I love that Chelsi makes meals for the elderly in her neighborhood! I love the elderly population so much. I think it comes from all my years of being a nurse. They are always the most gracious and appreciative patients and they definitely have my heart.
the value i give back is my time. the most valuable thing and we never know until the end of the show if it is going to be 100% worth our time... but we give it...and we'll never have it back. considering we listen to you much more than you to us it is more than fair
I wanted to share my thoughts on starching. It definitely helps when working with smaller pieces but always starch before you cut the pieces out. I use Best Press most of the time but I use Flatter when the is quilt is special or for myself. About Kimberly Jolly's technique, I watched her video and actually bought one of the drying racks. When I am working on a quilt with lots of precision piecing, I use that technique and it helps with the accuracy so much! I use the faultless starch for this like she does. I spray the front and back of my yardage and let it dry completely then press it. That video definitely helped take my precision piecing to a new level!! I was really glad you mentioned it in your podcast for others to know about.
This past season (Nov) I used my orphan blocks to make 25 different doll quilts and donated them to a local toy drive. I also use my scrap cutoffs to make dog and cat beds for a local animal shelter. 😊Waste not, want not.
I think the lady asking about the rulers/cutting was asking about whether you line up the measurement line on the ruler with the edge of the fabric or a little further in actually over the edge - I believe she was asking how to cut the measurement accurately...
I enjoyed your podcast very much. I've learned at an early age when I first started sewing back in home ecc class in the early 70s to clean the machine regularly so after every bobbin (or 2 if I forget) I brush out any dust I see. Before I got my own machine I used my mom's and she was OCD about her machine so I had to make sure I cleaned out the machine after every project. My mother learned from her's (who was a seamstress) to respect your machine because it was an expensive. I have my machine serviced every year at the dealer and I make sure it is in great working order. I sew for enjoyment but growing up with women who needed it for work taught me to value it. My needles I change often, and my husband will purchase a package of 100 count of the size needles I most normally use for me so I have enough on hand. I try to buy in bulk as much as I can to save money and time.
I thoroughly enjoy the family dynamic of A Quilting Life. Yes Billy having a director adds tremendous coordination to the Podcast. My grandmother’s name was Emma so my first sewing machine was named Emma. I hope your collection is still available. I need to check.
Ok love this podcast but also love to cook!!!!! Is it possible to SHARE both the soup and taco recipes from today???? Loved all the info but i also want to make both! Stay fun and keep sharing all you do!!!! Looked up the tacos and all recipes were different - even the fish. Love this time with you and so need it often. Just starting a bout with cancer and I need all the distractions, laughter and motivation I can get!!!!!! Motivation is good medicine with whatever you challenge. Believe me I have had many with my quilting also. Enjoy your week and love all 3 of you!!!
This was a very good episode, happy 75th! I always enjoy watching and love your fabrics, can't wait for the latest one! My point for starching is that I had problems with making some blocks from a mystery quilt last year and found that starching helped me be more accurate and not have such wonky blocks. I also bought a 1/4" foot that helped too.
I want to chime in on starching…. Even if it makes it easier I don’t starch . I love the feel of the natural fabric. I am a very tactile person and “petting” , cutting and sewing with the natural feel is part of the pleasure of sewing.
Love your videos. I am a devoted fan. Thank you so much for your time. Billy is fabulous and a great addition. You inspired me while I did my biking this morning.
Dear Sherri , Chelsi, and Billy, Yes, I noticed the pink, and I loved how Sherri used the pink in the Socialites 2 Block. I just received the orders for your Simply Delightful fabric collection, and am anxious to make the Rainbow Prisms quilt featured in the February Quilters World magazine. Love your videos and the listeners questions and your responses! I just ordered 2 more of your patterns on Et;sy as well as I made sure I purchased your books that I did not have because of Martingale closing their business. Is there a pattern available for the little bag that Sherri keeps her wonder clips, needles, etc., for hand sewing projects? Thank you for all you do!
Chelsi I ordered a FQ my favorite things, pattern for the quilt on the table and the one starting today so I can make both! Thank you for being such an awsome designer!! Sherri and Chelsi Thanks for last week and saying Home for the Holidays is short supply, I bought it that day. Sherri I bought 10 books from Martingale and you are in at least 7 of them I was so happy to find you as a contributer. I save the lights from my FQ and use them in my backgrounds as scrappy backgrounds. The quilt on the wall is an example of one I would use it for the background. A different one in each block. Chelsi have you thought about a pasley?
Great episode! Every question was pertinent to me and I’m sure to many other listeners/watchers. I was looking for a Feb valentine quilt project and so excited to see along with you Chelsi. So glad to hear you will be in Houston this year and I hope I get to run into you two wonderful ladies there! OMG I can’t tell you how many times our boys brought their friends over for lunch or after school before practice and cleaned out our fridge left overs😂. One played football and the other was in band. Those band kids ate just as much as the football players. I started putting post it notes on the “off limit leftovers”. One of the disadvantages of living 2 blocks from their high school. Our kids are in their 30’s now and we still laugh about those days when we went to plan B for dinner 😂
In relation to the question about lining the ruler up: I always have my measure line on the fabric. I think if the fabric edge comes up to the line, but doesn’t include the line, then there’s no allowance for the thread and pressing. Having the measure line on the fabric allows for the thread and pressing to take that tiny amount of room. When making a complex block with many seams, this tiny allowance means the difference between a perfectly sized block, and a block that finishes a little shy.
At marker 23, the question about cleaning machine etc. I use the 1/2 inch painters tape to jot down my needle size, when I cleaned my machine, etc and leave the tape on my machine. Loved this show along with the quilt that is hanging up. Listening as I’m machine quilting a nice bright quilt that I used the fabric line, Catalina. So bright and summery as we have had a lot of snow here in Maine. I also often curate my own fabrics (a true New Englander, ie thrifty). What I have found that always works for me is the following; every time I’m not sure what to use, I ask myself this question. “Does this make me happy?” I was and still am amazed how freeing and successful this little question has been in my quilting experience. Love the energy, laughter and kindness all three of you share each and every video. I’m always smiling a lot as I watch each episode.
Question? I have so many fabrics that I love and hold back from projects. Do you have fabrics that you are saving and can’t seem to part with? What are they? Also, I have a very considerable amount of fabric that is boxed up in Rubbermaid tubs. Do you have suggestions for storage? I want to be able to see what I have. Thank you so much for your podcasts, blogs, tutorials, and sew alongs. You three are a bright spot for my Monday mornings. 💕💕💕
Yes! I thought it was just me noticing some fabrics fray like crazy. Moda definitely frays less! Thank you for confirming this for me! And some of these companies are very popular. It is sad that I am finding I will not buy from any of them anymore just for that reason. Love their designers but the fraying is making me nuts
Loved the question about cleaning your machine - I got my cleaning routine from Sherri!! I watched the cleaning your machine video and found it so easy to count my bobbins. During the cleaning process - I change my needle. Sometimes I will also change my needle after I quilt a small project. I was told that changing your needle is the easiest and cheapest maintenance for your machine - and that has always stuck with me. And I have been sewing on the same Janome machine for 20 years.
I was watching your podcast the other day and you were talking about Walmart not to be rude but some of us are on a senior citizens budget and with fabric now $12 2 $15 is kind of high considering I used to buy fabric for $8 a yard sometimes we have to use our stash sometimes we have to go to Walmart or to Jo-Ann's Hancock's Fabric because we cannot afford the prices online or at our quilt shops if they bring the prices back down we can support more about quilt shops there are times I would like to do a fat bundle of some of these new lines of fabric but as a senior cannot afford $45 2 $200 not counting the pattern on the book some of us have to make choices I know the quality of some of the stores are not 100% cotton but into the economy and the cotton full fabric goes down Walmart Jo-Ann's and Hancock's are the next best thing and with the fabric going up Jo-Ann Fabrics are going to close some of their stores but thank you very much and you guys have a very nice day
I have been told to changed needle every 8 hours at our sewing group in Australia WA you know when it needs chaining your machiine makes a driffant it sounds louder
Some great questions and ideas. So funny about the fish tacos but I was the opposite - loved it when my kids brought their friends around and especially to eat! Those were fun days as soon they are off to college.
Always love your show! ❤ I think changing the needle is a preference. Jenny Doan only changes hers when it breaks. I think changing it with every project would be too much for me. Can’t wait to pick up your newest line! Hugs, Robyn
Just wondering...do you or have you ever made a special quilt for each other? It would be fun to see any family favorites, or special family quilts. What's Billy's favorite? Dads favorite? 🤭
Chelsi, you just made me laugh out loud with "See, you can have your cake and eat it to". Just love you two and especially all your gorgeous fabrics and designs.
My feelings on saving scraps for dog and cat beds was great until I washed my cat bed and the drying of these bed is very long. I was making cat beds with scraps for my local cat rescue and I heard that when these beds got dirty they just threw them away. I called and asked them and it was true because they can’t be dried very good or very fast. So just a thought on making these. The ones that dry faster are the cat beds that have just batting scraps in it.😊
I would like to comment on using Warm and Natural batting in a quilt that is going to be hand quilted. I used it in my first quilt, and learned that it is very hard to hand quilt because there are bit of cotton seeds and/or twigs in the batting, making it difficult for the needle to go through. Since then, I always use Quilters Dream cotton Request, because it is very thin and easier to hand quilt.
Sheri i think you misunderstood her question about using the ruler to cut the fabric. Its a question for me too. If i heard it right she was asking when you go to cut for an example a 2.5 strip do you put the 2.5 line of the ruler ON top of the edge of the fabric or do you butt it up next to the fabric.
@@dyanncox3833 thank you, always wondered if it mattered but on some blocks with lots of pieces that few threads each piece will add up and my block is 1/8-1/4 too small.. thank you for the tip 💚
Orphan Blocks: I have many test and orphan blocks ranging in size from 6 1/2” to 15 1/2” that I have collected for years. None are from the same collection, designer or even fabric company. What I have planned is to make picnic/car/camper quilts out of them.
Wool batting is great for hand quilting, the quilt bat Warm and Natural is a denser texture and the needle doesn’t flow through as well for hand quilting.
I liked your answer to the strip question for BOM's. I do the same as you, I figure a 12" block will be using the same size components to make their blocks. I generally cut large pieces of fabric a little at a time, i.e. cut a half yard off then sub cut to FQ (it reduces dog legs). I then figure what a block will need or if I'm behind a few blocks. I cut 2.5" a strip, and sometimes 5" strip (it can be sub-cut into 2.5, 3 or 4.5) or other size smaller. I put all my strip scraps into a zip lock to use for blocks needed in future months. When the quilt is done the strips/leftovers go into my scrap bins (they can be sub cut into squares or strips i.e. 1" and up, the 1" scraps for string quilts, the strings end up being .5" when sewn. I started doing this because if I cut a block out of a larger piece, I found the rotary cutter will go past the needed piece and into the fabric, then the next cut will have a nick; I hated that. Thank you all for these great podcasts. I enjoy them.
I don't generally starch but I did starch on one of the blocks from your 2022BOM. I didn't starch the first one and had to throw it out and then remade with starch...Definitely helped!
I was raised by people who lived through the great depression and we dont waste anything lol... I finally told myself anything smaller than 1.5 blocks put them in my dog bed bin.... but I will make HST with the triangle cut-offs down to 1.5 inch squares... i haven't done anything with them yet, but I can't toss them... i need to remember to use them in QALs such as Sewcialites
I have a question for Sherri. You mentioned you have a Janome machine. Do you oil your machine? I have the 9400 quilters edition now. I have always used Janome machines and the manual stresses to not oil it. I was just curious if maybe I should be.
I wanted to comment on the question asked about ruler lines and cutting. When you are cutting say a 2.5” strip, do you lay the ruler on the fabric with the line just to the left (or right) of the line, or do you lay it so that the line is on top of the edge of the fabric? The line is maybe 1/16th of an inch, but with many cuts that can make a difference. Thank you!
I cut fabric at Hobby Lobby, and we carry Kona solids. I’ve often wondered if they are a “B” line, but have been told, Kona is Kona, no matter where it is sold.
I had to laugh about the Moda fabric being in Walmart! I wish Moda was in Walmart…even if it is the precuts. It would be so convenient. My local quilt shop has limited hours & I work full time. It seems like my local quilt shop is always closed after I get off work.
About changing the needle. The "industry standard" is every 8 hours of sewing. So, when they start their shift, in a factory, the first thing the new shift worker does is change the needle. At least that is what I was told at an industry trade show a couple of years ago. The chrome plated ones or those ones by Superior threads that are titanium - can go up to 40 hours before they need to be changed.
I thought it was really sweet that Billy was looking at Walmart for fabric Sherri and Chelsi might like. One of the nurses I used to manage would always buy me fabric from Walmart for my birthday or Christmas. It was very sweet and of course it was the thought that counted. but she had no idea about the lack of quality. I used it to make kennel quilts for donation though so it wasn't wasted. I have actually bought it from there myself for kennel quilts but have never made a real quilt with any of it. Sherri mentioned how someone commented about her fabric prices. I would be willing to bet that person has never experienced quilt shop quality fabric. I could never use anything of less quality in something that I invest so much time in. I sometimes quilt for the public and it really surprises me how many people will use Walmart Joann or Hobby Lobby fabrics and then pay me to quilt their quilts. However, I realize that may be all they can afford and if that is the case, I am glad it is available for them. It would be a shame if they couldn't make quilts because they can't afford quality fabric prices. I feel very blessed that I can afford to know the difference and use the good stuff. I love the quality of Sherri and Chelsi's fabrics!!!
I am a starcher, however I do not starch for all my projects. precuts I do not starch. fat qtrs and planned large or long qals I starch. and I starch old school, with powdered or liquid starch. this is time consuming, but I like the outcome because there is less fraying and more body in fabric for piecing. I have a designated Sterlite container to mix my starch and water and I dip/saturate my fabrics and hang on drying rack. there is no hard rule that says you must starch. starching is a personal preference. I definitely agree small piecing is the one where I would recommend starching. I also wash my completed quilts to get starch out and joyously embrace the crinkly results of washing the quilt!
Sherri, you haven’t recommended any books lately. And with Martingale Publishing Company closing, and you had mentioned in 2022 that you would be reworking the “A Quilting Life Planner” Sew in 2024 what do you have in mind
I Love All three of You. Chelsea I love You’re Emotionally. You are so lucky to have a Beautiful Mom that Sews to. My family thinks I’m crazy,and a hoarder.😢
My family is always eager to see me hit the she shed and sew. If I'm not sewing I'm looking for another project around the house and they know I'll need help!
Can you tell me what fabric line the quilt behind Sherri is made with? I’m excited to hear there will be a sew along for that. I have already purchased the pattern but haven’t started it yet. ❤
Starching... Its a lot of work, and there are those notable starchers that make such a big deal about it. I think it depends if you are trying to improve on your accuracy especially for complicated blocks. I did my first starched material for a sew along but I also wash my yardage before starching. I do notice a difference with both accuracy and freying.
The best batting for big stitch quilting or hand quilting is Quilters Dream Request 100% cotton. Other battings are really hard to hand quilt through and it won’t be a good experience. The quilters dream request allows the needle and thread to pull through like butter. Warm and white or warm and natural is the best for everything else. I use that exclusively (unless I’m hand quilting 😊) because I love it so much. ❤
I have double and triple checked the measurements on my cutting mat, and they are accurate up to 18 inches. The cutting mat is 56 inches long, and I’ve had it for about 30 years. It is funny to me that it loses accuracy, at about 18 inches. It is only a hair off, but it is off. I use those first few inches quite often for measurements and do not have a problem.
Starching Fabric has helped my cutting. I have more accurate points. I put up 4 Shower Tension Rods, take my ironing board in Bathroom, cover it, I use Niagara (use to be Fautless) Spray Starch, and Hang it over the Rods and let it drip dry.
I love that Chelsi makes meals for the elderly in her neighborhood! I love the elderly population so much. I think it comes from all my years of being a nurse. They are always the most gracious and appreciative patients and they definitely have my heart.
the value i give back is my time.
the most valuable thing
and we never know until the end of the show if it is going to be 100% worth our time... but we give it...and we'll never have it back.
considering we listen to you much more than you to us it is more than fair
I wanted to share my thoughts on starching. It definitely helps when working with smaller pieces but always starch before you cut the pieces out. I use Best Press most of the time but I use Flatter when the is quilt is special or for myself. About Kimberly Jolly's technique, I watched her video and actually bought one of the drying racks. When I am working on a quilt with lots of precision piecing, I use that technique and it helps with the accuracy so much! I use the faultless starch for this like she does. I spray the front and back of my yardage and let it dry completely then press it. That video definitely helped take my precision piecing to a new level!! I was really glad you mentioned it in your podcast for others to know about.
Love your Podcast! Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to the quilt along with Chelsi Stratton Designs.
This past season (Nov) I used my orphan blocks to make 25 different doll quilts and donated them to a local toy drive.
I also use my scrap cutoffs to make dog and cat beds for a local animal shelter. 😊Waste not, want not.
Love your sincerely yours quilt top!
I think the lady asking about the rulers/cutting was asking about whether you line up the measurement line on the ruler with the edge of the fabric or a little further in actually over the edge - I believe she was asking how to cut the measurement accurately...
The whole line needs to be on top of the fabric, otherwise you will come up short on your measurement
Love your quilting designs, but now I really want to know your recipe for fish tacos! Thanks for all you do!
I enjoyed your podcast very much. I've learned at an early age when I first started sewing back in home ecc class in the early 70s to clean the machine regularly so after every bobbin (or 2 if I forget) I brush out any dust I see. Before I got my own machine I used my mom's and she was OCD about her machine so I had to make sure I cleaned out the machine after every project. My mother learned from her's (who was a seamstress) to respect your machine because it was an expensive. I have my machine serviced every year at the dealer and I make sure it is in great working order. I sew for enjoyment but growing up with women who needed it for work taught me to value it.
My needles I change often, and my husband will purchase a package of 100 count of the size needles I most normally use for me so I have enough on hand. I try to buy in bulk as much as I can to save money and time.
I thoroughly enjoy the family dynamic of A Quilting Life. Yes Billy having a director adds tremendous coordination to the Podcast. My grandmother’s name was Emma so my first sewing machine was named Emma. I hope your collection is still available. I need to check.
I love that your BOM showed 2 varieties. It helped me as a beginner.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Sure enjoyed today’s video!
Happy Episode 75! I love your videos and always learn something new.
Ok love this podcast but also love to cook!!!!! Is it possible to SHARE both the soup and taco recipes from today???? Loved all the info but i also want to make both!
Stay fun and keep sharing all you do!!!! Looked up the tacos and all recipes were different - even the fish.
Love this time with you and so need it often.
Just starting a bout with cancer and I need all the distractions, laughter and motivation I can get!!!!!! Motivation is good medicine with whatever you challenge. Believe me I have had many with my quilting also. Enjoy your week and love all 3 of you!!!
This was a very good episode, happy 75th! I always enjoy watching and love your fabrics, can't wait for the latest one! My point for starching is that I had problems with making some blocks from a mystery quilt last year and found that starching helped me be more accurate and not have such wonky blocks. I also bought a 1/4" foot that helped too.
I want to chime in on starching…. Even if it makes it easier I don’t starch . I love the feel of the natural fabric. I am a very tactile person and “petting” , cutting and sewing with the natural feel is part of the pleasure of sewing.
Thank you so much.
Love your videos. I am a devoted fan. Thank you so much for your time. Billy is fabulous and a great addition. You inspired me while I did my biking this morning.
Dear Sherri , Chelsi, and Billy, Yes, I noticed the pink, and I loved how Sherri used the pink in the Socialites 2 Block. I just received the orders for your Simply Delightful fabric collection, and am anxious to make the Rainbow Prisms quilt featured in the February Quilters World magazine. Love your videos and the listeners questions and your responses! I just ordered 2 more of your patterns on Et;sy as well as I made sure I purchased your books that I did not have because of Martingale closing their business. Is there a pattern available for the little bag that Sherri keeps her wonder clips, needles, etc., for hand sewing projects? Thank you for all you do!
Fun show - loved the Q&A and the stories. Thank you❤
Chelsi I ordered a FQ my favorite things, pattern for the quilt on the table and the one starting today so I can make both! Thank you for being such an awsome designer!! Sherri and Chelsi Thanks for last week and saying Home for the Holidays is short supply, I bought it that day. Sherri I bought 10 books from Martingale and you are in at least 7 of them I was so happy to find you as a contributer. I save the lights from my FQ and use them in my backgrounds as scrappy backgrounds. The quilt on the wall is an example of one I would use it for the background. A different one in each block. Chelsi have you thought about a pasley?
Enjoy your videos. Thank you ladies
Great episode! Every question was pertinent to me and I’m sure to many other listeners/watchers. I was looking for a Feb valentine quilt project and so excited to see along with you Chelsi. So glad to hear you will be in Houston this year and I hope I get to run into you two wonderful ladies there!
OMG I can’t tell you how many times our boys brought their friends over for lunch or after school before practice and cleaned out our fridge left overs😂. One played football and the other was in band. Those band kids ate just as much as the football players. I started putting post it notes on the “off limit leftovers”. One of the disadvantages of living 2 blocks from their high school. Our kids are in their 30’s now and we still laugh about those days when we went to plan B for dinner 😂
Very enjoyable video. I learned a lot. Thank you.
In relation to the question about lining the ruler up: I always have my measure line on the fabric. I think if the fabric edge comes up to the line, but doesn’t include the line, then there’s no allowance for the thread and pressing. Having the measure line on the fabric allows for the thread and pressing to take that tiny amount of room. When making a complex block with many seams, this tiny allowance means the difference between a perfectly sized block, and a block that finishes a little shy.
At marker 23, the question about cleaning machine etc. I use the 1/2 inch painters tape to jot down my needle size, when I cleaned my machine, etc and leave the tape on my machine. Loved this show along with the quilt that is hanging up. Listening as I’m machine quilting a nice bright quilt that I used the fabric line, Catalina. So bright and summery as we have had a lot of snow here in Maine.
I also often curate my own fabrics (a true New Englander, ie thrifty). What I have found that always works for me is the following; every time I’m not sure what to use, I ask myself this question. “Does this make me happy?” I was and still am amazed how freeing and successful this little question has been in my quilting experience.
Love the energy, laughter and kindness all three of you share each and every video. I’m always smiling a lot as I watch each episode.
Question? I have so many fabrics that I love and hold back from projects. Do you have fabrics that you are saving and can’t seem to part with? What are they? Also, I have a very considerable amount of fabric that is boxed up in Rubbermaid tubs. Do you have suggestions for storage? I want to be able to see what I have. Thank you so much for your podcasts, blogs, tutorials, and sew alongs. You three are a bright spot for my Monday mornings. 💕💕💕
You guys are hilarious! Thanks
Yes! I thought it was just me noticing some fabrics fray like crazy. Moda definitely frays less! Thank you for confirming this for me! And some of these companies are very popular. It is sad that I am finding I will not buy from any of them anymore just for that reason. Love their designers but the fraying is making me nuts
Kona is one of the solids out there that definitely fray a lot.
Love the stories and all the inspiration. Thank you. 🥰🥰
Loved the question about cleaning your machine - I got my cleaning routine from Sherri!! I watched the cleaning your machine video and found it so easy to count my bobbins. During the cleaning process - I change my needle. Sometimes I will also change my needle after I quilt a small project. I was told that changing your needle is the easiest and cheapest maintenance for your machine - and that has always stuck with me. And I have been sewing on the same Janome machine for 20 years.
I was watching your podcast the other day and you were talking about Walmart not to be rude but some of us are on a senior citizens budget and with fabric now $12 2 $15 is kind of high considering I used to buy fabric for $8 a yard sometimes we have to use our stash sometimes we have to go to Walmart or to Jo-Ann's Hancock's Fabric because we cannot afford the prices online or at our quilt shops if they bring the prices back down we can support more about quilt shops there are times I would like to do a fat bundle of some of these new lines of fabric but as a senior cannot afford $45 2 $200 not counting the pattern on the book some of us have to make choices I know the quality of some of the stores are not 100% cotton but into the economy and the cotton full fabric goes down Walmart Jo-Ann's and Hancock's are the next best thing and with the fabric going up Jo-Ann Fabrics are going to close some of their stores but thank you very much and you guys have a very nice day
Chelsea, I am getting ready to make your Magnolia pattern using your sea shore drive. Can you tell me again which Bella 9900 for the background.
Hi there...thought I could help you out in case they don't see this. Bella 9900 182 (porcelain) goes with the Seashore Drive line.
Thank you very much!
I just enter my home and after I listing to your podcast y want to see the quilts beautiful
Sherri, are you willing to share you fish tacos recipe? They sound wonderful!
I have been told to changed needle every 8 hours at our sewing group in Australia WA you know when it needs chaining your machiine makes a driffant it sounds louder
Some great questions and ideas. So funny about the fish tacos but I was the opposite - loved it when my kids brought their friends around and especially to eat! Those were fun days as soon they are off to college.
Always love your show! ❤ I think changing the needle is a preference. Jenny Doan only changes hers when it breaks. I think changing it with every project would be too much for me.
Can’t wait to pick up your newest line!
Hugs,
Robyn
Just wondering...do you or have you ever made a special quilt for each other? It would be fun to see any family favorites, or special family quilts. What's Billy's favorite? Dads favorite? 🤭
Now we are all hungry for that recipe! :) Would you be willing to share the fish taco recipe on your blog?
Chelsi, you just made me laugh out loud with "See, you can have your cake and eat it to". Just love you two and especially all your gorgeous fabrics and designs.
My feelings on saving scraps for dog and cat beds was great until I washed my cat bed and the drying of these bed is very long. I was making cat beds with scraps for my local cat rescue and I heard that when these beds got dirty they just threw them away. I called and asked them and it was true because they can’t be dried very good or very fast. So just a thought on making these. The ones that dry faster are the cat beds that have just batting scraps in it.😊
I would like to comment on using Warm and Natural batting in a quilt that is going to be hand quilted. I used it in my first quilt, and learned that it is very hard to hand quilt because there are bit of cotton seeds and/or twigs in the batting, making it difficult for the needle to go through. Since then, I always use Quilters Dream cotton Request, because it is very thin and easier to hand quilt.
I think the greatest reason for starching is that it tightens the threads and makes cutting more accurate. Most good quality fabrics don’t fray much
Sheri i think you misunderstood her question about using the ruler to cut the fabric. Its a question for me too. If i heard it right she was asking when you go to cut for an example a 2.5 strip do you put the 2.5 line of the ruler ON top of the edge of the fabric or do you butt it up next to the fabric.
The whole line on the ruler needs to be on top of the fabric, otherwise you come up short on your measurement.
@@dyanncox3833 thank you, always wondered if it mattered but on some blocks with lots of pieces that few threads each piece will add up and my block is 1/8-1/4 too small.. thank you for the tip 💚
Love the scavenger story, absolutely hilarious
Billy is a great asset!
For hand quilting I would use wool batting. Test the quilting with whatever batting you choose to make sure it needles easy
Orphan Blocks: I have many test and orphan blocks ranging in size from 6 1/2” to 15 1/2” that I have collected for years. None are from the same collection, designer or even fabric company. What I have planned is to make picnic/car/camper quilts out of them.
Wool batting is great for hand quilting, the quilt bat Warm and Natural is a denser texture and the needle doesn’t flow through as well for hand quilting.
I love that billy is a great show runner😊
Hi, wool batting is really nice for big stitch quilting!! 100% cotton too.
I liked your answer to the strip question for BOM's. I do the same as you, I figure a 12" block will be using the same size components to make their blocks. I generally cut large pieces of fabric a little at a time, i.e. cut a half yard off then sub cut to FQ (it reduces dog legs). I then figure what a block will need or if I'm behind a few blocks. I cut 2.5" a strip, and sometimes 5" strip (it can be sub-cut into 2.5, 3 or 4.5) or other size smaller. I put all my strip scraps into a zip lock to use for blocks needed in future months. When the quilt is done the strips/leftovers go into my scrap bins (they can be sub cut into squares or strips i.e. 1" and up, the 1" scraps for string quilts, the strings end up being .5" when sewn. I started doing this because if I cut a block out of a larger piece, I found the rotary cutter will go past the needed piece and into the fabric, then the next cut will have a nick; I hated that. Thank you all for these great podcasts. I enjoy them.
I use cut offs & leftovers from quilt tops in pieced backings. Triangle cutoffs can also be included in borders
you guys are awesome and I love your Stanley cups 😄
Love your podcast ❤
I don't generally starch but I did starch on one of the blocks from your 2022BOM. I didn't starch the first one and had to throw it out and then remade with starch...Definitely helped!
I was raised by people who lived through the great depression and we dont waste anything lol... I finally told myself anything smaller than 1.5 blocks put them in my dog bed bin.... but I will make HST with the triangle cut-offs down to 1.5 inch squares... i haven't done anything with them yet, but I can't toss them... i need to remember to use them in QALs such as Sewcialites
Would love to see a picture of the string quilt
I have a question for Sherri. You mentioned you have a Janome machine. Do you oil your machine? I have the 9400 quilters edition now. I have always used Janome machines and the manual stresses to not oil it. I was just curious if maybe I should be.
I wanted to comment on the question asked about ruler lines and cutting. When you are cutting say a 2.5” strip, do you lay the ruler on the fabric with the line just to the left (or right) of the line, or do you lay it so that the line is on top of the edge of the fabric? The line is maybe 1/16th of an inch, but with many cuts that can make a difference. Thank you!
I cut fabric at Hobby Lobby, and we carry Kona solids. I’ve often wondered if they are a “B” line, but have been told, Kona is Kona, no matter where it is sold.
Chelsea, I would love to see you design a line of bright fabric with some bigger bolder prints.
There is a Moda Linens that they sell at Fat Quarter Shop. Corey Yoder uses a taupe linen
Which Bella greys do you like best Chelsi?
I had to laugh about the Moda fabric being in Walmart! I wish Moda was in Walmart…even if it is the precuts. It would be so convenient. My local quilt shop has limited hours & I work full time. It seems like my local quilt shop is always closed after I get off work.
About changing the needle. The "industry standard" is every 8 hours of sewing. So, when they start their shift, in a factory, the first thing the new shift worker does is change the needle. At least that is what I was told at an industry trade show a couple of years ago. The chrome plated ones or those ones by Superior threads that are titanium - can go up to 40 hours before they need to be changed.
Question on the Blissful pattern. Is it beginner friendly or intermediate?
I thought it was really sweet that Billy was looking at Walmart for fabric Sherri and Chelsi might like. One of the nurses I used to manage would always buy me fabric from Walmart for my birthday or Christmas. It was very sweet and of course it was the thought that counted. but she had no idea about the lack of quality. I used it to make kennel quilts for donation though so it wasn't wasted. I have actually bought it from there myself for kennel quilts but have never made a real quilt with any of it.
Sherri mentioned how someone commented about her fabric prices. I would be willing to bet that person has never experienced quilt shop quality fabric. I could never use anything of less quality in something that I invest so much time in. I sometimes quilt for the public and it really surprises me how many people will use Walmart Joann or Hobby Lobby fabrics and then pay me to quilt their quilts. However, I realize that may be all they can afford and if that is the case, I am glad it is available for them. It would be a shame if they couldn't make quilts because they can't afford quality fabric prices. I feel very blessed that I can afford to know the difference and use the good stuff. I love the quality of Sherri and Chelsi's fabrics!!!
Another great video!
Do you have the fish taco recipe to share?
Did I miss the description and high points of Chelsi's quilt on the table....kinda got lost in the 'producer' talk Can we go back a bit??? Thanks
An idea for light fabrics in the FQB is they can be cut into large 15” to 17” squares and piece a portion or all of your backing for your quilt.
I am a starcher, however I do not starch for all my projects. precuts I do not starch. fat qtrs and planned large or long qals I starch. and I starch old school, with powdered or liquid starch. this is time consuming, but I like the outcome because there is less fraying and more body in fabric for piecing. I have a designated Sterlite container to mix my starch and water and I dip/saturate my fabrics and hang on drying rack. there is no hard rule that says you must starch. starching is a personal preference. I definitely agree small piecing is the one where I would recommend starching. I also wash my completed quilts to get starch out and joyously embrace the crinkly results of washing the quilt!
I am also a starcher and it sounds like the same method as you, 50/50 mix, dip/saturate & hang. I love the feel and control of the fabric after.
I have. Janome sewing machine and was really looking forward to your cleaning video but I can't seem to find the link
Sherri, you haven’t recommended any books lately. And with Martingale Publishing Company closing, and you had mentioned in 2022 that you would be reworking the “A Quilting Life Planner” Sew in 2024 what do you have in mind
Question - did you receive my email on the To the Moon and Back Quilt? 🤩
Do you get an advantage with your advertisers if your viewers watch the ads? Always wondered about that.
Please share your recipes for corn chowder and fish tacos!! Would love to receive it in an email!
I clean my machine after every bobbin, my machine loves to run clean. I use Pfaff and Bernina machines.
I just use a light spray of starch on my fabric and iron it. I think the seams press flatter.
Tell me where to learn more about pulling fabrics, resting space???
I Love All three of You. Chelsea I love You’re Emotionally. You are so lucky to have a Beautiful Mom that Sews to. My family thinks I’m crazy,and a hoarder.😢
My mom told me I was a hoarder for having all this fabric, and my husband and sons think I’m crazy to see so much🤣
My family is always eager to see me hit the she shed and sew. If I'm not sewing I'm looking for another project around the house and they know I'll need help!
Can you tell me what fabric line the quilt behind Sherri is made with? I’m excited to hear there will be a sew along for that. I have already purchased the pattern but haven’t started it yet. ❤
Starching... Its a lot of work, and there are those notable starchers that make such a big deal about it. I think it depends if you are trying to improve on your accuracy especially for complicated blocks. I did my first starched material for a sew along but I also wash my yardage before starching. I do notice a difference with both accuracy and freying.
The best batting for big stitch quilting or hand quilting is Quilters Dream Request 100% cotton. Other battings are really hard to hand quilt through and it won’t be a good experience. The quilters dream request allows the needle and thread to pull through like butter.
Warm and white or warm and natural is the best for everything else. I use that exclusively (unless I’m hand quilting 😊) because I love it so much. ❤
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Little Town is such a pretty pattern Chelsea
Thank you so much. Can you please help me find the link to the video about cleaning your sewing machine?
ua-cam.com/video/dsQb06Ksc3E/v-deo.html
❤️
I have double and triple checked the measurements on my cutting mat, and they are accurate up to 18 inches. The cutting mat is 56 inches long, and I’ve had it for about 30 years. It is funny to me that it loses accuracy, at about 18 inches. It is only a hair off, but it is off. I use those first few inches quite often for measurements and do not have a problem.
We need the fish tacos recipe!!!
Starching Fabric has helped my cutting. I have more accurate points. I put up 4 Shower Tension Rods, take my ironing board in Bathroom, cover it, I use Niagara (use to be Fautless) Spray Starch, and Hang it over the Rods and let it drip dry.
I have a question about Batting. I’m Quilting by using my Singer Quilters Confidence. I’ve been told to use Batting with Scrim. It’s hard to find.
Can You Two go over what Needle for the Machine they use.
Does Sherri and Chelsi use one of the small attachments that goes with a vacuum.
What platform do we ask questions?
Ok....fish tacos....I have to know what you put in them to make them so special! And...what type of fish???
Can you share your recipe for your fish tacos please ❤
What is Chelsea’s blog address?