View entire thread: need some more help
Posted by Roberta Zollner on Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:43 PM    Post subject: Re: need some more help



Get a new blade for the cutter you bought and see if that solves your problem. Better yet, go to your LQS at a slow
time of day, explain your problem, and ask if you can try out a few different cutters. They might say no, but it
wouldn't hurt to ask. My current favorite is the Fiskars with the ergonomic handle. But whatever cutter you have, the
blade needs to be changed now and then. While you're there, ask them to give you a cutting lesson. This sounds stupid,
but it's amazing how many people try to cut at an angle, or with the wrist bent out of shape. You need a cutter that
allows you to work with a straight wrist. This might mean some changes in your cutting table too -you can't cut
straight if it's the wrong height and forces you to bend over. Edging = binding. I've never seen ready-made binding
that was wide enough: a 2.5" strip folded in half (so-called double-fold binding). We generally make our own.
Doesn't have to be bias binding unless you have something with a curved edge. Don't be tempted to save money on
thread. Good thread doesn't look fuzzy if you hold up a piece in a good light and put your glasses on. Look for a
label that says "long staple". Make sure it's for machine work -some hand quilting thread has a glaze finish
that might gum up your tension discs. I almost never buy fabric for a particular project. So I tend to buy whatever
looks irresistably gorgeous, as much as I can afford. It's like crayons -you need a lot of different colors on hand,
because you never know. Don't worry about batting until you have a top done. (Easy for me to say -just bought a full
bolt of the stuff. But I do this a lot.) Don't worry about annoying us -we love enthusiasm! Roberta in D
"Jacqueline" <coldiron46@yahoo.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:5igtd293tn2ul0a2lsq74662fetptp36of@4ax.com... [quote:a314de9da0]I am at wits end again. I know that even though I
have bought precut blocks etc, that I will have to do some cutting some time. And even if I don't have to I want to try
it and see if I can. Now here is what I need to know. I need to get me a mat, rotary cutter, and rulers, do you all
recommend any one in particular. I have a rotary cutter but the best I remember it won't cut butter, the thing has
always been dull so I bet I bought cheap. What other supplies to I need, since I will have to buy it all on line, may
as well get what I need in one order if possible to save on shipping. Also when you all do buy fabric, how much do you
usually buy at a time? I want to participate in this group as much as possible so I know I need to get some different
colors and things to mail for squissies, I think is what it was called. I guess I need someone to just lay out to me
just what all I need to pick up like basic thread, batting, the edging, which I can't remember what it is called.
Border is what I would call it. I hope you all don't mind but everyone of you have become my new best friends :) I
hope the feeling is mutual and I have not aggravated the crap out of you. I plan on spending the day reading about
quilts and reacquainting myself with my sewing machine tomorrow, well that is after church if I will give up the ghost
and go to bed that is. :) I am so excited that I thought I first thought I would wait until about Oct. to begin this
project but I really do not think I can wait that long. Love you all, Jacqueline Jacqueline http://www.mountain-
breeze.com Recipes and other fun things[/quote:a314de9da0]

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View entire thread: need some more help
Posted by Patti on Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:06 PM    Post subject: Re: need some more help

I'll just deal with the cutting! others will join in: I have an Olfa mat. They are great - occasionally a smelly one
turns up [quote:b6741ab86d]g< It will just have to be aired, if you get one of those! I think most people think
they are pretty good. They come in different sizes.[/quote:b6741ab86d] My most used one is 20-something x nearly 20. If
your hands are a problem, try to get a cutter which is called 'ergonomic'. They have specially shaped handles which fit
nicely into the palm of your hand. Also, you may need to change your blade more often than most of us, because the
sharper the blade, the easier it will cut, with least pressure required. So, try to find somewhere that has packs of
ten or more at a special price. It isn't so much the cheap cutter, probably, as the blade. Also, it might be too
tight. The hand-turning screw at the back needs to be tight enough to hold the blade on, but not too tight to prevent
easy rolling. When you get your cutter, open it up *very* carefully and make sure you know the order in which the
little parts are assembled. Always put the bits down in the order they come off the cutter, so that you can put it
all back together in the right way. Sometimes there is a curved washer, which needs to be put back with the curve
turned the right way. Rulers: The most useful one is probably the 6 1/2" x 24". You will need one like
that for cutting large pieces. However, it is heavy, and takes quite a bit of hand power to hold it steady. I
recommend that you also buy the 4 1/2" x 12 1/2". I love that one. It will be specially useful for you if
you are cutting squares - you can buy long quarters instead of fat quarters and the smaller ruler will go right across
a long quarter (or buy a third of a yard, so that you can be sure of getting two five inch squares across the width,
if that is what you are going to work with). Lastly, there are scissors which are spring so that you do not have to
use your hands to pull them apart after every cut. Scissors might do you very well for a lot of your cutting. These
would be a great investment for you (I am trying to get a pair, but haven't yet found any large ones). There you are
- some things to chew over >g< .. In message <5igtd293tn2ul0a2lsq74662fetptp36of@4ax.com>, Jacqueline
<coldiron46@yahoo.com> writes [quote:b6741ab86d]I am at wits end again. I know that even though I have bought
precut blocks etc, that I will have to do some cutting some time. And even if I don't have to I want to try it and see
if I can. Now here is what I need to know. I need to get me a mat, rotary cutter, and rulers, do you all recommend
any one in particular. I have a rotary cutter but the best I remember it won't cut butter, the thing has always been
dull so I bet I bought cheap. What other supplies to I need, since I will have to buy it all on line, may as well get
what I need in one order if possible to save on shipping. Also when you all do buy fabric, how much do you usually buy
at a time? I want to participate in this group as much as possible so I know I need to get some different colors and
things to mail for squissies, I think is what it was called. I guess I need someone to just lay out to me just what all
I need to pick up like basic thread, batting, the edging, which I can't remember what it is called. Border is what I
would call it. I hope you all don't mind but everyone of you have become my new best friends :) I hope the feeling is
mutual and I have not aggravated the crap out of you. I plan on spending the day reading about quilts and reacquainting
myself with my sewing machine tomorrow, well that is after church if I will give up the ghost and go to bed that is. :)
I am so excited that I thought I first thought I would wait until about Oct. to begin this project but I really do not
think I can wait that long. Love you all, Jacqueline Jacqueline http://www.mountain-breeze.com Recipes and other fun
things [/quote:b6741ab86d] -- Best Regards pat on the hill

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View entire thread: need some more help
Posted by Kate Dicey on Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:33 AM    Post subject: Re: need some more help

Jacqueline wrote: [quote:749deb1eb7]I am at wits end again. I know that even though I have bought precut blocks etc,
that I will have to do some cutting some time. And even if I don't have to I want to try it and see if I can. Now here
is what I need to know. I need to get me a mat, rotary cutter, and rulers, do you all recommend any one in particular.
I have a rotary cutter but the best I remember it won't cut butter, the thing has always been dull so I bet I bought
cheap. What other supplies to I need, since I will have to buy it all on line, may as well get what I need in one order
if possible to save on shipping. Also when you all do buy fabric, how much do you usually buy at a time? I want to
participate in this group as much as possible so I know I need to get some different colors and things to mail for
squissies, I think is what it was called. I guess I need someone to just lay out to me just what all I need to pick up
like basic thread, batting, the edging, which I can't remember what it is called. Border is what I would call it.
[/quote:749deb1eb7] I like the Olfa ergonomic rotary cutters, and I also have a green Clover, which is good.
http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Cutters.html I also like the Fiskars cutters:http:
//www.fiskars.com/GB/Crafts/Product+Detail?contentId=82632 I have a couple of LARGE cutting mats, neither of which I've
had any smell problems with, and they have both remained nice and flat. One is a green one by Olfa (not a self
healing one), and the other a blue one from Memory Craft. Then I also have a smaller Fiskars one that I take with the
sewing stuff when on the move. For rulers I like Creative Grids:
http://www.creativegrids.com/acatalog/Non_Slip_Rulers.html [quote:749deb1eb7] I hope you all don't mind but everyone of
you have become my new best friends :) I hope the feeling is mutual and I have not aggravated the crap out of you. I
plan on spending the day reading about quilts and reacquainting myself with my sewing machine tomorrow, well that is
after church if I will give up the ghost and go to bed that is. :) I am so excited that I thought I first thought I
would wait until about Oct. to begin this project but I really do not think I can wait that long. [/quote:749deb1eb7]
Quilts are like that. And life's too short to wait on things like this! -- Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des
Trolls Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.katedicey.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and
explore!

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View entire thread: need some more help
Posted by Jacqueline on Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:20 AM    Post subject: need some more help

I am at wits end again. I know that even though I have bought precut blocks etc, that I will have to do some cutting
some time. And even if I don't have to I want to try it and see if I can. Now here is what I need to know. I need
to get me a mat, rotary cutter, and rulers, do you all recommend any one in particular. I have a rotary cutter but the
best I remember it won't cut butter, the thing has always been dull so I bet I bought cheap. What other supplies to I
need, since I will have to buy it all on line, may as well get what I need in one order if possible to save on shipping.
Also when you all do buy fabric, how much do you usually buy at a time? I want to participate in this group as much as
possible so I know I need to get some different colors and things to mail for squissies, I think is what it was called.
I guess I need someone to just lay out to me just what all I need to pick up like basic thread, batting, the edging,
which I can't remember what it is called. Border is what I would call it. I hope you all don't mind but everyone of
you have become my new best friends :) I hope the feeling is mutual and I have not aggravated the crap out of you. I
plan on spending the day reading about quilts and reacquainting myself with my sewing machine tomorrow, well that is
after church if I will give up the ghost and go to bed that is. :) I am so excited that I thought I first thought I
would wait until about Oct. to begin this project but I really do not think I can wait that long. Love you all,
Jacqueline Jacqueline http://www.mountain-breeze.com Recipes and other fun things

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View entire thread: need some more help
Posted by Debra on Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:07 PM    Post subject: Re: need some more help

On Sun, 13 Aug 2006 02:20:39 -0400, Jacqueline <coldiron46@yahoo.com> wrote: [quote:cba0a3519a]I am at wits end
again. I know that even though I have bought precut blocks etc, that I will have to do some cutting some time. And
even if I don't have to I want to try it and see if I can. Now here is what I need to know. I need to get me a mat,
rotary cutter, and rulers, do you all recommend any one in particular. I have a rotary cutter but the best I remember
it won't cut butter, the thing has always been dull so I bet I bought cheap. [/quote:cba0a3519a] Others have covered the
rotary cutter thing as well or better than I can. I would add that I use my scissors as much or more than I use my
rotary cutter. There are ergonomic scissors on the market if you need them. [quote:cba0a3519a]What other supplies
to I need, since I will have to buy it all on line, may as well get what I need in one order if possible to save on
shipping. [/quote:cba0a3519a] Well, that depends on you. My great grandma made many quilts using only hand needles,
scissors, thread, fabric, batting, a pencil and some paper. All the other quilting do-dads just make it quicker. You
might want a sewing machine with extra needles and bobbins, a walking foot for the sewing machine, template plastic for
making any special templates, rotary cutter and mat, rulers, graph paper or a computer program for drawing out your
blocks and quilt top ideas, long pins, fabric markers or chalk pencils, [quote:cba0a3519a]Also when you all do buy
fabric, how much do you usually buy at a time? [/quote:cba0a3519a] I buy lots of different amounts now, but usually at
least a yard or two of something I really like. I wait until I need to buy batting so I don't have to find room to
store it. Backing material is easy to find, so I often wait on it as well. [quote:cba0a3519a]I want to participate
in this group as much as possible so I know I need to get some different colors and things to mail for squissies, I
think is what it was called. [/quote:cba0a3519a] Squishies are not mandatory, and you don't need to buy special fabric
just for them. No one expects to get squishies from new quilters who haven't got a fabric stash yet. If you want to
send out some squishies you can just buy a little bigger piece of fabric than you need when you find some cotton prints
you like. [quote:cba0a3519a]I guess I need someone to just lay out to me just what all I need to pick up like basic
thread, batting, the edging, which I can't remember what it is called. Border is what I would call it.
[/quote:cba0a3519a] The edging is called binding. You can buy pre-folded quilt binding, make your own binding, or even
just use the wrapped binding way to finish the edge of your quilts. [quote:cba0a3519a]I hope you all don't mind but
everyone of you have become my new best friends :) I hope the feeling is mutual and I have not aggravated the crap out
of you. I plan on spending the day reading about quilts and reacquainting myself with my sewing machine tomorrow, well
that is after church if I will give up the ghost and go to bed that is. :) I am so excited that I thought I first
thought I would wait until about Oct. to begin this project but I really do not think I can wait that long. Love you
all, Jacqueline Debra in VA[/quote:cba0a3519a] See my quilts at http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere

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View entire thread: OT: Can't get to my stash!
Posted by Karen Garza on Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:16 AM    Post subject: Re: Can't get to my stash!

Oh that would just drive me nuts! My husband is in the Air Force, so we have had to move every few years. I always
take some fabric and a basic sewing kit (including my sewing machine) with me every time we move. Karen
"Fey" <hedonics@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:1154988629.260515.59070@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com... [quote:855a40c162]I'm boxed into a corner of my lounge room
waiting for the carpet layer to arrive. We've been on concrete for about 18 months in the bedrooms and now we have
visitors coming to stay and thought we might carpet the bedrooms (for 82 year old MIL). The carpet co. said last Tuesday
so we moved nearly everything out of the 3 bedrooms into the lounge room and have been living like sardines for 10 days.
And my stash is buried behind a wardrobe. Whimper. I need a stitch, man! Still, the MIL & SIL coming mean I get to
shop for new stuff and make my house quilt. Over half the blocks completed and hopefully on target. Except I can't get
to my SM.Until at least tomorrow. (Rocking in corner) Cheers, Fay[/quote:855a40c162]

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View entire thread: Question - Meander Style Quilting?
Posted by Mauvice in central WI on Thu Aug 03, 2006 1:25 PM    Post subject: Re: Question - Meander Style Quilting?

This is one of the websites I recommend to students, it has a video clip from Diane
Gaudinski....http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/tvt035.asp. it will give you the basic movement of meander
quilting....then practice on muslin like others have said....but also some advice, use ONLY cotton when you start , ie
batting (thin like warm n natural), thread and fabric...This eliminates some of the problems you might have....cover or
lower feed dogs, and if you have it, use a single hole plate rather than the zig zag plate that is standard on most
machines nowdays. And of course practice practice practice, then practice some more...the hardest of all to learn to
relax as you quilt. (Another less stressful way to start to get the feel, is to use an old UNTHREADED needle and pretend
to quilt through a sheet of paper) Mauvice M NancyB wrote: [quote:0ffbe024c6]Do all you who do such *wonderful*
meander style quilting have a longarm quilter, or do some/many of you do it with your sewing machine? Just curious...I
love the look of it and do have a walking foot for my machine, but I wondered how difficult it is? Any quilting I've
done to now, I've done by hand. (I hope this isn't a stupid question...) Anyone? NancyB[/quote:0ffbe024c6]

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View entire thread: One of those DUH! moments! And a good tip for quilters
Posted by Pat in Virginia on Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:13 PM    Post subject: Re: Thread Racks: Was - One of those DUH! moments!

Patti: Yep, it is good to avoid the sun and dust. My threads are all stored in boxes designed for little toy cars. No
writing or logos, just semi opaque plastic. Two doors, lots of spaces. The boxes are generally available in the Big
Stores when the Christmas Rush starts in the Toy Department. (Should be starting soon. SIGN!) Individual bobbins are
in trays in SM desk. I also have quantity purchased pre wound bobbins in basic colors in bags. PAT in VA/USA Patti S
wrote: [quote:323fba87d8]Polly - I'm so glad you mentioned that. I've been looking and looking at thread racks,
pondering ...... "should I get one?" But something kept knawing at me and I couldn't figure out what it was -
other than the fact that I envisioned a massive dust collector, and I'd have to suspend mine from the ceiling to keep
Murphy and Kaz away from it :-) I have an antique, 4-drawer sewing chest that I keep all of my threads in, and it's just
a pain sometimes to find the one I'm looking for. I never gave Mr Sunshine a thought! I'd really like to read how others
store their threads??? Covered or uncovered?[/quote:323fba87d8]

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View entire thread: Need Ideas
Posted by Louise on Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:01 AM    Post subject: Re: Need Ideas

Oh, that's one of my five-year quilts! I think I had the material for a good year before I did anything with it.
Piecing the top went fairly quickly - I think I had it done in about a week. It took another three years (and then
some) to do the quilting, but mostly that was because I got bored and would do something else for a while! -- Louise
in Iowa nieland4 at mchsi dot com http://community.webshots.com/user/louiseiniowa "Missie_M"
<silverstarjewellery@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message news:w_Vng.53252$lQ.20668@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...
[quote:12af759e53]Hi Susan and everyone I'm not exactly a newbie to the group, I posted a few times about two years ago
shortly before I moved house. The stress of moving house triggered my M.E. to relapse and I remained ill till August
last year when I won a holistic holiday through a competition which really seemed to help. When I returned home I was a
lot better than before the holiday, which had piqued my interest in complementary therapies and I enrolled on a college
course. I am two days away from finishing and becoming a qualified holistic therapist but since Easter my M.E. has been
gradually creeping up on me again. Today has actually been my worst day yet since my major relapse in 2004/2005 and I
have been forced to rest today, but in the hope of cheering myself up and give myself something to focus on I got out
all my old copies of patchwork and quilting magazines, which then reminded me that I had all that fabric stored in my
wardrobe that I have been dying to use for two years. So I've promised myself today that it has been put off for long
enough! I found patchwork (I never got as far as quilting before) so therapeutic that even if this really is the start
of another major relapse then on the days when I feel up to it I can try and do a little bit and hopefully it will be as
comforting as before. Another reason I would like to make it is that I have a very dear friend who I would like to give
something special to. I've got tomorrow to rest up and maybe do a little cutting and stitching before Wednesday and
Thursday when I have to go into college to complete my final assessment. I'm definitely going with the maple leaf idea,
it is absolutely ideal! I'm a bit nervy about trying to do the stem but I'll give it a shot but I'm not going to stress
as I can always pinch Anne's sister's idea and give it a flat bottom. Pat.....even I am lucky to get chocolate, my five
year old usually beats me to it!! Roberta.....I use a sewing machine but I also know some very basic stitching
techniques by hand Wendy......thanks for making me laugh today (hugs) Louise.....that quilt looks amazing!!! How long
did it take you to make? Fran xx "Betsy Ross" <None@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:qRUng.159870$F_3.39943@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net... A third vote for a maple leaf block. Welcome to RCTQ. Susan
aka Betsy Ross [/quote:12af759e53]

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View entire thread: Need Ideas
Posted by Missie_M on Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:49 PM    Post subject: Re: Need Ideas

Hi Susan and everyone I'm not exactly a newbie to the group, I posted a few times about two years ago shortly before I
moved house. The stress of moving house triggered my M.E. to relapse and I remained ill till August last year when I
won a holistic holiday through a competition which really seemed to help. When I returned home I was a lot better than
before the holiday, which had piqued my interest in complementary therapies and I enrolled on a college course. I am
two days away from finishing and becoming a qualified holistic therapist but since Easter my M.E. has been gradually
creeping up on me again. Today has actually been my worst day yet since my major relapse in 2004/2005 and I have been
forced to rest today, but in the hope of cheering myself up and give myself something to focus on I got out all my old
copies of patchwork and quilting magazines, which then reminded me that I had all that fabric stored in my wardrobe
that I have been dying to use for two years. So I've promised myself today that it has been put off for long enough! I
found patchwork (I never got as far as quilting before) so therapeutic that even if this really is the start of another
major relapse then on the days when I feel up to it I can try and do a little bit and hopefully it will be as
comforting as before. Another reason I would like to make it is that I have a very dear friend who I would like to
give something special to. I've got tomorrow to rest up and maybe do a little cutting and stitching before Wednesday
and Thursday when I have to go into college to complete my final assessment. I'm definitely going with the maple leaf
idea, it is absolutely ideal! I'm a bit nervy about trying to do the stem but I'll give it a shot but I'm not going to
stress as I can always pinch Anne's sister's idea and give it a flat bottom. Pat.....even I am lucky to get chocolate,
my five year old usually beats me to it!! Roberta.....I use a sewing machine but I also know some very basic stitching
techniques by hand Wendy......thanks for making me laugh today (hugs) Louise.....that quilt looks amazing!!! How long
did it take you to make? Fran xx "Betsy Ross" <None@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:qRUng.159870$F_3.39943@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net... [quote:f57d7bda8f]A third vote for a maple leaf block.
Welcome to RCTQ. Susan aka Betsy Ross [/quote:f57d7bda8f]

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View entire thread: free hand quilting
Posted by Patti on Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:03 PM    Post subject: Re: free hand quilting

If it's any comfort Marg, free-motion quilting, following a line, is probably the most difficult of all the techniques
to master. So, if you have just started free-motion, and have started with trying to follow a line, that's why you
are experiencing difficulties. Try abandoning the line drawing for now, and doing your free-motion without anything
other than the mental image of the design you want. Try loops and basic patterns like zig-zags, to get the feel of
your hands + machine. Always have a few practice squares before you start quilting - treat them scales when learning
a musical instrument - do a few practice minutes and then start on whatever quilt you are doing. Incidentally, you
will probably be able to do perfect (or almost!) ovals without a drawn line. Try to keep the end point in view for as
long as you possibly can, before it disappears under the foot. .. In message <efgkg.40027$uP.33251@newsfe2-
gui.ntli.net>, margaret dryden <m.dryden2@ntlworld.com> writes [quote:3828b9d65f]I want to do some free hand
quilting but I do not think I am doing it right, If I draw a line and try to sew it the sewing line does not look as if
it is on the drawn line. I start at the top and sew towards myself so I can see where the needle should be going and it
looks like I am on the line (well, most of the time) but when I try to sew back to the top, to the start (think of an
oval) I can not see the line and it all goes to pot in a hand cart, when I take it out of the machine none of looks as
if it is where it should be. Is this just a case of practice practice and more practice or am I doing something wrong.
The machine goes fast and my hands go slow. The free motion foot on my machine is a plastic see through hopping foot
and I noticed that some times there looks to be a slight kink when looking between the plastic piece and where the
needle goes into the fabric, where should I be looking, where the needle is going to sew or where the drawn line is. I
hope I have described this so that you can understand what I mean. TIA Marg [/quote:3828b9d65f] -- Best Regards pat
on the hill

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View entire thread: OT proposed discussion: How did you learn to be a "woman" r
Posted by Witchy Stitcher on Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:22 PM    Post subject: Re: OT proposed discussion: How did you learn to be a "woma

Unlike most girls, I actually learned a lot of these lessons in J.H.S. and HS Home Ec, although I didn't pay them much
mind until later. The biggest lesson was "less is better." Just highlight, don't "color." S I also
learned how to do such practical things as my nails, wrap gifts, and, of course sew, since my mother didn't. She bought
a sewing machine to make curtains on when we moved to our house and never used it after that. So thank-you, Mrs. Lyman,
who to me seemed to be 80 when I was 12. My mother didn't wear make-up until I was a teenager and she experimented with
mine. She was though, and still is, a once a week to the beauty parlor person and I still wash and do my hair every
other day, although my hairstylist now says I should aim for every 3rd day. I actually find my stylist at a place that
advertises as specializing in children. I wore my hair long and straight, sometimes with bangs, and sometimes without,
for more years than I care to mention. After losing 20 lbs on Weight Watchers, I decided to go in for a change. I
discussed this with her and explalined that I needed to be able to do a wash and wear sometimes. She came up with the
perfect cut. Looks casual and free when washed and crunched with gel, but not dried and looks layered and more
sophisticated when dried. My hair used to be stick straight, but I guess at some point it developed a slight wave that
wasn't evident until it was cut. For business clothes, I prefer Avenues to Catherines. They have a better selection of
things I like and better sales and coupons. Sign up for their mailing list and get coupons that can be used online.
www.avenue.com. I also love their demin light jeans. On 28 Aug 2006 08:12:24 -0700, "Tricia"
<cricket527@e-garfield.com> wrote: [quote:6f8c16746a]No offense to our male readers/quilters, but this topic is
weighing on my mind right now and needs discussing AFAIC....Also, right away, let me say, I know there is much more to
being a woman than make up and hair styles and such. Those other (and yes, much more important) things AREN'T the
things I want to discuss in this thread. I had *great* role models for being a strong, self-sufficient (and self-
sacrificing) woman. Please don't flame me for trivalizing what it means to be a woman. If you find this topic
offensive, I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone or incite a riot. I think most of us would probably say that the
teen years is the WHEN in regards to learning to be a "woman" rather than a "girl". During my teen
years my life was pretty screwed up (mom and stepass getting divorced, long lost father back in my life, acquiring a
stepmother, living with an abusive alcoholic, etc. PLUS all the usual teen angst issues). Somewhat as a result (I
think) something "short circuited" in my development in *how* to be a woman rather than a girl, or rather in
some other regards, being an adult vs a child. I didn't have role models for what I'm facing now in any regard.
Specific to the Woman v Girl thing, I know virtually nothing about make up, let alone how to properly apply it so I
don't look like clown or tramp. Forget trying to style my hair (although I have a little more knowledge on that) in
anything other than a basic flyaway ponytail -- it's basically not happening (these days it's more like getting me to do
anything other than use a headband 'cause it only makes a stubby tail). Occassionally I get a perm. I can't manage to
use curlers to save my soul, not even the nice heated ones DH got me a few years ago at my request. Basically when it
comes to being "pretty", "feminine", and "done up", I friggin' suck. Part of it is having
been raised with the mantra that God blessed me and I didn't need make up and stuff to mask it all. For the most part,
I believe the philosophy (in the sense that we are the way we are supposed to be, etc.) and while I tended to leave God
out of it, frequently shared that philosophy with my students (middle schoolers) when the question inevitably came up
why I was one of maybe two or three female teachers in our building who didn't wear make-up. That was fine in that
enviroment -- I might have gotten more respect from some of the adults I dealt with if I had been "done up"
but I got through it okay. I suspect something that is hindering my ability to get hired lately is the fact that I
don't "do" make up and such -- with my baby face (and unfortunately being noticably overweight), I tend to
look younger than my age, which at times translates for some (I suspect) as flighty or incompetent. -- or like I just
"don't care" (current hormone issues resulting in pimples doesn't help dispel that myth either). Besides the
employment issue, I have been pondering trying to find out how to "do" make up properly for a while now --
simply so I *can* do it when the mood/situation strikes -- like going out for a nice evening with my husband or to a
wedding, etc. Hence, realizing I have virtually no knowledge in an area many women seem to have plenty, I thought I'd
ask where that knowledge came from...where did you learn it? Pondering, Tricia[/quote:6f8c16746a]

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View entire thread: LQS Complaints--Other shoe; same foot.
Posted by Susan Laity Price on Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:38 PM    Post subject: Re: LQS Complaints--Other shoe; same foot.

I hand a student arrive to a needle turn applique class last week without her glasses! After several minutes she said,
"I guess I should have brought my glasses." She was asking me if her stitches were OK because she couldn't
see them well enough to know if the thread was showing. Susan On Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:08:02 +1000, "Cats"
<CATS@NO.SPAM.com> wrote: [quote:c2116bef78] "Sandy Ellison" wrote : : Coming to class with a machine
she's never used, not even sure how to : turn it on--"I didn't take the new owner's class at the shop when I bought
: this thing; why bother?" ...uh, because we don't have time or energy or : knowledge to teach you about it right
now, lady! <g : Or coming without the manual for their new machine and expecting you to know how to set everything
just right!! And assuming that you have the time and interest to do this for them during a class. Actually had someone
turn up with a machine in a case that was thick with dust and COBWEBS! The machine had been in the garage for nearly
ten years! She hadn't even opened the case before coming to her first class. Have had more than one turn up without
the pedal foot for their machine and look surprised when they are told "no, you can't just borrow any ole pedal -
you need yours". My first class for newbies is "Tools and Terminology" and covers all the tools they
will use in quilting, terms they will see in quilt books, and basic sewing machine use. They do no sewing in that
lesson but they have to bring their machines so I can see what they will be working with. I have seen 15yo machines
that still have the original needle! Some have sent their machines off for service and been unhappy when they still
don't sew correctly, only to find they have been putting their bobbins in upside down LOL I now keep magnifying
glasses in four strengths for those who forget their glasses, 'cos I am sick of watching the awful results when they
persist and can't see properly.[/quote:c2116bef78]

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View entire thread: LQS Complaints--Other shoe; same foot.
Posted by Cats on Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:08 AM    Post subject: Re: LQS Complaints--Other shoe; same foot.

"Sandy Ellison" wrote : : Coming to class with a machine she's never used, not even sure how to : turn it
on--"I didn't take the new owner's class at the shop when I bought : this thing; why bother?" ...uh,
because we don't have time or energy or : knowledge to teach you about it right now, lady! <g> : Or coming
without the manual for their new machine and expecting you to know how to set everything just right!! And assuming
that you have the time and interest to do this for them during a class. Actually had someone turn up with a machine
in a case that was thick with dust and COBWEBS! The machine had been in the garage for nearly ten years! She hadn't
even opened the case before coming to her first class. Have had more than one turn up without the pedal foot for
their machine and look surprised when they are told "no, you can't just borrow any ole pedal - you need
yours". My first class for newbies is "Tools and Terminology" and covers all the tools they will use
in quilting, terms they will see in quilt books, and basic sewing machine use. They do no sewing in that lesson but
they have to bring their machines so I can see what they will be working with. I have seen 15yo machines that still
have the original needle! Some have sent their machines off for service and been unhappy when they still don't sew
correctly, only to find they have been putting their bobbins in upside down LOL I now keep magnifying glasses in
four strengths for those who forget their glasses, 'cos I am sick of watching the awful results when they persist and
can't see properly. -- Cheryl & the Cats _ _ _ _ _ _ ( > Y < ) ( > Y
< ) ( > Y < ) ~ ~ ~ Enness Boofhead Donut Now in
hibernation with a wake-up call for Spring! http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau

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View entire thread: Kinda Newbir Lurker - Hi & Help with 2nd Spool Question
Posted by ellice on Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:55 PM    Post subject: Re: Kinda Newbir Lurker - Hi & Help with 2nd Spool Question

Thanks for the welcome. I'm in the midst of setting up my photo pages. And will do as soon as they're done. My
instructor from the wearable art class is making fun of me. I'm taking a "design your own - based on a sloper
(basic fitted custom pattern)" class with her and she keeps asking about the jacket. I had a hard time firming up
what I wanted to do on the back. The jacket is a basic, kind of asymetrical, short jacket, with a mandarin collar.
It's in a deep purple hand-dye, and the artsy insert motifs are from the Laurel Birch "Mythical Horses"
collection in the jewel tones (greens, golds, purple,). I've done some bias strips, the cuffs & collar, in a really
nice hand-dye that is tiny little metallic squares - over a painted/mottled background of similar colors, and then found
some curly-ques in the same colorway for some other stripping. There is a fussy-cut pocket on the front with a specific
motif. The back has seuparate cutes of the smaller horses so they come up the bakce and then meet one from over the
shoulder. But, I wasn't happy until I finally decided to go ahead and do a mountain/hills kind of background - raw edge
curved piecing, then overlay the horses, and well, there's some organza sheer shoved in there to give some distance and
layering effect. Then the instructor and some of the others from the wearable art club critiqued my layout - insisting
on the organze, and tha I add ribbons - so I've found a bunch of ribbon which I think I'll do some edgine with. The
lining is the current debate - I'm not quilting the jacket. I did have some oriental fabric to line it with - for fun -
but now am thinking it won't slip on well, so am contemplating some novelty silk that I saw at G-Street - read this
pretty cheap. Vs lining it with boring but nice rayon. It just took my mental block time to figure out to do the entire
scen kind of thing with the piecing for under the horses on the back - but it's much better than just horses floating up
the main garment fabric. I'm sure I'll let you know when either my putting the artsy layout together goes awry or it's
all done... Ellice in No Va On 10/23/06 10:17 AM, "Roberta Zollner" <rl.zollner@gmx.net.old> wrote:
[quote:0e3b8b8d09]Welcome! Mine's a Pfaff, but I'm sure you'll solve the problem. If you get around to taking a photo of
your needle holder -and the jacket- we'd like to peek! Roberta in D "ellice" <egirl22@verizon.net>
schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:C161B602.1687%egirl22@verizon.net... Hi all, I lurk a bit on this group, been quilting for
about 6 years now - off and on. I also spend a lot of time doing needlework (almost any kind) and do some designing of
Needlepoint Canvases. Hence - I'm strictly a machine quilter (relaxation and I already have tons of handwork always as
WIPs). And I definitely don't lurk on RCTN - the sister cyber stitchers to this quilting crew. Anyhow, I have a
question, and feel like an idiot - but here goes. My Bernina - a QE 150 - which has been spending most of its time
doing garment sewing this year (been taking pattern drafting, wearaable art and designing classes) has been working
today on a whim. Decided to make a knitting needle holder - so been strip piecing a bunch of fabric from my latest artsy
jacket (that's still a UFO). So, as I finally sat down to quilt the outer side, with some lovely variegated YLI - I
realized that I've forgotten how to attach the extra (vertical) spool holder to my machine. How's that for a stupid
question. So, if anyone knows how/where to stick this thing on the Virtuosa 150 - I'd be truly greatful for the help. I
tried the Bernina site - to no avail. And of course, since it's not quite midnight, and I'm in that sewing mood,
well.... Oh - more about me - I live in Northern VA, recently moved out to Loudoun Cty (west of Dulles) though was in
the McLean/Falls Church area for a long time. For the DC types - you'll understand when I say that I spend way too much
time at G-Street. And, it's me, DH, and Puckster, the springer spaniel. Also, we do a lot of ice hockey stuff. And I'll
try not to babble too much...I've much to learn in the quilting arts. Started quitling after my DM passed away, and her
sister - who's been an avid quilter kept bugging me to do it, and honestly, I really had been lusting after playing with
some fabric - so I got hooked. When she got a quilt in at AQS, Nashville, went with her, had a blast, took great
classes, etc. The rest is just an expansive tale of stash building to keep my other needlework stash company. TIA for
any help, Ellice in VA [/quote:0e3b8b8d09]

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View entire thread: Crazy Quilt
Posted by nzlstar* on Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:38 PM    Post subject: Re: Crazy Quilt

there are a few online free pix places you can use. i use webshots.com as do some others here. there is also
picturetrails.com and yahoo photos too. all free. no pix can be posted to this group directly. it wasnt set up yrs and
yrs ago to accept any pix. just find one to use, register there, post your pix and then let us know the username
you've got, with a link for us would be good. then we'll all go oooooh and ahhhhh and give you our considered opinions.
glad to hear that your blocks are mostly cotton. this will make sewing them on the machine much easier. as for your
hand embroidery skills. you only need to learn a half dozen stitches, all simple ones, then mix and match them and
you'll have enough variety to use on any good crazy quilt. tho using your machine stitches would be faster if you've
got that all worked out. good luck, jeanne -- nzlstar at yahoo dot com nzlstar on yahoo msg'r nzlstar on webshots
"crosspatch" <crosspatchpc@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:%DxLg.37665$43.25037@nnrp.ca.mci.com!nnrp1.uunet.ca... [quote:a22d997338]thank you ladies for your suggestions and
welcomes, I have an old machine that does some embroidery stitches and will maybe try and get it working, my regular
machine does only basic stitches and my embroidery skills are sadly lacking. The quilt is mostly cotton, or cotton/poly
blends, with a few pieces of 70's style polyester and some flannel. I don't know how to post photos, but will look into
it. Sandra [/quote:a22d997338]

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View entire thread: What would you do?
Posted by Cats on Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:47 AM    Post subject: Re: What would you do?

I think the problem for many people is distinguishing between hobby and skill. They seem to think that if something
is a "hobby" you should do it for no labour/time payment. And I constantly find that non-quilters have no
idea how much even the materials for a quilt cost. -- -- Cheryl & the Cats _ o _ o
0 0 ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) ~ ~ U Enness
Boofhead Donut Starting to wake from hibernation! http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "NightMist" <nightmiste@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:44ec67a7.73720675@news.madbbs.com... : On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:11:26 +0100, Kate Dicey : <kate@diceyhome.free-
online.co.uk> wrote: : : >Debbie wrote: : > : >> Gosh, I feel better. I felt like a whiney butt for even
grumbling about it, : >> but when she said she was going to put that one in the yard sale and it : >> isn't
even a year old yet, my blood pressure hit the roof!!! It was obvious : >> she had no appreciation for my time
and effort. : >> : (snip) : : >> What wuld you all charge for a log cabin quilt that size -- roughly? I
was : >> thinking $200, but that sounds like a lot. ex. 30 hours x 5.00 an hour + $50 : >> in materials. :
> : >$5 an hour is waaaaay too low for such skilled work. $20 would be : >closer to reality. : > : At
present $20/hour plus is exactly what I charge for garment sewing. : Here is a repost (updated to reflect current
charges) of a reply I : made in a fashion group: : : *************************************** : My basic rules include
never, ever, start pricing at cost of : materials, unless it's a 100% donation to a charity auction. : There are costs
beyond materials that you don't usually stop and : consider. You want to cover those or you find yourself loseing
money : and having a hard time figuring out where it went. : : : For clothing, I usually run about like this: : : :
Alterations and repairs, round time to the nearest quarter hour and : charge $20/hour plus the cost of any materials
used (other than : thread, that gets ridiculous unless it's a huge major remake of : something monstrous). : Same deal
for plain sewing from a purchased pattern but multiply the : cost of materials by 2.5. However, if the : pattern
company is on my list of incompetant pattern makers, I charge : extra for PITA work (usually by throwing $25-$50 on the
total : estimate) : : : Total custom design, or working from a pattern that is more than 2 : sizes off from the desired
result is purely by negotiation, but no : less than the estimated cost of materials times 2.5 plus [the : estimated
time it will take in hours, _including the design time_, : times 5] : Custom design does often come out cheaper, but it
is actually easier : for me than doing things someone else's way. : : : The times that something goes out on comission,
or to auction, I : always work the percentage for comission into the price as well as any : : fees involved. : : The
multiplier on materials is to cover the odd bits I forget when : toting up the materials, and things that I buy in
quantity and am too : lazy to tally individually. Backing buttons, more thread than I : counted on or thread bought
on cones and used for several projects, : marking materials, needles and pins, paper, etc. This way I can just : tote
up the fabric and any specialty items and not fret that I am : boggleing the math and hurting my finances. Things like
handmade lace : go on a completely different pricing basis and then are added in. : **************************** : : I
don't see why this kind of pricing should not work for quilts as : well as garments. You may want to alter the
materials multiplier as : quilts take more fabric and fewer notions, depending on your process : of course. : : While
I do discount to reletives, if they want me to make something : for them to give as a gift to a friend of theirs the
discount is not : so much. : : You MIL is asking you to _work_. If you owned a TV store and had : given her a TV as a
gift, would she then expect you to just hand over : a pair for her to give to strangers? Obviously with quilts the
cost : would be just as much or more. : Either she needs to understand the expense, or your DH needs to have a : chat
with her about trying to take undo advantage of his family. : My own mom is still utterly clueless about the time and
expense of : handmade. She equates it with cheap and substandard. It may just be : that generation, or one of it's
subcultures. : : NightMist : -- : The wolf that understands fire has much to eat.

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View entire thread: What would you do?
Posted by NightMist on Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:10 PM    Post subject: Re: What would you do?

On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:11:26 +0100, Kate Dicey <kate@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk> wrote: [quote:f3e3150cf9]Debbie
wrote: Gosh, I feel better. I felt like a whiney butt for even grumbling about it, but when she said she was going to
put that one in the yard sale and it isn't even a year old yet, my blood pressure hit the roof!!! It was obvious she had
no appreciation for my time and effort. (snip)[/quote:f3e3150cf9] [quote:f3e3150cf9]What wuld you all charge for a log
cabin quilt that size -- roughly? I was thinking $200, but that sounds like a lot. ex. 30 hours x 5.00 an hour + $50 in
materials. $5 an hour is waaaaay too low for such skilled work. $20 would be closer to reality. At present $20/hour
plus is exactly what I charge for garment sewing.[/quote:f3e3150cf9] Here is a repost (updated to reflect current
charges) of a reply I made in a fashion group: *************************************** My basic rules include never,
ever, start pricing at cost of materials, unless it's a 100% donation to a charity auction. There are costs beyond
materials that you don't usually stop and consider. You want to cover those or you find yourself loseing money and
having a hard time figuring out where it went. For clothing, I usually run about like this: Alterations and
repairs, round time to the nearest quarter hour and charge $20/hour plus the cost of any materials used (other than
thread, that gets ridiculous unless it's a huge major remake of something monstrous). Same deal for plain sewing from
a purchased pattern but multiply the cost of materials by 2.5. However, if the pattern company is on my list of
incompetant pattern makers, I charge extra for PITA work (usually by throwing $25-$50 on the total estimate) Total
custom design, or working from a pattern that is more than 2 sizes off from the desired result is purely by
negotiation, but no less than the estimated cost of materials times 2.5 plus [the estimated time it will take in
hours, _including the design time_, times 5] Custom design does often come out cheaper, but it is actually easier for
me than doing things someone else's way. The times that something goes out on comission, or to auction, I always
work the percentage for comission into the price as well as any fees involved. The multiplier on materials is to
cover the odd bits I forget when toting up the materials, and things that I buy in quantity and am too lazy to tally
individually. Backing buttons, more thread than I counted on or thread bought on cones and used for several projects,
marking materials, needles and pins, paper, etc. This way I can just tote up the fabric and any specialty items and not
fret that I am boggleing the math and hurting my finances. Things like handmade lace go on a completely different
pricing basis and then are added in. **************************** I don't see why this kind of pricing should not work
for quilts as well as garments. You may want to alter the materials multiplier as quilts take more fabric and fewer
notions, depending on your process of course. While I do discount to reletives, if they want me to make something for
them to give as a gift to a friend of theirs the discount is not so much. You MIL is asking you to _work_. If you
owned a TV store and had given her a TV as a gift, would she then expect you to just hand over a pair for her to give to
strangers? Obviously with quilts the cost would be just as much or more. Either she needs to understand the expense,
or your DH needs to have a chat with her about trying to take undo advantage of his family. My own mom is still utterly
clueless about the time and expense of handmade. She equates it with cheap and substandard. It may just be that
generation, or one of it's subcultures. NightMist -- The wolf that understands fire has much to eat.

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View entire thread: How far is TOO far?
Posted by KJ on Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:06 PM    Post subject: Re: How far is TOO far?

What a wonderful post! You're a keeper Val! Thanks for the early morning giggle, you got my day started off right.
Now, where did I put that stapler??? KJ "Val" <ya-shur@yabetcha.com> wrote in message
news:1152488788.583543@bubbleator.drizzle.com... [quote:e5062143e7]I ended up in the hospital for awhile and they tossed
me out because I was uncooperative and kept breathing. I got home and my pc monitor had gone toes up instead of me.
Took a while to get a replacement, for the monitor, not for me (the monitor was a 12 year old freebee....they just don't
make things to last anymore LOL) and now I can't find the entire thread to this post. Hopefully I haven't misunderstood
what was being said; but from what I did get, and after looking at the website from the previous poster (the one Debra
included in her answer), I'd also like to reply. Well said, Debra. My passion is gardening and sewing, in that order. I
have had friends say......."I should plant _____ like you do." My answer is "why?" I design what I
sew, embroider and also do a little quilting when the metaphoric loaded gun is held to my head. I don't use patterns or
pre printed anything. I have other friends, who live for the $1 or 2-fer pattern sales and use kits for everything,
and say, "I should learn to make _____ like you do." I answer "why?" Do what you want, not what
you think I would do or anyone else thinks is best for you. Do what gives you joy, there's too little to be found, don't
squander it on small stuff, like an inconsequential negative opinion. I put this into the category of small stuff
because these generally come from small people with small minds that couldn't sh*t a BB if you greased it. We aren't
building a rocket ship that needs to get the crew back to Earth, this isn't life or death brain surgery. These things
are artistic self expression, SELF being the operative word. I think if you like what you are doing, it gives you joy
and a sense of accomplishment, even if it's sewing around the marked seam allowance of a toy teddy bear kit printed on a
square of cotton blend with poly fill included.......you are doing what gives you pleasure. Go for it! If the only thing
that gives you pleasure is to criticize those people that don't color inside YOUR lines you need to keep it to yourself.
I have a lovely elderly (she claims to be 310 &1/2) lady friend that gives me "embroidered hankies". She
stitches a square with yarn in the corner of a cotton handkerchief and then colors a picture with pencils in the square.
I thank her sincerely and praise her for her unique style of embroidery and ingenuity. I think unless you are entering a
contest with hard and fast rules and regulations about what is acceptable then lighten up and grasp the joyous concept
of unique ingenuity and creativities that we all have but have often kept hidden for fear of "not doing it
right"; we just have different levels and styles that fit our unique and ingenious selves. There is no right or
wrong in this case, it's in the eye of the beholder. Ask yourself.....if I do this will anyone actually drop dead within
a 50 mile radius because I tried this? If the answer is "no" then go give it a try! If you don't like what you
see of other's art and/or craft, shut your eyes, don't look. Where do you draw the line? Well, I guess it depends on
why you are drawing it. If it's drawn to keep some new expression, idea or concept all skwooshed up and enclosed until
it's finally DEAD and then withers away then go draw it waaaaaaaaaay over there....*pointing to a far horizon* This
newsgroup, of all that I monitor and sometimes (albeit seldom) post to has one of the most diverse groups of
personalities I've encountered. The great majority are also some of the most accepting, loving, tolerant, supportive and
humorous people I have found. I honestly think if somebody proudly posted a picture of a velvet painting of dogs playing
poker that had been "quilted" with a stapler because it was the only thing they could work with or the only
skills possessed, more people would find good things to say or not comment at all rather than make critical remarks as
the thread morphed into making rain boots for DGS hamster, to chocolate, to engine repair, to chocolate, to DD
engagement, to chocolate and then fade off into the beautifully pieced and quilted night sky of stars and moons. I know
I don't take part often in discussions in this newsgroup, mostly a lurker because quilting isn't my favorite thing to do
but I do love reading the chat and absorbing good feelings that are here as well as learning a thing or two, or
many...........and the universal quest for stash and chocolate, not necessarily in that order, I hold close to my heart.
<BG Val P.S...............and when I post that picture of the stapled, velvet dog playing poker quilt I will, of
course, include a coupon for free chocolates, just to grease the wheels of praise ;) "Debra"
<debnbilll@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message news:i8o2b2dikkfsmana47ulgtr9u933s539g7@4ax.com... On 6 Jul 2006
07:12:52 -0700, "Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." quilteacher@yahoo.com> wrote: First, please check out
this link- www.starforestquilts.com Pat on her hill sent the link to me. The quilts are fabulous- just gorgeous,
BUT.... how far is too far??? I would be happier with calling these "quilts" if the scenes in the quilts were
of fabric and appliqued. I would greatly admire the maker for searching out just the right fabrics and turning and
manipulating the fabrics to make a scene of this magnitude and intricacy. I realize searching out a beautiful scene and
photographing it properly is an art in itself, but..... is it what we generally think of as making a quilt top? Running
fabric thru a computer- is *that* making a quilt top? I appreciate the quiltmakers who stretch their quiltmaking to the
limits and are always looking for something new and different. But at the same time I have a problem with using
printing and painting and some other techniques. For me quiltmaking means piecing or appliquing- with fabric- a quilt
should have pictures that are appliqued if you want a face or a flower or a scene- not printed or painted. (I know
"embellishments" have been around forever- where do you draw the line???) Painting a flower on a piece of
fabric and then quilting it just doesn't seem like a "quilt" to me- altho if it has the layers and the quilt
stitching, I guess it's technically a type of whole cloth quilt. And some fabric artists take raggedy chunks of fabric
and toss them together and call that a quilt- it's just not what I expect in a "quilt". *IF* you were The
Honorary Quilt Police for a day how would you define "A Quilt"? What would be a process or
"substance" which would put it over the edge? What are the basic "requirements" to define a
"quilt"??? Where does quiltmaking end and "textile artist" begin? Leslie & The Furbabies in
MO. Leslie, virtually all quilters are textile artists. Even you. The minute you decided to use something other than
a plain square grid for a quilting pattern you were choosing art over need. The minute you used one fabric instead of
another because of color or print size you were using your artistic view point. Every time you pick up a piece of
fabric and say to yourself, "This would look pretty if I used it this way." you are being a textile artist.
What is the difference between using custom printed cloth, ready made printed cloth, or solid white fabric for a quilt?
Sure you could custom print the picture of a pieced quilt at that site, but how is that really any different from buying
cheater cloth at the fabric store? Why does it bother you so much that someone might use it that way anyway? Not
everyone has the talent to piece blocks or do applique, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to quilt at all. Some
of the most beautiful quilts I've seen are whole cloth quilts. Should whole cloth quilters be limited to only using
plain white cloth? I don't think they should. Beyond that, custom printing fabric can be used in quilting in lots of
ways. This site isn't the first place I've seen that custom prints fabric, it's just the first I've seen geared
specifically towards quilters. The quilts pictured seem to be pieced out of cloth with photos printed on them, not
whole cloth. This site points out that it is possible to print more than one picture per piece of cloth, and that you
should allow blank space between the pictures for cutting them apart and the seam allowance. It could produce many
photos on fabric for memory quilts (all on one piece of fabric), or allow you to produce an original design print from
your own drawing. You could print special applique pieces (like faces and hands) if you wanted, or lots of ready to use
quilt labels, or fabric quilt guild logos for the guild's members, or even individual quilt block pieces (in several
color ways and various prints that you designed) to cut out and stitch together into a block. How cool would it be to
piece a quilt top with different prints you designed yourself? Like other inventions, custom printed fabric is whatever
you want to make of it. It seems to me you are too busy condemning custom printed fabric (and it's users) to even think
of the many ways you could put it to good use for yourself. Debra in VA See my quilts at
http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere [/quote:e5062143e7]

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View entire thread: How far is TOO far?
Posted by Val on Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:46 AM    Post subject: Re: How far is TOO far?

I ended up in the hospital for awhile and they tossed me out because I was uncooperative and kept breathing. I got home
and my pc monitor had gone toes up instead of me. Took a while to get a replacement, for the monitor, not for me (the
monitor was a 12 year old freebee....they just don't make things to last anymore LOL) and now I can't find the entire
thread to this post. Hopefully I haven't misunderstood what was being said; but from what I did get, and after looking
at the website from the previous poster (the one Debra included in her answer), I'd also like to reply. Well said,
Debra. My passion is gardening and sewing, in that order. I have had friends say......."I should plant _____ like
you do." My answer is "why?" I design what I sew, embroider and also do a little quilting when the
metaphoric loaded gun is held to my head. I don't use patterns or pre printed anything. I have other friends, who live
for the $1 or 2-fer pattern sales and use kits for everything, and say, "I should learn to make _____ like you
do." I answer "why?" Do what you want, not what you think I would do or anyone else thinks is best for
you. Do what gives you joy, there's too little to be found, don't squander it on small stuff, like an inconsequential
negative opinion. I put this into the category of small stuff because these generally come from small people with small
minds that couldn't sh*t a BB if you greased it. We aren't building a rocket ship that needs to get the crew back to
Earth, this isn't life or death brain surgery. These things are artistic self expression, SELF being the operative
word. I think if you like what you are doing, it gives you joy and a sense of accomplishment, even if it's sewing
around the marked seam allowance of a toy teddy bear kit printed on a square of cotton blend with poly fill
included.......you are doing what gives you pleasure. Go for it! If the only thing that gives you pleasure is to
criticize those people that don't color inside YOUR lines you need to keep it to yourself. I have a lovely elderly
(she claims to be 310 &1/2) lady friend that gives me "embroidered hankies". She stitches a square with
yarn in the corner of a cotton handkerchief and then colors a picture with pencils in the square. I thank her
sincerely and praise her for her unique style of embroidery and ingenuity. I think unless you are entering a contest
with hard and fast rules and regulations about what is acceptable then lighten up and grasp the joyous concept of
unique ingenuity and creativities that we all have but have often kept hidden for fear of "not doing it
right"; we just have different levels and styles that fit our unique and ingenious selves. There is no right or
wrong in this case, it's in the eye of the beholder. Ask yourself.....if I do this will anyone actually drop dead
within a 50 mile radius because I tried this? If the answer is "no" then go give it a try! If you don't like
what you see of other's art and/or craft, shut your eyes, don't look. Where do you draw the line? Well, I guess it
depends on why you are drawing it. If it's drawn to keep some new expression, idea or concept all skwooshed up and
enclosed until it's finally DEAD and then withers away then go draw it waaaaaaaaaay over there....*pointing to a far
horizon* This newsgroup, of all that I monitor and sometimes (albeit seldom) post to has one of the most diverse
groups of personalities I've encountered. The great majority are also some of the most accepting, loving, tolerant,
supportive and humorous people I have found. I honestly think if somebody proudly posted a picture of a velvet painting
of dogs playing poker that had been "quilted" with a stapler because it was the only thing they could work
with or the only skills possessed, more people would find good things to say or not comment at all rather than make
critical remarks as the thread morphed into making rain boots for DGS hamster, to chocolate, to engine repair, to
chocolate, to DD engagement, to chocolate and then fade off into the beautifully pieced and quilted night sky of stars
and moons. I know I don't take part often in discussions in this newsgroup, mostly a lurker because quilting isn't my
favorite thing to do but I do love reading the chat and absorbing good feelings that are here as well as learning a
thing or two, or many...........and the universal quest for stash and chocolate, not necessarily in that order, I hold
close to my heart. <BG> Val P.S...............and when I post that picture of the stapled, velvet dog playing
poker quilt I will, of course, include a coupon for free chocolates, just to grease the wheels of praise ;)
"Debra" <debnbilll@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:i8o2b2dikkfsmana47ulgtr9u933s539g7@4ax.com... [quote:4d7683eee6]On 6 Jul 2006 07:12:52 -0700, "Leslie &
The Furbabies in MO." quilteacher@yahoo.com> wrote: First, please check out this link-
www.starforestquilts.com Pat on her hill sent the link to me. The quilts are fabulous- just gorgeous, BUT.... how far
is too far??? I would be happier with calling these "quilts" if the scenes in the quilts were of fabric and
appliqued. I would greatly admire the maker for searching out just the right fabrics and turning and manipulating the
fabrics to make a scene of this magnitude and intricacy. I realize searching out a beautiful scene and photographing it
properly is an art in itself, but..... is it what we generally think of as making a quilt top? Running fabric thru a
computer- is *that* making a quilt top? I appreciate the quiltmakers who stretch their quiltmaking to the limits and
are always looking for something new and different. But at the same time I have a problem with using printing and
painting and some other techniques. For me quiltmaking means piecing or appliquing- with fabric- a quilt should have
pictures that are appliqued if you want a face or a flower or a scene- not printed or painted. (I know
"embellishments" have been around forever- where do you draw the line???) Painting a flower on a piece of
fabric and then quilting it just doesn't seem like a "quilt" to me- altho if it has the layers and the quilt
stitching, I guess it's technically a type of whole cloth quilt. And some fabric artists take raggedy chunks of fabric
and toss them together and call that a quilt- it's just not what I expect in a "quilt". *IF* you were The
Honorary Quilt Police for a day how would you define "A Quilt"? What would be a process or
"substance" which would put it over the edge? What are the basic "requirements" to define a
"quilt"??? Where does quiltmaking end and "textile artist" begin? Leslie & The Furbabies in
MO. Leslie, virtually all quilters are textile artists. Even you. The minute you decided to use something other than
a plain square grid for a quilting pattern you were choosing art over need. The minute you used one fabric instead of
another because of color or print size you were using your artistic view point. Every time you pick up a piece of
fabric and say to yourself, "This would look pretty if I used it this way." you are being a textile artist.
What is the difference between using custom printed cloth, ready made printed cloth, or solid white fabric for a quilt?
Sure you could custom print the picture of a pieced quilt at that site, but how is that really any different from buying
cheater cloth at the fabric store? Why does it bother you so much that someone might use it that way anyway? Not
everyone has the talent to piece blocks or do applique, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try to quilt at all. Some
of the most beautiful quilts I've seen are whole cloth quilts. Should whole cloth quilters be limited to only using
plain white cloth? I don't think they should. Beyond that, custom printing fabric can be used in quilting in lots of
ways. This site isn't the first place I've seen that custom prints fabric, it's just the first I've seen geared
specifically towards quilters. The quilts pictured seem to be pieced out of cloth with photos printed on them, not
whole cloth. This site points out that it is possible to print more than one picture per piece of cloth, and that you
should allow blank space between the pictures for cutting them apart and the seam allowance. It could produce many
photos on fabric for memory quilts (all on one piece of fabric), or allow you to produce an original design print from
your own drawing. You could print special applique pieces (like faces and hands) if you wanted, or lots of ready to use
quilt labels, or fabric quilt guild logos for the guild's members, or even individual quilt block pieces (in several
color ways and various prints that you designed) to cut out and stitch together into a block. How cool would it be to
piece a quilt top with different prints you designed yourself? Like other inventions, custom printed fabric is whatever
you want to make of it. It seems to me you are too busy condemning custom printed fabric (and it's users) to even think
of the many ways you could put it to good use for yourself. Debra in VA See my quilts at
http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere[/quote:4d7683eee6]

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View entire thread: How far is TOO far?
Posted by Pati Cook on Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:42 PM    Post subject: Re: How far is TOO far?

Leslie, from what I could see it looked like she did a photo to fabric of some sort, then used that fabric to make
quilts?? Are they not pieced from the photo fabric?? I notice that many of the quilts in the gallery list someone else
as the quilter or are winners in group categories. As to what is a quilt?? Well, the classic definition is that it is
composed of three layers, a top, batting/wadding, and back. Is fabric. and is sewn together with thread through all
three layers. However, just as many other things in the world change, and without change we all die.... so quilting has
been and will change. I look at it as a healthy growth that encourages ever more people to join the quilting community.
One of the other groups I am a part of is the Society for Creative Anachronism, which for many years
"promoted" what they do as "re-creating the Middle Ages, as they *should* have been. That is with much
of the good stuff in arts, crafts and so on, and without things like plague and fleas and garderobes. <G> That
group has also changed and grown considerably over the years, and in a much shorter time than quilting. Some of the
changes we have seen, or at least know about: the advent of polyester battings. And of better cotton and cotton blend
ones, as well as washable wool batts. the rotary cutter and all the rulers/templates and such that go along with it.
the use of the sewing machine for both piecing and quilting. photo transfers and photos printed directly on fabric.
wider fabrics, both for piecing and extra wide for backing. many more prints available from a growing number of fabric
manufacturers. the poly-cotton blend fabrics, and back to 100% cotton fabrics. use of fusibles for so many things the
plethora of thread types for piecing, appliquéing and quilting new tools for marking quilts easier much more accurate
piecing easier ways to design, lay out and finish quilts. And so many more that it is difficult to think of many of
them. <VBG> Personally I think that quilts of any definition are textile art. If it is used on a bed, in a
bedroll, on a wall, by a kid, elderly person, newlywed, or even a pet. As long as fabric and comfort are included then
I won't quibble. (I like to make quilts backed with fleece which acts as batting and backing.... for here in Arizona
that is plenty. and they are comfy-cozy.) What would put it "over the edge"..... when it moves beyond fabric
with some embellishments and becomes embellishments attached to fabric. When there is nothing at all comforting, to
viewer/user or maker. That is when I feel it moves beyond being any kind of quilt. Quilts can be disturbing to view, or
bring a kind of sadness (like the 9-11 quilts and some very personal "angst" quilts) but they generally
result in a sense of comfort or release for someone. When I see a beautiful photo of a quilt and find that it is
painted and then quilted, I am disappointed. But it is still a quilt. And a piece of art. Many people consider the
quilts from Gee's Bend to be beautiful pieces of art, but they were made as utility bed coverings. (And I am not fond
of them, personally.<G> ) The quilt I have that came from my mother-in-laws family is gorgeous. It barely makes
the "quilt" definition because it was made in Georgia and has very little batting in it. Made as a bed
covering it is still a beautiful piece. I make quilts to be used. But some of them may be used on the wall. Not
necessarily what I meant for them, but if that is what the recipient wants, then so be it. They may not be sized for a
bed, but are made to be cuddled with, as a couch throw or whatever. My husband says they are art, and his is the
observation that all quilters are artists. Whether they think they are or not. Much too long, Sorry bout that,
Pati, in Phx who has to get ready to head out for the annual AASK sew in at the PAQA meeting today. And ice cream
social after the business meeting.......... <VBG> Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote:
[quote:9287e59a10]First, please check out this link- www.starforestquilts.com Pat on her hill sent the link to me.
The quilts are fabulous- just gorgeous, BUT.... how far is too far??? I would be happier with calling these
"quilts" if the scenes in the quilts were of fabric and appliqued. I would greatly admire the maker for
searching out just the right fabrics and turning and manipulating the fabrics to make a scene of this magnitude and
intricacy. I realize searching out a beautiful scene and photographing it properly is an art in itself, but..... is it
what we generally think of as making a quilt top? Running fabric thru a computer- is *that* making a quilt top? I
appreciate the quiltmakers who stretch their quiltmaking to the limits and are always looking for something new and
different. But at the same time I have a problem with using printing and painting and some other techniques. For me
quiltmaking means piecing or appliquing- with fabric- a quilt should have pictures that are appliqued if you want a face
or a flower or a scene- not printed or painted. (I know "embellishments" have been around forever- where do
you draw the line???) Painting a flower on a piece of fabric and then quilting it just doesn't seem like a
"quilt" to me- altho if it has the layers and the quilt stitching, I guess it's technically a type of whole
cloth quilt. And some fabric artists take raggedy chunks of fabric and toss them together and call that a quilt- it's
just not what I expect in a "quilt". *IF* you were The Honorary Quilt Police for a day how would you define
"A Quilt"? What would be a process or "substance" which would put it over the edge? What are the
basic "requirements" to define a "quilt"??? Where does quiltmaking end and "textile
artist" begin? Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. [/quote:9287e59a10]

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View entire thread: new project & placing a quilt value
Posted by Kate G. on Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:32 PM    Post subject: Re: new project & placing a quilt value

It is my understanding that for IRS qualified charitable contributions -- you cannot add the value of your time to the
work. Only the materials value. What you might do is find a local quilt appraiser and get it "officially"
appraised.... which would give an indication of fair market value for the quilt. In a presentation at a previous
guild, I learned that the quilt value might be higher if their are a large variety of specialty fabrics which are now
hard to find (as opposed to a basic 4 or 5 fabric quilt). I had done the "Dancing in Moonlight Quilt"
http://community.webshots.com/photo/546981242/2628585570084776817SwCeyQ -- which would be worth more than the
"yardage" because each of the animals had fabric that matched it's hide -- and thus replicating this quilt
would not be a simple task. Hope that makes sense. Kate in MI "Ann" <darcyh@telusplanet.net> wrote
in message news:qeWng.106476$771.77651@edtnps89... [quote:d5e89edca2]New project is the weaver fever pattern in blues
and reds.....queen size. Spent the morning cutting all the strips so now I'm good to go on the sewing. Our hockey arena
burned down last summer and our town is pulling together to rebuilt and that means lots of fund raising. There will be
a major fund raising event mid August, with the focus on silent auction items. Asked DH if he thought if it would OK
for me to make a quilt to donate rather than cut a cheque for $XX and he thought it was a great idea. Our little town
produced 6 brothers that played in the NHL and as a result there will be lots and lots of hockey memorabilia on the
silent auction and notable personalities in attendance. So I must do an extra special effort on this. I just know I'm
going to be asked to value the quilt. The cost of materials, no problem there, but what about the labour costs? I'm
keeping track of my time but I'm a slow worker (measure 3x sew once). Didn't someone mention at one time about a quick
calculation.... so much per piece handled? 4 cents? Your input please :) Ann
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrs_ducky [/quote:d5e89edca2]

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View entire thread: Your favorite SM cleaning tool?
Posted by Pati Cook on Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:34 AM    Post subject: Re: Your favorite SM cleaning tool?

This is almost funny..... One of the classes I have scheduled to teach at the quilt shop this quarter is "Sewing
Machine 101". Someone mentioned that it would be good to have a basic class on this type of thing so I am going to
try it. I use alcohol on a clean, non-linty piece of scrap fabric to clean the tension disks. Be careful of the
Sewer's Aid on the tension disks of some electronic machines, it can seriously muck up the sensor there. I used to
clean sewing machines as part of my job.... I was Sewing Machine department manager for the House of Fabrics I worked
at for about a year and a half. Found some very strange things inside machines. You should always use sewing machine
oil in machines that need oil. And, if the machine sits for a while, it needs to be cleaned and check the oil. Just
like with a car, the oil drains to the bottom. In addition sewing machine oil will evaporate, it is so light. For
q-tips, if you can find the ones made for cleaning computers, they are wonderful and lint free. For lint free fabric,
make sure it is soft and well worn and clean, then use a lint roller on it to make sure it is as free from lint as
possible. On another note here, If you have a mechanical machine, and it is held with regular screws, don't be afraid
to take it apart to clean it. As I said/asked my service tech, I figure if I *can* unfasten it, then I am not doing
anything not meant to be done. He agreed. Do check your manual about cleaning and maintanence, it will extend the life
of your machine, and make sewing much more enjoyable. <VBG> Also remember to change your needle often. Pati, in
Phx Polly Esther wrote: [quote:eb80a3a5e2]Both of my Berninas have a bright shiny smile on their faces and do a
beautiful stitch. A new needle in each and all the fuzzy things gone. The very best tool I've found is a silly
chenille pipe cleaner sort of thing. I have no idea (and don't want to know) what their purpose is - nope, don't tell
me. The chenille cleaner is a bit wider than what you'd think of as a pipe cleaner. They, themselves, are a little
fuzzy to begin with but you can fluff off their excess fuzz by running them between your fingers rather ruthlessly. I
also use Oral-B Ultrafloss (dental floss but seriously fat and fluffy) to softly sneak in and around the needle take-up
lever area. Next, I put the merest smidge of Sewer's Aid (a silicone liquid that's really great) on a thread and lead it
down through the threading process. Gently. Jerking will get you in Big Trouble. What do you use to keep your SM
happily purring along? Polly [/quote:eb80a3a5e2]

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View entire thread: Hand quilting question
Posted by Cats on Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:16 PM    Post subject: Re: Paper for machine paper pieccing in uk

Sorry I can't be more help. PP is not my "thing" - I am more into applique. Good luck -- Cheryl &
the Cats o o o o o o ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) Enness
Boofhead Donut http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "Granny
Waetherwax" <news@danuta.nl> wrote in message news:C13EE0DA.10501%news@danuta.nl... : On 26-09-2006 13:17,
in article 45190ccb_1@news.chariot.net.au, "Cats" : <CATS@NO.SPAM.com> wrote: : : >
http://www.quilt.com/HowTo/FoundationHowToPage.html : > http://www.nmia.com/~mgdesign/qor/technique/pfp.htm : >
http://quilting.about.com/od/foundationpiecing/a/paper_piece.htm : > : > a couple of basic intorductions to FPP
(Foundation Paper : > Piecing) : > : > : > : > : > and two well-known exponents of this art - : > :
> http://www.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php : >
http://www.sews.com/quilting/patterns/karenstone/karenstone.html : > : > Imagine drawing your block pattern on
paper and using a : > stitch-and-flip sewing sequence to cover all the patches by : > sewing fabric onto the
paper, then removing the paper when : > the block is complete. : > : > Generally used for "picture
blocks" and miniatures, or : > producing very accurate blocks with odd angles : : Thanks, I will study it and
try to understand:) :

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View entire thread: Hand quilting question
Posted by Granny Waetherwax on Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:51 PM    Post subject: Re: Paper for machine paper pieccing in uk

On 26-09-2006 13:17, in article 45190ccb_1@news.chariot.net.au, "Cats" <CATS@NO.SPAM.com> wrote:
[quote:4db4436daf]http://www.quilt.com/HowTo/FoundationHowToPage.html
http://www.nmia.com/~mgdesign/qor/technique/pfp.htm http://quilting.about.com/od/foundationpiecing/a/paper_piece.htm a
couple of basic intorductions to FPP (Foundation Paper Piecing) and two well-known exponents of this art -
http://www.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php http://www.sews.com/quilting/patterns/karenstone/karenstone.html
Imagine drawing your block pattern on paper and using a stitch-and-flip sewing sequence to cover all the patches by
sewing fabric onto the paper, then removing the paper when the block is complete. Generally used for "picture
blocks" and miniatures, or producing very accurate blocks with odd angles [/quote:4db4436daf] Thanks, I will study
it and try to understand:)

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View entire thread: Hand quilting question
Posted by Cats on Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:17 PM    Post subject: Re: Paper for machine paper pieccing in uk

http://www.quilt.com/HowTo/FoundationHowToPage.html http://www.nmia.com/~mgdesign/qor/technique/pfp.htm
http://quilting.about.com/od/foundationpiecing/a/paper_piece.htm a couple of basic intorductions to FPP (Foundation
Paper Piecing) and two well-known exponents of this art - http://www.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php
http://www.sews.com/quilting/patterns/karenstone/karenstone.html Imagine drawing your block pattern on paper and using
a stitch-and-flip sewing sequence to cover all the patches by sewing fabric onto the paper, then removing the paper
when the block is complete. Generally used for "picture blocks" and miniatures, or producing very accurate
blocks with odd angles -- Cheryl & the Cats o o o o o o ( > Y < ) ( > Y
< ) ( > Y < ) Enness Boofhead Donut http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau "Granny Waetherwax" <news@danuta.nl> wrote in message
news:C13ED3BF.104DD%news@danuta.nl... : On 26-09-2006 12:40, in article 1MydnWQ3pPoUnoTYRVnyjA@bt.com, "Sally :
Swindells" <sally_swindells@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote: : : > I haven't seen any of the special printer
paper for paper piecing over : > here, and as I now have Carol Doaks and Karen Stone's books that will : > give
printed PP 'patterns' I would like to print some and use my machine : > rather than Stitch 'n Tear and hand piece. :
> : > Our current computer paper is too strong (80gms?) would a lighter : > cheaper paper work? - What do the
other UK paper piecers use? : > : > I'm having a shopping day tomorrow (Colchester - no real quilt shops, : >
but presumably stationers) so any help appreciated. : : I can't help but I have a question, what is it with the paper
and quilts, I : never heard about it, the only way I have ever workt with paper is with : templates in de honeycone
form you sow together by hand. :

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View entire thread: The Designer's Cut
Posted by ellice on Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:35 PM    Post subject: Re: Entitlement Re: The Designer's Cut

On 10/4/06 1:15 PM, "LizardGumbo" <elizabeth@bubbleseffervescentdesigns.com> wrote:
[quote:e9cb7dde53]Dianne Lewandowski wrote: some of the public doesn't seem to "get it." They feel entitled.
I don't know if I told this story here. If so, I apologize. I know I told it somewhere. A friend who has a very up-
and-coming, thriving hand-dyed fabric company was approached by someone who wanted her to custom dye a piece of fabric.
My friend gave her the cost and the woman was upset. When my friend mentioned the P word as part of an explanation for
the price, the woman went from upset to outraged. How DARE she make a PROFIT! [/quote:e9cb7dde53] Very true of our
times. Here's my little tale. My DN was to be bat-mitzvah a couple of years ago. I have a business license for the NP
design and doing event planning stuff. I tend to do a fair amount of "interesting" bar & bat mitzvahs,
the occasional wedding. My SIL (married to my brother) can be a very difficult person. Love her, adore the kids, but
SIL lives a very privileged life, and well, is kind of like being perpetually with a slightly temper tantrum prone
beginning to be bitchy 12 yr old girl. My brother asked me if I'd like to help them with decorations, planning for the
event. Sure. Great. Love the kids. So, my SIL and I are discussing the ideas, and my niece is into horses (hah, she
takes after me a little), and SIL asks if I can get fabric, decoration things for the event - if we want to make table
toppers, etc. Of course I reply, and yes, of course I'll get whatever we need wholesale,, and just give them at cost,
but they'll have to pay the sales tax. SALES TAX - not even the P word. Response "TAX, why do I have to pay SALES
TAX?" . "Ummm, I have a business licensee, including a resale license - the state expects their cut, and
that's where small businesses can get in trouble." Plus, my DB is an attorney - he well knows all this. You'd have
thought I was charging her a 300% mark-up. I then got a long blurb about her friend the "decorator" and they
always find ways when they're using the business to buy personal stuff to not pay the tax. I was astounded. The
footnote - these are pretty wealthy people - significant 6 & 7 figure incomes. And of course, I ended up not
supplying stuff for the event (though they did copy my wedding and have the reception on a boat). [quote:e9cb7dde53]
The "P" word is the dirty word in this society, apparently. The few who get it don't mind it but the rest
feel entitled because...why? I honestly haven't a clue. Or do those people just not understand that every piece they
take without paying DOES matter to the rest of society in terms of increased costs across the board? Do they not
understand it's really no different from shoplifting? [/quote:e9cb7dde53] It's an amazing thing. I've learned my lesson
about discounting my services for weddings, as well. As another consultant (in the engineer side of life) told me - if
you don't value your services, then no one else will. Jaded but true. And the 2 times that I've agreed to a very steep
discount to help a friend of a friend out of a jam I've felt a bit abused. Once because they totally misled me on the
amount of work, and the first time when I was newer in the business. People living in a small apt while waiting for
their house to be done. Little did I know it was a MacMansion. I agreed to charge close to nil for my personal time,
but cover expenses, my employees (elves to work the event), a minimal profit (essentially just covering everything) to
use the event in my portfolio, etc. That was 8 years ago. I'm still waiting for the check. They asked for a few
months to pay. Fine. Every time since then there has been some strange excuse. First the new house, then moving, then
- my favorite "well, you know we have a kid going to college - you'll just have to wait" These are well
established professional people. They had no problem asking for my services - and evidently loved the results. Last
week, our mutual friend said "the so and so's said you were really slow with the invoice" . I about choked,
and said, yes, as they requested. But in the ensuing time, here is the list of excuses they give me. I think people
who work standard jobs being paid by a company, or some organization, just don't necessarily think about the small
business without a shop front. They just think you're doing it for fun - which may be true - but to have the time for
the fun job you're also risking other things, and still need to be paid. The woman that teaches my custom sewing
classes does custom tailoring, with individual clients. She's really nice - and told me same thing happens to here.
Friends, casual acquaintance friends will ask to have her fit some clothing, or alter a pattern, etc. She just now
tells them, great - this is when I have time, and I charge $50 for a basic one hour fit. One of her friends started
flipping out, and she had to give the big - "this is how I make a living - it's not a hobby" speech. No,
people don't see it as shoplifting, I think that too many don't "think" let alone think about stealing
someone's rights or ideas. [quote:e9cb7dde53] I rather more respect the people overseas who do it and say, "Yeah,
I'm doing it--so what? Catch me," than the people here in the States who try to backpeddle and justify it with,
"Well, they make so much money one won't hurt them" or "I don't have any money and they do, so it's
okay" or "You don't have any right to make money off me." [/quote:e9cb7dde53] True - at least in a
backward way it's honest, and they just have to live with their ethics. [quote:e9cb7dde53] Tangent: A secondary market
is good for an economy and relatively good for a designer, so that's one reason I don't have any issue with that. There
are secondary markets for EVERYTHING and secondary markets are what primarily drive an economy. [/quote:e9cb7dde53]
Well, true and relative. Good for the designer if then the 2nd hand user goes out and buys a new design. Certainly
good for the accompanying market of supplies, but.... Whatever - it just makes you wonder. We saw "Waiting for
Godot" last night at Kennedy Center (in honor of Beckett's centenary celebration, performed by the Gate Theater
from Dublin). So I'm in a very philosophical mood, and now have to go run to take a "new" friend to her
physical therapy, Happy stitchin' all, ellice

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View entire thread: Little S.E.X. Follow-up Found Stash - YEAH!
Posted by ellice on Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:55 PM    Post subject: Re: OT Project Runway (no warning needed) was Re: Little S.E

On 9/28/06 9:41 AM, "Lucille" <lucillez@gmail.com> wrote: [quote:fd520fd47b] "ellice"
<egirl22@verizon.net> wrote in message news:C1414602.E45%egirl22@verizon.net... On 9/28/06 8:18 AM,
"Donna" <needlearts@gmail.com> wrote: ellice wrote: I'm sorry - but my fingers are a little itchy -
haven't stitched for a couple of weeks now, so..... It's a good thing to do while watching Project Runway in a little
while. Hey, no talking about Project Runway until after I watch in repeats today. I just couldn't stay awake last
night. The Lost recap put me right to sleep. Donna in Virginia Will not talk Project Runway - until you see repeat.
Funnily enough, DH said that at the last couple of hockey ref seminars - in the intsructors' locker room - they were all
talking about Project Runway. How unexpected is that??? And, with some strong opinions, as well. FWIW - in my
sewing/design class - the instructor is always kind of snorting about that. Not that the designers - well, except for a
couple - are hacks - but I think the editing throws her. As in it looks as if in an hour you could drape, make a
pattern, cut, sew a garment - and you don't really get the feel for how much actual knowledge it takes to know how to
draft a pattern so it'll drape properly (hence the guy thrown off for the books). I did watch some of the exit videos on
the web - Kayne actually graduated from FIT, Magna Cum - pretty impressive - no wonder his clothes always fit so well.
No more PR talk....for now. Ellice I think I remember that they're all seasoned professionals and several of them
came from The Parsons School of Design and FIT. They are hand picked and probably really can accomplish more in two days
than I could in a week. [/quote:fd520fd47b] Yup - most of those remaining are - I think they put a wild card in - like
Angela - who's just out there. I think she soured a bunch of people with the 2nd challenge when she was trying to
shmooze people into taking her as a partner, etc. Hey, even people that aren't drawing artists develop some way to
sketch a design. [quote:fd520fd47b]I could cut out someone else's pattern and sew the dress, and even do the finishing
in a day or two, but I could never start with a length of fabric the way they do and design and create a finished
garment the way they do. It probably would take me a week just to sketch the design, not to speak of making the pattern.
Lucille [/quote:fd520fd47b] Me too - but hope springs eternal. When I took the first pattern drafting class - 6 weeks -
2.5 hours - in class, plus we all spent extra time - it was amazing learning that there is a method to the madness.
Evidently there are 2 basic ways that patterns are drafted - starting from measurements - and some interesting curved
rulers to use for armscyes and crotches, hips, etc. That was bodices, then I did pants - which was really worthwhile.
I'm pretty confident now that I could do a custom fitted pattern for pants for about anyone. Not so quickly - but they
would look awesome. By the time we were done - even the muslin with all the markings looked/fell amazingly. But, the
process - well - you draft a pattern - you make a muslin - you fit the muslin - you recut and resew the muslin - you re-
mark-refit - maybe resew - then you cut it apart and make a "permanent" pattern from the muslin. Then you
have a baseline that fits perfectly - and you should (hah) know how to adjust it as you adjust. The cool thing is
having these patterns - they're usable to adjust commercial patterns - so they really fit and don't look homemade
(assuming your sewing skills that go with). It is kind of amazing. I did a one day class in draping, using forms,
making forms. Very interesting. The little things that you don't really think about. What I learned - the true
importance of fabric grain line in getting garments to drape properly - not twist around awkwardly. And how to account
for and move/use different darts. Playing with paper pattern dolls. I'm going to take another class in "original
design" - how to use your sloper (baseline custom fit pattern) to design/draft orginal designs. Should be
interesting and a challenge to be creative. So, in a nutshell - I find Project Runway addictive - and DH loves it! OF
course, our bedroom looks like a mini workroom for the last 2 months (my cutting table and a sewing table are in there
along with baskets of fabric, patterns, threads, etc). ellice

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