Love those double spines but need a little help getting them done? The ProEcho line of rulers by Quilter’s Groove (😉 That’s me) makes them a little easier! Check out this quick video for on how!
Love those Double Spines!
Longarm Quilting
Organization is key.
I don’t know about you but I spend more time searching for things in my studio than actually quilting. It can be so annoying when alls you want to do is sew or quilt. I have avoided sewing and quilting because my studio is such a disaster.
Here take a look and you will see what I am talking about.
See… Can you relate? I am determined to clean up and organize the room so I WANT to go into it and work. So, I started on my thread! This is how I use to store my thread.
Needless to say it really didn’t work and since my room is small… the floor space is very valuable so I utilized the door.
not done yet… but it is a great start. I got this at the Container Store.
Here is the list of items I used…
Elfa Utility Residential Overdoor Hooks White Set of 2
Elfa Utility Narrow Medium Mesh Basket White
These baskets fit Aurifil thread spools perfectly! They have other sizes so you can measure your spools or cones and get the ones that work for you. I have no affiliation with Container store.. just a happy customer.
Stay tuned for more studio organization!
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
A Little Border Basic
When I first started machine quilting back in 2004, I looked all over for a mathematical way to figure out borders. Something that would work all the time on every border. Unfortunately, I could not find one. I thought I would share with you how I figure out an undulating spine that goes around the entire quilt. I have found that it is best to mark these before you load the machine on the frame.
Click here for the video of how I figure out this spine!
You can use this spine for ferns, flowers, feathers… really any thing or maybe just to divide up your border or space to do different fills on either side. I’d love to know how you measure and mark your borders. Leave it in the comments below!
Keeping your Quilt Square!
Once you load your quilt, you may think that’s all that is needed to keep your quilt top square, however that may not be the case. When you quilt and depending on how heavy you quilt…. the top can pull in on the sides… this is why we have those side clamps!
My fabulous student, Janis, gave me and the other members of Quilter’s Groove® Tribe her secret and I thought I would pass it along to you.
This is a piece of bungee cord that I got on Amazon. My frame is 12′ so I bought the 25 yards. The little pink things, these are cord locks. I line these up with the seams in the quilt as well as the outer edges so that every time I advance the quilt, I can make adjustments if my quilt has shifted.
At first I tried to just tie the cord to the end of my machine but when I advanced the quilt it would drag. So off to Lowes to try and figure out what to do. I have a BERNINA Q20 on a frame and this is how I attached it.
Bought two of these, they were around $2 a piece.
I pulled back the black piece on the end of my machine and slipped the nut through while it was attached to the bolt. I then tightened it all up. Once I found what I needed, it was a very simple process.
Let me know in the comments how you keep your quilts square!!
Private Quilt Coaching!
I am so excited that I can barely contain my excitement! The past few months have been challenging to say the least. We are all in a similar boat… our quilt shows have been cancelled which means that all of those classes that we all signed up for just went POOF! So what’s a quilter to do… we turn to our online options. Sometimes these are good and other times not so good. I have the perfect solution!
Private quilt coaching… you are in your studio, I am in mine and we come up with a game plan specific for you based on your own skill level. So if you have a special project that has been lying around for a while because you don’t know what to quilt on it…. this is perfect for you! Or maybe you just bought a longarm and are a little afraid and don’t know where to start. This is perfect for you! Maybe there are numerous things you want to work on or learn… again… everything is tailored to you. It doesn’t get any better then this!
What’s even better is that the first 5 people to respond…. get a free 1/2 hour coaching session! Limited spots so don’t delay!
Phew… a lot going on
HI all,
To say that the last month has been crazy is a complete understatement. I’m sure just like me you have days that are good and days that are bad. I feel like I am on a crazy rollercoaster of emotions and I can’t get off the ride.
Many of you are like me… have your own business and are hoping that you can survive not only the virus but that your business will survive this as well. Trying to explain to your children what is going on adds to the stress we are all feeling.
I have been trying to keep things as normal as possible but without traveling to shows and guilds… this is proving hard to do. I have been doing some FB live videos on my new fusible kit pattern…Comes Around, Goes Around. So make sure you follow Quilter’s Groove rulers page on Facebook. These FB live videos give me something to look forward to as well as connect with all of my fellow quilters which is something I miss greatly. You can see the past two videos on the page as well… I walk through how I go about designing the quilting for this cute little quilt.
The kit is for sale on my site… with the background and binding or without. I am also working on a short class for this kit. This is my first fusible kit and I am so excited! I hope you like it as well.
Looking for something to do to help…. there is a big debate whether to make or not make facemasks… I have been making them and will send some to my niece in California…. her and her roommates are traveling nurses. I will continue to make them, in between trying to work, for other people… police officers, postal employees, the workers that are in our grocery stores… and of course any of my friends that want them.
Be safe, my friends…. do your part… stay in! This will end.
Love you all
Lisa
Current Goings on……
Hi all, I hope you are all well and surviving our nationwide quarantine! We are social creatures and this surely is gonna test us… what’s the saying… what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger. Please follow all the directives so this can be over sooner rather than later. While I realize that this is serious, I need to try and maintain my sense of humor (hence the picture above) or I will go absolutely crazy.
First things first…. my online classes (not iQuilt) are on sale 25% off! Use code 25OFF The kits associated with both the Rulers for Rookies classes are 15% off! So why not learn a new skill, refresh an old skill or just have a little fun!
I have also added my 2 DVD’s as downloads! So if you are wondering how I come up with my quilting designs…. it’s really no secret and it’s really easy!! You can take a simple nine patch and turn it into a beauty! So we all have those orphan blocks that never made it into a quilt…. great to practice this technique.
So… my plan A was to go to MQX, teach all my wonderful students and just generally have a blast.
onto…. 
I am currently workin hard on my quilt along…. Comes Around, Goes Around! I am hoping it will be completed and ready to go by next Friday so please bear with me… a lot goes into it! Please stay tuned as there are a limited number of kits… so once they are gone… they are gone.
The kits are laser cut… there is no piecing involved. There will be blanket stitches around all of the applique. There will also be an option of getting the kits with the rulers that I use for the quilting. I will be filming all of the quilting as well, so you can quilt it as I have or you can use the Divide and Design method to create your own! I can’t wait to see what you all come up with.
Stay well! Hope to see you at a future quilt show… SOON!
Lisa
Rulers for Rookies 2: The Next Step!!!!! 15% off this weekend
So I realize that it’s been a while! I apologize. I have started to accept customer quilts again, it’s difficult to try and get it all done but I’m trying!
I have had this new Rulers for Rookies 2 Kit in the works for quite a while now. I can say as of today…. it is done! I had so much fun designing this panel! It comes with 5 different rulers. ProCircle 7, ProEcho 12, ProPebble 3/4 – 1.75, Pro and my favorite…. the ProLine 8!
There is also a class to go along with this kit, both domestic and longarm! The class is only $10 and helps to pay for the site that it is on.
This weekend! 15% off the Rulers for Rookies 2: The Next Step Kit!
Don’t miss out! 2/14/20-2/17/20 No code needed!
NYC or Bust!!
Hey everyone,
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I had some new additions to my house… it definitely kept things interesting .
I am heading to NYC next week (Dec 13th) to Gotham Quilts and there are still some spots left. Rulers for Rookies is on tap for Friday afternoon and Friday evening! Come spend some time in the city…. check out the tree and enjoy the atmosphere! It is sure to be a great time and if you haven’t been to the shop… its worth the trip.
Rulers for Rookies a great introduction to using rulers on your domestic machine. The great thing about it is that you do not have to bring any of the rulers with you. I provide all the rulers you need. What could be better??
Hope to see you in the city!
Purple What???
I’m embarrassed to say that this post is VERY late in the making (she says hanging her head very low). A couple of years ago, a student of mine in Houston, Heather Snow, gave me a wonderful gift! Now, I need to say…. when I return from a Houston trip things are very hectic…. unpacking, finishing up the accounting etc. It normally takes me at least a week to see the top of my desk. (not that this is a good excuse at all) So I put Heather’s gift in my studio and like everything else it got shuffled around a bit. When I recently moved I rediscovered it and promptly was kicking myself in the ass for letting it get shuffled around. AT this point you are all probably saying… just shut up and tell us what the hell the gift was!!
It is the Blade Saver thread cutter from her company… Purple Hobbies!
Bladesaver Thread Cutter
Soooo… those old rotary cutting blades that really don’t cut fabric very well… now they have a use!! Pop them in this cute little flower and voila! a thread cutter for when you are chain piecing. When not in use the cute little flower is stored in the circular base! Heather, Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift!
This is the next must have, the Magnetic Pin cup! They come in different sizes for all of your pin holding needs. I realized I needed this after needlessly stabbing my self countless times (and cursing up a blue streak) going for a pin!
Make sure you check out all that Heather has to offer at Purple Hobbies! No affiliation…. just a very happy quilter!
If you are going to Houston and see me…. Make sure you say hello!!
Lisa H Calle's Blog 