Favorite Notions

Welcome to all the quilters coming over from the Moda blog today!

I am part of a notions blog hop over at Moda’s Cutting Table Blog.  The theme:  what three notions would you take with if you were stranded on a quilting island for two weeks.    It has been fun to follow along and see what everyone is bringing – both practical and funny.

I thought I would elaborate a little on what I am bringing and add a few things beyond the 3 that we were allowed to bring.

#1 – 1.  My preferred thread for doing machine appliqué:  Heavy by Dual Duty.

There are several reasons why I like this thread:

1 – It comes in several different colors – though I usually use black or dark brown. (If this thread doesn’t come in the color you want, you can just use two strands of regular weight thread)

2 – It’s heavier than regular thread so you applique looks like it’s been done by hand.

3 – The thickness of the thread makes it more forgiving.  I find that when I applique with a lighter weight thread I have to be so careful not to get little Vs in my stitching – as shown in the photo below.  The thicker thread just seems to fill them in.

Notion #2 – My favorite scissors. 

I don’t go quilting anywhere without this scissors.  It’s made by Elan (and sold by Moda).  The short blade makes for easy maneuvering when cutting appliqué shapes or threads.

 It has large holes for your hands, so it’s nice and comfortable.  Also – the handle is squishy, which makes it even more comfortable.

Notion # 3.  Hobbs Polydown quilt batting. 

Not only does it show off your quilting nicely, but it also entertains your 9 month old while you sew.

The last item we couldn’t live without while sewing:   Snacks.  In my case, coffee and double chocolate cookies.  You know that all is right with the world when your cookies are nice and dark chocolately and your coffee is nice and creamy. 

Click here to download the recipe for my current favorite cookie (which is subject to change with any new cravings)

As I mentioned, I’d like to share a few other favorite notions, as 3 just isn’t quite enough!  Here are a few more that I just can’t live without:

My favorite iron:  The Rowenta Pro Precision (the number on the box is DG 8430)

There are several reasons why I love this iron.    The main reason is that you do NOT have to shut it off to refill the steam tank.  With my old Rowenta steam iron you had to let it cool down before you could refill it.  That meant at least 30 minutes of down time.

I also love how quick this iron heats up – it only takes 3 minutes.  My old Rowenta took 9 minutes.  That was usually too long during the Sunday morning rush, which meant I always had a second iron handy that would heat up quickly.  Now I only have this one.

This iron has lots of great steam and it doesn’t spit up (as long as you use the right water.  If you use soft water, it will spit).  It’s light and has a smooth sole plate that glides easily over quilt blocks.

Rotary Cutters:  As quilters, we can’t live without rotary cutters.  I have several sizes.  My favorite is not the larger size that I usually see everyone using.  I mostly cut with the middle one in the photo – the 28 MM.  It is so much easier to manuever than those large cutters.  It is also easier to see around when cutting.

I use the smallest cutter in the photo when I do machine applique.  It saves me so much time!  I like to cut the center area out of my fusible product, as shown in the photo below (this helps reduce bulk and stiffness so it feels more like it’s been hand appliqued).  The small cutter whips in and out of those curves so much faster than a scissors!

My tools for doing binding quicker:  Hand Quilting Thread and Straw needles.  I am totally addicted to straw needles.  They glide in and out of the fabric so nice and the long length makes them easier to manuever.  My preferred brand is by Fox Glove Cottage and my prefered size is an 8.

Click here to see my tutorial on quickly hand-stitching binding using these tools.

That’s all for now.  I also have an older post that I did with a few favorite notions.   If you have time to read it, click here. 

(Just keep in mind that this post is older now, so a few things have changed, like my quilting machine and my iron.)

Almost There . . .

 Hello Quilters – How are you?

Things are moving along smoothly here – as I am still managing to get a bunch of things finished.

As you can see, the studio is back together.  I chose to just lighten the yellow a little bit.  I almost painted the studio blue – which I know I would love – but I had just made those curtains a few months ago.  They were waiting in my to-do pile for about a year and a half and I really didn’t want to make new ones again.  I honestly don’t like making curtains, especially when they are lined with light blocking lining.  I guess I would rather repaint than make new curtains.

You can see the before color here – almost a cheddar color. 

It’s now a much lighter, softer, creamy yellow.  I like it most of the time – but I do find that it really changes with the different times of the day.

I am plugging away on my work deadlines.  The latest strike-offs for “Here Fishy, Fishy” arrived for their final critique.  Notes have been made and sent off for a few last changes.

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Several additional quilts were finished for the new book.  In addition, I ended up getting most of my photography for the book done.  It’s always such a huge relief to have it done.  I hadn’t intended to do it last week, but the lighting outside was perfect.  It’s a good thing I did it though – as we had a blizzard warning yesterday and it’s bitterly cold today.

At least the sun is shining, which helps block out some of the sound that howling wind is making.  Can you believe last year, at this same time, there was green grass when I was photographing the book projects?  At this time last year we had no snow and the temps were in the 60’s.  It’s a good thing too, considering how many little kids were in the book. 

I did use one little kid in this years photos.  Bet ya can’t guess who?  My favorite prop ever 😉  

(No offense to all the other wonderful kids I’ve gotten to use as props).

Yep – Pretty delicious.  I wish you could hear the sound Daddy had to make to get him smiling for the pictures though.  It would have been a nice addition to my photo bloopers post.

I will be back in a few days.  I am going to be part of the Moda Favorite Notions blog posts.  I will be adding a few more details on my favorite notions here on my blog, in addition to what is posted on the Moda blog.

 For now, it’s back to editing. . . . .

Everyday Life

       

It’s amazing how quickly time flies between blog posts.  I have intentions to blog more or put something on Facebook, but I don’t get it done.  Everyday flies by and I barely get my work done, plus taking care of and playing with Carter.  I have been finishing up lots of quilts that I will get to share someday soon.   I have gotten two quilt tops machine quilted this week, one quilt top pieced, and the binding hand-stitched on another one, so progress is being made slowly but surely. 

In amongst all the busy work, I have found time for a little knitting and a little snowshoeing.  Both knitting projects are small – a hat for Carter and a cowl for me. 

The hat for Carter:

Ravelry link here with the details

This isn’t the best photo, but it’s the only one I have of him wearing the hat.

The cowl for me – once again, made out of one of my favorite yarns – Madeline Tosh DK.  I LOVE the colors.

Ravelry link and details here

Sometimes, Minnesota is so pretty in the winter.  As I wash dishes, I look out the kitchen window and it’s beauty beckons me to come out and enjoy it.

 

Snowshoeing even makes Daisy happy.  You can tell in the photo by the extra flop in her ears.

 

This last shot is for those of you who were picturing me with giant tennis rackets strapped to my feet. 

So what’s on your agenda for the weekend?

I am in the process of painting my studio and putting it back together.  (Yep, I definitely have spring fever.  It makes me want to paint everything in lighter, springy colors – but what a mess!)