Christmas Sewing Progress

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Karen Dennison

From – Dec 15, 2009

Sometimes we depend too much on the quilt patterns put together by the “experts”.

These Christmas stockings are a quilt design that is made from copying the shape of some old Christmas stockings, quilting some Christmas fabric (or buying some already quilted) embroidering or painting a name on the top and sewing it all together.

In the whole scheme of things, a home-developed quilting pattern gone wrong is low on the risk/consequences scale.

The Christmas stockings progress

Go for it! Make one of your New Year’s resolutions to learn a new technique and then use it in developing your own quilt pattern.

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Express yourself.

Karen Dennison
Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create!

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The New Batch of Quilt Block Videos

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Karen Dennison

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The next batch of quilt block videos has just been uploaded.

  • Ohio Star Quilt Block
  • Directions Quilt Block
  • Jacob’s Ladder Quilt Block
  • Formal Garden Quilt Block
  • Whirlwind Quilt Block

To access the Whirlwind Quilt Block Video

Click on the link below –

No sign ins – No sign ups – Just available to watch

http://quilting.evplayer.com/?seed=whirlwind-quilt-block

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Karen Dennison

Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create!

Click Here To Join Our Community

Karen Dennison
Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create

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My Christmas Sewing, Quilting and General Craziness

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Karen Dennison

From Dec 14, 2009

One of my projects for this Christmas is to make Christmas stockings for my son’s family and for the new addition to my niece’s family.  I made her family stockings last year and then we had a surprise addition.  I am not providing instruction or a pattern.  Frankly, a Christmas stocking pattern for this particular stocking is just cutting out fabric in the shape of a stocking whatever size you want.  This is the beginning of my Christmas sewing.

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My Journey Through Christmas Sewing 2009

Karen Dennison
Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create!

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5 Steps on How to Buy a Sewing Machine

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Karen Dennison

From – Aug 24, 2009

To successfully buy the best sewing machine for you the first step is to know your what and why of sewing.   What are you going to be working of?  What new things do you think you will be trying next?  And if you loved sewing what would be fun to learn.

sewing machine

Next research your options.  Do internet searches.  Look for sewing machine rview of best sewing machine in Google.  Ask friends and family who sew or know someone who does.   Look at the features and options of the different machines.   Do you want a heavy duty sewing machine of a computerized sewing machine?

Find a local dealer.  Big Box dealers aren’t necessary cheaper initially but the small local shop is definitely less expensive in the long run. They offer more personalized service.  They offer more in the way of classes.  They offer better customer service.  They know more about the options within their brands.  They can deal.

Try out the different brands and the different machines within the brand.  Make sure that the machine will accomplish the task you want to get done.

Your research should have given you a good idea of the standard price and negotiate for at least that price.  Ask for add-ons.  Do they offer more classes?  Can they throw in that extra foot that you need?  Do they have an additional warrantee or can they offer maintenance?  See what they can do for you.

Lastly, enjoy sewing again!

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Karen Dennison
Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create!

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Gees Bend Quilting Designs

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Karen Dennison

August 13, 2009

The art of quilting design is the rich cultural and sub-cultural input quilting brings.  Whether you are admiring the Celtic flow of Irish quilting or the geometrics of the Japanese quilts, people bring their history and esthetics to their artwork.  Throughout America, different geographies infuse their quilters with rich histories and artistic preferences.

African American quilting is one such culture within the larger American family and the quilts of Gee’s Bend in Alabama has made a wonderful contribution to our art form.

Anyone viewing one of these quilts will be able to appreciate the vivid colors and the wonderful construction and design.  But learning the story of the area and the history of the quilters only makes that appreciation grow.  It enhances an already inspiring experience.

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Karen Dennison
Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create!

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7 Online Quilting Classes Requirements to Quilt

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Karen Dennison

Aug 13, 2009

7 Online Quilting Classes Requirements to Quilt

online quilting classes

Here is the basic online quilting class materials list. Ok, really the art of quilting has been done for centuries with some old clothes, old blankets and a needle, thread and scissors (or a great set of teeth) so I guess the actual requirements would number 5. BUT… I want to really enjoy my quilting and good tools and materials make the process so much more fun.

1. Patterns – I like to choose quilt patterns that teach you something new or choose patterns that feel like comfort food for the hands.

2. Fabrics – The fabric choices are as vast as the designs. I have a bias for supporting my local quilt shop. They generally have a better quality of materials than the big chain stores. Thread – Use the same type of material for the thread as for the fabric.

3. Cutting tools – sharp cutting tools are crucial to enjoying your quilting experience

Good sharp scissors allay much frustration, a big pair of dressmaker’s scissors and a small snippy pair. Replace the rotary blades often.

Have a good, large cutting mat.

Rules and templates are such a convenience.

4. Get a stable ironing board and a good iron with steam capacity.

5. Get a sewing machine that works within your budget, but make sure that you get one that does the work you need it to do.

6. There are so many cool toys in quilting. Any quilting magazine, any quilt shop and any online search will offer up more options than any of us can use.

7. The last requirement is the mindset. Experiment, you will rarely be graded on your quilt tops. This is your chance to be creative. Many of the most spectacular quilt designs today were mess-ups. Go out and make you share of mess-up masterpieces.

Welcome to online quilting classes.

Whether you are here for our quilt designs, quilt classes or quilt patterns, I hope you enjoy the content and conversation.

Click here to Join Us in the Online Quilting Classes Community!

Karen Dennison
Learn, Grow and Share – And most of all – Create!

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