Giving THANKS for you!
Happy Thanksgiving Quilters,
My wish of thanks for you is that you know how much you mean to me.
When I learned “Heirloom Machine Quilting” in Feb of 2000 and then realized I could combine that skill with my passion for drawing, I felt like all of my quilting dreams were possible. I developed a technique to use my machine to draw any image on a quilt, make any pattern or texture.
What I could not have known at that time was how rewarding this adventure would become when I was asked to teach others to stitch as I had learned. So after 16 years and literally thousands of students all over the country, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share this passion with you. How fortunate I have been to have had so many of you tell me that what I taught you mattered, giving my method validity and continually encouraging me with your support and enthusiasm. I have benefited greatly you have enriched my life with purpose. You have my sincere thanks!
Other Notes:
I am continuing to offer the WEIGHTLESS QUILTER for sale from my SHOP! at a tremendous price, $285.00 delivered to your door (despite the significant increase in shipping fees from the distributor). You may have seen me demonstrating this extremly helpful tool to many interested quilters at shows and picked up a flyer. Act now to put it on your Christmas list so your Secret Santa can get it under your tree by Dec. 25th!
Read more details and order here:https://heirloomquiltingdesigns.com/product/weightless-quilter/
Hexie Quilt Update:
The first the (landscape EYE SPY hexie quilt top is complete of now, I may add borders later.
I began the project by making a sketch using this hexie graph paper. Click here to save the PDF file to print on 8.5″ x 11″ hexie graph paper.
Next. I printed out sheets of this basting paper and began collecting fabrics with cute images in the colors needed to create the landscape sketch. Click here to save the PDF file to print on 8.5″ x 11″ hexie basting paper.
I made clear plastic window template to aid in fussy cutting little images using a clear plastic report cover with a 1/4″ paper glued to each edge.
NOTE: This photo is viewed on it’s side despite many attempts to rotate it! I actually positioned the hexies with a flat side at the top, another layout could use the shape with a point at the top. You can also see how the clear plastic became blue after using it mark fabric with a water soluble marker.
After I basted a billion pieces of fabric to the hexie basting papers (while riding in the car for 5800 miles this summer), I was ready to assemble the top.
I began sewing the hexies to one another by hand, (using a running stitch with right sides facing) but later decided to use my machine. I installed invisible thread in the top and lightweight thread in the bobbin and set the machine for a very tiny zig zag stitch. I worked with the hexies facing up , side by side with the papers still basted to the fabric. That process was quicker and it worked very well.
Here is a detail of the sheep standing in a farmers field. I made tiny yoyos, ears and feet, and embroidered the facial features.
I am taking a break from hexies for some holiday sewing and will update you again when I add more details to personalize the project during in the quilting phase. However, if you would like to trade or share fabric scraps please email me to exchange addresses.
joanie@heirloomquiltingdesigns.com
If you would like to learn to use your sewing machine to complete your quilts keep your eye on this newsletter, email me to be put on a list to be notified if I offer hands-on workshops in October 2019 at the Town of Burke Hall 5365 Reiner Rd Madison, WI. 53718. If enough of you are interested, I will secure the dates at the hall.
Thanks for your interest, please pass this note along to any quilters, shops or guilds.
Give it your best,
Joanie