Quilting Online
Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, exchange and comment contents among themselves in virtual communities and networks. It's like having a 24 hour quilt retreat with people all over the world.
Facebook - Connect with friends and family, quilters, pattern and fabric designers, and quilt shops. My favorite feature: Facebook is updated more than any other social media site...this means you are "in the know" about anything you decide to follow. FREE
YouTube - Watch videos about your favorite subjects. Great quilting tutorials from quilting legends like Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. My favorite feature: if you get stuck on a technique, you can usually find the answer on YouTube. As many of us are hands-on learners, this is excellent! FREE
Pinterest - Find photos and links to crafts ideas and more. Lots of links to free patterns. Create your own 'board' and pin your favorites. My favorite feature: LOTS of inspiration for quilts and other crafts. This is the most addicting website you'll ever visit! FREE
Connectedthreadz - a fairly new universal social network for quilters, fiber artists, shop owners and designers. My favorite feature: post videos, photos and comments all about quilting! FREE
Etsy.com - a wonderful place to support fiber artists and small business. Items range from furniture to antiques to custom quilts. My favorite feature: you can purchase unique, one-of-a-kind items while supporting small businesses. FREE
Websites - a direct link to a website will bring you to exactly what you need. Without a direct link, however, google.com or other search engines can help you search for what you're looking for. FREE
Twitter - people share thoughts and updates in 40 characters or less. My favorite feature: it's fun to follow quilt pattern and fabric designers, especially during Spring and Fall market. FREE
Blogs - wonderful means of staying in touch with all kinds of people who share the same interests - any blogged items can be referred back to again and again and are always there when needed. My favorite feature: free patterns and step-by-step tutorials! FREE
Smart Phone and iPad Apps - new apps seem to come available every day and they can be useful and fun - some of my favorite are the Missouri Star Quilt Company Quilt Tutorials, Quilt Shops, Thread connector, ColorVariations, Jo-Ann Fabrics, BlockFab, QuiltCalc , Keepsake Quilting and more that I'd like to try are:
How to freehand Feathers
http://featheredfibers.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/how-to-quilt-freehand-feathers/
PUFF QUILT Tutorial!
http://danandtes.blogspot.com/2011/10/puff-quilt-tutorial-for-beginners.html
(I am so thankful to danandtes.blogspot.com for posting this - I never knew how my nanny created her wonderful puffed quilts - except I do remember she stuffed them with torn knee stockings, pantyhose and other hoisery.) I can't wait to make one of these!!!
Quilt Labels made E-Z!
http://quilt-talk.blogspot.com/2010/07/label-making-tutorial.html
Quilt Binding
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/binding-tutorial.html
Machine stitching binding
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/11/binding-tutorial.html
Rounded corner binding tutorial:
http://aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rounded-quilt-corners.html
Fabric Folding/Stash Building tutorial:
http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/2011/02/fabric-folding-tutorial.html
$1.99/pkg 45 mm cutter Replacement Blades recommended by some Quilting Board members:
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-2-carpet-cutter-replacement-blades-97642.html
All Things Quilty Websites and Blogs
Quilt Blocks to sew:
http://www.quiltville.com/
Sewing cabinetry:
http://www.hornofamerica.com/
http://www.sewingmachineoutlet.com/_koala_kabinets.htm
Books:
(any of the all-time favorites are my favorites, too - I've got almost every one!)
http://www.martingale-pub.com/store/
Someone who's got it all together in the world of quilting and has been at it since the early 1970s:
Harriet Hargrave
http://wwwharrietha571.corecommerce.com/index-21.html
Embroidery machines - you can do a lot more than just embroider; you can "quilt in the hoop" like Nancy Zieman http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/piece+in+the+hoop+book.do
or make quilts from the embroidery hoop like Anita Goodesign:
http://www.anitagoodesignonline.com/?s=jelly+roll&x=0&y=0
These items make your quilts perfect without 20 years of practice! Yeah!! Great stuff for newbies :-)
Machine embroidery threads and software:
http://madeirausa.com/
Floriani is the name right now in gorgeous machine embroidery threads and embroidery software. http://www.florianisoftware.com/
Machine embroidery designs that will make your jaw drop because they're so gorgeous come from Anita Goodesign: Her Diamond Club is very popular. http://www.anitagoodesignonline.com/ (She uses silk fabric!)
John Deer (yes, that's spelled right :-) is a giant in the machine embroidery world right now: http://www.adorableideas.com/
Irons:
Rowenta http://www.rowentausa.com/rowenta/frame.aspx
Quilting chair (five footed):
Herman Miller Aeron Chair - no shoulder or back strain from this chair
http://store.hermanmiller.com/Products/Aeron-Chair
Subscriptions to magazines:
McCall's Quilting magazine
Especially for young, new quilters: McCall's Quick Quilts is highly recommended - fun fabric, easy to follow directions, very do-able for newbies!
Bind Tutorial:
http://quilterie.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-bind.html
Studio Magazine - all about organization: http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines/Studios.html?SessionThemeID=22&a=swe110426
Applique Tutorials
http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-masses.html
APPLIQUE TUTORIALS http://www.erinrussek.typepad.com/
*****************************************************************************
Charm Pack HST's to create the perfect pinwheel blocks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E
Tip for HST Triangulations success: Carol Doak paper, about $10/pkg. Can also use unlined doodle pads sold in stores for youngsters to draw in. They are a pulpy form of newsprint that has a slightly fuzzy feel that clings to quilt fabric nicely. Trim to fit into ink jet printer. Use a dull rotary cutter set aside for cutting paper. Use a tiny 1.5 stitch for easy removal. (From Mary)
Absolutely everything about quilting from the beginning to present day, including business tips: http://www.beginningquiltingnow.com/index.html
Rainbow Quilt tutorial (scraps)
http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/02/bottled-rainbows-ticker-tape-quilt.html
Rainbow Quilt Flickr Group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/stitchedincolor/
Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, exchange and comment contents among themselves in virtual communities and networks. It's like having a 24 hour quilt retreat with people all over the world.
Facebook - Connect with friends and family, quilters, pattern and fabric designers, and quilt shops. My favorite feature: Facebook is updated more than any other social media site...this means you are "in the know" about anything you decide to follow. FREE
YouTube - Watch videos about your favorite subjects. Great quilting tutorials from quilting legends like Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. My favorite feature: if you get stuck on a technique, you can usually find the answer on YouTube. As many of us are hands-on learners, this is excellent! FREE
Pinterest - Find photos and links to crafts ideas and more. Lots of links to free patterns. Create your own 'board' and pin your favorites. My favorite feature: LOTS of inspiration for quilts and other crafts. This is the most addicting website you'll ever visit! FREE
Connectedthreadz - a fairly new universal social network for quilters, fiber artists, shop owners and designers. My favorite feature: post videos, photos and comments all about quilting! FREE
Etsy.com - a wonderful place to support fiber artists and small business. Items range from furniture to antiques to custom quilts. My favorite feature: you can purchase unique, one-of-a-kind items while supporting small businesses. FREE
Websites - a direct link to a website will bring you to exactly what you need. Without a direct link, however, google.com or other search engines can help you search for what you're looking for. FREE
Twitter - people share thoughts and updates in 40 characters or less. My favorite feature: it's fun to follow quilt pattern and fabric designers, especially during Spring and Fall market. FREE
Blogs - wonderful means of staying in touch with all kinds of people who share the same interests - any blogged items can be referred back to again and again and are always there when needed. My favorite feature: free patterns and step-by-step tutorials! FREE
Smart Phone and iPad Apps - new apps seem to come available every day and they can be useful and fun - some of my favorite are the Missouri Star Quilt Company Quilt Tutorials, Quilt Shops, Thread connector, ColorVariations, Jo-Ann Fabrics, BlockFab, QuiltCalc , Keepsake Quilting and more that I'd like to try are:
Quick & Easy Quilt Block Tool
C&T Publishing created this free iPhone app just for quilters. It includes over 100 quilt blocks, and gives you cutting diagrams and patch sizes for multiple sizes of each block. It would also be handy to take along when you shop, to pull up quilt blocks you might want to make and review their structure.
I don't have the app yet, but sizes assume that you will cut patches individually, and not use quick piecing techniques.
The app also works with iPod touch and the iPad.
Judith Baker Montano's Embroidery & Crazy Quilt Stitch Guide
Another iPhone app from C&T Publishing. A free version of the app includes instructions for 10 stitches (right hand and left hand sewing). You can upgrade to the three paid apps from within the free version.
- Beginning #1 includes 60 basic embroidery stitches and over 20 minutes of video
- Advanced #2 takes you to more advanced stitches and offers another 20 minutes of video
- Silk Ribbon #3 includes more than 50 stitches to help you create projects with silk ribbon, and more video
Quilting Calc
Published by Robert Kaufman Fabrics, you can probably guess that this iPhone app helps you work with fabrics. The app includes eight quilt-related calculators: a fabric measurement converter, backing and batting calculator, a piece count calculator, border and binding calculators and more. It has some negative reviews regarding freeze-ups, but there's a new version available. And hey -- the app is free. If it doesn't work for you, delete it.
Quilting Calc is also available for Android cell phones.
Art Quilting Daily
Contemporary quilt lovers should check out this free iPhone app. You'll be able to read the daily blog posts from Quilting Daily, with tips on surface design, wearable arts, crazy quilting, beading, silk ribbon techniques, fabric painting and lots more. This smartphone app also gives you access to over 100 how-to videos.
Quilt Shops
Quilters Club of America helped develop the info contained in this free iPhone app for quilters. Enter a city, state or zip code and search, or let the app do the work to find the shops nearest your current location. Once you find a shop that sounds interesting, you'll be able to pull up more information about it, including its Web site.
The app also has a feedback feature -- report new shops or shops that have closed or changed locations.
The same app is also available for Android cell phones.
Quilts 1700–2010: A close-up, stitch-by-stitch look at British quilting
Here's an interesting iPhone app. It was created for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and includes 22 quilts that were on display at the museum in 2010. The quilts cover three centures of quiltmaking in Great Britain. ($2.99)
Stitchers Helper
Stitchers Helper is an Android quilting app, but also covers other sewing-related crafts, like knitting, cross stitch and embroidery. It has calculators for figuring yardage, and you can attach images to track the progress of your work. Other calculators help you cut pieces for popular units, such as half-square triangle units and quarter-square triangle units.
This is a free commercial app for the iPhone that allows you to easily shop the AccuQuilt site from your phone, iPod or iPad. AccuQuilt manufactures precision cutters. I haven't used one of their products, but have heard good reviews.
How to freehand Feathers
http://featheredfibers.wordpress.com/2008/01/06/how-to-quilt-freehand-feathers/
PUFF QUILT Tutorial!
http://danandtes.blogspot.com/2011/10/puff-quilt-tutorial-for-beginners.html
(I am so thankful to danandtes.blogspot.com for posting this - I never knew how my nanny created her wonderful puffed quilts - except I do remember she stuffed them with torn knee stockings, pantyhose and other hoisery.) I can't wait to make one of these!!!
Quilt Labels made E-Z!
http://quilt-talk.blogspot.com/2010/07/label-making-tutorial.html
Quilt Binding
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/binding-tutorial.html
Machine stitching binding
http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/11/binding-tutorial.html
Rounded corner binding tutorial:
http://aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/2011/03/rounded-quilt-corners.html
Fabric Folding/Stash Building tutorial:
http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/2011/02/fabric-folding-tutorial.html
$1.99/pkg 45 mm cutter Replacement Blades recommended by some Quilting Board members:
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-2-carpet-cutter-replacement-blades-97642.html
All Things Quilty Websites and Blogs
Quilt Blocks to sew:
http://www.quiltville.com/
Sewing cabinetry:
http://www.hornofamerica.com/
http://www.sewingmachineoutlet.com/_koala_kabinets.htm
Books:
(any of the all-time favorites are my favorites, too - I've got almost every one!)
http://www.martingale-pub.com/store/
Someone who's got it all together in the world of quilting and has been at it since the early 1970s:
Harriet Hargrave
http://wwwharrietha571.corecommerce.com/index-21.html
Embroidery machines - you can do a lot more than just embroider; you can "quilt in the hoop" like Nancy Zieman http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/piece+in+the+hoop+book.do
or make quilts from the embroidery hoop like Anita Goodesign:
http://www.anitagoodesignonline.com/?s=jelly+roll&x=0&y=0
These items make your quilts perfect without 20 years of practice! Yeah!! Great stuff for newbies :-)
Machine embroidery threads and software:
http://madeirausa.com/
Floriani is the name right now in gorgeous machine embroidery threads and embroidery software. http://www.florianisoftware.com/
Machine embroidery designs that will make your jaw drop because they're so gorgeous come from Anita Goodesign: Her Diamond Club is very popular. http://www.anitagoodesignonline.com/ (She uses silk fabric!)
John Deer (yes, that's spelled right :-) is a giant in the machine embroidery world right now: http://www.adorableideas.com/
Irons:
Rowenta http://www.rowentausa.com/rowenta/frame.aspx
Quilting chair (five footed):
Herman Miller Aeron Chair - no shoulder or back strain from this chair
http://store.hermanmiller.com/Products/Aeron-Chair
Subscriptions to magazines:
McCall's Quilting magazine
Especially for young, new quilters: McCall's Quick Quilts is highly recommended - fun fabric, easy to follow directions, very do-able for newbies!
Bind Tutorial:
http://quilterie.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-bind.html
Studio Magazine - all about organization: http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines/Studios.html?SessionThemeID=22&a=swe110426
Applique Tutorials
http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-masses.html
APPLIQUE TUTORIALS http://www.erinrussek.typepad.com/
*****************************************************************************
Charm Pack HST's to create the perfect pinwheel blocks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E
Tip for HST Triangulations success: Carol Doak paper, about $10/pkg. Can also use unlined doodle pads sold in stores for youngsters to draw in. They are a pulpy form of newsprint that has a slightly fuzzy feel that clings to quilt fabric nicely. Trim to fit into ink jet printer. Use a dull rotary cutter set aside for cutting paper. Use a tiny 1.5 stitch for easy removal. (From Mary)
Absolutely everything about quilting from the beginning to present day, including business tips: http://www.beginningquiltingnow.com/index.html
Rainbow Quilt tutorial (scraps)
http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/02/bottled-rainbows-ticker-tape-quilt.html
Rainbow Quilt Flickr Group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/stitchedincolor/
(from sunbonnetsue.com)
I was thinking about my great grandmother Block's quilts and ran across a page online dedicated to Sunbonnet Sue's designs and designer. Enjoy!
