Creative substitutions

May 16, 2024

Quilting is similar to cooking in that we sometimes have to make creative substitutions to a pattern (recipe) because we don’t have a specific item (ingredient) available. In this case, I downloaded a pattern from the Accuquilt site only to discover the pattern calls for a specialty die, which I don’t have. Said autograph die is also part of a companion cuts kit that retails for $160.00 – which is not exactly in my budget right now.

Hmmm – what are some options? (1) Call the local quilt shop offering die cutting equipment rentals to see if they have the needed die. (2) Call my quilt bee friend Emily to see if she has the die in her vast Accuquilt die collection or (3) Figure out a way to make the unit using the dies and equipment I already have.

Let’s do Option #3!

After reading the pattern and doing a little research, I realized that the companion cuts kit dies essentially streamline the Stitch & Flip or Folded Corners method of block construction. It’s similar to making Flying Geese units where you draw a diagonal line on the back of a smaller square, place it in the corner, stitch on the line and cut away a 1/4″ seam allowance. I can use the square and strip dies I already own to cut the fabrics needed to make the required units. No worries here! My sewing kids can draw diagonal lines and cut away the seam allowance using scissors since they do not use rotary cutters in my classes. I’ll be using my trusty folded corner ruler to trim the corners so I don’t have to draw lines! The end result looks the same.

Here are my recipe substitutions for the 4-1/2″ unfinished block units called for in my pattern:
Note: SNF = stitch and flip

Unit Recipe
Signature: (1) 4-1/2″ square plus (2) 2-1/2″ squares (SNF on opposite corners)
Bowtie: (1) 4-1/2″ square plus (1) 1-1/2″ square (SNF on specified corner)
Chisel: (1) 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangle plus (1) 2-1/2″ square (SNF on specified end)

I use a Sizzix Big Shot Plus die cutting machine with a mix of Accuquilt and Sizzix dies. Yes, you can use many Accuquilt dies in a Sizzix cutting machine with an Adapter G shim and a pair of Sizzix cutting pads, but not the other way around. Accuquilt writes patterns using “finished” size rather than unfinished (or cut) sizes. Merely add 1/2″ to the “finished” measurement to figure the correct size squares to cut for your particular size SNF units. Even if my substitutions don’t exactly match the original, no one is likely to notice since my substitute unit will be used throughout the quilt.

Nothing like a good challenge!

Optimizing Quilting Productivity: Project Completion and Summer Plans

May 12, 2024

I have so many PhDs (projects half done) at the moment. The vast majority fall into “finish assembling quilt top” or “to be quilted” categories. Instead of making blocks at this week’s library sew day, I focused on “completion tasks” I could accomplish with a smaller sewing machine. This meant adding and stitching down the binding (by machine) to a throw size donation quilt, plus making binding for two other quilts. I had hoped to complete the two “Layer Cake Shake” quilt tops currently under construction, but that was not to be. The collective eyes of my sew squad noticed I had one HST of a Friendship Star block turned the wrong way in my Christmas version of the Layer Cake Shake pattern. I completely missed it. You can actually see it in the previous photo collage of my retreat in Boise. It took a while to unpick all the blocks and correct my mistake. However, I’m glad they noticed it before I added the borders!

Most of my sewing time this week was spent finishing the foundation paper pieced Roses/Marigolds for Mother mini-quilt that was one of our retreat projects. It turned out so pretty! Backing and binding came from my stash. I machine quilted it using a loopy meander. While at the retreat, I made a single flower and leaf unit using a borrowed add-a-quarter plus ruler. The quilt shop had sold out of them, but my trusty friends at Amazon were able to supply me with one once I returned home. The finished project will be gifted to my mom on Mother’s Day.

It felt really good to complete two projects this week. Tracking project progress in a small flexible notebook (currently a Leuchtturm1917 B6+ softcover purchased in 2021) has been helpful. I used to do this when I was working full-time to make the best use of my limited sewing time. I pack it to take to classes and retreats, as well. A 5″ x 8″ (or A5 size) notebook would also work; however, coils on a spiral binding tend to get caught on stuff in my tote bag. All my sewing related notes, tasks, ideas, etc. go into one of these notebooks. When it gets full, I go through and transfer the information/items I want to keep to a separate 3-ring binder. This only takes about 15 minutes. I keep original design sketches, teaching notes, inspirational quotes, and any tips/tricks/product info I may need later. It usually amounts to less than 10 pages per notebook that I keep.

I plan to spend the hot summer months in the quilt cave practicing my FMQ skills on several charity quilt tops in my PhD pile. I should feel confident enough after 10 charity quilts to tackle FMQ on a two important personal projects. I won’t be spending my entire summer in the basement, however. Summer quilty plans also include helping out at the quilt show, mentoring at the SQTM quilt camp, a trip to Missouri Star and the International Quilt Study Center in late June, plus hosting a summer CraftLAB camp in mid-July.

August and September will bring the return of quilty travel in the form of a quilt retreat at the Koosa Mountain Lodge in August with my Friday sew squad and visiting the Asheville Quilt Show at the end of September.

Scenes from a quilt retreat

May 6, 2024

Last week, I attended the JK Quilts Spring Retreat at The Riverside Hotel in Boise, Idaho. I had a ball! This marks my second retreat with the JK Quilts girls and as usual, I came home with a lot of swag. The retreat was a combination of BYO projects with daily mini projects led by shop staff. It was a chance to learn about new products like iron-on EPP templates that dissolve in water (see tea towel project above) and try-out newer versions of items like the add-a-quarter rulers I already own for paper piecing.

Many of the retreat attendees were local, but some came from Southern California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. We did a mini-quilt exchange (see quilt photos above bottom right) – mine went to Southern California. It was a stash quilt using a free tutorial I found online. I think it turned out really cute. Tip: paper gift bags for wine bottles work well for wrapping mini-quilts, too! 🙂

Retreats are always about swapping tips and tricks. A fellow attendee shared her secrets for making a DIY ironing table to take to retreats. It’s made using a $12 folding wooden TV tray from the big box store! I found some videos to reference on YouTube. It shouldn’t be too difficult and will make a nice addition to sew days and retreats where I travel by car.

At the retreat, I focused primarily on sewing my own projects. I was able to complete ALL the pieced blocks for my 2024 Middle Georgia Shop Hop quilt, plus the four main blocks for a Christmas themed quilt using the Layer Cake Shake pattern from FQS. Three retreat projects were presented: a tea toweI with EPP hexies, a table runner and a small FPP flower quilt. I made one of each unit for the FPP project and prepped all my hexies for the tea towel while at the retreat. The table runner is a very simple design. I’ll be able to complete all three projects at home.

Hubs and I had such a nice time in Boise. We were able to spend time together and do things we each like to do. Will I return in October for the fall retreat? If I lived closer to Boise, I certainly would!

Instead, I’ll take a closer look at retreats offered by ATL area quilt shops and some quilt retreat groups I follow online. Of particular interest is the fact that Sew Sew Studio recently opened a second location in Duluth (northeast ATL suburbs). Their Bogart/Athens location is fabulous and I frequently stop in whenever I go see my parents. Fingers crossed they offer the same type of events at the Duluth location, including retreats!