Binding your quilt? You’re almost done! Then again, it’s not done. There’s still plenty of stitching pleasure are still ahead. (Don’t want to deal with binding? Laurena’s Longarm offers complete binding services).
For most of the quilts we bind, we cut 2.5″ strips on the grain, joining the strips on the bias.
One quilter at our studio shared her favorite way to remember which way to sew the bias strips with Gwen. which she called the pants method.
Pretend your binding strips are a pair of trousers.
Sew the strips across the “waistband” of the pants.
Remember no one want the crotch of their trousers sewn in half!
You can stack a pile of “trousers” and chain sew the strips together. Trim off the excess fabric, set the seam and press the binding strips in half.
The Crafty Gemini offers a slew of video tutorials and Alanna thought this one was a good introduction to binding your quilt.
Everyone has their binding tricks and trips. Do you have any favorite ways that makes sewing binding strips easier for you?
Is it time for a charming free motion machine in your life? Oh, yes, we have a cutie for you. Presenting:
The Charm sits in a table with extendable side and back leaves.
The Charm, by Gammill
Boston now has a resident Charm at Laurena’s Longarm Quilting! Whether you are shopping for a mid arm machine or just looking for a more comfortable sit down free motion quilting experience, give Laurena a call.
As soon as we set her up, we pulled out muslin to start playing around.
The tablet is easy to read, the sewing area is beautifully lit and the muslin slid under the presser foot. The Charm is a great choice for free motion quilters, but thanks to the laser light, you can rest a motif on the quilt and follow the light if you would like to follow a written motif.
There’s no zippers needed and no class prerequisite to rent the Charm. Choose from more than 100 quilting threads we have on hand or bring your own. The Charm even has a basting stitch option. If your quilt is not overly large, you could baste it on the machine. Rent the Charm for $12 an hour.
Stop by to welcome our charming new mid arm quilting machine to Burlington. You can give us a call at 781-608-7891 or email info at burlingtonlongarm dot com to set up a time to give it a stitch.
Whoosh! Where did September go? Well, in Laurena’s case, it was spent at the longarm, quilting beautiful tops that will be on display at this fall’s quilt show season. Beautiful colors on trees and quilt shows around Boston guarantee great day trips. Ready to hit the road?
Quilt, Laurena quilt!
On Saturday October 18, Concord Piecemakers has their yard sale at St Matthews Church in Acton from 9am to 2pm. I hear the pickings are particularly good first thing in the morning (picture entire quilt backs at fabulous prices), but of course, one person’s rejects are another person’s treasure.
At 10 am on October 18, the New England Quilt Museum has a gallery talk and reception for their latest exhibit “Humorous Quilts: Keeping Us in Stitches.” Seems like you’d have to choose between the best bargains at the quilt show and the talk, unless you’re a speedy shopper!
The following weekend, kick off on Friday October 24, Rising Star Quilters Guild opens their show at St Brigid Church on Mass Ave in Lexington. Their show runs Friday and Saturday.
November 6 -9, A Quilter’s Gathering holds its yearly expo at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. There may still be space in some of the classes, and the merchant mall is usually a great place to find those bits and bobs that your usual quilt store may not carry.
The Hammersmith Quilt Guild brings us through the fall with their show at the Saugus Senior Center during the weekend of November 15 -16, 2014.
Get your sewing done this weekend, while the quilt show schedules allow!
P.S. I didn’t even mention the International Quilt Festival, visiting the Dear Jane Quilt in Bennington, VT or the final days of the current exhibits at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. Just in case you’ve got a case of quilt show wanderlust!
A glorious day both outdoor and indoor, last Sunday was. We hosted a “quilt-in” for the Boston Modern Quilt Guild on August 10, as they wrap up their Quilts for Boston initiative. Guild members filed in and out, quilted on the Gammill longarm machines, chatted, laughed, and dropped off binding and more finished quilts.
A new motif for every block on this charity quiltWhimsical loops in a variegated quilting thread popped on this bright quilt.
Gwen and Laurena kept both the Statler Stitchers going. Sara and Courtney tried free motion quilting on a longarm for the first time. They easily adapted, incorporating a variety of motifs in the quilts.
Laurena at the Statler StitcherStacks of quilts ready for binding by the Boston Modern Quilt Guild.
Five quilts came off the machines that afternoon, ready for binding. A leisurely, fun way to spend a Sunday!
With Laurena out of town this week, Gwen and I took time to implement ideas and prep quilts for next week’s “back from vacation” mode.
Isn’t it a beauty? This Statler Stitcher has a 14′ table.
Gwen created samples of 36 Statler Stitcher patterns we have in stock. This will give customers a better chance to discover possibilities as they match their quilt to the computer guided stitching options. We’ve had many already on display, but it’s nice to see everything currently available. More of our renters try the Statler, and we’re happy to download and purchase new designs if there’s one you really love.
I made a nice show and tell catalog of the batting, giving you an easier opportunity to handle samples rather than just on the bolt. Check them out next time you’re at the studio.
In the next month, I hope to photograph all of our current samples and upload a catalog for you to peruse at your leisure.
Many of us cope with family members who aren’t thrilled to experience a Quilt Show. At the Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod Show, it might just be easier to send them on to other places, leaving you in peace and quilts.
Great beach photo by Kirstin Carey thanks to Cape Cod Chamber
First and foremost, the beach. Cape Cod National Seashore not only has magnificent beaches, but a wonderful visitor center near Eastham. Will they need to eat? Stop by Arnold’sclam shack.
For the curious shoppers of all ages, the Brewster General Store offers sweets and goodies that will distract them from any vendor purchases you may have picked up at the Quilt Show.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs from Dennis to Wellfleet and there’s many bike shops along the way that will rent bikes and trailers.
That should keep them busy. Enjoy the Bayberry Quilt Show. There’s nothing like undistracted immersion in a favorite past time. Be sure to stop and say hi to Laurena at the Gammill Longarm Quilting booth.
The Bayberry Quilters show in Harwich, MA takes place from July 31 to August 2, 2014
If you’re on the Cape in the next couple weeks, be sure to stop by the Bayberry Quilters show in Harwich, MA. Laurena will have a booth at the show where you can try a longarm quilting machine. It’s always a great show and a wonderful time to be on the Cape!
Laurena sees more and more quilters arrive with Minkee quilt backs. This plush microfiber fabric feels scrumptious, making it totally irresistible for cozy baby or lap quilts. Before working on the first customer’s quilt with a Minkee back, Laurena checked out as many online sources to make sure it would be a success. Here’s 5 tips to using Minkee fabric on your quilt.
These plush fabrics are very stable along the warp, but stretchy on the weft. Keep the selvedges on your fabric and do not cut them off.
Pin your zippers opposite the grain of the fabric (i.e. perpendicular to the selvedge edges). This will control the wiggly aspect of the fabric. It may mean more rolling, but the results are definitely worth it.
Minkee is 60″ wide. Joann Fabrics sells a similar product called “Soft and Comfy” that is 58″ wide. Measure your backing to ensure that your fabric is 4″ – 8″ wider and longer than your quilt top. If you need to enlarge the back, add that extra panel in the middle of your back. This makes the back interesting and keeps it stable.
Think about your batting choice. Quilter’s Dream Cotton Select gives the quilt a fantastic drape. (Yesterday, motivated marathon quilter Susan finished 4 baby and lap quilts using Select and they looked fabulous!) Higher loft battings plus the plush backing will give your quilt a different dimensionality.
Quilting stitches tend to disappear in the plush fabric. If you’re hoping to make a colorful quilted statement on the back, you may want to consider a heavy flannel instead of plush microfiber.
The folks at Fabric.com created one of the best videos on how to use Minkee, so I thought I’d share it with you.
It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s time to see beautiful quilts in a gorgeous environment that’s air conditioned.
Detail from one of the 58 quilts from the Pilgrim/Roy Collection on view now at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Have you been to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see the Quilts in Color Exhibit? If you haven’t, be sure to get there before the exhibits closes on July 27.
What a fabulous setting to view spectacular quilts. How often do we get to view quilts close up and from a distance? This is one of those special occasions.
The museum curators carefully chose lighting, hanging mechanisms and even wall colors to unite the different themes of the exhibit. It’s an opportunity to discover color combinations and how they play on quilt tops. Nearly all of quilts were made before 1950, Gerry Roy links his background and appreciation of Abstract Impressionists and Op art.
Did I mention that the museum is air conditioned? It’s closed on July 4, but open late normally Wednesday through Friday nights. Check the hours and keep in mind that Bank of America card holders can flash their bank cards for free admission the first weekend of the month.
If you absolutely cannot get to see the exhibit in July, definitely click over to enjoy all of the fabulous slideshows and videos about the show.
I’ve been twice since the exhibit opened, and I certainly plan to get back this month. See you there?
In a way, it’s starting backwards. Binding your quilt is what happens after the zippers are off and you’ve admired all of your hard work. Here’s a great video with tips to create a great binding. Am I keeping my eye on the goal?
And remember, Laurena offers binding services as well… just in case you’re on to your next top!
Professional Longarm Quilting Services in the Greater Boston Area
There’s no better time than the present to start that quilting project you’ve always talked about. At Burlington Electric Quilters, we’re here to help you learn new skills and complete amazing quilts in no time through our various professional longarm quilting services. The atmosphere at our studio is warm, fun, and welcoming to quilters of all backgrounds. Whether you’ve been sewing for decades or are just learning the basics, our professional longarm quilting services include aid and resources for everyone.
Come participate in a class or rent time on one of our computer- or hand-guided Gammill longarm machines at our cozy quilting studio in Burlington this season.
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