Here are her thoughts and some of her finishes to share with you!
~What types of things do you sew?
Quilts so far, but I'm finding I enjoy applique too.
~When did you first begin sewing?
I made my 1st quilt in 1979 with the help of my Grandmother. It was a hand pieced pinwheel. She then showed me how to put it in wooden frames and together we hand quilted it.
~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
My grandmother, Virginia Brewer.
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
No, actually I like all fabrics and most designs. If it catches my eye, I pretty much go for it.
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
I dont think I can pick just one. I'm always so proud/happy when I finally finish one, especially if it's been a challenge.
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
I would have to say my creative grids rulers. I especially love the 4-1 triangle ruler. It does so many different things. I think its the one I reach for the most.
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
Always read the directions. Sometimes I just skim through them and then I always have to rip out something. Then I have read the directions to find my mistake.
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~What types of things do you sew?
In response to what I like to sew, the answer is lots of different items. I enjoy garment making, home decor, bags and quilts.
~When did you first begin sewing? ~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
As a child, I loved to sew with my Mom, Grandmother and my Aunt. Each taught me about sewing. I learned how to make clothes, mend clothes, do embroidery and make crafts. Those memories are very precious to me and when I’m sewing a part of them are still with me.
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
Sewing with Riley Blake designs makes me so happy. The bright, colorful spring florals from RBD lightens my day.
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
My most ego boosting moments happen every time I give a quilt away, hem pants, or curtains for a friend. If my sewing puts a smile on someone’s face that just makes it all worthwhile.
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
If I had to name my all time favorite notion or resource it’s YouTube. YouTube is my go to for everything. I’d be lost without it.
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
My best tip for anyone who sews, is to network, join a guild and look for others who are interested in doing your favorite projects. My other tip is to buy from a local quilt shop. The local quilt shops have a plethora of resources.
~What types of things do you sew?
I mainly quilt but I also delve into other projects as I find new inspiration. My current fixation is English Paper Piecing and I just started a fabric pull for Tula Nova quilt.
~When did you first begin sewing?
I've sewn off and on for years but I really got into quilting in 2018. My boyfriend bought me a Project Runway Brother for Christmas and I made a t-shirt quilt of all of my old t-shirts from college.
~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
I was wracking my brain for a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law and I decided on making her a quilt. I did a pixelated heart pattern with Kansas Troubles fabric and hand quilted the heart; that was the true beginning of my foray into quilting. My brain enjoyed the fact that I could cut up fabric and put it together in new and interesting ways. I also got really into free-motion quilting and I have tried out many techniques to try and bring my quilting to another level. Quilting is my escape from the hubbub of life.
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
I'm really into Tula Pink fabrics at the moment but I typically gravitate towards more modern fabrics in bright colors. I was really into Kansas Troubles fabric for a while but it really depends on what catches my eye while I'm walking down an aisle or through a quilt shop.
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
I'm really proud of the king-size rainbow Cabin Peaks quilt that I made recently. It's the biggest quilt I've made to date and I free motion quilted the entire thing on my domestic machine. I believe that it took me about 90 hours in total between piecing and quilting.
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
My wool pressing mat. I just can't get my seams to lay flat without it and I love that I can lay something heavy on top of my block while it cools down to lock in that flatness. I have both a small and large mat so I can have one with me wherever I go.
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
Read the pattern twice. I myself have finished cutting a fabric piece only to realize that I read the pattern wrong and cut it too small. I also like to mark the ruler with painter's tape so I can make sure I line up each cut correctly.
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~What types of things do you sew?
For the most part, I’m a quilter. I have dabbled a bit in garment sewing and do enjoy some cross stitch from time to time, but quilting is definitely at the top of the list for me!
~When did you first begin sewing?
I started with garment sewing and altering thrift store clothing into more fashionable items when I was in high school. I sewed off and on for many years after that. It wasn’t until about four years ago I decided to give quilting a try. Since then I’ve been hooked and spend most of my free time either working on a quilt or planning my next one!
~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
My mom taught me the basics of sewing clothes when I was younger, and I really enjoyed making unique things for myself. That love of sewing stuck with me, and when I found myself needing a creative outlet during grad school, sewing was the first thing I turned to. At the same time, I wanted to learn some new sewing skills, so I figured I’d try to make myself a quilt. From there, quilting became my creative outlet, stress reliever, and all around fun hobby!
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
I do not have a “cohesive collection” of quilts, and that’s how I like it. Generally, I’d say my quilts have a lot of color in them, and I prefer prints over solids. I also gravitate towards quilt patterns with very little or no background fabric. This sometimes makes for some rather chaotic quilts, but I might love the chaotic quilts the most!
I call this one my "Comforting Chaos" quilt!
A quilt for my niece.
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
I’m most proud of my first “real quilt” – the one that kicked off my love of quilting four years ago. Clearly my ambitious side had taken over the day I picked the Shimmer pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew off the wall of patterns at Stitch. Though it was “beginner friendly” I did not know what I was getting myself into! I think I had over 900 little pieces of fabric to sew together and keep track of, and I spent months working on that quilt. I had a very loose grasp on the ¼” seam allowance and so ended up ripping out a lot of seams when things just kept coming out the wrong size. I kept at it though, finished it, and will say it is probably one of the most difficult quilts I have attempted. And it is definitely one of my favorites!
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be a quilter if it weren’t for my rotary cutter. Have you ever tried cutting out tons and tons of little pieces of fabric with scissors? I have, and it’s the pits! Now I know why my grandmother was unsuccessful when she tried to teach me how to quilt – we never made it through the cutting stage!
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
I try to always take my finished quilts out for a little photoshoot, so I’ll share some tips for taking quilt pictures.
~What types of things do you sew?
Primarily quilts, but I’m starting to sew totes and other small items
~When did you first begin sewing?
I made my first small quilt about 18 years ago but have been sewing as a hobby for about 10 years.
~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
My grandmother was a quilter and made quilts for all the grandkids. I became involved in several charity projects that revolve around quilting as well.
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
I like a wide variety of patterns and fabrics. I tend to make more kids quilts so brighter colors and prints are always fun.
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
I have several projects I enjoyed making but one of my favorite projects to make was my parents’ 50th anniversary quilt.
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
I’d have to go with my seam ripper! I use it frequently.
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
Try something new often, even if you have tried it before. Take a class even if you know the technique. Every class I’ve ever taken has offered me a tidbit of information I didn’t know before even if I was familiar with the pattern or technique. Meeting and spending time with fellow quilters is an added bonus!
]]>~What types of things do you sew?
Most of my sewing time is spent doing hand embroidery- I always have a project going and kept right next to my spot on the couch. I took one of the first classes Angie offered in embroidery and just fell in love with how creative it allows me to be. I like to say, “It’s the coloring book of hand sewing.” I can mix colors and stitches to make unique art. I also have cross stitch projects I am always working on. For the sewing machine, I like to work on quilts, pillows, and wall hangings. I like to call myself a flat quilter, I’ve tried the bags, the stuffed animals, and the hats, but I find flat is best. Paper piecing is my favorite mode of quilting. I recently started to combine my hand embroidery with quilting to make unique wall hangings.
~When did you first begin sewing?
I always remember working on projects as I was growing up. My first sewing projects were stamped cross stitch kits. Along the way I did try different projects of sewing pillows and stuffed toys with my mom helping me with the sewing machine. It wasn’t until after I graduated from college in 2000 that I bought my own sewing machine and started making some quilts, well the same quilt pattern a few times for gifts to friends and family. I then took time off from that when I had my three children. My oldest became involved with theatre and when asked who owned a sewing machine, I raised my hand. I then spent a few years making costumes for children’s theatre. Making clothes is not my go to, but it did increase my interest in learning to sew with my machine and start creating again. And honestly, it was with the opening of Stitch, and seeing all the cool fabrics and patterns out there, that got me wanting to try new things. On my first visit, I bought the Big Foot quilt Legendary pattern by Elizabeth Hartman. I was determined to learn to quilt and make this for my then 12-year old son. Well, it’s still a work in progress. I am determined to get it done this month, a great way to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Stitch! From taking the classes, I learned that I just love paper piecing and hand embroidery. Now there is just not enough time in the day to get all the things done that I want to create.
Edit: She finished the quilt top and is in the process of gathering backing to get it completed! Woot!
~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
My mom. When I was little, I always remember her working on different crafts: cross stitch, knitting, crotchet, and sewing clothes for me, my sister, and our dolls. Seeing her always creating and making things for us made me want to do the same
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
Everyone that knows me knows I like bright colors. Yellow is my go-to color. Right now, I am working on a block of the month quilt using fabrics by Kaffe Fassett- I look forward to working with the bright colors and patterns that he has created. I can’t wait to see what I have created by the end of the year
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
I have two, both of which I created last year, one as a gift and another as my entry into a Stitch contest. I made a quilt for my daughter’s theatre teacher at Morgantown High School. When Ms. Barns announced that the spring musical would be 9to5, Angie announced that Stitch would be getting the 9to5 fabric line that very same day. It was fate, I just had to make Ms. Barnes a quilt. I loved the colors and patterns in the fabric line but could not find a pattern that I like. So, I bought the 9to5 fabric panel, cut the images apart, and then just created the quilt by sewing pieces together until I got what I thought was an awesome quilt. My daughter and her friends were excited to present it to Ms. Barns at their end of the year ceremony for theatre.
The second is the wall hanging that I created for the contest that Angie had at Stitch- to create something out of a fabric panel for face masks. I started by making small paper pieced quilt blocks and crumb pieced blocks, but could not figure out what to make with them.
But then I had the idea to have them as a border around a hand embroidery project. While looking online I found a cool skull image, so I copied that and embroidered it on some fabric, then made labels for the bones of the skull, put it all together, and got something I really enjoyed making and that looked great too.
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
Stick n’ Stitch by Sulky- this paper is great. It allows you to make your own embroidery patterns. I can print anything from the computer and then it becomes a big sticker that I put on the fabric. You stitch right through it and, when you are done, it washes away in water. No lines are left on the fabric, so if you don’t follow the pattern exactly, it’s not there on your finished project. This allows me to change things up as I go along. Anything that can be printed or copied works- so many options.
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
Directional fabric- oh the stress. When starting a project, I always tell myself, “No directional fabric,” but it always happens. I just have to have that one fabric that can only be used in one direction. So always buy extra, beyond what the pattern calls for in this case. As a beginner quilter, I have made the mistake of cutting out all my fabric pieces stated in the pattern only to then realize the fabric pattern is in the wrong direction! I have learned when using directional fabric, not to just cut the fabric before piecing. I will cut from that fabric as I actual place the pieces together so as to make sure the direction is correct. Always remember to double check the direction after sewing those pieces- best to catch it early if a mistake is made. Then again, there are times I use directional fabric and I just let the pattern be in random directions. Just something to be aware of when picking fabric for a pattern.
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~What types of things do you sew?
I consider myself a straight-line sewist, so I typically make quilt-tops, pillow covers, and bags. I enjoy traditional, English and Foundation Paper piecing. I also love to cross-stitch, which is a great way to keep my hands busy when I’m not near my machine or have a quilty project in the works!
~When did you first begin sewing?
I can remember sewing as a young child, maybe five or six years old, starting on plastic canvas. My mom, Regina Leatherman, set me up with projects, which evolved into actual cross stitch, as well as machine sewing. I made a small duffel bag in high school Home Economics, which I still use to carry my sewing projects!
~What was your inspiration to learn sewing?
What child doesn’t want to do what their parents are doing? Mom was patient with me and afforded me the opportunity to sew. She treated my projects with as much importance as hers, getting them professionally framed and showing them off with pride. She nurtured my confidence in crafting and continues to be my inspiration.
~Do you have a favorite designer of patterns, fabrics, etc.? If not, what general themes or colors do you typically gravitate toward?
I can look at fabrics for days. For real. I love falling down a rabbit hole online, looking at prints and patterns; and I gravitate toward the retro colors – aqua, pink, and red. I love the colors and vintage illustrations of Urban Chiks, Cottage Mama (Lindsay Wilkes), Sarah Jane Studios, and Bonnie & Camille/Thimbleblossoms. I’m also smitten with Tula Pink’s bright colors and fantastic illustrations (more on that in the projects section).
I’m a sucker for a cute holiday print, which is why I have more Christmas-themed quilts than anything else. I currently have Cottage Mama Sugar & Spice (Valentine’s Day) and Easter Parade fabrics on my table ready to cut into a couple new projects!
~Tell us a little about the project you are most proud of or your favorite.
My most favorite project is a work in progress, our 12-year-old daughter Josie! Seriously, though, it was a project for her that holds dear to my heart. My mom and Angie made her newborn layette, including quilt, bumpers and crib sheets, using vintage prints (of course); which I loved. We moved when she was a year-and-a-half old, and I made her a quilt and pillow from Sarah Jane’s Children at Play line for her new room. There are so many sweet memories associated with that project and that time in our lives, and that fabric line remains a favorite of mine!
Another project I’m pretty proud of has been 18 months in-the-making. I enlisted in a Tula Pink La Passacaglia Block-of-the-Month, alongside my mom in 2020. It has been an adventure, for sure. Completely hand-pieced and a ton of fussy-cutting, this is my largest and longest project ever. It’s safe to say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime quilt. It has been a blast doing it with mom, though, as we make different fabric and/or cutting choices for each block. I’m hoping to complete the top by the end of February, 2023.
~What is the one sewing tool (besides your machine or hands) that you would hate to be without?
Wonder Clips! These were a game changer when I first started using them, and now I use them for everything. I would always get stuck by pins when I wrestled larger projects through my machine, and it was so frustrating. I recently started using a blood thinner, so a simple pin prick can turn into a near blood bath (okay, not quite) which isn’t great when you’re working with fabric. I also use Wonder Clips for hair controls (dang bangs!) or paper clips.
~Do you have a tip or trick that you would like to share with everyone?
My tip is just to jump in, don’t overthink, and make it work for you. I usually give myself one or two chances to rip and redo a mistake. After that, I keep on truckin’. Those imperfections and “modifications” give projects character. I also love to use my quilts and have them broken in. The wear and tear becomes part of the quilt’s story and proves that it was well-loved.
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I recently had someone ask what items a new sewist should think about purchasing. I've been mulling over what items I had as a new sewist and the things, that once I received them, were total game changers. I'm going to tell you my 5 must-haves in the sewing room.
1. GOOD PAIR OF FABRIC SCISSORS
Initially, a fresh pair of Fiskars dressmakers shears were where it was at for me. They are affordable, but sadly, won't last you forever. Within the past year, I discovered Kai scissors. I like the 8" shears. The blade is stainless steel and the handles are a little "squooshy" but still firm. I can use them for a big project and they don't leave that sore red area on my hand. They have stayed razor sharp for over a year and just now need sharpened. And that's with daily use in a quilt shop! They also don't break the bank at $22.
2. ROTARY CUTTER*
Again, my starter rotary cutter was a 45mm Fiskars. I still have it and use it, but it certainly isn't my favorite anymore. I often accidentally click the button that retracts the blade into safety mode and it is oh-so-annoying when trying to cut. My go to these days is the Olfa 60mm Deluxe Ergonomic Rotary Cutter. It can be used either right or left handed. The blades are super easy to change. And the best feature is the blade is only out when you squeeze the handle. As soon as you let go, the blade retracts to the safety position. So if you knock it off of the table, you don't risk slicing your legs or feet. This is probably my priciest must-have at approximately $48.
*You gotta change the blade regularly. If it ain't cutting like a knife through hot butter, it's time!
3. ZIRKEL MAGNETIC PINCUSHION
Lemme just tell ya. These things are amazing! They weigh a ton (often double as a pattern weight for me) and could pull the keys out of your partner's pocket from across the room. If you drop a handful of pins with the points down, this little piece of magic beautifully fans your pins with the heads out in a circle. Should there be an accidental pin or needle loss, whip this puppy out and run it over the carpet and it's sure to find it much easier than a needle in a haystack. They also come in 6 different colors so you can spruce your space to your liking. Price tag of around $20, but worth every penny.
4. CLOVER WONDER CLIPS
I distinctly remember the first time I laid eyes on these. I was working on a little boxy bag with a zipper that someone had requested to hold their extra roller skate wheels. It was the first project like that I had attempted and, believe me, it wasn't perfect. My biggest struggle was getting all the layers of the bag to stay put. Then I noticed the clippy things in the pics included with the pattern. I knew I had to have them and they have since become a favorite notion. I prefer the regular size and use them in place of pins for many projects. My favorite use for them besides bag projects are to hold my quilt binding on to the back as I prefer to hand stitch it after attaching. I started out with the box of 50 and haven't regretted having that many.
5. CUTTING MAT & RULER
Ok, so this is technically 2 items, but they go together like peanut butter and jelly. You can use them independently, but they are oh so much better together! A good starter mat is any of the self-healing Olfa mats. I would suggest getting the largest you can afford and/or have room for. A nice size is 12"x18" inches. If you like to travel with your sewing, a smaller mat may better meet your needs.
My favorite brand of rulers has become Creative Grids. They are a little pricier than a Fiskars or an Omnigrid ruler, but the little anti-slip textured areas on the back make it so much easier to hold in place and not be slipping and sliding around as you accurately cut your fabric. I would recommend a 3.5"x18.5" Creative Grids ruler
I hope this post has helped someone just dipping their toe into the sewing and quilting sea. I'm excited to start posting about projects and creating a happy space!
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