Quilting Inspiration

I'm very exited!

A week or two ago we finally took delivery of a Handi Quilter Fusion for the shop.  We are authorised dealers, and the up side of that is that we can use our demonstration stock!  Previously we've only had the frames set up really small (our shop space is so limited) and we couldn't actually quilt anything much bigger than a fat quarter!  I'd tried to convince Jim that we could set a frame up larger, but he was never convinced enough to try it.

The great news is that for a whole lot of complicated reasons we can now set the frame up as 8 foot, which is just enough to quilt most of my sample quilts. Even better it has Pro Stitcher on it (so I can design something using software and let Pro Stitcher do the work), and Jim is becoming really good at free motion quilting.  So I don't need to worry about standing up for hours quilting a quilt top, I will just be able to get Jim to do it for me!  ... assuming he has time!

Anyway I found this great video on creating swirling free motion quilting on your machine, take a look ... 

Working out the Values of your Fabrics

Do you suffer from “colour envy”?

For many sewists (quilters and dressmakers) the desire to balance the colours of their fabric choices is a battle that they have lost before they have even begun.  The great news is that you no longer need to fear your colour choices ... just use smart technology to set you on the right path!

The term “Value” relates to the lightness or darkness of a colour, and is relative.  That is to say that the value of a colour depends on the value of the other colours surrounding with it.  Whenever you contrast the Value you create depth in your quilt or clothing.

There are several tools a sewist can use to determine the value of colour.  The first is to look at the fabric through a red coloured piece of cellophane.  The red colour of the cellophane cancels out the other colours allowing you to see only value in greyscale, just like the photo above (use a piece of green cellophane for viewing red colours).  

If you are working somewhere where you have access to a printer, you can lay your fabrics on top of the printers bed and simply print a black and white “picture”.

More often you will not have these things with you when shopping, so another great way to view fabrics in black and white is to use your smart phone.  Check to see if the camera in your smart phone has “effects”.  You may need to go to your camera, and then tap “settings” to view your options.  On my Galaxy I simply had to drag the “Effects” button to the top tool bar of the camera.  Now when I need to take a black and white photo I simply tap “Effects” and select “Greyscale”.  Alternatively you can search the iStore or Google Play to find an app that will produce a black and white picture of your fabric.  Then all you need to do is take a quick picture using this app.

Whichever method you use to change the way you see your fabric you are sure to improve your skill to judge the value of your fabrics.  Your new found knowledge will help you next time you are selecting fabrics!

Do You Use A Colour Wheel?

Are you intimidated by the idea of using a Colour Wheel to assist you in organizing colours in your wardrobe, home or quilts?  

Finding wonderful colour combinations need not be a task that makes your blood run cold.  The secret is to learn to use a Colour Wheel.  My favourite Colour Wheel is not a wheel at all, but a wonderful resource tool from C&T Publishing.  The tool comes complete with instructions and makes choosing colour combinations a breeze.  You simply identify your starting colour, then flip the tool over to see the colours that work.  All colour schemes are shown including Monochromatic, Complementary, Analogous, Split-Complimentary and Triadic.


Of course none of that will make sense to you with out a little colour theory.  You can source this information on the internet, a wonderful site is    http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory.

If you’d like a more fun way to learn about a colour wheel, how it is made and how it is used, you could take a look at this You Tube Video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGrGkJtSLsk

It is not surprising that there are smart phone apps for both Android and iPhones which are free or cheap.  

From the Android shop “Google Play” I found “Colour Wheel”.  This app allows you to select a colour on the wheel, and will then advise you on the colours to fit with your chosen colour scheme.  The “Clean Colour Wheel 2.0” (also from Google Play) is a little simpler, allowing you to select a primary colour and then the colour scheme (three choices) which will reveal the colours you need. 

If you have an iPhone you will love the Colour Play app, because this app also allows you to take a photo of the colour, which it then uses to advise you on a colour scheme. Palettes, available for both iPad and iPhone has similar functions, and is available in 3 levels, one for free so you can try before you buy.

Whichever tool you use learning more about colour schemes will help you create more vibrant quilts!

End of Week and Mid Winter Solstice!

Our daughter lives and teaches in London, and I know that today will be a big day for her.  She teaches Kindergarten at Rudolf Steiner school in Greenwich, and they will be enjoying a summer solstice.

Down here in Australia it is a different story.  It is very cold this winter, and we've had a lot of rain, which is a good thing for a country that is so drought prone.  Here it is the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year.

My home town in Melbourne, a city at the bottom of mainland Australia.  The city itself is unique, with an amazing arts and cafe culture.  With so many immigrants from all over the world there is so much going on and happening at any time.  We are also sports mad, and it becomes part of you when you live here.  Growing up in New Zealand, I would never have dreamed of following sport, or going to watch live sport!  Within a couple of years of living here I became an avid watcher of many different sports, and a tragic Basketball fan.

The arts are also a vital part of life in Melbourne, and there is a massive street art culture. Qantas have a great article about it, click here to read it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

So Much Going On!

It has been ages since I posted to my blog and I know why, I've been so busy.

Thankfully there have been a whole mix of things I've been doing.  On a personal note, I've been able to halve my medication, and since it caused me to pile on more than 20 kg in just a few months it is a blessed relief.  I've joined Weight watchers and am now working hard on getting rid of all of those extra kilos!

After 5 weeks I've lost nearly 6kg, so there is a long way to go, but I'm glad to be getting there.  My Weight Watchers consultant is so lovely, and I really enjoy going for my weigh-in's and consolation.  I'm doing the program at one of the Weight Watchers Myer Centres and it suits me well.

On a sewing note, we are now AccuQuilter Dealers, and I have to say WOW!  I never dreamed that cutting my fabric could be so fast.  I've made three small samples for the shop, and am itching to do something bigger!

I have also had a promotional video made for the shop.  It turned out so great, but I have to say I hate the wobble of belly fat, and can't wait to loose it all. The video will be a good reminder to stay healthy! 

 I've also finished the latest shop newsletter which I'm very proud of. Writing this takes so much time, and I try to cram in as much useful info as I can. 

Now my big project is to finalise the new look website for my Sewing Machine and Fabric Shop, Michelle's Sewing Basket.  The trouble is every time I sit down on the computer I get a bit distracted.  Today I've resolved to finish my Facebook stuff and get down to the work so that is all from me for today.  Hope you are sewing up a storm!

Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe it is June already.  I've been so busy and had no time to blog at all but I promise to rectify that situation!

Meantime, one of the things I've been doing is organising a professional video of the business, so here is the link: 

Making the video was such fun, although I was so embarrassed at my rolls of fat!  I've put on more than 20 kg in the six months that I've been on new medication, and I am determined to do something about it.  Three weeks ago I joined the local Weight Watchers at our local Myer.  My personal consultant is fab, and I am loving the diet.  At last weeks weigh in I'd lost 3.6 kg, which isn't bad since I'm still on the med's that caused the weight gain.  I am hoping to be down another kg when I weigh in this week.

 

To treat myself, and stay motivated I've booked in to have my hair done on Monday afternoon, and my nails on Tuesday morning!

 

One great thing about WW (if you've never done it) is the way it get's you into the kitchen cooking. I've brought three of their cook books and have fun planning the menu's.  I've fallen in love with lots of healthy eating.  Two weeks ago I invested in a pressure cooker, and the meals I've been making in it are to die for.

 

Enough ranting about food, time to feed the family, and finish writing my shop newsletter!