Quilting...for the Rest of Us

Episode 018: In Which We Discuss Art versus Craft versus Hobby

Do you consider your quilting "art," "craft," or "hobby?" In this episode, I reference a conversation that I started in BigTent about how we view our own quilting. I explore what the words "hobby," "craft," and "art" mean to me and my own evolution in how I view my quilting. Then I invite you to ponder your own response to that question!
Referenced in this episode:
Great Sets: 7 Roadmaps to Spectacular Quilts, by Sharyn Craig
Quilting Gallery (where I'm the currently featured Guest Blogger)
The "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" subgroup of the QuiltCast Supergroup in BigTent. Subscribe using the link on the right of this page!

Episode 017: In Which I Save a Quilt from Almost Certain Destruction

Have you ever had a quilt that just works your very last nerve from beginning to end of the project? Listen in as I spin my own tale of woe and redemption! In this episode, I describe a quilt that I made and experienced several junctures at which I hit a wall--then how I turned those walls into design opportunities.
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Items I mention in the episode:
Setting Solutions by Sharyn Craig
Sensational Sets and Borders, Rodale's Successful Quilting Library
Jodi Barrow's Square in a Square Method
Photos of the quilt in the episode will be posted in my Quilting...for the Rest of Us blog.

Episode 016: In Which I Chat with a Long-Arm Quilter June 27 2010

Join me for a great conversation with Tara Thom, an award-winning long-arm quilter! Tara and I talk about why someone might want to avail themselves of the services of a long-arm quilter, how to prepare your quilt for the service, how to find a long-arm quilter and considerations to make in choosing who to work with. Additionally, Tara shares her own experience about going into business for herself and some things to think about if you have dreams about becoming a professional long-arm quilter yourself. (With apologies for a delay because I've been down with a respiratory flu, I'm finally posting this week's episode a few days late. Sorry! Still recovering, but I have high hopes that this coming week's episode will be posted on schedule.)

Episode 015 In Which We Go Shopping

Do you have problems deciding how much fabric to buy when you're buying without a specific project in mind? Join the club! In this episode, I share the habits I have developed over the years as well as some suggestions for ways you can figure out the best amount of fabric that would work for you.
I also introduce the new creativity challenge! Check out the tab at the top of this page, "Creativity Challenge," for the new photo, plus guidelines and the deadline. Get your friends to play along!
Sherry mentioned in her comment to episode 13 the "Empty Spools Seminar." You can get information about the seminar at
www.emptyspoolsseminars.com.

Episode 014: In Which We Were Creative

In this week's episode, I share the results of the creativity challenge! After our "Quilters Like the Rest of Us" interview with Kathy and some listener comments and updates about what I have going on in my own quilty life, I talk about the responses I received for the creativity challenge. Then I walk through the process I took in my own response to the creativity challenge. In my explanation, I also deal with working with Lutradur, printing photos on fabric, matching sewing machine needles to specialized needs, and couching.
For photos of the creativity challenge, visit the Quilting...for the Rest of Us blog.
Links shared in the episode:
"Quilting...for the Rest of Us" Facebook page
Patsy Thompson Designs
Nine Patch Media (Anna's suggested source for quilting DVDs)
Strip Clubbing (the book which has the "State of Grace" pattern)

Episode 013: In Which We Get Classy

Have you thought about taking classes and just haven't made the move yet? Have you taken classes but haven't been sure you're getting as much out of them as you'd like to? In this episode, I share my experience--as always, based on mistakes I've made!--in taking classes from a wide variety of sources over the years. Leave your own tips and hints for others in the comments!
Check out your local quilt shop for classes being offered!
Sources for online classes:
Quilt University
CraftEdu
Annie Smith's Quilting Stash Classroom
Fons & Porter Master Class
The Quilt Show
(This list is not comprehensive by any means, nor in any particular order. I only have direct experience with Quilt University but am considering taking classes offered by a couple of other of the above. Please leave comments about other online classes you've taken and would like to recommend--or not!)

Episode 012: In Which We Are Valued

This episode is all about value! In what could arguably be considered the second half of episode 11, "In Which We Get Colorful," we explore the concept of color value and its impact on quilts. Learn how value is important, how to work with value in your quilt design, and tools and resources to help you learn more about value.
Links I mention in the episode:
CraftEdu--online craft courses: www.craftedu.com
Maria Peagler, Color Mastery: 10 Principles for Creating Stunning Quilts, www.colormastery.com
American Quilters Society: www.americanquilter.com
Professional Association of Appraisers--Quilted Textiles (PAAQT): www.quiltappraiser.org
Lorraine Torrence: www.lorrainetorrence.com
The Quilter’s Ultimate Visual Guide
Rodale’s Successful Quilting Library: Creative Guide to Color & Fabric
Jim Saw’s Art 104: Design and Composition class at Palomar College

Episode 011: In Which We Get Colorful

In this episode, we get the first interview with "Quilters Like the Rest of Us;" I'm excited! This time we chat with the Sandys from my guild-that-is-not-a-guild-but-a-bee, and the conversation leads into the discussion about color. In the "episode proper," after listener comments, I run through some definitions and describe color schemes, and then we talk about where to get color inspiration.
Items mentioned in the podcast:
Colorschemer--Online color scheme generator: http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
3-in-1 Color Tool by Joen Wolfrom
Color Play: Easy Steps to Imaginative Color in Quilts by Joen Wolfrom
The Off-Kilter Quilt, a podcast by Frances! Woohoo!
Jinny Beyer's Color Confidence for Quilters by Jinny Beyer (I had only found this used on Amazon for $100 previously, but now there are some options for around $20.)

Episode 010: In Which We Chat with an Appraiser

In this episode, I talk with Beth Davis, AQS certified quilt appraiser. We discuss how one becomes an appraiser, why you might want to have a quilt appraised, what's involved in an appraisal, the "tools" of appraising, and a little bit about antique quilts in particular.

 
Beth Davis, appraiser. Shown here with her "lifetime" quilt--one that she slept under as a child. (Made by her great-grandmother.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
One of Beth's "go-to" appraisal books, by Barbara Brackman. Beth mentioned having every Barbara Brackman book there was!
 
 
 
 
Another go-to book to help with dating fabrics.
 
 
 

 
Sandy's crazy-quilt with damaged silks. (Remember the story of the iron salts and the "swoosh"?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Beth's 1800s quilt. The reds on the borders are what she refers to as the "madders."

Intermezzo--Listener Comments and What Sandy Has Going On

"Intermezzo"--a short piece between two longer pieces. This episode isn't an official episode at all, but a short addition for the in-between-times. Episode 010--the interview with the appraiser--is longer than my usual episodes. After debating for some time, I decided I really didn't want to ignore the fact that some kind people have been leaving some great comments and spurring some wonderful discussion! So rather than making episode 10 the length of a movie feature, and rather than ignoring the comments altogether, I'm posting this "Intermezzo" episode--a little snippet of a piece between the actual episodes of the series. In this intermezzo, I share listener comments from episodes 7 through 9, as well as a couple left on the "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" blog, and a couple of emails. Plus, I give a few hints of some things I'm working on for future episodes, and tell you what fun is in store for me this weekend. All in under 20 minutes! Woohoo!
Don't forget the creativity challenge! (See show notes for episode 9 In Which We Get Creative.)
Don't forget the deadline for having your name included in the drawing for the 5" pack--join the "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" subgroup of the BigTent QuiltCast Supergroup! Use the link on the right of this webpage to join the QuiltCast Supergroup--once you're in, you can then join the "Quilting...for the Rest of Us" subgroup. Anyone who joins by May 15 has their name put in the drawing! See you there...