Brother cs6000i Sewing Machine Review
Do you need a budget sewing machine for quilting? You’ve no doubt found out that having quilting as a hobby can be an expensive one! This Brother sewing machine review should help you to make your choice.
Kathy Russell
What is a Presser Foot
If you’re new to sewing and sewing machines then learning all the terminology is a bit of a learning curve.
An often asked question is “what is a presser foot,” I remember wondering this many years ago. Initially, I thought a presser foot was the foot peddle, you press it with your foot to make the sewing machine go, made perfect sense to me!
Simply put, A presser foot is an attachment for your sewing machine which holds fabric flat as it is fed through the machine and stitched.
Build a Craft Website
Have you ever wanted to build a craft website? You’ve landed on my site probably by doing a Google search, or via some social media. I built this site myself, from having no knowledge a year ago to what you see today. Even I’m impressed and it’s my own site!
Do you want to know how I did it? I’ll rewind and give you a bit of history. After losing my hubby last year, I found myself in need of an occupation. Not only to keep me busy but to give me an income. After some extensive online research, I came across a training program called Wealthy Affiliate
I’ve seen many free blogging sites, like Blogger or Weebly, I’ve used them myself in the past. This time, I wanted a “proper” website, one that not only helps people but also gives me an income.
If you’re a crafter, there are more ways of using your website than selling your handmade crafts. This is where the training program at Wealthy Affiliate comes in. The training teaches you to create a solid online business.
Keep reading and I’ll explain!
Sewing Table for Quilting
Do you need a sewing table for quilting? So you’ve got your awesome sewing machine for quilting, your tools and notions and a project in mind.
Your fat quarters are spread out over the dining room table, (which is covered with a cutting mat), along with your quilting rulers, rotary cutter and all your other tools!
You start your cutting and piecing, look at the clock, OH NO, dinner time, time to clear the table….
Solution? a dedicated sewing table for quilting! There are many different types, sizes and prices, choosing one depends on your space and budget.
Quilt Design Software Programs
You’ve mastered the basics of quilting and browsed through all the different quilting patterns available so what’s next? Creating your own patterns with quilt design software programs!
Let’s have a look first at what quilt design software programs can do compared to a graphic design software or paint program for example.
Using Stencils for Quilting
If you’re fairly new to quilting you might not have heard of using stencils for quilting. I’m sure you’ll remember stencils from when you were a kid. I couldn’t draw or write neatly, so using stencils helped me get good marks for “neatness of work!”
The same principle applies when using stencils for quilting, the aim is to get a neat finish. A quilting stencil is used to trace designs onto a quilt top and there are thousands of different design templates. Grooves are cut into the templates forming patterns and designs, these guide you when you come to quilting your project.
John Flynn Quilting System
John Flynn Quilting System
So you’ve pieced your quilt and have the 3 layers reading for quilting on your sewing machine or by hand. Do you have problems rolling it up and keeping the tension? Don’t have the budget for a Long Arm Machine? The John Flynn quilting system could be just the thing!
How to Teach Children to Quilt
How many times have you tried to get on with a project only to be stopped by your children demanding attention!? There is a solution, get them to join you. In this article, I’ll go through the basics of how to teach children to quilt.
You can start them at quite an early age, my own Granddaughter (Eve) was just 5 yrs old when I introduced her to sewing and 8 when I started teaching her how to quilt. She’s 21 now and at the moment is mainly interested in Ed Sheeran and filling in her eyebrows, quilting is low on her priority list!
How to Teach Children to Quilt
Young children will want to do what the grown-ups are doing and it’s best to get them involved right at the start of a project. They also like to do things with their friends so get them to invite a friend round to join in.
Firstly, if you haven’t already done so you need to teach them to use a sewing machine. I was lucky enough to have a Singer Featherweight for Eve to practice on, it was a perfect size for her small hands. Put a bit of tape on the 1/4″ mark, it’s much easier for a child to follow this guide rather than the etched in one on the plate.
Quilting Terms Definitions
Quilting comes in all different styles and depends on the traditions and history of the country of origin. Simply put, quilting is made up of a “sandwich” of fabrics, the top layer which is the pattern part and can be made up of quilt blocks, the middle which is called the batting (padding) and the back which is usually a complimentary colour to the top pattern.
I’ve put together a list of the commonly used terms in quilting in this quilting terms definitions article so you have a quick reference guide.
Quilting Terms Definitions
Accent quilts – This is a pattern that follows different lines but works with your patchwork pattern.
Achromatic – Black, white and grey color schemes.
Album quilts – These are quilts made for a specific event and made up of different blocks. These are personal to the recipient or maker of the quilt and are sometimes given as gifts to mark a special occasion.
Juki Exceed F600 Quilt and Pro Special
Juki Exceed F600 Quilt and Pro Special
Historically, Juki have been known for their industrial sewing machines, only recently moving into the domestic market (history here) around 2009. I’ve previously looked at the basic Juki long arm quilting machine, this time I’m checking out the more sophisticated Juki Exceed F600 Quilt and Pro Special, one of Juki’s computerized domestic sewing machines.