Quilt making class
 

GusGus has offered to teach a quilt-making class to those of us interested in learning the art of quilt-making. I am offering to host it at our house. No dates have been set yet, but it will most likely be on a weekend. Let me know if you are interested and we can put our collective heads together and come up with a date (or dates).

You would need a sewing machine as well as other supplies. A supply list will be provided.

So, post if you are in.

I'm going to pass as I've seen what happens to quilters (like my Mom, mother inlaw, and sis in law). They start off as mild mannered folks who sew - and then end up with rooms full of material, quilts everywhere, bits and pieces attached to quilting walls laying stuff out. It's MADNESS! It starts off small - just a little bit of fabric here and that cool one there and then bam - you've got 3 sewing machines and an entire room dedicated to it.

Well- that and I don't have a sewing machine or like to sew.

I do have some quilts though - and they are beatiful and treasured.

LOL! I know what you mean. I got laughed at when I said quite innocently "I've got 2 drawers full of fabric".

Count me in. :)

There's a good reason why I watch Project Runway and do not participate in personal contact sports involving sewing machines.








*I'm all thumbs and will hurt myself, and others

Lol, Snow!


You all should check out my MIL's setup- it's insane. She has enough material to outfit a regiment (it would be a very colorful regiment) and two rooms dedicated to quilt stuff.

As much as I'd love to, I don't have the funds right now to buy a sewing machine. Valhalla, ladies! Have a blast.

I can re-create my award winning 4H demonstration on how to make Log Cabin Pattern pillows.

I do need to justify my owning of a sewing machine that I think we've used like 4 times.

Gasp! YES!!! I've been wanting to learn quilting!

EH: for the purposes of the class, I would be happy to share time on my machine with you.

(After all, the skill, once acquired, can be practiced at any point in the future when your own machine is more possible)

I need to snag my moms old machine. However, I don't think it's modern enough for transport - when I say old, I mean old. It's older than me.

I learned on my grandmothers Singer. As long as it's not built into a cabinet it's portiable.

I learned on a featherlight that is in the garage in working order. My current machine is a 1972 Singer. Not much modern technology in this sewing department.

Sold my sewing machine to put in the computer/desk (many years ago)....love to try again, but Disney doesn't pay enough to buy a new machine that is portable. I'll share with Morrigoon, if that is still an option.

I still might have my old one that my dad fixed, and if I do, someone is welcome to have it. It runs ok, but will probably only last another couple dozen uses or so.

Eliza and BTD, you can share mine. Since I'll be teaching, I won't really need it except for an occasional demo.

FWIW, Walmart has some beginner machines for under $100: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4698205
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4764724
Holy cow, not sure if this is a normal machine or not, but for $40... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5006454

(Their whole collection)

My opinion is don't buy a machine for $40. You'll be very frustrated and annoy the people around you.

I would suggest going to an actual sewing machine store and buying the least expensive new or used machine there. Then take the free classes they have on using your machine. If you buy at normal retail stores you're on your own in trying to figure out how it works and if there is a problem the people at walmart will just look at you with a blank stare. I can get a discount for maybe one or two people from Upland Vacuum and Sewing if you pay cash.

That being said, if you do buy from walmart, etc. (costco usually has a good deal on a Brother machine), I can probably help you learn the basic functions.


P.S. don't buy an off brand - stay with brother, babylock, bernina, elna, viking, pfaf. Older singers are great machines, newer ones not so much. Babylock and Brother would probably be the more affordable ones.

Oh, and don't buy a machine from a second hand store. It will cost you more to fix it than it's worth. (and probably more than a new machine)

Yeah the $40 doesn't quite look normal. But the ones around $100 are major brands (Singer, Brother).

I'm willing to help too. I can also show folks how to take them apart for basic maintenance (oiling and cleaning) that will keep them running smooth for years. My latest is a computerized Brother from Costco that was $160 after an instant online rebate.

The only reason it replaced my last Brother, is because the old one took a bad fall and jammed. My dad repaired it, but it won't hold up to my larger projects anymore. Prior to that fall, it worked really well, even on the thick and difficult fabrics. It last me a good 10 years. They really do make a good machine.

How much fabric does one need for something like this?

My mom has a TON of fabric that she forgot about that I shall go raid.

for my beginning quilt class you will need 6 fat quarters in coordinating fabrics, making sure to have light, medium, and dark fabrics. All quilt shops will have fat quarters, but if you go to a place like M & L or your mom's closet, get 1/2 yards.

If anyone wants help picking out fabric, its one of the things I'm best at!

Oh, JUST what you need: another excuse to go to M & L

hey!

I'm working here!!

I have one request: if possible, can we please have 3 weeks notice on the date so I can get scheduled off that day?

HALP!

And can we schedule the class around any hockey home games? (kidding!)

Do you have the Sharks home schedule for next season?

Oh gosh - I totally wanted to start up on quilt-making after I move. I wish I had managed to get my grandmother's quilt frame. I'm kind of old school on that sort of stuff.

We can schedule the date for any time GusGus is available and I am home.

How many sessions at how many weeks apart do we need?

I'm totally in! Either that or could someone quilt me up some curtains?

So wait...what's a quilt?

Just tell me when!

I usually quilt by checkbook. Especially big quilts.

Well with this group I have no idea how many sessions it will take!

I was kinda thinking we could set up a monthly meeting and then when we're done quilting someone else could teach us all something else.

You are very welcome to join the group and I'll still quilt you up some curtains either way.

NM can quilt us some meat.

An opportunity to buy more crafting supplies? I'm in!

NM should know better than to come around this group when sewing machines are involved, LOL...

"In today's class, we'll learn how to embroider suggestive words and phrases on other people's pants..." :evil:

umm.......


nevermind

okay, so lets hear a roll call and maybe some suggested dates.

I'm in

Yup!

Pick the date and then I'll let you know. Depends on how busy I am with school. :(

September 13/14, 20/21, 27/28 - any of those dates work for me. They are Saturday/Sundays.

Either Sept. 13/14 or 20/21 work for me.

.

My poor vision combined with the small iPhone screen make me think the thread title is "Quit Making Cheese"

So, Chris will be at the house with cheese making supplies on whichever dates we choose.

No, I will quit making cheese

I'll be happy to come over and cut the cheese!

Can't smell any worse than making cheese

The Best of Both Worlds: Cheese Quilt
 

.

We could make Cheesymite Scrolls - they don't smell bad.... :D

Well, this year has gotten away from me. How's early 2009 sound?

Sounds wise.

Much better. ;)

Provided it's not the month when I have to be traveling for work, sounds great!

Yes!

Bumpity Bump Bump!

If we don't get started how will we stay WARM when Winter arrives again?

First thing we need to do is GO SHOPPING!

Susan will accompany us on a shopping trip to pick out our quilt fabric following her sage advice. Where are we going? I don't know yet, but we'll know before we go.

So, when are we going?

How does Sunday, APRIL 5th sound?

Once we are all supplies up, we can set dates for classes (probably once a month).

Now, if you want to do this and don't have a machine - NO WORRIES! We will be able to get extras. As for supplies. if you don't want to buy a whole mess if stuff, I understand. There is plenty of stuff on-hand to share with others in case you don't want to go all out.

The point is.....you can do this on the cheap AND have fun too!!!!

So, APRIL 5th, Mid Morning, meet at my house?

I am cracking up over here. I didn't check the date for the first post. I was sitting here so impressed by this all, wondering when it was going to happen, thinking it was inspired by Heidi's birthday.

I was impressed, also, by all of the people who can sew. As a kid/teen, I tried to use my moms old Singer. Eh, I could use it. Can't say I knew what the heck I was doing.

You all bring up a great point. My daughter is organizing t-shirts to make a 't-shirt' quilt. I had wanted to make one but I couldn't organize my thoughts enough. SHE, on the other hand, is doing that. Reading the instructions about size, etc.

But, we don't have a machine!!

I hope she doesn't ask me for advice. I don't have any. Except, ask someone else.

Does anyone have any advice for anyone trying to make a t-shirt quilt? Can a quilt be handsewn and be of quality to last? {I would imagine that depends upon the person sewing....}

Did this stop because Chris quit the cheese and Kevy offered to cut it?

I am probably out of town on April 5th but if I can get a list of supplies I'll pick them up.

I should probably let Susan know that everyone is talking about her.

One thing about the date: she will have been out of town for a week, getting back just a couple days before the 5th (the exact date she will be back is kind of open-ended)

I just so happens I used an old fashioned method to talk to your wife before we decided on a date.

MouseWife let me know how the tshirt quilt goes. I might be interested in making one depending on how much i want to let go of my collection of concert tshirts since i hardly wear them anymore.

madmonkeygirl~ will do. She is still in the gathering stages. I think it would be very difficult to cut up some t's!! But, I also have some t's that the best thing left is the picture.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Quilt-from-Tee-Shirts

This is the motherly 'advice' I gave to her. ;0)

Let me know what you think/decide.

For a T-Shirt quilt, I would think you would use regular quilt making techniques except you would have to use a stabilizer on the fabric before you quilt it. I think that step would be key.

Is that like a stretcher, since the material is so soft and probably would gather? Kind of like that thing they use on carpets, a puller?

See, you guys are so smart!

No, a stabilizer is something you iron on to the fabric to "stabilize" it so it will be strong enough to quilt. You should look for a Fusible Cut-Away Fabric Stabilizer.

I was looking into stabilizers when I considered embroidering on t-shirts and my memory is a little hazy. But I think a stabilizer is something you temporarily iron on to the fabric so it doesn't stretch while you work on it.

I also have old t-shirts with graphics I'd hate to lose and wondered how to rework them...

I think Sunday the 5th would work for me.

Ludite



Why am I still reading this thread?!?

Because you need to tell your wife about what we're discussing.

Thank you, Lisa. LOL Wish I'd read this two seconds earlier. I was just telling my daughter what I thought it meant. :blush:

MouseWife that link works for me. I have an easy time following those steps. Since i doubt i can make it April 5th i might be doing this after all on my own. I will have to gather the shirts i do have that i want to use to determine how many i actually have. But a great way to preserve them rather than just collecting dust in a drawer not being worn.

Glad that works, Rosie.

I hear you, I feel sad when I go through a dresser in which I keep a ton of tee's.

Let me know if you come across any tips to help, I'll pass them along. I get the feeling my daughter will be slow in making this, she is in two schools and working. I told her about the 'class' but normally she works on Sunday.

I think it would be nice if she met a nice bunch of ladies {and any gents} from here. :snap:

Just to clarify, we will NOT be doing a T-Shirt quilt in our first class. We will be doing another type of quilt that involved 6 fat quarters of fabric that you choose.

OH i know Lisa. I want to learn everything....lol MW and i were just talking about a tshirt quilt is all....

Yeah, sorry to hijack the thread.

I think mmg and I are just happy to have found someone with a similar desire! And, I'm the lucky one, she actually knows how to sew!! Tips!! I need tips!!!

Well, since thing like the upcoming date of the meet might have gotten lost, I'm going to repeat my previous post:

Came across this site that I thought would be of interest to folks reading this thread.

Sublime Stitching







And so forth.

I LOVE Sublime Stitching. LindyHop introduced them to me and I'm currently working on a project based on one of their designs. Super cool patterns.

Thanks, GD! I love embroidery.

Oh, cool. Do you embroider? I can't quilt or sew to save my life, but I can do my own designs and embroider. I don't know why I keep checking this thread, I guess because I wish I could join you and learn quilting. Not likely. Anything that is too precise is apparently beyond my capability.

So, is this an old-school traditional pattern quilt we'd be making? Like Texas Star and Log Cabin and the like? Or?? Bed-sized or lap-sized?

Chiming in with my (very) limited knowledge, since this is a beginners class, I am sure it will be basic quilting of lap-dance sized quilts.

I've just wandered in here again. Is Sunday still on? I can't tell...

Thanks for reviving the thread. I was wondering that myself......

As far as I'm concerned, we're going shopping. I know Susan would prefer that, if you're going to learn how to make the quilt, that you go on the shop[ing excursion to make sure you get propper fabric and tools. So, shopping it will be - as planned.

We will probably have a monthly class following the first one. We can set dates at our first meeting.

So, any more additions?

Yay!

I may or may not make the shopping trip. Are we just planning on M&L or the district?

I'm not sure what Susan has planned. I know she wants to make sure you pick out the appropriate fabrics and get the right quantities.

Lucky me, I have a group shift :/ Meaning, no idea when I'll be working that day. If I can talk them into giving me something suitably late, I'll come.

Where are we going?

I don't know yet.

Planet Ten!

Susan got home kinds late tonight. I'll make sure to get info from her tomorrow.

I might not participate in the class ('cause I'm a rebel, y'all, and wanna do my own thing quilt-wise, by hand, because I'm crazy that way) but I'm interested in the shopping portion.

Prudence, I know someone else who's crazy enough to do a whole quilt by hand. You should talk to her. She really needs to pick that project up again and finish it.

I wish I'd been able to take my grandmother's quilting frame. What a monstrosity that was! But now I really wish I had it.

Well CRAP

I typed a whole lot of post and now it's disapeared!


sigh.... start over

Maybe your husband needs to make another booty call, eh Susan? ;)

Firstly, all quilts were sewn by hand before the sewing machine was invented. If you have the inclination and patience, who am I to say no? Actually, much of what I'm planning on teaching has nothing to do with the machine, so if you'd like grab your needle and thread and "come on down!" Besides, I intend to have fun, so even if you just want to point and laugh, please come and hang out.

I haven't done a t-shirt quilt yet, but again, this class is about basic skills. I start at the very beginning (a very good place to start), and I assume you know nothing.

We are not going to the fabric district. Most of the fabric there is for garments, not quilts. (yes, there is a difference)

I'd like to go to Bear's Quilt Shop and probably M&L

Don't worry about tools and/or fabric. This first get-together is all about information.

I'll be teaching you the Yellow Brick Road pattern - and I'll bring copies of it. (no charge)

If you don't have money for tools, or machines or stuff - don't worry I have extras and we can all share.

If you want to participate, but can't make it this weekend, I'll catch you up when you have time.

I love to teach and all are welcome - even if you just want to audit the class instead of working hands on!

Did I forget anything?

Couldn't hurt!!!

Well then how much fun can it be?

[ducks back out of thread]

Well, there is that one position...

I would love to participate in this, wish I lived closer :P You don't teach via correspondence do you? :)

What time is mid-morning?:D

LOL! Good question!

Let's meet at my house at 10:30. I'll have coffee and pastries waiting.

Due to our plumbing disaster/repair aftermath, I'll be skipping the shopping trip, but I've already been instructed by Susan on what to purchase. So, I will still join in the class fun! :)

So, is it just LindyHop and I (and Susan) going shopping? Anyone else in?

Sadly, I'm going to have spent too long away from the house this weekend and have to concentrate on cleaning tomorrow. If I could get a copy of the list, I may or may not join in the class. (Or maybe I'll just show up and harass you all!)

Harassment is fine, but I sure wish I could show you M&L heaven tomorrow. Can't I twist your arm?

Sadly, I have already had my fabric-gasm for the weekend. Gotta stay home and start making the place mom-worthy. I think that introducing me to M&L and the fabric district in the same weekend might blow a fuse.

Might be. Having just hit the District with Pru, I've blown my cloth budget for the time being. Can I please get a list of what I'll need as well?

Susan might be a few minutes late to this morning's class. Sorry

Susan is the first one here!

WOW! We learned so much today about all sorts of things, but especially choosing fabric. I could have never picked my fabric without Susan's assistance. There really is quite an art to it.

We're scheduling the next class for May 3rd. I will post a whole other thread with the details, times and supply list.

You kept her up all night on a school night? :evil:

No, I think he just sent her to class with a smile on her face. ;)

Class was Sunday morning, so no.

And the delay was on Sunday morning, not Saturday night.

And why do you assume it was some worthy of a devilish smiley? It could have been something perfectly innocent!

Innocent? You?!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

If anyone will be purchasing quilt making supplies a ton of stuff is 50% off at Jo-Ann's this week (through Saturday). I was there today and bought a rotary cutter, a good-sized mat, and a ruler along with a bunch of other random craft supplies and spent about $60.

May 3rd is the next class and we will be cutting/sewing that day. I will post a supply list when I find where I put it.

We are going to have to postpone the May 3rd class. Susan has had something come up that she has to do that day.

Is Mother Day (the following Sunday) a good day or a bad day for everyone?

My Sundays are free. Just let me know which one.

We are reviving the dead! Since I (gladly) have more time in my life, we need to finish this project and decide what we are going to do for the next one!

The first date Susan and I have been kicking around in March 13. How does that work for the LoTcrafters?

I'm okay with that date, but I really don't have a say in the matter.

Sundays are generally better for me, if it works for everyone else.

I'd love to get in on the next project. I think things have finally calmed down enough that I can work on something.

Susan and I were discussing what the next project could be. We have lots of knowwledge in the group, so there are lots of possibilities for future class subjects.

Sundays work better for me, too. And I have something else scheduled for the 13th...

But I want to get back to this!

OK, so Sunday the 14th it is.

10 am. my house.

Insert obligatory whine here: Wah!

Really starting to feel like I live in the wrong end of the state

I shall be there! :)

I'll be there as long as I manage to survive the worst cold ever.