric. I like to stay away from polyester or poly blends, because of their tendency to be stretchy, which can cause puckers. Also, it's best to avoid using bed sheets for backing, because in many cases the weave is too dense. The backing needs to be 8" longer and wider than the quilt top. The extra 8" will give 4 additional inches on all four sides of the quilt top. For example, if your quilt top is 70" x 80" your backing should measure 78" x 88". This allows the quilt to be loaded properly without stretching the top. When piecing a back use a 1/2" seam allowance, remove any selvage and press the seams flat. To avoid having to piece a back you may want to consider using 108" Wide Back Fabrics.

Lastly the batting should be of good quality, and also be 8" longer and wider than the quilt top.

Happy Quilting!  Martha

Friday, November 26, 2010

Interesting Projects!

Talk about creativity!  Ms. Poulien Wolfswinkel, of Belguim, purchased 3 yards of Airport Cockpit Gauges by Avlyn Creations and created 4 vests for the fraternity of her son.  Poulien's son is an Aerospace Engineering student at the Technical University of Delft, in The Netherlands, Europe.  He is in the board of a fraternity with three other students and the fabrics with the various airplane clocks and meters were used for 4 dress vests (gilets) to be worn under a suit for the 4 board members.  They are thrilled that "Mom" found the design and, of course, the fact that it comes all the way from America is extra special! 


This is a student's fraternity that consists of students which are all glider pilots in their spare time and they celebrate their 80th anniversary.  


The 4 boys in question will be in charge of the organization of all special celebrations due to this special anniversary.  Poulien had all the vests embroidered at the back.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

This is my first attempt at writing in my new Blog, so here goes!  As Thanksgiving is approaching, many of us tend to reflect on things to be thankful for.  For me, personally, I am thankful to be a child of a loving God who, through His mercy, loves me.  Of course, I am also thankful to have a wonderful husband without whose support I could have never opened my shop.  Other things I am thankful for include my family, to live in a free country, having the privilege of owning a business and meeting so many wonderful people.  Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings and uplift those around us.  I am hoping all of you enjoy the holiday and experience a wonderful family time together.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!