(PRWEB) May 5, 2005 — A brand-new web site has been created to allow quilters to share their favorite quilting tips with other quilters from around the world. www.QuiltersTips.com offers tips on all aspects of quilting, from beginner’s tips for those just getting started to advanced tips for the serious quilter. And, as an added bonus for the quilting community, QuiltersTips.com offers a Weekly Quilting Tips Contest, where the top-ranked quilting tip receives a valuable prize each and every week.

With over 20 million quilters in the United States alone, quilting has never been more popular. No matter what style of quilting – traditional quilting, crazy quilting, art quilting, and more – www.QuiltersTips.com offers quilting tips that fellow quilters have found useful in their chosen hobby. And, with a chance to rank each quilting tip each week, it’s easy to see what other quilters from around the world think of the submitted quilting tips. There’s also a comment feature on the web site where visitors can leave comments about the quilting tips.

To submit quilting tips and participate in the Weekly Quilting Tips Contest, users need to register at www.QuiltersTips.com. Once registered and confirmed (to prevent “joke” or malicious registrations), users are able to submit as many quilting tips as they like. A strict “no-share” policy at the site ensures that any information collected will be used solely for communicating with the members and will never be shared or sold to any third party.

The current prize for the Weekly Quilting Tips Contest is a copy of the printed version of either “How to Start Your Own Machine Quilting Business” or “How to Start Your Own Quilt Shop,” both from Gruntled Enterprises. The books, valued at $49, offer practical advice on starting, running, and marketing a machine quilting business or quilt shop. For more information about the books, you can visit www.QuiltingBusiness.com.

QuiltersTips.com was officially launched on Wednesday, April 27th, and currently has over 120 members. The first contest winner has already been announced, and results of the most recent contests can be found at www.QuiltersTips.com.

QuiltersTips.com is owned and operated by Gruntled Enterprises, a Pepperell, Massachusetts based company that specializes in niche marketing.

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting Tips at 4:09 PM EDT

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The rotary cutter has truly revolutionized quilting. Its ability to cut fabric so quickly and accurately has made it an absolute must-have for every quilter. While a rotary cutter is much more efficient for quilting than scissors, it is also more likely to cause injury if not used properly, or used with appropriate caution.

I personally have had two trips to the emergency room for stitches on my left pointer finger. My accidents were the result of skipping my rotary cutter off of the edge of my ruler and up over my finger that was helping to secure the ruler in place. I was being too casual and careless with my cutting, and not taking the time to make sure I had my hands and body properly placed before I cut. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting, Quilting Tips at 1:00 PM EDT

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One of the favorite quilts I’ve ever given as a gift is the photo memory quilt I made for my husband’s grandparents, Frell and Cleda. Last year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Such an amazing mile-stone called for a very special gift, so with the help of my father-in-law who collected all of the photos, we began putting together a quilt that would portray some of the most important events and people that have made up their 70 years together.

I wanted the quilt to have a vintage look and I found some wonderful vintage-look fabrics at my neighborhood fabric store, joann.com. The photos, of course, needed to be the focal point of the quilt, but I wanted to add some flair as well. I decided to take my cute vintage fabrics and make pinwheels to put together to make a sashing which added life, feeling and movement to the quilt. Many of the photos were black and white which looked great with the vintage fabrics. The classic pinwheel design in the sashing really brought the whole look of the quilt together. It truly turned out lovely!

Presenting the quilt to Frell and Cleda was full of emotion and very rewarding. We all shed tears as they looked at the pictures representing their 70 years together. They loved their quilt and keep it on the end of their bed as a display piece. To this day they show everyone who enters their home this beautiful photo memory quilt.

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting at 12:32 PM EST

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While I was in the fabric store today I saw two great quilting books “Nickel Quilts”, and “More Nickel Quilts”, both by Pat Speth. I have seen these books before, but was instantly drawn to them because of my recent discovery of Moda’s “Promo Packs” of fabric – a pack of 48 different 5 inch squares of fabric already cut and ready to use. The quilts in these books are designed to be made specifically with 5 inch squares of fabric. I was amazed at the beautiful quilts that can be so easily made with an array of 5 inch squares and a little imagination. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting at 2:27 PM EST

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I was in one of my favorite quilting stores (The Stitching Corner) today and saw for the first time what is called a “promo pack” of fabric . There were several different promo packs, all from the same fabric company, Moda Fabrics. I was particularly taken with a pack from the line “Faded Memories” by the designers 3 Sisters. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting, Fabric at 12:40 PM EST

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I have been quilting for about 10 years now and I have made many beautiful baby blankets. I always enjoy giving something I’ve made to a new mother and hearing the “ooohs” and “aaahs” expressed over a blanket I have put many hours into and made just for that special baby.

I recently sat down to plan a quilt for my brother’s new baby girl. I found a pattern I was excited about trying, and bought some lovely fabric just perfect for a darling baby girl. As I sat and sewed, I was excited to see how it was all going to come together. To my dismay, I realized that despite my years of experience and careful planning, I had managed to put together a somewhat unattractive baby quilt. Read more »

Posted by Lisa Blair as Baby Blankets at 2:08 PM EST

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Here are some ideas for making your receiving blanket and burp cloths even more special. If you have a sewing machine that has embroidery capabilities, try embroidering the name of the baby you’re gifting the blanket to on a corner of the blanket or on the burp cloths. Personalizing the blanket in this way really gives it that extra something that makes an ordinary gift into a real keepsake. You could also choose an embroidery pattern rather than a name, or even choose to do both. Be creative and tap into the features of your machine.

If your sewing machine does not have embroidery capabilities and lots of decorative stitches, you might try making piping to sew around the perimeter of your blanket. Choose a third fabric that looks good with the two you have already chosen, and use cording that measures about ¼ inch in diameter. Round the corners of the blanket so the piping can be easily sewn around the entire perimeter. This is a beautiful way to embellish your blanket without all the bells and whistles of an expensive machine.

These suggestions will add a little bit to the time it takes to complete your blanket, but these extra touches will really make a big impact on the finished project, and will give you the ”ooohs and aaahs” you’re looking for when you give a homemade gift!

Posted by Lisa Blair as Embroidery, Baby Blankets at 2:13 AM EST

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Here’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive homemade baby gift idea. To make this receiving blanket and burp cloths you will need:
• 1 and 1/3 yd printed flannel
• 1 and 1/3 yd solid color flannel
• 1 spool complimentary thread
• time needed: approximately 1 hour
Lay both cuts of fabric down on your cutting mat, one on top of the other. Trim edges on one side and measure about 35 inches and cut again. Trim selvedge edges off the fabrics. You should now have two large rectangles measuring approx. 35 x 40 inches.

Take remaining fabrics, still stacked on top of each other, and cut 12 x 16 inches. You will now have four 12 x 16 inch rectangles. Take the large rectangles and sew right sides together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave 4 or 5 inches at the end to turn the blanket right side out. Close the opening and press the edges. Repeat with the small rectangles, making two burp cloths.

Choose a decorative stitch on your machine and stitch around the perimeter of the blanket about one inch from the edge. Repeat with the burp cloths. I like to trace a square or circle about twelve inches wide in the center of the blanket and stitch the decorative stitch on top of it to keep the blanket from shifting when it’s washed.

This is a great baby gift! I’ve given this gift many times and it’s always a hit! Consider giving a more elaborate baby keepsake blanket if you feel you have more time to prepare an extra special baby gift.

Note: Be conscious of the decorative stitch you choose, as some stitches are quick and others take a very long time to stitch out. It will greatly add to the time it takes to complete this project if you choose a stitch that is very intricate or thread dense.

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting, Baby Blankets at 2:13 AM EST

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Creating and caring for a keepsake blanket for your baby can be one of the most rewarding quilting projects you undertake. After years of trial and error, I would like to share with you what years of experience has taught me about creating an adorable keepsake blanket that your baby and you will cherish for many years.

#1 Use high quality cotton fabrics that will wash well and won’t bleed color or fade
#2 Use cotton thread rather than polyester. Although polyester is a stronger fiber (and so you may think it will last longer), it can actually wear holes in the cotton fabric after repeated washings.
#3 Choose classic colors for your quilt rather than trendy ones so your quilt will be appealing for decades to come
#4 Use fabrics and colors that you really love. Don’t use fabric just because you have some scraps in your closet. A really special project needs to be just right.
#5 Do not over wash. If you want your keepsake baby blanket to last for years to come, you’ll want to limit the number of washings you give it.
#6 Consider hand-quilting your quilt. A baby quilt is small and relatively quick and easy to quilt. Hand quilting gives your project that special touch of time and love that makes it a real keepsake.
#7 Personalize your quilt. Embroider or stitch your baby’s name and birth date on the back or on an empty block or boarder on the quilt top. I recommend you do this before the blanket is assembled so the name and date will not appear on the back side.
#8 Label your quilt. Part of what makes a keepsake so special is knowing how made it and when.
#9 Hand wash in cold water and line dry. Machine washing and dry cleaning are not recommended for handmade quilts.
#10 Store your keepsake quilt flat. Consider laying the quilt for display on spare bed in a guestroom, or better yet, hang it over a display rod or quilt display rack. If this is not possible, periodically unfold and refold your quilt in a different manner to minimize the permanent creasing in your quilt.

Posted by Lisa Blair as Baby Blankets at 6:50 PM EST

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No matter what kind of quilts you choose to make, there are some basics you will need to know before you begin. You will need some basic tools, a few skills and the time and inclination to carry your quilt to completion.

Whether you are a real beginner or a seasoned quilter, these tips can help you. It won’t matter if you create every project by hand or if your sewing machine is your best friend; most quilt patterns can be adapted to either method. Have fun being creative as you begin quilt making.

Before purchasing tools or fabrics, take an inventory of what you already have.
Find a portable storage container for necessary items. Ideas include plastic storage containers, zippered bank bags, jewelry bags and more.
Survey friends and fellow quilters for recommendations. Try out their tools first.

Posted by Lisa Blair as Quilting at 5:48 PM EDT

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