We've all heard the saying: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". I'm here to tell you that isn't true for quilters!
I stopped taking classes years ago because I just have way too many unfinished projects laying about. BUT the exception to that rule are technique classes. I'll even taken a class that's a project if it has a technique in it. I may not buy fabric for a whole quilt, but enough to do a block or two to learn the technique.
The thing you need to remember is to TRY exactly what the teacher is teaching you. You may find it awkward at first and feel it's not right for you, but you MUST give it a good try during class so you can ask for help if needed. Remember, you're there to learn. You may find that part of the method works well for you and you can adapt it to how you normally do a technique.
Over the years I've taken several different people's applique classes and use the techniques for different areas of applique. I do stems the Mary Sorenson's way and needle turn the Roxanne's way. Sometimes I use Laura Fraga's template method.
This year I took a class at the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild. It was taught by Jen Carlton Bally. The class was on Lanterns using her Drunkard's Path templates. Basically it was how to sew curves without having to pin a lot. Right up my alley because I HATE to pin. Her templates are great because they are slightly over sized so you can trim to an accurate size block. I bought a set; they came in a cute little muslin bag.
Jen's website: http://www.bettycrockerass.com/shop/
Jen's website: http://www.bettycrockerass.com/shop/
She used a basting glue stick to align the concave and convex curves together. I tried it and it works well. After doing several her way, I found that I could either just put a dab of glue at the ends and in the middle and not all the way along the curve. Using an orange stick for my stiletto worked great (learnt that from John Flynn's class).
A few things I still use from her class are: 1) begin sewing a seam about a 1/4" in from the end, then back track to the end and come forward again. What this does is eliminates thread bunching at the beginning and/or the fabric going down the needle hole.
2) Jen uses a smaller stitch length when sewing curves. Makes sense doesn't it? Stitches are straight and having a shorter stitch will "bend" around a curve better than a longer stitch.
Website: https://www.byannie.com/
I have made about a half dozen purses/bags using byAnnie patterns. I love her "On the Go" bag for quilt shows and fairs. I made the red, white and blue one as a "test. Then I made the green one with my friend Selma while we were on a retreat. I modified all of them, by putting the clear plastic pocket for your name tag to what ever show you're attending, from the outside flap to the inside. She had one on the inside also, for your ID. I felt the the purse would be more user friendly, if I didn't have the name tag on the outside. When I'm at a show (I use it mostly for PIQF), I just flip the flap to the back so that the name tag shows, but when I'm walking around outside the show, the flap covers my name.
The first two I put in the credit card slots as directed. But after using it awhile, I decided I'd rather carry my wallet. So on the black one, I made it slightly deeper and eliminated the credit card slots and put in two little pockets for lip stick, pills, whatever.
On all her bags she uses Soft and Stable foam that's covered in fabric. This gives the bags some support and firmness. You quilt fabric to the front and back before cutting out your pieces. All the seams are bound with binding. This is the only bag I made where the seams are on the inside. You bind them on the outside and then turn the bag right side out. I'm thinking the next one I make it I'll let the seams be on the outside which will give me even more room on the inside. Get this idea from her other bag patterns.
Made her "Place for Everything" bag to carry my applique to my small group. The inside has "pages" that Velcro in and out. I liked it so much that I decided to make a half size version to carry just my sewing tools in when I'm working on larger projects. It too has removable "pages". Decided to make the front of both with selvages. I have one selvage across the back of the bags that says "Under the Influence of Fabric". I've made another small version as an gift exchange with my Modern Quilt Guild. The gal loved if and asked if I would be upset if she used it for jewelry when she traveled instead of for sewing.
Just finishing up her "Take a Stand" purse/tote. Thought it would be good to carry when I want to take my tablet with me. It really holds a lot of stuff. Had my tablet, wallet, crochet project and a small bottle of water to take to my guild meeting. There's two sizes with the
pattern and the larger one is big enough to carry your featherweight sewing machine! I may have to make that to use as a swim bag. Hmmmm, my wheels are turning. Outside should be made with something water proof. Sorry got carried away.
Finally to the point of "new tricks".
In this pattern she shared a new technique that I don't remember from her other patterns. When making binding, bias or otherwise, don't press it in half. Pin it wrong sides together every 3 - 4 inches instead. She said it would make the binding lay smother specially going around curved areas. And she was right. I'm going to have to try this next time I make a quilt. Though I doubt I'll pin the binding in half (cause as previously mentioned - I HATE TO PIN). I think it would be easy enough to fold as you sew it on. Sure would be nice not to have to press yards of binding!
What was suppose to be new tricks turned out more of an endorsement for byAnnie.com. But there were a few tricks in there for you. Must admit that when I like a product, I love to share it with people.
Website: https://www.byannie.com/
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| On the Go Bags |
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| Credit card slots |
I have made about a half dozen purses/bags using byAnnie patterns. I love her "On the Go" bag for quilt shows and fairs. I made the red, white and blue one as a "test. Then I made the green one with my friend Selma while we were on a retreat. I modified all of them, by putting the clear plastic pocket for your name tag to what ever show you're attending, from the outside flap to the inside. She had one on the inside also, for your ID. I felt the the purse would be more user friendly, if I didn't have the name tag on the outside. When I'm at a show (I use it mostly for PIQF), I just flip the flap to the back so that the name tag shows, but when I'm walking around outside the show, the flap covers my name.
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| Wider back with pockets |
On all her bags she uses Soft and Stable foam that's covered in fabric. This gives the bags some support and firmness. You quilt fabric to the front and back before cutting out your pieces. All the seams are bound with binding. This is the only bag I made where the seams are on the inside. You bind them on the outside and then turn the bag right side out. I'm thinking the next one I make it I'll let the seams be on the outside which will give me even more room on the inside. Get this idea from her other bag patterns.
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| Hold Everything |
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| Large Hold Everything |
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| Small Hold Everything |
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| Pages removed |
Just finishing up her "Take a Stand" purse/tote. Thought it would be good to carry when I want to take my tablet with me. It really holds a lot of stuff. Had my tablet, wallet, crochet project and a small bottle of water to take to my guild meeting. There's two sizes with the
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| Take a Stand |
pattern and the larger one is big enough to carry your featherweight sewing machine! I may have to make that to use as a swim bag. Hmmmm, my wheels are turning. Outside should be made with something water proof. Sorry got carried away.
Finally to the point of "new tricks".
In this pattern she shared a new technique that I don't remember from her other patterns. When making binding, bias or otherwise, don't press it in half. Pin it wrong sides together every 3 - 4 inches instead. She said it would make the binding lay smother specially going around curved areas. And she was right. I'm going to have to try this next time I make a quilt. Though I doubt I'll pin the binding in half (cause as previously mentioned - I HATE TO PIN). I think it would be easy enough to fold as you sew it on. Sure would be nice not to have to press yards of binding!
What was suppose to be new tricks turned out more of an endorsement for byAnnie.com. But there were a few tricks in there for you. Must admit that when I like a product, I love to share it with people.
